Saint_Doyle

I've made a comment in another thread about this discovery, but now a second copy has been un-earthed by androolx so it's time to officially announce it. There exists an ultra-rare variant of Marvel Star Thundercats #2: M-Logo Direct Edition 75¢ price error variant. Previously (incorrectly) thought to be a rare Third Print, it was later discovered that it is likely a First Print as it contains the exact same ads, subscription info, and editor's pages as the other Thundercats #2 Frist Prints. Below are my 5 identified variations of Thundercats #2. (I've also got a Dutch language printing that I acquired since snapping this pic.) Fun notes about this error price variant: All ads (including the back cover, interior covers, subscription offer, and Marvel checklist) are all the identical and on the same page as in the 1st print DM/US Newsstand/CAN Newsstand editions. This issue was dated Feb. 1986. Regular Marvel titles had increased in cover price to the 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ shown on this printing in this month, however Marvel Star titles (including Thundercats) would remain at the previous Marvel pricing structure of 65¢ / 30p / 75¢ in Feb. '86 until changing along with the rest of Marvel the following month in Mar. '86. The 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ Thundercats #2 M-Logo error variant does not state that it is a reprint in the Indica. This is not concrete proof of anything, as this was commonly omitted in reprints of this era, but is still worth a mention. Given these facts, it seems likely that the person setting up the printing press accidentally ran a few 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ Thundercats #2 Direct Market (M-Logo) covers before catching the error (Star comics are still at the old price this month) and running the rest of the copies at the 65¢ / 30p / 75¢ price. This seems like an error printing similar to the Captain America #212 35¢ "no Marvel Comics Group banner" error printing, or the Marvel Spotlight #1 "no issue number" error printing, as opposed to the more common error printings where one color of ink was low for a fraction of the run.

Here's a graphic I made a while back identifying the 5 versions of Thundercats #1 that I am aware of. As far as I'm aware there is not a version that states it is a Second Printing in the indicia, though I would love to be wrong about this. 2nd print: does not state it is a reprint on the indicia 3rd print: does state "THIRD PRINTING" on indicia

I need to update my original post concerning the Marvel Star Thundercats reprints. Originally I had claimed there existed a very rare 3rd print of Thundercats #2. Fellow boardie androolx located a second copy of the elusive "Third Print Thundercats #2." After a bit of investigation we now believe this to be an ERROR printing of the 1st print, as opposed to a 3rd print. Here is the evidence: All ads (including the back cover, interior covers, subscription offer, and Marvel checklist) are all the identical and on the same page as in the 1st print DM/US Newsstand/CAN Newsstand editions. This issue was dated Feb. 1986. Regular Marvel titles had increased in cover price to the 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ shown on this printing in this month, however Marvel Star titles (including Thundercats) would remain at the previous Marvel pricing structure of 65¢ / 30p / 75¢ in Feb. '86 until changing along with the rest of Marvel the following month in Mar. '86. The 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ Thundercats #2 does not state that it is a reprint in the Indica. This is not concrete proof of anything, as this was commonly omitted in reprints of this era, but is still worth a mention. These facts lead us to believe that this 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ Thundercats #2 is not a 3rd Printing as previously believed, but is instead an ERROR printing of the 1st Print Direct Market edition. Androolx proposed a situation where the person assembling the cover for print forgot to use old price box and accidentally printed a few copies with the new price box before catching the error and correcting it for the rest of the run. This is complete speculation, but seems plausible. Do you see any reason to believe this 75¢ / 50p / 95¢ Thundercats #2 is actually a 3rd Print? I feel confident it is an ERROR 1st printing, given the evidence. Anything else I should look for? This seems like an error printing similar to the Captain America #212 35¢ "no Marvel Comics Group banner" error printing, or the Marvel Spotlight #1 "no issue number" error printing, as opposed to the more common error printings where one color of ink was low for a fraction of the run.

So did the 2nd print end up being the Black Spidey Head version with no indication that it is a "Second Printing" on the indicia? That's my guess. Thundercats #1 Second Print and Thundercats #2 Third Print don't actually have a mention of them being a reprint on the indicia. Marvel wasn't super consistent with indicia labelings for reprints in this era. I wondered this as well. Same ads means the mystery is afoot (probably?), but different ads means it's just a different printing. We really need verification of this.

The #4 and #6 look like standard Direct Edition 1st prints, but what's up with that #5 (assuming it is #5 between issues 4 and 6)? Is there no number in the number block or is the picture just cut a bit short? There is a 2nd print to Thundercats #4 (Marvel "M" box, no month under the date). I do not believe there to be a 2nd print of either Thundercats 5 or 6 but would love to be wrong.

After much time and tears I have finally noticed the word "Apparent" above the number, meaning that this comic NOW (after restoration) appears to be a 6.0 book. Thank you all for helping me to reach Grief Stage 5: very reluctant acceptance.

How does one go about getting a better explanation from the experts?

How does the Restored purple label grade work? If I have a 6.0 Restored comic does that mean it is in 6.0 condition despite (before) the restoration applied, or is it brought up to a 6.0 because of the restoration? Stated another way: if I have a Restored 6.0 and I could magically remove all of the restoration would it then grade at a Blue 6.0, or would it more likely be a Blue 5.0? I realize this is a super basic question, but I just spent 30 minutes reading CGC info pages and couldn't find a clear answer.

I already have a spreadsheet started with this information for the Thundercats reprints and would be eager to share it for this project.

The back cover ad of all the 1st printing issues of Thundercats 3 (direct market, US newsstand, and Canadian newsstand) all feature this Care Bears ad. It's possible that a potential later printing also features this same back cover ad, but I wouldn't go cracking anything just yet. ...And sorry Silver Surfer, that's just a boring old Canadian Newsstand Edition you have there in your second post (easily the rarest printing of Thundercats #3 I am currently aware of).

The fact that there are no identifiable differences on the cover between the 1st and 2nd printings of Smurfs #1 makes me think I need to go through several copies of Thundercats #3 and make sure that a reprint of that issue doesn't exist. It seems odd that issues #1, 2, and 4 would have multiple printings but #3 would not.

Ah yeah, I remember the JC Penney reprints. I've actually run across your write up before. Very nice work.

That X-Men 268 second print brings a question to mind: how many reprints are there that have very subtle cover differences (such as X-Men 268's lack of Curtis routing number under the cover date being the only noticeable change)? I am used to Copper Age reprints having a different colored background or logo, or possibly no date listed under the issue number. The X-Men 268 second print has neither of those.

Comiconxion is correct, that 3-pack shows a SECOND Print of #1 and a FIRST print of #3. I have never seen a reprint of #3, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. And I have never seen a premium paid for any of the Thundercats reprints, but up until 2 days ago I am pretty sure I was the only person on the planet who cared. Now there are two of us! (How do I input the cloud nine emoji from the old boards???)

As a rule a Canadian Newsstand Edition MUST have a bar code. It's a common mistake. I've seen 2nd Prints mistakenly slabbed with a "Canadian Edition" note on it. (Not my book, I just found the image online while researching the topic.)