Comic News: Marvel Kicks Off New Classic Hardcover Collections

[Kefkataran]

Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com) has a nice little article (http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/MCPHC/MPCHCLine.html) recapping and explaining Marvel's upcoming line of classic storyline premiere hardcovers, starting with the "Kraven's Last Hunt" book coming this August for $19.99. From the article:

"Fans have been so responsive to our Premiere HC line of current releases that we decided to expand the treatment to collect exactly what the title suggests - classic Marvel storylines from throughout Marvel's publishing history," Beazley said when asked about the goal behind the new line. "When you think of definitive Spider-Man stories, 'Fearful Symmetry/Kraven's Last Hunt' is one of those greats that everyone remembers. We want to showcase some of the true gems of Marvel's past by presenting them in the best possible way."

"The next book should be in the October previews is a Premiere Classic of one the most influential storylines in Marvel history - Wolverine: Origin. We're going to be packing in the extras on this one. Our contact with Mike Zeck has given us a bevy of great stuff for a collection of Punisher: Circle of Blood reprinting the classic first solo Punisher miniseries. Beyond that you'll have to wait and see.

This line certainly seems like a smart move and good deals, especially if they stick to the 19.99 price point. Many of these great old stories are out of print and are really vital to modern continuity. Plus with all those extras packed in? These may be hard to resist.

[Heretic Machine]

Personally, the only way I would buy old comics like that would be in the form of massive digital collections. That is where Marvel should be looking. They have a few out already, but from what I've heard, they could use some work.

[TrackZero]

Just release Ultimate Spiderman hardcover number 7 damnit!

[TrackZero]

Personally, the only way I would buy old comics like that would be in the form of massive digital collections. That is where Microsoft should be looking. They have a few out already, but from what I've heard, they could use some work.

I think you've got Microsoft on the brain again Perigon.

[Watership]

Woo! Kraven's Last Hunt! That's one of my favourite Spider-man stories ever. The art is consistant and awesome, and the storytelling is ellegant.

Wish I could say the same for Wolverine: Origin.

Now if only they did The Fantastic Four Negative Zone arc by John Byrne...

[KSmitty]

Personally, the only way I would buy old comics like that would be in the form of massive digital collections. That is where Microsoft should be looking. They have a few out already, but from what I've heard, they could use some work.
Those digital collections are nice if you don't have the money to go back and buy the hundreds of back isssues for long running series ie Spiderman, Xmen, F4, Avengers. However I really do enjoy the look and feel of a nice tpb. I am one of those strange people that likes to own books. Given the choice of an eBook or a paperback that is twice as much I would go for the 'real' book. I hope to see more of the classic stories reprinted, 19.99 is a good price point and many fans (me) would like to own the older story arcs without having to pay through the nose.

-K

[SexualChoc]

Yum. That's what put me off 616 titles, I didn't want to jump in at the deepend. But I'm glad that now I can sample the cream of the crop.

[Kefkataran]

Now if only they did The Fantastic Four Negative Zone arc by John Byrne...

I believe that's collected in one of the Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne trades.

[Heretic Machine]

I think you've got Microsoft on the brain again Perigon.

Ya, I was explaining to my mom that the EU decision to fine Microsoft was stupid and unjustified... :p

Yum. That's what put me off 616 titles, I didn't want to jump in at the deepend. But I'm glad that now I can sample the cream of the crop.

Not a great idea. Old comics are not representitive of the current comics, and really have little relevance. If you really want to get into comics, just wait for a new story-arc to begin in a comic you're interested in, then jump on in. Yes, every now and then something will happen that will reference old events, but it won't be something that you won't be able to catch on to quickly without referencing any other material.

[Watership]

Yum. That's what put me off 616 titles, I didn't want to jump in at the deepend. But I'm glad that now I can sample the cream of the crop.

Just the mention of 616 or Multiverse or Infinite Earths just makes me sick. DC has inherently been super screwed this way, so the fact that marvel went this route on purpose is sad.

[Dr.Finger]

This could actually be huge. If this leads to more comic stuff being present in bookstores I'm all for it.

[zipR]

"Kraven's Last Hunt" is the only Spider Man story I own. Great stuff, that.

The only other straight (non-Epic) Marvel comics that I know of that deserve this kind of treatment is Frank Miller's Daredevil stuff.

(I primarily read DC stuff when I was younger, maybe that's why...)

[captainspankypants]

Kraven's Last Hunt was OK, but not fantastic.

*spoilers*

Spider-Man's literally dead and buried for a HUGE part of the story, and since I'm not a big Kraven fan, I spent a lot of the story just waiting for him to come back. I was a little thrown by the comic book logic/faulty science of Spider-Man's "death" as well, because it just plain didn't seem plausible to me. Then the final showdown was between Spider-Man and Vermin, who is almost always just a mindless pawn of someone else. Something about Spider-Man being gone the whole book and then being relegated to fighting a henchman for the grand finale just doesn't seem right.

*end spoilers*

It really is a fantastic character study of Kraven though, and the thought processes of a villain who gets trounced again and again no matter how hard he tries.

And don't even get me started on "Origin."

[Maskatron]

I'd like to see the whole Claremont/Sienkiewicz run from The New Mutants, on shiny new white paper.

[Kefkataran]

Not a great idea. Old comics are not representitive of the current comics, and really have little relevance. If you really want to get into comics, just wait for a new story-arc to begin in a comic you're interested in, then jump on in. Yes, every now and then something will happen that will reference old events, but it won't be something that you won't be able to catch on to quickly without referencing any other material.

I disagree with this. While some old comics certainly aren't relevant, the idea behind this series is to pull out the cream of the crop, the stuff that not only is relevant but is really the foundation for modern stuff. Certainly not a bad idea to check that out.

[Jack Random]

I'll pass on Origin, but if they want to package Windsor-smith's old Weapon X into a hardcover...

I also can't help but think this move was influanced by DC's "Absolute" line (which is amazing, btw).

Now where's my Mutant Massacre collection?

[SexualChoc]

Not a great idea. Old comics are not representitive of the current comics, and really have little relevance. If you really want to get into comics, just wait for a new story-arc to begin in a comic you're interested in, then jump on in. Yes, every now and then something will happen that will reference old events, but it won't be something that you won't be able to catch on to quickly without referencing any other material.

I know what you mean. With reboots and out of continuity arcs, it could all prove pointless. But it would still be nice to see some of the defining moments in Marvel comics.

[Heretic Machine]

I disagree with this. While some old comics certainly aren't relevant, the idea behind this series is to pull out the cream of the crop, the stuff that not only is relevant but is really the foundation for modern stuff. Certainly not a bad idea to check that out.

I jumped into comics knowing nothing but what I gathered in my time as a non-comic book type geek, jumped right into Avengers: Disassembled. I had no problem following the stories.

[Heretic Machine]

Ok, this may not be the place to say it, but Who Wants to Be a Superhero? looks like the stupidest show ever made.

God dammit Stan Lee, how much money did they pay you for that?

[Kefkataran]

I jumped into comics knowing nothing but what I gathered in my time as a non-comic book type geek, jumped right into Avengers: Disassembled. I had no problem following the stories.

I'm not saying the stuff is necessary to knowing what's going on, I'm saying it's good if you want to know your roots and read some of the best older stories. It's just a good deal. Also, Disassembled was trash. :p Sorry, Bendis.

Ok, this may not be the place to say it, but Who Wants to Be a Superhero? looks like the stupidest show ever made.

God dammit Stan Lee, how much money did they pay you for that?

Yeah, it really does look terrible... and for some reason I'm going to watch it anyways. :( Oh well, no way it could be worse than that fucking X-Men game.

[digitalErich]

I think I get what Perigon is saying...that you don't necessarily need to know the complete 20 year history of a book to jump into a comic. There are still great older stories for sure, but I think what Perigon was trying to get across is that most of the time, this back catalogue is not required knowledge for enjoying and understanding a long running book, like Batman, X-Men, what have you...i.e. if you want to get a given comic, don't hesitate simply because it's issue #243.

[Kefkataran]

Yeah, and I'd agree that you don't need to know the history necessarily. I just don't think that's a good argument for these being unnecessary or not worth picking up. :)

[Heretic Machine]

Yeah, and I'd agree that you don't need to know the history necessarily. I just don't think that's a good argument for these being unnecessary or not worth picking up. :)

That wasn't what I was saying. I was replying to posters who said they weren't going to get into Marvel comics because of the extensive continuity that they know nothing about. It is a common misconception that you need to know the history of the universe to be able to read the comics taking place in it.