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NEWS ARCHIVE FOR 2004:
I hope everybody is having a great Christmas and gearing up for the celebration of New Year's Eve
coming in a few short day. You know what would be great in 2005? A kick-butt edition of Golden
Age Captain America Masterworks Vol. 1. This book, which was originally scheduled for November
release, was delayed to March in light of the outcry against the reproduction quality of GA Marvel
Comics Masterworks Vol. 1. Marvel listened and decided to try a different approach to future GA books,
which meant the delay on GA Cap.
To that end, Masterworks editor Mark Beazley has come to the fans seeking help. If you or anyone
you know has Captain America Comics #1-4, or scans of those comics pages, read on:
"We need your help to make the Golden Age Captain America Masterworks the best and most accurate
we possibly can. We need color reference for Captain America Comics #1-4 so that we can recolor the
books as they originally appeared. If you have or have access to one or more of these books (the
originals, not reprints) and can scan the pages at high resolution for us, please get in contact with me
at mbeazley@marvel.com. I realize these are extremely valuable books, but even a beat-to-hell copy
would be better than nothing. We know you guys want this book and you want it to look fantastic, so
call out the Merry Marvel Marching Society and find us that color reference!"
A followup post from Mark relates that they are most in need of Cap #3. So how about it, Masterworks
lovers? Ask not what Masterworks can do for you...ask what YOU can do for Masterworks!!!! Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you. Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
• FF Visionaries: Byrne Vol. 3 NEWS UPDATE: 12/20
When I visited DC's HQ back in the late summer, I suspected something like Batman: Cover to
Cover was up. I had trace evidence staring me in the face, but I couldn't put all the pieces together; ol'
Bob G. can be one cagey fellow! (Which is a good trait when you're helping run a collected editions
department!) For those who might have enjoyed Marvel's Spider-Man covers book, it looks like
Batman: Cover to Cover is trying a similar idea with a different take. Rather than have me tell you about
it, why not turn some of the description over to Bob G. himself. You can read his comments about
his book over at his blog:
NOTES FROM A FINAL FRONTIERSMAN. (Just be careful...he talks about the Mets, too! Bleh!) Along with Action Archives Vol. 4, here's some more projects due from DC in April and May that may interest you. Just titles and contents right now, no solicit copy or price points:
• BATMAN: THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD TP
• BATMAN: SCARECROW TALES TP
• THE WRATH OF THE SPECTRE TP
• TOP TEN: THE 49ERS HC
• THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 16 HC
LATE BREAKING NEWS: 12/17
DC has issued a late Friday afternoon Direct Channel that indicates that May's Archive
offering will be Action Vol. 4. GA Superman fans have to be happy to see that series come back
on line after many years of static. There's more collected editions to talk about, and I'll post about
them later.
Before I get to DC's March solicits, here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Neil Gaiman's Creatures of the Night HC Unfortunately, the regular edition of Hulk Masterworks Vol. 2 will be shipping late. From what I understand there was a printing error with the regular edition dustjacket, but details are murky at this point. I know this will come as a disappointment to the Hulkamaniacs. All you wanted for Christmas was beans and a puppy and more Hulk Masterworks! All the kooky variant folks will get theirs on time. More details as they emerge. Here's advance word on DC's March solicits, with some information on hardcovers and trades you might be interested in! First off, a secret project our old pal Bob Greenberger has been working on. That sly dog has kept the wraps on this Batman project for long enough, now here's the scoop!
BATMAN COVER TO COVER HC
BATMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 1 TP
BATMAN: YEAR ONE DELUXE EDITION HC (New Edition)
SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW VOL. 1 HC
COMIC CAVALCADE ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
ELFQUEST ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC
TOM STRONG'S TERRIFIC TALES VOL. 2 HC NEWS UPDATE: 12/15
Here's advance word on Marvel's March solicits, with some information on hardcovers and trades
you might be interested in!
WOLVERINE CLASSIC VOL. 1 TPB
X-MEN: THE COMPLETE AGE OF APOCALYPSE
EPIC BOOK 1 TPB
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE VOL. 2 HC
FF VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 4 TPB
FF MASTERWORKS VOL. 8
GA CAPTAIN AMERICA MASTERWORKS VOL. 1
ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE VOL. 2
ESSENTIAL TOMB OF DRACULA VOL. 4 Also, these volumes are going back to press: Essential Thor Vol. 1, Essential X-Men Vol. 1 & 4, Essential FF Vol. 1, and Essential Spider-Man Vol. 2. Finally, a cool new item to announce! A new monthly reprint initiative from Marvel Comics! It's called Marvel Milestones, and here is the solicit:
MARVEL MILESTONE: IRON MAN There will be more word from Marvel about this reprint series in the days ahead, but suffice to say that anyone looking for a cool and affordable reprint monthly that covers a lot of bases from all eras of Marvel's past, Marvel Milestones is for you! NEWS UPDATE: 12/10
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released this week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
• DC Rarities Archives Vol. 1 For those hoping to continue their collection of the DNAgents TPBs, the plug is being pulled on the line. For more information, check out this article at NEWSARAMA. NEWS UPDATE: 12/6
I've put in a loooong weekend collating all the data from the 2004 Masterworks
Survey and making it web-worthy. Now, the results are ready to be viewed by people like you! So
head on over to the Survey through this link:
And when you're done, please visit us at the Message Board to discuss the results!
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
• Dark Knight Archives Vol. 1 ($19.95)
For those lucky enough to be at the Message Boards last night, you were treated to an impromptu
game of "20 Questions" with Marvel's Chairman of the Board of Cool, Dastardly David Gabriel. The
subject? A new line of color trades bowing in March! The questions? Well, they were all over the map,
and with each new clue, each new elimination of facts and circumstance, we figured ol' Mr. Gabriel out.
He tried to be cagey, but to no avail, for our Brevoort Wannabes eventually sleuthed him out, and here's
the scoop:
March will see the publication of a TPB covering the first batch of Wolverine solo comics from the late
80s. If they do well, we'll see more! Marvel's also not ruling out covering Wolvy's material from the
Marvel Comics Presents series, but will watch to see how the fans react. For fans of Canada's prize
mutant, this has to come as great news...hey, I'm one of those fans!
With that little nugget of news to be thankful for, I'll take my leave for a few days. I hope you're going
to enjoy this Thanksgiving wherever you find yourself. Me? I'll be finding myself in front of a big honking
turkey at some point. Ya'll be good now!
The survey is over and out! Thanks to all who took it. Now the tabulation begins. Can't say how long
it will last, but BLAMMO! subscribers will be the first to know when the results are up and live! Once again,
a hearty appreciation is due to all who gave voice to their feelings about the Masterworks. You're good
at makin' a guy get all teary-eyed! For those eagerly awaiting the $19.95 Dark Knight Vol. 1 Archives and the Arkham Asylum HC, they are on schedule now for Dec. 1. NEWS UPDATE: 11/19
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
• Blade Black & White TPB
Marvel solicits for February!
DAREDEVIL MASTERWORKS VOL. 3
ESSENTIAL LUKE CAGE
BLACK PANTHER BY JACK KIRBY VOL. 1
FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 2 HC
MARVEL WEDDINGS TPB
Here's the list of confirmed books released today that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now!!!
*- Art of Marvel Vol. 2 HC
The results of the 2005 DC Archives Survey run by D Stepp is up! Click THIS LINK
to head to the web page where you can see how the votes totalled this year. And, yes, the Masterworks
survey is going just fine. But it won't be as good as it could have been if YOU do not make time
to add your opinions to the mix! Here are some books from DC's February solicits that may interest you:
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL HC Batman has discovered something strange on the bottom of Gotham Bay which leads him to a mysterious and powerful teenaged girl who's bent on destroying Gotham City. What's her connection to Superman? Why does Wonder Woman want to hide her from the outside world? Will Darkseid succeed in recruiting her into doing his bidding? Plus, this volume includes an introduction by Loeb as well as a Kryptonian language translation key. (168 pages, $19.95.)
ALL-STAR ARCHIVES VOL. 11
NEWS UPDATE: 11/13
Following up the Green Lantern/Green Arrow Neal Adams HC slipcase, DC put out the Deadman Collection,
another HC with a slipcase that reprinted all of Adams' work on DC's dead guy. Well, TOW has slashed
the list price in half for a sale you won't want to miss: only $37.50
for this title! Get in on the action while supplies last!
There's a few Dark Horse solicits to let you know about:
CHRONICLES OF CONAN VOLUME 7: THE DWELLER IN THE POOL AND OTHER STORIES
TPB
Presenting more of the celebrated Roy Thomas/John Buscema Conan the
Barbarian run. Featuring completely remastered color, all proving once again
why Conan is considered the greatest and most savage fantasy character of
all time. (160 pages, $15.95.) Due March 30.
MAGNUS, ROBOT FIGHTER VOL. 2 HC
Never before collected in any format, the Dark Horse Magnus Robot Fighter
4000 A.D. Volume 2 hardcover is published in the popular "Archive" format
and is a welcome addition to any comic collector's bookshelf! (200 pages, $49.95.)
Due March 30.
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
• Absolute Planetary
Collected editions archangel David Gabriel has blown his horn...and it's a doozy! If you're capable of
taking the news, check out
THIS THREAD,
wherein Marvel's main man gives us the scoop on the preliminary schedule for January through May
of 2005. You know how I normally list all the titles in the news update? Well, this time around there's
just too many dad-blamed Masterworks, Essentials, TPBs and HCs to list. Really! Go to the thread and
see how much money you're gonna be spending!!!
I'll go ahead and list the announced Masterworks for posterity's sake. Here is the slate for 2005:
JAN: Uncanny X-Men Vol. 5
Yep, ol' Shellhead gets some love, finally! It'll have been 15 years after the first Masterworks publication.
Too long!!!!
TOW is having a HUGE sale on Oversized Marvel HCs! Best of Spidey, Hulk, Punisher, Spider-Man: Blue,
Marvels 10th Anniversary, and many more, slashed to half off and more! Check out
THIS THREAD
at the Message Board, because there's too many links to post here! I mean it!!!! If you've been waiting to
add to your Marvel HC collection, now is the time! In case you haven't visited lately, the What If? Golden Age Library of Future Masterworks is really getting put together nicely! Cleazer, Steve Rogers and yours truly have banged out a bunch of maps for your prognosticating pleasure! Visit the GOLDEN AGE FUTURE MASTERWORKS library page and see for yourself. You never know when a certain survey question will come up and ask you a certain question that you'll want a certain answer for...do your homework, people! NEWS UPDATE: 10/31
GUEST EDITORIAL
"Why I Love and Read Archives" by Thoom
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was on while I was reading "Doom Patrol Vol. 1."
If you're familiar with the show, you probably recognize it as one of the weakest dramas on TV.
Tonight's episode was about a plot to kill homeless people and sell their body parts for money; these
same homeless people were also involved, I believe, in a chop-shop operation. An elderly woman with
the calcified corpse of an unborn child still in her womb turned out to be married to and an unwitting
accomplice of the killer, her husband.
I am laughing as I type this. I am not kidding. This was an ACTUAL plot from an ACTUAL television
program. I don't know how the actors pulled this show off without alternately laughing at the inane
script and dry-heaving at what they were subjecting their careers to.
At the same time, the story I was reading in "Doom Patrol" had a giant robot with a menacing grin
riding toward the Statue of Liberty on two motor boats as if they were water skis. Oh, and the giant
robot was working with a talking gorilla. The gorilla, by the way, was a genius with an IQ of 178.
(Read the rest of Thoom's great opinion piece at the DC ARCHIVES
MESSAGE BOARD! The Archives Message Board is on fire. After you've read Thoom's heartfelt post, check out Alizarin's delicious thread showcasing the best of DC's Silver Age house ads! Click THIS LINK for the full visual splendor! (Don't bypass the chance to check out the new house ad I've just uploaded from Spider-Man #3. I would have posted it, but I didn't want to steal any thunder from those luscious DC house ads that alizarin is thankfully putting online for your pleasure. There's a link for it in the thread, ya lazy lunkheads!) NEWS UPDATE: 10/29 Peanuts Vol. 2 is SHIPPING NOW from Tales of Wonder. They also have in stock the SLIPCASE you can use to encase the first two volumes! Go get 'em, you blockheads!!! The major domo of Marvel's collected editions, managing editor David Gabriel, has chimed in on our very own boards with news that Fantastic Four Vol. 2 HC is in the works for February! This ought to include the stirring Authoritative Action storyline, as well as the resolution that leads up to the all-time classic final-issue of Hereafter. Perhaps it will extend further than that, even! We'll see! You know these Marvel HCs...they can get BIG!!! If you've bought the Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 1 Masterworks, or are thinking about it, or even if you're not interested in it but want to see a bunch of people haggle about it left and right, then THIS THREAD IS FOR YOU! Come make your opinions known about the launch volume of Golden Age Masterworks, and find out more about why GA Captain America Vol. 1 will be delayed a few short weeks. NEWS UPDATE: 10/23
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
*- Marvel Visionaries: Jack Kirby Vol. 1 HC
The cover choice for Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 5 has been revealed in January's solicit information.
Feast your eyes:
I would have preferred the cover to #137, but it has that noxious "YOU COULD WIN $25,000!!!" banner
on the top. I guess Marvel didn't want to deal with the inevitable avalanche of contest entries coming
in with proof-of-purchase clipped out of the Masterworks! The 2004 Masterworks Survey is coming along. If all goes well, expect it sometime next week! There's a great article at NEWSARAMA, and it's with DC's Bob Greenberger, Phil Jimenez, Scott Beatty and Daniel Wallace. The subject? None other than the 300+ hardcover recently published by DK called THE DC COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA. As the interview shows, the editors of the book tried to bridge the gap between the old Who's Who comics and the rest of DC continuity before and since. Check it out and see if you'd like to add this book to your collection! NEWS UPDATE: 10/19 MARVEL SOLICITS FOR JANUARY
Here's a few items that fans of this site might want to make special note of:
UNCANNY X-MEN MASTERWORKS VOL. 5
Collecting X-Men #132-140, Annual #4 with special bonus features including the
original X-Men #137 story where Jean Grey lived- Phoenix: The Untold Story- and the
Claremont/Buscema Phoenix classic from Bizarre Adventures #27! And if that wasn't
enough, brace yourself for a brouhaha with Wendigo and the seminal story of that furry
blue elf Nightcrawler in "Nightcrawler's Inferno." (304 pages, $49.95=REG, $54.95=LTD.)
MARVEL VISIONARIES: STAN LEE HC
LOKI HC
ESSENTIAL PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1
HULK VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 1 TPB Superman: For Tomorrow HC has been cancelled and will be resolicited with an extra issue added. According to DC Direct Channel, "The collection, which was to include SUPERMAN #204-208, instead will run through issue #209, written by Brian Azzarello with art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams." Also, Doom Patrol Archives Vol. 1 is going back for its second printing! NEWS UPDATE: 10/18 DC SOLICITS FOR JANUARY
BIZARRO WORLD HC
This big slab o' comics features work by many of the fantastic creators who worked on the BIZARRO
COMICS book (and made it an award-winner)! This time the contibutors weaving strange and wonderful
tales about the quirky Bizarro include Tony Millionaire, Kyle Baker, Evan Dorkin, Dylan Horrocks, Harvey
Pekar, James Kochalka, Peter Bagge, Scott Morse, Ben Dunn and a host of others, along with some
double-secret surprise guests! All this, topped off with a cover by Jaime Hernandez! It's big! It's
indisputably rectangular! It stays crunchy even after you pour on the milk! (200 pages, $29.95.)
GREEN LANTERN ARCHIVES VOL. 5 HC
SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
In 1941, one year after DC Comics launched the Justice Society of America in ALL-STAR COMICS, sister
company All-American Comics released LEADING COMICS #1 featuring its very own super-team; The
Seven Soldiers of Victory! Originally produced under the guidance of legendary editor/writer Mort
Weisinger, this volume featuring page after page of classic art by Mort Meskin (among others). Add to
that an insightful introduction by R.C. Harvey and it all adds up to over 200 pages of some of the best
that the Golden Age had to offer- by writers Bill Finger, Mort Weisinger, Jerry Siegel and others, with
art by Meskin, George Papp, Creig Flessel and others. (240 pages, $49.95.)
The DC Archives survey is now closed. I really hope you had a chance to take part! The results
will be posted at DStepp's Archives page as soon as he's done tabulating. I'll post a link as soon
as he gets it up! Rumors have surfaced at the LYING IN THE GUTTERS by Rich Johnston about the possibility of a Absolute Edition of Alan Moore's Promethea: "An Absolute Edition of "Promethea" is in the works, in three over-sized collections, either separately or all in one dustcover." Ace investigative reporter for BLAMMO! and supplier of original GA microfiche artwork Bill Nolan has uncovered one of the January solicits for DC Archives. Wanna see what it is? Click THIS LINK! (This one gets a strong ring of affirmation from Gormuu!!!) Speaking of BLAMMO!, subscribers to the newsletter got a sneak peek at the first 2005 Masterworks that are going to be published. Now for the main site, I can confirm for January the Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 5, which will finish off the Dark Phoenix storyline started in Vol. 4 (hitting the streets this week!) Only three months to have to wait! Also, Daredevil Vol. 3 will bow in February and Golden Age Sub-Mariner is on tap for March. Exact contents are still to be determined. Info on the Stan Lee Visionaries book due in February has come up on Amazon. Click on THIS LINK to go to the message board for the full scoop. But there's something here for everybody, with a book that will track Stan Lee's career as the comics creative genius he was from the 40s to the 90s! Newsarama gives the full scoop on the Art of Marvel Vol. 2 HC, due in late November. Here's a link to an interview with editor Jeff Youngquest and creative director Tom Marvelli about THE ART OF MARVEL VOL. 2 HC. NEWS UPDATE: 10/15
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released this week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Batman: Hush Vol. 2 TPB David Gabriel has announced that Marvel plans to print the Loki mini-series in oversized HC, to be released sometime in January. NEWS UPDATE: 10/13
Here's the report from my trip to Tales of Wonder to pick up my Golden Age Marvel Comics Masterworks
Vol. 1 today. And here's a photojournalist's essay of my time there! Dig it!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released this week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Advetnures of the Fly Vol. 1 TPB Dark Horse is soliciting a hardcover reprint of the first storyline in Kurt Busiek's Conan series. I read this comic, and I can give a personal testimony that it's quite a magnificent book. Cary Nord's artwork is excellent, and Busiek really nails the first storyline. Here's the solicit:
CONAN VOL. 1: THE FROST GIANT'S DAUGHTER HC PLEASE NOTE: Copies of the Conan volume 1 Hardcover will be printed only to initial orders in the Direct Market. Here is the link for CONAN VOL. 1 HC so pre-order and make sure you get a copy! This book is due on March 30, 2005. DC ARCHIVES SURVEY IS LIVE!!!!
The 7th Annual DC Archives Survey, run over at DStepp's DC Archives website, is now live! Go over
there and take it right now by following THIS LINK!
Once there, you can take the survey that helps solidify the varying ideas, hopes and dreams of
the Archives-loving community into one solid set of numbers! And don't think your time is being wasted-
no sir, the editors at DC make sure to take a gander at every new survey when they convene their
discussions for the next year's slate of books. Do they follow every finding of the survey? No, but it
definitely weighs in their minds, so make sure you add your voice to the crowd! Go take the survey now!
Ya hear me? NOW!!!!
Just got back from another trip to Florida, where I'm helping my folks clean up after Hurricane's
Frances and Jeanne. I'm glad I didn't leave my comics collection down there when I left home! Now,
on to the news:
By now, all collected editions busy-bodies like us are used to the occasional Amazon Dump. What's an
Amazon dump? Well, that's when- from out of nowhere- a whole passle of different titles from either
Marvel or DC wind up listed for sale on the Amazon website. Many of these books are ones neither
officially announced or quietly rumored by anyone...they just sorta show up. The basis of this phenomenon
is pretty simple. Amazon (and all other retailers like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million) get their
information about these books from the distributor Marvel or DC uses. Approximately every three months,
the catalogue for this distributor gets updated with forthcoming product. Marvel and DC issue preliminary
items they're working on, whether they're offically announced to the direct market or not. Why? Because
the time-tables are longer than they are for the direct market. All Diamond does is connect comics retailers
with comics product, so they're much more closely aligned to the action than Marvel's retail store
distributor, which is likely also handling more mainstream books and products.
That's the long of it, but the short of it is that Amazon Dumps often carry products that may never
come to light, simply because the books are still works-in-progress at the stage in which Marvel
passes the information to their retail distributors for catalogue updates.
Anyways, there was another Amazon Dump a few days ago. There are some very intriguing titles on there.
Here's
A LINK to a thread at the message boards that gives them all in detail. I'd like to list a few here,
as well as tell you a few that are pretty strong indicators for future books, based on discussions I've had
behind the scenes, as well as BLAMMO! cub reporter Avengers Assemble, who's managed to sniff
out some info on his own. Here's the possible books that send me in a tizzy:
Hulk Visionaries: Peter David Vol. 1
And according to AA, there's a rumor of an Avengers Serpent Crown TPB in the offing. Until we get
actual authentication from Marvel, these titles- as well as any future Amazon Dumps- are to be
taken with a grain of salt. But they are promising, aren't they? Could we possibly get a complete
library of 70's Jack Kirby Marvel in trade? Woo hoo!!!!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released this week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Essential Monster of Frankenstein
Sometime this month, we'll get this gem, the second volume of Fantagraphics Peanuts reprint series, covering the year 1953-1954. Here's a link to PREORDER PEANUTS VOL. 2 from TOW. NEWS UPDATE: 9/29
TOW is now shipping the WIZARD BEST OF SPIDER-MAN HC.
The original copy for the book listed the contents as reprinting 10 issues of Spider-Man, but only
described 9 issues. Well, the book is out now, and it has neither nine or ten issues reprinted, but 12!
More of a good thing!
The three issues reprinted that aren't mentioned in any ad copy until now are Amazing
Spider-Man #315-317, from the Todd MacFarlane era. A good deal gets even better!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released this week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Marvel 65th Ann. Special This week's DC Direct Channel lowers the boom on the Brave & the Bold Archives, appearing this March 2005. Here's the info: In the early 1960s, at the height of the Silver Age, DC Comics introduced a concept that quickly became a comics tradition: team-ups of different heroes in continuing adventures. Now, DC collects those early, influential tales in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD TEAM-UPS ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 HC. Scheduled for release in spring 2005, Volume 1 collects THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #50-56 and 59, from 1963-1965, featuring the work of writers Bob Haney and Robert Kanigher and artists including Joe Kubert, Alex Toth, and Ramona Fradon. (Issues #57 and 58 featured solo stories of Metamorpho.) Here are the stories in this volume: B&B #50: starring Green Arrow and The Manhunter From Mars in a story by Bob Haney with art and cover by George Roussos. B&B #51: starring Aquaman and Hawkman in a story by Haney with art and cover by Howard Purcell. B&B #52: starring Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank and Johnny Cloud in a story by Robert Kanigher with art and cover by Joe Kubert. B&B #53: starring the Atom and the Flash in a story by Haney with art by Alex Toth and a cover by Bob Brown. B&B #54: starring Kid Flash, Aqualad and Robin in a story by Haney with art and cover by Bruno Premiani. B&B #55: starring the Metal Men and the Atom in a story by Haney with art and cover by Ramona Fradon & Charles Paris. B&B #56: starring the Flash and the Manhunter From Mars in a story by Haney with art and cover by Bernard Baily. B&B #59: starring Batman and Green Lantern in a story by Haney with art by Fradon & Paris and a cover by Gil Kane. THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD TEAM-UPS ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 is scheduled to arrive in stores in April, 2005. More information will be released when it is available. NEWS UPDATE: 9/28
Howdy, folks! I'm back from dealing with Hurricane Jeanne. I went down to help my folks dig out from
under the debris of Hurricane Frances, only to find out that Jeanne decided she wanted to bowl a spare
on us in Sebastian, FL. I did manage to read some of FF Masterworks Vol. 2 by candlelight (the glossy
paper DID NOT help on that front!!! LOL!) Anyways, I've got to catch you up on some news, so give me
a little time here and I'll do just that. I've updated the shipping schedule information in the lower right
sidebar. It should be current and up to date now. Here's a few changes to previous schedules:
Absolute Planetary moves from 10/6 to 11/10, and Ultimate Spidey Vol. 5, Art of Marvel Vol. 2 and
the FF Encyclopedia all move from 11/3 to 11/10.
The Superman: Man of Tomorrow Archives Vol. 1 has moved up a week to ship tomorrow, Wednesday 9/29.
Also shipping tomorrow is the Wizard Best of Spider-Man volume. For more information on this book,
which may have slipped under your radar (it did mine!) here's a link to the TOW SOLICIT.
And don't forget, X-Men Masterworks Vol. 4 ships tomorrow as well! Here's a great article at Newsarama about Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano's adaptation of BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA. Looks like a lot of props need to go to Marvel assistant editor of collected editions, Mark Beazley, without whom this project wouldn't have gotten off the ground! Way to go, Mark! Finally, here's a link to a Newsarama article about Carmine Infantino's suit against DC concerning rights to Flash. It's been DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. I hope justice is done, and we get some Flash Archives fast tracked now! Keep your eyes peeled here, I'll have more news as I'm able to play catch up around the offices here. :) NEWS UPDATE: 9/21
Hey folks!
Check out the following sale from Tales of Wonder, in which they're combining the first three
Daredevil HCs from the line of oversized Marvel HCs for a single price of $39.99. The list price on these
three books together total $89.99!
Here's the link:
And, hey, if you're in the mood for more Frank Miller, don't forget their sale price on the Complete Frank Miller Spider-Man HC. Only $9.99!
COMPLETE FRANK MILLER SPIDER-MAN HC
Finally, can't let you forget about the three Daredevil Visionaries volumes that TOW is selling at
discount prices. Graphitti Designs produced lush HC volumes of the complete Frank Miller Daredevil
run from #159 to #192, and you can have them all in these limited edition HCs:
DAREDEVIL VISIONARIES HC VOL. 1
It's a Daredevil bonanza at Tales of Wonder!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Chronicles of Conan Vol. 5
The Avengers trade, as well as reprinting the recent Invaders crossover issues (the last issues before the
Dissassembled event), also reprints Avengers (Vol. 1) #71 and Invaders Annual #1, for those who want their
classic Marvel Invaders fix!
BLAMMO! cub reporter Allen Ross shares with us this first-hand report, gleaned from the Baltimore
Comics Con:
"I attended the Legion of Super-Heroes panel yesterday at the Baltimore Comic Con. Paul Levitz was
one of the participants there.
I asked about Legion Archives 13. His response was that DC has the big yearly meeting about the
archives, and the lineup is generally set there (which we knew). He said that as the Legion archives
line moves more into the era that he was the writer on, he is more reluctant to push them (not wanting
to show favoritism). He said that the Legion archives is moving to more of a two-year schedule. But he
went on to say "It is coming", referring to volume 13.
I did find a later discussion interesting too. There was a discussion about Trade Paperbacks, and the
lack thereof for Legion. He and Dan Didio (who was sitting right behind me) were saying that the sales
of the last monthly (and the two minis just before) just didn't justify TPs for Legion. But Paul did
mention the recent trend at Vertigo, where recently they have been quickly issuing a cheaply-priced
trade of the first issues, and that has been working well, and will be tried more in the DCU books.
But during this discussion, he contrasted the TPs with the Archives, and called the archives line
"lusciously produced but ridiculously overpriced". He said that in a joking manner, but still, I think the
fanboy in him sort of did believe it.
He did say that the archives sell in the range of about 3000 to 5000, but he thought the maximum for
old Legion material would probably be no more than 6000 even if packaged differently."
Best of Wolverine Vol. 1 HC has moved from 10/6 to 10/13 on the release schedule. BLAMMO! super-friend Word Life, with thanks to Millarworld, has posted Marvel's December solicits on the Masterworks Message Board. Here goes!
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE:
GOLDEN AGE MARVEL 2004
FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 3 TPB
WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL. 1 TPB
WHAT IF? #1 - What if Spider-Man Joined the Fantastic Four?
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 2
NEWS UPDATE: 9/13
*- Authority: Human on Inside HC
David Gabriel posted the following at the Quesada boards. This should perk you up if you're into Marvel
reprints!
"Okay, without giving away too much, I can say that a few of you will get your wishes...check Marvel
Previews for December books...then check for the January books...any more specific than that would
just be spoiling the fun. Masterworks are continuing monthly for the foreseable future, Essentials will
be coming out at least once a month (sometimes 2 and you'll be surprised at what we have cooked up)
We are going to be mixing in more classic trades with our regular inline books, there will be more
books in the affordable (and widely popular) digest format, there will be Hardcovers that will please
many, many folks (like the upcoming Marvel Visionaries Jack Kirby in October--take a guess who'll be
coming next!) The Official Handbooks are sticking around for a while, plus there will be some
returning favorites that you probably never thought you'd see. The end of 2004 will be terrific, but
2005 is going to really be special! Now, who says I am not nice?"
Howzabout that? Masterworks monthly! Nice to finally have that confirmed! Essentials at least once a month,
sometimes twice! That's crazy talk, man! CRAZY TALK! Sink some brainpower into figuring out what this
all means, and then join us on the message boards and chat about it! Amazon has uploaded some info at their site that might tip us off to Marvel's plans for the future regarding Essentials. Among their list of titles due for release:
*- Thor Vol. 2 Until these are officially confirmed from Marvel, then don't take 100% stock in these Amazon listings. Sometimes they don't come true. But that's a cool slate of titles regardless! (Thanks to Novarious for the tip!) And now, solicits for DC for the month of December!
WORLD'S FINEST COMICS ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to rumor, this new printing IS NOT going to be a promotional $19.95 release. It will maintain the original $49.95 list price.
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS ARCHIVES VOL. 5 HC
CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER - ALL HIS ENGINES HC When a mysterious worldwide plague puts millions of people into deadly comas- including Chas Chandler's granddaughter, Tricia - Earth's foremost expert on the bizarre, John Constantine, steps in with the "cure." John is happy to do a favor for his oldest and closest friend, but in scratching the surface of this seemingly personal tragedy, he finds a mad demon in a body woven out of cancer cells; a plot to build franchised Hells in the cities of men and unleash a plague of coma cases stretching from London to L.A. To rescue a single innocent child from the clutches of this evil, both John and Chas will have to face temptations they never dreamed of, forging alliances with monsters every bit as terrible as the ones they're fighting. And in the end, when he's out of gas and in the hands of his enemies, the Hellblazer is always up for that one last desperate game of poker. (128 pages, $24.95.)
NEWS UPDATE: 9/11
A new contest is up! Check out the Contest page for more details.
Tales of Wonder has slashed their price on the
501 SPIDER-MAN ISSUES ON CD-ROM. They
have taken $10 off the price, and it will now run you only $39.99 for the 10-disc set! Joe from TOW says
all folks who already paid the initial asking price of $49.99 will have their $10 refunded!
Don't forget, FF Masterworks Vol. 7 ships out tomorrow! Get your order in today!
Hey folks! Over on the Masterworks Message Board, news scooper Bill Nolan has reported that
Masterworks editor Cory Sedlmeier is seeking original art for four particular projects he's working on.
You'll recall that he announced that he already has approval for four books to lead off 2005...so if after
putting two and two together, you might be comfortable assuming that these are to be those four he
was talking about! Here's what he's looking for:
*- Uncanny X-Men #132-140, Annual #4, Phoenix: The Untold Story, Bizarre
Adventures #27 (Phoenix Story)
He's also looking for art for the Hulk pages from Tales to Astonish #59-79, but we know that's already
on the schedule for December. Look at what's on the Spidey radar! Both issues of the Spectacular magazine!
And it's heartening to see the odd X-Men material making the cut in a potential Uncanny Masterworks!
I've never read those Bizarre Adventures solo stories (featuring Phoenix, Nightcrawler, and Iceman.) Join
us on the MASTERWORKS MESSAGE BOARD for more details!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Alan Moore's SMAX HC
A few more collected editions delays to announce: The Marvel Comics 65th Anniversary Special is delayed a week from 9/22 to 9/29. X-Men Masterworks Vol. 4 is delayed a week from 9/22 to 10/20, and the Golden Age Marvel Comics Masterworks Vol. 1 is moved from 9/29 to 10/13. Here's a book Warren Ellis fans might be interested in, newly posted at Tales of Wonder. It's a limited edition HC for his book MINISTRY OF SPACE. Here's the pitch: Written by WARREN ELLIS; art and cover by CHRIS WESTON and LAURA MARTIN. CONCEPT: This is the story of how we could have gone to space. Maybe how we should have gone to space. This is the story of the Ministry of Space. The black budget that financed the move into space. The deaths of the test pilots taken from the surviving Spitfire flyers of the Battle of Britain. And in 2000, the end of the Golden Age, as America and Russia begin moving i ntospace. The secret revealed and the destruction of a man who sacrificed himself for the Ministry of Space. Plus, a sketchbook section by CHRIS WESTON and an all-new appendix by WARREN ELLIS revealing the facts behind the fiction! Collects the sold out MINISTRY OF SPACE #1-3. Also, get your pre-orders in now for the DR. SOLAR VOL. 1 HC. This is the second Gold Key book to come from Dark Horse, and we'd like to see more, right? (Like Turok, perhaps?) NEWS UPDATE: 9/2
Would you like a CD-ROM of the first 501 issues of Amazing Spider-Man? You would? You're that
kinda person? Well...read on, pilgrim:
501 SPIDER-MAN ISSUES ON CD-ROM
This CD-ROM is a complete collection of every Amazing Spider-Man comic book printed from March
1963 to December 2003, including Amazing Fantasy #15- Spider-Man's debut issue. Officially licensed
by Marvel, it features a total of over 501 complete comic books: issues 1 through 500 and Amazing
Fantasy #15. It includes all articles, Spider's-Web columns, Bullpen Bulletins, and advertisements- cover to cover complete! Everything from Lee to Straczynski, Ditko to Romita Jr. The digital images
are created from scans of the original printed comic books, compliments of Marvel editor and collector
Mr. Ralph Macchio. To preserve the look and feel of the actual comics, there will be minimal retouching
of the source material. Some images may have slight discoloration and degrading of pages (including
small tears, creases, and pen marks), but that's what gives these scans character and historical value
(no intrusive retooling). It's like having all 501 comics in your personal collection! System
Requirements:PC: Windows 98 or higher and MAC: OSX.
For those who are into digital comics, this couldn't be better news! It's expected to ship in October
and will have a list price of $69.99, though Tales of Wonder has a nice discount on it. Order now from Tales of Wonder! For those who've been kept up at night wondering, as of today, DC Comics has a preliminary release month for Comic Cavalcade Archives Vol. 1 as March 2005. That could change, natch, but for now they're looking at March. NEWS UPDATE: 8/31 Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 7 is now reported to be shipping on 9/8, only two weeks late. Essential Super-Villain Team-Up will ship on the same date. We're running a contest on the Marvel board to see who can come up with the best banner to celebrate the release of Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 7. Visit THIS THREAD and get the rules. Don't be shy! The deadline is 9/7, the day before release. NEWS UPDATE: 8/29
These are late in coming from me, but here are the solicits for Marvel for the month of November:
AVENGERS MASTERWORKS VOL. 4
ART OF MARVEL COMICS VOL. 2 HC
GA CAPTAIN AMERICA MASTERWORKS VOL. 1
ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL. 6: FANTASTIC FOUR HC
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL. 5 HC
ESSENTIAL IRON MAN VOL. 2
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Daredevil vs. Bullseye TPB
Not shipping as expected is Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 7. It was initially delayed a week from
it's scheduled release date of 8/25, and now will be late further because of printing delays. But don't worry, it's a-comin'. I
would expect news of it's release to come on a week-by-week basis, so check back here and hope for sooner rather than later.
Experiencing a further delay as well is Chronicles of Conan Vol. 5, so
I hope Dark Horse is able to finally push that one through soon. I can also report that Cory has informed me that four new Masterworks volumes have already been approved for 2005. Why don't you join us on the message boards to guess which ones? He also passed on to me the fact that "fully 100 pages from FF Vol. 7 are straight off Kirby originals." The wait should be worth it, folks! Finally, the scoop on the final contents of Hulk Masterworks Vol. 2: it will reprint Tales to Astonish #59-79, a grand total of 256 mean, green pages! The first Hulk solo story appeared in TtA #60, but they're tossing in the Giant-Man issue from #59 that featured a clash between the two goliaths! With much hope, that won't be the last time we see Tales to Astonish #59 reprinted in Masterworks....can anyone say Ant-Man Masterworks? Here's hoping! Until then...Hulk in December! NEWS UPDATE: 8/26
There's a few changes on DC's shipping schedule to report. The most major is that Plastic Man Archives
is shipping this next Wednesday, on 9/1! That's quite a move up from shipping the last week of September.
Also, the SMAX HC and the Man of Steel TPB are delayed a week, from 9/1 to 9/8.
At Newsarama, there's a report about a new collection of Charles Schulz strips called IT'S ONLY A GAME.
Click the link to read more about it, but here's a quickie from the article:
Charles M. Schulz is the most famous and most influential cartoonist ever, and his Peanuts comic
strips have been reprinted in hundreds of books. Yet few people know that during the late 1950s,
during a period of great creativity, Schulz was also doing another newspaper comics series. "It's Only a
Game" took a look at people and their pastimes, showing us how we win, how we lose, and how we play
the game. This long forgotten work is now being put into a book for the very first time, as About
Comics publishes the complete collection It's Only a Game.
The book is a 240-page B&W softcover priced at $14.95. Knowing that it's rare Schultz material, it
sounds like an incredible bargain to me!
If you're a fan of Marvel's oversized HCs, you probably already know that some of them were printed in short runs and have since fallen out of print, with no plans for Marvel to reprint them. Alias, X-Force, and Ultimate Marvel Team-Up are three of them, as well as Origin. Well, it appears that two new books are in the same situation, so if you want to purchase these books at retail instead of chasing them down on the back market, you might want to step up and order now. The books I am speaking of include:
*- FF VOL. 1 I can't say when these are going to go out of print, but they are currently in the "danger zone" with no guarantee, or even good expectation, that they will be reprinted. They're all nicely discounted at TOW, so I'd encourage you to think about budgeting for them if you have been waiting to buy them. And don't forget the Hulk special TOW is running! Both HCs for a total of $24.95...that's a great deal! (Check the 8/18 news entry for more details on that.) NEWS UPDATE: 8/24
Over at ICv2, they've offered up an interview with Marvel CIO Dan Buckley in
which he mentions the Masterworks program. Here's the pertinent quotable, though it's an interesting
interview overall:
"The best thing that's come out of the Barnes and Noble Masterworks softcovers is that it gave us
an opportunity to go out and do the hardcovers again too, because there were some synergies involved
in doing both. And now we have a fairly vibrant and exciting Masterworks program because we were
able to figure out a way to launch out of that. The only place that those [hardcovers] are being sold is
in the direct market, and everyone seems very happy with those products. And we're actually doing
new Masterworks that were never even done before. So it's something that was looked at a little bit as
an exposure piece (get more people involved) and also helped re-invigorate a program that we all
wanted to happen again, we just weren't sure how it would do." Newsarama has an article about a new AMERICAN FLAGG reprint initiative. The classic Howard Chaykin series is going to be published by (gasp!) Dynamic Forces, and is set for release in November (yeah...believe that when we see it!) As it stands now, a $49.95 hardcover reprinting 400 pages worth of the first 12 issues is slated, as are two cheaper TPBs that cover six issues each. (The trades will be priced at $19.95 each, so both will be approximately $10 cheaper than the HC. Look for Tales of Wonder to have good discounts on both!) NEWS UPDATE: 8/23
I was out of town all weekend, so unable to update. Unfortunately, FF Masterworks Vol. 7 is delayed
a week until Sept. 1. This'll give some of us a chance to count our pennies for another week!
Hey ya'll...Tales of Wonder is running a special on the 2 Incredible Hulk HCs. Together, they reprint
Hulk #34-54 and the Startling Stories: Banner #1-4 series. The original list price for both books was
$60, and TOW is offering them on sale for $24.95. Here's a link: For a bird's eye view on all the other Marvel Oversized HCs that have been published, check out my
CORNERSHOP LISTINGS.
JLA Archives Vol. 9 has been announced for a November 24 release date! It'll clock in at 228 pages and
reprint JLA #71-80. More Nov. solicit information later! OK, here are the DC solicits for November, including JLA and Hawkman Vol. 2:
SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW VOL. 1 HC This dust-jacketed volume, collecting SUPERMAN #204-208, also features sketchbook material and a new cover by Lee and an introduction by TK! (128 pages, $19.95.)
A DC UNIVERSE CHRISTMAS TP
HAWKMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ARCHIVES VOL. 9 HC
ASTRO CITY: LOCAL HEROES HC
TOM STRONG VOL. 4 HC
NEWS UPDATE: 8/15 The Action Heroes Archives contest deadline has been changed from 8/23 to 8/16 at noon, since the release date of the book has been moved up a week. Please get your contest entry in by noon tomorrow! You could win the Archives or Masterworks of your choice! Check out the contest link in the lower left sidebar.
BREAKING NEWS The short of it is that Diamond is dry on these books. There are none available for reorder. Here are links to Tales of Wonder, who will be glad to sell you a copy should you want one: There's lots of stuff to talk about with this subject. Join us at the message boards to get into the thick of the conversation, why don't you? (Tip of the hat to Masterworks Resource Home Page cub reporter Dum Dum Dugan for his dogged pursuit of this story!) NEWS UPDATE: 8/13
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Action Heroes Archives Vol. 1
Dark Horse solicits for December reveal a Doctor Solar collection! Here's the solicit:
DOCTOR SOLAR VOL. 1 HC
The original incarnation of the classic hero Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom springs to life in this newly
remastered collection of classic stories from comics visionaries Bob Fujitani, Frank Bolle, and Paul S.
Newman. Reprinted for the first time in nearly forty years, these adventures of Doctor Solar are truly
wonders of the atomic age. Fans of Russ Manning, Mac Raboy, or Alex Raymond will be delighted with
artist Bob Fujitani's original depiction of this classic hero in all his radioactive glory. This collection also
features two rare cover paintings by legendary science-fiction illustrator Richard Powers. (208 pages, $49.95.)
So...Magnus isn't the only Gold Key property to get the Archival treatment from Dark Horse! Super cool!
Can Turok be far behind? Stay tuned, folks!
Essential Iron Fist is not shipping on time this week. I will post up when I find out the new shipping date.
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- JLA/Avengers Deluxe HC
The street date on Superman: Godfall HC is going to be delayed until 8/18. Anybody with a pre-order through TOW will
have it shipped on that date at no extra charge.
David Gabriel has informed fans at the Quesada boards that there will be a TPB reprinting the first
six issues of the classic What If? comic to be released in December. If successful, there should be more! There's an interesting collection of 50s Ditko sci-fi material coming down the pike. It's going to clock in at 100 pages of black and white comics at a rather steep price, but that's how these projects go, it seems. Here's a link to buy SPACE WARS at a discount from Tales of Wonder, and also remember that it's a pre-order book only! So if you want one, get that order in:
STEVE DITKO: SPACE WARS NEWS UPDATE: 8/1
Tales of Wonder has rolled out their order page for Superman Archives Vol. 1 at the promotional
price of $13.99!
Get your order in now! I've also updated my DC Archives Cornershop page, so check it out!
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
*- Spirit Archives Vol. 14
CORRECTION FROM SAN DIEGO
MORE NEWS FROM SAN DIEGO Rkeeper also fills us in on DC's statement about All-Star #1 and 2. According to him, "someone asked about All Star 1 & 2 ever being released, and it was stated that it would come out "some day" (i.e. don't hold your breath,) in the form of the DC Rarities (ie, a stand-alone volume)." Thanks for the scoop, rkeeper! NEWS UPDATE: 7/24
JUST IN FROM SAN DIEGO
Also, the big project DC has been working on is going to be called "The Batman Chronicles," which will
reprint in a cost-effective trade paperback all the Batman stories in chronological order. Here's the copy:
"Next year, readers will get the chance to experience every Batman tale in chronological order in the trade paperback series BATMAN CHRONICLES. Starting with DETECTIVE COMICS #27, the title will collect stories from BATMAN, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS, and anywhere else the Dark Knight starred in his own adventures."
More news as it comes!!! A feather in our caps! Over at the Quesada boards, Assistant Editor Mark Beazley posted a link to the 2004 MASTERWORKS TRAILER, giving a nod of thanks to this site. In the same thread, Masterworks editor Cory Sedlmeier thanked this site for its good work, and then made the following statement: "The 2005 version of that trailer's going to have to be a whole lot bigger, though (maybe with some Tom Waits.) '04's just a trot around the bases compared to what we're planning for '05, so reserve your copy today, True Believer, it makes every bit of difference.
Best, How about that, folks? If you're buckled in for 2004, make sure to tighten up for 2005, 'cause the ride is gonna get wilder!!!! And we'll be here every step of the way with all the four-color facts that are fit to print! Before we get to 2005, there's plenty to talk about 2004! Here's some items in Marvel's October solicits I think you might like to know about:
MARVEL 1602 HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 4
BEST of WOLVERINE VOL. 1 HC
ESSENTIAL TOMB OF DRACULA VOL. 3 TPB
ESSENTIAL MONSTER OF FRANKENSTEIN VOL. 1 TPB Whew! Yet more books I'm gonna have to make room for on the shelf. A Halloween double-shot of horror: Essentials style! Frankenstein and more Dracula! (And I've heard 1602 is kinda spooky, too!) And that Wolverine collections looks really tasty, too. The X-Men fan HAS to be happy with 2004's Masterworks, as both the Silver and Bronze Age incarnations of the book are getting much respect. These are good days to be a fan of classic comics! NEWS UPDATE: 7/23
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
*- Crisis on ME Vol. 3 TPB
It's my birthday! Buy if you want to!
Buy, that is, from Tales of Wonder. Why don't you celebrate Gormuu's birthday by buying yourself something
nice from our site sponsor. I'd recommend the MADBOMB trade,
full of shield-slinging, bird-squawking action in the Kirby style! Or the AVENGERS ASSEMBLE and
AVENGERS: LIVING LEGENDS TPB, which
should satisfy your cravings for George Perez' distinctive work on Avengers Vol. 3! Or perhaps you could
go really nutty and buy yourself the new Fantastic Four HC Vol. 1, which features the
first dozen issues of Mark Waid's epic Fantastic Four series.
As for me, I'm going to celebrate my birthday by going and getting my car fixed. Hoo-boy!!! Speaking of Mark Waid's Fantastic Four run, did you know you can sample the book, free of charge, from Tales of Wonder? Yes, they are giving away, free of charge, the first issue of Waid's run, Fantastic Four #60 (489.) All you have to do is put it in your shopping cart and you'll receive it free with your order (no shipping or extra taxes on top, I'm talking free!) This way, you can sample what all the people are talking about before you buy! Here's a link for this special offer: NEWS UPDATE: 7/19
Did you see this awesome deal from TOW? They're selling the Complete Frank Miller Spider-Man HC
for only $9.99! That's $20 off the list price! Check this great deal out at this link: TOW FRANK MILLER SPECIAL.
Don't forget to check out their other specials, including the Frank Miller Daredevil Visionaries hardcovers. Essential Avengers Vol. 4 has been delayed a week, from 7/28 to 8/4. NEWS UPDATE: 7/18
Coming this October is the third TPB from Archie's Red Circle superheroes collected editions, reprinting The
Adventures of the Fly. For more information on this book, check out the MIGHTY CRUSADERS MESSAGE BOARD. Here's
a little solicit info for this book, which will be of special interest to Simon & Kirby fans:
ADVENTURES OF THE FLY TPB
To show how serious they were about getting back into the superhero business, Archie hired the
already legendary team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby to do what they do best: write and draw
awe-inspiring superhero comics! The result was a superhero ahead of his time. The Fly had a youthful
alter ego, the proportionate strength of a creepy crawler, the ability to walk on walls, and a special
"sixth sense" that warned him of impending danger. Sound like anyone yon know? The fact is, The Fly
actually beat the friendly neighborhood webslinger to the comic racks by three years! He's also
considered an influence on other insect-inspired heroes, like Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Read how it all began in this historic edition: Tommy Troy is a young boy whose world is turned upside
down when he meets an emissary of the Fly World and is given a special ring that magically transforms
him into the superhuman FLY! Along with Simon and Kirby, the Fly's earliest adventures were charted
by some of the most legendary creative talent in comics, including Jack Davis and Al Williamson! All of
these artists and more are featured in this special edition that collects titanic tales from 1959 and
1960. Features a cover by fan-favorite Joe Stanton, painstaking restorations of all stories, faithful
recoloring and a forward by Joe Simon. (96 pages, $12.95.)
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
*- Avengers Assemble HC Still reeling about the Masterworks news from last week? Still have your eyes glued to this site's amazing Masterworks movie? Well, face front, fearless ones! October solicits are in, and you're gonna wanna see what's competing for your collected edition dollars! From DC:
ARKHAM ASYLUM ANNIVERSARY EDITION HC This entertaining, experimental graphic novel is well known for its psychological intensity and probing portraits of Batman and the Joker, as well as its mystical symbolism, powerful mood and riveting multi-media artwork. This special edition also includes Morrison's complete final script annotated by both himself and original editor Karen Berger, many of his original thumbnail breakdowns, samples of how the story and art came together, and more surprises! (216 pages, $29.99.)
SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT HC SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT collects the best-selling, critically acclaimed 12-issue maxiseries of the same name and features an introduction by Smallville television producers Al Gough & Miles Millar, plus a sketchbook section showcasing Yu's development work in addition to notes by Waid. (304 pages, $29.95.)
SUPERMAN: MAN OF TOMORROW ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
JIMMY OLSEN: ADVENTURES BY JACK KIRBY VOL. 2 TP
SUPERMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC ($19.95!)
GOLDEN AGE SANDMAN ARCHIVES Vol. 1 HC
DC COMICS RARITIES ARCHIVES Vol. 1 HC This volume, with an introduction by Roy Thomas, features appearances by virtually every early Golden Age DC hero: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Sandman, Hawkman, Scribbly, The Atom, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Jonny Thunder and Wildcat! Plus, loads of backups, funny animals, gag strips, text pieces and information about the Fair! The two World's Fair Comics were specially created to be distributed at the legendary New York World's Fair of 1939-40 and feature adventures revolving around the DC heroes' visits there. Most of the strips included in this very special Archive have never been reprinted! This is truly a testament to the diversity of the Golden Age of DC Comics that no serious comic collector should be without. (348 pages, $75.)
THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 15 HC
TOM STRONG'S TERRIFIC TALES Vol. 1 HC
In case you don't know, the DC Rarities Archives is a $75 volume! Before you cry sticker shock, it breaks down to be quite the value, with a book clocking in at almost 350 pages. We also finally have a date for GA Sandman Archives. It's nice, as well, to see the ABC line of HCs chugging along, with both SMAX and Tom Strong's Terrific Tales on the schedule. Save yer pennies, folks! And those dimes and nickels, too! NEWS UPDATE: 7/10
The Big Press Release has finally come out from Marvel! I knew it would drop at some point,
and there's no more convenient time than when I'm out of town!!! I am making time from
a friend's place, though, to bring you the news, so here 'tis!
First, a link to the MESSAGE BOARD where
you can find the super-long list of new collected editions coming down the pike! The press release
was posted there by our good friend bluejayway (thanks, BJW!) Among the listings
are three new Masterworks officially announced for the first time: Hulk Vol. 2, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 4
and Golden Age Captain America Vol. 1!
On the Essentials front we have Frankenstein's Monster joining the horror ranks alongside Tomb of Dracula,
as well as a second volume of Iron Man. There is also a Blade TPB that reprints alot of the classic black and white material from the 70s.
That's some amazing news, isn't it? It appears that the Masterworks program is in high velocity, with what looks
like a monthly smattering of Silver and Bronze books and quarterly editions of Golden Age material. To celebrate all this news, check out the Masterworks animation blam880 conjured up. This was previously available only as a sneak preview to BLAMMO! email subscribers, but here it is now for your enjoyment! Don't forget the popcorn and Jujubees! NEWS UPDATE: 7/7 The Ultimates HC Vol. 1 has been delayed a week on the schedule, from 9/1 to 9/8. The Cap & Falcon MADBOMB TPB is out today! Buy it, please! OK, wait...forget please, just BUY IT! You'll be glad you did! It's shield-chuckin', wing-flappin, bird-squawkin' 70's Kirby Action as your mama wanted to keep away from your tender eyes! Well, you're all grown up now so you can make your own decisions, so after you're done cleanin' behind your ears, head on over to your retailer of choice (you know for me it's always TOW!) and buy the darned book! According to TOW, it looks like the Dreadstar collection from Dynamic Forces is set to ship in the next couple weeks. We Starlin/Dreadstar fans have been waiting for this for a LONG time! For those who are totally lost on this subject (don't worry, you're not alone!) here's a little crash course: 1) This first hardcover collection is nearly 400 pages in length and will collect the first 12 issues of the EPIC Marvel comics series. 2) The next hardcover collection on tap will reprint all the "prequel" material, including the EPIC magazine stuff and The Price graphic novel material. 3) Assuming this does well, there will be more collections. Certainly, I hope that we'll get a full library of Dreadstar. Now, there are THREE different editions of this book you can choose from: a signed regular edition, a signed variant edition, and an unsigned regular edition. Tales of Wonder has a pretty good discount on each, so check these links out to do your purchasing homework:
SIGNED REGULAR The unsigned regular is priced at $34.99, while both signed editions are $49.99. I'm not much on signatures unless I get them in person, so I'm going for the unsigned, but getting Jim Starlin's John Hancock on a book like Dreadstar is pretty tempting. NEWS UPDATE: 7/4
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Take THAT Brits! OK, OK, we're all friends now, right? You read our Captain America comics and I buy your
Radiohead cds, and we get along just fine! Our history together has been pretty good of late, so I'm sure
you'll join us in celebrating a little reminder of the days of 1776. How about it America? Do you have your
Madbomb trade on order yet? Got your sparklers ready to go and your hot dogs on the grill?
Well, I hope everybody within earshot enjoys their July 4, whether they are American or not. Let freedom ring!
There's a few left-of-field reprint projects I'd like to enlighten you to, in case you don't already know about
them. First is the Flash Gordon hardcover series from Checker Publishing. The FIRST VOLUME
is out now, and if you take a look through this THIS THREAD
at the message board, you'll get to spot some interior artwork. (Thanks Steve Topper!) The second volume is already slated for September, and these 200-page
books are very affordable. Much like Peanuts, it aims to reprint the Flash Gordon newspaper strip in chronological order. Next is the announcement at icv2.com that Dark Horse is going to be reprinting Little Lulu! Here's the copy: "Dark Horse Comics will release the entire Little Lulu run in a series of 200-page, b/w, $9.95, 6" x 9" trade paperbacks. The first in the series, Marge's Little Lulu Volume One, will be released November 17th. The property began in the Saturday Evening Post in the 1930s and continues today in a long-running cartoon show on HBO Family. This is a great all-ages, both-sexes property that has been used by good retailers to expand their customer base in recent years despite its expensive hardcover format. This new, cheaper format makes Little Lulu an even better tool for appealing to a broad audience." Finally, Gold Key Star Trek is on the precipice of seeing reprint action! Here's a link for VOL. 1 TPB which is to reprint the first 8 issues of the 70s series, and a link for VOL. 2 TPB, which is to reprint issues #9-17. It is due in September. This book is also published by Checker, and here's what they have to say about it: "Star Trek comics debuted in 1967, the same year the original television series premiered, and continued on an irregular serial schedule until 1979 under Western Publishing's Gold Key imprint (newsprint paperback collections dubbed "The Enterprise Logs" were also offered in the 1970s). The comics feature the original Enterprise crew (Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scott) in adventures available nowhere else. Eventually, sixty issues full-color issues would be published."
NEWS UPDATE: 7/2
Here's the list of confirmed books released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on Wednesday!
*- Cap & Falcon: Madbomb TPB
Here's a few scheduling changes you might want to make note of: Avengers Assemble HC will be delayed a week,
and the New X-Men Vol. 3 HC is delayed until 8/11.
There were some technical difficulties with last night's BLAMMO! mailing, so if you have yet to receive it,
please drop me an email or post up at the message board in the BLAMMO! thread and I'll get one out to you!
The rave reviews are pouring in, you don't want to be left out! Shipping this Wednesday:
*- Planetary: 20th Cent. HC Here's some solicits I have missed sharing with you the last couple weeks:
MARVEL 65TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
ULTIMATES VOL. 1 HC
DAREDEVIL VS. BULLSEYE VOL. 1 TPB
ESSENTIAL SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP TPB
NEWS UPDATE: 6/28
The next BLAMMO! email will go out tonight, for all you eagerly awaiting it! Our membership drive is currently
underway and we've managed to sucker a couple dozen more comics fans into signing up. If you want to be one,
just send me an email! (Check my email link from under the Resource Links ballon on the lower left.)
Well, I'm back from world travels that took me from the wilds of Park Slope in Brooklyn, to the
offices at DC in Manhattan, all the way to the sunny (actually rain drenched and stormy) shores of Florida, and
now I'm back home in boring ol' Macon, GA. Of course, I've got funny books to keep me busy, and there's
lots of news to catch up on, so why not get to catching up, right? Quit yer yappin' and give us the scoop! First things first: here are the books that have shipped since the last update:
* World's Best Comics Silver Age Archives 99 cent Sampler All in all, a pretty light few weeks. Still, I would like to give Fantastic Four Vol. 1 HC my highest recommendation. The only thing that could be better than this book, in my opinion, is a Vol. 2, which should happen if sales of Vol. 1 are good. If you think the comics of today stink, you should really give this book a shot. Mark Waid is putting together a definitive run here that approaches the high highs of the Byrne years, as well as the highest highs of the Lee/Kirby years, which is an achievement all its own in the 21st century. Gormuu gives it an A+. Buy it now! While in New York City, I had occasion to meet with DC's Collected Editions guru Bob Greenberger. I had a great time with Bob, and I'd like to publically thank him for being so hospitable to a guy who's website name offers no inkling of the great love and respect it has for DC Comics and their Archives. I'm going to have the initial report on my trip, as well as whatever secrets Mr. Greenberger will allow me to reveal, coming out out in the next BLAMMO! email, which will likely go out Monday. Also in this email, you'll get a sneak preview of something that I can guarantee will knock your socks off, and make the little schoolgirl hairs on the back of your neck stand up at attention! Yes, these are the benefits of subscribing to BLAMMO! the irregular email bulletin to end all irregular email bulletins! Now, back to Marvel, guess what they've gone and done. Well, sir, they've gone and let the cat out of the bag about a brand new HARDCOVER reprint project surrounding the Visionaries brand name. The first installment of this series will be in the oversized HC format, and it will be called Jack Kirby Marvel Visionaries, and here's the contents, thanks to a posting from editor Tom Brevoort on the Kirby digest:
* RED RAVEN COMICS #1 "Mercury in the 20th Century" (8 pgs) You have my permission to lift your jaw up off the floor and face front, Mighty Marvelites! After all, you'll need your jaw in good working order when you jabber on to your friends about this book! Rumor has it there'll be followup volumes for Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, as well as future Kirby volumes, but heck, doesn't that always depend on the support we give this book? But somehow, I don't think loyal fans of this website will let Marvel down on this occasion. Jack Kirby Visionaries, yeah, it's kinda redundant, but hey, we're kinda biased, right? Anyways, this book will cover Jack's earliest work at Timely to his latter-day Eternals work. My only gripe is no Machine Man! But maybe they're saving that as the cornerstone for Vol. 2! Yeah, that's it! That's it for today. I have more to tell ya, but I can honestly say I'm wiped out! Don't ya hate it when I go on vacation!?!?!?! NEWS UPDATE: 6/15
A NEW MASTERWORKS ERA BEGINS
GOLDEN AGE MARVEL COMICS VOL. 1
Also coming in September is the following:
X-MEN MASTERWORKS VOL. 4
There is more, too, as the Ultimates HC is finally printed, and Essential Super-Villain
Team Up comes out as well. I don't have too much time to update my site right now, as I am in
New York City right now visiting friends (and I just had lunch with Bob Greenberger from DC, too! more on
that later!) so go to the message boards where the news is running faster than
anyone can keep up with!
Here's a page at Wizard's site that gives full detail on the upcoming WIZARD BEST OF WOLVERINE HC.
It will reprint nine issues of Wolverine mythos, from Uncanny X-Men #139-140, 172-173, 268, Hulk #340, and Wolverine #150-153.
You can preorder it from Wizard's site, or you can wait and Tales of Wonder will be adding it to their inventory for preorder soon enough, and at a discount. Dark Horse has released more information about the Magnus hardcover, and you can read more about it at THIS THREAD at the Message Boards. Hat tip to Scarlet Spider for gathering that information! NEWS UPDATE: 6/8 Shipping this week: Limited to 750 copies POWERS HC, and the 99 cent Silver Age DC Archives sampler. Up on site now is a month-by-month chronology of the page output of Jack 'The King' Kirby. Ray Owens has been working overtime on it, and the 40s are now up for your perusal. Check it out via the Resource Links on the lower left sidebar. At this article at ICv2 it is revealed that there are plans underway for a three-volume hardcover reprint series of the complete Calvin & Hobbes. Supposedly, it will follow in the form of the Complete Far Side hardcover. Far Side, Peanuts, Calvin & Hobbes...yes, I think I will quite like having them on my bookshelf! Dark Horse has released the following solicit for September:
MAGNUS, ROBOT FIGHTER HC "In the year 4000, with the human race threatened by robots that would enslave mankind, one man alone has the power to fight back- Magnus, Robot Fighter! Russ Manning, famous for his spectacular work on the Tarzan newspaper strips of the late sixties, brought fans his "Tarzan of the Future" in Magnus, Robot Fighter. While the original comics series lasted only twenty-one issues, the Manning's creation has survived generations, influencing countless science fiction artists and writers to this day. Fans of Alex Raymond, Mac Raboy, or Wally Wood should not miss this beautifully bound hardcover, the latest addition to Dark Horse's line of science fiction comics classics. The classic story of man versus technology was revived to great success in the 1990's. This volume reprints the original series with unparalleled art by comics legend Russ Manning." It's nice to have this solicit, but it's still unclear how many issues will be reprinted in this first volume. Wanna preorder Magnus? Try this link where TOW has it for $39.99! NEWS UPDATE: 6/5 Marvel publisher Dan Buckley mentioned in a PULSE INTERVIEW that an Essential Man-Thing was being looked into for release around the movie debut. SITE UPDATE: Check out the new Masterworks Library portal page. Graphics guru Blam880 really knocked himself out with a cool new interface to access the Masterworks Library page, the What If pages, and other Masterworks library related pages. I hope you dig it! Plus there's a brand new feature page for FF Vol. 2 online today! (More coming...) NEWS UPDATE: 6/4 If you're curious about the composition of Comic Cavalcade Archives Vol. 1, I have just been notified by Bob G. at DC that it will be "all inclusive," reprinting not only the Big 3 strips of Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern, but also the other strips like Wildcat all the way down to Mutt and Jeff. The first volume will reprint the first three issues of CC in their entirety. I input all the forthcoming DC collected editions you may be interested in on the 2004 schedule sidebar, so go check 'em out. Exact dates are still To Be Announced. There's some great stuff in there, including another Byrne Superman reprint trade, another Perez Wonder Woman trade, and the Birthright HC. Lots more, too! NEWS UPDATE: 6/3
What is DC Comics Rarities Vol. 1? According to DC Direct Special Edition news bulletin it is:
*- NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939 Also on the list, Comics Cavalcade Archives Vol. 1! More stuff on the list, I'll update later. Til' then, DC is breaking ground on the anthologies! Woo hoo! (Ten minutes later....) OK, I'm back. I have the list of the remaining schedule for DC's collected editions. Lots of good stuff on there, but way too much to list right now (I have go help someone move!) So here's a link to the message board with the complete list. Go feast your eyes: 2004 COLLECTED EDITIONS SCHEDULE: DC COMICS NEWS UPDATE: 6/2 Silverbulletcomics.com has posted an interview with TOW's Andy Eaton in which he discusses the inner workings of their deal to match Barnes & Noble's behemoth Ultimate Spider-Man book, and you can read all about it RIGHT HERE! Speaking of TOW, their big sale on DC hardcovers is about to expire, as they are now selling through only the stock they have on hand, so supplies at these prices are now limited! If you want to get some of these HCs, the time to do it is now before the prices go back to normal. Here, once again, are the links: From the "isn't this curious?" department, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort has put out the following call to comics collectors: "Folks, I'm hoping that somebody around these parts can lend me a hand. I'm looking for either scans or color copies of a couple Kirby stories for an upcoming project I'm putting together. Specifically, I need:
"UFO the Lightning Man" - YELLOW CLAW #3 Any help that anybody could provide would be greatly appreciated--and will benefit everybody in the long run.
Thanks, Now, what could they possibly want that material for?!?!?! The DC Silver Age Sampler has been pushed back a week. Today is the day of Spider-Man! Look at the collected editions pouring onto store shelves today! Ultimate Spider-Man HC Vol. 4, Best of Spidey HC Vol. 3, Essential Spider-Man Vol. 6 and the 500 Covers Anniversary HC. Wowsers! (Gold star to anybody who is buying all four!) NEWS UPDATE: 5/29
Amazon has added a motherlode of new DC Archives listings to their inventory. There is precious little
information attached to them except approximate shipping dates. The list includes volumes both expected,
much hoped for, and totally surprising! Here's the list:
Sandman Archives (Oct/Nov)
Well, as expected, we are finally going to get Silver Age Superman! About time! Plastic Man gets extended,
as does a long-waited for Hawkman. But what the heck is this DC Comics Rarities book?!?! Can this
finally be the book in which All-Star #1 and 2 are reprinted? Shipping this Wednesday (6/2:)
* Spider-Man: 500 Covers Pre-order from site sponsor Tales of Wonder, and your order will ship Wednesday! NEWS UPDATE: 5/26 I'm working on getting contents information for the next round of Masterworks, so don't fret none, ya'll! I hope to have something solid to report soon (I've already heard rumors of what's going to be in Spidey Vol. 7 but want to have it confirmed before I report it.) Tales of Wonder is taking pre-orders for an extremely limited edition (750 qty) slipcased hardcover reprint of Bendis' Powers. Here's a link: POWERS LTD. ED HC. And here's the solicit:
POWERS HC Dynamic Forces has announced they are going to reprint the super-cool 80s Moench/Gulacy cosmic opera Six From Sirius. No word yet on if it will be HC, but it seems like DF is making a point to raid the 80s Epic cabinet, which is fine by me! Here's the article at NEWSARAMA. And where is Dreadstar, you ask? Good question! And it's one I posed in the Sirius thread at Newsarama. Here's what a kind person at Dynamic Forces replied back to me: "We apologize for being late, but wanted to get this collection as perfect as possible, and preferred to be late rather than not be as perfect as possible regarding the reproduction and final product. Hopefully you will agree when you see it!" As my grandpappy said on his deathbead, "When I see it, I'll agree with it!" NEWS UPDATE: 5/25 Comics Continuum confirmed another Spider-Man Masterworks was announced by Marvel at Wizard World Philly. That would be Vol. 7, folks! Shipping this week: Challengers Archives Vol. 2, FF Visionaries: John Byrne Vol. 2, and Hulk: Gray HC. Pre-order from site sponsor Tales of Wonder, and your order will ship Wednesday! Don't forget that TOW is still running their limited-time, half-off sale for select BOOKS and MERCHANDISE. NEWS UPDATE: 5/22 From Wizard World Philly, official word that Avengers Vol. 4 and X-Men Vol. 4 Masterworks are in the pipeline. Ahhh...which X-Men, you ask? Keep your eyes here for more news as it comes! Here's the solicit for FF Masterworks Vol. 7: The First Family of Super Heroes ushers in a new era of Marvel Masterworks with the addition of Fantastic Four Vol. 7 to the Masterworks Library! Showcasing the unmatched team-up of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this edition is a must-have! Hold on to your seats, True Believers, as the F.F. battle Blastaar, the Living Bomb-Burst, the Sandman, Ronan the Accuser and more! Also featuring the Silver Surfer, the incomparable Inhumans and the first appearance of Him, the man later to be known as Adam Warlock. Collecting Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #61-71 and Annual #5. 304 pages, $49.99. How about that?!?! 304 whopping pages!!!! Here's a link to the COVER IMAGE. Stay tuned for more Masterworks news!!!! Here's some more solicit information for August that you might find of interest:
1602 HC All's not well in the Marvel Universe in the year 1602 as strange storms are brewing and strange new powers are emerging. Comics-writing legend and New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman , along with the art team of the Origin, Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove, brings to life a rich new vision of the Marvel Universe. Spider-Man, the X-Men, Nick Fury, Dr. Strange, Daredevil, Dr. Doom, Black Widow, Captain America and more appear in the waning days of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. As the world begins to change and enter into a new age, Gaiman weaves a thrilling mystery. How and why are these Marvel stars appearing nearly 400 years before they're supposed to? Collects Marvel 1602 #1-8. (248 pages, $24.99.)
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST TPB
NEW X-MEN VOL. 3 HC
ESSENTIAL IRON FIST VOL. 1 TPB Thirty years ago, Marvel's top talents created one of herodom's ultimate martial artists and set him against foes ranging from crazed cultists to alien automata! Now, look back on the days when kung fu was king, and witness Iron Fist's progression from naive newcomer to hero for hire! Featuring Sabretooth, Luke Cage, the X-Men and more. Collects Marvel Premiere #15-25, Iron Fist #1-15, Marvel Team-up #63-64 and Power Man & Iron Fist #48-50. (584 pages, $16.99.) NEWS UPDATE: 5/21
Tales of Wonder's Andy Eaton discusses in detail their Ultimate Spider-Man deal
at IcV2.
Congrats to Osgood Peabody for winning the FREE ARCHIVES/HARDCOVERS CONTEST! For more details
on his clean sweep to victory, check out the CONTEST PAGE!
Tomorrow is Wizard World in Philadelphia, and I hope to have major Masterworks news posted here tomorrow. Check back for the latest scoop on our favorite books! NEWS UPDATE: 5/19
Fantastic Four Masterworks.
Vol. 7.
Limited edition Vol. 34.
On sale this August.
'Nuff said....for now! Nifty! Not to be outdone by Barnes & Noble, site sponsor Tales of Wonder is offering a sale on the first three volumes of Ultimate Spider-Man HCs! As you'll recall, B&N is offering up a single-volume compilation of the first three HCs- all in one behemoth book! This may appeal to some of you, but 1000 pages actually has me a little skeert! I mean, I once dropped an Oxford Dictionary on my foot. Yikes! If you want to take them up on their offer of the first three Ultimate Spidey HCs, go to this link and pay only $39.95! (That's $50 off the list price!) NEWS UPDATE: 5-18
DC's August solicits are in. Here's the 411 on HCs and TPBs of note:
SUPERMAN: GODFALL HC
SUPERMAN: GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD
ACTION HEROES ARCHIVES VOL. 1
WEIRD ORIGINS 80-PAGE GIANT
SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 14
Also, advance solicited for September and October, respectively, are the following:
ABSOLUTE PLANETARY HC
AUTHORITY: HUMAN ON THE INSIDE HC
Marvel and Barnes & Noble are doing another project that, like the softcover Masterworks, will be a B+N
exclusive. They're putting together an almost 1000 page behemoth of a book that will reprint in its entirety
the contents of the first three Ultimate Spider-Man hardcovers. To which I say: WOW! The price point on
the book is $49.99, but you can get it through their website for
$34.96.
Also, here is an article at Newsarama about THE BOOK
along with some attendant griping from direct market sellers who will not have access to this book. I can
understand their stress, but Marvel has sold tons of books through chain stores and reached an audience
they may never have reached otherwise. Every Friday, you should check THIS LIST. Why? Because it lists all the following Wednesday's books that are scheduled to ship through Diamond. You can make a Friday afternoon check of all the stuff that has been confirmed to ship and budget accordingly. All purchases made through TOW through this link will help support this site, so thanks ahead of time! And speaking of shipping this next Wednesday, what do we see? Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity HC, Essential X-Men Vol. 5, and New Teen Titans Archives Vol. 2, among other books. Also, a book that may have slipped past your radar screen is getting some amazing reviews. IT'S A BIRD is a Vertigo hardcover that is written by Steven Seagle. It came out a few weeks ago and is already receiving cult status, as you can read for yourself at this THIS NEWSARAMA ARTICLE. Finally, guess which book has entered the New York Times Best Seller list? At #19? You don't know? Well...click THIS LINK to find out! (Way to go, Sparky!) NEWS UPDATE: 5-13
Tales of Wonder is running a half-off sale on select HCs and TPBs, as well as other merchandise
like statues and such (including a limited edition Jack Kirby portfolio.) Here's a link:
Challengers Archives Vol. 2 has been moved up on the schedule two weeks to May 26!
Hey ya'll! A new contest is up! Visit THE CONTEST PAGE for all details on how you can win
your choice of a DC Archives or Marvel Masterworks! There is an interview with DC's man with the plan Bob Greenberger posted over at COMICON where he lets a few words fly about upcoming 100 Page Super Spectaculars and the like. NEWS UPDATE: 5-3 Shipping this week: Chronicles of Conan Vol. 4 an THUNDER Agents Vol. 4. Also up for pre-order: Magnus Robot Fighter HC Vol. 1! NEWS UPDATE: 4-28
This is in from Wonder Con: The first 12 issues of Planetary are going to be collected as
a hardcover edition called Absolute Planetary in October. Along with the issues is the first
full script to number one as well as the preview story. The collected stories were written by
Warren Ellis with art by John Cassaday and Laura DePuy. (Thanks to David Tai for the news tip!)
The Kree-Skrull War broke out on the message boards and it will be a few more hours before the
carnage can be cleared up. Check back later today! :) BLAMMO! member Rob Anderton tips our site off to Amazon UK's listing of four upcoming Essentials: Defenders Vol. 1, Super-Villain Team-Up Vol. 1, Fantastic Four Vol. 4, and Iron Fist Vol. 1. In talking to Marvel, I have been assured that only one of these is officially on the schedule, and it will be announced next week (my money is on Iron Fist.) Often, Marvel's (or DC's, I presume) distributors get very preliminary information about books and offer it up to sites like Amazon and they never see the light of day. Remember Iron Man Masterworks Vol. 2? The Best of Chris Claremont X-Men HC? So don't get your hopes too high, but it is an indication that Marvel is working on stuff that fans of this site will really enjoy. More information as it comes!!!! NEWS UPDATE: 4-26
Shipping this week: Tom Strong HC Vol. 3 and Essential Tomb of Dracula Vol. 2.
Hey ya'll. I have had alot on my plate lately and haven't been transmitting the news like I normally do, so let's get caught up, shall we? Let's start with
books that will ship this week: Spirit Archives Vol. 13, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies HC, Essential Daredevil Vol. 2 and Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 6. YES!!!!!! Shipped on time last week: It's A Bird HC. Speaking of Spirit Vol. 13, don't forget that it and Batman in World's Finest Vol. 2 is now shipping from Tales of Wonder at their new price of $34.99. As previously mentioned, TOW is testing this new price level to gauge sales performance to justify bringing that price to the complete line of Archives. That matches Amazon's price, and TOW is generally able to ship new books out the Wednesday they are released, so it's worth supporting if you would like to give your business to TOW. With this new lowered price, I now buy all my Archives from TOW, along with my Masterworks. As a matter of fact, I am making the trip up to TOW headquarters tomorrow to personally pick up my copy of Spidey Masterworks Vol. 6. Look back tomorrow for a full report! Announced last week for July's DC solicits: All-Star Archives Vol. 10 and Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 3 TPB, which will reprint JLA #91-92, 100-102, 107-108 and 113. From the Marvel side, here's some July goodies:
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HC
ESSENTIAL AVENGERS VOL. 4
AVENGERS: LIVING LEGENDS TPB
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON: MADBOMB TPB Did anyone- ANYONE?!?!?!- see the Madbomb TPB coming? I about spewed out my cup of coffee when I read the news! And I don't drink coffee!!! How about that? And an Avengers HC? FINALLY!!!!! Does anyone around here like the old Russ Manning Magnus: Robot Fighter comics? Anyone clamor for them to be reprinted, in their entirety, in hardcover? Nah...didn't think so. Just in case there's a couple weirdos out there who are into such things, check out THIS ARTICLE. (Tee hee hee...I'm excited about this news, too!) NEWS UPDATE: 4-14
I haven't been able to update the site too much in the last week due to travels to Florida, as well as the last three days where I've been seeing Bob Dylan
during each of his three shows in Atlanta. Tonight's show will be the last of his run there. I wasn't planning on updating the site, since my time is so limited, but Bob said
from the stage last night, right after playing "Positively 4th St.", that he wanted everybody in the audience to go home and preorder the new Action Hero Archives
that will reprint much of Steve Ditko's Captain Atom. He said that a strong showing of support was the only way to guarantee future sales of more "Action Hero" comics. He then went into
"Masters of War," so who am I to argue with Bob? He's a genius! So, about that preorder- here's a link: $34.99 at TALES OF WONDER!
Shipping this week: Batman in World's Finest Archives Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Death of Captain Stacy TPB. Over at Tales of Wonder, they have an interview with Kurt Busiek about legacy of his story Marvels and the hardcover reprint that just came out. When it's up, I'll post a link. Until then, it's SHIPPING NOW for only $34.99! NEWS UPDATE: 4-2
OK, all that stuff I reported from DC yesterday is legit. All that stuff I said about Masterworks, well...look at the date and then consider that I might have been pulling your leg. After considering, please
don't feel like you want to hurt me! I couldn't stop myself! Put yourself in my position- you run the Masterworks website, it's April 1...what would you do? Aha! I thought so!!!!
According to this news release at Newsarama, DC is dropping their summer collected editions inventory on us
on April First. I hope alot of this isn't a joke, especially the following:
ACTION HERO ARCHIVES Vol. 1 HC
If this is indeed the first step in Charlton Archives, consider me FREAKING OUT!!!!!! Also in that list is a confirmation of All-Star Archives Vol. 10 coming out in July, and a third Crisis on Multiple Earths TPB collection. Check the link out for more detailed info! Finally, I can finally release the news that Marvel is going to be releasing a veritable avalanche of Masterworks in June, including Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 7, in time for Spider-Man 2! How's that for news? :) NEWS UPDATE: 3/22 Confirming speculation borne of a listing on the Borders web site, Marvel tells me that a 1602 HC is on the way, probably in September. The exact details of the book have yet to be finalized. Shipping this week: Thor Visionaries: Walt Simonson Vol. 3 TPB. From the not-so-fast department: Osgood Peabody has passed on this quote from Bob G. at DC: "Someone misspoke at WizardWorld Long Beach and said Flash Archives Vol. 4 was coming out this year and it got picked up by Newsarama and other web sites. The sad truth is, the book is not scheduled. As of today, there is no approval for this volume. It feels like we're twisting a knife in the wound started by the typo frequently appearing on dustjacket backlists. One's a typo, one's a mistake -- no conspiracies here -- and we can all hope for 2005." Slow down, Barry Allen...slow down...... NEWS UPDATE: 3/21
How about some news from the Wizard Con in Long Beach, CA? Masterworks Resource Page News Hound Schatzie got the following words to come from the mouth of Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley:
THERE WILL BE MORE NEW MASTERWORKS AFTER SPIDEY VOL. 6!
How's that for news? According to Buckley, they're working on figuring out exactly which books they want to put together. More information as it comes, but it's just good news all around to get
confirmation from Marvel's top dog that the Masterworks have life! Also, I got the following email from Cory Sedlmeier. Read on, Masterworks Maestros!
"That's right, the rumors ARE true, we weren't fibbing way back when about
big news coming in the future for Masterworks, and I'll be behind the helm
with the assistance of the plucky Mark Beazley for each and every one.
Now, you know I'm not going to give anything away in terms of which volumes
just yet, but what I will say is that the strong performance of Spider-Man
Vol. 6 is what sealed the deal. So a big thank you goes out to all the
readers who showed their support!"
That means you! Keep checking back for more info on Masterworks, as well as any news a hardcover comics fan might want to know about!
We have dates for June's Archives, check the upcoming hardcovers list on the lower right to see what week to expect
Superman in World's Finest Archives and Challengers Vol. 2 Archives. Also in June's solicits is the third Planetary HC, Batman: Broken City HC,
and Batman Illustrated: Neal Adams Vol. 2 HC. About that Batman Vol. 2 HC, here's the solicit: A 240-page hardcover continuing DC's look at Neal Adams' evolutionary and revolutionary take on the Dark Knight! This volume collects classic stories along with covers originally presented in DETECTIVE COMICS #393-411, BATMAN #217, 219-222, 224-227, and 229-231, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #88-90, 93 and 95, and WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #199-200 and 202, featuring the introduction of Man-Bat, an homage to Enemy Ace, and much more! Plus, a new cover by Adams and introductions by Adams and longtime collaborator Dick Giordano! June will also see another 99 cent sampler! This time, DC will be covering the Silver Age of comics as represented in their Archives, reprinting JLA #4, the Superboy meets the Legion story in Adventure #247, and the Sgt. Rock story from Our Army At War #81. Buy one for yourself if you'd like to try out some DC Silver Age material you've never read before, and buy copies for friends you think might like it! Also in June is a big-deal slipcase extravaganza reprinting the JLA/Avengers! What are you gonna get for your $75? ($75! Yikes!!!) Read on: The once-in-a-lifetime crossover event that brought these two historic super-teams together and rocked the comics world receives the deluxe treatment it deserves in August! JLA/AVENGERS: THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION is an oversized, slipcased two-volume set collecting the legendary 4-issue miniseries with a full complement of bonus features! The 224-page first volume in the slipcase contains the 4-issue miniseries written by Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY, SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY) with stunning art by George Pérez (WONDER WOMAN) and introductions by Stan Lee and the late Julius Schwartz, the architects of the original iterations of the Avengers and the Justice League of America, respectively. This volume also features a key to the characters on the intricately detailed cover of JLA/AVENGERS #3. The 64-page Compendium, featuring a new cover by Pérez, contains the original 21 pages of pencils from cancelled 1980s crossover by Pérez and writer Gerry Conway, plus an article on it by former DC editor K.C. Carlson, a look at several other unofficial crossovers, and more! But that's not all - this volume also features the JLA/AVENGERS miniseries proposal and plot synopses, and annotated notes from Busiek for all the obscure characters and creatures crammed into the pages. There are no plans to reprint this historical set, so this is the only opportunity to own the material reprinted in the Compendium. Don't miss out on what's sure to be a crown jewel in any comics collection! NEWS UPDATE: 3/17 Great news for FF fans! June will see publication of Fantastic Four HC Vol. 1! It will reprint the first Waid/Wieringo issue (#489- the nine cent issue) and go all the way through #502, which is a Full Fourteen issues of Fantastic Fun! The book will end right before the Authoritative Action storyline that started with #503, which is a perfect place to start a Vol. 2 HC, if'n you ask me! Marvel also tells me that the four covers Wieringo did before he joined the title will be included, as will a generous helping of thirty pages of extras, making this a very exciting offering, coming this summer! Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?! Look how many exclamation points I've used!!!! Thanks Marvel! You listened to the fans and are giving us what we want!!!!!. Shipping this week: Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 6. This is a momentous day, folks! All of the 32 Masterworks that have ever been published are now in print and waiting for you to buy them.....in case you haven't yet!!!! Feels pretty good, huh? Next stop, Spidey...and beyond! NEWS UPDATE: 3/10
Popping up on Amazon are three new Archive listings! Check 'em out, plus their solicits- looks like we'll have a pretty great June and July!
Superman in World's Finest Archives Vol. 1
Sandman Archives Vol. 1
Challengers of the Unknown Vol. 2
Shipping this week: Batman in the 40s TPB, Doom Patrol Archives Vol. 2, Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 3. Moved up on the schedule is Batman in World's Finest Archives Vol. 2, going from April 14 to April 7. Adjust budgets accordingly! Speaking of budgets, site sponsor Tales of Wonder is trying an experiment with their Archives prices. As a test to determine if they should lower prices linewide on DC Archives, TOW has discounted the price on DC Archives from their normal $37.49 to matching Amazon's price of $34.99. You can see this price reflected on the Batman in World's Finest Vol. 2, New Teen Titans Vol. 2, Spirit Vol. 13, and THUNDER Agents Vol. 4 books. This is not something they've promoted per se, but it bears investigation by those of you who perhaps want to buy these books. TOW has already discounted Marvel books linewide, it sure would be gravy to see DC books get the same treatment. And finally, a major feather in Tales of Wonder's cap! They have been named the inaugural Marvel VIP retailer, an honor bestowed on the comics retailer who sold the most quantities of Marvel backlist merchandise for the month of January. HERE'S A LINK to the message board, with the press release and discussion. This is pretty great news for a great company! It also illustrates the power of Masterworks, as TOW is the industry leader in promoting and selling our favorite line of books! NEWS UPDATE: 3/2
Shipping this week: Lil' Abner Frazetta Sundays HC Vol. 4, Avengers/Thunderbolts Vol. 1 TPB, and the Marvel Encyclopedia Vol. 5: Marvel Knights HC.
Conan savant Highlander Ray has informed board readers that there will be a next installment of the Chronicles of Conan Vol. 5. According to Dark Horse
editor Jeremy Barlow, the next volume- all Buscema- is in the works. More information as it comes! Also, Conan #1 comic ships this week, so check with your comics retailer and look over a copy of this new Kurt Busiek book! Shipping this week: Shazam Archives Vol. 4, Daredevil Vol. 3 HC, and Daredevil Masterworks Vol. 2. NEWS UPDATE: 2/18 What's on tap for Marvel in May? No new Masterworks, but we knew that! The Hulk: Gray hardcover will hit the streets, as well as Essential X-Men Vol. 5. There's also a second volume of FF Visionaries: John Byrne, which will reprint FF #241-250. I know that you, just like me, are eager to get all those great George Perez Wonder Woman comics from the post-Crisis in trade paperbacks! So why don't you do like me and order from Tales of Wonder? The Gods and Mortals TPB, reprinting the first 7 issues of that series, is only $15.99! NEWS UPDATE: 2/16 May's DC Archives are announced! New Teen Titans Vol. 2 will reprint NTT #9-16 and Best of DC (Blue Ribbon Digest) #18. THUNDER Agents Vol. 4 will also see print. A softocver trade reprinting GA/GL #76-82 and a facsimile reprint of DC 100-Page Super Special will also come out. For more info, check out THIS THREAD! Shipping this week: Wonder Woman: Gods & Mortals TPB, Savage Dragon Vol. 9 HC, and Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 5. NEWS UPDATE: 2/13
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. When your significant other asks what you want, tell 'em this is what you want them to pre-order at Amazon:
Spider-Man: '67 Classic Collection 6-DVD SET
Arguably the best of Marvel's animated series ever, this dvd set will collect all the episodes from the first season of the cartoon into one collection.
It is set to come out on June 29. I used to watch this show on reruns every afternoon I got home from school. I haven't seen them in 20 years, so it'll be great to have them all in one place!
"Spider-Man! Spider-Man!
Shipping this week: Essential Punisher Vol. 1, Adam Strange Archives Vol. 1, Tommorrow Stories Book Two HC
And this, from Mark Evanier. NEWS UPDATE: 2/6
Famac: Cap Splash!
Famac: Battle #68 cover
Blam880: Tales of Suspense #59 splash
Shipping on time this week: Lovecraft HC, Punisher: Born HC, Avengers Masterworks Vol. 3 (Ltd. Vol. 27.)
It is time, friends. On this solemn day, this Wednesday the 28th in the year 2004, it is time. Time to
PRE-ORDER SPIDER-MAN MASTERWORKS VOL. 6!!!!!
Yes, the solicit is in, and Tales of Wonder now has links primed and ready to go. Here's what Marvel has to say
about the first new Masterworks in over a year:
SPIDER-MAN MASTERWORKS VOL. 6:
The first brand-new Spider-Man Masterworks volume in 12 years debuts just in time for
SPIDER-MAN 2! This action-packed volume collects an "amazing" selection of Spidey tales by
legends Stan Lee & John Romita Sr. Includes a four-part Doctor Octopus epic - plus appearances
by the Kingpin, Ka-Zar, the Spider-Slayer, Captain Stacy and more! And an introduction by John
Romita Sr. himself!
Collects AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #51-61, ANNUAL #4
Here are the links to purchase this momentous volume:
Regular Silver Edition Vol. 6 $34.99!
How about that price on the limited variant? Joe and Andy have slashed the price down even more off the $55 list price! We like it when they go crazy, don't we?!?!?!
AND THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you want to preorder the Limited Edition, YOUR DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 19!!!!! You have 23 days from today to make arrangements to pre-order,
and if you miss this deadline, you run the risk of having to track one down on the back market. Don't be a sap! Get in on it now!
Let's make a good showing people. It's crunch time in Masterworks land. You like Spidey, I like Spidey...WE ALL LIKE SPIDEY! This one's a slam dunk.
And remember, this is a DIRECT MARKET ONLY book! I'm getting mine from Tales of Wonder, natch, and if you do too, tell 'em Gormuu sentcha!
Shipping this week: Chronicles of Conan Vol. 3, Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 5, and the
third volume of Spider-Man Legends: Todd MacFarlane. Jeff Youngquist dropped this news at the Quesada boards:
1) New X-Men HC Vol. 3 will bow in October, reprinting NXM #142-154. NEWS UPDATE: 1/20
Just got word from Marvel about the contents of upcoming Essentials:
Essential Tomb of Dracula Vol. 2 will collect Tomb of Dracula #26-49, Giant-Size
Dracula #2-5 and Dr. Strange #14.
Essential Daredevil Vol. 2 will collect Daredevil #26-48 and Annual #1, and
Fantastic Four #73.
April's order form will find two new Essentials available for order! Tomb of Dracula Vol. 2, as well as a reprint of Vol. 1, and Daredevil Vol. 2!
The volumes will carry a new list price of $16.99. Still a steal, though.
Not as much action around here lately because Gormuu has A) deserved a rest after the survey, and b) is
working on a few other surprises with what little time he has, and C) has been cast in a play.
Drafted, more correctly. Seems they couldn't cast a certain role during the regular audtions so they called me up at the last minute. Because I'm good, they say. (I think it's
'cause they asked everyone else!) So if you're in the Macon, GA area from Feb. 20-28, come see Book of Days by Lanford Wilson at Theater Macon.
I play a bad guy and stuff. Shipping this week: Lil' Abner Frazetta Sundays HC Vol. 3, Will Eisner Sketchbook HC, Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 4, and Punisher Vol. 3 HC. Speaking of WW, the free DC Archives contest is over. Good luck to all! We should have a tiara for the winner by Wednesday! Essential Punisher Vol. 1 has been postponed until Feb. 4. Finally, April's DC solicits are in. Here's a few things you'll probably be interested in:
Batman in World's Finest Archives Vol. 2 The Kid Amazon book is an advance solicit for May 5. Check the upcoming HCs and TPBs list for exact street dates. NEWS UPDATE: 1/12
Shipping this week: Sub-Mariner Masterworks Vol. 1.
New contest is up! If you want to win the DC Archives or Masterworks of your choice FREE OF CHARGE, get
your hiney over to the CONTEST PAGE! Tales of Wonder will ship it to your door
if you can only guess the Back Four covers on the new Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 4. We give stuff away because
we care and we love! The least you can do is take advantage of it!
The 2003 Masterworks Survey results are live! Click THIS LINK to go enjoy them! Thanks to all who took the survey last year- now we just need a bona fide Masterworks program to go with it!!!! Shipping on time this week: Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 2. Light week for hardcovers and trades! NEWS UPDATE: 1/3
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
It's now 2004. Last year was a crazy one, with the rush of "remasterworks" hitting the marketplace. I mean, who'da thunk two years ago that all 32 of the original Masterworks would be back in print? And yet, by March of this year, that will be a reality. And in April, a brand new Spider-Man Masterworks will take a bow. I know there have been many anxious collectors awaiting a new collection, and I hope that Spidey Vol. 6 isn't the only book to bring that satisfaction in 2004. Let's hope that Marvel's list of New Year's resolutions includes more Masterworks!!! I've done some site pruning as you may notice. All last year's news has been archived, so all you have to do to refer back to it is click the Archives links below or under the News balloon in the left sidebar. The list of news items goes backwards in time chronologically, so it should be easy to peruse at your leisure. The last contest of 2004 is over, and as it turns out, site user b0b222 is the big winner, guessing all five of my survey choices for new Masterworks lines correctly! Turns out, he was the only one to guess that I chose Ant-Man, Nick Fury, Sgt. Fury, GA Sub-Mariner and a collection of Silver Age Monster comics for my top 5 list of most desired new Masterworks! For that, he wins the Masterworks of his choice from site sponsor Tales of Wonder. But you'll have to email me to claim your prize, b0b222! If I don't hear from you soon, I'll have to pass your prize on to second place winner midnitoil, who won the Essentials of his choice for guessing four of the five choices correctly. If I have to give the Masterworks to Mr. Oilman, I'll pass the Essentials on to another worthy contestant. If you're having too much fun with these contests, don't blame me! Blame Tales of Wonder!!!! And speaking of the Survey, all the numbers are crunched! Now it's simply a matter of formatting them into a web friendly design. Look for the great unveiling over the next few days. I was away from Georgia for about ten days for Christmas and New Year's festivities across our great land, and now that I'm back home I have tons of work on my desk, ya understand! While you're idly standing by waiting for the survey results to be posted, try this on for size! Site user India Ink has developed a dandy list of Superman reprints from the proverbial "Lost Decade" of the late 40's and 50's, an era in which Superman's exploits have gone largely unreprinted. The list Inky developed points out where you can find these stories NOW, before Archives eventually gets around to them (in the next how many years?!?!?) The list also points out how few of these pages have seen print over time. Take a gander AT THE LIST, Supes-fans! If you notice any errors or omissions, let me know! NEWS FROM 2003 ARCHIVE And here are more links to News Archives past:
All cover
images are courtesy of the Silver
Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery. Website design by Doug Roberts and John Thomas. All images on this site are copyright of Marvel Comics. This site is for reference purposes and promotion of the Masterworks line of books as well as Marvel Comics and their properties. |
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IT'S YOUR SECOND HARDCOVER, CHARLIE BROWN!!!!
Here's the list of confirmed books to be released next week that might be of interest to you.
Order from TOW now and have them shipped on the Wednesday they hit the streets!
DC: NEW FRONTIER Vol. 1 TBP
By Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. The Powers Limited Edition Hardcover Book is
happening...really!! We apologize for the numerous delays, but the long-awaited deluxe edition
featuring story and art by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, is finally here!! This 207
page, Smyth-sewn hardcover book collects collects issues #1-6, the complete "Who Killed Retro Girl"
storyline together with a special gallery section. Limited to only 750 copies signed by Bendis and
Oeming, quantities are limited and are subject to allocation. Find out for yourself what everyone is
talking about and check out Powers today!! A new chapter is just beginning for Detectives Walker
and Pilgrim. HC, 240 pgs, with slipcase.
Written by Neil Gaiman, art by
Andy Kubert, cover by Scott McKowen.
Very sad news. After a long illness and a recent mild recovery, Mr. Schwartz has passed away. So soon after remembering
the loss ten years ago of "The King," another titan is gone. The source for this information is the 
Ten years ago today, comics fans around the world got news that a friend of theirs had passed away. The prime mover of the Marvel Age of Comics (among many other things!), Jack "The King"
Kirby, had left the world. I'm in the process of writing a personal tribute to Jack, which I had hoped to have up right now, but I can share with you some great work done by a couple of friends
of this website, Blam880 and Famac. These two guys have a big-time love for Jack too, and enjoy recondition old pages of art and using coloring programs to put their own flair into the linework
of the King. Here's a few examples of their great work, bringing Jack to you, his fans. Check these out:
