Over40's Cover Scan Thread

over40artist · November 08, 2007, 04:58:10 PM

I am swamped with other projects for at least a couple more years, but I do want to help out here where I can. So I'll start a thread in this topic to post cover scans that are missing from the Wiki. If some of you can take the ball and run with it from there, it will save me a lot of time. If this is helpful, I'll return from time to time and add more scans to the thread.

You'll find that all my scans are fairly clean, but each features a narrow white border around it (because I want to show all four edges of the comic without cropping). All scans are 766 dpi tall, width will vary. Hope this is acceptable.

I am focusing on first prints first, then can move on from there. I have a first of Freak Bros. #1, but haven't processed it yet.

1st print of Freak Bros. #2 (1st according to Kennedy and the FUG; recent research may indicate that this is a second print): http://www.comicspriceguide.com/forum2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40666:

1st print of Freak Bros. #3

1st print of Freak Bros. #4

1st print of Freak Bros. #5

1st print of Freak Bros. #6

over40artist · November 08, 2007, 05:35:32 PM

Second printing of Harold Hedd #1:

Only printing of Honkytonk Sue #1:

Only printing of Honkytonk Sue #2:

Only printing of Honkytonk Sue #3:

Only printing of Honkytonk Sue #4 (not listed in Wiki. Published 1980 by Bob Boze Bell):

Comix Junky · November 10, 2007, 07:08:54 PM

Quote from: over40artist on November 08, 2007, 04:58:10 PM
1st print of Freak Bros. #2 (1st according to Kennedy and the FUG; recent research may indicate that this is a second print): http://www.comicspriceguide.com/forum2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40666:

Thanks, Keep in mind, that when ya come to a conclusion with that research,
We want ya to post it in the wiki too.
Thanks.

over40artist · November 12, 2007, 03:44:56 AM

Well, so far I think the research may be inconclusive. Let's try to keep the wiki grounded in more established fact. For now, I would tag the Freak Bros. #2 as a first print, as defined by Kennedy, the FUG and ugcomix.info.

Comix Junky · November 12, 2007, 08:08:41 AM

Can we help?
You could, perhaps, post your evidence in this forum, and ask for more scans.

50Cent #II (1st print) · November 13, 2007, 11:50:25 PM

Almost sure it can't be a first if the ad on the back cover also has a FB #2 added to the order form over Skull comics and the true first print has BA#1 in the ad. How about we label it a 1st print "B" for now (like FB #1 "A" and "B" if it has or doesn't have the red square)? Though this FB#2 will probably end up being a 2nd print (at least)...

over40artist · November 27, 2007, 06:09:23 AM

I can't argue with 50cent's logic. The chronology of the printing plate changes supports his theory that my "first print" is most likely a second. But for now, I would label the two versions as 1st print "A" and "B".

This discussion goes back to my point that it is entirely plausible that printing plates can be changed within one print run. That said, if the printing plates do change within one print run, it is still plausible to call the earlier version the first printing and the later version the second printing, even if they happened on the same day.

zonker · November 28, 2007, 10:47:46 PM

Quote from: over40artist on November 27, 2007, 06:09:23 AM
This discussion goes back to my point that it is entirely plausible that printing plates can be changed within one print run.

Sure, You can stop the press at any time and change anything at all.
But is it worth the trouble?
My opinion (repete: opinion) is that changing the ad is not worth the cost of a new negitive and plate.
But if you were making a new plate (as in reprinting the book, and didn't keep the old plate) you might take the opertunity to make a few changes, like the ads.
I think that is unlikly in the middle of a pressrun.

over40artist · November 28, 2007, 11:19:48 PM

I agree entirely with you on the specific case of Freak Bros. #1.

My point was more generalized and speaks more to corrections than content changes. Such is the case with Zap #2 and the print error on the Head First story.

50Cent #II (1st print) · November 29, 2007, 04:02:13 PM

Are these different printing techniques? Something looks different more than just the colors, but I've never worked in this business so I'm not sure... (look at the uniform color on the bottom one, compared to the blemishes on the upper one).

over40artist · November 30, 2007, 05:06:34 AM

They are not different techniques, specifically. They are both produced with the "split fountain" technique, which uses two or more ink colors in a single press fountain and lets the oscillation of the press blend them together. Split-fountain printing enables the printer to gain a broader spectrum of color than could be achieved with only one color ink. Because of the "mixing" of inks, frequent wash ups are required with a split fountain.

For instance, the Freak Bros. stuff printed above could potentially be done with a two-color press. One color source would be filled with black ink, and the other color source would be split into three sections, using different color inks.

I don't see that much difference in the blemishes between the two inside covers above, though one is measurably more uniform than the other. What is obvious is the change in the bottom color, from magenta to purple (which would not require a different printing plate). And of course, the change in the comic advertisements from Big Ass to Freak Bros. (which would require a change of printing plates).

Those whitish spots on the inside covers are known as hickeys, and they are caused by paper dust, dirt, or dings on the printing blanket, all of which prevents the ink from adhering to the paper surface. Blemishes in printing can remain consistent throughout a print run or they can change significantly, depending on how often the printer stops the press to clean drums, rollers, blankets, plates, etc.