rich_TMNT

Beautiful books ! They are all spectacular but that #1 1st print...that's something truly special. Nice work my man. ...and Chad, you really are on fire. Enjoy seeing all that you're acquiring. Very nice indeed.

Whoa! I didn't even notice that.

TMNT NAA #11 has part 1 of the story but, to my knowledge, they didn't do a special Lego Subscription cover like they did for NAA #12 and #13. Not sure why. I also find it odd that the #4 homage cover is on the book that re-tells the #1 story in "Lego." Why not put the #1 homage cover on that one?

Nice haul ! That's a great book that's becoming very hard to find. Pretty good price too.

$100 isn't bad for it though...it's getting to be a tough book to find for cheap. 20+ years ago I could find that book every day for less than $5. Plus, I'd buy back-issues in bulk sometimes and Turtlemania would included. Good luck on the Gold & Silver hunt. Very hard books to find. Gold is still something I need but prices have just been too high every time I've had the chance to buy.

Staple rust is very common with these books...I see it more often than not with them. The staining is kind of hit or miss but I've found copies in back-issue bins that have staining on the spine and/or front & back. I think these being white with matte paper is the reason...picks up everything. Hard book to get in a 9.8 for sure.

Actually, I haven't re-read the first series in many years so I can't be totally sure. But if memory serves, after issue #11, TMNT Vol. I had very little continuity outside of a few two or three-part story-lines up to #45 (the first of which is "Return to NY" issues #19-21 - which are included in The Works Vol. 3). I personally don't think you'll miss them in terms of continuity and you can always get the originals from eBay, online shops, or local comic shops for pretty cheap. And, quick correction to my previous...I just checked The Ultimate Collections from IDW and, while I thought IDW had gotten permission to reprint #13, 16, & 18...they apparently did not. The Ultimate Collection Vol. 3 also does not contain these 3 issues. My bad.

"The Works" books are collecting the IDW TMNT Color Classics which are colored reprints of the original Mirage books. However, certain issues of Vol. I have licensing issues and so it's my understanding that IDW can't reproduce those without coming to an agreement with the original writer. So, for #13, IDW would need to work things out with Michael Dooney. For #16, they'd need to work things with Mark Martin. For #18, Mark Bode. The interesting part about this is that IDW has to work an agreement with others for every different publication. So, IDW worked an agreement with these guys so The Ultimate Collections would include the issues. Apparently, they didn't think it was worth the additional licensing costs to reprint these as part of the Color Classics line.

Very cool stuff !! Sorry about the GG...that went much higher than I thought it would.

Well, I definitely do. Archie TMNT are tricky. There are TMNT Adventures, Adventures Mini-Series, Adventures Special, and on and on. Even trickier is that the first 11 issues of TMNT Adventures had multiple printings but a 5th printing isn't really worth any less than a 1st printing. In fact, many times I find that the higher printings are more expensive (because they're harder to find). In addition, although the interior of the comic states which printing it is, not everyone uses or lists this when selling. This goes for comic shops, eBay auctions, etc. So, trying to track down all printings is extremely difficult. This is actually something I plan to do at some point (i.e., track down all printings of #1-11 TMNTA) but I just haven't had the time to put into it yet. You can use my site to filter for what you're looking for. That will give you a good idea of what's out there Archie-wise. It's one of the reasons I developed it this way...so other collectors could use it as a list of what they needed.

Please post if you find a set. I'd love to see another one. The set I have is the only set I've ever seen.

These were just small digest-sized books that showcased different independent comic artist's work. You can read the inside front and back covers of these on my collection website for more information about these. Also, there were 50 sets of green Limited Edition copies that are very rare and extremely hard to find. You can see those (along with the B&W versions) using this link. Independent Comic Book Sampler

Great points...and I'm with you regarding provenance as the main selling point to the other set. But these pretty much never get graded so, although it's PGX, that could be key to a potential buyer. A rare book that rarely gets graded...regardless of actual condition. Will be interesting to watch.

No clue really. A set of ungraded #1 & #2 went for $6,500 recently which, in my opinion, was a steal. I'll say $4K when it's all said and done...assuming the seller doesn't take it down early (which seems to happen a lot with these rare books).

CGC won't grade Gobbledygook. I've asked and, even with documented provenance, they refuse to grade my two sets of raw Gobbledygooks. As far as PGX goes, I'm not a fan. I own the only other graded set of Gobbledygook #1 & Gobbledygook #2 . They were already graded when I bought them. They are both 8.0 but I can't see how in the world they got such a high grade. In my opinion they are probably closer to 5.0 or 6.0. Will be interesting to see what this goes for. Wonder why the #2 isn't also being sold...I know I've seen it before.

While this is technically true, most people consider it a variant instead of considering it a "first first" or "pre first" or whatever print. It's true because the variant came off the line before the rest of the 1st print run and every issue afterwards was corrected. Here's what the variant looks like. You'll see that there are 4 colors on the regular cover: black, white, dark blue, and light blue. The variant cover is missing the light blue color on the cover. Looking at your copy, it seems that something else was different about the coloring. The light blue is certainly missing, but the word "Photo" in Laird's Photo is dark blue instead of white. The correct #3 has "Photo" in light blue. If only light blue was missing, "Photo" should also be white. If light blue was replaced with dark blue, then both "Laird's" and "Photo" would be dark blue. I'm not sure what combination causes "Laird's" to be white and "Photo" to be dark blue. Think of it this way. There were 3 "colors" intended on the #3 cover...White, Dark Blue, Light Blue. The NYC variant is missing the Light Blue. It's as easy as that. It's not that easy. "Photo" is in dark blue on the NYC. If the light blue missing was the only difference, "Photo" would be white. Hmmm. It is that easy for most of us. So, what is it you're trying to figure out with all this? Which came first? NYC variant came first. There is some dark blue and light blue on the "Laird's Photo." Granted, it's not the same exact placement as in the NYC copy and maybe not as dark. Why? It's a different print run entirely. When you take away the light blue, you're left with dark blue. A "mostly white 'Laird's Photo'" is how to identify this edition.

While this is technically true, most people consider it a variant instead of considering it a "first first" or "pre first" or whatever print. It's true because the variant came off the line before the rest of the 1st print run and every issue afterwards was corrected. Here's what the variant looks like. You'll see that there are 4 colors on the regular cover: black, white, dark blue, and light blue. The variant cover is missing the light blue color on the cover. Looking at your copy, it seems that something else was different about the coloring. The light blue is certainly missing, but the word "Photo" in Laird's Photo is dark blue instead of white. The correct #3 has "Photo" in light blue. If only light blue was missing, "Photo" should also be white. If light blue was replaced with dark blue, then both "Laird's" and "Photo" would be dark blue. I'm not sure what combination causes "Laird's" to be white and "Photo" to be dark blue. Think of it this way. There were 3 "colors" intended on the #3 cover...White, Dark Blue, Light Blue. The NYC variant is missing the Light Blue. It's as easy as that.

Great books man!

It's the paperback version of the first printing of TMNT Vol. I Collected Book. Pretty rare and hard to find in its own right. The hardcover version was limited to 1,000 and is extremely hard to find. All the printings of this Vol. I Collected book can be seen here.

Very nice and accurate analysis / summary. Thanks!

Probably around $7K for the set. There's a set for sale right now on eBay for $8995 BIN that you could watch to see the final value (if it sells).

Personally, I have no stake in this game. If you say you meant no impropriety, then so be it.

Why would someone ever ask another person to bid on something? If you want to buy it, then bid on it. But asking for others to bid on it...and asking for it to be bid up to a certain level? That is not right...joke or not.

Was gonna wish you luck on your auction but, dude, that is some sleazy stuff you just said right there (and likely illegal).

That info. actually came from Peter Laird so I'd consider it confirmed (with one correction - 3,275). Details