Marvel and DC Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age collections

[John Dunbar]

It looks like DC Comics are using the Omnibus format as their current way to collect classic material in chronological order.  In the past, there have been the Archives series (hardcover, full color), the Showcase Presents series (softcover, black and white, usually twice the page count of an Archive), and the Chronicles series (softcover, full color, smaller page count than an Archive).  In the past few years, all of these lines have been quietly shuttered, and now DC is releasing Omnibus collections in both hardcover and softcover formats.

As you would expect, the Omnibus hardcovers are huge.  Two Silver Age volumes collected the first 76 issues of JLA (along with Brave and Bold 28-30 and Mystery in Space 75), for example.  Earlier this year, DC released JLA: The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1, collecting JLA # 77-113.  That's almost half of the original series collected in this way, which for a fan like me is great news.  The JLA Archives had 10 volumes, collected the first 93 issues, and the first volume and last volume were released twenty-two years apart.  The first JLA Omnibus came out in 2014.

DC is also releasing these collections in trade paperbacks with a smaller page count than the hardcovers.  The great thing is that these TPBs collect more issues than the Archives did!  The material collected in the first JLA Silver Age Omnibus has all been released in 3 TPBs.

I have the first JLA Silver Age TPB, and I loved it!  I also have the first JLA Showcase Presents, but I find that without color, I just don't enjoy the stories as much as I could.  Actually, I find I enjoy most Silver Age comics more in color versus reading them in Showcase Presents and Essential Marvel.

I wonder how many of the rest of you are buying and reading these Omnibus collections, and what you think of the format.

[Fraser Sherman]

Golden Age Marvel is not high on my buy list (nothing wrong with it, it's just not my first pick) but I agree, the Torch is the least interesting.

But yeah, Johnny's Strange Tales run isn't what I'd call legendary either.

I love the idea of the Golden Age Torch stepping in for Johnny though.

[Captain Comics]

I'm such a completist that I don't care if the Torch stories are any good -- if they exist, I want to read them. Own them, if possible!

[Philip Portelli]

Hey, I do have the Essential Human Torch volume for the historical value combined with the first appearances of many longtime Marvel villains!

Captain Comics said:

I'm such a completist that I don't care if the Torch stories are any good -- if they exist, I want to read them. Own them, if possible!

[Fraser Sherman]

That I can understand. If my library had a copy I'd certainly read them.

Captain Comics said:

I'm such a completist that I don't care if the Torch stories are any good -- if they exist, I want to read them. Own them, if possible!

[Doctor Hmmm?]

This is why I love this board. I don't have to explain my obsessions. They're just par for the course around here.

[Fraser Sherman]

Just wanted to say that my wonderful wife, who does not read or like comics, still bought me the third of the Flash Omnibuses, which means I have maybe seven issues between the end of that one and when i started buying Bronze Age Flash. Pick them up on ebay and I'll have a complete Barry Allen run.

I love my wife.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

SHIPPED THIS WEEK:

[Jeff of Earth-J]

DC FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL HC: What a quirky idea for a collection… but I love it! All 13 issues between two covers. $40, April 15.

THE NEW GODS BY GERRY CONWAY: There was a time I would have predicted a collection such as this (or First Issue Special and Secret Origins collections) would never have been released. That one benefit of living in a “post-continuity” world (as I maintain we are). Back when I did my “Jack Kirby’s…” discussion, I did plan to eventually go back and cover the non-Kirby issues of New Gods, Kamandi, etc. Now that Conway’s New Gods is being collected $50, April 1), I just might do that. Maybe Conway’s Kamandi will follow. You know what else has been solicited (for February 26th release)? Steve Engleghart and Marshall Rogers’ Mr. Miracle! And speaking of Steve Englehart…

TALES OF THE BATMAN: STEVE ENGLEHART: Legends of the Dark Knight: Steve Englehart (originally solicited for January 1st release) has been re-solicited as Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart ($50, April 22). [I think the “Legends” series focuses on artists, “Tales” on writers.]

SHAZAM: THE WORLD’S MIGHTIEST MORTAL v2: The concluding volume has been solicited for April 29 release, $50.

[Fraser Sherman]

I know back when Kirby supposedly wrapped up the Fourth World with Hunger Dogs, they reprinted NEW GODS and officially declared no non-Kirby material was in continuity. After so many other authors have put their hands on New Genesis (and most of them doing a lot worse than Conway) I'm not as surprised asyou.

I can't summon up any enthusiasm for Conway's Kamandi though. The series never worked for me after Kirby left (and don't get me started on the Kamandi Challenge).

Jeff of Earth-J said:

DC FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL HC: What a quirky idea for a collection… but I love it! All 13 issues between two covers. $40, April 15.

THE NEW GODS BY GERRY CONWAY: There was a time I would have predicted a collection such as this (or First Issue Special and Secret Origins collections) would never have been released. That one benefit of living in a “post-continuity” world (as I maintain we are). Back when I did my “Jack Kirby’s…” discussion, I did plan to eventually go back and cover the non-Kirby issues of New Gods, Kamandi, etc. Now that Conway’s New Gods is being collected $50, April 1), I just might do that. Maybe Conway’s Kamandi will follow. You know what else has been solicited (for February 26th release)? Steve Engleghart and Marshall Rogers’ Mr. Miracle! And speaking of Steve Englehart…

TALES OF THE BATMAN: STEVE ENGLEHART: Legends of the Dark Knight: Steve Englehart (originally solicited for January 1st release) has been re-solicited as Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart ($50, April 22). [I think the “Legends” series focuses on artists, “Tales” on writers.]

SHAZAM: THE WORLD’S MIGHTIEST MORTAL v2: The concluding volume has been solicited for April 29 release, $50.

[Doctor Hmmm?]

I just received my (reprint) copy of Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol.1 ... and DC changed the trade dress.
OH, COME ON!!!!!
Why must you vex me so, DC???

[Jeff of Earth-J]

They've changed the trade dress of some of the more recent ones I've purchased, as well. I thought the difference might have been changing from Silver Age to Bronze, but if they've changed it for GA Superman v1 they're just tryinh to p*ss us off... and doing a damn good job of it, too.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

MARVEL CLASSICS: There is a solicitation in the January issue of Previews (solicited for August release) which has left me scratching my head. Remember the Marvel Classics Comics line from the ‘70s? They were like Classics Illustrated, but I don’t recall ever seeing any of them on the racks. 24 of them are being released in omnibus format, but not ones I would necessarily expect. The series ran for 36 issues, and the omnibus will collect #13-36. That choice raises several questions in my mind. Why not start with the first issue? Are there plans to release a second volume comprising #1-12? If so, why not release two volumes of 18 issues each rather than one of 24 and one of 12? I’m so confused.

THE ONES BEING COLLECTED:
The Last of the Mohicans
War of the Worlds
Treasure Island
Ivanhoe
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Odyssey
Robinson Crusoe
Frankenstein
Master of the World
Food of the Gods
Moonstone
She
The Invisible Man
The Illiad
Kidnapped
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Prisoner of Zenda
The Arabian Knights
The First Men on the Moon
White Fang
The Prince and the Pauper
Robin Hood
Alice in Wonderland
A Christmas Carol

THE ONES NOT BEING COLLECTED:
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
The Time Machine
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Black Beauty
Gulliver’s Travels
Tom Sawyer
Moby Dick
Dracula
Red Badge of Courage
Mysterious Island
The Three Musketeers