I've seen a couple threads about TMNT #1, but none dedicated to the title as a whole. Anyhow, I figured I could get this one started! And what better way to get an "official" thread started than with a few questions to spark the conversation!
First, when did the regular Mirage series move from magazine format to regular size? Second, are all of the 1-issue micro series in magazine format or just some?
I've seen a couple threads about TMNT #1, but none dedicated to the title as a whole. Anyhow, I figured I could get this one started! And what better way to get an "official" thread started than with a few questions to spark the conversation!
First, when did the regular Mirage series move from magazine format to regular size? Second, are all of the 1-issue micro series in magazine format or just some?
Great idea!
To answer your questions, Mirage switched after the first 6 books in 1985, which were TMNT 1-4, Raphael Micro-Issue and the Fugitoid book (of which I just I just landed the cover for: http://qurls.com?i=46403 !!). Starting with issue 5, they moved to regual size. Which leads to your 2nd question, in that only the Raphael 1st print was mag sized; the rest of the micros were regular.
Also, the first 3 printings of #1 were mag sized, 4th printing on were regular sized. Same thing for the first 2 printings of #2. So taking these printings into consideration, there were 9 total books in Mag format.
Very cool! Yeah, one of my LCSs just picked up a collection with a huge stack of TMNT books-including a bunch of high grade #3s in first print, so I snagged one for about $3. It will make a nice reader copy so I won't have to crack open the SS one I just bought. I also snagged a copy of Raphael #1 (1st print) high grade, Donatello #1, and TMNT #5 (this one is reg. comic size, but has no marking indicating another printing). There were a bunch of others, but I wasn't 100% certain about the printing AND I needed to get home with groceries from my wife.
But yeah, dirt cheap and in high grade, so can't go wrong there!-)
Yeah... but it hasn't been touched in a year and a half But to be fair, I did do a search function, but only went back a year or so.
Anyhow, very excited as my TMNT #3 SS signed and sketched by both E&L came in. Graders' notes would have put it at a 9.0-9.2 BUT it had a price sticker on it which got it hammered down to a 7.5
I'll be honest though... I am actually quite tempted to pick up my set slabbed for SS...so long as I have reading copies as well (which I do).
But to be fair, I did do a search function, but only went back a year or so. 
