How to Identify a IDW Publishing First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Floppy issues and trade paperbacks: a first printing carries no printing statement; later printings are explicitly stated. The indicia gives the publisher block, ISBN, and printing.
• Collected editions/hardcovers: the copyright/indicia page states the printing with month and year (e.g. 'First Printing, May 2018'); a first printing shows the earliest single date.
• IDW 'Artist's Edition' oversized books are typically single-print runs with a printed limitation/colophon — the limitation statement and first-printing date identify them.

Notable points & cautions

• Founded 1999 (Idea and Design Works). Heavy licensed catalog (Transformers, TMNT, Star Trek, Sonic, G.I. Joe, Locke & Key, Doctor Who).
• TMNT (IDW, 2011-) collected first printings are tracked closely; the 'First Printing' date line is the point because cover art is reused across printings.
• Library of American Comics and EuroComics are reprint imprints with scholarly colophons — first printing stated by date.
• Top Shelf (founded 1997) became an IDW imprint in 2015; pre-2015 Top Shelf books carry the independent Top Shelf indicia, while post-2015 titles carry IDW/Top Shelf branding.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: IDW (main), Top Shelf Productions (acquired 2015), EuroComics, Library of American Comics (LOAC), Yoe Books, Artist's Editions (oversized line), Black Crown (2017-2020, Shelly Bond). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my IDW Publishing book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Floppy issues and trade paperbacks: a first printing carries no printing statement; later printings are explicitly stated. The indicia gives the publisher block, ISBN, and printing. Collected editions/hardcovers: the copyright/indicia page states the printing with month and year (e.g. 'First Printing, May 2018'); a first printing shows the earliest single date.

Does IDW Publishing use a number line?

Collected editions/hardcovers: the copyright/indicia page states the printing with month and year (e.g. 'First Printing, May 2018'); a first printing shows the earliest single date.

Is a book-club edition a IDW Publishing first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1999 (Idea and Design Works). Heavy licensed catalog (Transformers, TMNT, Star Trek, Sonic, G.I. Joe, Locke & Key, Doctor Who).

What era does this cover?

This covers IDW Publishing (1999-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.