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NEWS ARCHIVE FOR 2005 (January 1-December 31):
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
It's a light week for new comic collected editions, befitting the slow pace of a new year winding up (after we crawl out from the old one we're stuck under!) Still, there are a couple notable books: Dark Horse releases their ninth TPB of the 1970s Marvel era Conan stories in Chronicles of Conan Vol. 9: River Dragons & Other Stories, which reprints Conan #60-63, 65, and 69-71. The only book from the DC Universe is the Superman: Sacrifice TPB, while Marvel answers with a nice batch of books for varying tastes. Essential OHOTMU Vol. 1 leads the pack (who thought we'd ever see something like that?) but there is also Greg Pak and Greg Tocchini's Marvel 1602: The New World TPB, which is the sequel to Neil Gaiman's Marvel 1602 project of 2004. (Hardcover fans won't want to miss the final HC of 2005, Ultimate X-Men Vol. 5.)
Finally, I'd like to note an interesting looking book coming out titled Universal Monsters Cavalcade of Horror, featuring a few of my favorite artists (and possibly yours, too!) Tony Harris, Terry Austin, Art Adams and Eric Powell, among others, bring these figments of our worst fears and nightmares to life on the comics page.
Here's the solicit text: "The Mummy, Frankenstein, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon! Featuring long out-of-print artwork by the white-hot Tony Harris (Ex Machina, Starman) and artist Art Adams (Monkeyman & O'Brien), as well as a brand-new introduction and painted cover by multiple Eisner Award Winner Eric Powell (The Goon), this collection tells the original stories of the Universal Monsters—Frankenstein, the Mummy, Dracula, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Universal Studios changed horror cinema forever with its legendary run of monster movies. Since then, these timeless tales of terror and tragedy have enthralled generations of audiences and inspired countless creators of the macabre. Now, read the stories of the Universal Monsters as envisioned by some of comics’ finest talents."
I haven't read it, but I sure do love those Universal monsters, so I'm going to give this one a blind purchase!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Chronicles of Conan Vol. 9: River Dragons TPB
PURE IMAGINATION NEWS UPDATE
Pure Imagination's Major Domo, Greg Theakston has let loose on the
exciting projects he has planned for 2006! Keep in mind that Greg prepares
his reprint projects all by himself, that the release dates are tentative
and that his various projects are delayed when he takes on paid freelancer-work
restoring stuff for other companies such as this week's All-Winners
Masterwork and next month's Tales To Astonish Masterwork, so
expect 'em when they show up!
THE ALEX TOTH READER V.2 is "on press this week for release
in January". Greg plans to follow that with STEVE DITKO'S THE THING
later in January. Mr. Theakston says, "It's all of his pre-Code stories from
that title, plus a number of other choice stories, foreword by Blake Bell".
Later in the year expect a volume of Harvey Kurtzman's THE BEST OF HELP!
from issues #1-10 that will include an interview with Gloria Steinem,
Kurtzman's assistant on the title. After that Greg plans to republish THE
STEVE DITKO READERS Vol. 1 & 2 on CD-Rom, and THE COMIC STRIP KIRBY,
reprinting "over 200 pre-comics examples (everything known to exist....
at least by me!)".
In my opinion, the current All-Winners Masterwork looks awesome and I'm really
jazzed about the first Tales To Astonish Masterwork in January! Greg
always does quality work and when his projects DO come out, they're great!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder this week. Please note that due to the Christmas holiday, instead of the normal Wednesday release, books will ship on Thursday, December 28.
Marvel puts their classic comics library on display with Golden Age All-Winners Masterworks Vol. 1, reprinting the first four issues of the WWII-era anthology that features the exploits of Captain America, Sub-Mariner, Human Torch, as well as the first appearances in Masterworks of Destroyer and Whizzer stories! Fans of Captain America will also want to check out Captain America & The Falcon: Secret Empire TPB, which reprints eight straight issues of Cap/Falcon written by Steve Engleheart and drawn by Sal Buscema.
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Captain America & The Falcon: Secret Empire TPB
Spirit Archives Vol. 1 is going back to press for a second printing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I hope everybody is having a Merry Christmas, and if you're sitting by a warm
fire with a yule log burning and a mug of eggnog in your hand, so much the
better! Me? I'm in shorts and a T-shirt down in Florida. Don't be jealous, I love a
White Christmas just like the next Florida boy, but such things aren't to be
expected down here. Last night, for the entertainment of my niece and nephew, I got to hop alongside my father dressed up
as Santa and my cousin Kerri dressed up as Santa's elf, while I was The Christmas
Bear (These are the things you're expected to do when
you own a bona fide bear suit!)
The niece, who is 8, loved it. The nephew, who is 5, cried and ran away. That's
probably what we get for mixing Santa with dangerous wildlife.
So to all who have been nice, not naughty, I hope you're having your own crazy
Christmas of yuletide joy. Or a Happy Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or whatever way
you spend time at this special time of year. And while I'm at it, how about a
Happy New Year, too? 2006 is right upon us...see you there!
IMAGE SOLICITS INVINCIBLE: ULTIMATE COLLECTION VOL. 2 HC
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art & cover by RYAN OTTLEY & BILL CRABTREE
Forward by LOST co-creator DAMON LINDELOF
In the aftermath of Mark's revelation concerning his father he's forced to pick up the pieces of his life and carry on. The ULTIMATE COLLECTION, VOL. 2 collects Invincible's struggle to become his own man, to stand on his own and live his own life. This is a can't miss for any INVINCIBLE fan and a perfect addition to any bookshelf.
Collects INVINCIBLE #14-24, 0 and the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2004 story along with LOADS of extras.
Due March 1, retail $34.99.
After Hurricane Katrina hit, Tales of Wonder chief Joe Hovorka and I figured it would be a good thing to put our resources together and try to raise funds to donate for the cause of helping people who's lives were profoundly disturbed
by the storm. We realized that there was great cause for people to leave affected areas and, in many cases, travel across the country to find a new way of life- one that was either temporary or permanent!
This meant that there was help needed not just in the areas that were ravaged
by the physical effects of the storm, but also in the places that people would escape to for shelter, safety and temporary comforts. We looked in our own backyard and saw that Atlanta, GA and surrounding areas were receiving many citizens who were leaving Louisiana and Mississippi, and we saw an opportunity to target that need directly.
About two weeks ago, Joe and I visited with Kathy Swahn, Development Director of the not-for-profit North Fulton Community Charities organization in Roswell, GA. This money was raised completely from a percentage of sales generated through links from my website, straight cash donations from site users, and matching donations from both myself and Tales of Wonder. Altogether, we raised the amount of $1200 for their organization!
Presenting the check: Joe Hovorka of TOW, Kathy Swahn, and John Rhett Thomas of MarvelMasterworks.com, in the NFCC food pantry
I'd like to thank everyone who focused their buying power on this mission, and as well to the people who made straight cash donations. We raised a nice sum of money that will be used to help ease transitions for people coming to the Atlanta area, specifically in Roswell, providing them with temporary housing, medicine, medical treatment, school supplies, food and other supplies. When I called Kathy back in September to let her know we were raising funds for their organization, they were in the process of transitioning 98 families into the area. By the time Joe and I handed her that check, that number had ballooned to almost 400.
Coming through like you guys did in this cause really means a lot. In the scheme of things, $1200 is not a lot of money, but it will make a difference in a place that it is needed. Again, thank you so much for helping!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, December 21.
First off, the 40 Years of X-Men on DVD-ROM hits store shelves on Wednesday. This is a sure-fire holiday hit, as it reprints decades worth of Uncanny X-Men stories, from issue #1 up through this year's books!
Image Comics has a couple interesting selections this week, as The Spawn Collection Vol. 1 TPB is released, reprinting the first ten issues of Todd MacFarlane's early 90s series that launched Image Comics. Also, Robert Kirkman steals the Marvel Omnibus concept for his critically-acclaimed Walking Dead series. The first volume of this series reprints the first 24 issues of the series, and tips in at 560 pages!
Avengers Masterworks Vol. 5 ships on time next week bringing the first 50 issues of Earth's Mightiest Heroes into Masterworks print! This is the first Masterworks that will reprint John Buscema's art, so fans of "Big John" won't want to miss it.
Also, check out that set of Superman & Batman Bookends I've got pictured. Those are pretty stunning piece of work, I think! (I'm guessing Bizarro and Man-Bat would agree, at least with the "stunning" part!)
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• 40 Years of X-Men on DVD-ROM
Another Dark Horse Archives that selection missed its ship date a few months ago has finally been released. Nexus Archives Vol. 1, featuring the first stories of Steve Rude's magnificent entry into the comics world back in the early 80s. It reprints the three-issue Capital Comics series, and the first four issues of the First Comics series. No word yet on reproduction, but as far as content, it's a winner!
MARVEL'S MARCH SOLICITS: GA MASTERWORKS, ALIAS OMNIBUS
I've got Marvel's March solicits listed at the following link:
March will be an expensive month for hardcover collectors,
as it will see the release of Ant-Man/Giant-Man Masterworks, Alias Omnibus is finally on the books with a release date, an we'll also see the second volume of
Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 2!
Speaking of that tome, I've got a preview page set up with variant and regular edition
trade dress covers, as well as other information. You can check it out here:
GA MARVEL COMICS VOL. 2 PREVIEW
SUPERMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 7 AMONG MARCH DC SOLICITS
Some highlights from DC's March 2006 is an advance-solicit for April's Superman Archives Vol. 7, reprinting Superman #25-29! Also in the mix for March solicits is Showcase Presents Teen Titans. Check out the full list of collected editions here:
Included are all hardcovers and trades, from DC, Wildstorm and Vertigo.
It appears that there may be a printing error with the new Golden Age Hawkman Archives
Vol. 1. Many fans have reported that a couple of pages are out of order, and as of yet,
we have no reports that anyone has a copy with the pages in the correct order! For more explicit details on the malady, visit THIS THREAD at the DC Forums. Check your copy and report back to us in the thread!
The Marvel Visionaries: Roy Thomas Vol. 1 HC will be delayed a week, moving from 1/18 to 1/25.
"I SAW THE TALES TO ASTONISH PREVIEW PAGES!"
Masterworks editor Cory Sedlmeier has forwarded MarvelMasterworks.com a whole boatload
of pages from the upcoming TALES TO ASTONISH VOL. 1 Masterworks! I've got the preview page for TTA Vol. 1 all rejiggered now to include this material, highlighting the restoration of Jack Kirby, Don Heck, and Jack Davis. There's
also the first page of the text story "The Heat's On!" (What? Did you think we were
gonna give you the whole story?!?!?)
But the best part of the preview is the full five-page story by Steve Ditko titled "No Way Out" from TTA #9. (What? Did you think we were gonna cheat you out of the full story?!?!?)
For the full preview, visit the TTA VOL. 1 PREVIEW!
Folks, this particular Masterworks looks like it's gonna be a Droom-tastic, Titano-sized, Thing-From-Easter-Island, Ninth Wonder of the World kinda Masterworks! Don't spend eternity in the deep freeze or get captured by martians! You gotta reserve your copy now! You just gotta!
Once again, Marvel's Director of Sales David Gabriel held court at the Marvel Forums
for a Q+A session. He answered questions from many different board members about Marvel's collected editions and comics scene, and I've whipped 'em all together into a transcript
for your easy reading (since the threads these came from got really big and unwieldy!!!)
Here's the thread you can link to for referencing information:
DAVID GABRIEL CHAT TRANSCRIPT NOV-DEC 2005
I'd like to thank David for being so gracious with his time, as well as everybody
who stopped by to ask questions in the impromptu setting.
HALF A MILLION HITS!
Since I started recording hits on the home page back in 2001, this website has really
taken off. Half-a-million hits is a lot of hits, especially since we got 100,000 of them
in the last four months! Thanks to everybody who comes to my website for information
about Masterworks, Essentials, Archives, and other collected editions news. I know
it says "Marvel Masterworks" in the URL, but just like your interests, mine
go beyond the Masterworks and into all other kinds of comics materials. Thanks for joining along with me on the ride. I promise to continue delivering news content and feature
content directly related to Marvel, DC and other top publishing companies and the books
they release. In fact, look for the website to go through a little bit of an innovative
period shortly, as we expand our capabilities and the types of content we can offer you.
Hmmmm....did I say "a little bit" in that last sentence? :)
Stick around, folks...if you've liked the site up until now, you're gonna love it more
later! In fact, check in a little later today, as I'll be posting an inside look
at Tales to Astonish Masterworks Vol. 1 that'll make your eyes bug out as if you're in
front of some giant, shambling Jack Kirby monstrosity!!!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, December 14.
From Marvel comes one of my most eagerly awaited books ever! Next Wednesday will see
publication of Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne Vol. 5. Why is that
such a big deal around the offices of MarvelMasterworks.com? Why, it reprints the
first appearance of Gormuu! FF #271 features a tale that flashes back to Reed Richards' epic battle with perhaps the most fierce giant monster of all time...the green, scaly one! FF Visionaries finally catches up to one of my favorite comics of all time. You can bet
I'll be in line for this one!
And oddities of oddities, Marvel is publishing the complete late-70s Steve Gerber
classic (can I say 'classic?') Omega the Unknown. What an interesting addition
this one will be to the bookshelf! Fans of 70s Marvel comics better not pass it up.
The most notable release from DC this week is likely the Villains United TPB, as it is the most important of the four Infinite Crisis tie-in books that DC is publishing. DC also mines some of their very recent comics for TPB releases dedicated to recent run of Wonder Woman and Superman.
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon Vol. 4 HC
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Just one update this time. It's one we've seen before, but for now, this is the latest we've heard:
• Powers Vol. 1 HC is now scheduled for early next year, 1/18.
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, December 7.
Dueling black-and-white phone book reprints will entertain and excite the masses as Essential Spider-Woman Vol. 1 and Showcase Presents Justice League Vol. 1 vie for victory at high noon. Hey, let's call it a draw- take 'em both home! But don't forget the What If? Classic Vol. 2 TPB as Marvel's generous output of classic trades continues!
Perhaps the biggest release on the collected editions schedule this week is Golden Age Hawkman Archives Vol. 1, featuring the very first stories of Hawkman by Sheldon Moldoff. OK, so Image Comics fans have been waiting a few years for their anniversary HC? This little birdie has been in its nest for over 60 years, and its finally taking flight!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Adventures of Red Sonja Vol. 1 TPB
ABSOLUTE CRISIS AVERTED?
Tales of Wonder now has ABSOLUTE CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS available for order and delivery. It seems that whatever "crisis" concerning the availability of these books that DC had warned about has not materialized, and you can now purchase these books at will. It appears that there is enough stock to fill all orders, and purchasers of this book need not wait for a staggered shipment in late January to get it!
LATE BOOKS: PUBLIC MENACE?
I'd like to give the floor over for a moment to longtime message board member Darth Genius, who has composed a guest editorial on the issues of chronic lateness from two particular publishers: Dynamic Forces/Dynamite Publishing and Dark Horse. Here's the first part
of his editorial:
"Late books. Every publisher has had to contend with this issue to some degree.
It's inevitable in an industry dependent on the need to send production out of the country (overseas in some cases) in order to keep costs within acceptable levels. Ship dates can be missed for a variety of reasons that are completely outside the publisher's control. For instance, the printer could bump the run for a more lucrative project, delays due to weather conditions in transit, production errors that must be corrected, delays in customs...the list goes on.
Some folks are dismissive of critics of chronic lateness as making the proverbial mountain out of a molehill. I won't go into all the reasons why they are wrong here. There's no need. Brian Hibbs has already done a fantastic job ELSEWHERE, and any attempt by me to paraphrase or extend his argument would pale by comparison to the real thing. But I will say that anyone who thinks late books don't hurt the industry in general, and the retailer and publisher in particular are (at least in the long run) flat-out wrong....."
To read the rest of the editorial, please click this link:
Now that you've read the rest of the editorial (you have, haven't you?!?!), I'd like to say as the owner of this website, I have to give the disclaimer that "all the opinions expressed by Darth Genius are his and may not reflect..." yadda, yadda, yadda...
However, I will say that as a comics fan, I am eager to relive some of my favorite comics like Dreadstar, Six From Sirius and Red Sonja in the deluxe reprint packages promised by these publishers. Further, I'd like to say that as a consumer who puts cash down on the barrelhead like most everyone else for their books, I don't enjoy feeling like a donkey chasing a carrot at the end of a stick!
For more discussion on this matter, please visit THIS THREAD at the Message Board Forums to give your thoughts on the subject. It would also be wonderful if representatives from Dark Horse or Dynamic Forces could step up to the plate and address concerns of the fans who want to give them their money.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS...TEEN TITANS!
Another day, another Showcase Presents announcement. Thanks to jhalbright who TIPPED US OFF to a little blurb he read about in CSN this week about an upcoming Showcase Presents volume dedicated to Teen Titans, those crazy kids from the Go-Go Checks DC era!
This is now confirmed with DC brass, and it will reprint the Showcase and Brave & the Bold tryout issues plus the first 18 issues of Teen Titans! Look for it in the next couple month's solicits, probably to ship in March or April. More news as it comes!
Here's a couple notes to pass along to you concerning upcoming Brian Michael Bendis books being published by Marvel. First is word of an updated release date for the first oversized hardcover volume of POWERS. This book has been delayed on a couple different occasions, but Bendis' team of designers has set a new target release date of 1/18 next year. That's a little more than a month and a half from today.
Also, Marvel's Director of Sales confirmed in this thread at the MARVEL FORUM that an ALIAS OMNIBUS, comprising all 28 issues of Bendis' groundbreaking MAX title starring Jessica Jones, is a go. Book it, friends, for March release!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS...SUPERMAN FAMILY!
Ace collected editions snooper Teisto posted at the DC FORUMS about the existence of a new Showcase Presents dedicated to Superman Family! Cub reporter Osgood Peabody took the ball and ran with it, getting confirmation from DC about contents. Says Osgood, the first volume will include "Jimmy Olsen #1-22, and Showcase #9 (the first Lois Lane solo). Future volumes will indeed collect all Jimmy, Lois, and Supergirl stories in chronological order."
Showcase Presents is rolling along nicely, with equal measures of super-popular runs of comics (Superman, Green Lantern) with the kinds of titles not likely to receive Archive treatment any time soon (Jonah Hex, House of Mystery.) Finally, we'll be able to read the stories from Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane that we've not had easy access. Though I still hope that one day, we'll see them in Archives as well!
TALKIN' TURKEY WITH DAVID GABRIEL
Marvel's Director of Sales and all-around nice guy David Gabriel took some time out
of his Thanksgiving holiday weekend to field questions from fans at the MARVEL FORUM. Here's a few nuggets culled from the chat:
• When asked about the future of the Atlas Era Masterworks, David said "As long as the sales are there, and we have the resources to do them, we plan to continue...we have lots to cover. It won't come all at once, but little by little."
• No current plans for working out the Master of Kung-Fu licenses.
• Marvel has plans to finish out Byrne's run on Fantastic Four in Visionaries volumes, but there are "no plans that I know of for the last Galactus story to appear in any collection", says David.
• Future printings of JLA/Avengers are under DC Comics' purview.
• "Ultimate X-Men 1/2 will be in the Vol. 6 HC," says David. "I think (the) page count got too high on volume 5...and look for a special book in March that will put the 1/2 issue into correct continuity."
That's just a hint of the wide range of questions he fielded during his gracious chats. You can check them out by following the link above. Thanks, David!
SCHEDULE CHANGES
More shipping changes for select collected editions to alert you to. One can't help but wonder if these things are more common as we get to the holiday time of year?
• Superman: In the Name of Gog is delayed a week to 12/7.
Keep in mind that the Powers HC production is under the supervision of Bendis, even though Marvel is publishing the book. Also, fans of Infinite Crisis will want to know that issues #3 and 4 are both going to be delayed two weeks from their initial ship time.
2005 MASTERWORKS SURVEY IS LIVE!!!
The 2005 Masterworks Survey is now live, and you can access it by clicking through THIS LINK. It's been a lot of hard work from the survey crew putting it together, so I hope you enjoy it!
There are tons of surprises to be found about Masterworks and other collected editions. Take your time and read through it. Discussion about the survey can be found at the Marvel Forums. There's a link directly from the survey, so we'll see you there!
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, November 30.
On the Marvel side, fans will want to make sure to check out Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 9, as it will be the first volume to go to press with the new paper stock. Gone is the super-glossy sheen of the Masterworks books of old. Here today is a white stock that is nearly gloss free. It is slightly whiter in tone than DC Archives, and less porous. To my eyes, it looks great, so be sure to take note of it when you are able to peruse a copy for yourself. Also shipping are two new printings of Essential X-Men Vol. 2 and Essential Silver Surfer Vol. 1, and the Punisher: River of Blood TPB, a classic trade with rare art in a Marvel Comic by none other than Joe Kubert! (More on that in tomorrow's update.)
And don't forget Giant-Size Invaders #2! For news on that, scroll down to the 11/9 News Update!!!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths HC
THANKSGIVING CONTESTS!
There are currently three contests going on at the Message Boards! Try your luck
at any of them and you might win free books! Here's the rundown:
• The prize for this THANKSGIVING CONTEST is two brand new Marvel TPBs or Digests. All you have to do to win is tell us what you're thankful for! That shouldn't be too hard, unless you're a sourpuss like Ebenezer Scrooge (or Scrooge McDuck) !
• Also at the Marvel Forums is a contest where you can win a free copy of JACK KIRBY VISIONARIES VOL. 2 HC, courtesy of MarvelMasterworks.com!
• Enter the contest at the DC Forums to win a FREE MASTERWORKS OR ARCHIVES from site sponsor Tales of Wonder. All you have to do is "Guess the Back Four" of Golden Age Hawkman Vol. 1 Archives!
Contest rules and deadlines are posted in each thread. Have fun, and enjoy that which you have to be thankful for! Good luck with the contests!
LIBRARY PAGES UPDATED
All the Marvel Library pages have been updated to reflect February solicits and information gleaned since the last revisions. If you aren't familiar with these parts of the site,
take a look through and check them out. You might find something you like:
ESSENTIALS
SCHEDULE DELAYS
Here's a rundown on shipping changes for select collected editions:
• Spirit Archives Vol. 17 is delayed a week to 11/30.
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, November 23.
Comic strip fans will have three books this week to enjoy. A new printing of the classic Adventurous Decade: Comic Strips in the Thirties trade is now out, and two hardcover volumes continuing the series of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon hardcovers.
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Adventurous Decade: Comics Strips in the Thirties TPB
FEBRUARY SOLICITS
I've been out of town for a week, so thank you for your patience! I'll be catching up on
website stuff over the next few days, so be sure to check back soon. Here's an update on February
solicits for both Marvel and DC collected editions and other notable reprint projects:
BRAND NEW JOE KUBERT GRAPHIC NOVEL
It seems Joe Kubert has a brand new original hardcover graphic novel, and most of us had no idea it was happening! Shame on us for being behind the times on this one, but it's never too late to catch up! The thread
has a link to a number of preview pages, and this book is already available at Tales Of Wonder.
• Jew Gangster A Fathers Admonition HC
From the solicitation text:
By Joe Kubert.
ALL-STAR ARCHIVES....VOL. ZERO !!!!
Thanks to jedifish for digging this up and posting it at the DC FORUMS. SilverBullet Comics has posted February solicits for DC, and look what's scheduled:
ALL STAR ARCHIVES VOL. 0 HC
Written by Gardner Fox, Jerry Siegel, Bill Finger,
Jon L. Blummer, Ken Fitch, John B. Wentworth, and various
Art by Sheldon Moldoff, Martin Nodell, Bernard Bailey, Creig Flessel, Chad Grothkopf, Jon L. Blummer,
Everett Hibbard, William Smith and Stan Aschmeier From the Golden Age of comics — a special volume collecting the early individual adventures of the members of the Justice Society of America from ALL STAR COMICS #1 and #2 at a special price!
While ALL STAR COMICS #3 was unquestionably one of comics’ greatest milestones, issues #1 and #2 were also impressive in their own right. Virtually every founding member of the (yet-to-debut) original JSA lineup — minus Superman and Batman — was represented in these individual adventures, and most of the stories are written and drawn by their original creators. ALL STAR ARCHIVES Vol. 0 is the perfect preface to the 11-volume complete reprinting of every JSA adventure from the Golden Age.
Now the entire body of these “All Star” exploits is in print and available to all those who were there when they were published the first time around — or wish they had been!
Please note that this is an advance solicit for March 15, and it will clock in at 144 pages and be priced at $39.99.
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, November 16.
DC
Comics also releases the first six issues of Mark Waid and Barry Kitson's stellar Legion run with Vol. 1: Teenage Revolution. And for fans of classic Marvel comics, check out the Spider-Man vs. Black Cat trade, featuring
the first meetings between the slinky villainess and our Friendly Neighborhood Spidey!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous TPB
At this INTERVIEW WITH
PAUL LEVITZ at Newsarama, the head honcho of DC Comics drops the news that 2006
will see publication of a trade collecting the first batch of 70s JSA Comics. Here's
the important graf from the interview:
"And of course, there’s one other benefit that the Paul Levitz of 25 years ago never envisioned: the readily available trade paperback collection of the completed story arc. 'Knowing that this will come out in trade is a hoot—I’ve only had one trade paperback done of my writing from the old days, in fact. We’re scheduled to do a second, Justice Society book next year, thanks to all of the recent interest in Power Girl. But seeing this in trade paperback is something I’m looking forward to.' "
Hat tip to Bill Nolan for the link! MARVEL/DC HC SALE AT TOW
Site sponsor Tales of Wonder are running a nice little sale on Marvel and DC hardcovers,
as well as some statues and busts. Some of these collections have been on sale before,
while others are brand new. For complete lists of what's on sale, click these links:
• MARVEL HCs
And here are a few books that are worth noting:
$44.99: Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1-3 HC COMBO
This deluxe coffee-table book by Walter Mosley is out now, and it's getting some...interesting reviews! Hide the kids and get up to speed on this book, with some pictures from
BonanzaGuy and some four-color commentary from the MARVEL FORUM. At this point,
the many grievances and few lonely voices of defense towards this book have given way to one of the defining questions that has faced man since the first monster comics were drawn on cave walls: "What Is Art?"
Can we at least agree that any book that can generate such thoughtful discussion was
worth being printed in the first place? No? You sure? LOL! GIANT-SIZE INVADERS #2 PREVIEW
THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER FOR GIANT-SIZE INVADERS #2
The team that turned the tide back in World War II are back again in an all-new 16 page tale by legendary writer Roy Thomas in Giant-Size Invaders #2. In an untold tale set during the forties Captain America, the Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch are the Invaders once again in this special tale. This Giant-Sized issue not only features a new story by the Thomas, but a slew of classic Invader stories. Giant-Size Invaders #2 collects Invaders #1-2 from 1975 where the greatest heroes in the world, the Invaders, came together to battle the Axis powers with the fate of the entire world on the line. For completists, these two issues were originally meant to share the pages of Giant Size Invaders #2 back in 1975, but a last minute Marvel change, turned them into the single sized issues. And there is still more in this jam-packed issue as the three staples of the Invaders get their own stand-alone stories herein. Witness the Sub-Mariner tussle with the Torpedo Boat Terror from All-Winners Comics #1. Catch the Human Torch as he gets caught in the Carnival of Death from All-Winners Comics #2 and see Captain America crack the case of the Malay Idol from that same issue.
Y'see that? 16-pages of new Invaders story, reprints of the first two issues of the
classic 70s series, and backup strips culled from All-Winners Masterworks Vol. 1, so you
can preview before you buy if you are on the fence! This book is scheduled to ship on NOVEMBER 30, clocks in at
96 pages, and is priced at $4.99.
Visit this thread at the MARVEL FORUM for more preview images than the two highlighted
here at the Current News page. There's some gorgeous full page art from artist Jay Anacleto to gander at...see you there!
MASTERWORKS CORNERSHOP
I've updated the page dedicated to providing direct links to Masterworks from site sponsors Tales of Wonder and Amazon. A few more limited editions have sold out from TOW, and
there are a few more books to add to the "danger zone." These are books that are
either sold out or close to selling out at Diamond. I have formally addressed this
"danger zone" status by shading the appropriate volume number in gray. If you are shopping the Masterworks Cornershop and see a volume shaded in gray, and it's one you want, you
might consider moving it ahead of other books you might want.
Tales of Wonder stocks Masterworks in deep quantities, more than any other retailer out there...but even they eventually sell out. I hope you find this information of use, and
you can access it directly at the MASTERWORKS CORNERSHOP listings. Feel free to bookmark it as a status
report on which volumes are sold out, and which are getting close!
ABSOLUTE SANDMAN
The buzz is mounting ever since Neil Gaiman openly mused on the internet a few weeks ago about the possibility of a series of Absolute Sandman. And if you visit this thread at the DC FORUMS, you'll find that Wizard World Texas has helped move the story along even further, with DC editors dropping strong hints about just such a book.
Still no official announcement from DC about contents, scheduling and how far-reaching
an Absolute Sandman series will be, but a little bird tells me that we'll get something
in that vein soon. (Hat tip to dtaylor for the link!) Oh...and I'm ALL over this!!! Sandman is the only comics series I
ever loaned out to my sister. Yes, she loved it; it's weird seeing your sister get into
comics you're collecting. But she also lost the first eight issues! Let's see me loan out my Absolute volume to her...yeah, like that'll happen!
According to Silver Bullet Comics, this Pop Art Production will "focus on Marvel characters that were introduced in the 60s, with character bios written in the classic over-the-top style of the era." Check out this thread at the MARVEL FORUM for more details!
I will have more news on this closer to official solicit date; I'll also try and
get some preview pages so you can check it out first hand!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, November 9.
And we finally see the frustratingly tardy Golden Age Human Torch Masterworks Vol. 1, which will represent the
fourth Golden Age Masterworks volume to see print. I've be eagerly awaiting this one for awhile, as much as I've enjoyed
the stories of Jim Hammond from the first Golden Age Marvel Masterworks volume. I'll likely be getting this one
on Wednesday, so I hope to put up an immediate report on the book and its quality. Also coming out is the hardcover
dedicated to breaking down the first issue of Fantastic Four into itty bitty pieces of poetic explication by noted
novelist Walter Mosley, Maximum Fantastic Four!
On the DC front, it's a light week, with DC's Manhunter title finally getting to stores in collected edition in the Manhunter Vol. 1: Street Justice TPB. And finally...check out that Spider-Woman Bust!!!! Made ya look! (We like Jessica
Drew around here, y'know!)
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Complete Jon Sable Freelance Vol. 3 TPB
When Marvel's Director of Sales shows his friendly face around the Marvel Message Boards, people come out of the
woodwork to pepper him with questions. And sometimes, doggone it, he'll answer them! Here's a few nuggets of knowledge he
laid out for you Marvel Maniacs:
• Look for an oversize HC reprinting October's Marvel Monsters Group one-shots!
• Expect to see the following HCs: Punisher MAX Vol. 2, Avengers Assemble Vol. 3, Best of Spider-Man Vol. 5, and
possibly Daredevil Vol. 5 and Alias Omnibus (the latter two being pretty safe bets, looks like- it's only a matter
of when.)
• Don't expect to see a Punisher Vol. 4 HC reprinting the last Marvel Knights material
• A future Marvel Milestones issue will feature a Steve Ditko theme, with the Godzilla-prototype story from
Marvel Spotlight #5, "Dragon Lord", being featured!
• He also clarified Marvel's Marvel Premiere Edition/Oversize HC policy in THIS THREAD. As it stands now, the possibility of certain MPE titles
reaching oversize HC is still in flux.
Thanks, David, for coming to the boards and sharing your information directly with the fans of this website!
MASTERWORKS SURVEY IS CLOSED
Once again, great thanks go out to everyone who took the time to take the survey! RELEASE SCHEDULE UPDATED
Check the sidebar on the left side of this page and you'll see January's HC/TPB release schedule
is all plotted out with links to both Marvel and DC product on sale at TOW. I'll be adding Dark Horse and other
publisher's books (focusing mainly on the classic trades and hardcovers they produce) as time allows.
This summer, Marvel and Graphic Imaging Technology released the first in what is now becoming a series of
comprehensive DVD-ROM collections of long comic book runs. That project centered around the first 500+ issues
of Fantastic Four, timed to coincide with the feature film release.
Next on tap is a collection of Amazing Spider-Man comics. It is to be released on 11/2 and is an upgrade
on last year's CD-ROM collection. It now includes all the Annuals that were missed the first time around, and it will
be on a single DVD-ROM disc.
Quickly following is a DVD-ROM gathering all issues of Uncanny X-Men, from #1 through #66, and then continuing with
Giant-Size X-Men #1, Uncanny X-Men #94 all the way up through #461, including all Annuals and Special Edition books.
And then, in January, Avengers will be released! (No exact details on content yet...). All the DVD-ROMs are available for 20% off at Tales of Wonder. Check them out at the links provided below, or scan the release schedule
on the left side of this page.
Here is the rundown on what's available- or soon will be- on DVD-ROM:
FANTASTIC FOUR: FF #1-519, all Annuals (1961-2004)
Also coming from Graphic Imaging Technologies in March 2006 is a non-Marvel Comics DVD-ROM project: FIFTY YEARS OF MAD MAGAZINE ON DVD-ROM
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, November 2.
Folks, we're starting to see a bunch of great books come out at a rapid rate...such is life for a collected editions fan when Christmas comes a 'calling. The last couple weeks
have been a small taste, and this week, we're really getting revved up. Marvel issues a couple trades of classic comics, including the crazy/kooky choice of Captain Universe: Power Unimaginable, which reprints all the past solo adventures of The Hero Who Could Be You!, and Excalibur Classic Vol. 1, which reprints the first batch of issues from
Chris Claremont and Alan Davis' team of England-based X-Men!
Throw in an oversize HC of Mark Millar and Terry Dodson's Marvel Knights Spider-Man Vol. 1, the first volume of Essential Marvel Two-In-One, and the Marvel Premiere Edition of Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung's Young Avengers Vol. 1: Sidekicks, and it's a busy week from Marvel. Also worth noting is the DK Publishing Avengers: Ultimate Guide hardcover, which promises to be
an A-to-Z guide for Avengers obsessives.
DC doesn't want to be outdone, however, and we see that they're publishing the last two of four Crisis-related trades: Villains United and The OMAC Project. Also slinking its femme-fatale way into comic shops is Catwoman: When In Rome, by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale- in hardcover!
Oh, and don't let me forget to mention that you itinerant cowpokes might want to stick
your head in a comic shop and check out Showcase Presents Jonah Hex Vol. 1, the
newest offering in DC's line of B+W phonebook reprints!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Alchemy of Mirrormask HC NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, October 26.
A couple of books that were delayed briefly from Marvel: Thor Masterworks Vol. 4, which represents the first new Kirby Thor stories to reach Masterworks in over four years, and Marvel Visionaries: John Romita, Jr., a nice companion volume to dad's Visionaries book!
Speaking of delayed books, it seems as if the long-delayed Freebooters HC by
Barry Windsor-Smith has finally made it to a shipping container and it should be on
its way to comics shops around the world as we speak. Here's hoping!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books:
• Batman: Under the Hood TPB
ARE YOU READY FOR THE MASTERWORKS SURVEY?
It will be up later this afternoon or early this evening. It will go for approximately ten days. That gives us two full weekends and all next week! Check out THIS THREAD at the Marvel Forums to get a few hint at what you might be able to do to help yourself before you take the survey.
Be thinking now about what kind of Masterworks you'd like to see in the future!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SGT. FURY VOL. 1
WHA-HOOO! It’s time for Marvel’s first-ever war Masterworks with tales of Sgt. Nick Fury and his Howlin’ Commandos in thick of ol’ WWII! And for the icing on the cake, it’s a titanic team-up of the mighty talents of Sgt. Stan Lee and Infantryman Jack Kirby! That’s a pair storytellers so explosive you better make sure you keep your lid on when you read this one, soldier!
Prepare yourself for drama, intrigue, humor and action galore as Fury, Dum Dum Dugan and the rest of the Howlers battle more Nazis than you can shake a bayonet at, team-up with Captain America and Bucky, battle the nefarious Baron Strucker and Zemo, and set out to capture Adolf Hitler himself!
With a pedigree like that, get off your duff and reserve your copy today, goldbrick! That’s an order!
Collecting SGT. FURY #1-13
MARVEL/DC SOLICITS FOR JANUARY
I've consolidated all collected editions and reprint solicits on their own page, and
you can access them here:
I've also got a "sneak peek" page that has solicits for upcoming Marvel books
that have yet to be officially solicited. These are confirmed books that can move beyond
rumor and conjecture and can be expected to see publication sometime in the outlying
future. The list includes tentative release dates, but those will likely change as scheduling the official solicits comes nearer in time: NEW SHIP DATES FOR MASTERWORKS
New target dates for Masterworks:
GA Human Torch Vol. 1- 10/26
I'll update Marvel and DC solicit information tomorrow. I'll also have a nice preview
of Marvel trades of classic material coming your way in early 2006, including a few more
Essentials!
Over at the Bendis message boards, Warren Ellis piped in to state the following about
Absolute Planetary Vol. 2:
"It'll just be a huge bugger containing (issues) 13-27 approx."
Sound solid enough for you? More info on this as it becomes officially confirmed.
Thanks to Justin Fairfax for posting this on the boards!
From a DC Comics Press Release:
"In the October 24 issue of TIME, book critics Lev Grossman and Richard Lacayo named WATCHMEN as one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present. The critically acclaimed WATCHMEN graphic novel, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, is the only graphic novel selected, and stands alongside literary classics including J.D. Salinger's Catcher in The Rye, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.
In the magazine, Lev Grossman writes that, "The story of a ragbag of bizarre, damaged, retired super-heroes reunited by the murder of a former teammate, WATCHMEN is told in fugal, overlapping plotlines and gorgeous panels rich with cinematic leitmotifs. A work of ruthless psychological realism, it's a landmark on the graphic novel medium. It would be a masterpiece in any time."
What do you think? Does The Watchmen deserve a place on such a high-falutin' list of
literature? You can discuss this with your fellow comics fans over at THIS THREAD at the DC Forum. And if you haven't nailed down your purchase of ABSOLUTE WATCHMEN, you need to! (Come on, it's one of the 100 greatest English-language novels since 1923!)
On deck this time around is a new six-issue mini-series devoted to Sgt. Rock and
Easy Company, pencilled by none other than comic art legend Joe Kubert! Here's the solicit copy for issue one:
SGT. ROCK: THE PROPHECY #1
Comics legend Joe Kubert returns to DC’s legendary unit in the all-new 6-issue miniseries SGT. ROCK: THE PROPHECY, based on a true story!
From North Africa to the Rhine, Sgt. Rock and the combat-happy Joes of Easy Company have faced insurmountable odds thrown at them by the Axis powers and lived to tell the tale. But when they find themselves caught in the No Man’s Land of the Balkans searching for a religious prize that could ultimately decide the outcome of WWII, have our heroes finally been given a mission that will stop them in their tracks?
It’s 1943, and World War II has reached fever pitch. Somewhere deep within a smoldering, war-torn village in Nazi-occupied Lithuania hides a secret treasure that must be found and returned to the U.S. — unharmed — by any means necessary.
It’s up to the trusted G.I.s of Easy to save the day. But once they discover what the “prize” really is, will they be able to follow through with the mission? More important, will they
want to?
Join Rock, Ice Cream Soldier, Bulldozer, Little Sure Shot and the rest of Easy this month for this hard-hitting and provocative tale told as only Joe Kubert could deliver it! (32 pages, $2.99.)
If you liked Kubert's original Sgt. Rock graphic novel from 2004 titled BETWEEN HELL AND A HARD PLACE as much as I did, you won't want to wait for this series to reach
trade! You'll do just what I'm gonna do: call up your comics shop and say "Reserve My Copy!" TWO MORE MASTERWORKS ANNOUNCEMENTS!
I gave a sneak preview on the message boards last night, but in case you haven't
come across that information, this website has the honor of announcing February and March's Masterworks offerings from Marvel:
As quick as you can say BLAMMO!, it's quite obvious that Marvel is taking no prisoners
with their Masterworks, as these two books will help prove (if you didn't already know
it by now!)
The fundraising time frame is now over, and my website and Tales of Wonder would like
to thank everyone who made it their intent to help put some charitable muscle behind your
comics purchases. I'd also like to thank Joe Pacheco for donating $50 through the paypal
link, and I'm going to match his donation above and beyond the proceeds generated
through the percentage of sales. Thanks, Joe!
Once TOW and I sort through everything, we'll formally offer a check to the North Fulton
Community Charities for their efforts in helping relocate Katrina evacuees who now
find themselves in the North Atlanta metro area...many who came with nothing but the clothes on
their backs. However small a difference we can make in their lives, it will be worth it.
Thank you for making that happen!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, October 19.
It's a relatively light week, especially from Marvel, as there are just a smattering
of trades. Classic comics fans will want to note the inclusion of Avengers #57 reprint
along with Geoff John's 4-issue Vision mini-series in Vision: Yesterday and Tomorrow TPB.
And don't forget to take a look at the third "Marvel Monsters Group" publication of Fin Fang Four,
the newest "supergroup" to hit the Marvel Universe! There's also a classic backup that reprints
Fin Fang Foom's origin from Strange Tales #89 included.
DC has a couple considerable entries to sell to you: Plastic Man Archives Vol. 7 continues the
long-running series of Jack Cole reprints. I know many complain that this series is getting
long in the tooth, but it is nice to see at least one series on a fast-track to completion! Also,
there's the Superman in the Forties TPB, which collects fifteen
Superman stories from the decade that defined him!
Here's a look at the rest of the highlights from TOW's list of books due to ship this coming Wednesday, the 19th of October.
• Cable/Deadpool Vol. 3: The Human Race TPB
Unfortunately, there will be further delays on shipping for Golden Age Human Torch Vol. 1 and Thor Vol. 4
Masterworks. Right now, they've been pushed back another week. More on this as information comes....
MORE ON MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR
From Marvel's press release:
WALTER MOSLEY & MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR!
In 1961, Marvel Comics released the very first issue of FANTASTIC FOUR in a quiet storm of inspiration and creativity. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby took the comic book conventions and clichés of the time and turned them on their ear, lighting a fire under comics fans and co-creating a shared universe of characters and situations that continue to inspire creators to this day.
Numerous comic artists and writers unabashedly cite FANTASTIC FOUR as the genesis of a movement that literally formed the modern industry and in many cases their own careers. Literary writers from Jonathan Lethem to Michael Chabon have paid their tribute to the form. Now, there is Walter Mosley and MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR, a new addition to the comic book format: comic book as art book.
The first coffee table art book that Marvel has produced on its own, MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR presents the inaugural issue of comics’ most famous family in a super-size, digitally re-mastered, panel-by panel format. Mosley’s introduction and afterward to the large volume will be complimented with an essay by widely-recognized Kirby-expert Mark Evanier.
“Readers will witness a journey through a comic that, though reprinted many times before, has literally never been seen like this before," says Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley. “I fully realize that comic fans have heard statements like that many times in the past but I say it with the most sincerity I can muster: this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every single Kirby enthusiast, Fantastic Four follower, and comic book aficionado."
"I wanted to capture the feeling I had as a child when I would bear down and examine each panel with the kind of scrutiny that opens up worlds. I found that when I blew up the image--each panel comprising its own page--I was able to recreate that same experience. As an adult I can also see the parallels between some of the greatest painters and Kirby's compositions--from Goya to the grotesques DaVinci drew, on to some of the most dynamic painters of our last century. Jack Kirby's unique sense of composition and narrative put him in a league along with these masters."
Mosley is the award-winning author of such books as LITTLE SCARLET, THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT, FEARLESS JONES, and the continuing adventures of his well-loved character Easy Rawlins. The entire world of Mosley’s unique writings can be found at his website, www.WalterMosely.com.
MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR is scheduled for release on November 2nd in comic shops and fine bookstores everywhere. It will feature a four-color dust jacket that unfolds into a giant full-color double-sided poster (25” X 36”); a matte laminated case with spot UV; and 224 interior pages composed mostly of high-resolution art.
There are lots of new books to let you in on that are scheduled for the early part
of 2006. I usually don't pass these on, but in these cases, I can report that they
are solid- they're not rumors or Amazon phantoms. Ship months for the books may be different come solicit time for a few of them, but you can
expect the schedule to closely resemble this list:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JULY
Of special note is the second Omnibus volume, this one for Uncanny X-Men, due in
time for the X-Men 3 film. It will reprint Uncanny X-Men #94-131, Annual #3 and Giant-Size X-Men #1. Marvel's David Gabriel also passes on to folks on the Marvel Forum that
it will reprint all the letter pages, and "all new recoloring of some issues." That's
big news! Some of those issues need recoloring, let me tell you!
Also, a bunch of Essentials including two different Handbook Essentials, and Moon Knight, which has been confirmed to this site by David Gabriel as scheduled for February.
And last but not least: two new Visionaries books, including the second Jack Kirby volume! And look at this lineup from the advance solicit:
Captain America #1, Marvel Mystery Comics #23, Yellow Claw #4, Strange Tales #89, Two-Gun Kid #60, Love Romances #103, X-Men #9, Strange Tales #114, Tales Of Suspense #59, Sgt Fury #13, Fantastic Four #57-60, Not Brand Ecch #1, Thor #154-157 and Devil Dinosaur #1.
That's almost as good- if not better- than Vol. 1! X-Men #9, a Two-Gun Kid issue, a nice smattering of Golden Age and "Atlas Era" books, and two epics from FF and Thor. Top it off with Devil Dinosaur #1 and you have a classic combo of Kirby classics! (Yeah, I said 'classic' twice! Sue me!)
I'll have a list of 2006 trades shortly. And I'll also be announcing a couple more Masterworks in the next few days! Like the sound of that?
ABSOLUTE WATCHMEN MANUFACTURING ERROR
Diamond has stopped all further distribution of Absolute Watchmen until a manufacturing
error can be addressed. According to DC, sporadic complaints have
surfaced over defects that have spoiled the aesthetics of the book slipcase.
"Apparently the manufacturer rushed the shrink-wrapping and assembly so the sales sheets were still warm and some of the ink transferred to some of the slipcases. In other cases, excessive glue dripped from the book to the slipcase and other silliness," they said. So far, none of the testimonial posts from Absolute Watchmen owners at THIS THREAD at the DC Forums indicate they suffer from this issue. You might want to check your
book to see if it is damaged, and stand by for further word about what you can do.
Again, reports have only been sporadic, but DC has moved to inspect the problem before
any more books are distributed that might have to be returned.
What's the big deal about Captain Universe? If you don't know me by now, I first got
into comics in the early 80s as a youngster of eleven years old. Though I was an avid
collector of Claremont/Byrne X-Men, Byrne's Alpha Flight, and Miller's Daredevil, the
comics that really had me in their grip were the latter day efforts by the masters: Kirby
and Ditko. Machine Man was my #1 favorite, because both men had a hand in crafting X-51's
earliest stories. But another favorite was Captain Universe, which ran as a serial feature in the short-lived Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 series.
Unbelievably, this odd little series is being reprinted by Marvel Comics in a trade due
on 11/2 called CAPTAIN UNIVERSE: POWER UNIMAGINABLE. I'd love to see this collection be a success, so Marvel is emboldened to try similar projects.
Yesterday, I posted erroneous information that the long-delayed Six From Sirius HC from Dynamic Forces met its revised shipping date of 10/12. I was wrong- neither the TPB, the HC, or the signed HC (no, not one of them) met the new ship date. When will the book
actually meet its ship date? Nobody knows right now. All we have is the solicit and our
pre-orders...but no book.
I'll have more on this sometime in the next week.
Another book that missed its ship date is worth mentioning, and it's called
Swampmen: Muck Monsters of the Comics. It's a historical account of comics' swamp
creatures, like Marvel's Man-Thing and DC's Swamp Thing. It's a 200 page softcover
that TOW is selling for $19.99, but it is shipping late, so
keep that in mind.
George Khoury, who is active on the message boards, helped put this book together, so
I'll start a thread at the CRISIS ON INFINITE COMICS message board and get his thoughts
on the book (and perhaps even a signal on when it will arrive in stores!)
Speaking of a "Crisis of Infinite Comics", DC is taking the interesting step of
staggering the shipping schedule of ABSOLUTE CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. The book now been pushed back to ship on 11/30, and my guess is that pre-orders on Absolute Crisis outstripped- or were in danger of outsripping- the print run. Perhaps DC recalculated their print run and caused disarray in the taking of orders? I dunno...I'll check with
DC to see if they care to comment on this.
Regardless, I've spoken with TOW and if you've placed your pre-order for Absolute Crisis
already, you can expect to get it with the 11/30 shipping cycle, unless orders for
the book are allocated (ya never know!) Any future orders for the book will ship at
the still undetermined ship date. It could perhaps be in 2006.
My recommendation for ordering this book is to pre-order now. There is no precedent
for Absolute books going back to press, and oftentimes the print runs are low enough
that they sell out very, very quickly. I lingered a few weeks too long to purchase
Absolute Planetary, and it sold out, leaving me hunting one down on the back market and
paying a little more than full price. (Yes, I kicked myself!)
Marvel Director of Sales David Gabriel is at it again. Over at the MARVEL FORUM, he's brought the good news: Godzilla is attacking your city in January! Yes, everybody's favorite lumbering behemoth with lethally bad breath is coming your way in glorious
black and white! Since this is a licensed property, the arrangement between Marvel and Toho comes
down to Essential Godzilla getting only a single print-run, so this is one you're going to want to pre-order, friends! I'll pass on order information as soon as I get it.
And this is a good time to once again plug the MARVEL ESSENTIALS LIBRARY, newly updated for the 21st century!
NEW BOOKS SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM TALES OF WONDER
The "Shipping This Week" list usually goes up Friday afternoon, but I've been so
busy with the 2005 Masterworks Survey and other website stuff, I haven't had a chance
to get to it until today! But that doesn't mean there's not some good books that started
shipping earlier today, so here's the rundown!
Probably tops on the list is a book that's not a comic book reprint at all, it's a reprint of the Complete Calvin & Hobbes. That right there makes it one of the must-own
books for any comic art fan. Bill Watterson retired from the comic strip business several
years ago, and while his presence is missed in the funny pages, the light-hearted eloquence of Calvin and his tiger friend Hobbes is available in a complete hardcover set of three-volumes with a slipcase.
Also, classic comics fans will want to make a bee-line for Stoker's Dracula, a Marvel Premiere Edition HC featuring reprints of the original comics from Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano, as well as all-new material that finishes the story that was never concluded! Check out the interview with MARK BEAZLEY for Tales to Astonish Masterworks Vol. 1. Part of the interview covers this particular collection!
Without further ado, here's a look at the highlights from TOW's list of books due to ship this coming Wednesday, the 12th of October.
• Complete Calvin & Hobbes ATLAS ERA MASTERWORKS
Front and center, Masterworks Maniacs! We have an amazing assortment of news 'n notes
for you regarding the Marvel Masterworks line. First, read up on an interview with
Masterworks editor Cory Sedlmeier, where we discuss the new line of ATLAS ERA MASTERWORKS. From there, you'll get the full scoop on the new breed of books with which Marvel is preparing
to shatter your senses!
Next, a couple new Masterworks to announce, with preview pages live for VOL. 56 and VOL. 57! Get ready for a
"monstrous" good time reading both those books! Also, check out the preview page for
Vol. 57, where Cory Sedlmeier and Mark Beazley take part in another in-depth interview.
That ain't all, either, brother...just keep checking in on this site in the next few days. The survey's comin', and that's not ALL the news fit to print...just all we could
get to today!
TWO SILVER AGE ARCHIVES IN FEBRUARY!
What are they?
Why, Doom Patrol Vol. 3 and Superman: Man of Tomorrow Vol. 2!
For more information on DC's January and February Collected Editions, including more Showcase Presents volumes, check out
THI |
Here's the list of books you might be interested in that will start shipping from Tales of Wonder on Wednesday, January 4.
This is the last week of the year for new comics product, and it's a rather light week altogether. There are a couple must-have books, however. First off is Will Eisner's A Contract With God Trilogy HC. This 544-page tome reprints the classic 1978 graphic novel A Contract With God, 1988's A Life Force, and Dropsie Avenue, from 1995. 
It's the last Wednesday before Christmas! It's the last chance for comics companies to deliver the kind of books that could possibly wind up under the tree. For those of you who mail order, the odds of you getting these books by the 25th are pretty slim, but who knows? Maybe if you click "BUY" quick enough, Santa will make an express delivery...you have been good haven't you?
First off, there's a reminder that a couple late Flash Gordon books came into stock at TOW recently. Volumes 4 and 5 of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon HC are ready for delivery. Also, a couple
of late books from Dark Horse finally make to releaste: Doctor Solar Archives Vol. 3 and the first installment of Frank Miller: Sin City Library, a deluxe set of
three bound hardcovers in a slipcase. This would have been an excellent item to target for your Christmas list...perhaps there's still time! Order now and TOW will get it out to you starting Wednesday.
Two books come out that have finally reached their shipping dates. Adventures of Red Sonja Vol. 1 TPB by Dynamite Entertainment, meant to coincide with the big splash they made with her revival this summer, ships five months late. Better late than never, right? One can only hope that we'll see the promised followup volume 2. Perhaps it will only be four months late? Also shipping late, but finally available to fans, is the Image Comics HC, formerly the 10th Anniversary Special HC, but now retitled because its lateness (how many years now?) has become legend. The wait is over. Wake yourself up and go get a copy!
Spirit Archives Vol. 17 ships this week from DC Comics, reprinting the latter half of 1948s strips. At this point in the chronology, Will Eisner is back and in charge! Also, the first shipments of Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths begin to ship. I will be checking with TOW to make sure what their delivery arrangement will be with this title, as it was previously reported to be getting shipped in two different allotments.
Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 9 has been delayed a week, but if you're a fan of Marvel's First Family, fret not! Fantastic Four Vol. 3 HC ships this week, bringing to a close the incredible Mark Waid/Mike Wieringo run. Thanks to Waid and the gang for producing some of the World's Greatest Comics, and thanks to Marvel for commemorating this run in a complete library of three oversized hardcovers. Marvel fans will also want to check out the Marvel Premiere Edition HC Wolverine: Enemy of the State Vol. 2, which follows up the first storyline of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Wolverine tales. 
A big thanks to Chance Fiveash for bringing this book to our attention in 
Last week, we finally got GA Human Torch Masterworks after weeks of delay. This week's offerings
includes yet more books that have been late or really late! Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous TPB comes
from Marvel, which fans of the Vol. 1 trade are happy to hear! Dark Horse, second to only Dynamic Forces
at being late with books, finally releases Concrete Vol. 2: Heights TPB and the first Tarzan: Joe Kubert Years Archives volume. And DC gets THUNDER Agents Archives Vol. 6 out on the streets with only a week's
delay, bringing that line of books to a conclusion.
Marvel has forwarded this website a beautiful batch of images from the upcoming
Giant-Size Invaders #2, featuring a passle of classic reprints along with a brand
new 16-page story by Roy Thomas. Here is the official solicit copy for this book
that's gonna be ALL WINNER!!!
February is the
likely month for the first in a new series of 48 page Marvel Handbooks, this one called
Marvel Legacy. The first book will cover the 1960s Silver Age era of Marvel Comics, aka "The Marvel Age of Comics!" Dig the newly commissioned Sal Buscema cover!
Sadly, it looks like THUNDER Agents Vol. 6, the final hardcover in that series, is not shipping as scheduled this week. I hope to get
a report on that delay, as well as when we can expect it, ASAP. Also, we see the release of Six From Sirius Vol. 1 from the legendary Dynamic Forces (he said with dripping sarcasm...) Except it's the TPB edition, NOT the promised hardcover! Moench/Gulacy fans deserve better than this! We want out hardcovers, DF!!!
Thank you for taking the 2005 Masterworks Survey! We had a huge response from you fans, and skimming over the early returns, I think there will be some exciting results that will surely
generate both interesting conversation and strong suggestions for Marvel. Right now,
Roy and I are going over the data, and in the next several days, I hope to have it
all compiled for your reading pleasure. I will send out a BLAMMO! email notifying you
when the survey results have gone up on the website.
Though this website is geared mainly towards collected editions (and don't let the
URL fool 'ya- it's more than just Masterworks!), every now and then I like to trumpet
a monthly comic that I figure- if you're like me- you're gonna want to own!
Popular novelist Walter Mosley wants to show you FANTASTIC FOUR #1 in a new way.
The entire project is the brainchild of Mosley, whose introduction to the FANTASTIC FOUR comic book was both an exciting and a very personal one. Growing up African American in the early Sixties and living with a father who disdained comics, Mosely saw certain truths and sanctuaries in the world of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing, and became enamored of the powerful, striking art of the King of Comics, Jack Kirby. As an adult he attempted to recapture that magic feeling, that moment he “learned that entertainment, education, and art could all coexist in one form" by blowing up each page of FF #1 and view its detail in a fresh fashion. Mosley presented this approach to the art of Jack Kirby as a mass-market book idea to Avi Arad at Marvel…and the result is MAXIMUM FANTASTIC FOUR.
It's all explained at