TMNT (Vol. 1) #8 Remastered: Ashcan Preview Edition

 

Publication date: November 2022 (cover date), January 2023 (delivery date)

Publisher: Aardvark-Vanaheim Press, Waverly Comics

Story and Art: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Dave Sim, Gerhard

Lettering and Production Assistance: Steve Lavigne and Michael Dooney

Contents:

This ashcan edition contains a preview of the upcoming remastered edition of TMNT (Vol. 1) #8 by Dave Sim.

Turtle Tips:

*This release was preceded by Pieces of Turtles 8 #2. It will be followed by the full-fledged release of TMNT (Vol. 1) #8 Remaster.

*This comic was only available from the Waverly Comics webstore. Orders went live on November 3 for a limited time.

*This edition included 4 variant covers: Collector Cover (150 copies), Wraparound Green Foil Cover (120 copies), Wraparound Gold Foil Cover (signed and numbered by Sim, 80 copies), Wraparound Platinum Cerebus Team cover (signed and numbered by Sim, 40 copies).

*The Collector Cover included a back cover pin-up by Sim.

*This comic included 3 interior pin-ups by Sim.

*Packaged with the comic were 3 randomly sorted trading cards. A bundle of 10 blank cards was also offered as a separate purchase.

*A unique bundle containing Sim's original art for the cover was also offered, but limited to 1 (obviously).

Review:

I know I'll be kicking myself in the future for not getting one of those ultra-low print run editions with the wraparound covers; they're sure to hit "Turtlemania Silver/Gold cover" levels of rarity and value eventually. But I just didn't have the cash and I'd probably never sell the thing no matter how valuable it got, anyway (I'm sentimental like that). Ultimately, I'm happy with my Collector Cover and the cool trading cards that came with it.

Trying to stay on top of Sim's releases for this TMNT #8 remaster series has been quite a time. I missed out of the Canadian edition of Pieces of Turtles 8 #1, but managed to find out about the USA edition on Kickstarter just in time to snag one before it closed. I was Johnny-on-the-spot for Pieces of Turtles 8 #2 and managed to snag both the Canadian and USA editions. I only learned about the Ashcan because Sim put his Kickstarter backers on a mailing list; those things DO work! And now I'm waiting until March 1 so I don't miss the proper TMNT #8 Remaster preorder.

Buying comics is a lot of fuckin work these days, isn't it?

As to the Ashcan itself, these sorts of releases are generally designed to be on the thrifty side, so the presentation isn't going to knock your socks off. I could take out my original copy of TMNT #8 and compare it with this preview of the remaster, but I think I'll wait until the real thing comes out later this year before I expend that sort of effort. Looks good so far, though!

Anyway, since that link in the Turtle Tips to the Waverly Comics webstore listing likely isn't gonna last forever, here's a gallery of the 4 covers:

As for the trading cards, I have no idea how many there are in the series. You can see the 3 that I got in the photo at the start of this article. For the record, they're #87 (Cerebus and Donatello sketch), #88 (Cerebus and Donatello color), and #90 ("T8"). Is there really 90 of these things?

Nintendo Power Vol. 6

 

Originally published by: Nintendo of America

Publication date: May/June 1989

Contents:

This issue of Nintendo Power features the Ninja Turtles as the cover feature as well as a strategy guide for the first Ultra/Konami TMNT video game on NES. 

Although the strategy guide features lots of original art, there is no comics content in this issue.

Turtle Tips:

*Despite being the cover and main feature of this issue of Nintendo Power, the Howard & Nester comic is actually dedicated to Ninja Gaiden. The TMNT will be the topic of the Howard & Nester comic in the next issue, Nintendo Power Vol. 7.

Review:

I don't plan to cover every gaming magazine that did features on TMNT video games, because that would be an enormous undertaking. I really only wanted to do a quick write-up on this one because of the confusion it causes. TMNT collectors searching for the Howard & Nester comic with the Turtles often buy this issue by mistake, not realizing that it's the NEXT volume that has the Turtles comic in it.

But if you REALLY care about this stuff, you may also want to seek out Nintendo Power Vol. 2. It has this itty bitty blurb in it, hyping the impending release of the first TMNT game on NES.

You know. For you completionists.

  

Pieces of Turtles 8 #2

 

Publication date: June 2022 (Canada), September 2022 (USA)

Publisher: Aardvark-Vanaheim

Curator: Dave Sim

Contents:

Pieces of Turtles 8 is a miniseries chronicling the creation of TMNT (Vol. 1) #8. Included are photos, sketches, anecdotes, and other behind-the-scenes content from the memory of Dave Sim.

Turtle Tips:

*This issue was preceded by Pieces of Turtles 8 #1. It was followed by TMNT #8 Remastered: Ashcan Preview Edition.

*The Swordfish/Canada edition of this issue has a print run of 227 copies. The USA edition was made available to preorder on Kickstarter, but as part of the Cerebus No 4 6-7/78 campaign as an optional tier, and not as its own campaign. Print run on the USA edition was 122 copies.

Review:

Another fascinating dip into the memory pool regarding Dave Sim and his collaborations with Mirage. Of all the anecdotes, I was moved most by Sim's memory of a brief encounter with the late Julie Strain, Kevin Eastman's wife at one time.

And for collector's reference, here is the back of the Canadian/Swordfish version:

And the United States version:

I didn't get a sketch on mine, but now I really wish I'd sprung for that tier...

Pieces of Turtles 8 #1

 

Publication date: January 2022 (Canada), April 2022 (USA)

Publisher: Aardvark-Vanaheim

Curator: Dave Sim

Content:

Pieces of Turtles 8 is a 16-page "fanzine" collecting behind-the-scenes material related to TMNT (Vol. 1) #8. Included are photographs, sketches, anecdotes, artist's proofs, and many works never-before-published in any capacity from Dave Sim's personal archives.

Turtle Tips:

*This issue was followed by Pieces of Turtles 8 #2. 

*There are two editions of this issue: A Swordfish/Canadian edition and a USA edition (which was crowdfunded on Kickstarter). The Swordfish edition had a total print run of 125 copies and the USA edition had a run of 325 copies. They are identical save for the info on the back cover.

Review:

I was fortunate enough to snag one of the USA editions moments before the Kickstarter closed. Dave Sim ran a perfect crowdfunding campaign; book delivered right on time and with lots of updates along the way. For reference, here are the back covers so you can tell the different editions apart:

(Swordfish edition photo courtesy of Rich's TMNT catalogue; I only have the USA edition.)

The unearthed gems inside are fascinating if you're a TMNT historian interested in those early Mirage days. I'll be picking up any future installments and the TMNT #8 remaster!