Marvel has been putting out some pretty cool facsimile editions. Books put out in exact reproductions, ads and all, of classic books. Some interesting choices and some that make total sense like Hulk #181. DC has joined the fray, also with some cool books. Here is a look at the upcoming facsimile edition comics.
Howard the Duck #1 – (June 19, 2019) He’s a refugee from Duckworld, trapped in a world he never made! He’s Howard the…Barbarian?! That’s right – sword in hand, Howard the Duck is storming the castle of Pro-Rata, would-be Chief Accountant of the Universe! Can Howard survive a run-in with Pro-Rata’s Cosmic Calculator, save the imprisoned Beverly Switzler and avoid becoming dragon food? Find out in the astonishing first issue of the solo series that established Howard the Duck as the satirical smash hit of the ’70s! Waugh! It’s one of the all-time-great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting HOWARD THE DUCK (1976) #1.
New Mutants #98 – (July 3, 2019) The dynamic debut of Deadpool! It’s the beginning of the end for the New Mutants as Cable continues his reinvention of the squad into his own paramilitary force! But their numbers are dwindling – and Rictor’s about to be the next member making his exit! Meanwhile, Deadpool makes his entrance – but he’s not looking to join. No, he’s been hired to kill Cable! With swords, guns, a healing factor and an unstoppable mouth, this merc is set to make a big splash! But who is the new mystery woman riding to the rescue? Cable called, she came: Enter Domino! Prepare for high-octane mutant action from the bombastic 1990s! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting NEW MUTANTS (1983) #98.
X-Men #1 – (July 10, 2019) Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduce the mighty mutants to the Marvel Universe! Training to fight for a world that hates and fears them, they are the Uncanny X-Men! Cyclops! Beast! Iceman! Angel! And their newest recruit, Marvel Girl! Professor Charles Xavier brings together these Children of the Atom to teach them to use their mutant powers to protect mankind – and they’re quickly forced into action when Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, strikes! The X-Men are a pop-culture phenomenon, and this is the story that birthed the legend! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-MEN (1963) #1.
Giant Sized X-Men #1 – (July 17, 2019) The issue that changed everything for Marvel’s mighty mutants – and introduced the all-new, all-different X-Men! When the original team goes missing in the South Pacific, only Cyclops remains to lead a rescue mission alongside Professor X’s new recruits from across the globe! Colossus, Storm, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Thunderbird, Sunfire and – of course – Wolverine are the X-Men’s second genesis, heading into action against Krakoa…the island that walks like a man! Can these very different personalities work together to save Jean Grey, Iceman, Angel, Havok and Polaris? From the ashes of the past grow the fires of the future as the X-Men are reinvented for an uncanny new era! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1.
X-Men #137 – (July 24, 2019) Jean Grey makes the ultimate sacrifice in the heartbreaking climax of the unforgettable Dark Phoenix Saga! Summoned by the alien Shi’ar to answer for the cosmic crimes of the Phoenix, Jean Grey must stand trial – by combat! The X-Men and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard do battle on the moon to decide Jean’s fate! But can she keep her dark side under control? Or will the Dark Phoenix rise against her friends? One of the greatest love stories in all of comics – Jean Grey and Scott Summers – ends in tragedy in an issue that shocked X-Men fans and sent ripples through the entire comics industry! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-MEN (1963) #137.
X-Factor #87 – (August 14, 2019) Get inside the heads of one of the most uncanny mutant teams of all in an acclaimed classic from the stellar creative team of Peter David and Joe Quesada! Havok, Polaris, Quicksilver, Wolfsbane, Multiple Man and Strong Guy – plus X-Factor’s government liaison, Val Cooper – are all under ‘X-amination’ by super hero psychiatrist Doc Samson! And the revelations are hilarious, heartbreaking and character-defining! Learn how frustrating it is for the super-fast Pietro Maximoff to live in a normal-paced world! Discover Guido Carosella’s hidden pain! Explore Alex Summers’ insecurities! And join Rahne Sinclair in confronting her deepest feelings! Plus: More secrets from the psychiatric couch! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-FACTOR (1986) #87.
Batman #232 – (August 21, 2019) The story that introduced Ra’s al Ghul is reprinted in the first of DC’s new line of facsimile edition comics. In ‘Daughter of the Demon,’ Ra’s reveals that he knows Batman’s secret identity-and that he needs the Caped Crusader’s help to save his daughter, Talia. It’s a tale that established Ra’s al Ghul as one of Batman’s most cunning and unpredictable foes! Classic Batman tale by Dennis O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano.
House of Secrets #92 – (August 28, 2019) DC’s original Swamp Thing made his unforgettable first appearance in this 1971 mystery comic, now reprinted in this new facsimile edition! Now’s your chance to experience writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson’s first take on DC’s most popular monster, along with several other scary tales.
Love ’em!
I’m gonna take a wild guess and say X-Factor 92 is not going to be in any kind of demand. Do Marvel seriously think the average consumer is able to go into a store and buy these, but unable to grasp the concept of back issues?
Maybe ASM 300 will get some kind of Facsimile besides just the “3d” gimmick.
I would love an ASM 300 facsimile.
True Believers vs Facsimiles?
I would love them more if they were made with the newspaper print they were originally printed on. If you’re doing a facsimile do it right IMHO.
Way to hurt the value of your original books.
It might not kill the value of most books, but it does thin the herd of potential buyers looking for the original comics.
True believers I get… its 1$ has the ugly TB trade dress, but a facsimile edition is an exact reprint.
Comic book owners cant be too happy with that I would believe.
I honestly don’t think it has any effect on people who want the original and who buy a facsimile. At all. Different collector. I have “reader copies” of key books and have upgraded copies as I have gone along in my collecting. I own multiple copies of New Mutants 98, as well as different reprints for the book.
@AL I agree. A book is rare when there is only one print to find. The thrill to obtain that book lessens when you have thousands of facsimiles thrown in the mix. You’d say to yourself ” Yea but I still want the original”. Well when you have 5 copies of the first appearance facsimile version of a book thats too much money originally, you get used to having the facsimile and lose a majority of that thrill of hunting for that original print.
I always wanted a hulk 181, but now that I have 4 facsimile copies I just don’t care to hunt for it anymore. The cover and book is all the same minus paper type and a barcode that says 3.99, but besides that its the same book. Many people would like their holy grail of AF15, but thats a super expensive book. Most people would probably settle with the facsimile if made, and stop chasing the original and put that money toward other books. I’m not saying this is everybody, but it can be for a good portion of the market.
Imagine if someone told their wife
Collector: ok I’m finally gonna get it. Been saving $20,000 for it
Wife: You’re about to spend 20,000 on a single book? Why, you have 5 copies of it right there.
Collector: Yeah but its not the same.
Wife: whats different about it.
Collector: The reprint one says 3.99, has different paper material, and is brand new with vivid colors in perfect condition.
Wife: So you’re gonna pay 20k for a old copy in not that great condition? Smh.
Collector: …………….
I can see a facsimile killing the value of a non-“key” book. Because if a facsimile has that kind of influence in its collectibility it was never a key book anyway.
But I don’t agree they harm the price of keys. If you’re a potential investor in a key book, and you settle for the facsimile….then you were never truly serious about obtaining that book in the first place and thetefore a non-factor in its price/value if the facsimile had never came along.
I love them for keys, whether it be because I dare not risk damaging it by reading it or I’ll never own that key anyway.
I’ve been thinking about going after a mid/lower grade Batman 232, but have never read it to know if I’d like it (other than the cool Adams cover) and therefore am not serious about pursuing. But I am very excited to purchase and read this facsimile as, if I fall in love with the book, it may actually motivate me to scrounge up Funds and seek out an original first print.
So how about that? Facsimiles May actually introduce more new collectors/investors these classics and push the value higher! Especially the DC ones which haven’t been pushed/reprinted to the extent of Marvel milestones and true believers….
I disagree w/ Al and Frank. Im not sure why a facsimile from 2019 would discourage anyone from seeking an original copy from the ‘70s. It is not even close to the same thing and I do not think a lot of ‘collectors’ would be satisfied with a modern reprint of a silver age key. And from my experience, these facsimiles do not affect the prices of the originals in the least.
Collector: …Yes, but the original copy will increase in value over time, just like a good stock, but the newer reprint will never be worth much more than what I pay for it.
Wife: So, its a reasonably solid investment if we invest in the original copy.
Collector: Indeed it is. These books have done nothing but increase in value over time.
Wife: Then lets invest in the original copy if that’s what we can afford and thats is what you want.
I agree, these damn facsimile’s make me want the originals even more.
Apparently there are two different kinds of wives when it comes to investing them n comics….
I don’t even consult the wife. I flip comics until I have stashed away enough cash to grab the one I seek. I make her a non factor. Other than asking her to wait at the door for a delivery!
Love you, hon!
Facsimiles make great reader copies, but can’t replace the collectibility and investment potential of the originals. My son wanted to see hulk181. I gave him the facsimile to read with no worries and kept my original in its slab!
People want to see comics the way they used to be ….. lots of white-space & vivid colors. The only place you’ll get that is with facsimiles. You don’t have to damage your pristine originals to re-read them; many are sealed and graded—-can’t be read anymore. And, it gives many of us a chance to buy a new copy of something we didn’t buy at all 40+ years ago ….facsimiles make total sense.
Agreed.