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Cosmic KC. Art by Stuart Immonen.
by KC Carlson
THIS MONTH IN traditional COMIC book COLLECTIONS
Afterlife With Archie volume 1: getaway From Riverdale
Afterlife With Archie volume 1: getaway From Riverdale (Archie Comics): This doesn’t in shape my usual requirements for this column (which covers either traditional material from over 20 or more years back or mega-books over 400 pages), however it’s right here since it’s the most bizarre thing I’ve checked out in ages. You should checked out it too! In the very first issue, Jughead becomes a zombie. For reals.
Afterlife With Archie is the very first Archie comic series ever published that wasn’t meant for kids. (And they mean that!) Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa as well as extremely creepily illustrated by Francesco Francavilla, this book collects the very first five problems (a self-contained story) in a limited-print-run comic-shop special printing before the probable mass-market edition. even if you believe Archie is “stupid”, you should checked out this story. You’d be stupid if you didn’t. This is a comic that everybody’s speaking about. Aren’t you the least bit curious why? 160-page color softcover, with a restricted print run.
The total Sabrina the teen Witch: 1962-1971
The total Sabrina the teen Witch: 1962-1971 (Archie Comics): I’m extremely excited by this collection, as it’s going to be one of the unusual Archie reprints of vintage material that collects an entire series of a character, in chronological order. Plus, in this book, we get a unusual look at one of the major Archie characters before her character was completely developed. Did you understand that Sabrina began her comic book career as a poor witch? It’s true!
Archie’s MadHouse #27
In her earliest stories, in an irregularly published series in the pages of Archie’s MadHouse, Sabrina is depicted as a notorious teen poor girl, stealing boyfriends as well as undermining rivals with spells at the decrease of a directed hat (which she really didn’t wear that much). She was produced by longtime, prolific, as well as really funny Archie writer George Gladir as well as designed by Dan DeCarlo as a teen femme fatale. (Her look draws from DeCarlo styles from his then-secret career as a cartoonist for men’s magazines — SHHH! Archie doesn’t want you to understand about that! — although Sabrina is completely dressed in stylishly attractive teen styles of the era, as well as always Code Approved!) many longtime Archie aficionados have been waiting a long time for these stories to be collected!
“Bad Girl” Sabrina
By 1968, the Sabrina stories in Archie’s MadHouse had trickled to a halt, most likely since by then Sabrina had been tapped as a prospective breakout character for Saturday morning cartoons. She appeared in The Archie comedy hour as well as ended up being even more prominent when the character spun out into her own show. In the comic books, the recently reimagined, typical good-girl teenager Sabrina would very first routinely appear in the Archie anthology title Archie TV Laugh-Out (1969) before getting her own Sabrina, the teen Witch title in 1971, which ran up until 1983. The earliest stories from these two series will most likely likewise be included in this new collection. many of them continued to be written as well as drawn by Gladir as well as DeCarlo.
I’m not sure why all the stories in this volume are in black as well as white. I’m guessing this is meant to experiment with a value-for-less style similar to Marvel’s fundamentals or DC’s showcase provides (although at a smaller 5 x 7 size). The vintage DeCarlo art will look stunning regardless. 512-page B&W softcover.
Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Frank Quitely
Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Frank Quitely (DC Comics): This seems to be replacing the previously canceled Vertigo Visions: Frank Quitely book as well as will include a few of the material originally arranged for that book. Quitely is finest understood for his work on flex Mentallo, JLA earth 2, as well as Sandman: endless Nights. This book will gather all of Quitely’s huge book stories (originally published by Paradox Press), his All-Star Superman as well as Batman & Robin covers, as well as much more (which obviously hasn’t been finalized yet). 368-page oversize (8.625 x 11.625) color hardcover. offered in June. Hopefully.
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers volume 14
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers volume 14 (Marvel): Collecting Avengers (1963) #129-135, Giant-Size Avengers #2-4, as well as material from FOOM #12 — the bulk of the traditional Celestial Madonna storyline, spotlighting Kang the Conqueror, Rama-Tut, as well as Immortus; Swordsman as well as Mantis; the return of Hawkeye; the origin of the Vision as well as his marriage to the Scarlet Witch; the legion of the Unliving; as well as the death of anAvenger! These quintessential Avengers stories are written by Steve Englehart with Roy Thomas as well as drawn by Sal Buscema as well as Dave Cockrum with George Tuska as well as Don Heck. 264-page color archival hardcover. offered in July.
The Spectre volume 1: Crimes as well as Judgements
The Spectre volume 1: Crimes as well as Judgements (DC Comics): Collecting the most-excellent Spectre stories by John Ostrander as well as Tom Mandrake from The Spectre #1-12 (1992-93). Bob Greenberger will have more on this, however let me chime in that I originally checked out this interesting series years ago, more or less in one sitting, as well as it is amazing! It’s a criminal offense that these two gentlemen don’t have more routine work, as the material right here is heads above much of DC’s present output in terms of high quality as well as engaging, unforgettable stories. 320-page color softcover. offered in May.
Also Available:
Creepy Archives volume 19
Creepy Archives volume 19 (Dark Horse): Collects weird #89-93 as well as featuring work by Frank Frazetta, Russ Heath, Carmine Infantino, John Severin, Bernie Wrightson, Bruce Jones, Richard Corben, as well as others. includes all the original fan pages, plus a new introduction by present weird writer Jack Butterworth. 280-page B&W hardcover. offered in June.
Judgment Day as well as other Stories
Judgment Day as well as other stories (Fantagraphics): Collecting 23 of artist Joe Orlando’s finest sci-fi stories, mainly written by Al Feldstein, from the traditional EC Comics series. The title story is one of EC’s most famous stories, with a unforgettable anti-racism message. two stories written by Ray Bradbury are likewise included. 184-page B&W hardcover.
Tarzan: Burne Hogarth’s Lord of the Jungle
Tarzan: Burne Hogarth’s Lord of the Jungle (Dark Horse): The master illustrator takes on two of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ most cherished Tarzan novels! The color Tarzan of the Apes as well as the B&W Jungle Tales of Tarzan are integrated into one deluxe hardcover of dazzling traditional adventure. 264-page color as well as B&W hardcover. 8 3/4 x 10 7/8. offered in June. For more Hogarth — checked out on!
THIS MONTH IN traditional COMIC strip COLLECTIONS
Burne Hogarth’s Tarzan volume 1: Tarzan in the City of Gold
Burne Hogarth’s Tarzan volume 1: Tarzan in the City of Gold (Titan Books): The very first of four large volumes collecting the entire run of Tarzan by the legendary illustrator (and written by Don Garden), beginning with the title story as well as including five more total full-color stories, out-of-print for over a decade. brought back as well as published in the prominent large style (allowing full page reproduction), similar to the present prince Valiant as well as Popeye collections. Extras include historical articles from Scott Tracy Griffin, author of Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration. 168 (some sources state 208) – page oversize (9.5 x 12.75) color hardcover. offered in May.
Buck Rogers: The total Murphy Anderson Sundays 1958-59
Buck Rogers: The total Murphy Anderson Sundays 1958-59 (Hermes Press): quickly complying with up on Anderson’s B&W buck Rogers strips, this collects Murphy’s wonderful full-color Sunday strips from 1958 as well as 1959, both written as well as drawn by him! stories include “Search for Impervium”, “Supernova Threat”, as well as “California Earthquake Plot”. These stories have never been collected as well as should be a huge treat to both fans of buck Rogers as well as Murphy’s Silver Age DC Comics fans! likewise includes essays, original artwork, as well as other additional material. 96-page oversize (10 x 13) color hardcover. great stuff!
The total bit Orphan Annie volume 10
The total bit Orphan Annie volume 10 (IDW/LoAC): Collecting dailies as well as Sunday strips from 1941-1943. When America went into world war II, Annie secured the homefront by developing the Junior Commandos, a group that influenced tens of countless real-life kids to gather newspapers, scrap metal, as well as other products needed for the war effort. Meanwhile, dad Warbucks — true to his name — is making munitions as well as leading a mysterious army overseas. 296-page oversize (11 x 8.5) B&W (w/color) hardcover. offered in May.
The total Peanuts: 1991-1992
The total Peanuts: 1991-1992 (Fantagraphics): The splendid Marcy graces the cover of the latest volume, as the strip heads into its final — as well as most critically overlooked — decade. That’s a shame, as creator Charles M. Schulz caught a second wind, revitalizing the strip with unrestrained humor after a period of not-so-greatness. This volume likewise features an introduction by Tom Tomorrow, in addition to scholarly essays about this age of the traditional comic strip. 344-page B&W hardcover.
BIG books
Frank Miller’s huge Damn transgression City
Frank Miller’s huge Damn transgression City (Dark Horse): Every blood-soaked page of transgression City to date, collecting all seven ofFrank Miller’s landmark transgression City volumes. All black as well as white as well as red (and read) all over! 1,360 pages in an large (8 x12) hardcover. offered in June. likewise in June: the long out-of-print Frank Miller: The Art of transgression City will be offered in a new softcover printing, as well as transgression City: A Dame to kill For is back in hardcover for the very first time in years — just in time for the release of the film! To repeat, Frank Miller’s huge Damn transgression City: 1,360-page oversize color (red!) hardcover. offered in June.
Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus Perez Cover
Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus (Marvel): For me, Infinity Gauntlet was the very first satisfying major marvel event with its own title after almost a decade of largely disappointing events (both trick Wars) as well as rather a few confusing crossover stories (Evolutionary War, Atlantis Attacks, Acts of Vengeance, etc.). I’m quite sure that the reason this job was so interesting was that Jim Starlin was at the helm of what was to ended up being his trademark — a sweeping legendary of great vs. evil featuring lots of characters as well as go-to marvel heavy Thanos, one of the very best characters ever (except when overused). contributing to the enjoyment was that one more epic-happy artist — George Pérez — was joining Starlin on this project, after a stint working at DC.
Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus Starlin Cover
Unfortunately, Pérez seriously overestimated his capability to create high quality work in a timely fashion at this point in his career, as well as he left the job relatively early on (after completing a couple of fantastic issues). Ron Lim, who had worked on Silver Surfer, ably stepped in, as well as his work right here elevated him as well. The Infinity Gauntlet core event has been often collected, however this volume is the very first time that all of the major crossovers are included in the exact same volume. Here’s what’s in this big book: Silver Surfer (1987) #34-38, 40, as well as 44-60; Thanos Quest #1-2; Infinity Gauntlet #1-6; Cloak as well as Dagger (1988) #18; Spider-Man (1990) #17; incredible Hulk (1968) #383-385; physician Strange, Sorcerer ultimate #31-36; Quasar #26-27; as well as Sleepwalker #7. offered with two different covers: one by Pérez as well as one by Starlin. 1,248-page oversize color hardcover. offered in July.
Steranko Nick Fury: agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s Edition
Steranko Nick Fury: agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s edition (IDW): Yipes! I understood it was coming, yet it still snuck up on me! This great volume features the very first marvel Comics work by Jim Steranko, the “Nick Fury, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” series from the pages of strange Tales, very first published in the mid-sixties in problems #151-162. If you don’t understand the history, Steranko very first worked over some Jack Kirby layouts, before he burst out as one of the most ingenious comic artists of the era. So this specific IDW Artist’s edition will be unique, in that you can really comply with Steranko’s phenomenal development from some beginner’s clunkiness to full-blown trendsetter as well as superstar. Plus, this book is super-scanned from the original artwork so you can see all the blue line pencils, paste overs, as well as editorial markings as well as comply with Steranko’s advancement at several levels. This is going to be an incredible Artist’s Edition! order now — you may not get one more possibility at this one! composing by Stan Lee as well as Roy Thomas. 176-page oversize (15 x 22) B&W (but scanned in color!) hardcover. offered in May.
NOW IN SOFTCOVER
The Chronicles of King Conan volume 8
The Chronicles of King Conan volume 8 (Dark Horse): featuring “The road to Empire” as well as other stories, originally published in Conan the King #36-41 by Don Krarr, Judith Hunt, Mike Manley, Al Williamson, as well as others. 208-page color softcover. offered in June.
Nexus Omnibus volume 5
Nexus Omnibus volume 5 (Dark Horse): Over 400 pages of traditional Nexus by Mike Baron, Steve Rude, as well as their friends: Paul Smith, John Nyberg, Les Dorscheid — as well as featuring early work by Adam Hughes, Peter David, as well as Phil Hester! Horatio Hellpop resigns as Nexus, leaving a space to be filled by the vengeful as well as dangerous Loomis sisters. however when they ended up being corrupt, the nigh-omnipotent Merk must supplant them with a new, nobler host! 440-page color softcover. offered in June.
Marvel Masterworks: Captain America volume 3
Marvel Masterworks: Captain America volume 3 (Marvel): Collecting the very first 13 problems of Cap’s brand new 1968 series by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, as well as Jim Steranko. one of the fou