We have a good discussion on this board of DC Finest collections (updated and maintained by Rob Staeger), but not one for the similar Marvel Epic Collections. The line began in 2013, so it's past time we had one (although I'm not going to commit to putting the amount of effort into this thread that Rob puts into his). This one is for whichever one anyone here would care to discuss, be it a newly released volume, an upoming one, or an old favorite. Right now I'm reading Enter... Doctor Doom, a collection of the Latverian dictator's appearances from 1962 through 1969 in chronological order. This material was previously released in "omnibus" format, but I didn't think it warrented that kind of high-end treatment. and that's the way it should be: release the hardcover first, the cheaper tpb later. Collections such as this are good opportunities to trace the development of a character over time. Ah, The Kids These Days™ don't know how good they've got it. Back in my day, I had to chase down early appearances as backissues!
Next...?
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I was looking at the listed contents of the Doctor Doom Epic Collection today:
COLLECTING: Fantastic Four (1961) 5-6, 10, 16-17, 23, 39-40, 57-60, 73; Fantastic Four Annual (1963) 2-3; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 5; Avengers (1963) 25; Daredevil (1964) 37-38; Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) 20.
I read all of those when they originally came out. I sold them and the rest of my Silver Age comics to a local dealer I trusted before our last move, which was some time between 2000 and 2004. I own the FF and Spidey ones in Marvel Masterwork form. I have bought several Epic Collections of other heroes, though.
I haven't had much to say about the Epic Collections because I've been collecting Marvel's Silver and Bronze ages in Masterworks and omnibus form. There are Epic collections that go beyond what's available in HC, but I've been holding off on the TPBs for consistency's sake. Out of curiosity, and as a sample, I compared what was available in the various formats for one title, the 1963-1998 Amazing Spider-Man.
Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #1-288 (with other relevant material, like annuals).
Omnibus: The numbered volumes carry us to Amazing Spider-Man #223, but there are plenty of omnibuses featuring various writers and/or storylines after that. It's possible to get the bulk of the title through around issue #418 via "Spider-Man by Roger Stern Omnibus" and "The Black Costume Saga Omnibus" and the like. These later omnibuses include related titles like Web of Spider-Man and Spectacular Spider-Man where relevant.
Epic Collection: Vols. 1-13 carry us to Amazing Spider-Man #241, and Vols. 15-28 offer Amazing Spider-Man #259-399. (There is no Vol. 14 yet.) These later volumes include the related titles as well. The series is getting dang close to the last issue, #441.
I should note that the Masterworks have officially ended, and I haven't seen an omnibus for some time. Epic Collection and DC Finest may be where we are now.
I've been collecting Marvel's Silver and Bronze ages in Masterworks and omnibus form.
Me too, but that decision came back to bite me in the arse last year after Marvel cancelled the MMW line and I was in the mood to start a thread on "Post-Byrne Fantastic Four." I had wanted to read #296-307 (et al) in "Epic" format, but the 2014 collection is out of print. I was unable to find it at a reasonable price, so I had to resort to re-reading the originals.
I've picked up a few in the last three months:
Volume 14 ends with #254 while 16 begins with #264. Including an annual, that's only ten issues for Volume 15, which doesn't exist yet. Usually there are sixteen/seventeen issues per volume. It can't include The X-Men Versus The Avengers because that would go into Volume 17. Any ideas what could be included with 15?
I'd guess Avengers Annual #14 and Fantastic Four Annual #19, which continue the Nebula intro story. Does that fill it?
I included the Avengers annual. The FF annual only makes it eleven issues!
EDIT: Checking the awesome Mike's Amazing World of Comics Newsstand feature it might include:
I don't know if this answers your question or not, but MMW Vol. 379 (Avenger Vol. 25) comprises Avengers #255-263, Annual #14, Fantastic Four #286 and Marvel Graphic Novel #27 ("Emperor Doom").
A few years ago, right around the holiday season, Amazon offered Kindle editions of Epic collections for $1.99 and Masterworks for $.99 each. I picked up collections of Master of Kung Fu, Doctor Strange, Avengers, Hulk, Silver Surfer, SHIELD and Spider-Man. I have read through most of the material but I have to admit I'd much prefer having physical copies.
If you're a fan of the Silver Surfer (and who isn't?), you're probably already aware that most (89%) of his 1987 series (v3) is available (or was at one time) in "Epic" format.
I have two of those volumes. I wish I had three.
v1 - "When Galactus Calls"
This is the "zeroeth" volume, containing all of his appearances prior to his first series: Fantastic Four #48–50, 55, 57–60, 72, 74–77, plus the Surfer bits from Fantastic Four #56, 61, Annual #5 and Tales to Astonish #92–93. There is no "Epic" v2, but that's a placeholder for the Surfer's first solo series, whihc has already been reprinted many times in multiple formats, including Essential, Masterworks and Omnibus. It is currently being reprinted in a series of facsimile editions.
v3 - "Freedom"
Epic v3 leads off with the Silver Surfer one-shot (v2) by John Byrne, then goes into the first 14 issues of the 1987 series, plus Super-Villain Classics #1 (Galactus by Lee & Kirby), a story from Epic Illustrated #1 (Galactus and the Surfer by Lee and Buscema), and Marvel Fanfare #51 by Englehart and Buscema. In my estimation, the material by Steve Englehart and Marshall /Rogers is not only among the greatest Silver Surfer stories ever told, it is among the greatest runs of any series by any creator(s). It has since been reprinted in "omnibus" format, but I'm still glad I have the Epic Collection.
v13 - "Inner Demons"
This is the one volume (by J.M. DeMatteis and Ron Garney) I wish I had. I have the entire 146-issue run of Silver Surfer v3, and didn't initially feel I needed any collection other than v3 in "Epic" format, but I have since changed my mind. Copies of v13 (now out of print) are available online, but they are unrealistically priced. Marvel occasionally goes back to print with certain popular volumes, but so far not Silver Surfer v13.
I don't remember when I stopped buying Silver Surfer, but I'm pretty sure it was after Ron Lim's run. (Would that be his first run?) Anyway, I'm pretty sure I've read all these stories, is my point. But reading your summaries makes me want Epic v3, since it gathers a bunch of Surfer stories that appeared in various places, some of which are well-regarded, and would take Herculean effort for me to compare them by pulling from longboxes. I imagine I could do so online fairly readily, but what can I say? I like print.