The points of issue
First complete collected edition, DC Comics, June 1990, softcover trade paperback in cardstock wrappers, ISBN 0-930289-52-8, with the printed cover price. Collects the ten chapters of the completed work in full color, with additional art by Tony Weare. Stated first printing; original Lloyd mask cover without any film imagery.
Is this the true first?
Originally serialized in black and white in the UK magazine Warrior from 1982, which is the true first appearance of the material; the run was later completed and colored for DC. The 1990 DC softcover is the first complete collected book edition. Distinguish the UK Warrior serial from the US collected book.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Book-of-the-Month Club hardcover was issued the same year, 1990: it is the trade paperback contents bound in hard covers with white endpapers, and it followed the softcover. The commercially published first is the DC softcover. Later 2005 and 2006 film tie-in printings carry movie cover art. Confirm the June 1990 first softcover printing and original mask cover.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of V for Vendetta a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First complete collected edition, DC Comics, June 1990, softcover trade paperback in cardstock wrappers, ISBN 0-930289-52-8, with the printed cover price. Collects the ten chapters of the completed work in full color, with additional art by Tony Weare. Stated first printing; original Lloyd mask cover without any film imagery.
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. Originally serialized in black and white in the UK magazine Warrior from 1982, which is the true first appearance of the material; the run was later completed and colored for DC. The 1990 DC softcover is the first complete collected book edition. Distinguish the UK Warrior serial from the US collect
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Book-of-the-Month Club hardcover was issued the same year, 1990: it is the trade paperback contents bound in hard covers with white endpapers, and it followed the softcover. The commercially published first is the DC softcover. Later 2005 and 2006 film tie-in printings carry movie cover art. Confirm the June 1990 first softcover printing and original mask cover.
I have a first edition of V for Vendetta — 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.