1st issue vs 1st edition - same thing?

[v_squared123]

Is there a difference between calling a comic books 1st issue "1st issue" or "1st edition"?

Just Curious if there is!

[dubldown]

Originally Posted by v_squared123

Is there a difference between calling a comic books 1st issue "1st issue" or "1st edition"?

Just Curious if there is!

They are two different things.

A first issue is the numbering of the single issues in a series. For example, if a series is 12 single issues the 'first issue' would be #1 of twelve issues.

The other term is first printing/second printing/etc. If an issue gets a lot of reorder requests the publisher will issue additional printings with different covers. The first printing is usually the most desired/valued, unless there is a first appearance of a character within the issue and one of the reprint covers has them on the cover, then that makes that reprint their first cover appearance.

[v_squared123]

Originally Posted by dubldown

They are two different things.

A first issue is the numbering of the single issues in a series. For example, if a series is 12 single issues the 'first issue' would be #1 of twelve issues.

The other term is first printing/second printing/etc. If an issue gets a lot of reorder requests the publisher will issue additional printings with different covers. The first printing is usually the most desired/valued, unless there is a first appearance of a character within the issue and one of the reprint covers has them on the cover, then that makes that reprint their first cover appearance.

I appreciate the clarification. Much obliged!

[J.D. Lombardi]

Also, and I'm NOT looking to be a jerk, but "1st edition" honestly tends to be something that people NOT into comics or comic collecting say. It isn't a phrase you'd hear between say, a retailer of 20 years and a veteran collector.

Novels have "editions." Comics have "volumes".