Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials in Horror Comics and Fantasy Art Forum

0 Points

Forum Jump

Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials

Author	Comment
evilskippy	Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	Lead	[-]
Jan 11 06 6:17 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just wondering if there were any fans of the reprints that Marvel & DC have been issuing for some time now. The Showcase Presents are like the Marvel Essential line; over 500 pages and in black and white. However the DC line uses a better stock of paper or at least it is brighter and the artwork looks sharper. The Archives Editions are wonderful but expensive. I've been picking a few up here and there when I can get them for about half of the $50 retail price. I like the idea of having a big fat chunk of comics in one book and it saves wear and tear on my original comics. Any other fans? "Permit me to introduce myself.My name is Mabuse.Dr Mabuse".
CSABadass	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#1	[-]
Jan 11 06 6:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Any other fans? Got the fever for DC Archive Editions back when they were tax write-offs, and I've just started my second shelf-full of them. Now they're a tax write-off again. Maybe I should go get another bookcase. ;-) Great stories in a great format (paperstock that will outlive me, for a start). What's not to love? Deo Vindice, Christopher McGlothlin, M.Ed. -Mad Social Scientist & Freelance Writer -Moderator, The nGo Game Industry/Pro Wrestling Listserver "Look upon me! I'll show you the life of the mind!"--Charlie Meadows, in Barton Fink
Tim Lucas VW	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#2	[-]
Jan 12 06 12:00 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I actively collect a number of the Marvel Masterworks titles and the BATMAN and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS reprints. Some are primarily a nostalgic trip for me, but some like FANTASTIC FOUR and SILVER SURFER have been a joy to rediscover as an adult. I recently picked up the Masterworks edition of the 1960s CAPTAIN MARVEL and was surprised to find out that Arnold Drake, of THE FLESH EATERS fame, wrote some of the early issues -- my apologies to Mr. Drake, but that book does not hold up well at all! Once Gene Colan left and Don Heck picked up the pencil, it was all over... but I seem to remember it was later rejuvenated when Gil Kane took over and Mar-Vell was given a new costume and secret identity (former civilian Avenger Rick Jones). I was never much of a DC fan, but thanks to the Archive editions, I've had a chance to discover what I had missed by not reading HAWKMAN and GREEN LANTERN.
taraco	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#3	[-]
Jan 12 06 1:15 AM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have many of the DC Archives and love them, despite the high price (I know, a bargain, but still...) (By the way, it's my blurb on the cover of each Spirit Archive -- 'The Citizen Kane of comics' -- USA TODAY) As for the Essentials and the new DC Showcase reprints. For only ten bucks each, they're great, and I know the black-and-white shows the art cleanly and 'pure,' but they just don't work for me. I'd prefer old-fashioned comic pulp in color. david 'Not an imaginary story...'
chris schillig	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#4	[-]
Jan 12 06 6:53 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	For financial reasons, I'm more a fan of the Essentials and Showcase books than the more expensive Masterworks and Archives. I have a ton of the Essentials (which have been around for some time) and two volumes of DC's phonebook-sized reprints (Green Lantern and Jonah Hex). I really enjoy seeing the stories in black and white, especially the work by Gene Colan and Steve Ditko, where the lack of color shows off more of the linework. One thing I have noticed, though, is that I seldom read to the end of ANY of the volumes, but rather just dip in and out as time and interest permit. These are comics that were designed to be read with at least one month between issues, and some of the plots can become repetitive (to say the least) when they're read in one sitting.
CSABadass	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#5	[-]
Jan 12 06 9:49 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I recently picked up the Masterworks edition of the 1960s CAPTAIN MARVEL and was surprised to find out that Arnold Drake, of THE FLESH EATERS fame, wrote some of the early issues -- my apologies to Mr. Drake, but that book does not hold up well at all! If you want to read Drake at his best, you should check out the Doom Patrol Archive Editions. When villains like Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man show up, you truly appreciate that the man behind The Flesh Eaters is the one spinning the tale. Deo Vindice, Christopher McGlothlin, M.Ed. -Mad Social Scientist & Freelance Writer -Moderator, The nGo Game Industry/Pro Wrestling Listserver "Look upon me! I'll show you the life of the mind!"--Charlie Meadows, in Barton Fink
evilskippy	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#6	[-]
Jan 12 06 12:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have moved across the country several times. Even though we were careful with the comics moving takes its toll on them. So does reading no matter how careful you are with them. I've had comics in the nm range drop down to vf or fine (at least to my eyes) due to taking them out of the mylar to read them;put them back in etc. So the Archives/Showcase/Essentials make a lot of sense to me. And it also allows me to trade/sell the comics that are in these volumes if I so choose. "Permit me to introduce myself.My name is Mabuse.Dr Mabuse".
Doctor 1313	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#7	[-]
Jan 12 06 1:17 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have three of the Marvel Essentials books, "The Monster of Frankenstein", "Marvel Two-in-One" and "Werewolf by Night", but I'm really not digging the black-and-white. Being a DC fan, though, I am loving the DC Archives books, and get them when I can find them at a cheaper price. I have the archive editions of the Atom, the Golden Age Spectre, volumes 1-6 of All-Star Comics, volumes 1 & 2 of the Golden Age Green Lantern, volumes 1 & 2 of Wonder Woman, volumes 1 & 2 of the Justice League of America and volumes 1-4 of Shazam! DOCTOR 13
chris schillig	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#8	[-]
Jan 12 06 1:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The cool thing about the Essentials/Showcase editions is we are getting comics that I never in my wildest dreams thought would be reprinted. Over the summer, I picked up the Essential Killraven (probably released to tie-in with "War of the Worlds"). Who would have ever thought we'd see THAT? Or the recent Spider-Woman volume? And while we're talking oddities (although this ISN'T an Essential volume), how about OMEGA THE UNKNOWN, an excellent but short-lived series by Howard the Duck creator Steve Gerber? Recently reprinted. And now I read where Marvel is reprinting their New Universe titles from the mid-80s before the concepts are revamped ad rehauled this summer. Truly, the major comic book companies will have everything reprinted between two covers before long. Not that I'm complaining.
reddog122	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#9	[-]
Jan 14 06 1:51 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dc Archives: Sgt Rock Shazam Enemy Ace Marvel Masterworks Journey into Mystery series Essentials Tomb of Dracula (these need to reprinted in the Masterworks series) Needs to be reprinted: Sgt Fury and his Howlin' Commandos Dr Fate stories
taraco	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#10	[-]
Jan 14 06 2:00 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Which Dr. Fate, reddog? Golden Age? (yeah!) Silver Age revivals? (yeah!) DeMatteis/McManus version from 80s? (actually those were pretty good) The shared Fate (brother/sister were Nabu or something)? No! Fate (the post Zero Hour guy) Wipe from existence! Who is Fate now, by the way? I THINK Kent Nelson came back for awhile but was dispatched to the afterlife AGAIN in the latest Crisis or its lead-ins. In the Days of Vengeance special last month the Nabu helmet got thrown out into space or something where it will fall, like The Mask I guess, when DC needs it.
evilskippy	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#11	[-]
Jan 14 06 2:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yesterday The Hawkman Archives Volume 2 arrived. This contains silver age Hawkman 1-8 with art by one of my faves, Murphy Anderson. Wonderful stuff. "Permit me to introduce myself.My name is Mabuse.Dr Mabuse".
reddog122	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#12	[-]
Jan 15 06 1:22 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Which Dr. Fate, reddog? I like the Golden Age stories. The stories in "More Fun" and "All Star Squadron." I used to have some DC reprints from the 70's but it would be nice to have them collected in one nice package. *Quote:* Who is Fate now, by the way? I believe the last Dr Fate was Jared Stevens who took over the helmet from a temporarily resurrected Kent Nelson.
CSABadass	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#13	[-]
Jan 15 06 1:30 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I believe the last Dr Fate was Jared Stevens who took over the helmet from a temporarily resurrected Kent Nelson. Jared "Sammy Hagar" Stevens was only ever just "Fate," and he is now dead due to Mordru and his own lameness. The next true Dr. Fate was Hector Hall, who is now also dead. As of the most recent issue of JSA I've seen, Dr. Fate is now just Nabu, acting sans a human body. Deo Vindice, Christopher McGlothlin, M.Ed. -Mad Social Scientist & Freelance Writer -Moderator, The nGo Game Industry/Pro Wrestling Listserver "Look upon me! I'll show you the life of the mind!"--Charlie Meadows, in Barton Fink
JohnRozum	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#14	[-]
Jan 15 06 1:40 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have a bunch of the Marvel Masterworks volumes and the DC Archives editions, though granted I've been able to wrangle most of them for free since I used to write for Marvel, and currently write for DC. I'm already anticipating calling in a favor for volume 3 of the DOOM PATROL. I have some of the black and white collections as well. I enjoy these for the price as well as the huge number of issues packed into each volume, but am perfectly willing to spring for the color, hardcover editions as I find them, for $35.00 or less. Even though the coloring technology of three decades ago and further back was crude, there's nothing like reading those early Kirby Fantastic Four stories in color.
Chesterbelloc	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#15	[-]
Jan 15 06 12:46 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've curtailed my Golden and Silver Age comic book purchases because 1)the prices were getting outrageous and 2)there is way too much corruption and chicanery in the back issue comic book market. There are even problems with the CGC slabbed books(quite a few scandals on this front in the last six months). So, I'm going back to purchasing the Archives and Masterworks editions almost exclusively. I would like to see Archive editions from DC that reprint the whole comic book, not just the main character story. Some of those backup features were a lot of fun, and sometimes contained early work by future masters of the form.
HalLane	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#16	[-]
Jan 20 06 8:50 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Even though the coloring technology of three decades ago and further back was crude, there's nothing like reading those early Kirby Fantastic Four stories in color. While the coloring was crude back then, so was the print register. Which is why the Masterworks and Archives are all re-colored on 'computers' prior to reprinting. The last comics to re-use the old film were the "Classics" versions (Spider-man, Conan, X-men etc.). I kinda got disenchanted with Masterworks when I realized they were creating new color guides that didn't reference the original coloring at all (call me a purist). And for the record, that old art was designed for 'flat' color; I don't think it works too well with today's 'airbrush' techniques. And yeah, I like to study the black-only reprints, but the color makes it more fun to read. Guess I need 'em both! Re: Dr. Fate: Wow, sounds like Taraco knows his stuff! The most recent Fate for me is the Cartoon Network / Justice League version, which is lotsa fun in my book. Mystical heroes were just made for animated spfx! Re: Arnold Drake: I believe you'll find him on the early DEADMAN, as well.
Count Gamula	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#17	[-]
Jan 21 06 1:44 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I kinda got disenchanted with Masterworks when I realized they were creating new color guides that didn't reference the original coloring at all (call me a purist). And for the record, that old art was designed for 'flat' color; I don't think it works too well with today's 'airbrush' techniques. That's my main criticism of the Marvel Masterworks. I have to wonder if the colors weren't deliberately changed in order to eliminate the possibility of the original colorists wanting royalties for their work. And, yes, the airbrush look is completely out of place and works against the line art designed for flat color.
HalLane	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#18	[-]
Jan 22 06 3:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I have to wonder if the colors weren't deliberately changed in order to eliminate the possibility of the original colorists wanting royalties for their work. That's an interesting theory. I don't know that much about the hardcover royalty system, but it's certainly a possibility. I think though that, unfortunately, many of the original colorists like George Roussous (Bell) are no longer with us, even if Marvel did keep detailed colorist records, which I don't believe they do. When editor Mark Gruenwald died, a lot of that link with the past went with him. There's an even simpler reason why the coloring is changed and, like they say on the Travel Channel, here's a secret: (shhhh....) I don't think Marvel keeps color copies of old published work; their main reference is whatever version they published last, if that. When I did work for them, such as with DC crossovers, more than once I supplied reference from my own collection. Or they go down to the comic store and buy it if they need to. Believe it or not, it's much, much cheaper and faster to hand someone photocopies to color overnight than it is to pull color proofs from film and then make colorguides. Yes, the mind boggles. So hold onto your originals, guys.
Count Gamula	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#19	[-]
Jan 22 06 6:41 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I don't think Marvel keeps color copies of old published work; their main reference is whatever version they published last, if that. In the 1970s, Marvel had bound volumes of all of their old comics at their offices. Most reprints of the old stories up until the Masterworks such as ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS, SONS OF ORIGINS, BRING ON THE BAD GUYS, etc., used the original color separations. On something of an archival nature like MARVEL MASTERWORKS, I'm sure they could have supplied the colorists with the originals if they had wanted to. It seems like they must have had some other reason. If they paid for new coloring under a buy-out deal, then they could reprint the stories forever and never have to worry about the old colorists or their families showing up with their hands out.
chris schillig	Re: Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials	#20	[-]
Jan 23 06 10:07 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Wouldn't Marvel's original work-for-hire agreements have given them carte blanche over all the work done for them in the early years, including color? I can't imagine it wouldn't, unless profit-sharing changes that came into effect in the 80s and lawsuits like Steve Gerber's and Marv Wolfman's muddied the waters somehow. I own an original Marvel Masterworks FF edition, and the color there didn't seem too off. Of course, it's not like I had the original comics to compare them to -- shucks!

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials

Archive Editions, Showcase Presents, Essentials