EXCLUSIVE: Perusing the first in DC’s new line of full-on reprints…
DC this Wednesday (Aug. 21) launches its new line of Facsimile Editions — reprints that go beyond the main story and include the original ads, letter columns, back-up features and whatnot.
The first one out of the gate — which we revealed to you in May — is 1971’s classic Batman #232, featuring the first appearance of Ra’s al Ghul, by Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.
Naturally, the main selling point is that the issue is only $3.99 when it would cost you, oh, hundreds of dollars for a nice copy of the original.
But a lot of fans have been eager to find out how well these issues will mimic the source material — as in whether they’ll feature the popular original coloring, as opposed to the souped-up versions we’ve seen in various collected editions.
Well, check out this EXCLUSIVE INSIDE LOOK:
There you go, folks. The original coloring intact.
Beauteous. Warms the cockles of the purist’s heart.
Anyway, I’m eager to see how it all looks in print. These will not be on old-school newsprint so they’ll be slightly different from what came out in 1971 — but it’s pretty dang close, judging by this. (UPDATED: For a complete REVIEW of the issue — including the retro-style paper stock DC is using — click here.)
And, hey, here’s a look at the letter column, which stretched across two pages and featured commentary by Mike W. Barr — who would go on to write Batman: Son of the Demon, one of the best known follow-ups to the original Ra’s al Ghul saga.
I’ve blown them up, so you can actually read them:
Oh, and if you’re in the market for, say, diamond rings (especially you “military men”), binoculars or an Action Comics #1 T-shirt — you’re in luck!
Though, I have a sneaking suspicion you might be just a liiiiiiiitle late to the party:
By the way, you might recall that this release was timed to the first issue of Adams’ new miniseries Batman vs. Ra’s al Ghul. That’s been put off until Sept. 4 but DC decided to keep the Batman #232 Facsimile Edition on schedule.
Well, then.
Man, I tell you, I don’t care that I already have an original one of these. It’ll be just too damn much fun to be able to walk into the comics shop Wednesday and pick this up — though naturally in this case I wish it were off a spinner rack at 7-Eleven.
—
MORE
— BATMAN’s Complete, Original RA’S AL GHUL SAGA Returning to Print — At Last. Click here.
— The TOP 13 BATMAN Countdown — #4: THE RA’S AL GHUL SAGA. Click here.
August 18, 2019
Wow, my original copy is a couple hundred bucks now? I’ll have to check Overstreet! Seriously, it’s probably in VG to NM condition and bagged in Mylar. I remember my dad bought it for me back in ’71, right around the time of my 13th birthday. I loved Neal Adams and had been a fan of his art ever since Brave and Bold #79. My dad bought me quite a few key issues back in the day, the first was the Death-Man issue #180. Then the Poison Ivy debut, #181.
I may pick this up just to have a backup copy! Glad DC is doing this.
August 18, 2019
Well, that Batman #181 is also getting a Facsimile Edition, Ellsworth! https://13thdimension.com/exclusive-batman-181-is-next-up-in-dcs-facsimile-edition-line/
August 18, 2019
Yes, I saw that! Will pick that up as well! I still have #181 but a pristine copy never hurt!
August 18, 2019
Joe Orlando?
August 18, 2019
Ah! Now I realize what you were referring to, Mark. My guess is they dropped in the small print for the House of Secrets #92 Facsimile Edition by mistake.
August 18, 2019
The Batman™ brand’s been doing awesome this year.
August 18, 2019
Nice to see the original colors, but it still feels like it needs a “newsprint filter”. Yellow up those pages and throw some offset printing rosettes in there!
And I have to say I’m a bit surprised they’re charging $4 for these. Should be more like $1.50-$2.
August 19, 2019
I’ve always been a big reprint guy so I’m thrilled that DC and Marvel are churning them out.