Distinguishing First Printings

theGreatMutoh · Post by **theGreatMutoh** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 14:48 -0700

How can you tell which printing an issue of Usagi is? Did the three seperate publishers do high volumes of second or more printings?

Post by **Mayhem** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 16:03 -0700

Very few Usagi issues went to a second printing or further. It will say so on the inside or back cover of the issue, where the credits and details are.

theGreatMutoh · Post by **theGreatMutoh** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 16:28 -0700

Appreciate it. Starting my collection and I would prefer to have all first printings. Again, thanks.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 21:00 -0700

Are you referring to the comics or the collected volumes?

There have only been a few issues of the Usagi Yojimbo comic which have had more than a single printing (i.e. issues #1, 2, & 10 from Fantagraphics). The first color special also had two editions. Maybe some others?

As far as the trade paperback books are concerned, most of those have had several printings, some of the earlier ones pretty numerous.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 21:33 -0700

Steve Hubbell wrote: The first color special also had two editions.

The first Color Special did and did not have a second edition. All the interiors were printed at once, but the printer inadvertently under-printed the covers. They made up for it by making up the difference using a heavier card stock and leaving the inside back cover blank. That is why instead of promoting it as a second printing, it was advertised as a "Special Edition". I will still do a quick drawing on that blank page.

theGreatMutoh · Post by **theGreatMutoh** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 21:54 -0700

Which one has been harder to come by? With or without the blank cover?

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 22:35 -0700

theGreatMutoh wrote:Which one has been harder to come by? With or without the blank cover?

The one with the blank inside back cover is definitely harder to get. It think it was also priced slightly more than the regular edition.

theGreatMutoh · Post by **theGreatMutoh** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:00 -0700

Appreciate all the info. I have another somewhat related question, mostly pertaining to the Dark Horse volume. Did all of the issues released in the direct sales market have direct sales printed on them? I know that with some other comic books direct sales was not always noted. Was wondering if this was the case with Usagi as well.