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.

[Captain Comics]

Whee! About time!

[Jeff of Earth-J]

It's not often that a Marvel Masterworks or DC Archive series synchs up with an omnibus, but three volumes of MMW Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man segues perfectly into the Roger Stern Spider-Man omnibus. Now they've solicited a PPSS omnibus which collects the same issues. I would have much rather had a single omnibus than three Masterworks.

Also, the Miracleman omnibus has been solicited, with three different covers: Kevin Knowlan and Gary Leach DM only, and an all-new one by Alan Davis.

Both for September release. 

[Dennis Summers]

Hi folks, got a question for you all. I see that DC is soliciting for "Absolute" Swamp Thing. Other than being somewhat larger in dimensions, and less pages than a typical Omnibus, is there anything else compelling about it? thanx.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

I assume you are referring to the "Absolute Swamp Thing" by Wein and Wrightson (just recently solicited)...?

I have the two (of the soon-to-be three) "Absolute Swamp Things" by Alan Moore and I cannot recommend them highly enough. First of all, they are slip-cased, but the volumes themselves are of a texture I cannot describe... kind of "oily"? The color inside is phenomenal, like no coloring I have ever seen before. 

Now, is the upcoming "Wein/Wrightson" edition going to be of the same quality as the "Moore" editions? It is the same price point, but other DC "Absolute" editions I have seen are not as impressive as the Moore Swamp Thing editions. I can unequivocally recommend the Moore ones, but the Wein/Wrightson one? I don't know. 

[Dennis Summers]

Well darn, can't DC get any kind of consistency? You had me convinced until your caveat. When you mention the color, does that refer to the quality of the color printing, or that the pages have been recolored for that edition. Thanx for the quick response.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

"...does that refer to the quality of the color printing, or that the pages have been recolored for that edition?"

Both, I think. I don't know for certain whether or not the pages have been recolored (although I assume so), but the quality is certainly impressive. Just to put my comments into perspective, I don't often recommend graphic novels on the basis of the color alone. I've have done so on only two other occasions: Superman: For All Seasons and John Byrne's Stowaway to the Stars. 

[Dennis Summers]

;-)

[Jeff of Earth-J]

ABSOLUTE SWAMP THING ALAN MOORE V3: This shipped today.

"I don't know for certain whether or not the pages have been recolored..."

Scratch that. I have been able to confirm that the Alan Moore "Absolute" editions feature new coloring created especially for these editions by Steve Oliff.

"...the volumes themselves are of a texture I cannot describe... kind of 'oily'?"

That's not a very good description. the covers themselves are of a kind of green "suede" designed (no doubt) to evoke the feel of moss. 

[Dennis Summers]

Thanx for the update. It doesn't help me to make a decision about the Wrightson book, unfortunately. I'm taking a pass for the time being, although if I end up wanting it later I probably won't get as good a discount. Oh well, I can't own everything.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

"It doesn't help me to make a decision about the Wrightson book, unfortunately."

Yeah, I know. If I knew for certain that the Wein/Wrightson book was going to be as good as the three Moore ones, I could recommend it unequivocally. I would think it would be the same... I would hope it would be the same... but I just don't know. I've decided not to preorder it, either. If it is the same as the Moore ones, I definitely want it, but if it's not I don't. I'll look into it when it ships and report back here. 

[Dennis Summers]

Thanx, I'll await your review.

[Philip Portelli]

I know you meant "Grant" but when dealing with an omnibus "Grand" works as well! ;-)

Jeff of Earth-J said:

THE GRAND MORRISON ANIMAL MAN OMNIBUS: This isn't exactly Golden, Silver or Bronze Age, but it is DC. This is is new edition; it has been offered before, but I passed it up. I just might get it this time. It reprints #1-26 and Secret Origins #39. On sale 8/23/22 (maybe).