The points of issue
Oversized hardcover, Drawn & Quarterly, 2010 (ISBN 978-1-77046-007-2). First printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Drawn & Quarterly indicia; thick boards per Clowes's request.
Is this the true first?
An original graphic novel not previously serialized; the Drawn & Quarterly hardcover (April 2010) is the true first edition.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition; the later softcover and reprints are not the first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Wilson a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Oversized hardcover, Drawn & Quarterly, 2010 (ISBN 978-1-77046-007-2). First printing identified by a complete number line ending in 1. Drawn & Quarterly indicia; thick boards per Clowes's request.
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. An original graphic novel not previously serialized; the Drawn & Quarterly hardcover (April 2010) is the true first edition.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition; the later softcover and reprints are not the first.
I have a first edition of Wilson — 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.