Classics Illustrated 0

[LWZ]

How can I tell if a Classics Illustrated Comic is a 1st edition?  Does anyone know and can help me out?  Thanks!  

[shadroch]

Every Classics will have a house ad for other Classic books. If yours is a first edition, nothing with a higher issue number is listed. Say your comic is Great Expectations and is #43, then the highest reorder number would list #42. If the list has books in the 50s or even higher, it's a reprint. In many cases, reprints have a different cover price than the originals but not in every case. If you have issue 12 and the ad has books in the twenties, it's a reprint. 

When dealers offer them for sale, they usually will list it as #43, with an HRN of 85. 

That means it's a reprint of #43 and was reprinted around the time issue 85 was first printed.

It's complicated but once you crack the code, it's not difficult.

Edited December 25, 2019 by shadroch

[Trifisherjoe]

I learned straight out of Overstreet comic guide 2018-19, read explanation in Classiscs Illustrated listing. Tricky at first then you can pick first editions no problem when your out hunting comics!