rich_TMNT

Yet more great stuff. I love the RTNY story and these covers are among my favorites from Vol. I. Funny you mention #21 was HTF in great shape...just last week I found a ton of old TMNT comics in a dollar bin and #21 was among some of the ones missing their covers.

Have you seen any CGC graded TMNTA issues that do note the printing in the label? CGC doesn't seem to differentiate between newsstand editions or the printings on these Archie TMNTA comics. Which is odd because the first 12 issues had multiple reprintings and there were multiple issues with both direct market and newsstand covers. While not many TMNTA issues are on their census, they don't list any reprintings that I can find. You're right that the TMNTA issues with the Gorelick picture are reprints. However, I believe any of the TMNTA issues with the barcode are first print newsstand editions. First print direct market editions don't have the barcode and, in the case of #1, don't have the "1st Edition Collector's Edition" on the cover.

Sweet books man. Thanks for sharing them. Great additions to your collection.

I've ordered from them before although it was some time ago (over a year). Never had any issues but it does take a few weeks to get the order.

I'd say about $2,500 to $3,000 if graded. It's about $1,000 higher than it would go for just one or two years ago.

Very cool. Thanks for posting those. I know CGC has to deal with a mountain of data and so many of the small details can get confusing or mixed up. Although you'd think they would be able to get "Peter Laird" right. Late last year I thought about submitting my entire Vol. I for CGC grading. However, it would be cost prohibitive for me right now with all the IDW stuff I need to keep on top of. I easily spend 5x (if not 10x) more per month buying the IDW editions than I ever used to with the Mirage stuff. Thanks again for posting those...I love seeing what others have in their collections. Merry Christmas to you!

...and Merry Christmas to you as well !! The original Michaelangelo one-shot cover is one of my favorites. Interesting that CGC labeled the "Michaelangelo Christmas Special" edition as "TMNT Christmas Special." In my database I have that issue catalogued as the 2nd printing of the Michaelangelo one-shot (with a subtitle of "Michaelangelo Christmas Special"). I typically assign the title of comics to match what the legal indicia on the interior states as the title. It's been 20+ years since I catalogued it so maybe I mistakenly did so years ago. I don't have easy access to my issue at the moment so I can't check it but I'd always thought it was just the 2nd printing of the one-shot and not a completely different title (as CGC has done). Odd that they don't even mention Michaelangelo in the title but it's on the cover of the book. Plus, I think Lawson only did the cover and maybe had a small addition in that book but they attribute the whole thing to him. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing those...they are some beautiful issues for sure.

I think those days are over...at least while the TMNT are making a resurgence. I think the only exception right now are raw copies. Those seem to be holding fairly steady. That may be just due to the risk of not knowing authenticity and true condition.

A 5.0 would likely go for around $1,200 to $1,500 right now.

That...is...AWESOME !! Thanks for sharing that. Super-cool piece.

I have all those !! These are the really nice satin ornaments they did years ago. Has anyone spotted TMNT ornaments for this year? I haven't seen anything.

I don't know how many of you are on the Technodrome Forums but I posted about this same thing over there but thought it was worth a discussion here as well. Did anyone catch the last episode of "Comic Book Men" on AMC? If not, there are some details here. Basically, TMNT #1-4 made an appearance in a segment. Most importantly though for collectors and those seeking TMNT #1 1st print, note the following interesting item. During the episode there was a written explanation they showed (as they always do) to explain what the collectible is and its importance. It read something to the effect of, "A graded TMNT #1 1st print recently sold for $20+K." I specifically keyed in to the words they used on this (or didn't use in this case). Note they said it was graded but not what grade. Only TMNT #1 in 9.8 grade has ever sold at that price but they never stated or clarified this. So, this information was put out there (in a very public way) and this could have big implications on the price of TMNT #1 1st print in any condition. It may already have impacted the price given that recent sales of TMNT #1 (both 1st and 2nd printings). Bottom line...a lot of people just were told that a graded TMNT #1 is worth $20+K.

Totally! I thought the same thing when I read that. Grading is only "highly" subjective when it's done outside the parameters of a respected grading authority (like he's doing). If he'd get it graded it wouldn't be "highly" subjective (just minimally )

No, I think it's authentic...just highly overpriced for its condition.

I'm not keen on the premium either...not sure I've ever understood the need for it to be so much. I do agree that it should be hidden (although the voyeur in me finds it kind of interesting to see the markup a buyer has to pay )

I'll take a different approach on a prediction for this. I predict that the final HA Buyer's Premium alone will be enough to have acquired 2 or 3 copies of TMNT #1 with a grade of 8.0 to 9.0.

Prior to the IDW comics, the Creed/TMNT crossover was the TMNT comic with the most variants / covers. The one you found is the Platinum which, oddly enough, isn't all that rare. The variants of the Creed/TMNT crossover are as follows: - Trent Kaniuga cover regular - Peter Laird cover regular - American Entertainment Exclusive (Ltd. to 3,000) - Platinum Edition (Ltd. to 2,000) - Gold Edition (Ltd. to 1,200) - S&N Edition (Ltd. to 700) - Subscribers Direct Hybrid Edition (Ltd. to 500)

I don't see 2nd prints nearly as much as I see 1st and 3rd printings.

...not mine either but, from the looks of things, it's not gonna be cheap.

As fellow TMNT collectors, what's your opinion on CGC labeling errors like this one ? Does a grading or labeling error that's not associated with the actual comic book itself make the comic more rare or valuable? Personally, I do no believe a grading or labeling error makes a comic more valuable or rare - it should be the comic book inside that should determine the value and rarity. While such an error makes for an interesting collectible, I don't believe it turns a $25 comic into a $1,000 comic. As a TMNT comic book collector, I'd personally be willing to pay no more than a 25% mark-up over what a non-error copy would go for.

Thanks for the update on your Gold....that's an awesome grade...a very nice addition to your collection. As for the Silver copies, I never would have thought we'd see more Gold copies than Silver but, to date, that's been the case (at least for me). I can count on one hand how many Silver editions I've ever seen (and that includes my own copy).

I am confused.

Is it known whether the Turtlemania books themselves were available for sale at the event or were they given away as promotion items? I always assumed they were for sale but maybe they were giveaways.

How cool, keylab. That's a really neat piece.

I'm inclined to believe him too, Stephan. No reason not to believe him and, just as you said, we'll know (or maybe our kids/grandkids will know) if that 51st copy ever surfaces. I've just always thought it odd how it took Peter & Kevin years to publicly correct the print quantity information that was published in Turtlemania. I had even thought they had stated separately (article or magazine) that there WERE 150 copies of each but, for the life of me, I can't find that article anywhere. I think it's just that I've collected so long and have had that 150 number in my brain since '87 that it's very hard to shake.