Expert: Brian G. Philbin - 2/27/2009

Question
I have multiple sets of the Watchmen Comics, thinking about selling some of them. I noticed on E-bay buyers asked some sellers if they were first prints. I have a couple of books that do say reprinted by permission next to a paragraph of lyrics. How do you determine a first printing of the Watchmen and assure it isn't a reprint? Thanks for your time on this question.
Denton

Answer
Hi, Denton - thanks for your question.

In the 1980s, there were not multiple printings of this series, it was simply picked up as a Trade Paperback upon completion, much like The Dark Knight Returns.  There are current reprintings, however, so that's what buyers are looking out for, but only the uneducated would be asking that question, as the original is very different from the reprints and only the first issue was reprinted.  Twice.

Firstly, the way to find out about what printing you're looking at is to look at the indicia.  I have an example of this on this page, under "On Selling Your Comics":

www.metropolisplus.com/COMICSBASICS.htm

Also, you can take a look at the difference between your first printing and the subsequent Millenium Edition and the current reprint:

Millenium Edition (note that there is a "Millenium" border around the original cover, which is offset at a diagnonal in the image):
http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=63166

Current Reprint (Completely different cover, very obvious):
https://www.mycomicshop.com/comicbooks/item?IID=16338381

Anyway, I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if you have any other questions!

Pax, harmonia,

Brian G. Philbin
www.metropolisplus.com