I'll get the obvious contrast out of the way first: Masterworks is a hardcover, full-color reprint series, usually covering 10-12 issues, and is a high-ticket item, as they say in the retail sector. Essentials is a softcover, black and white reprint series, usually covering 20-25 issues, and for its size, is a low priced item.
We all have a format we prefer, and if money were no object, my own mini-cave would be filled with Masterworks. But I love both formats (and I love Showcases and Archives just as much, the DC stuff can be another discussion). I love the high quality of the Masterworks, the hardcovers look great on a bookshelf, the pages are a high quality paper, and the coloring is well done. I love Essentials because you get a huge chunk of comics for such a low price, and some stuff even looks better to me in b&w.
A few thoughts on the contents themselves:
- There's very little from the 1960's super-hero line not covered in both formats, which may seem unremarkable, but I clearly remember being on discussion boards and being part of a general consensus that the Ant-Man and Human Torch stories were a longshot for an Essential and dismissed as candidates for a Masterworks. Happy to be wrong in both cases.
- I would like to see more western stuff, as we have only gotten Rawhide Kid in both formats. Hopefully the sales of the RK Essential late last year were good and more westerns are coming.
-It was only late last year we got the first Sgt. Fury Essential, and although there have been 3 Masterworks, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. has not yet been collected in an Essential. I think that the only other Silver and Bronze Age Masterworks that have not also been given the Essentials treatment are Inhumans and Deathlok. I think Deathlok will not get an Essential, as the Masterworks covers the '70s series in Astonishing Tales, a Marvel Spotlight story, appearances from MTU and MTIO, and the Dematteis/Zeck 3-parter in Captain America 286-288, but never say never.
As you may imagine, there's a ton of stuff in Essentials not yet given a Masterworks: Conan, Dazzler, Ghost Rider, Godzilla, Howard the Duck, Killraven, Luke Cage, Marvel Horror (not an actual series, but two themed volumes collecting several short running horror series and guest appearances - Son of Satan. Satana, the Living Mummy, Gabriel the Devil Hunter, Brother Voodoo, the Golem, the Scarecrow, and Modred the Mystic), Marvel Saga, Marvel Two-In-One, Monster of Frankenstein, Moon Knight, Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (in 4 different versions), Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man, Power Man & Iron Fist, Punisher, Rampaging Hulk, Savage She-Hulk, Spider-Woman, Super-Villain Team-Up, Tales of the Zombie, Tomb of Dracula, Web of Spider-Man, Werewolf By Night, Wolverine, and X-Factor. Whew! That's a lot!
- I don't think we'll see any further reprints of Conan (Dark Horse has reprinted several volumes of the Marvel series in color) and Godzilla, as I don't think Marvel has the rights anymore or is unwilling to pay what it costs to reprint the series. For much the same reason, there are no collections of Rom or Master of Kung Fu., among others. If anyone can shed further light on this, please do.
- In the same vein, as I said, Marvel Conan was reprinted by Dark Horse, as well as Marvel Star Wars, and some Marvel Doc Savage stories ended up being reprinted by DC. Any other examples of Marvel stories being reprinted elsewhere?
- Is it official policy that the horror stuff is only in Essentials because it looks so good in black & white? I've heard that ToD sold very well, so why no Masterworks?
-I'm surprised there have not been Masterworks for Ghost Rider, Howard, Luke Cage, Marvel Two-In-One, Moon Knight, and Spider-Woman. I'm gobsmacked that there hasn't been any for Peter Parker, Punisher, and Wolverine; to me, that's Marvel just leaving money on the table. Agree / disagree?
- Some series that seem like obvious candidates for at least an Essential have instead been collected under the Classics banner: full-color trades printed in chronological order. Off the top of my head this includes Alpha Flight, Champions, Invaders, and New Mutants, and there may be others. Is this a format you prefer over Masterworks and Essentials?
- it's an old chesnut but I'll ask anyway: what Masterworks or Essentials, either new series or the next volume of a current one, would you like to see? I know I've left Golden Age and Atlas Era reprints out of my post, only because I'm not knowledgable about them, but feel free to discuss them too.
Replies
IDW has done a few Marvel stories reprinted in their Artist Edition books, which are scans of the original pages. They've also reprinted some of the Marvel G.I. Joe stuff.
There is probably some bean counters somewhere telling them it wouldn't be worth it to do a Masterworks on it. Just my feeling
A lot of these comics can still be had so cheap, if one wanted to make the effort. I could probably put together close to a whole set of of Peter Parker out of 50 cent comics. I'm sure a lot of it will get collected, they probably are just taking there time to get there.
Dark Horse has reprinted the Marvel Indiana Jones series as well in their Omnibus format.
Wow. I always thought the early issues of Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man were high priced, as well as the other series I mentioned to a degree.
Travis Herrick said:
“You know, Mr. Faeder, for someone from New Jersey you sure ask a lot of questions.”
Any other examples of Marvel stories being reprinted elsewhere?
Besides those already mentioned, whichever company holds the rights currently (Dynamite?) has reprinted Marvel’s Red Sonja.
Is it official policy that the horror stuff is only in Essentials because it looks so good in black & white?
I don’t know if I’d call it “official policy,” but I’d go with Travis’ “bean counter” explanation. (It is Marvel’s official policy to make money.)
I've heard that ToD sold very well, so why no Masterworks?
I’m guessing because it’s also available in a (not yet complete) series of color tpbs. For those wishing slick paper, there’s the ToD Omnibus.
I'm surprised there have not been Masterworks for Ghost Rider, Howard, Luke Cage, Marvel Two-In-One, Moon Knight, and Spider-Woman. I'm gobsmacked that there hasn't been any for Peter Parker, Punisher, and Wolverine; to me, that's Marvel just leaving money on the table. Agree / disagree?
First, I don’t think every title deserves MMW treatment. Second, they seem to be going in roughly chronological order. They didn’t start MMW Marvel-Team Up, for example, until Amazing Spider-Man was at that point. I imagine we’ll see MMW Peter Parker in time. Except for X-Men, few of the MMW series have gotten too far into the 70s:
Spider-Man is up to 1975
Fantastic Four is up to 1974
Avengers is up to 1973
Thor and Captain America are both up to 1972
(I’m currently in the process of updating my Golden Age, “Atlas” and Modern Marvel spreadsheets.)
Is this a format you prefer over Masterworks and Essentials?
I own every MMW and select Essentials. Lately I’ve become increasingly interested in the “Marvel Premiere Classics” hardcover series; they’re like Masterworks for people who can’t wait!
What Masterworks or Essentials, either new series or the next volume of a current one, would you like to see?
I would like to see the Captain Marvel series get up to the Doug Moench/Pat Broderick run.
I would like to see Sub-Mariner get to Bill Everett’s last run.
I know it will be a loooong time before MMW gets to this point, but…
I would like to see Michelinie/Layton/Romita, Jr. Iron Man.
I would like to see Englehart/Rogers collected in a more permanent format than Essentials.
I would buy a collection of Not Brand Ecch, too (a color tpb, not a MMW or Essential).
I know I've left Golden Age and Atlas Era reprints out of my post, only because I'm not knowledgeable about them, but feel free to discuss them too.
I plan to post about this week’s MMW Marvel Mystery Comics soon.
I would like to see an “Atlas” edition of The Outlaw Kid (because Doug Wildey drew it).
That’s all I have to say for now, but discussing MMWs is one of my favorite topics!
Jeff of Earth-J said:
I wasn't aware of the rough chronological order thing, but it makes sense. As for your first point -
"Deserves got nuthin' to do with it."
I mean, if Dazzler can get not one but two Essentials, anything is possible.
...For Marvel books in general , other formats as well...........
For Nick Fury , what's the story ?
For a long time , it was complained that the pre-Steranko issues were not collected at all ! ( Also , early on , Marvel put out two color - I guess by implication all TPBs of color series are in color , right ? ) And , around the late 90s , Marvel put out two paperbacks of Steranko's run - which they did not pay Steranko any royalties on , contrary to their norm even then , because some technicality of it being put together by their Italian subsidiary/partner let them wriggle out of it , IIRC .
Omnibuses reprint ALL of the material in the comic , ads included ? All editorial material , including house ads , etc. ? Only " good " non-story editorial material - lettercols , basically ?
The Tales Of The Zombie you mention and a Vampire Tales one you didn't both , as they're from Marvel's magazine line , reprint the text pieces about current movies , classic books , etc. that the original Marvel Magazines included as " filler on steroids " , ? Material beyond that ? ( Contents pages , letcols , etc. )
A reprint from the B&W issues of Tomb Of Dracula paints clothing on the brief bits of nudity that Marvel allowed the B&Ws then - Any other censorings ?
I recall that the Howard The Duck Essentials stopped short of the last few issues of the original run - after Steve Gerber left and the story was continued without him , right ? Is that material and the short-lived B&W that came after that and the brief revival of the comic book about the time of El Floppo Gigantico la movie-o' all in Never-Reprinted Land , too ???
Marvel has tended to put Not Brand Ecch individual stories as " bonus tracks " in volumes devoted to one hero or another in the particular volumes - Could Marvel ever collect NBE and the later comics format attempts at new satire comic books during the 1970s as " MARVEL PARODYRAMA " or somethin' like 'dat ??? " FORBUSH-MAN AND HIS FUNNY FRIENDS " ? :-) And for REALLY geekiness , how about the many??...um , lastditch attempts , frequently reprints , at " traditional " kiddie/funnystuff that Marvel put out about the turn of the 70s - EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO HARVEY . PETER THE LITTLE PEST/PETEY , LIL' KIDS (I THINK that was its title - included Little Lizzie ? ) ???
...The (IIRC) two anthology horror comic books Marvel put out about the end of the Sixties , TOWER OF SHADOWS and CHAMBER OF DARKNE
The entire run of Nick Fury, from Strange Tales #135 through SHIELD 315, has been collected in three volumes of MMW. (The tpb you mention presented his quadruple-page spead as a fold out, which the MMW didn't do.)
Not ALL Ombibuses reprint the editorial material. Early ones (such as Lee/Kirby FF and Lee/Ditko FF) do, but more recent ones (such as John Byrne FF and Walt Simonson Thor) don't.
The post-Gerber HtD comics and the b&w HtD have not been collected as far as I know.
...Thank you , Jeff .
I got cut off before and I can't Edit now , so...........
IIRC , TOWER OF SHADOWS and CHAMBER OF DARKNESS were the titles of the color comics in the HOUSE OF MYSTERY , etc. , vein that Marvel put out about 1969 .
Eventually , they morphed into MONSTERS ON THE PROWL and CREATURES ON THE LOOSE , spotlighting Marvel Monster Age reprints - but still , though not cover-featuring them , including some
entirely new material into the 20c era . I've always thought these titles were underrated .
I suppose , after them , Marvel decided to do what new anthology horror short stories they did in the B&Ws , and either feature authorized (when not of a P.D. story) adaptations of prose stories OR Atlas-MMA
reprints in the Code color comics , leaving that to DC and Joe & Murray . I'd like a reprint of these stories .
Remember them featuring the - realistically depicted , not as
goofy horror hosts - artists/writers as the intro-/outro-ers of the stories ???
Do you think the powersthat/bean counters/" lawyers " ( gasp ! ) think that there's " getting permission " issues with reprinting the letters - and addresses - in the comics-shop era on letcols but not the Mighty Marvel/Nefarous Nixon Age ones ?
Oh , BTW - SPOILER - the famed Secret Empire story that
luded e White House in CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON then had a VERY similar story conclusion AREDEVIL then...
Quite a bit of that "Monster Age stuff has been reprinted in various MMW "Atlas Era" series: five volume of Strange Tales, four volumes of Journey into Mystery (both of these still in the "pre-Code" era, I believe), one of Menace, and (especially, as far as the monsters are concerned) four volumes each of (post-Code) Tales of Suspense and Tales to Astonish.
I don't know why some Marvel Omnibuses have editorial material and others don't. I wouldn't think any legal permissions would be involved (seeing that it was known up front given that any letters written in the first place had the possibility of being published).
That "Secret Empire" story is avialable in tpb (maybe out of print now), but in any case, I'm holding out for the MMW.
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