Omnibus, Absolute, Deluxe, and HC Thread 17 17

[wormboy]

11 hours ago, TwoPiece said:

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between 1st/2nd/3rd/etc editions of the Spawn: Origins hardcovers? I bought Volumes 9 & 10 for 75% off recently, and I'd prefer to own the 1st prints. I'm guessing that there may be a standard for how to tell edition of books?

Is there a method for distinguishing TPB editions, too?

One of you has to know! Plz.

One way to tell what printing a HC or TPB is: on the first or second page, near the publishers info, there should be a string of numbers from 1-10. If all numbers are present, it’s a first print. If only 2-10 are shown, it’s a second print, etc.

Here’s an example from my Alias Omnibus (first print):

 

[wormboy]

I am a hardcore hardcover collector! (See below ).

I prefer first printings of a hardcover over omnis. In fact omnibuses (omnibi?) are my least favorite option, and I only buy them if it’s the first time the material has been reprinted.

Like many have mentioned, I prefer to read story arcs at once (no digital for me, thanks), but the omnis are cumbersome, and often, as some have mentioned, the quality is weak (glued over sewn).

I agree with what others have said - comic collectors don’t seem to have the same concern about printings as collectors of fiction hardcovers. I collect Sci-Fi hardcovers as well. In that market second printings are essentially worthless vs. the first edition.

I’ll buy the first issue of a comic to see if I like it. If I really like it, I’ll wait for the HC and save the first issue. If I really love it (right now Paper Girls, Saga, WD) I’ll buy the monthly issues because I can’t wait, then buy the HC later for my shelf and either keep or sell the floppies.

Here’s part of my bookshelf (sorry for the bad pic):

 

[Gatchaman]

Most of my Omnibus collection.  I don't pay full price for any of them.  I research for the best prices.  The most recent was the WBN for $37.95.  Picked up the 1st Perez Wonder Woman Omnibus for my daughter for $50 at Jet City Con.

[theCapraAegagrus]

7 hours ago, wormboy said:

One way to tell what printing a HC or TPB is: on the first or second page, near the publishers info, there should be a string of numbers from 1-10. If all numbers are present, it’s a first print. If only 2-10 are shown, it’s a second print, etc.

Here’s an example from my Alias Omnibus (first print):

 

So this cannot be confirmed prior to opening the product? I don't have problems with buying used editions, but I typically look for sealed 1st editions. I thought there might be another method of inspection on the cover.

[F For Fake]

11 hours ago, Unca Ben said:

I bought a few Marvel Masterworks when they first came out.  They were fun.  i have one Omnibus, The Hulk, and yeah, it's too big, bulky, and heavy for my tastes.

I've been buying the EC Archives hardcovers as they come out and the Complete Carl Barks Disney Library as they come out, as well.  Great stuff.  Reprinted well, except the color can be off on some of the stories, depending on the colorist being used.

I recently started buying the Invincible Ultimate Collection, to see what all the fuss was about.  It's pretty good; but a little gory for my tastes.  I am interested to see where the story develops so I'll likely buy a few more.

For Christmas, I got myself the first three slipcase editions of The Complete Peanuts.  These are awesome; every Peanuts cartoon from 1950-1962 so far.  Hours and hours of reading, and the never-before-reprinted early strips are fascinating, watching Schulz discover, develop and define the core characters (Did you know the first characters were Charlie Brown, Patty, Shermy, and Snoopy?  No other characters for awhile until Violet showed up, and then later Schroeder.  Lucy doesn't even show up in the first year).   I'll probably buy 2 more slipcases to get 1963-1970.

I buy these items like I buy my comics; for reading enjoyment and not for resale value.  So second editions, etc. are fine by me.

 

I also collect the Carl Barks Library books (as well as the Don Rosa volumes) and the Complete Peanuts sets. Fantagraphics set the bar high with their archival projects. Beautiful books.

[miraclemet]

11 hours ago, Unca Ben said:

 

I recently started buying the Invincible Ultimate Collection, to see what all the fuss was about.  It's pretty good; but a little gory for my tastes.  I am interested to see where the story develops so I'll likely buy a few more.

if you're interested in a cheaper way to read Invincible, theres also the Invincible Compendium line. They are TPB sized, but have 48 issues per volume, and are color. Way more bang for the buck interms of issues...

[miraclemet]

3 hours ago, TwoPiece said:

So this cannot be confirmed prior to opening the product? I don't have problems with buying used editions, but I typically look for sealed 1st editions. I thought there might be another method of inspection on the cover.

some publishers use their numbering on the barcode to show which printing it is (bar code numbers of 1st prints start with 1, 2nd prints with 2 and so on). But Im not sure if it's true across all publishers. 

[nocutename]

Shelf Porn!

 

[nocutename]

@wormboy  Your shelves look fantastic!

[NewWorldOrder]

I still can't believe people still buy "new comics."  I saw a guy in the comic book talking about how bad he wanted to buy a mid-grade copy of Hulk 181 but said he couldn't afford it.  I asked how him how much does he average spending on new comic books per week, and he said $60-80.  

I did the math and he then apologize for being a dumb for the last 20 years.

The best thing I ever did back in 2003 was stop buying new books.  I just wait to here if a story line is good and I either buy the trade or wait for new and interesting Omnibuses.  You save space and massive amounts of money especially if you buy trades/omnis at conventions. I pick up a new omnibus a couple times per year at a show.  Just got FF 1 and 2 for a combined $100 bucks!

Most new comics go from newstand to $1.00 boxes anyway after a month or so.

Especially Marvel Comics.....amazing movies but most of their new stuff are from talentless hacks.  Art is disgraceful and kiddie like.

My logic is since the vast majority of the comics from 19833-now is DREK why waste time and storage space on filler books that have no value.  Condense to nice organized HC's or Omnibus on only the primo stuff.   But hey that is just me.  

[wormboy]

49 minutes ago, nocutename said:

@wormboy  Your shelves look fantastic!

Thank you! I’ll try to post better pics and descriptions if this thread stays alive.

[wormboy]

53 minutes ago, nocutename said:

Shelf Porn!

 

Nice! Do you keep all your books in bags? I wrap all my justjackets in Brodart as soon as I open them. Protects the jackets well, but I still have to dust them.

[punksdropdirtysrh]

Obligatory “We need an Uncanny X-Force Omnibus reprint” post 

[nocutename]

10 hours ago, wormboy said:

Nice! Do you keep all your books in bags? I wrap all my justjackets in Brodart as soon as I open them. Protects the jackets well, but I still have to dust them.

I bag all of my trades.  The bigger omni becomes tricky to find bags for unless you want to purchase a full pack of 50.  MCS used to sell treasury and magazine sized bags by the 10 pack so I could get a bunch of different sizes. 

Why?  I adopted the behavior from my LCS mainly for these two reasons: When I used to read manga, the paper was so cheap that it would tan very quickly.  It sometimes distracted from my reading pleasure.  I am insane.    Secondly, when I go to read the books, they retain that fresh paper smell that is just so good.  It is what keeps me from going digital.

Here's my second book case but the bottom shelf is a mess.  Those are all the oversized books that I never can find bags to fit right.  This pic as well as the one I posted are from last year and few years ago.  I now have finished my New Teen Titan trade run and added Nightwing Deluxe HC books to the book case.  When I get the 3rd Deluxe volume, I will take more updated pics.  For the most part, I don't think the books look bad bagged on the shelf and I really do enjoy have them super fresh. 

[miraclemet]

12 hours ago, punksdropdirtysrh said:

Obligatory “We need an Uncanny X-Force Omnibus reprint” post 

I broke down and made my own!

[theCapraAegagrus]

FWIW, on the copyright page, it says something like this:

"Spawns: Origins Collection by Todd McFarlane, Book Ten, First Edition."

I think that all of the UPCs/SKUs for these are the same. I'll have to investigate.

[wormboy]

As far as speculating on hardcovers and Omnis, I agree it's tough due to the earlier mentioned fact regarding availability and second printings.

That said, there are definitely ways to make a buck if you keep track of the market and move quickly.

Usually it will be one book in a set that becomes the difficult one (for whatever reason - I would think they print equal numbers of these sets, but apparently not).

Recent examples I can think of off the top of my head:

BPRD Plague of Frogs 2, 3

Starman 3

Goon 3

All bets are off if the publisher does a second printing, but there is a window.

[wormboy]

1 hour ago, TwoPiece said:

FWIW, on the copyright page, it says something like this:

"Spawns: Origins Collection by Todd McFarlane, Book Ten, First Edition."

I think that all of the UPCs/SKUs for these are the same. I'll have to investigate.

You do need to be careful with the statement 'First Edition' though.

Publishers may list 'First Edition 2017' on a second print from 2018, just to let you know when the first edition was printed. Definitely confusing. I'll try to find and post an example.

Also, A first edition can have a second printing (and still be a first edition), and does not officially become a second edition unless something about the book is changed.

That said, it looks like you have a first edition.

[theCapraAegagrus]

1 minute ago, wormboy said:

You do need to be careful with the statement 'First Edition' though.

Publishers may list 'First Edition 2017' on a second print from 2018, just to let you know when the first edition was printed. Definitely confusing. I'll try to find and post an example.

Also, A first edition can have a second printing (and still be a first edition), and does not officially become a second edition unless something about the book is changed.

That said, it looks like you have a first edition.

I found a 'super secret' site that lists how many editions were printed of the HCs. Volumes 8, 9, and 10 have only First Editions. At least 2 editions have been printed for Volumes 1-7.

I didn't even think about editions when buying the 2 TPB lots. Now I have to go home and make sure they're all the same. I have OCD, so this will grind my gears if they're not all 1sts lol.

[Brian48]

I love omnibuses.  Especially the oversized absolute editions when available. They may or may not have any value in the future, but I don't really care.  My view on this, if you're looking for investment or resale, stick with the floppies.  Trades should be something you can enjoy without having to worry about protecting your investment or the print numbering.  I may not collect any more comics after this past  year, but I think I'll still buy the omnibuses and absolute editions for their sheer reading pleasure.