This publish is Filed Under:
Home page Highlights,
Interviews and Columns
by KC Carlson
MARVEL’S PANDORA’S BOX (BIG sufficient FOR FOUR)
Marvel very Heroes trick Wars: Battleworld Box set Slipcase
Marvel very Heroes trick Wars: Battleworld Box set Slipcase (Marvel): the most recent entry in the marvel “Overkill?” or “Greatest thing Ever!” Sweepstakes (I dislike to judge…) is this amazingly significant $500 set of books collecting absolutely whatever concerning the 1984 marvel very Heroes trick Wars series, the 1985 trick Wars II sequel, the 2004 trick war series starring Nick Fury (that everybody forgets about), and the yet-to-be published (but Marvel’s been endangering it for the last five or six months) 2015 trick Wars.
Word on the street (or at least in my brain-damaged head) also indicates that this box set would include all type of extras — including (possibly) some (era-specific) toe nail clippings from then marvel EIC (and original trick Wars writer) Jim Shooter! Why? I can only assume for cloning purposes… Somebody’s gotta save the funny book industry, right?
I’ve just been recommended by Westfield’s lawyers (Hi, Harry!) that I have to tell all of you that whatever in that last paragraph is a lie that I made up. Well, except the part about Jim Shooter being Marvel’s then EIC and trick Wars writer. That was actually true. The part about him actually saving the funny book industry. Well… hmmmm.
Depends on what earth you are reading this in, right, Grant?
Where was I? Oh, yeah…
The marvel very Heroes trick Wars: Battleworld Box set Slipcase (Yes, it’s real!) actually includes all this:
Marvel very Heroes trick Wars: To Battleworld and Back Premiere Hardcover
Marvel very Heroes trick Wars Premiere Hardcover
The Thing: Battleworld Premiere Hardcover
Secret Wars II volume 1 Premiere Hardcover
Secret Wars II volume 2 Premiere Hardcover
Secret Wars II volume 3 Premiere Hardcover
Secret Wars II volume 4 Premiere Hardcover
Marvel very Heroes trick Wars: Aftermath Premiere Hardcover
Secret war Premiere Hardcover
Beyond the trick Wars Premiere Hardcover
Secret Wars: Behind the Scenes Premiere Hardcover
and Alex Ross’ sublime* poster of the renowned cover to trick Wars #1.
Marvel sez: “Featuring the original Heroes vs. Villains showdown on the Beyonder’s Battleworld, the big B’s journey to earth and the line-wide crossover that ensued, Nick Fury’s extremely hush-hush trick War, and more! All the tie-ins, follow-ups, and alternating takes — including a Spidey-centric look at the very first trick Wars, the wildest thing adventure of all time, and a rematch of great and evil as a extremely different group get whisked to Battleworld! Plus: an entire volume full of all the special features we might find.”
There is no page count for this product at press time, but it will likely top well over 1,000 pages over these 11 hardcover volumes. Plus, it’s most likely heavy sufficient to kill the impossible guy if you clobber him over his pointy bit head. (Assuming you can catch him!) available in June.
*That’s correct. This poster is less than lime. I actually question that the poster will even be mint if they try to stuff it into the box with all those heavy books!
THIS MONTH IN traditional COMIC strip COLLECTIONS
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The total newspaper Sundays volume 3: 1937-1940
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The total newspaper Sundays volume 3: 1937-1940 (Hermes Press): continuing the critically acclaimed, full-color, big format, total reprint of this historically essential and ground-breaking newspaper strip. In addition to all the strips (presented in their original tabloid format), there is a treasure trove of documentary material as well, featuring a special 16-page introductory essay jammed with photos of production artwork, toys, and marketing material. In addition, these strips have never been collected before and have been painstakingly restored. 208-page 11” x 14” color hardcover. available in May.
Complete Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy volume 18
Complete Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy volume 18 (IDW/LoAC): This volume quite much wraps up the 1950s with all the strips from December 15, 1957, with July 11, 1959. The style this volume is all about when petty crimes blow up out of control. lots of new villains are also introduced, including the gamecock queen miss Egghead, Cuban trick serviceman Wunbrow, the tragic Headache, and bizarre Popsie and her mother. throw in a wacko named Pantsy, a cross-country chase after a million dollars of hidden heist loot, Tracy left for dead on a deserted island, and a couple much more million in slot device coins, and you’ve got a whole volume of bizarre from the mind of Chester Gould. Plus, we haven’t even discussed the Mole-lookalike named Rhodent! holy Moley! 276-page 11” x 8.5” B&W hardcover. available in April.
Polly and Her Pals: total Sunday Comics: 1928-1930
Polly and Her Pals: total Sunday Comics: 1928-1930 (IDW/LoAC): This is my pick of the week! This reprints all of Sterrett’s Sunday pages from the height of his “surrealistic period” in a whopping 12″ x 16″ champagne edition style so they can be completely appreciated. The book also includes Sterrett’s topper strips “Dot and Dash” and “Sweethearts and Wives”. The majority of these Sunday strips have never before been reprinted. Polly Perkins is young, blonde, and the apple of numerous a young man’s eye. Yet while Polly is out on the town or frolicking at the beach, it’s her household that produces all the hubbub! and the large majority of surrealism as well. (Keep an eye on Paw’s cat, Kitty, the pantomime question of the comic strip world!) packed with the comprehensive background and biographic material that has made library of American Comics the “gold standard” in strip reprints. 176-page 12” x16” color hardcover. available in April.
Modesty Blaise volume 25: The killing Distance
Modesty Blaise volume 25: The killing distance (Titan Books): the most recent in this excellent series collecting famed adventure strips of the “ass-kicking femme fatale” by Peter O’Donnell and Enric Badia Romero. three unusual stories are collected for the extremely very first time: “Guido the Jinx”, “The killing Distance”, and “The Aristo”. All are dripping with traditional adventure, ‘60s chic, and chilly war thrills. 104-page 9” x 12” color softcover.
BIG BOOKS
Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus
Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus (Marvel): In the aftermath of the Annihilation War, a devastated galaxy struggles to rebuild. The Nova Corps is destroyed, leaving only Richard Rider. who will increase to guard the galaxy from the risk of Ultron? When the Kree homeworld is invaded by the techno-organic Phalanx, Star-Lord should lead a ragtag team into battle behind opponent lines with a lineup that includes Mantis, Bug, Groot, and Rocket Raccoon! Meanwhile, the new Quasar seeks a mysterious savior — and Nova and Gamora are taken over by the Phalanx! who is the haunted loner called Wraith? Can the new Mutants’ Warlock totally free Nova? and what are Ultron and the Phalanx truly after? This is one of the excellent storylines that redefined cosmic for the contemporary marvel Universe. and now it’s all in one place! Don’t miss it! Written by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Keith Giffen, Christos Gage, and Javier Grillo-Marxuach. Penciled by Sean Chen, Brian Denham, Wellinton Alves, Paul Pelletier, Mike Perkins, Timothy eco-friendly II, Mike Lilly, Kyle Hotz, and Tom Raney. Cover by Aleksi Briclot. Collecting Nova (2007) #1-12 and annual #1, Annihilation: Conquest prologue #1, Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord #1-4, Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar #1-4, Annihilation: Conquest: Wraith #1-4, Annihilation: Conquest #1-6, and Annihilation Saga. 872-page large-scale color hardcover. available in June.
Justice society of America: A event of 75 Years
Justice society of America: A event of 75 Years (DC Comics): another DC anniversary collection without any particular details about what is in it, although it’s most likely risk-free to state that essential adventures from the series’ golden Age in All-Star Comics will be included, in addition to samplings from its 1960s revival (as Justice league of America guest stars) to the full revival and success from the 1970s on. look for work by Gardner Fox, John Broome, Robert Kanigher, Roy Thomas, Jerry Ordway, Geoff Johns, and ideally lots more. 400-page large-scale color hardcover. available in May.
Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 3
Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 3 (Dark Horse): The third volume in Dark Horse’s conclusive Usagi Yojimbo compilations showcases Stan Sakai’s legendary series at its best! Usagi faces a frightening new foe who uses a demon mask; the Eisner-winning “Grasscutter” storyline receives a sequel, “Return to Atsuta Shrine”; pickpocket Kitsune’s history is revealed; fan-favorite character Sasuké the Demon Queller makes his debut; and a cherished ally long believed dead returns! Throughout, Sakai’s storytelling constitutes a master class in the comics form. Collects Usagi Yojimbo volume three #31-#52, together with stories from Dark equine provides and more. 616-page 7” x 10” B&W softcover. available in May. also available in a signed and numbered restricted edition hardcover.
ARTIST/GALLERY EDITIONS
Don Rosa’s The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Artist’s Edition: volume 1
Don Rosa’s The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Artist’s Edition: volume 1 (IDW): Well, that’s just ducky! Don Rosa’s Eisner Award-winning work on The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck told the story of the penny-pinching mallard’s early days before he made his legendary fortune. Rosa took the original works of Carl Barks’ legendary Duck stories, filled in (more than) a few spaces in the timeline, and produced his own legendary work — which is now being collected, in full, in three volumes of IDW’s fantastic Artist’s edition format. The very first volume (out in April) will gather the very first six chapters of The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, with covers and chosen designs by Rosa, who is completely cooperating and helping in its production. As always, all of the pages for the Artist’s Editions are scanned directly from the original art (at full size) in color, to imitate the actual original art, so you can clearly see paste-overs, blue pencil, editorial notes, and art corrections. Plus, the paper chosen is as close as possible to the original art boards. If you want this, don’t hesitate to order, because there will be another significant group of Disney Duck fans (outside of comic fans) that will also be extremely thinking about this project. 160-page 14” x 20” B&W (but scanned in color) hardcover. available in April. No foolin’!
BOOKS ZINES about COMICS
Ace magazine #1
Ace magazine #1 (Time capsule Productions): The very first problem of a new organized monthly magazine. The title is an acronym for “All Comics Evaluated”, with a double meaning. “First, concerning the aesthetic and important worth of the stories with viewpoint and evaluations of comics of worth to seek out. And, two, as a tool for collectors to screen and thoroughly appraise their collections or for visitors to accurately cost a much preferred title.” The publication’s most significant calling card is its organized updated (as well as “accurate and thorough”) cost guide, focusing on “hot” books. It also promises “interviews with top comic book creators, previews and evaluations of the most recent comics, and features on upcoming comics-based film, television, and digital media, plus news and opinion”. The very first problem is due in March and features extensive interviews with Harley Quinn and Power woman artist/writer Amanda Conner (with input from Paul Dini on the trick origin of Harley) and Batman/The woods scribe James Tynion IV, in addition to articles on Lumberjanes and the increase of the Valkyries. published by seller Robert Yeremian and edited by Jon B. Cooke (Comic book Artist/Editor). 112-page 7” x 10” color magazine.
Alter Ego #132
Alter Ego #132 & Back problem magazine #80 (TwoMorrows): TwoMorrows celebrates 75 years of the Flash and eco-friendly lantern in these two quasi-crossover problems of their leading magazines about comics. alter Ego (edited by Roy Thomas) looks at the origins and adventures of the golden Age (and early Silver Age) of both characters, while Back problem (edited by Michael Eury) covers the 1970s and 1980s. great deals of vintage art will be on screen in both magazines, and Back problem also has a special function noting DC Comics’ upcoming (and historical) relocation to the West Coast, by celebrating DC’s different new York City offices over the years, in an post researched and compiled by Westfielder Bob Greenberger. Each problem is 84 pages in full color.
Back problem magazine #80
_____________________________
KC CARLSON SEZ: Sure, I was goofing around when I suggested that the marvel trick Wars Box set may have some Jim Shooter toe nails in it. but it’s not like marvel has never created any publications with actual human DNA in them. It’s occurred at least twice (that we understand of).
Squadron Supreme
In 1996, cherished editor mark Gruenwald passed away all of a sudden from a congenital heart defect. As his last desire was to have his ashes utilized in part of a comic book, after his death, he was cremated, and his ashes were mixed into the ink of the very first printing of the Squadron ultimate trade paperback collection, which was written by Mark.
Earlier, in 1977, the four then-members of the rock band KISS had blood drawn by a registered nurse, witnessed by a notary public, and poured into the vats of red ink utilized for printing their comic (the very first problem of the marvel Comics very special which featured the band). Further, it was also supposedly witnessed by Stan Lee and the book’s creators (Steve Gerber and Alan Weiss). subsequent rumors speculated that the red ink that contained the bloo