1/30/09 - February Releases
RANDOM BASHING OF THE MONTH
In the January issue of Previews, DC sets a new record for advance ordering. On page 119, you will find details on Absolute V For Vendetta, which like the other Absolute editions, will be an oversized hardback with recoloring and such for the (*ahem*) bargain price of $99. What is so odd about this one is that DC is advance ordering it for....AUGUST! I dunno about you, but why in the name of most anything would a major publisher need to solicit a book 8 months in advance? Just looks like another way to tie up retailer and collector money, since it would be nearly impossible to figure out how good (or bad) sales are going to be 8 months down the road. And with the economy in the shape it's in, does DC really think collectors are going to commit a C-note when they may, or may not, have a job when the book actually comes out. After all, it's bad enough to try to figure things out 2-3 months before they happen. Boo and Hiss, DC!
SHIPPING UPDATES 1
When I mentioned last month the shipping for the various companies was a mess, I was apparently just seeing the tip of the iceberg. Books are being quick solicited on a regular basis, meaning that they are ordered for shipment within a month of their ordering. Ship dates are being announced and then changed before the books are even ordered. To make matters worse, for the first time in recent memory, ship dates vary depending on where you look. Some lists that claim to be from Diamond don't agree with the shipping lists that appear on the Diamond website and, in some cases, neither list agrees with what's on a given publisher's website.
All of this has, of course, caused my monthly compendium to be very confusing (for both you and me), since I can't even begin to keep up with all the changes. Rather than change format, publish more frequently, or whatever other solution you can think of, I've just decided to set a policy and, for good or ill, stick to it. So, a statement of policy:
"Bob's Thoughts lists comic titles from various publishers according to the release date that was used when an item was originally solicited for pre-order in Previews. It will continue to operate in this manner, will provide shipping updates when I can and basically thumb my nose at anyone who doesn't like it."
SHIPPING UPDATES 2
The above being said, here's some shipping changes:
- Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 1 (listed below) was quick solicited for this month, however, Dark Horse lists the book as being published on Jan. 21 and other sources say it will come out in March.
- DC Comics Classics Library: The Legion Of Super-Heroes-The Life And Death Of Ferro Lad (listed below) has been pushed back to March.
- A couple of months back I mentioned a Wolverine Omnibus due out from Marvel. I gave it the big thumbs down (and still do), but the page count has been increased from 944 pages to 1064.
- Powers: The Definitive Collection Vol. 2, which was due in 2007, has finally been released and is in stores now!
- Neither Blazing Combat (November) or Supermen! the First Wave of Comic-Book Heroes (1939-41) have shipped from Fantagraphics. Both should be out in February.
- And, if all this wasn't enough, Diamond is moving their warehouse from one state to another, so re-orders just ain't gonna happen and don't be surprised if things get really messed up with the weekly comic shipments...!
AC COMICS
Best of the West #71
Gardner Fox, Ray Krank, William Overgard, Dick Ayers, Frank Bolle, Joe Certa...just some of the artists and writers featured in this issue on stories of The Haunted Horseman, Durango Kid, Black Diamond and others. Great reproduction and the only traditional western comic on the market. SRP $9.95
DARK HORSE
Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 1
This title has been bandied about for a long time, and, although quick scheduled for February release, I'll be surprised if it actually surfaces. That being said, Dark Horse is giving no information about what's in the book and, to be perfectly frank, their description of the book is very misleading. If they follow through with doing an all-Marsh series, this volume should contain Dell Four Color Comics #134 and 161 and then an unknown number of issues from the regular Tarzan title, beginning with #1. What I do know is that Marsh was a great artist, who defined the comic book version of Tarzan for nearly 20 years. Marsh, along with writer Gaylord Dubois, created a world for Tarzan that was true to Burroughs, yet expanded with twists and turns that made that world their own. Deserves a good squint and, most likely, inclusion on your sagging bookshelf. SRP $49.95
DC
A word to the wise, DC Comics Classics Library: Superman-Kryptonite Nevermore!, the first volume in the new DC series is out and the color is very washed out and looks just a bit ugly.
DC Comics Classics Library: The Legion Of Super-Heroes-The Life And Death Of Ferro Lad
Vying for the honor of longest comic title of the month, here's a real borderline item. It reprints Adventure Comics #346, 347, 352, 353 and 357 by Jim Shooter and Curt Swan with inks by Sheldon Moldoff and George Klein and tells the story of Ferro Lad. The problem is that these stories were not originally set up to make one long story (unlike the Superman volume from last month) and they've been reprinted to death: they're already available in both an Archives and Showcase volume (and were reprinted at least twice before that). So, take a squint and then head on over to some other book. The stories are enjoyable, but this one just ain't worth buying, especially considering the price. SRP $19.99
Probably one reason for the above item is that DC is going to bring back one of their long-running titles, when they revive Adventure Comics this month. Adventure Comics #0 will feature a reprint of the very first Legion of Super-Heroes story from Adventure Comics #247, along with an homage cover (and some ridiculous back-up story that ties into the latest company wide drivel). Future plans call for the resurrected title to feature stories of the Legion. What I can't find out is what will happen to the Legion's regular book....SRP $1.00
Saga of the Swamp Thing Book One
As part of their new hardcover reprint program, DC has delved back into the vaults to reprint, yet again, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run. This first volume will reprint Saga of the Swamp Thing #20-27 and, the only difference between this and the trade paperback reprintings will be 1)better paper, 2)hardcovers and 3) the inclusion of issue #20, which was Moore's actual first issue on the series and hasn't been reprinted before (it's a wrap up of the previous storyline and is just okay). Don't know what to tell you here. If you don't have the series in another form, it's great stuff and belongs up on the sagging bookshelf. Moore's approach to horror is to often use a very understated tone that grabs the reader on a psychological level and allows the horror to grow slowly. But, he is just as able to write stories that "jump out and shout boo!" with enough blood and guts to satisfy the most jaded slasher film junkie. This first volume hits on both levels, along with the truly astounding redefinition of the title character that Moore introduces in issue #21. If you already have it in one form or another, then it's up to you. My only question is why DC doesn't just do an Absolute edition (or two) of Swamp Thing and get it over with? SRP $24.99
For more on Swamp Thing (and other horror titles) see my Bob's Thoughts: Halloween Edition! article. Also, Mike says that if you buy a copy of Saga of the Swamp Thing Book One (and mention my name), he will give you a free copy of America's Best Comics Primer, which is just chock full of first issues from the America's Best Comic line: all written by Alan Moore!
Showcase Presents: Aquaman Vol. 3
Reprints Aquaman #24-39, The Brave and The Bold #73 and a story from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #115 by Haney, Dorfman, Cardy, Trapani, Costanza and (probably) a bunch of unnamed inkers. The master of all the creatures under the sea returns with another set of stories that will include Aqualad, Mera and all the other folks one has come to associate with the strip. Personally, give me Sub-Mariner any day! I'll leave this one up to you. SRP $16.99
Showcase Present: Superman Family Vol. 3
Reprints Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen 335-44 and Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #8-16 by Binder, Swan, Schaffengerger and a whole bunch of other folks. Jimmy as a werewolf, Jimmy as Elastic Lad, Jimmy has super powers...ah, these are just some of the wonders to be found in the tales presented here from what I call the "wackiest series in comics." Lois Lane, of course, spends a great deal of time pining after Superman, trying to make him jealous and often engaging in slapstick adventures that rival those of Lucy (with Lana Lang along as Ethel). These are fun stories that are enjoyable for those who don't like the bleak tone of modern comics and deserve a place up on your sagging bookshelf. SRP $16.99
Superman Chronicles Vol. 6
Reprints the Superman stories from Superman #10-11, Action Comics #37-40 and World's Finest Comics #2-3 by Jerry Siegel, Lee Nowak, Wayne Boring and others. Continuing the chronological reprinting of Golden Age Superman stories, all the more remarkable due to Jerry Siegel: who provides all the stories here. Siegel had a vision for Superman that has never been equaled (or fully realized, for that matter) in that Superman was not an uber-being, just better than a normal human, but chose to use his powers to help and protect humanity. Well worth the price of admission and placement on your sagging bookshelf, providing you don't have these stories in some other form. SRP $14.99
FANTAGRAPHICS
Humbug
No, this is not a late Christmas comment, but rather the title of a 2 volume (with slip-case?) set that will reprint all 11 issues of the legendary Humbug magazine that Harvey Kurtzman created between his tenure on Mad and the creation of Little Annie Fanny. The magazine was totally funded by Kurtzman along with artists Will Elder, Jack Davis, Arnold Roth and Al Jaffee and is considered to be equal, or even superior, to Mad, due to the lack of editorial interference. The samples I've seen are excellent-the art is dead on and the text very funny and cutting, but I do wonder how well these satires have aged over time, since they were originally done in the 1950s. Worth a squint and possible addition to the sagging bookshelf. SRP $60 (NOTE: there is also a limited edition with a triptych that features illustrations by Jaffee, Roth and Davis with an SRP of $100)
GEMSTONE PUBLISHING
Nothing much over in the land of high priced Disney comics, although there is a Romano Scarpa story in Uncle Scrooge #387 (SRP $7.99). Gemstone is also soliciting for EC Archives: Weird Science Vol. 4 (SRP $49.95), which would reprint #19-23 of Weird Science and #23-24 of Weird Science-Fantasy, but since they are so far behind with the EC reprints, I'm beginning to wonder if the series is DOA. Of course, some of you may be wondering why the strange numbering in the EC Archive. EC published two science fiction titles: Weird Science and Weird Fantasy. Although the titles were favorites among the EC staff, they were the lowest selling titles of the entire line. Eventually, something had to give, so both books were cancelled and combined into a single title, which ended after 2 issues around the time that the rest of the EC line went under.
HERMES PRESS
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Newspaper Dailies Vol. 2
Reprints the complete daily strips for 1930-1932 by Philip Nowlan and Dick Calkins. Haven't seen the first volume as of this writing, but my guess is that the oblong format should ensure good reproduction. By my reckoning, this volume should start into material that has never been reprinted before, but most of it is contained in the old Chelsea House hardback. Good fun in any event and worth a squint. SRP $39.00
Hermes is releasing the first volume of a real long shot this month in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Complete Series Vol. 1. Back in the 50s and 60s, Dell (later Gold Key) had the TV and movie market sewed up. Movies were adapted as single issue stories that (surprise!) appeared just around the opening of the film. TV shows were regularly adapted as single issues and, if the comic sold well, were given their own series and, like most of the TV comics done today, they featured original stories (although the license agreements of those days usually allowed for the features of the actors to be used in the comic). Plans call for this to be a two volume set that will reprint the complete Gold Key series that was based on the TV show, with art by Sekowsky, Heck, Tuska and others and each volume will reprint 8 issues. The problem is that, as with most comic adaptions of TV shows, the comics are just okay and far from great, although the stories of Voyage were closer to their source than Gold Key's Star Trek series. This is one of those items that should have come out in a much cheaper format and I'll have to leave it to you to weigh your desire to read the stories against the state of your wallet. Worth a squint, but not at the price. SRP $49.99
IDW
Next Men Premiere Edition Vol.1
Reprints Next Men #0-10 by John Byrne. I recall a couple of months back that IDW was doing the Next Men as a couple of phonebook style editions, but I've never seen any of them, so I don't know if they ever came out. Here, we have the first of (I think) 4 oversized hardbacks that will reprint the entire series in color. I don't remember much of anything about the Byrne series, although I read them all as they came out, so you are on your own here. Give it a squint and then decide. SRP $50.00
Danger Unlimited
Not real clear about what is in this one. IDW says that it will have Babe #1-4, Babe 2 #1-2 and then...? One would suppose that the 4 issues of the Danger Unlimited series would also be included, along with the short story that saw print somewhere or other, but nobody's talking. After his last falling out with Marvel, Byrne started doing a series of comics over at Dark Horse (this around the same time that Mignola introduced Hellboy). One of the concepts he created there was Danger Unlimited, a good twist on the Fantastic Four and a series that was sadly cancelled due to a collapse of the comic market in the 90s. It will be a trade paperback and will be in B & W. So, you takes a squint and then decide at your own risk. I will add that Danger Unlimited was a fun read for its way too short run. SRP $19.99
And, it's been confirmed that IDW will indeed be shifting the Dick Tracy series to the larger size used with Terry and the Pirates, beginning with Vol. 7. The best part of this change means that the Sunday pages will be 40% larger. No word on whether IDW will go back and reprint the first 6 volumes in the new format (would you buy them if they did?), nor if there will be a price increase as a result of the change...
MANUSCRIPT PRESS
Comics Revue #275
Sixty-four pages of comic strip reprints, including anything from Gasoline Alley to Tarzan. Captain Easy is featured on the cover this month. Well worth a squint and a great place to start exploring the world of comic strips. SRP $6.95
MARVEL
Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era Strange Tales Vol. 2
Reprints Strange Tales #11-20 from 1952-53 by a whole bunch of people, including Bill Everett, Gene Colan, Bernie Krigstein, Jerry Robinson and Russ Heath! Marvel pre-code horror is quite a strange amalgam of stuff. The stories don't always pay off and they walk a fine line between EC rips and the extremes that some of the other companies (including EC) went to at the time (severed heads and the like). The art ranges from excellent to a weird impressionistic style that I've never really figured out if I like. See my Bob's Thoughts: Halloween Edition! article for some more info. So, I'm kind of undecided on this one. The material is okay, but I'm not sure it is worth the price of admission. Take a squint and make your own decision. SRP $59.99
A few items make the Marvel short list this time around.
- First, is Avengers: Knights of Wundagore- a trade paperback which will reprint Avengers #181-187 by Michelinie, Byrne and others. This was a great storyline that focused on Wanda and Pitero and gives an origin for two characters who had been around since the early days of the Avengers. Good stuff from one of the really strong periods of the title. Just wish more of these later stories were available for the reading nowadays... SRP $16.99.
- Second, is The Invaders Classic Vol. 3, by Thomas, Robbins and others. This one will reprint The Invaders #22-23 and #25-34, which were a transition period that saw Roy Thomas farming out lots of work to lesser writers with mixed results. I've always felt The Invaders was one of Thomas's best efforts (second only to his Avengers work) and you get some of his work here, but the Don Glut authored stories, also featured here, are not quite as strong, although the wartime elements are still in the strip. Worth a squint, but a matter of personal taste, especially considering the price. SRP $29.99
- Lastly, a word of warning. Essential Classic X-Men Vol. 3 is due out this month and the big draw, at least according to Marvel, is that reprints X-Men #54-66 by Thomas and Neal Adams. These are good stories, but you would be better pressed to shop around for the X-Men Visionaries book that came out a couple of years ago, since it reprints these stories in color without the other contents listed here (and I'm not even sure that Marvel has all the correct information in the solicitation to begin with.) Avoid it and thank me later. SRP $16.99
Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 8
Reprints The Mighty Thor #163-172 by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and a host of inkers. This volume features the last great era of Kirby on Thor and it only builds on the great stories that preceded it and even tops them. Him, the character who would later be Warlock is here, along with the origin of Galactus and lots of Asgardian hijinks. Bill Everett inks most of the covers and many of the interiors and this is another one that belongs up on your sagging bookshelf. When Kirby became disenchanted with Marvel (around late 1969) he decided to stop creating original material and began to recycle concepts that he had earlier created. What is odd, is that the stories in Thor don't seem to suffer as much from his decision as they do in the Fantastic Four. With Thor, Galactus and Him come back (the big stories in this volume), but Jack was still able to keep Asgard special and, as evidenced by the later stories in the series, only Jack understood the balance between science fiction and mythology that made Thor such a special series. Also, keep in mind that the next volume will exhaust the Kirby material, so enjoy it while you can. SRP $59.99
In an attempt to go to the well one more time, Marvel is reprinting the Masterworks series in trade paperback format with an SRP of $24.99. Starting off the cycle will be Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol. 1, which, like its previous hard cover, will reprint Fantastic Four #1-10. Plans are a bit vague at the moment as to what other Masterworks volumes will be given the trade paperback treatment, but you can probably count on Spider-Man and Iron Man volumes in the months to come.
PURE IMAGINATION
Bill Ward's Torchy
Re-solicited from last year, this volume will reprint the first 3 issues of Torchy that originally came from Quality Comics back in 1949 (oddly, the cover shown in Previews is from #5). Torchy's first appearance from Modern Comics will also be included. Torchy is a bit more buxom than the other girl strips of the 40s, but what few samples I have read are enjoyable. Notes by Greg Theakston. SRP $25.00
TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
The Collected Jack Kirby Collector Vol. 7
Reprints the contents of The Jack Kirby Collector #27-30, along with some added surprises, all in one handy volume. SRP $29.95
The Jack Kirby Collector #52
Another tabloid of the long-running Kirby magazine, this time devoted to obscure Kirby material, including and unused Thor story, an unseen Bruce Lee comic, material from animations, stage plays and also lots of original art. There will also be a feature covering the last pages of the final issues to many of the series that Jack drew and a chance to see what they looked like before they were tinkered with by various editorial hands. Surprises are promised! SRP $9.95
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