The points of issue
US first English edition: the Epic Comics colorized floppy series, Akira #1 cover-dated August 1988, colored by Steve Oliff (an early showcase of computer coloring). First prints carry the 1988 Epic indicia and no later-printing line. Japanese original: serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine from December 1982, then collected in six tankobon volumes beginning with volume one in September 1984, printed in black and white and read right to left.
Is this the true first?
The Japanese Kodansha tankobon (volume one, 1984) is the original-language collected true first, drawn from serialization that began in 1982. The Epic Comics colorized US series (1988) is the first English-language edition. The later Dark Horse black-and-white collected volumes of the 2000s are a separate English first-thus. Three precedence layers: Kodansha, Epic, Dark Horse.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition. Distinguish Kodansha (Japanese, black and white, 1984 tankobon) from Epic (US, color, 1988) from Dark Horse (US, black and white, 2000s). Verify imprint, language, and color.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Akira (English collected, Epic Comics) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: US first English edition: the Epic Comics colorized floppy series, Akira #1 cover-dated August 1988, colored by Steve Oliff (an early showcase of computer coloring). First prints carry the 1988 Epic indicia and no later-printing line. Japanese original: serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine from December 1982, then collected in six tankobon volumes beginning with volume one in September 1984, printed in black and white and read right to left.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The Japanese Kodansha tankobon (volume one, 1984) is the original-language collected true first, drawn from serialization that began in 1982. The Epic Comics colorized US series (1988) is the first English-language edition. The later Dark Horse black-and-white collected volumes of the 2000s are a se
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition. Distinguish Kodansha (Japanese, black and white, 1984 tankobon) from Epic (US, color, 1988) from Dark Horse (US, black and white, 2000s). Verify imprint, language, and color.
I have a first edition of Akira (English collected, Epic Comics) — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.