TMNT/Comic Book Questions

[smanzari]

Hi Everyone-

I want to start grabbing TMNT Keys and had a question or three for you all regarding the books/books in general:

- if I were to grab a #1, do I just save and grab a First Print? Or do you all think there will always be demand for other printings? (I don't need/want to "get rich" off of these, but I do not want to pursue things that would lose ALL of their value, would also prefer to grab a few to start and would have to wait if I was best just doing the #1/1st)
- Is it better to grab a high grade modern key book or a non-graded variant cover? (Use Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #95 for example)
- Will Second Printings of Modern Books retain their value? Seems like the first prints are not really limited in these instances in the first place
- How is the grading process? And what exactly is "pressing?"

Thanks for the help!

[NCtheBBcradle]

Pressing involves literally putting the book in a press and applying pressure. There is typically some cleaning involved. This is done to remove defects and increase the visual appeal (grade) of the book. Remove spine rolls, folds, creases, dents, etc. All of which are faults that a grading company notes when assessing the grade. If you have an old book with brittle pages ( low quality) pressing can damage the book. A decent pressing service will often notify you they are leery of performing the work and advise against it. But damage can happen, usually a spine split, in my experience. Pressing may or may not be worth it.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by NCtheBBcradle

Pressing involves literally putting the book in a press and applying pressure. There is typically some cleaning involved. This is done to remove defects and increase the visual appeal (grade) of the book. Remove spine rolls, folds, creases, dents, etc. All of which are faults that a grading company notes when assessing the grade. If you have an old book with brittle pages ( low quality) pressing can damage the book. A decent pressing service will often notify you they are leery of performing the work and advise against it. But damage can happen, usually a spine split, in my experience. Pressing may or may not be worth it.

Thanks - so this is not seen as altering in anyway? Or is it just commonly acceptable?

[NCtheBBcradle]

Totally acceptable. CGC the main grading company has a sister company CCS that does pressing. CGC asks on their forms and site if you would like that service included in your grading order. THere are other pressing companies / people that do the work,but they can be tough to track down. The CGC boards mention a few, and some graders don't like using CCS as they're completely backlogged with orders - leading some to say they have dropped in quality to deal with their quantity.

[cmixer]

In my opinion, as an original first print becomes increasingly unobtainable due to rising cost, demand for later printings will continue to rise (because that’s all the average Collector can afford to budget). — If for some reason, the first print comes down in price, then obviously the demand for second and third prints will also come down.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by NCtheBBcradle

Totally acceptable. CGC the main grading company has a sister company CCS that does pressing. CGC asks on their forms and site if you would like that service included in your grading order. THere are other pressing companies / people that do the work,but they can be tough to track down. The CGC boards mention a few, and some graders don't like using CCS as they're completely backlogged with orders - leading some to say they have dropped in quality to deal with their quantity.

Ah, ok - makes sense.

Originally Posted by cmixer

In my opinion, as an original first print becomes increasingly unobtainable due to rising cost, demand for later printings will continue to rise (because that’s all the average Collector can afford to budget). — If for some reason, the first print comes down in price, then obviously the demand for second and third prints will also come down.

Ok, cool- that's what I was thinking!

[smanzari]

Had another question - there are TONS of variants, is it worth grabbing these? I've been grabbing 1:10 Retail Incentives for less than $10, just not sure if this is stupid or not...

[IndySportsCards]

Originally Posted by smanzari

Had another question - there are TONS of variants, is it worth grabbing these? I've been grabbing 1:10 Retail Incentives for less than $10, just not sure if this is stupid or not...

The 1:10's are great investments at $10 each month, every once in a while one will take off and over the years they tend to go up in value, just gotta keep 'em pristine and play the longer game with those.

[blackbears86]

OP---personally, I would grab a #1 first print in the best condition you can afford (I would buy graded, there are good fakes out there)

After you get your #1, then you can focus on the other keys/variants, etc.....


This issue is tough to get and will likely never go down unless we get hit with a huge recession.


Good luck! If you get it, post it here!

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

The 1:10's are great investments at $10 each month, every once in a while one will take off and over the years they tend to go up in value, just gotta keep 'em pristine and play the longer game with those.

That's what I was thinking!

Originally Posted by blackbears86

OP---personally, I would grab a #1 first print in the best condition you can afford (I would buy graded, there are good fakes out there)

After you get your #1, then you can focus on the other keys/variants, etc.....


This issue is tough to get and will likely never go down unless we get hit with a huge recession.


Good luck! If you get it, post it here!

Yea, my thoughts too! I couldn't afford a 1st/1st just yet but did snag a 1st/3rd at what I thought was a great price

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

OP---personally, I would grab a #1 first print in the best condition you can afford (I would buy graded, there are good fakes out there)

After you get your #1, then you can focus on the other keys/variants, etc.....


This issue is tough to get and will likely never go down unless we get hit with a huge recession.


Good luck! If you get it, post it here!

TMNT#1 first print is literally the holy Grail if modern comic books. If you can find a copy that you can afford, definitely go for it. I think any of the first 5 printings of #1 will always be sought after as none were produced in extremely high quantities. Even the later reprints and FCBD edition are pretty heavily collected and I rarely see them in the wild.

TMNT is a property that has appealed to 3 different generations at this point, so I think anything pre-IDW and newer keys are all pretty safe investments. Not sure about the variants as I tend to stay away from them unless it's Eastman art that I like and want for that purpose.

[blackbears86]

I'm inspired. Looking at low grade first prints and second prints.

[Doublexthebeast]

I’ve always wanted one of the first prints. It’s on my list of grails to grab. At under 4,000 copies, it’s a tough one to get but I don’t think you could ever go wrong with that book.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by smanzari

Hi Everyone-

I want to start grabbing TMNT Keys and had a question or three for you all regarding the books/books in general:

- if I were to grab a #1, do I just save and grab a First Print? Or do you all think there will always be demand for other printings? (I don't need/want to "get rich" off of these, but I do not want to pursue things that would lose ALL of their value, would also prefer to grab a few to start and would have to wait if I was best just doing the #1/1st)
- Is it better to grab a high grade modern key book or a non-graded variant cover? (Use Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #95 for example)
- Will Second Printings of Modern Books retain their value? Seems like the first prints are not really limited in these instances in the first place
- How is the grading process? And what exactly is "pressing?"

Thanks for the help!

Save up for the first print. It`s a holy grail. Quality over quantity.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by MRSPORTSCARD

Save up for the first print. It`s a holy grail. Quality over quantity.

I may eventually, it’s just a lot to swallow for a collectible- it’s literally the same price as a ‘52 Mantle! I have all the other printings though (2nd to 5th)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IndySportsCards]

Two huge keys from this era I'm always looking for are

1. TMNT #1 1st Print
2. Giant Size X-Men #1

Both are great books to buy and hold.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by smanzari

I may eventually, it’s just a lot to swallow for a collectible- it’s literally the same price as a ‘52 Mantle! I have all the other printings though (2nd to 5th)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wouldn`t surprise me that it blows by the ‘52 Mantle because it so much rarer and TMNT will have a much broader fan base than Mantle in 10-20 years.
TMNT has movies, cartoons, video games, action figures, Halloween costumes and new monthly comics that keep new interest to make new fans.
I don't see the Mick keeping up with TMNT#1 first print.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

Two huge keys from this era I'm always looking for are

1. TMNT #1 1st Print
2. Giant Size X-Men #1

Both are great books to buy and hold.

I agree. Two great blue chips. Can't lose money on those two.
Like you say just buy them and hold them.

[visualplane]

I bought the giant xmen 1 a month ago. I thought I got a deal paying 2k for it because I remember the 7.5 grade going for 2500 a few months ago. I'm just trying to break even selling it at 2k now.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by visualplane

I bought the giant xmen 1 a month ago. I thought I got a deal paying 2k for it because I remember the 7.5 grade going for 2500 a few months ago. I'm just trying to break even selling it at 2k now.

When the Marvel version of X-MEN movies comes out you will double your money.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by smanzari

I may eventually, it’s just a lot to swallow for a collectible- it’s literally the same price as a ‘52 Mantle! I have all the other printings though (2nd to 5th)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sell all your TMNT #1 after first prints and use some of that money to go to buy a TMNT #1 first print. Quality over quanity.

I rather own 10 big comic book keys in the end then owning 5000 comics that are mediocre.
See my point?
Never go cheap as one big key is better than nickel and diming it in the end.
Think big!
Truth.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by visualplane

I bought the giant xmen 1 a month ago. I thought I got a deal paying 2k for it because I remember the 7.5 grade going for 2500 a few months ago. I'm just trying to break even selling it at 2k now.

With vintage comics/sports cards my rule of thumb is wait 3-5 years to sell, while modern comics/sportscards flip as fast as possible before the hype dies.

[jdandns]

Season 3 of the wonderful "The Toys That Made Us" documentary series is now on Netflix and one of the 4 new episodes for this year is on the TMNT line of action figures that debuted in 1988 or so.

Within the story is a good 15 minutes on the creation of the comic book itself featuring new interviews with Eastman and Laird, and a moving reunion of the two at the end. Issue #1 is shown (along with other early rarities) and Laird confirms the 1st print numbers for it and the second issue.

"Big Bang Theory" and "Two & A Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre actually wrote the famous lyrics for the original TMNT cartoon theme song and they talk to him a little about that, too.

Absolutely essential viewing for Ninja Turtle fans, either toys or comics.

[MRSPORTSCARD]

Originally Posted by jdandns

Season 3 of the wonderful "The Toys That Made Us" documentary series is now on Netflix and one of the 4 new episodes for this year is on the TMNT line of action figures that debuted in 1988 or so.

Within the story is a good 15 minutes on the creation of the comic book itself featuring new interviews with Eastman and Laird, and a moving reunion of the two at the end. Issue #1 is shown (along with other early rarities) and Laird confirms the 1st print numbers for it and the second issue.

"Big Bang Theory" and "Two & A Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre actually wrote the famous lyrics for the original TMNT cartoon theme song and they talk to him a little about that, too.

Absolutely essential viewing for Ninja Turtle fans, either toys or comics.

thanks, I will check it out.
TMNT and the Amazing Spider-Man are my two top favorites and why I got into collecting comic books.

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by MRSPORTSCARD

Sell all your TMNT #1 after first prints and use some of that money to go to buy a TMNT #1 first print. Quality over quanity.

I rather own 10 big comic book keys in the end then owning 5000 comics that are mediocre.
See my point?
Never go cheap as one big key is better than nickel and diming it in the end.
Think big!
Truth.

LOL. Don't waste your time selling. The sales of each printing combined would give you like 5% of what you need for a low grade first print. Keep them all. The more the merrier! None of them are going down in value.