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NEWS ARCHIVE FOR 2009
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER NOVEMBER 4
This week does see the unusual approach from DC of releasing Wonder Woman Rise of the Olympian in both HC and TP at the same time. I assume this is an experiment and will point out that no other books have been solicited in this manner since this one.
And I'll go ahead and recommend Exiles Point of No Return TP from Marvel. It's written by Jeff Parker, so it's good.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman Battle For The Cowl Companion TP EXCITING CREEPER BY DITKO CONTENT UPDATE!
From DC Comics: The Creeper by Steve Ditko HC has been expanded to
include a never-before-published story originally slated to appear in Showcase
#106. The 25-page story, entitled "Enter Dr. Storme", is
written and illustrated by Ditko, and features an appearance by Ditko's
character The Odd Man. It will be printed in black and white. The page
count has increased to 288 pages and the price remains $39.95.
That's as good as it gets, folks!
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
The contents of the X-Factor: Overtime MPE HC have expanded. In addition
to X-Factor #46-50, the book will also include the crucial X-Factor:
Layla Miller one-shot. Accordingly, the book goes from 128 pages for $19.99
to 160 pages/$24.99.
The only shipping date update we have is the Fortune and Glory Anniversary HC from Icon/Marvel slipping two weeks from 12/2 to 12/16. I will go ahead and point out that Dark Reign: Hawkeye #5 of 5 has fallen
completely off the rails and is now set for 1/27/10. That issue was originally
solicited for August!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER OCTOBER
Also from Marvel: the looooong awaited Spider-Man Newspaper Strips
HC. And from DC comes Superman in World's Finest Archives Vol. 2. In other words, some pretty serious material is coming out this week.
Oh, and though the description looks interesting, don't let the title of
Drawn & Quarterly's Key Moments From the History of Comics fool you:
it's a satire that, according to the solicit "humorously imagines the
pivotal events that shaped everyone from Chris Ware and Charles Schultz to Jack
Kirby and Will Eisner, from Herge and Uderzo to MAD and RAW.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Anita Blake VH LC TP Book 01 Animator
MARVEL SOLICITS: JANUARY 2010
As ANNOUNCED
last week by Gormuu on our message board, this month's only Masterwork is
Inhumans Vol. 2, which should close that line. The announcement is well
timed with the release this past Wednesday of Inhumans Vol. 1.
Volume 2 will collect Inhumans #1-12, Captain Marvel #52-53, and rare Inhumans
tales from What If...? #29-30 and Thor Annual # 12.
Marvel continues to prepare the market for the Iron Man sequel, most notably with Iron Man Omnibus
Vol. 2. This 840 page tome will contain Iron Man stories from Tales
of Suspense #84-99, Iron Man & Sub Mariner #1 and Iron Man #1-25.
Additionally, a surprise entry into the Marvel Premiere Classic line is Iron Man
Deadly Solutions, collecting the first seven issues of Kurt Busiek's 1998 "Heroes Return" run.
Visit the MESSAGE BOARD
to discuss these solicits.
Look closely, kids, and you'll catch a glimpse of that rare creature known as a
new DC Archive. In this case, Wonder Woman Archive Vol. 6. This welcome edition
collects WW stories from Sensation Comics #41-48 and Wonder Woman
#13-15. DC
also continues to reward our love of all things Kirby with a nice new
collection: The Newsboy Legion by Simon and Kirby Vol. 1 HC. This can't miss
book will include tales from Star Spangled Comics #7-32.
Fairly quiet on the collected edition front beyond that. It's mostly
the usual assortment of recent series. Of note is Planetary Vol. 4 HC.
A lot of people have been waiting for the collected edition to read those final
issues, some of which have been out for years. Visit the MESSAGE BOARD
to discuss these solicits.
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
After all of last week's activity, just one shipping date update: Marvel
Max's Destroyer MPE HC slips a week, from 11/11 to 11/18. That's it,
people!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER OCTOBER 21
The long awaited Uncle Sam Deluxe Edition HC finally comes out this week courtesy of Vertigo. Some intense Alex Ross work in that one. Speaking of DC HCs, Final Crisis Legion of Three Worlds is a pretty satisfying read from Geoff Johns and George Perez, even if (oh, okay, entirely because of the fact that) it doesn't really relate to Final Crisis much at all.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Captain America Road To Reborn Prem HC
HUGE TALES OF WONDER SALE: LTD EDITION MASTERWORKS!!!
Tales of Wonder is doing some warehouse reorganizing, and have decided to clear
some space with a remarkable LIMITED EDITION MASTERWORKS CLEARANCE SALE. From
the Tales of Wonder email: You'll see excellent discounts on all titles,
including long out-of-print gems that are commanding much higher prices in the
secondary market than what you see below. There are also deep discounts on
select limited edition volume ones as well as X-Men Vol. 1 and Avengers Vol. 1
(regular edition 1st printing only).
All of this is subject to availability. Sell-outs are anticipated.
Various Volume Ones:
50% Off:
And finally, 20% off hard-to-find gems:
UPDATED: SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER OCTOBER 14
We got some incomplete data yesterday. Here is the whole list, starting with the
books that weren't on yesterday's list and including the spiffy new leather
bound Shock Suspenstories:
• EC Archives Shock Suspenstories Vol 02 Limited Leather Bound HC
And here's the books listed yesterday:
• Absolute Death HC
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER OCTOBER 14
Running late again, folks, so just a quick in 'n out. We didn't get this info until today.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute Death HC
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
Plenty of news this week. Foremost is a shipping update for Tomb of
Dracula Omnibus Vol. 2. It has been moved from 10/7 to 12/9. Marvel
Masterworks Golden Age Sub-Mariner Vol. 3 also slips to 12/9, but in this
case, it's not a 2 month slip. It's original ship date was 11/25. But if
you were really counting on a Masterwork on 11/25, then we've got good news:
that's the new ship date for Deathlok Vol. 1. Of course, the bad news is,
that was originally due on 11/18. But wait there's more! X-Men Wolverine/Gambit MPE Classic HC was
supposed to ship this past Wednesday (10/7). It didn't. Look for it on
11/11. Also, the Death of Captain America Omnibus slips from 11/4 to
11/25 and Hulk: Green Hulk/Red Hulk HC moves back a week, from 11/4 to
11/11. The contents of Essential X-Factor Vol. 3 have changed significantly.
Out is Uncanny X-Men #239-241 (while issues 242 and 243 remain) and in is
X-Factor Annual #3. Page count is now 520, down from 536. The War of
Kings HC is expanding from 432 to 496 pages, and will now include the Secret
Invasion: War of Kings one-shot. Finally, the Dark Avengers/Uncanny
X-Men: Utopia HC is now simply to be called Avengers/X-Men: Utopia.
DARK HORSE SOLICITS: JANUARY
Two Archives for January: Turok, Son of Stone Vol. 5 and Tarzan: The Jesse
Marsh Years Vol. 5.
Also in January, two books sure to be on the best seller list for the month:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight Vol. 6 Retreat and Hellboy Vol. 9 The Wild
Hunt.
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
Not too much this week. The Stand: American Nightmares MPE HC will be
144 pages, up from 136. Daredevil Noir: Liar's Poker MPE HC will be
shortened to Daredevil Noir, logically enough. No shipping updates for collected editions this week, but some folks will be
delighted to know that Ambush Bug: Year None #7 is finally back on the
schedule, for 10/21.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Angel Not Fade Away TP
IDW FOR DECEMBER
IDW has released their solicits for December:
The coolest book here to be sure is the Complete Milton Gross HC. This
368 page tome purports to "in addition to exhuming every one of Gross' wild
and crazy comic book stories, shares rare photos, sketches, and unpublished
art". Also look for the Complete Dick Tracy Vol. 9 HC.
TALES OF WONDER LINKS LIVE; NO BOOKS ON DECEMBER 30
We've added the Tales of Wonder preorder links for December books to the
sidebar and this seems like the appropriate time to make everyone aware that due
to quirks in holiday schedule between Diamond and UPS, no books will be
shipping the week of December 30. That's right: we're not talking slipping
to Thursday or even Friday. That week, there will be no new comics, no new
collected editions, nothing. The new Previews catalog suggests there will be
some industry events to try to lure customers into the shops, but no new books.
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
Dum Dum Dugan here with your weekly updates and changes from Diamond. Dark
Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia HC will have 352 pages, up from 336, and Spider-Man:
Died In Your Arms Tonight MPE HC is reduced from 2000 to 192 pages. Diamond also
officially noted that the Avengers Korvac Saga MPE Classic HC will be
expanded from 200 to 240 pages. They already updated the contents of course,
letting us know a couple of weeks ago that it was to include Thor Annual #6. In
semantics news, Dark Wolverine Vol. 1: Prince MPE HC is now to be called
Wolverine: Dark Wolverine Vol. 1 – Prince MPE HC. Additionally, this book slips from
10/14 to 10/21.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER SEPTEMBER
Another modern era classic gets a new format this week as well with the
release of Fables Vol. 1 Deluxe Edition HC, which collects the first ten
issues of that outstanding Vertigo series. Other highlights this week include Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 3 HC, Avengers
Invaders HC (oversize), Sleeper Season 2 TP, and this month's
Masterwork TP, Avengers Vol. 2.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute Promethea HC Vol 01
MARVEL SOLICITS: DECEMBER
I know you see a big red "Avengers" there on the cover of that
Masterwork, but rest assured what we have there is Marvel Masterworks X-Men Vol.
8. It's the second of two collections covering the missing years between
the end of the book's original stories and the relaunch. Look for a
preview here next week, and go to our MESSAGE BOARD to discuss.
The other MM for December is Atlas Era Tales To Astonish Vol. 3, collecting
issues 21-30. Awesome stuff, there. Again, preview next week and
discussion HERE.
There are always a few goodies in there that never showed up as Amazon advance
order items, and this month those include a couple of MPE Classic HCs: Black
Widow Web of Intrigue, collecting some cool eighties era stories, including the
nifty George Perez story from Marvel Fanfare #10-13. And in keeping with an Iron
Man 2 movie theme (these 2 books actually come out in March) there is Iron Man
Iron Monger, collecting Iron Man #193-200.
Please also make special note
of Ed Hannigan: Covered. The classic cover artist has multiple sclerosis
and this book is being released by Marvel in special arrangement with Hero
Initiative with proceeds directly benefiting Ed.
For some discussion of these solicits, please visit our MESSAGE BOARD.
DC SOLICITS: DECEMBER
Hooray! The Creeper by Steve Ditko HC is here! Or at least, will be in February.
The book will collect Creeper tales from Showcase #73, Beware the Creeper #1-6,
First Issue Special #7 and World's Finest Comics #249-255. Can't wait! Also
look for the net volumes of two recent classics: Starman Omnibus Vol. 4 HC and
Preacher Book 2 HC.
It's a pretty busy month for
Vertigo overall. Aside from the Preacher book, we have Hellblazer:
Pandemonium, an original graphic novel commemorating the 25th anniversary of
John Constantine. The book is by the first Hellblazer writer Jamie Delano with
art by Jock. There are also several trade paperbacks from Vertigo including
volume one of The Unwritten at the nice introductory price of $9.99.
Also, you may want to take
note of Mad About Super Heroes Vol. 2 TP with a bunch of Mad Magazine super hero
parodies. For some discussion of these solicits, please visit our MESSAGE BOARD.
SHIPPING AND PRODUCT UPDATES
Just a few updates this week. Two Marvel Premiere Edition classics slip a
week: Mephisto Vs. from 10/7 to 10/14 and Hercules Full Circle
from 11/4 to 11/11. Also, two page count increases: Wolverine Old Man Logan
HC will be 224, not 208, and Spider-Man The Short Halloween MPE HC will
be 152, not 136. Neither increase appears to be accompanied by a price increase.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER SEPTEMBER 23
And that's right, we have two omnibuses as well - one collecting a modern
classic and one stretching back to Marvel's origins. Golden Age Marvel
Omnibus Vol. 1 is one of the more exciting books in a while. It collects Marvel
(Mystery) Comics #1-12 and reportedly improves greatly on the original
Masterworks reproduction of #1-4. Meanwhile Astonishing X-Men By Joss Whedon
and John Cassaday collects their entire run (1-24, Giant-Size #1). A true
highlight of the last decade in comicdom. Not to be outdone - oh who am I kidding, they are completely outdone - this
week, DC does offer a couple of nice books: the latest DC Library HC entry is Batman
A Death in the Family, while the Flash joins the Chronicles race with Flash
Chronicles Vol. 1 TP.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Astonishing X-Men By Whedon & Cassaday Omnibus HC
SALES FIGURES - AUGUST 2009
ICV2.COM
has provided sales figures for graphic novel/collected editions for August
2009. Below is the Top 10 and some other notable entries.
1 WALKING DEAD VOLUME 10: WHAT WE BECOME TP (IMAGE)
15,643 21
SAGA SOLOMON KANE TP (DARK HORSE)
2,377 Walking
Dead and Fables are clearly well ahead of the pack. Head to our
MESSAGE BOARD for analysis and discussion.
DARK HORSE SOLICITS: DECEMBER
A couple of nice archives this month: Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery Vol. 2
and Creepy Vol. 6. They are certainly plowing through those Creepys.
That Jet Scott Vol. 1 collection looks awfully cool. It collects the Jet
Scott comic strips from 1953-1955 by Sheldon Stark and Jerry Robinson.
The big news out of this week's Diamond updates is that the Avengers Korvac
Saga MPE Classic HC has been expanded! The book will now generously include Thor
Annual #6, knocking the page count from 200 to 240. Thor Annual #6, by Len Wein
and Sal Buscema/Klaus Janson (a fabulous pairing who also collaborate on some of
the Avengers issues in the collection) features the Thunder God and the
Guardians of the Galaxy going up against Korvac. Should serve as a nice
lead-in to what many consider the quintessential Avengers epic.
Accordingly, the price is increasing from $29.99 to $34.99.
The only shipping update is the moving of Spider-Man Noir TP from last week
to this coming week: 9/16.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER SEPTEMBER 16
Two Marvel Premiere Classics this week, both with mythology in mind: Hercules
Prince of Power, collecting both of Bob Layton's wonderfully fun 80's
limited series starring the Prince of Power; and Thor: Balder the Brave,
featuring Walt Simonson's Balder LS and Thor #360-362. And for something different, how about the John Stanley Library Nancy Vol.
1 HC, collecting Stanley's work on the character from the 1950's.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Alcoholic SC
Diamond has announced the top ten selling graphic novels/ collected editions
for August. Scroll down to the page some and you'll see that back in May, when
Images solicits for August were announced, we predicted that Walking Dead
Vol. 10 would be the top selling graphic novel of the month. While we freely
admit this was no stunning display of industry analysis, we would at least like
to point out we were right. Oh, and that Silver Surfer Requiem HC has to
be a "product dump", or steeply discounted sale. As usual, there will
soon be a longer list that includes sales estimates. For now, here is the top
10:
1 WALKING DEAD VOLUME 10: WHAT WE BECOME TP (IMAGE)
SHIPPING UPDATES FROM DIAMOND
Another batch of updates from Diamond. This week brings good news from Dark
Horse: The Chronicles of Conan Vol. 18 TP, The Goon Vol. 9 TP and Umbrella Academy
Vol. 2 Deluxe HC all move up to 9/16. Each had been scheduled for October. Two
OHC from Marvel slip to 10/28: Spider-Man Newspaper Strips (from 10/7) and
Wolverine: Old Man Logan (from 10/14). There's also a couple of page count
updates: Marvel Zombies 4 HC will be 128 pages, not 112, and the Wolverine Noir
MPE HC will be 112, not 120.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER SEPTEMBER 9
This week finally sees the release of James
Robinson's Complete Wildcats TP. As you may recall, it was solicited a
long while back and was eventually canceled. It was finally re-solicited
and soon it will be here! Also be on the lookout for the book that was once to
be called Marvel Bromance but was drearily re-titled Marvel Super Hero Team-Up
TP.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Angel After The Fall HC Vol 05 Aftermath
SHIPPING UPDATES FROM DIAMOND
Here with the latest Diamond product updates and shipping updates for collected editions.
First up: two Absolute Editions are getting moved up two weeks! Absolute
Death jumps from 10/28 to 10/14 and Absolute Justice from 11/25 to
11/11. How's that for service? Some pretty significant product info news from
Dark Horse: The Barry Windsor Smith Conan Archives Vol. 1 HC will not, as
solicited, feature a return to the artist's original color palette. No
firther information was provided, but we will endeavor to find out exactly what
this means. Also, Marvel has announced that the Kick-Ass HC has been
canceled and will be re-solicited at a later date. That book is way behind,
obviously.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER SEPTEMBER 2
Absolute V For Vendetta is also here at last, a nice edition to the
Absolute line. And note that Toon Treasury of Classic Childrens Comics HC
It's edited by Art Spiegelman and ought to be pretty great. And speaking of children's comics, Marvel's Wonderful Wizard of Oz HC
comes out this week and it is highly, highly recommended. Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute V For Vendetta HC
IDW FOR NOVEMBER
Here's a first for us: a listing of IDW solicits. IDW has proven to be a
publisher to keep an eye on - they even outsold Image and Dark Horse at least
one month - and with a big slate of books coming in November, we thought they
deserved their very own page:
As you'll see, IDW did not provide full info like page count, and while there is
no mention of a book being HC, there are indications of TPB where applicable, so
let's assume the other books are all HC.
The big news is the Family Circus Library Vol. 1, a launch of yet another
classic comic strip archive project. This
collection includes the first two years (1960-61). And that's not the
only one. While Family Circus may be the far more recognizable property,
classic comics aficionados will probably be even more excited about Bringing
Up Father Vol. 1, containing strips from January 1939 to July 1940.
And for most of us, the most exciting of all is The Art of Ditko. The
contents are rather vague, but knowing it's full of rare Ditko art is all you
really need to know, isn't it?
It takes a special kind of publisher to release the Family Circus Library
and the Simmons Comics Group Omnibus Vol. 1 in the same month, but that
is what IDW is doing. The Simmons in question is Gene Simmons of KISS, and the
comics in question are of a rather tasteless (I think he'd gladly admit) extreme
horror nature.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER AUGUST 26
This week also sees Showcase Presents Eclipso Vol. 1, a small but nifty
collection of Eclipso stories from House of Secrets #61-80.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Authority Worlds End TP Book 01
Image has released their solicits for November 2009: Robert Kirkman's wonderful Invincible series gets it's second monster size
set this month with The Complete Invincible Library Vol. 2 HC. Actually,
it's Volumes 2 and 3 of the Ultimate Collection HC series in a nice
slipcase. Overall, it collects Invincible #25-47. The set id also
available in a signed and numbered edition, limited to 150 copies. Other highlights: new printings of Ministry in Space TP, Liberty
Meadows Vol. 2 TP and Walking Dead Book 4 HC.
MARVEL SOLICITS: NOVEMBER
Two Masterworks this month. We move solidly into the John Buscema era -
and out of Stan Lee's legendary run - of FF with Fantastic Four Vol. 12,
collecting issues 117-128. Also coming is Golden Age Daring Mystery Vol. 2, collecting
issues 5-8. Both of these books were scooped on our TWITTER page, by the way. Be sure and follow us on there.
One of the more exciting books of the month is the Avengers: The Korvac
Saga Marvel Classic Premiere Edition HC, marking the first time that great
story in Avengers history has appeared in hardcover format. Also of note, and
kind of surprising is Star Comics: All-Star Collection Vol. 1 TPB, which
contains the first couple of issues of several comics from the 80's kids'
line. Another blast from the 80's finally gets a collection in The 'Nam
Vol. 1 TPB, collecting the first ten issues. I predict this one will do
pretty good. Michael Golden art certainly doesn't hurt.
DC SOLICITS: NOVEMBER
It's looking like a very quiet month around DC. Only two HC, and one is an
original GN. The other, as seen over to the left, is Absolute Green Lantern.
The book collects the miniseries that brought back Hal Jordan and relaunched
what has been DC's most consistent (in terms of sales, quality and buzz)
franchise of the last ten years or so.
Keeping with the emerald theme, Green Lantern Chronicles Vol. 2 is on the
way. Showcase for the month is Wonder Woman Vol. 3. Other than that, not
much in the way of archival material, although there are a handful of new
printings/new editions: JLA Year One TP, Batman: The Cult and Transmetropolitan
Vol. 5.
DARWYN COOKE'S THE HUNTER SECOND PRINTING
IDW has announced that Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter HC by Darwyn Cooke sold
out after two weeks and that a new printing is coming in September. One would
assume that there was a decently high print run and that they must be ecstatic
to sell out. Unless of course, a "sold out" press release is what they
were after. Who knows. In any case, congratulations to IDW for the success of
this awesome book.
HERE is the official press release from IDW. We will attempt to let you know when the book is once again available at Tales of Wonder. It is currently sold out
there.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER AUGUST 19
Quite a week, no? Our coveted cover spotlight goes of course to Marvel
Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 11, collecting ASM #100-109. Probably the most requested hardcover in the history of the message board
finally sees release this week: Avengers Forever HC collects the classic
Busiek/Stern/Pacheco 12-issue maxi-series from just over ten years ago. This
book is so anticipated, it almost got the feature image. A bunch of Marvel hardcovers this week: in addition to the really cool Black
Widow Sting of the Widow Marvel Classic MPE, we have not one, not two, not thr...wait,
yes three Dark Reign-related Avengers MPE HCs this week. The other classic reprint this week is Dark Horse's Turok Son of Stone
Archives Vol. 3 HC. Elsewhere, Vertigo launches its "Vertigo Crime"
imprint with two original hardcover graphic novels: Dark Entries and Filthy
Rich.
I could go on, but here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Abstract Comics Anthology HC
Diamond has released their preliminary sales figures for July 2009. These initial
figures include only market share and a Top 10 with no sales figures. With that
in mind, here are the Top 10 graphic novels/collected editions. We've included
handy buying links from Tales of Wonder in case you want to jump on the
bandwagon on any of these books:
1. 100 BULLETS VOL. 13 WILT TP BUY It's a pretty top loaded chart this month. You know there are some big
sellers when Neil Gaiman's Batman story comes in third and the highly
anticipated, sold-out Darwyn Cooke Hunter HC comes in seventh! Still, it's no
real surprise that the final 100 volume would lead the way, or that The Boys,
Green Lantern or Mouse Guard would all come up big. Final figures will be
available when we have them.
SHIPPING UPDATES FROM DIAMOND
Diamond has announced a few shipping updates for collected editions. From DC,
the Reign In Hell TP has slipped one week, from 8/19 to 8/26, while the DC
CLassic Library: JLA by George Perez slips from 8/26 to 9/2. Absolute V
For Vendetta will be two weeks late, moving from 8/19 to 9/2.
And from Marvel, Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection Vol. 3 slips from
8/19 to 8/26 and Hercules Prince of Power Classic MPE HC from 9/2 to
9/16. Two more MPE HC's - Secret Warriors Vol. 1 and Thor: Balder the
Brave - both slip from 9/9 to 9/16.
While we're at it, a couple of product updates as well. Ms. Marvel Vol. 7:
Dark Reign MPE HC will be 176 pages, rather than the announced 168 and the Ythaq
MPE HC will be 152 pages, not 192. Finally, as you may have heard, the Marvel
Bromance TP has been retitled. No longer tying into the zeitgeist, the book
now has the pedestrian title Marvel Superhero Team-Up TP.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER AUGUST 12
Not a lot of books, but some good titles. Dark Horse brings us Eerie
Archives Vol. 2, collecting Eerie #6-10. The other cool HC is Sandman
by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby HC from DC, which brings us classic 40's Simon
and Kirby, as well as their reunion in 1974's Sandman #1. Two of the better-selling (well-deserved I'll add) trade paperback series
offer their latest volumes this week: Fables Vol. 12 and Invincible
Vol. 11. And the Runaways: Pride and Joy TP marks I believe the
fourth format for that story. It originally appeared in digest, followed by
oversize HC, followed by MPE HC, and now at last a regular ol' trade paperback.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman Hush Complete TP
DC ARCHIVES SURVEY IS LIVE
Our friends at The Comics Archive are running their annual DC Archives survey. It runs until 8/20. What are you
waiting for, a link? Okay, here you go:
FOLLOW GORMUU'S ADVENTURES IN THE MARVEL ART VAULT ON TWITTER
Our erstwhile webmaster Gormuu is tweeting away from Marvel's art vault. He, cleazer, and friends are going through thousands of pieces of film in an attempt to get them all organized. Throughout the process, Gormuu is
on TWITTER
giving us updates and cool little tidbits like THIS.
He's also soliciting help identifying certain pieces and putting them in
context. Come on by!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER AUGUST 5
After a couple of quiet weeks, the doors are blown off the hinges this week
with TWO new Masterworks! As you see in the picture (complete with a lovely
striped cover), one of them is Golden Age Young Allies Vol. 1, reprinting
Young Allies #1-4. Check out our preview page HERE. The other new Masterwork
is another Golden Age hero, but it collects his Silver Age adventures:
Sub-Mariner Vol. 3, collecting Sub-Mariner #2-13. It too has a preview page,
right HERE. DC offers a nice HC of their own this week: DC Library: Flash of Two Worlds
HC collects the Silver Age team-ups between that era's speedster and his Golden
Age counterpart. I wouldn't be Dum Dum Dugan if I didn't put in a plug for the first
collection of my favorite current comic. Run don't walk to, um, Tales of
Wonder's website to get your copy of the Marvel's Agents of Atlas: Dark Reign
MPE HC. It features the stunningly original new adventures of Atlas Era
characters. Lastly, we need to mention that the latest volume of the top selling ongoing
collected edition on the market: Walking Dead Vol. 10. This outstanding series
earns its hype and deserves kudos for being a black and white, creator owned
book that manages to outsell the big boys.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Agents Of Atlas Prem HC Dark Reign
WE'RE ON TWITTER!
Just like the headline says, folks: marvelmasterworks.com is on Twitter! We'll be sending out tweets announcing the latest news or letting you know when to come here for things like new Masterworks announcements. In the immediate future, Gormuu will
be tweeting from Marvel's art vault, where he, cleazer, Cory and others are organizing decades of Marvel art files! The link to start following us is below: MARVELMASTERWORKS.COM ON TWITTER
BLOOM COUNTY SOLICIT
Collecting every strip from December 8, 1980, through September 26, 1982, in chronological
order, with a new cover inset by Breathed. Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County
burst onto the American comic scene in December 1980 and it soon became one of
the most popular comic strips of all time. The endearing and quirky denizens of
the strip included Milo Bloom, Steve Dallas, Michael Binkley, Cutter John, Bill
the Cat, and Opus the penguin. Bloom County was a strip that dealt with many
issues relevant to the period. Occasional 'Context Pages' are being added
throughout this collection, giving the reader a greater understanding of the
time. This is the first time Bloom County has been collected in a handsome
hardcover library, five volumes in all. Each newspaper strip is reproduced in
chronological order from first to last. Great effort has been made to ensure the
highest production values are achieved. Most strips were either shot from
printer's proofs or Breathed's own original art. This is the first of five
volumes. Book design by Eisner Award-winning designer Dean Mullaney.
Below is the preorder link from Tales of Wonder:
BLOOM
COUNTY LIBRARY HC VOL. 1
MARVELMAN
AT MARVEL!
The big news from SDCC was Marvel's acquisition of the Marvelman. The deal seems to include rights to
produce new stories with the classic British character, as well as reprinting
the Silver Age material. There is no official word on Marvel's ability to
reprint the classic Eclipse-era material by Alan Moore et al, but that
would certainly be a major component, one would think. We'll be updating this
story as soon as we get the info.
Sneaking in toward the end of SDCC, during the Wildstorm panel, was exciting news for many: Wildstorm are
planning a new printing of Absolute Planetary. The news is actually
double exciting - this surely paves the way for an Absolute Planetary Vol. 2,
wouldn't you say?
This year's Eisner Award winners were announced at the San Diego Comic Con. Below are the collected
editions-related categories. Winners are in bold.
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism * Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland (www.comicbookresources.com) Best Comics-Related Book * Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front, by Todd DePastino (Norton) Best Publication Design * Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*! designed by Art
Spiegelman (Pantheon) Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips * The Complete Little Orphan Annie, by Harold Gray (IDW) Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books * Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*! by Art Spiegelman
(Pantheon) Best Humor Publication * Arsenic Lullaby Pulp Edition No. Zero, by Douglas Paszkiewicz (Arsenic
Lullaby) Best U.S. Edition of International Material * Alan’s War, by Emmanuel Guibert (First Second) RUSS MANNING AWARD WINNER: Hall of Fame: Harold Gray Best Graphic Album—Reprint * Berlin Book 2: City of Smoke, by Jason Lutes (Drawn & Quarterly) Best Graphic Album—New * Alan’s War, by Emmanuel Guibert (First Second)
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JULY 29
A real quiet week. There must be a huge week around the corner or something. When
the cover girl is a Masterworks TP, in this case X-Men Vol. 2, you know
there's not a ton of note. A Lobster Johnson novel - that's kind of neat. The only HC collected editions
are a pair of Marvel Premiere Editions: Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 and Scourge of the Gods Vol. 1.
Retro fans may get a kick out of Jersey Gods Vol. 1 from Image. A definite Kirby homage there. Other than that, well, see for yourselves.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Birds Of Prey Platinum Flats TP
MARVEL SOLICITS: OCTOBER
Pretty
cool new Masterwork: Atlas Era Jungle Adventures Vol. 1, collecting
Lorna, The Jungle Queen #1-5 and Lorna, The Jungle Girl #1 (I guess she was
stripped of her crown). They seem to be having a ball going through the Atlas
era finding us some wonderful material from across several genres. The Marvel
Age edition is Dr. Strange Vol. 4. No Omnibus this month, but some good
oversize Hardcovers nonetheless. X-Men Asgardian Wars is a nice entry
into the line of classic X-Men crossover hardcovers. For fans of recent comics, Wolverine:
Old Man Logan is tons of fun from Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Also,
Marvel has gone ahead and included the Wonderful Wizard of Oz HC in these
solicits even though it has a July code and orders are due at the end of this
month. As you may recall, it was accidentally omitted from last month's
solicits. October's MPE Classic is a real treat for those of us who were
reading Marvel in the 1970's: Thing: Project Pegasus collects Marvel
Two-In-One #42-43 and 53-58. It includes some vintage George Perez art. Woo
Hoo!
You can join the discussion of these solicits HERE
DC SOLICITS: OCTOBER
Hey, kids, look, it's a DC Archives: Robin Archives Vol. 2, collecting the Boy
Wonder's adventure from Star Spangles Comics #85-105.
Not the biggest month for DC collections, October. There is another DC Classic
Library, Shazam! - The Monster Society of Evil. The only other hardcover for the
month is Ex Machina Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 from Wildstorm.
Vertigo is bringing us 2 volumes of Peter Milligan's Shade the Changing Man. Vol. 1 is a new edition, while this is the first time the material in
Vol. 2 has been collected. And we'd like to make special mention of Planetary
#27. That's right: Planetary #27 is finally coming out, apparently. No, it's not
a collected edition, but it does mean the final trade paperback volume of this
insta-classic series will finally be coming out (and an Absolute Vol. 2?).
SHIPPING UPDATES FROM DIAMOND
Diamond has provided shipping date info from publishers. The only DC bump
this time around is DC Library: Flash of Two Worlds HC, moving back a
week from 7/29 to 8/5. From Marvel, X-Men: Original Sin TP also moves from 7/29 to 8/5. The
other two books that slip are both ICON books, and neither is a surprise. Powers
Definitive Edition Vol. 3 HC slips from 8/12 to 9/9 and the Kick-Ass
Premiere Edition HC falls all the way from 8/26 to 10/28. We'll see if that
holds. Hate to see such a great book fall off the board like that.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JULY 22
Not the biggest week in terms of quantity, but if you want quality, especially
when it comes to newer work, this is a terrific week. The highly, highly (at
least by me!) anticipated Darwyn Cooke adaptation of Richard Stark's Parker
novel The Hunter arrives this week from IDW.
The co-headliner is another indie non-super hero book: Mouse Guard: Winter
1152 HC from Archaia Studios. This is the second Mouse Guard
collection and judging by the first, it should be another beautiful, wondrous
story.
The only HC "oldie" this week is Creepy Archives Vol. 4 from
Dark Horse, reprinting issues 16-20. DC offers Showcase Presents Batman Vol.
4 and Superman Chronicles Vol. 7. Oh, and a special mention should be
made of Final Crisis: Rogue's Revenge HC. It collects that mini which was
one of last year's best comics. It's not so closely ties with Final Crisis that
you can't enjoy it on its own either.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Adventures Of The Mask Omnibus TP
IDW TO PUBLISH CLASSIC ARCHIE COMICS COLLECTIONS
Exciting news for a lot of folks: IDW's latest series of archival hardcovers and
trade paperbacks is going to involve Archie Comics! Below is the official press release.
And you can discuss this news HERE.
Definitely a cool month at Dark Horse, including, as you see to the left there, Eerie
Archives Vol. 3, collecting issues 11-15. ALso on the vintage front is Tarzan
Archives: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 4.
It's a big month for Robert
E. Howard comics fans as well, as DH is adding Chronicles of Kull and Chronicles
of Solomon Kane to its line of Marvel reprints. These will be the same format as
their successful Conan line. Kull is Volume One, while Solomon Kane includes the
complete Marvel history of the character. They will also be releasing a slipcase
set with these two books and the first volume of the Chronicles of Conan.
Slipcases generally suggest hardcovers, but the solicit doesn't specify.
And we can't forget Nexus Archives Vol. 10 and express our appreciation of Dark
Horse's dedication to this line.
You can discuss these solicits on our message boards HERE.
COUPON CODE: 40% OFF THE ART OF MARKO DJURDJEVIC
This coupon code is good for any quantities of the book. The list price is $49.99, so this will bring the price down to $29.99
COUPON CODE: MARKO
(Code will only work in ALL CAPS. Discount applied at checkout.)
• THE MARVEL ART OF MARKO DJURDJEVIC
This is a book I'm particularly proud of as I served as the book's editor and writer. It's 240-page, hardcover coffee table book in the landscape format, and we've included every single Marvel Universe cover drawn by Marko through the book's scheduled print date. In addition, we've got tons of Marko sketchwork and a chapter on his character designs, which include his X-Men designs that first got him noticed by Marvel. Also included is a healthy amount of commentary from Marko concerning his process, his views on art and comics and the behind-the-scenes development of his covers.
I've come across a couple very nice reviews to share. This one from buyers at CONCEPTART.ORG and a review and artist's profile from WIRED.COM. If you're into Marko and his work, you might want to check this out.
Also, for anyone who wanted to take advantage of the 40% off Wonder Woman Archives coupon, that code is still active until midnight tonight. Coupon code is LASSO. Scroll down to last week's News Update for direct links.
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS FOR JANUARY 2010
As announced on the MESSAGE BOARD, here is January's other Masterwork. It's an Atlas Era, and it's a swinging new line! Check it out:
• ATLAS
AGE MASTERWORKS JAN. 2010
Not a bad week at all. For one, the long awaited Captain Britain by Alan
Moore and Alan Davis Omnibus HC is finally here. Jolly good! The best selling graphic novel of the month is likely going to be Batman:
Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader HC by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert.
This really was a timeless Batman tale that you shouldn't be frightened off of
if you avoided the whole "Batman R.I.P." story. It's unrelated to that
story and exists on its own terms, and, with all apologies to Grant Morrison,
will likely be remembered far longer. Two Marvel Premiere Classic Editions this week: Guardians of the Galaxy
The Power of Starhawk and Spider-Man Torment. The variants are
volumes 26 and 27 respectively. Marvel also brings us not one but two Orson
Scott Card MPE's this week in Ender's Game Battle School and Ender's
Shadow Battle School. You'll notice the Absolute New Frontier is listed for the second
week in a row. It's possible Tales of Wonder didn't actually receive their
copies last week. Lastly, a couple of books you don't want to mix up if you're gift-giving: Preacher
Vol. 1 HC and the all-ages Super Friends Calling all Super Friends TP.
The Preacher HC launches the classic series in HC format.
Well-deserving, although many might say it deserves the Absolute treatment. Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute
DC The New Frontier HC New Ptg
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS FOR JANUARY 2010
As Masterworks Editor Cory Sedlmeier hinted at over at the Marvel Forums, January 2010's Marvel Age selection is "one for the patient":
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS JAN. 2010 SHIPPING UPDATES: MASTERWORKS AND MORE
Here with some shipping updates from Diamond. First off, a couple of Masterworks delays: Golden Age Young Allies Vol. 1
(both editions) has been pushed back 2 weeks from 7/22 to 8/5 and Sub-Mariner Vol. 3 (both editions) is going to run three weeks late, moving from 7/15 also to 8/5. Looks like if that holds we'll see a double Masterworks week.
Also from Marvel, the highly anticipated Avengers Forever HC and the Black Widow Sting of the Widow Marvel Premiere Classic
HC both slip from 8/5 to 8/19. And a big ol' rescheduling of Vertigo's Uncle
Sam Deluxe HC. That was supposed to ship back on 6/10 and now won't be
coming out until 9/30. Wow!
COUPON CODE: 40% OFF WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES
This week, I'm happy to be able to offer up on a coupon code good through next Monday, July 13th, for 40% off list price for Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 1-5 through site sponsor Tales of Wonder!
This coupon code is good for any or all of the Archives, and in any quantity.
COUPON CODE: LASSO
(Code will only work in ALL CAPS. Discount applied at checkout.)
• WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1
• WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 2
• WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 3
• WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 4
• WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 5
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JULY 8
Plenty of good stuff this week. Can someone say Chuck TP? No? I didn't
think so. Of course the big news is Marvel Masterworks Warlock Vol. 2! Nothing like a Masterwork that completes a run. The
Warlock Masterwork series
is full and complete. Lots of good Jim Starlin in Volume 2, concluding
with the classic annuals for Avengers and Marvel Two-In-One. Go for HERE for our preview
page. Speaking of classics, DC manages to stretch Alan Moore and Curt Swan's Whatever
Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow into a HC. They do this by including
Moore's two other Superman stories: "For The Man Who Has Everything",
the terrific Dave Gibbons-drawn story from Action Comics Annual #11 and
the Superman/Swamp Thing team-up from DC Comics Presents #85. It rings in
at 128 pages, but the timelessness of these stories makes this tempting anyway.
Mention must be made of the final volume of one of the most acclaimed comic book
series of the past decade. 100 Bullets Vol. 13 Wilt brings the Vertigo
series to a close. Other highlights include the Marvel 70th Anniversary TP,
collecting highlights from every decade of Marvel's history, and a new printing
of Absolute New Frontier. Wizard magazine recently declared New
Frontier the greatest graphic novel of the past however long. Unexpectedly
classy choice for Wizard.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• 100 Bullets TP Vol 13 Wilt (Mature Readers)
The Harvey Award Nominations have been announced. IDW certainly did well,
with 3 out of 5 nods in the domestic reprint category. Their Scorchy Smith/Noel
Sickles book received two nominations, as did Mark Evanier's Kirby: King of
Comics. Congratulations to them and all of the nominees. Below are the collected edition categories:
BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
DRAW!, edited by Mike Manley, Twomorrows Publishing BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON, Fantagraphics Books BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AMELIA RULES!: FUNNY STORIES, Renaissance Press BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS, IDW BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL GUS AND HIS GANG, First Second SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION COMPLETE LOCAL: HARDCOVER EDITION, Ryan Kelly and A complete list can be found HERE at Heidi
MacDonald's excellent blog, The Beat. And you can discuss the nominations on our
MESSAGE BOARD.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JULY 1
Not the biggest week in recent memory, to be sure, but a lot of diverse books
coming out. Hermes Press is the surprising leader this week when it comes to
cool vintage reprints. First we have Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea: The
Complete Series Vol. 1 HC, the first of two books reprinting the entire Gold
Key series (and just check out that luscious cover!). In addition, there is Buck
Rogers In the 25th Century Dailies Vol. 2 HC.
From there we have books from two of comics' greatest visionaries, though
neither book features comics exactly. The Art of Harvey Kurtzman is
a celebration of the legendary creator with tons of rare artwork, from pencil
sketches to paintings, while Voice of The Fire, Alan Moore's prose novel,
makes its paperback debut courtesy of Top Shelf.
Oh, and the president's appearance in Amazing Spider-Man makes it to
collected edition this week in Spider-Man Election Day MPE HC.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Art Of Harvey Kurtzman HC
COMPLETE SPIRIT ARCHIVES - A SNAPSHOT
Pretty great stuff. Much appreciated, Steve!
MARVEL OMNIBUS SALE A TALES OF WONDER
Tales of Wonder is offering a whopper of a Marel Omnibus sale. Until 4pm on
Monday June 29, the following Omnibus are HALF OFF:
• Amazing Fantasy Omnibus Brereton Variant : $37.49 For the complete inventory of Marvel Omniboo, go to our MARVEL
OMNIBUS page.
This book comes with our highest recommendation. In particular, Skottie Young's art is career-making stuff, and among the best art we've seen this year in comics. This should do very well outside the direct market. A sequel has already been announced,
The Marvelous Land of Oz. Newsarama has an interview about the November-launching series HERE Below is the official solicit:
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ HC
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JUNE 24
A DC Archive leads the way again this week: Golden Age Starman Archives Vol.
2, collecting his stories from Adventure Comics #77-102. There's also another DC Hardcover:
JLA Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 HC,
continuing the collection of Grant Morrison's seminal run. It includes not only
JLA #10-17, but Prometheus #1 and JLA/Wildcats.
From Marvel, Essential Dr. Strange Vol. 4 leads the way, but we also get the anticipated new printing of
Thor Visionaries Walt Simonson Vol. 3 TP as well as this month's Masterworks paperback,
Fantastic Four
Vol. 2, also known in its limited editon form as Marvel Masterworks Vol.
6. One of Marvel's recent crop of direct market only trades also comes out next week:
Patsy Walker Hellcat TP.
Meanwhile, IDW tries to get us ready for not one, but two eighties revival Summer
movies with multiple GI Joe and Transformers books. There are plenty of Peter David
fans out there who may be interested
in another IDW collection this week: Sir Apropos Of Nothing HC Vol. 1, PAD's own
adaptation of his prose fantasy trilogy.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• All Star Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder TP Vol 01
MARVEL SOLICITS: SEPTEMBER
As announced right here last week, this month's Masterwork is Nick Fury Volume
2, but there's plenty of other goodies in there as well. A lot of us around here try to get a peek at upcoming by books by checking
Amazon for upcoming books, but there are inevitably bookls that pop up in the Marel solicits that never appeared on Amazon. September includes two Marvel Premiere Classics that fit in that category:
X-Men Vs. Fantastic Four
and X-Men Vs. Avengers. That's a couple of limited series from the 80's that are sure to please a lot of folks. Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack Vol. 2 is another nice
surprise (although it was obviously coming). We knew
the Criminal Deluxe Edition was coming, but still, that's going to be one terrific book with plenty of extras, it appears. And although a lot of folks were no doubt hoping for oversize hardcovers, it's still exciting to get
Thor by Dan Jurgens and John Romita Jr. TPB Vol. 1. This is some of JRJr's most powerful artwork, and is welcome in collected form however we can get it.
You can join the discussion of these solicits HERE
DC SOLICITS: SEPTEMBER
Book 2 of the Saga of the Swamp Thing HC series highlights this month's offerings. It's a pretty outstanding volume in Alan Moore's classic run, collecting #28-34 and the incredible Annual #2. Keeping with the horror theme, September's
Showcase (or rather,
October's - remember most of the collected editions are advance-solicited) is House of Secrets Vol.
2, collecting #99-119.
As far as newer stuff, DC is trying something different by simultaneously releasing the hardcover and trade paperback of
Wonder Woman: Rise of the Olympian. Mark Millar and Dave Johnson's Superman: Red Son
gets the deluxe HC treatment in November, and Howard Chaykin's Blackhawk returns to print in a TP.
DIAMOND GRAPHIC NOVEL CHART - MAY
Diamond has released their sales chart for May 2009. As is usually the case, the initial chart does not include figures. When the actual figures are released, we'll get 'em to you! In the meanwhile, here's the top ten
and some highlights that appeal to Masterworks fans.:
21 Essential Spider-Man Vol. 9
Full chart available below:
• TOP SELLING TRADE PAPERBACKS MAY 2009
Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's latest LOEG edition far outpaced everything else, as everyone who gave it any thought knew would happen. Even if it wasn't a $7.95 book, nothing else stood a chance.
Buffy at #2 is not surprising, but Ultimates 3 coming in ahead of Invincible is a little
unexpected. Then you have Star Trek and Star Wars books that, as usual, far outpace the performance of their
equivalent monthlies. Once the actual figures are in, an analysis can be presented on the sales of the various archival books.
And let's discuss it HERE
Robert Kirkman's beloved Invincible series gets its fifth oversize hardcover volume. This series shows no sign of letting up, and free of his Marvel obligations, Kirkman has this and Walking Dead coming out
with decent regularity. That means we get the collections that much sooner. He seems to really favor a variation on Marvel's approach to collected edtions: quick trades (no small MPE-style HC), followed by oversize hardcover that
are pretty much the same format as Marvel's. He also crafts Omnibus-style volumes.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JUNE 17
No question this week's headliner is Will Eisner's Spirit Archives HC Vol 26, the final (and delayed - I think they wanted to separate it from the movie!) volume of the series. One of the most ambitious
and notable comic reprint series we'll ever have has come to an end and deserves a celebration. This particular volume collects a lot of rare material: post 1952
Spirit stories from all over the publishing map. Otherwise, it's a week with something for everyone. Garth Ennis fans have new edition/printings of two of his
books: the Complete Just A Pilgrim TP from Dynamite (the series was originally published by Wizard's short-lived Black Bull Comics) and
Hitman Vol. 1 TP. The latter gives us reason for optimism that DC will finally
collect the whole series. DC also offers the Starman Omnibus Vol.3, the latest in that fast-tracked series, and their Wildstorm imprint returns a great Brubaker/Phillips series to print with
Sleeper Season
1 TP. This book had two "seasons", each of which were broken into two teensy trade paperbacks originally. This should be much better. Fans of their
Criminal and/or Incognito series really need to check Sleeper out.
From Marvel, highlights include Amazing Spider-Girl Vol 5 Maybreak TP, the final volume collecting that little engine that could of a series.
Irredeemable Ant-Man TP, on the other hand, collects the entire
12-issue run of a very little engine that apparently couldn't. Too bad, it was one of Marvel's best books during its
existence. This collection frees the title from the digest "ghetto" as it was previously available only in
that format (was that a joke?). Power Pack Classic Vol. 1 TP also comes out Wednesday, launching another book in the "Classic" line.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Amazing Spider-Girl TP Vol 05 Maybreak
It's another Tales of Wonder sale, readers! In stock EC Archives are 40% off. That's $29.97 to you and me. The sale ends Monday June 22 at 4pm. Links below:
• EC Archives Crime Suspenstories Vol 1 HC
It's that time of month for a Masterworks announcement! This time, we're previewing the sole MM due in December, and it's a doozy. You don't need special clearance to check out the selection, all you need is a few minutes to gaze longingly at the exclusive preview images and THIS LINK!
NYT TIMES BEST SELLERS LIST FOR 5/30
The New York Times best selling graphic books list for the week of May 30 is out.
• NEW YORK TIMES GRAPHIC BOOK BEST SELLERS 5/30
Not a lot changed this week. That probably means some stabilization, and that might in turn mean something more close to accuracy. The latest Anita Blake enters the HC chart, and Buffy holds well on the TPs..
It's still hard to believe there's that many people every week that hadn't already bought Watchmen.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JUNE 10
Leading the way is the Ultimates By Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch Omnibus. This hugely popular series was very polarizing, but here's a vote in favor of it. DC's own polarizing series, Final Crisis,
from the mad mind of Grant Morrison, gets the hardcover treatment this week. Morrison tends to wait until the very end of his epics before things make sense (more often than not in a very rewarding way), so
the collected edition is probably the best medium for this story.
On the oldies front, each company offers up a phone book this month. Marvel brings us Essential Thor Vol. 4, collecting issues 197-195. This brings us out of the Jack Kirby era and into the work of John Buscema (with a visit from Neal Adams).
DC also has a fourth volume on tap: Showcase Presents Green Lantern Vol. 4, reprinting issues 60-75.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• 30 Days Of Night 30 Days Til Death TP
Dark Horse has released their solicits for September. Click below for a listing
of their collected editions (and original graphic novels).
Turok, Son of Stone Archives Vol. 4 is the big archive for the month. In the original graphic novel department, the great Stan Sakai celebrates 25 years of Usagi Yojimbo with the first original
graphic novel featuring the rabbit samurai. The book will be written, fully painted, and, yes, lettered by Mr. Sakai. Aw Yeah, Usagi!
MARK SCHULTZ TALKS AL WILLIAMSON
Newsarama has a nice interview with Mark Schultz about putting together the upcoming book Al Williamson's Flash Gordon: A Lifetime Vision.
• MARK SCHULTZ ON WILLIAMSON'S FLASH GORDON Dark
It looks like it's going to be a pretty cool book for fans of vintage comic strip collections. There seem to be no shortage of these books in recetn years, but no shortage of material worthy of reprinting either.
Flesk Publications is putting the book out in August. HERE is a link to their page about the book. Flesk has published some swell books lately,
especially the amazing JAMES BAMA
book.
NYT TIMES BEST SELLERS LIST FOR 5/23
The New York Times best selling graphic books list for the week of May 23 is out.
• NEW YORK TIMES GRAPHIC BOOK BEST SELLERS 5/23 Dark
Tower leads the way for hardcovers, with Treachery at #1 and Gunslinger Born at
#10. Superman: New Krypton Vol. 1 joins the list and earns a little ink in the
accompanying article. Watchmen makes its way to the top of the trade paperback
list. It will be interesting to note how the DVD release this summer affects
sales. Will it bump up yet again? So when do we get to see a cool archive
hardcover on this list? How about when Marvel Masterworks Deathlok Vol. 1 comes
out? Yeah, maybe not.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JUNE 3
Another week, another Masterworks, as Marvel Masterworks Avengers Vol. 9 is released. As usual, you can see a preview page HERE.
Some stellar Buscema art on this one, from both Big John and our pal Sal. And hey, the next Avengers volume will include the Kree/Skrull War! Excellent! Also, you may recall that the variant edition of Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Journey Into Mystery Vol 2 (MM Vol 118) did not make
it out this past week. Well, it'll be here next Wednesday. So those of you who buy the variants will get a double dose next week.
Another highlight has to be the Daredevil Omnibus By Brubaker & Lark HC Vol 01, collecting Daredevil #82-105. This run has been stellar and is very much up to Omnibus standard. It's the first time this stuff has been in hardvoer
form, as Marvel skipped the MPE format on these, likely with an eye on this Omnibus. Marvel also winds up Garth Ennis' insta-classic Punisher MAX run with Vol 5 of the oversize hardcover, collecting #50-60.
Not a big week for DC. The highlight, in fact, is probably the new edition of Warren Ellis/Chris Sprouse Ocean TP.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batgirl Redemption TP
Marvel's website had an article about the release this past Wednesday of the X-Men Magneto
Testament MPE HC:
• X-MEN: MAGNETO TESTAMENT ARTICLE
The big news is the inclusion of a previously unpublished story illustrated by Neal Adams and Joe Kubert, written by Dr. Rafael Medoff of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies.
The Marvel Knights limited series, by Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico, told the story of Magneto's childhood days as a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany. Marvel is obviously proud of this title, and has included
other extras including End Notes and a Teacher's Guide, as well as an afterword by Stan Lee himself. It's nice to see such an ambitious approach to an out of the ordinary project.
MOUSE GUARD PREVIEW
Comic Book Resources has a preview of Archaia Studio's Mouse Guard: Winter 1152
HC. In fact, it's the whole first chapter.
• MOUSE GUARD: WINTER 1152 PREVIEW
The Eisner Award winning first series Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 was a huge small press success story in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, Archaia Studios Press went through a restructuring and the schedule for Winter
went off the rails.
In any event, the first collection is a modern classic and here's hoping the second lives up to the standard. Note the wonderful Geoff Darrow pinup on the final page of the preview.
The New York Times best selling graphic books list for the week of May 16 is out.
• NEW YORK TIMES GRAPHIC BOOK BEST SELLERS 5/16
Looks like they don't quite have a grasp on how the numbering works on these books. Marvel Zombies 3 for instance is listed as the #6 hardcover as simply Marvel Zombies. Similarly, the Hulk: Red
and Green listed at #10 is likely volume 2. Y The Last Man - The Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 (correctly noted) enters the hardcover chart and number one, with a lot of other books remaining the same. The chart
looks pretty reasonable, actually, with the possible exception of Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born.
The latest Buffy The Vampire collection debuts atop the trade paperback list. the eight, nine, and ten slots are the first volumes of probably the era's best selling
TP series, Walking Dead, Fables,
and Y The Last Man. No fewer than 4 summer movie-related titles are on there as well: prequels for Terminator: Salvation
and Star Trek as well as two titles linked to the Wolverine film,
Origin and
Weapon X. Book store sales probably account for much of those sales.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MAY 2
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Journey Into Mystery Vol. 2 is certainly the headliner this week, although it looks like the variant edition is running late. This latest Atlas era edition collects JIM #11-20.
We have a preview available HERE. Another paperback MMW
is out, also: Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 TP Another big oversize hardcover this week as well: X-Men Inferno. This was one of the big early
X-Men crossovers, and the collection, not called an omnibus (even thouth it's nearly 600 pages) collects X-FACTOR #33-40, X-TERMINATORS #1-4, UNCANNY X-MEN #239-243, NEW MUTANTS #71-73 and X-FACTOR ANNUAL #4.
DC has a nice HC this week as well with DC Library Roots of the Swamp Thing, collecting the early Len Wein/Bernie Wrightson run. If you're only
familiar with Alan Moore's work with the character you owe it to yourself to check these early tales.
And one more cool classic HC to point out: Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 2, from Dark Horse.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Bayou TP Vol 01
Got a few new Tales of Wonder coupon codes to throw your way! Don't forget: When using coupon codes, spell correctly and use ALL CAPS. Discount will be applied after items are added to your shopping cart.
40% OFF DEATHLOK MASTERWORKS VOL. 1
Coupon code: BRONZE
• REGULAR COVER: LINK
40% OFF GOLDEN AGE SUBBY MASTERWORKS, INCLUDING UPCOMING VOL. 3
Coupon code: NAMOR
• VOL. 3 REGULAR COVER: LINK
Capturing four more issues of war-torn Sub-Mariner action! And if you don't have any of the previous volumes, the discount also applies to any of the following:
• VOL. 1 REGULAR COVER: LINK
PLEASE NOTE: The discount does not apply to the variant for VOL. 1, as stock levels on that edition are low enough that it will be selling out soon. Price is as marked.
Coupon codes expire on June 15, 2009.
Diamond has released their Top 300 graphic novel sales estimate chart for April. Link below, courtesy of ICv2.
• TOP 300 GRAPHIC NOVELS - APRIL 2009
First things first: those Marvel Premiere Edition hardcovers that are clogging the chart. You'll notice, for instance that Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys is listed number three in quantity. On Diamond's own
website, which also shows a book's dollar ranking, that book is listed at 107. In other words, that book sold the third most quantity but for the 107th most amount of money. Conclusion: there was apparently some sort of huge liquidation of
these MPEs.
As to other matters. Watchmen is still the king - who doesn't have this book already? - after selling another 6403 copies. Some totals for the oldies and the higher end collections:
32 SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE DOOM PATROL TP VOL 01 2511
Dreadful number for the Human Torch Masterwork, to be sure. It's possible the fact that it shipped the final Wednesday of the month could explain it. Could be the variant edition shipped late to some stores.
Some discussion of these figures can be found HERE.
Back again, with the DC solicits. Check them out below:
Not a huge month for DC. No Absolutes or Deluxe Hardcovers. No repackaged editions of Vertigo titles, although Wildstorm brings us Brubaker and Phillips' excellent Sleeper Season Two TP back in print
with its new format. Wildstorm is also giving James Robinson's Complete WILDCATS
another go. This was solicited sometime back, ran late, and was quietly cancelled.
Flash Chronicles Vol. 1 adds another title to that line, so that's nice.
Showcase this month is Showcase Presents Warlord Vol. 1, no surprise
given the new Mike Grell-written relaunch. You can discuss these solicits HERE.
MARVEL SOLICITS FOR AUGUST '09
We're jumping on the solicits a bit more quickly this month! Here's Marvel's
August solicits:
Yet another Volume One Masterworks (as previously announced on this very website), Deathlok Volume One. Check out a preview here.
The Golden Age entry is Sub-Mariner Vol 3. Ed Brubaker's already classic Captain America saga gets a second omnibus, Captain America: The Death of Captain America Omnibus. Mutant Massacre
gets the oversize hardcover treatment, and Bob Layton's Hercules MPE gets a sequel in the Hercules Full Circle MPE HC. Plenty of Dark Reign Avengers-related Premiere Editions as well. There is discussion
of these solicits here.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MAY 20
Not exactly a ton of stuff this week, especially compared to the last few. Nothing particularly
archival in nature, actually. That gives us an opportunity to give a shout out to the second collection of one of the best books DC is publishing, Tiny Titans Vol. 2 Adventures in Awesomeness. Readers
of this book know what kind of shout out I mean: Aw Yeah Titans! Those of you who aren't readers really ought to give it a try. Warning: the cuteness level on this book goes to 11. Interestingly, it looks like DC's
latest batch of all ages books are being collected in standard size trade paperbacks instead of digests. We'll have to look into that. Any time a book with Bruce Timm art in it is released is well worth noting, and
this week brings us Batman Mad Love And Other Stories HC. This terrific looking book collects several stories by Timm and/or his Batman: The Animated Series cohort Paul Dini, including their Eisner Award
winning collaboration Mad Love.
On the Marvel front, we have, at long last, Thor By J Michael Straczynski Premiere HC Vol 02. If you enjoyed the first volume, this one is even better. And from Vertigo comes Transmetropolitan TP Vol 02 Lust For Life,
the second volume of their revamped Transmet trade paperback line.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman Mad Love And Other Stories HC
The New York
Times has released its weekly graphic novel/trade paperback best seller list or,
as they call them, "graphic books." For those unfamiliar, they
started doing this earlier this year. They divide it into three
categories: hardcover, paperback, and manga.
• NEW YORK TIMES GRAPHIC BOOK BEST SELLERS
There seems to be a bit of mystery about how these charts are determined. It seems to include both
Diamond/direct market sales and "regular" book store sales as well.
This has led to some odd occurrences on the charts. There is some pretty good
analysis here at the comics212 blog, albeit with a (consciously we presume) hyperbolic headline. In any case, charts are always of interest, no?
Image Comics has released their solicits for August 2009:
These solicits include what is sure to be the top selling collected edition for the month, Walking Dead Vol. 10. I'm sure those who can stand to wait for the trade on this title will be lined up.
DARK HORSE SOLICITS FOR AUGUST
Dark Horse has released their solicits for August 2009:
Note that the collected editions are for the most part advance-solicited for September and October. Highlights include Creepy Archives Vol. 5, Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 3 and the first volume of an exciting new archival project,
The Groo Treasury Vol. 1.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MAY 13
A
Golden Age Marvel Masterwork arrives this week: Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 4,
reprinting Marvel Mystery Comics #13-16. Along with the usual suspects – Human
Torch, Sub-Mariner and friends – this new volume introduces us to the Golden Age
Vision, courtesy of Simon and Kirby. For more info, follow THIS LINK.
The other biggie - and we mean biggie! - this week is the Secret Wars II
Omnibus. It's fair to call this collection unprecedented. See the news item
below for more on this Gargantua. Among the classic collected editions from
Marvel this week we have the Cloak and Dagger Classic MPE and X-Men
2099 Vol. 1 TP as well as a couple of classic GI Joe collections from
IDW. Other releases of note are DC's Showcase Presents: Martian
Manhunter Vol. 2 and a new printing of History of the DC Universe.
IDW brings us the seventh volume of the Complete Dick Tracy, and Archie
reprints some classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in TMNT Adventures Vol. 1.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Avengers Initiative TP Vol. 3 Secret Invasion
Marvel rolled the presses on one of the biggest, most insane, collected editions in their history recently, and the results are here! Secret Wars II Omnibus has hit the streets and Forum member Donovan has the goods on bonus features and pics of the book itself! Check out THIS THREAD at the Marvel Forum, and after that – whether you have any desire to relive the Beyonder's nutty interactions on Earth or not – check out Donovan's crazy website devoted to the '80s crossover event at SECRETWARSII.com!
MASTERWORKS SURVEY: COMING IN JUNE!
The 2009 Masterworks Survey is nigh! Lots of folks have been wondering when we'd get around to getting the new one started. I have an approximate launch date of June 15. It's not set in stone, but it's the date that me and my crack survey staff are working towards. It'll come shortly after the December '09 Masterworks announcement, so we'll be locked and loaded to come up with data for 2010 and beyond!
Look for the same questions we've been tosssing around for the last several years, with a few new wrinkles to address the changing Masterworks schedule and consumer buying habits. Also look for questions about Marvel Premiere Classic HCs and Omnibus volumes.
So start thinking now about what Masterworks you'd like to see so that when the survey hits, you'll be ready to rock!
• DARWYN COOKE'S THE HUNTER PREVIEW
Below is the preorder link for the book at Tales of Wonder:
• Richard Starks Parker The Hunter HC
GOLDEN AGE MASTERWORKS FOR NOVEMBER!
Swim on over to this PREVIEW PAGE if you want to take a peek at November's Golden Age Masterworks edition!
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS FOR NOVEMBER!
November 2009 will see the release of a very special new Masterworks, one that hasn't seen a lot of chatter of late in all the contest threads. But it's finally happening and will be quite a big new book – particularly regarding page count and price point! Check it out at THIS LINK, and then head on over to the Marvel Forum, where there will surely be some spirited discussion underway!
Tomorrow I will announce the other new addition to the Masterworks Library in November 2009. Will it be Atlas Era or Golden Age? Check back in to find out!
MARVEL SOLICITS FOR JUNE AND JULY '09
Hey, folks, Dum Dum Dugan here. I'm a new contributor to this site. You'll be getting all kinds of news goodies from me. First up: The Marvel solicits for June and July. Here's the links:
Some good stuff in there as usual. June's highlight has to be the Golden Age Marvel Comics Omnibus. Marvel is obviously pulling out all the stops when it comes to celebrating their 70th anniversary. Another nifty item commemorating
70 years of Marvel Comics is the free 1939 Daily Bugle which should be a lot of fun. Just one Masterwork in June, Invincible Iron Man Vol. 6. July, on the other hand, brings not just two Masterworks,
but two Volume Ones - Menace Vol. 1 and Inhumans Vol. 1. That's pretty great if you ask me. And Marvel's celebration continues with the Marvel 70th Anniversary TPB, assembled by our very own Gormuu.
And let's not forget Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Vol 2!
Just last week, Twomorrows published The Batcave Companion, an exhaustive exploration of arguably the most pivotal era in the Caped Crusader's history: the late '60s to early '70s evolution from the campy "New Look" the darker, moodier textures of the "Creature of the Night," best exemplified by the groundbreaking work of Neal Adams.
Site sponsor Tales of Wonder is offering the book through THIS LINK and if you want to learn more about Mike's tome, there's a nice discussion going on at the DC FORUM.
ZUDA'S "GONE ZOMBIE!"
Longtime message board contributor Stephen Thor, who you may know better by the handle My Name Is Thoom!, has had his first comic published by the DC online comics concern Zuda.com. That's not the only connection to these boards for this cool new comic, however, as Thor (or Thoom, as you like) met Drew Moore (aka drumore on the boards) through common activities on the DC Forum and ol' Drew wound up coloring the artwork (by illustrator Scott Wegener, not currently a member of the board forums but it's only a matter of time!)
The result is 8 pages of zombie-flavored fun titled "Gone Zombie." (Mmmm.... zombies...) To access it, click on the banner link at the top of the news post. I've read the thing and found it to be a very engaging short, a fine first effort from all involved. Do I want to see more? Sure! And one of the interesting facets of Zuda is that readers vote on the features they like best and – a la American Idol (except with a lot more talented artists) – the winner for a given month gets to have more of their work seen on the site.
I'm excited for Stephen and Drew's chances, and after reading "Gone Zombie," maybe you will be, too. If so, make sure to give them a big thumbs up through Zuda's voting system. If you don't like the comic, hey... no harm. It's totally free to read at Zuda.com.
I always love to see the people I've come to know through the board forums have personal success like this. Kudos to Stephen and Drew for following through with their passions and creating an original piece of comic art!
After finally getting around to some housecleaning from the last couple months, we've been able to get the last two months of solicit information live on the site. Today's update will include DC data, and look for Marvel to get their due in the coming days.
Linked below is DC solicit information for June and July '09:
Highlights from the June solicits include Absolute Justice HC and a hardcover Sandman collection by Simon & Kirby. Highlights from July includes Batman: A Death in the Family via the DC CCL, two more Deluxe Edition lines (Tom Strong and Fables) and, best of all, a sixth Dark Knight Archives!
Just a FYI for you Masterworks mavens out there eagerly awaiting the next round. You'll get your wish in the coming days with two – count 'em, two! – more announcements of additions to the MM canon! This will make the 126th and 127th volumes to be published bearing the bounty of Marvel comics fun... but which ones will they be? Stay tuned!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MAY 6
Another Masterworks Volume hits this week! Marvel unleashes Incredible Hulk Masterworks Vol. 5 HC upon the world this week, surely sending all the world's defense forces onto high alert. Collecting Incredible Hulk #111-121, this volume features the Hulk battling the Leader, Sandman, Mandarin, Sub-Mariner, the Inhumans, and a Man-Thing wannabe known as the Glob. Herb Trimpe really starts to deliver some definitive Hulk art in this volume, and his fans won't be disappointed with this volume. For some preview pages, click on THIS LINK.
Essentials fans also have something to get excited about this week. Amazing Spider-Man makes it into the 1980's with Essential Spider-Man Vol. 9 TP, collecting Amazing Spider-Man #186-210, Annual #13-14, and Peter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1. Reaching the 80's is a great milestone, but there's still a long way to go! Spidey also shows up in Spider-Man: Death & Dating Premiere HC, the latest collection of Spidey's most recent adventures, reprinting Amazing Spider-Man #578-583 and Amazing Spider-Man 2008 Annual.
Marvel adds another title to their line of high page-count collections this week with Alias Ultimate Collection Book 1 TP, collecting Alias #1-15. Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos introduced a new hero into the Marvel Universe with Alias, as Jessica Jones is now a familiar face in Marvel titles, and is probably one of the most important characters introduced in the last decade. Not only was Alias an important book in the continuity of the Marvel Universe, but it was also very well-liked and well-reviewed. (Be aware though, some of the content may not be suitable for children.)
DC releases a popular collection of their own this week with Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Deluxe Edition HC, collecting Y: The Last Man #11-23. This series was one of the biggest hits of the decade, selling tpb's month after month in both comic shops and bookstores. If you haven't tried it out yet, these oversized HC's are the perfect opportunity to get in on the ground floor before the movie hits. (If and when that happens.)
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Alias Ultimate Collection Book 1 TP
There were also a few books that TOW got last Wednesday that weren't on the original shipping list. Make sure you don't overlook these:
• Batcave Companion SC
MASTERWORKS AND ESSENTIALS ON SALE AT TOW
Attention all Masterworks and Essentials fans! Site sponsor Tales of Wonder is once again running a special sale on select Marvel Masterworks for half off! Once again, you'll have to act fast, as the sale will only run until Monday, May 4 at 4pm eastern.
To make it even sweeter, Tales Of Wonder has also added some Essentials to the half-off sale. As if Essentials weren't already a great deal, now you can get 500 pages of Marvel goodness for a mere eight dollars.
If you remember how this went last time, you may need to act fast, because a few primo books quickly sold out within just a day or two. Expect the same thing to happen this time.
The list of Marvel Masterworks on sale (all volumes on sale are the "regular" silver and black covers). All volumes are $24.99, except where otherwise noted:
• MMW Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC
Here's the list of Essentials for half off, most of which are on sale for $8.49, except where otherwise noted:
• Essential Ant-Man Vol. 1 *$7.49*
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER APRIL 29
After a slightly longer than usual wait, the hardcover Masterworks line finally returns to the schedule this week with Human Torch Masterworks Vol. 2 HC. And what a volume to return with! Not only does this collect Strange Tales #118-134, not only does it feature some of the wackiest villains of all time with the likes of Paste-Pot Pete, Plantman, and the Rabble Rouser, not only does it feature the Beatles, not only do the Human Torch and The Thing fight in just about every single issue, but it completes the Silver Age Human Torch Masterworks line! It's not often that we've had the chance to read an entire Silver Age Marvel run from start to finish, so check out this final volume of the Torch's Silver Age adventures!
Marvel also unleashes TWO new entries in their MPE Classic line this week. The first is X-Men: Proteus MPE Classic HC, reprinting X-Men #125-128 and Classic X-Men #32-33 and 36. Chris Claremont and John Byrne team up for a classic tale of one of the X-Men's most dangerous enemies of all-time. In the second MPE Classic, the Guardians Of The Galaxy are introduced to the Marvel Universe as they take on the Badoon. Collecting Marvel Super-Heroes #18, Marvel Two-In-One #4-5, Giant-Size Defenders #5, and Defenders #26-29, the Guardians Of The Galaxy: Earth Shall Overcome MPE Classic HC features a reprint of one of the more requested issues of the Silver Age.
Marvel continues the hits with Avengers Masterworks Vol. 1 TP, the latest in their line of softcover Masterworks reprints. Last, but certainly not least, is the Marvel Spotlight 70th Anniversary Celebration TP! Celebrate seven decades of Marvel fun and adventure, featuring several classic reprints and an inside look at the production of our beloved Masterworks and Omnibuses.
DC fans will have enough to keep their hands full too. The newest Chronicles line starts up with Green Lantern Chronicles Vol. 1 TP, reprinting classic Silver Age tales from Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern #1-3. For a collection reprinting a story with far more modern sensibilities, DC unleashes Absolute Superman For Tomorrow HC, the latest of the giant Absolute line from DC. Reprinting Superman #204-215, this volume features Super-sized Jim Lee art! A sure-fire feast for the eyes!
For something a bit on the lighter side, check out Star Wars Adventures Volume 1: Han Solo and the Hollow Moon of Khorya Digest, the first of an all-new line of digests featuring brand new stories.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute Superman For Tomorrow HC
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER APRIL 22
Mailmen beware, this is a huge week for classic collected editions! The star of the week is the X-Men Omnibus HC, collecting X-Men #1-31. Painistakingly restored and packed with historical essays, letters pages, original artwork, and other bonus material, this is the definitive presentaion of Stan and Jack's team that was underappreciated at first, but then went on to dominate the comics industry for decades.
Marvel's latest premiere classic HC is Wolverine: Not Dead Yet Premiere Classic HC, reprinting Wolverine #119-122. This is one of the more recent MPE Classics, featuring the work of Warren Ellis and Leinil Francis Yu, wherein Logan faces off against McLeish, an old assassin from his past who wants revenge and knows enough to use adamantium against Wolverine.
Marvel also starts up two brand new classic TP series this week. The first is Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 1 TP, reprinting the first 10 issues of the series that reinvented the future of the Marvel Universe from Peter David and Rick Leonardi. The second is Gambit Classic Vol. 1 TP, reprinting the first tales of the Cajun mutant. Collecting Uncanny X-Men #265-267 and Gambit #1-4, this book introduces us to one of the few new Marvel characters from the 1990's that has endured.
DC also gets in on the act this week with DC Classics Comics Library: Batman The Annuals HC, reprinting Batman Annual #1-3. Reprinting an oddball collection of stories and featuring all sorts of bonus pages spotlighting Batman's technology, this book should appeal to far more people than the previous DC CCL offering featuring Ferro Lad. And speaking of Ferro Lad, DC also releases their latest Showcase this week, Showcase Presents Legion Of Super-Heroes Vol. 3 TP, reprinting Adventure #349-368 and Jimmy Olsen #116.
Dark Horse continues their foray into the high pagecount reprints with Ghost Omnibus Vol. 2 TP, while if you desire truly massive pagecounts, you'll want to check out the Witchblade and Rising Stars Compendiums.
And then there's the collections of more recent material, the highlight of which must be New Avengers Vol. 9: Secret Invasion Book 2 TP, collecting New Avengers #43-47. She-Hulk also gets in on the Secret Invasion fun, and for people who enjoy simpler comics, there's always Marvel Adventures Spider-Man Vol. 12: Jumping Digest.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Blue Beetle: Boundaries TP
There were also a few books that TOW got this past Wednesday that weren't on the original shipping list. Make sure you don't overlook these:
• 100 Percent HC
MASTERWORKS SALE AT TALES OF WONDER
Site sponsor Tales of Wonder is running a special sale on select Marvel Masterworks for half off! That's right, 50% off sales on Masterworks don't come around very often, so make sure you don't miss this opportunity. If you ever wanted to try out some of the Golden Age volumes, now's your chance. Or you could check out one of my personal all-time favorite Masterworks, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 5. As if that weren't enough, ToW is also running a sale on select Marvel Premiere HCs for on $6.99. Well over half off!
The sale ends at Noon on Monday, April 20, so make sure you place your order ASAP. You'll regret it if you miss out.
The list of Marvel Masterworks on sale (all volumes on sale are the "regular" silver and black covers). All volumes are $24.99, except where otherwise noted:
• Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 HC
Here's the list of Premiere HC's, all of which are on sale for $6.99:
• All New OHOTMU A To Z Vol. 01 Premiere HC
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER APRIL 15
Marvel's big offering this week is Essential Dazzler Vol. 2 TP, finishing off the Dazzler series. Collecting Dazzler #22-42, Marvel Graphic Novel #12, Beauty and the Beast #1-4, and Secret Wars II #4, this behemoth clocks in 688 pages. You're not going to find many bigger pagecounts in this price range. If you need color to enjoy your reading, Marvel is also releasing Exiles Ultimate Collection Book 1 TP, the first in a line of high pagecount reprintings of Exiles. Collecting Exiles #1-19, this book is in color, unlike the more familiar Essentials and Showcases. Exiles is one of the few newer Marvel series that really hit it off with readers. If you've never tried it, here's an excellent opportunity to start from the beginning.
Dark Horse releases the final volume of the most shocking Archives line of all-time this week with Herbie Archives Vol. 3 HC. Collecting Herbie #15-23, this volume finishes off the adventures of one of the strangest heroes of all time. Dark Horse deserves tons of credit for taking on this oddball series, and if you've ever pined for more than just the standard superhero reprints, this is the type of project that needs your support. Herbie is one of the stranger and more imaginative titles that ever stuck around for more than a handful of issues, and his adventures are still good for laughs today.
Speaking of tales off the beaten path, Garth Ennis and Howard Chaykin team up for War Is Hell: First Flight Of The Phantom Eagle TP, reprinting all 5 issues of that limited series. And for tales off the human path altogether, Marvel releases the Marvel Apes HC. Read it if you support animal superhero rights. The ASPCA demands it!
Finally, take note of the 4 books at the bottom of the list, which actually shipped this past Wednesday. The Superman: The Coming Of Atlas HC should interest a few readers here, while Transformers Animated:The Arrival TP collects the entire series of all-new stories based on Transformers Animated, which has grown to be the most respected Transformers incarnation of the last decade.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Essential Dazzler Vol. 2 TP
There were also a few books that TOW got this past Wednesday that weren't on the original shipping list. Make sure you don't overlook these:
• Batman: Lovers And Madmen TP
OCTOBER MASTERWORKS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Get ready for this one Masterworks fans! Not just one Masterworks announcement, but two! Not only that, but both of them are Volume One's! That's right, two brand new Masterworks lines are being started up in the same month. But there's no need to worry about the Masterworks landscape getting too crowded. One of the new Volume One's is a done-in-one, and the other is a done-in-two! To find out about the Marvel Age Masterworks volume for October, click on THIS LINK.
As if that volume alone wasn't enough, Marvel is also releasing a new Atlas Era Masterworks volume in October. Are you the type of person who gets excited by new Atlas Era Masterworks lines? Join the club! To find out which Atlas Era title gets collected in it's entirety, simply click on THIS LINK
TWO MASTERWORKS ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OCTOBER!
Check this space later in the day for the preview page for October 2009's Marvel Age Masterworks announcement! Also, check in tomorrow for the announcement of the other Masterworks edition due that same month!
Meanwhile, there's still time to take part in the GUESS THE OCTOBER MASTERWORKS CONTEST over at the Marvel Forums. If you haven't put an entry in, do so now! I'll be closing the thread any hour now!
JACK KIRBY'S DEMON OMNIBUS PREVIEW/DISCUSSION
Over at the DC Forum, there's a THREAD discussing the merits of the Demon Omnibus HC published by DC. That's good enough on its own, but board member (and collections colorist) Drumore has posted some awesome digital files showing off the tasty reproduction inside. They're on page 2 of the thread for interested eyes.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER APRIL 8
This week's phonebook from DC Comics is Showcase Presents Doom Patrol Vol. 1 TP, reprinting My Greatest Adventure #80-85, Doom Patrol #88-101, and Challengers of the Unknown #48. Doom Patrol was one of the more unique DC titles of the Silver Age, and if you haven't checked out the Doom Patrol Archives yet, you might want to see what they're all about with this affordable Showcase volume. This week's phonebook from Dark Horse is Harvey Comics Classics Vol. 5: Harvey Girls TP. It features slightly older stories than the Doom Patrol book, with material from the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's, and reprints three different features: Little Audrey, Little Dot, and Little Lotta.
One story that's been decades in the making is finally collected in the Iron Man: Legacy of Doom TP, collecting Iron Man: Legacy of Doom #1-4. David Michelinie! Bob Layton! Ron Lim! Tony Stark! Victor Von Doom! Mephisto! What else do you need to know? This is going to be one of those few modern books that appeals to fans of the slightly more "classic" style of comics.
Another Stephen King-verse book is released, with Dark Tower: Treachery Premiere HC collecting Dark Tower: Treachery #1-6. Even if you've never been the biggest fan of the Dark Tower series, this book is worth it for the Jae Lee and Richard Isanove art alone. They've both been doing some of the best work of their careers on this Dark Tower material, and the result is a book that is incredibly pleasing to the eye.
The latest X-Men event from Marvel is further collected in Uncanny X-Men: Manifest Destiny HC, collecting Uncanny X-Men #500-503, X-Men Free Comics Book Day #1, and the Manifest Destiny stories featuring Dazzler, Karma, Mercury/X-23, Colossus, Emma Frost, Graymalkin, and Juggernaut. Confusing, isn't it? Aren't you glad the fine folks in the Marvel Collected Editions department are keeping track of all these things for you? Another batch of Wolverine TPB's also hits this week. Wolverine: Dangerous Games TP, Wolverine: Logan TP, and Wolverine: In His Own Words TP are all now available, respectively collecting a whole batch of one-shots, the Logan miniseries, and re-telling his history.
The two Marvel Zombie sequels are also available this week, one in hardcover form and one in a TPB. Hopefully one of those formats will float your boat. And finally, the latest classic adaptation from Roy Thomas hits this week, Moby Dick TP, collecting Moby Dick #1-6, featuring a fresh look at a literary classic.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Dark Tower: Treachery Premiere HC
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER APRIL 1
This week's highlight is the Wolverine Omnibus Vol. 1 HC, containing 1064 pages of adamantium-laced excitement. This gigantic volume reprints Marvel Comics Presents #1-10 and #72-84, Hulk #180-182 and #340, Marvel Treasury Edition #26, Best of Marvel Comics HC, Wolverine (Limited Series) #1-4, Wolverine #1-10, Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1-6, Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1, Marvel Age Annual #4, Punisher War Journal #6-7, Uncanny X-Men #172-173, and Captain America Annual #8! Whew, that's a lot. And before you ask, yes, that's Todd McFarlane in that one Hulk issue and Jim Lee in those two Punisher War Journal issues. Wolverine is going to be popular this summer, so this might be one of those Omnibusses that sells out shortly after release. Make sure you don't miss out.
Still need more Wolvie? Check out the Wolverine: Tales of Weapon X HC, or Wolverine First Class: Wolverine By Night TP. A lot of people who read this site might not have any of the material in the Tales of Weapon X HC yet, including Weapon X: First Class #1-3, Wolverine: First Class #1-2, and Wolverine and Power Pack #2. Check out the price! You'll not find many more affordable HC's than that!
Wolverine isn't Marvel's only popular mutant though. Hailing from the same movie, we also get Deadpool Classic Vol. 2 TP this week, reprinting Deadpool #2-8, #-1, and Daredevil/Deadpool Annual 1997.
Golden Age fans might be interested in the Superman First Wave of Comic Book Heroes 1939-1941 GN, focusing on some of the more obscure tales told in the early days of super-heroes, or Boody: The Bizarre Comics of Boody Rogers featuring one of the stranger artists of the late 40's amd early 50's, Boody Rogers, whose work may have fit in far better with the underground comics of the 60's and 70's.
Dark Horse puts out two collections that'll interest a lot of fans. Chronicles of Conan Vol. 17: Creation Quest TP featuring Gil Kane, and Star Wars Emissaries and Assassins Omnibus TP, another giant 464-page full-color collection.
And don't forget about Captain America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1, featuring both old and new material.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• American Flagg Vol. 2 TP
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MARCH 25
Pictures don't lie, folks, it's finally time for DC to release another Archive! Flash Archives Vol. 5 completes the long run into comic shops this week, reprinting Flash #133-141. If you've complained about the slowdown in Archives lately, make sure you vote with your wallet and pick this book up. It doesn't get much better than these classic Silver Age adventures where Barry mixes it up with Captain Cold, Mirror Master, and Reverse Flash. For classic DC stories of a decidedly different variety, check out Showcase Presents Ambush Bug Vol. 1 TP.
Marvel releases a number of classic collections of their own, starting with X-Men Masterworks Vol. 1 TP, reprinting X-Men #1-10 by no less than Stan Lee and Jack Kirby themselves. Since a number of you may already have that book in one form or another, Marvel also releases Avengers Hawkeye MPE Classic HC, reprinting Hawkeye #1-4, Tales of Suspense #57, Marvel Super Action #1, Avengers #189, and Marvel Team-Up #95. This book should put a smile on the faces of Clint Barton fans everywhere.
For fans of more modern material, there are also a few hardcovers for you this week. Imortal Iron Fist Vol. 4: Mortal Iron Fist Premiere HC continues reprinting that highly acclaimed series with Immortal Iron Fist #17-20 and the Death Queen Special. This series is a favorite for a lot of Marvel fans these days. Also up is Hulk Skaar Son of Hulk Vol. 1 Premiere HC, reprinting Skaar: Son of Hulk #1-6 and Savage World of Sakaar.
Marvel's tradepaperback division also makes some noticeable contributions to the list this week. Daredevil: Lady Bullseye TP is the latest tale in the epic DD run from Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark, reprinting Daredevil #111-115. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Legacy TP starts of the new Guardians of the Galaxy run from DnA and Paul Pelletier, reprinting GOTG #1-6. Also ranking very high up on the fun scale is Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four Doomed Digest, reprinting MA FF #41-44.
One final book of note to fans of complete collections should be the Transformers Beast Wars Omnibus from IDW. Reprinting TF Beast Wars: The Gathering #1-4, TF Beast Wars: The Ascending #1-4, and TF Beast Wars: Sourcebook #1-4, this collection contains every Beast Wars book that IDW has done.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Avengers Hawkeye MPE Classic HC
There were also a few late-arriving books that TOW got last week, but weren't in the initial list posted here. Make sure you don't overlook these:
• Ms Marvel Vol. 6: Ascension Premiere HC
CONTEST TIME!
Have you been checking out our MESSAGE BOARDS lately? If you haven't, you may be missing out on two great contests that we have going on right now. These contests aren't just for fun either, the winner can get a free Marvel Masterworks volume!
On the Marvel board, the GUESS THE OCTOBER MASTERWORKS CONTEST has just been started up. Just guess which Masterworks volumes we'll get in October, simple as that.
You'll have to act fast on the other contest. On the DC board, there's only a few days left in the FLASH VOL. 5 - BACK 4 CONTEST. Don't wait any longer before entering your guesses in that one!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MARCH 18
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that begin shipping this week from Tales of Wonder, on Wednesday, March 18.
The oldest Marvel material being collected this week can be found in New Mutants Classic Vol. 4 TP, reaching all the way back to the mid-1980's to collect New Mutants #26-34, featuring some classic work from Chris Claremont, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Steve Leialoha. Journey back to the days of the real New Mutants, starring Cannonball, Magik, Mirage, Warlock, Wolfsbane, Sunspot, Cypher, Magma, Karma, and dozens of other guest-stars. And hey, who's the familiar-looking big guy in issue #29?
DC's big classic book this week is Batman Chronicles Vol. 7 TP, reprinting Batman #12-13 and stories from Detective #66-70 and World's Finest #7. If you don't already have the Archives, the Batman Chronicles series is an extremely affordable alternative for this material. DC is also releasing Tor A Prehistoric Odyssey HC, by no less than Joe Kubert himself.
Make sure you don't miss the latest entry into Dark Horse's Archive series, Turok, Son of Stone Archives Vol. 1 HC, reprinting Dell Four Color Comics #596 and #656 and Turok, Son of Stone #3-6. Dark Horse is moving forward quickly with this series, as the third Archive volume in this series was just announced last week for release in August. Now that's what I call fast-tracking!
For more recent material, Marvel is putting out an interesting hardcover this week. Remember when the Avengers were just the Avengers, before they were New, Mighty, or anything else? Remember how that all fell apart? Check out Avengers Disassembled Iron Man, Captain America, & Thor. This is a big one, collecting Iron Man #84-89, Thor #80-85, Captain America & The Falcon #5-7, and Captain America #29-32.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Air Vol. 1: Letters From Lost Countries TP
MARVEL OMNIBUS FOR SEPTEMBER!
I'm very pleased to be able to pass on the announcement for a classic Omnibus due from Marvel in September! Celebrating 70 years of Marvel Comics history with some of Marvel's oldest and most revered characters, you can get the full scoop at THIS LINK!
Plenty of preview images for you to look at, with plenty to come in the next few weeks and months!
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS FOR SEPTEMBER!
There will be a single Masterworks edition solicited in September of this year. To see what it is, head over to THIS LINK!
Check back soon for the announcement of September's classic Omnibus selection! As Editor Cory Sedlmeier recently noted on the message board, it'll be a new milestone for Omniboo!
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER MARCH 11
Two big Jack Kirby books this week, one from Marvel, one from DC! The Losers by Jack Kirby HC reprints Our Fighting Forces #151-162, a personal favorite from The King's early '70s tenure at DC as he relayed some of his personal experiences in WWII through the comic adventures of the timeless Losers. Speaking of timeless, the immortal Mighty Thor gets his due in another Masterworks edition: Marvel Masterworks Vol. 112: The Mighty Thor HC is the variant edition that reprints Thor #163-172 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (the regular edition shipped last week). As a variant buyer, I can't wait for this one, which will be the penultimate volume of Kirby Thor stories.
Losers isn't the only classic material issued by DC next week. Justice League of America Vol. 4 HC continues collecting the Keith Giffen/JM DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire series from the late '80s. This volume pulls together Justice League International #23-25 and Justice League of America #26-30. For aficionadoes of the black and white phonebooks, there's more JLA to be had: Showcase Presents Justice League of America Vol. 4 which blows past the point where Archives left off; it collects JLA #61-83. And the first volume of DC's realigning of Warren Ellis' Transmetropolitan epic begins with Transmetropolitan Vol. 1: Back on the Street TP. This new edition collects the first six issues of the Vertigo series by Ellis and Darick Robertson.
A couple Marvel items of note are Terry Moore's first venture into Runaways, with Runaways: Dead Wrong MPE HC. It collects Runaways (Vol. 3) #1-6 by Moore and Humberto Ramos, following up Joss Whedon's brief run on the title. And DC's not the only one with a black and white bonanza to offer up this week: Essential Power Man & Iron Fist TP collects Power Man and Iron Fist #76-100 and Daredevil #178, featuring creative talent from the likes of Chris Claremont, Kurt Busiek, Denny O'Neil, Denys Cowan and more!
Fantagraphics continues dishing out the Peanuts goodness with Complete Peanuts Vol. 11: 1971-1972, featuring one of my favorite strips of all time with Charlie Brown and Linus opining about Bob Dylan. (Hey, Chuck...Bob's a LOT older now than he was then!)
Finally, one of the most exciting books this week is Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 1 HC. Dark Horse has ambitious plans for this, as it is the kick off volume of a line intended to reprint the first nineteen years of Tarzan. Of course, Jesse Marsh was the first ever Tarzan artist, so even if we only get this one volume, we'll be getting some seminal and historic work.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Angel: After the Fall Vol. 3 HC
And now, a bunch of shipping updates from the last few weeks that the site hasn't been updated:
ITEMS SHIPPED MARCH 4
ITEMS SHIPPED FEBRUARY 25
• Captain America: Vol 3 Death of Captain America TP
ITEMS SHIPPED FEBRUARY 18
• Batman and the Outsiders: The Snare TP
ITEMS SHIPPED FEBRUARY 11
ITEMS SHIPPED FEBRUARY 4
• Avengers: Knights of Wundagore TP
DC SOLICITS FOR MAY '09
As promised, DC's May 2009 solicits:
Some really nice stuff tucked in here, including Absolute Death to go along with all those Absolute Sandman editions, a new DC Archives edition, and if you've ever wondered "what ever happened to" DC Deluxe Editions, then you'll have two treats awaiting for you!
The release schedule on the left sidebar has been updated with these new additions.
Hey everybody! Long time no see! I've been so backed up on work and personal life stuff I've done a bad job of catching up the main page with news and schedule updates. But fear not! I'll have the release schedule whipped back into shape and news of upcoming Masterworks and Omnibus volumes right around the corner! Until then, here's the May 2009 solicits for Marvel collected editions:
Two new Essentials volumes, World War Hulk in OHC, and a much-requested latter day Avengers tale in hardcover are among the highlights! Look for DC's solicits over the weekend!
Several Marvel books bound for China (no pun intended) have been thrown into a delay. Nothing is wrong with the books, these are all going to be coming out, just not on time. Apparently, as Marvel shifts much of their hardcover production schedule to Chinese print facilities, there are some scheduling details still being figured out. Here are the editions, their old dates and their rescheduled dates:
X-MEN: PROTEUS PREMIERE HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE HUMAN TORCH VOL. 2 HC
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: EARTH SHALL OVERCOME PREMIERE HC
THE X-MEN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC KIRBY COVER (DM ONLY)
WOLVERINE: NOT DEAD YET PREMIERE HC
SECRET WARS II OMNIBUS HC BYRNE COVER (DM ONLY)
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 5 HC
CLOAK & DAGGER: CHILD OF DARKNESS, CHILD OF LIGHT PREMIERE HC
X-MEN: INFERNO HC
The release schedule on the left sidebar has been adjusted to reflect the new release dates.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JANUARY 28
This week we'll see the first release in DC's new line of classic reprints in hardcover, the DC Comics Classic Library. Superman: Kryptonite - Nevermore HC reprints Superman #233-238 and #240-242 by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. And on the Showcase front, DC follows last week's reprint of volume 1 with Showcase Presents House of Mystery Vol. 3 TP, another installment in the popular series that collects classic DC horror from the late '60s/early '70s. This volume reprints House of Mystery #212-226.
Marvel counters with New Avengers Vol. 3 HC, an oversized edition that reprints New Avengers #21-31 and the one-shots New Avengers: The Illuminati, Civil War: The Confession and Civil War: The Initiative. Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four TP pulls together the three issue limited series by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Barry Kitson, plus a couple classic reprints featuring the Skrull Lyja in FF #300 and #357. And another Spider-Girl digest comes our way: Spider-Girl Vol. 10: Season of the Serpent Digest reprints Spider-Girl #52-59 by Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Pat Olliffe. This is my six year old niece's favorite book so she demanded that I mention it!
Finally, the big book of the week from Marvel is Golden Age Captain America Masterworks Vol. 3 HC. It reprints the last two Joe Simon/Jack Kirby Cap issues and also two never before reprinted issues. Captain America Comics #9-12 also include work by Stan Lee, Syd Shores, Mike Sekowsky and more!
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman: The Man Who Laughs TP
DC SOLICITS FOR APRIL '09
Linked below is DC solicit information for April '09:
This solicit cycle includes a new series of Absolute of Alan Moore ABC comics, the resolicited Spirit Archives Vol. 26, plus a new Golden Age Archives volume that closes out an old line! There's plenty more to look at so get crackin'!
The release schedule sidebar on the left side of this page has been udpated with all new DC information!
Linked below is Marvel solicit information for April '09:
In addition to the previously announced Masterworks, there are a nice handful of oversized hardcovers, two more MPE Classic HCs (including a personal favorite, the Marvel Presents run of Guardians of the Galaxy), and a couple Wolverine movie tie-in classic trades!
I'll post the April DC solicits tomorrow. The release schedule sidebar on the left has added all the Marvel product with their respective shipping dates.
2009 BTP MASTERWORKS: THE VARIANT PRINT RUNS
Okay folks...here's the print runs for the nine variant BTP editions due out tomorrow.
For historical purposes, let's look back to the BTP editions Cory squeaked out at the tail end of 2007/early 2008 and see what the variant print runs were for those:
* MM Vol. 22: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5): 550
Now, those are all low variant numbers, but the good news is that, as of the evening of January 20th, they're all still in stock from TOW.
So looking at the BTP editions that are coming out tomorrow? I long ago suggested that interested buyers pre-order the books. Don't know how many took me up on that advice or not. The numbers on tomorrow's crop of BTP are about half what the previous run were. Here ya go:
* MM Vol. 9: Avengers (Vol. 2): 160
(While I'm at it, I can add that the variant number on Daredevil Vol. 5 (aka Vol. 110) is 1251.)
Since the variant runs are this low, we can also presume that the regular editions, for which we don't have any numbers on the print run, are also lower than the previous round of BTPs which were issued one a month. What this all means is up for discussion. I'm glad I pre-ordered, not glad that they are all coming out on the same day, and hope that everyone who wants one can get one. I also hope there's not a scramble for these and that they remain available at retail at least as long as the last round of BTPs (from late '07/early '08) have been.
Anyways, there's your info...To discuss this, visit the Marvel Forums at THIS THREAD.
Even without the deluge of BTP Masterworks due tomorrow, this week's offerings would be a bonanza. So let's get to the highlights: DC offers up Batman: The Strange Deaths of Batman TP, a trade that reprints 160 pages worth of classic Batman: RIP tales in full color, including Detective #347, Batman #291-294, World's Finest #184 and more, with creative talent such as Gardner Fox, Curt Swan, Carmine Infantino and more! Also, DC dishes out a classic Flash trade by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar with Flash: Emergency Stop TP. It reprints Flash #130-135.
Peanuts fans will want to take note of Peanuts: Treasury of Happiness HC, a compact hardcover that reprints all eight Happiness Is... books which we all remember from our youth. (Right?!?) Also, Bob Burden has put together a limited edition hardcover (850 in the print run) titled Flaming Carrot Collected Vol. 1 Limited HC. This signed and numbered edition reprints all the early Flaming Carrot issues with a foreword by Dave Sim. And Greg Theakston's Pure Imagination studio is releasing the 160-page Steve Ditko: The Edge of Genius SC which focuses on early genre work from 1954-1955, including a "previously unknown" 30-page serial.
And now to Marvel: We've already discussed in a previous News Update the fact that nine BTP editions are coming out tomorrow. But let's not forget there's a brand new Daredevil volume out as well! It would be a shame if this awesome entry in the Masterworks canon got overlooked, as it's chock full of Gene Colan just when he's hitting his stride on the Man Without Fear. Daredevil Masterworks Vol. 5 HC reprints Daredevil #42-53 and the "Scaredevil" story from Not Brand Ecch #4. This MM treat clocks in at 272 pages.
Spider-Man: New Ways To Die MPE HC, which was one of this site's coupon discounts from site sponsor TOW, makes its way to store shelves, and it reprints Amazing Spider-Man #568-573, featuring the main story by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr, with a Venom backup tale by Mark Waid and Adi Granov. Secret Invasion: Home Invasion TP is notable in that it is the first Marvel trade, I believe, that reprints material only previously available as web-only comics. This 104-page story by Ivan Brandon and Nick Postic guest stars the Young Avengers and was a tie-in to the 2008 Skrull event.
Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne Vol. 0 TP dials the series all the way back to the early years of the penciling great's relationship with the FF. He was not the book's regular artist, let alone its writing visionary. But he did draw some pretty stories that would set the stage for his later triumphs. This 200 page trade reprints Marvel Team-Up #61-62, Marvel Two-In-One #50 and FF #215-218 ad #220-221.
Finally, what can we say about this next one? Powers: The Definitive Collection Vol. 2 HC reprints Powers #12-24 and is a 488-page, oversized tome featuring the award-winning work of Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. But more importantly than all that...it's finally out!!!
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman: The Strange Deaths of Batman TP
BTP MASTERWORKS NEWS: THEY'RE ALL SHIPPING NEXT WEEK!
If you've been waiting for the BTP (Back To Press) editions of Iron Man Vol. 1 and Avengers Vol. 2, you know by now that they're running a little late; neither of them showed up on their respective release dates over the last two weeks. Now there's more to add to the story...
As originally solicited, the eagerly awaited BTP Masterworks were to be published two per month over the next five months until complete in May. All nine editions, which have been remastered from scratch or compiled from already remastered Omnibus volumes, were printed together in China before their recent delivery to their distributor here in America. And that's where a glitch has occurred...
The short story is that all nine editions are apparently going to be coming out this Wednesday, January 21st. (Also, Daredevil Vol. 5 is slated to deliver on time as well.) Since all these books will be available at retail at the same time, it may be difficult for some to keep up with their purchases, especially if these are printed in predictably short print runs. Check in at the Marvel Forums for continued discussion about this development.
The books in question are:
Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6
As always, order links are available at the MASTERWORKS listings and also the left sidebar, where the release schedule has been adjusted for next Wednesday.
SHIPPING FROM TALES OF WONDER JANUARY 14
The Marvel Premiere Edition Classic line mines seminal Daredevil stories for the second volume in a row. This time it is Daredevil: Born Again MPE HC that sees release in this format. It reprints Frank Miller's final bow with the title where he came to fame, Daredevil #226-233. With art by David Mazzucchelli, this run is often mentioned as the best single DD storyline of all time by many fans and critics.
More classic comics from Marvel comes in the form of Hulk Visionaries: Peter David Vol. 6 TP which compiles Incredible Hulk #373-382 by PAD and artist Dale Keown (with a writing assist from Kurt Busiek). It's great to see this series continue to lumber along in fine form: 10 issues and 240 pages in this collection!
Finally, the big book of the week, and I do mean BIG BOOK, is one many folks (including myself) have been waiting for: Walking Dead Omnibus Vol. 2 HC. This Absolute-style reprint of Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead #24-48 comes in a deluxe slipcase and will sit proudly next to the impossible to find Vol. 1. (Impossible to find, that is, unless it's sitting on your shelf!)
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Alex Toth: The Edge of Genius Vol. 2 TP
GOLDEN AGE MASTERWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR JULY '09!
July seems like a good month for a Masterworks full of World War II battle action, and Marvel is pulling out all the stops with that month's Golden Age Masterworks selection,which you can find out by clicking THIS LINK! There are several preview images of interior art to take a look at, so enjoy!
MARVEL AGE MASTERWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR JULY '09!
The first Masterworks announcement for 2009 is for July's Marvel Age edition, and it's a wet one! Swim your way over to the preview page, with a sizable school of interior art samples, at THIS LINK! Last one in is a smell sea bass!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!
Boy, I've been running around crazy the last couple weeks! But now that the holidays are winding down, I can make time to update the site. First up, books shipping next week (and the list of books that shipped last week!) Plus, I'll make sure to update the release schedule on the left sidebar.
I hope everybody has a great 2009! Last year was tough for many...and it's still tough. But let's hope that 2009 is a turnaround and that our better days are ahead. At the very least, there'll be tons more comic reprints coming our way in the next twelve months...
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that begin shipping next week from Tales of Wonder, on Wednesday, January 7.
Garth Ennis' The Darkness Compendium Vol. 1 Ltd. Ed. HC is new next week from Top Cow, and according to the solicit, it reprints The Darkness #1-40 and the complete run of the Tales of the Darkness series. This limited edition HC is advertised to be printed to order, so it may sell out pretty quickly. It also features creative contributions from writer Paul Jenkins and artists Marc Silvestri, Dale Keown, Joe Bennett, and more.
DC has a couple cool collections this week. One is a followup series to the Batman Illustrated series featuring all of Neal Adams work on the character. DC Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 1 HC collects Our Army At War #182, 183 and #186, Star Spangled War Stories #134 and #144, Detective Comics #369, Teen Titans #20-22, Action Comics #425, Superman #254, Weird War Tales #12 and #13 and more! And Showcase Presents Strange Adventures Vol. 1 TP collects Strange Adventures #54-73, heading into DC's canon of outer space adventures featuring the work of Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Murphy Anderson and more!
Before we get into Marvel's classic output for the week, it's important to note Secret Invasion TP, which collects the entire 8-issue limited series by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. Here's your chance to see what all the fuss was about. Also, another modern tale, from 2006, is Agents of Atlas TPB. It collects all six issues of the Jeff Parker and Leonard Kirk limited series, and it gets my highest recommendation. It's a fun adventure story with some really dynamic art, and it focuses on Marvel's Atlas Era heroes featured in the classic What If? #9. And speaking of that issue, it's reprinted along with other vintage origin stories of Marvel Boy, Namora, Jimmy Woo (Yellow Claw), Venus and more.
On the classic trades front, Marvel has two items of interest: Daredevil by Frank Miller Vol. 3 TP reprints Daredevil #185-191 and #219, the Daredevil: Love & War graphic novel, and What If? #28; also, Infinity Crusade Vol. 2 TP comes out in quick fashion after the first, and it reprints Infinity Crusade #4-6, Warlock Chronicles #4-5 and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #20-22.
Here's the list of highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Agents of Atlas TP
Plus, items that shipped JANUARY 2:
• Aliens Omnibus Vol. 6 TP
And items that shipped DECEMBER 24:
• All-New Atom Vol. 4: Small Wonder TP
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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