# Is "Acme Novelty Library #1" by Chris Ware a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Acme Novelty Library #1 by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics Books, 1993) is identified by: First issue of Chris Ware's oversized Acme Novelty Library series, Fantagraphics, first printing. True first of the Acme Novelty Library series is number 1 (cover-dated Winter 1993-1994).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First issue of Chris Ware's oversized Acme Novelty Library series, Fantagraphics, first printing
- Cover-dated Winter 1993-1994 (frequently cited as 1994); features the Jimmy Corrigan color story
- Issues 1 through 15 were published by Fantagraphics before Ware moved to self-publishing and later Drawn & Quarterly
- Number 1 is the key issue of the run
- Correct publisher/imprint: Fantagraphics Books

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Chris Ware |
| Publisher | Fantagraphics Books |
| Year | 1993 |
| True first | world edition |
| Format | Comic / graphic novel |
| Key point | First issue of Chris Ware's oversized Acme Novelty Library series, Fantagraphics, first… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First issue of Chris Ware's oversized Acme Novelty Library series, Fantagraphics, first printing. Cover-dated Winter 1993-1994 (frequently cited as 1994); features the Jimmy Corrigan color story. Issues 1 through 15 were published by Fantagraphics before Ware moved to self-publishing and later Drawn & Quarterly. Number 1 is the key issue of the run.

## Is this the true first?
True first of the Acme Novelty Library series is number 1 (cover-dated Winter 1993-1994). Format and publisher varied across the run; number 1 is the key.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Some issues saw later reprintings. Collected Acme Novelty Datebook and Library hardcovers are separate first-thus editions, not the original issues.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Acme Novelty Library #1* by Chris Ware a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/acme-novelty-library-1
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.