This article mainly deals with the first hardcover edition of this book, and the differences with the 2005 reprint inserted in the second set of Sin City The Frank Miller Library Edition. Many thanks to Diana Schutz for providing editor's insight through the Dark Horse board.
This is the original 2002 hardcover edition:
Published by Dark Horse Comics in November 2002 (ISBN 1-56971-818-0, 12.3 x 9.3 inches or 31 x 23.5 cm, 128 pages, 39.95$), this hardcover edition comes with a red canvas spine, and a carved illustrations on the front cover (title and Marv Climbing a wall). According to Dark Horse description, it is printed on glossy 100 lb. coated paper stock.
Both editions have the same height but this first hardcover edition is quite larger than the reprint (12.3 x 8.4 inches or 31 x 19 cm), and indeed the printing size of text and pictures is bigger. A picture below is also there for size comparison with a regular Sin City comics:
In my copy, the book opens with a printed signed sketch of Dwight, but the book was also produced with a sketch of Miho. Note that my copy of the library edition displays the latter. Then, from here, the content is identical in both edition (exception are pinpointed below), including the four pages introduction by R.C. Harvey. Unless indicated, all pictures are from the original hardcover.
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| 2002 first edition |
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| 2005 library edition |
Each section is introduced by a kind of vellum red paper. The original edition has been produced with sketches that are black on red or white on red (my copy has the white on red sketches). The 2005 reprint only displays sketches that are black on red (editor's choice).
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| 2002 first edition |
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| 2005 library edition |
Regarding the main material, I have spotted these four differences between the original edition (on the left) and the 2005 library edition (on the right). Note that in the library edition pages are numbered.
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| it's the other way around the next page |
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| extra colored art in the 2005 library edition |
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| 2002's bio |
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| 2005's bio |
The 2005 reprint has an extra section displaying 29 pages of tribute illustrations by other artists, but not exclusive as they have already been published in the trade paperbacks line (see here for other examples).
