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Comic books (Comics)/Spider Man varian edition 583 - First Edition?

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Expert: - 1/21/2009


Question
I bought a copy of this comic (the one with Barack Obama on the cover) on ebay and I don't know how to tell if it is a first edition. The back cover says "Rated A" and "Direct Edition".

Thanks for your help,
Claire

Answer
Thanks for an easy question.

There's only one real way to find out if any particular comic book issue is a first edition.  On the first page, there is a paragraph in very tiny type at the bottom - the Indicia.  If it isn't a first edition, it will say "second printing" or "third printing."  In this case, I think it's highly likely that it IS a first printing.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

-- Spyder

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J. Spyder Isaacson

Expertise

I'm mostly a DC/Marvel fan, but can answer a wide variety of questions on pretty much anything but romance and sword-and-sorcery comics. Ask away and find out if I have the answer. (Even if I don't, I can probably guide you to where you CAN find it!) ***PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME*** to give you a value on comics - that is only possible by direct physical evaluation of the individual issues.

Experience

I've been a collector for almost 35 years of mostly (but not entirely) super-hero titles, with occasional forays into other types of comics. I also personally know a few comics artists/writers, and am VERY experienced with Web Comics as well.

Organizations
Theatre Puget Sound, Magical Mystery Troupe, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre, former board member of Centerstage Theatre Conservatory.

Publications
Miscellaneous national defense trade journals and science fiction/fantasy fanzines.

Education/Credentials
B.A. in Theatre Arts, Gonzaga University. Currently pursuing M.Ed. from Western Governors University.

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