DC ANNOUNCES NEW COLLECTIONS; BLACK DOSSIER DELAY

[MattBrady]

<img src=http://www.newsarama.com/Baltimore/06/DC/SPwho_v1_cvr_comp_t.jpg border=0 align=right>Monday evening at their Diamond Retail Summit presentation, DC announced a handful of new collections coming out in 2007, including an Absolute version of <b>Wildcats</b>, as well as a two volume <b>Showcase</b> collection of <b>Who’s Who</b> from the late ‘80s and a four-volume, color hardcover project entitled <b>New Gods Omnibus</b>, which will collect Jack Kirby’s entire Fourth World saga between two…er, eight covers.

We spoke with DC’s Collected Editions editor Georg Brewer for more on the latter two projects.

“It’s a two volume Showcase collection, featuring all the original 26 issues of <b>Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe</b> issues,” Brewer said. “I’ve been trying to find a way to do this for a long time, because I love that stuff – I actually have a bound set of the originals in my office from the library because it’s just a great reference tool, and was a nice moment in time for a lot of this stuff, and having this format is a perfect one for it.”

That moment in time was just prior to the original <b>Crisis on Infinite Earths</b>, thus the character profiles were full of references to Earth-2, the <i>original</i> original Justice Society, and all that existed in the multi-verse prior to the Anti-Monitor having his way.

Of course, for fans of the original series, while it included years worth of content and continuity, as well as killer art, it also, unfortunately, showed off the bumps in the road as DC moved to Flexography printing, moving from metal plates to rubber plates. As original readers will remember, this meant that, in the early issues (problems were quickly corrected), the art and color didn’t quite match up.

Given the <b>Showcase</b> format, that is to say, black and white, those early problems won’t show up again, Brewer said.

“Since these are coming out in black and white, those won’t be seen. What we’re going to do is take all of the background elements that were color holds in the background, and just do them as graytones.”

While that challenge was easily solved, Brewer said he’s still facing another – the covers. Again, and original readers remember them well – the covers were collections of all the characters in the issue, as rendered by George Perez. By the time the series had concluded, Perez (who drew virtually all the covers) had drawn nearly every DC Comics character. So how do you represent that on the cover?

No – seriously – how would you do that on the cover? Brewer is open to ideas.

“We were having meetings about the covers recently, and we’re still trying to figure it out. The original covers were those George Perez collection of heroes. Do you pick one? Do you do some kind of quadrant or grid where you show more than one, since we only have two volumes? We’re kicking around a lot of different ideas. One of them is taking figures out of a bunch of different original covers, and recombine, and re-ink them to create the gestalt of what those covers were.

“For me, the things that made Who’s Who what it is was the basic design on the inside – the long, narrow figure with the profile bar down the side, and the covers – just these jams of all the characters together. So we’re trying to replicate that, but it’s an ongoing conversation we’re having.”

<img src=http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/b/be/180px-New_Gods_1971_1.jpg border=0 align=left> Moving over to the monster project on Brewer’s schedule, <b>New Gods Omnibus</b> should be, the editor feels, the <i>definitive</i> collection of Jack Kirby’s Fourth World saga, from start to finish.

“We’re still trying to determine the final contents, but essentially, it’s going to be a hardcover collection of the full New Gods saga,” Brewer said. “Right now, and this is subject to change, my bias would be to collect the stories across titles, as they were released chronologically, so it gives you a sense of how the concepts evolved, so that way you’re not stuck with a full <b>Mr. Miracle</b> collection or a full <b>Forever People</b>, but rather, build the larger story as the issues and pieces were released chronologically.”

The Omnibus will include the full run of <b>New Gods</b> and <b>The Hunger Dogs</b>, but will also include, as Brewer said, assorted other issues which contain pieces of the larger whole, such as the debut of the characters in Kirby’s issues of <b>Jimmy Olsen</b> and others. “Those are some of the details we’re still working out, but it’s looking like it will be four collections of 200-plus pages each,” Brewer said. “They’ll be color hard covers – a nice, definitive collection. I think that’s something that the core Kirby fans have wanted to see for a long time.”

As for the coloring, Brewer isn’t certain if the pages will be fully recolored or touched up fro the originals.

“We rescanned a lot of the black and white line art for the toned books we did a few years ago, and the question now is whether or not we have that art reproduced well enough so we can go back and color it, or we have to get the art again…or what we have to do. The intent is to make this the definitive, good-looking version of this classic story.”

Additionally, Brewer said that DC is in talks with a handful of people in regards to introductions and text pieces that add context to the larger picture Kirby was drawing, as well as other materials from the era, such as the mock up to a cover of an issue of <b>Showcase</b> where the New Gods were originally slated to debut.

“We’re digging through all of that material to see what will fit in,” Brewer said. “A lot of it has been out in the world through <i>The Kirby Collector</i> and other places, but we’re going to see what we can do to make it special.”

<img src=http://www.dccomics.com/media/covers/5977_180x270.jpg border=0 align=right>In another news revealed at DC’s retailer presentation, Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s <b>The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier</b> graphic novel, which was solicited for an October release, has been delayed indefinitely.

According to DC, a new in-store date will be announced as soon as possible. As a result of the delay, the book will be made returnable for retailers at a later date.

The will be the last <b>League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</b> project publish through DC/Wildstorm/ABC before Moore moves the property to Top Shelf, publisher of his current <b>Lost Girls</b> graphic novel.

“With <b>Black Dossier</b> Kevin O'Neill is producing the work of his career,” Wildstorm’s Scott Dunbier told Newsarama in response to the news. “ Unfortunately, due to his intense eye for detail and the complex nature of the book, it is also turning out to be the slowest project he has ever done. Wildstorm, through its ABC imprint, will be publishing the book in 2007. Alan and Kevin hope readers who have waited so patiently will feel it's worth the wait, I know I do.”

[Groovie Mann]

damn... guess i might have to rebuy the new gods stuff.

[unmovedmover]

Am I blind? Where is the Absolute Wildcats info? What series will it collect? If it's 3.0, I'd be exstatic, but it's probably the first series:(

Oh, and poo on the LoEG delay. I was looking forward to that more than anything else the rest of the year...

[EmeraldGuy32]

I'll be getting the New Gods Omnibus.

[Scavenger]

Why not the 1988 Who's Who update as well, I wonder.

[Burnt Frog]

I need some info on Absolute Wildcats dammit? Is it Jim Lee's? Alan Moores? Joe Caseys? Arrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhh :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Samy Merchi]

I've only got one real question:

Why does DC feel that the New Gods line needs to be differentiated from Archives?

These are color hardcovers of 200+ pages. They're exactly like Archives. Why the differentiation?

[Hobowatcher]

I've only got one real question:

Why does DC feel that the New Gods line needs to be differentiated from Archives?

These are color hardcovers of 200+ pages. They're exactly like Archives. Why the differentiation?
Because they want to tell the New Gods saga as Kirby introduced each chapter, chronologically instead of just chunking off each character. Its a very intriguing and ambitious way to look at a certain property. It sounds rather interesting.

[Comic_Doctor]

New Gods Omnibus is now on my list. And I'm looking forwards the the Who's Who collection. I love that type of stuff, and now I can stop my search for the individual issues. I wish it was in color though.

[Hobowatcher]

I'd pay five dollars more if it was in color.

[Evan Waters]

The Fourth World Omnibus sounds... glorious. I'm going to have to start saving pennies right now.

[Disco Cookie]

Why not the 1988 Who's Who update as well, I wonder.

My thoughts as well. I'm a purist so I collected all these as individuals but nice to know less obsessive types will get to see this work. There's some real gold in there. The covers were always my favourite part of these - the originals are worth buying for those alone.

Looking back now the original issues are certainly products of their time - which is why I love them, of course.

[Burnt Frog]

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001629035.cfm

Looks like it's the early Jim Lee stuff, which I still like. :) Wonder if Scott will recolour it or if the Cyberforce/Youngblood characters will be taken out?

[Hobowatcher]

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001629035.cfm

Looks like it's the early Jim Lee stuff, which I still like. :) Wonder if Scott will recolour it or if the Cyberforce/Youngblood characters will be taken out?
They got GON?!:D

[jza1218]

Goddamn LoEG...

[Jack Assen]

I've only got one real question:

Why does DC feel that the New Gods line needs to be differentiated from Archives?

These are color hardcovers of 200+ pages. They're exactly like Archives. Why the differentiation?

Hopefully they're not $50 each!

But they probably will be.

[jmcl89]

Goddamn LoEG...

Well, if ever there was a case in which a publisher has no clout to pressure the creator to hit deadlines, it's DC and Alan Moore. Hopefully it won't be too late.

[lordlad]

The who's who showcases is just a direct copy of Marvel's Esential Handbook to the Marvel Universe....

As for the New Gods Omnibus, it's definitely cool but can't they give it an Absolute treatment. Since i always associate Absolute with DC and Omnibus with Marvel

[Hobowatcher]

The who's who showcases is just a direct copy of Marvel's Esential Handbook to the Marvel Universe....

As for the New Gods Omnibus, it's definitely cool but can't they give it an Absolute treatment. Since i always associate Absolute with DC and Omnibus with Marvel
Of course they'll give it the Absolute treatment, but they just want to know if this will sell.

[BillReed]

I won't be happy until I have Absolute OMAC. :)

[kalorama]

Thirty years of reading comics and I've never read more than a few pages of Kirby's original New Gods. Looks like this'll be my chance.

[ThatNickGuy]

As a long time fan of Kirby's art and his New Gods universe, there is no way in hell I'm missing this. Especially if it's colored (re-colored?) in the original Kirby style. I wonder if the colorist for Image's Godland might be available? Heck, the book itself is done in a very Kirby-ish in style, I bet the creators would love to throw some comments into the collection.

On a related note, I'm hoping that George Brewer will read this or this gets back to him but this is about a particular pet peeve I have regarding many DC collections. Maybe it's just me or there are others that share it but, well, hear me out:

Personally, I prefer when collected editions (TPBs, HCs) have each of the issues broken up by the corresponding issue's cover and art. As a regular buyer and dreaded "waiting for the trade" kind of comic book fan, I hate when there's a cover gallery at the end of the book rather than being broken up.

It's kind of like the chapter of a book. There's a break between the major moments or cliffhangers, so why should a collected edition, which honestly should read in a simliar manner, be any different? Especially in the case when there's a change in artists. The change is nowhere near as sudden or abrupt if the chapter/issue is broken up by the covers.

Best examples I would give to this would be most (if not all) of Marvel's hardcovers, the Vertigo line of trade paperbacks or even recent DC trade releases such as Green Lantern: Rebirth or Identity Crisis. Even Batman: Face the Face TPB.

Examples of the cover gallery hurting the overall enjoyment of the book? JLA: Divided We Fall (Mark Waid & Bryan Hitch's run) or Superman: Birthright. Both were great stories but it felt like a marathon having to read them with any sort of chapter break. The jarring art change from Hitch's art to Mike Millar's during JLA: Divided We Fall would have helped with a simple cover break.

Just my two cents. I have the feeling I'm alone in this opinion.

[adampasz]

I don't usually buy hardcovers, but I've been waiting for ages to read the original New Gods stuff, which unfortunately has never been released in a decent color collection. Can't wait!

[victor lanza]

Just let me know when it's coming out and I will be there!!!:D

[tiso_spencer]

Wait do my eyes play tricks on me? Absolute Wildcats? It better not be any volume except for Version 3.0. I bet this is why the old volumes were being rescanned and touch. Well either way if this is true then DC needs to do more for WS. Get some Direct Statues, get Absolute Authority vol. 1 and Planetary vol. 1 back in print. Make an Asbolute Sleeper. Get an Absolute Stormwatch.

[furioso2012]

Because they want to tell the New Gods saga as Kirby introduced each chapter, chronologically instead of just chunking off each character. Its a very intriguing and ambitious way to look at a certain property. It sounds rather interesting.

I've never read the saga in the order it was published. I think that is an AMAZING idea, just like the manner in which DC is collecting SEVEN SOLDIERS.

This publishing plan just confirms to me that the New Gods will play a massive part in the DCU in the next year/year-and-a-half.

[Evan Waters]

I've never read the saga in the order it was published. I think that is an AMAZING idea, just like the manner in which DC is collecting SEVEN SOLDIERS.


I actually tried that. I got the "Jack Kirby Checklist" from 1998, which has, among other things, a list of the each piece Jack was paid for during his time at DC in the seventies, along with publication dates. They only went so far as month, though, so when you had a number of titles in the same month I had to guess.

It is sort of interesting to see the revelations slowly come together. "So what's the deal with this Darkseid guy?" "So, okay, Mister Miracle escaped from Apokolips- was he born there? How'd he get out?" etc. It must have been so interesting to follow- I don't get why it didn't sell.

[furioso2012]

I actually tried that. I got the "Jack Kirby Checklist" from 1998, which has, among other things, a list of the each piece Jack was paid for during his time at DC in the seventies, along with publication dates. They only went so far as month, though, so when you had a number of titles in the same month I had to guess.

It is sort of interesting to see the revelations slowly come together. "So what's the deal with this Darkseid guy?" "So, okay, Mister Miracle escaped from Apokolips- was he born there? How'd he get out?" etc. It must have been so interesting to follow- I don't get why it didn't sell.

IIRC, Mark Evanier (Kirby assistant then, Groo writer later) may have stated that the sales were decent, but that Carmine Infantino - interesting misanthrope, IMO - did not get the books and cancelled NEW GODS, which sort of took the wind out of the rest of Fourth World's sales. It's interesting to speculate where Kirby would have gone with the interlinked books (also interesting to speculate where he would have taken ETERNALS, one of my fave books).

[MitchHundred]

am i the only person in the world who is devastated by the delay? worth the wait yeah, but....agch....oh well. I guess the day that i am more upset about an alan moore book delay than most anything else is the day that i need to lay off the funny books and do something with my life. finish soon kev. good luck.

[furioso2012]

am i the only person in the world who is devastated by the delay? worth the wait yeah, but....agch....oh well. I guess the day that i am more upset about an alan moore book delay than most anything else is the day that i need to lay off the funny books and do something with my life. finish soon kev. good luck.

Truth be told, I was expecting this delay. Both LoEG series had very long delays between issues, plus the book looks like a rather complex production.

I waited 16 years for LOST GIRLS and have been anticipating Moore's follow-up to his novel VOICE OF THE FIRE for many years (it's titled JERUSALEM and is set in Northampton) - so waiting four or six months for DARK DOSSIER is just fine w/me.

[blankpoint]

Hopefully, they'll be able to put out the Absolute Black Dossier at the same time as the regular release now. I want that vinyl of Moore singing.

[Lukecash]

You know what I like?

Morrison and Gaiman thinking they know how to do Kirby's concept better than Kirby.

Kirby had predicted back in the 60-70 that comics would be collected into hardbound books and released. His new Gods and the "Forth World" was a begining of a great epic tale that he wanted to tell. He structured it to be told in sequence.

Morrison has got it completely wrong: The gods do not inhabit the bodies of humans, or take on the appearance of humans...

They are larger than life-and yet smaller than humans.

And when the New gods Met humans.....it was never pretty for the humans.

I am SOOOOOO looking forward to thie omnibus. I will get it.

For the King-becaue this is what he dreamed would have happen.

ANd like many prophets of his time: He did not get to see the promise land.

[Del Gorky]

Where's my Demon Archives HC and What about more Kamandi Archives? Get with it DC. Quit wasting time on Rokkin', Japanimation Big Eye Books, and two issues of Wetworks drawn by Portacio followed by inevitable fill in artists. Don't need more murky crap noir comics by Bruce Jones ruining good concepts like Vigilante, Warlord, Deadman and Nightwing. Or even bad ones like OMAC. Don't want another Martian Manhunter retcon or another disjointed grimy Creeper series.

Gimme the Demon reprinted in color. Must have more Kamandi and less Brave New World. How bout Brave Fourth World instead.

Where's the next volume of Showcase: Jonah Hex and the more horror Showcases (House of Secrets, Witching Hour, more House of Mystery). I want Showcase: Secret Society of SuperVillians and Showcase: Freedom Fighters. I want a Showcase: Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (with finished art and dialogue) Showcase: Fox and Crow? Where's Dr. Fate Archives? I want a little I, Vampyre TPB. I want a Neil Gaiman Sandman Annual even if it's really expensive. I want JLA/JSA every year. I want to see if Cary Bates, Len Wein, and Elliott S! Maggin can still write good comics. I think they can. I want Jim Shooter to have editorial control of 5 or 6 DC Comics sort of like the Marvel Knights thingie.

I want Wonder Woman monthly and not to be just OK. Why can't you get Swamp Thing right? Why does Hellblazer not work anymore? I want a Huntress regular series not crappy Batwoman.
I want more of The Question but I'm not sure in what format. I want Outsiders not to suck. Where's my Daredevil/Batman crossover and where's my Ghost Rider/Lobo special. Why don't you print Christmas and Holiday specials anymore (bunch of Scrooges)? Oh yeah, I want lunch boxes for DC stuff that really shouldn't have lunch boxes like Loveless, Shade the Changing Man, Richard Dragon, the Goodwin/Simonson Manhunter, and original Injustice Society, The Witching Hour, Tito and Burrito, Fox and Crow. I want a Mr. Mind stuffed toy. I want Charlton reprints. Gimme, Gimme.

And a Colonel Sander's Kentucky Fried Chicken One-shot with puzzle pages and some fun one-pager stories and a Matter Eater Lad guest appearance (I can eat anything! But KFC is My Favorite!) and Plastic Man forming himself into a KFC chicken bucket and Punch and Jewelee could fight over whether the cole slaw or the potatoes with gravy was better and then fight about original recipe and extra crispy. Man, that is so much swankier than Rush City to pimp some lousy new Pontiac.

Oh, and I need a Flash Rogue's Gallery Lunchbox with Captain Cold on the thermos.

First Post!

[OM]

I won't be happy until I have Absolute OMAC. :)...Considering it's Kirby, there are those out there who want an Absolute Devil Dinosaur.

As for me, I want an Absolute Stanley and his Monster, complete with the Phil Foglio miniseries...

Hopefully, they'll be able to put out the Absolute Black Dossier at the same time as the regular release now. I want that vinyl of Moore singing....Why bother spending the money? WIthin a week of its release, it'll probably be the #1 most requested tune for the Funny Five on the <i>Dr. Demento</i> show.

[David H.]

Because they want to tell the New Gods saga as Kirby introduced each chapter, chronologically instead of just chunking off each character. Its a very intriguing and ambitious way to look at a certain property. It sounds rather interesting.

It seems to me to be more of a sales issues than a creative decision.

Is they released these as separate books with each character, the New Gods one would sell a whole lot more than the Forever People one would!

But now, if you're more interested int he New Gods or Mister Miracle, you have to buy all four of them to get the whole series!

[JimShelley]

Where's my Demon Archives HC and What about more Kamandi Archives? Get with it DC. Quit wasting time on Rokkin', Japanimation Big Eye Books, and two issues of Wetworks drawn by Portacio followed by inevitable fill in artists. Don't need more murky crap noir comics by Bruce Jones ruining good concepts like Vigilante, Warlord, Deadman and Nightwing. Or even bad ones like OMAC. Don't want another Martian Manhunter retcon or another disjointed grimy Creeper series.

Gimme the Demon reprinted in color. Must have more Kamandi and less Brave New World. How bout Brave Fourth World instead.

Where's the next volume of Showcase: Jonah Hex and the more horror Showcases (House of Secrets, Witching Hour, more House of Mystery). I want Showcase: Secret Society of SuperVillians and Showcase: Freedom Fighters. I want a Showcase: Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (with finished art and dialogue) Showcase: Fox and Crow? Where's Dr. Fate Archives? I want a little I, Vampyre TPB. I want a Neil Gaiman Sandman Annual even if it's really expensive. I want JLA/JSA every year. I want to see if Cary Bates, Len Wein, and Elliott S! Maggin can still write good comics. I think they can. I want Jim Shooter to have editorial control of 5 or 6 DC Comics sort of like the Marvel Knights thingie.

I want Wonder Woman monthly and not to be just OK. Why can't you get Swamp Thing right? Why does Hellblazer not work anymore? I want a Huntress regular series not crappy Batwoman.
I want more of The Question but I'm not sure in what format. I want Outsiders not to suck. Where's my Daredevil/Batman crossover and where's my Ghost Rider/Lobo special. Why don't you print Christmas and Holiday specials anymore (bunch of Scrooges)? Oh yeah, I want lunch boxes for DC stuff that really shouldn't have lunch boxes like Loveless, Shade the Changing Man, Richard Dragon, the Goodwin/Simonson Manhunter, and original Injustice Society, The Witching Hour, Tito and Burrito, Fox and Crow. I want a Mr. Mind stuffed toy. I want Charlton reprints. Gimme, Gimme.

And a Colonel Sander's Kentucky Fried Chicken One-shot with puzzle pages and some fun one-pager stories and a Matter Eater Lad guest appearance (I can eat anything! But KFC is My Favorite!) and Plastic Man forming himself into a KFC chicken bucket and Punch and Jewelee could fight over whether the cole slaw or the potatoes with gravy was better and then fight about original recipe and extra crispy. Man, that is so much swankier than Rush City to pimp some lousy new Pontiac.

Oh, and I need a Flash Rogue's Gallery Lunchbox with Captain Cold on the thermos.

First Post!

Brilliant! :D

[astronato]

I will be buying the Fourth World Omnibus for sure. I want everything Kirby ever did in some kind of trade or hardcover form.

and the following was great, put this guy in charge...................

Where's my Demon Archives HC and What about more Kamandi Archives? Get with it DC. Quit wasting time on Rokkin', Japanimation Big Eye Books, and two issues of Wetworks drawn by Portacio followed by inevitable fill in artists. Don't need more murky crap noir comics by Bruce Jones ruining good concepts like Vigilante, Warlord, Deadman and Nightwing. Or even bad ones like OMAC. Don't want another Martian Manhunter retcon or another disjointed grimy Creeper series.

Gimme the Demon reprinted in color. Must have more Kamandi and less Brave New World. How bout Brave Fourth World instead.

Where's the next volume of Showcase: Jonah Hex and the more horror Showcases (House of Secrets, Witching Hour, more House of Mystery). I want Showcase: Secret Society of SuperVillians and Showcase: Freedom Fighters. I want a Showcase: Cancelled Comic Cavalcade (with finished art and dialogue) Showcase: Fox and Crow? Where's Dr. Fate Archives? I want a little I, Vampyre TPB. I want a Neil Gaiman Sandman Annual even if it's really expensive. I want JLA/JSA every year. I want to see if Cary Bates, Len Wein, and Elliott S! Maggin can still write good comics. I think they can. I want Jim Shooter to have editorial control of 5 or 6 DC Comics sort of like the Marvel Knights thingie.

I want Wonder Woman monthly and not to be just OK. Why can't you get Swamp Thing right? Why does Hellblazer not work anymore? I want a Huntress regular series not crappy Batwoman.
I want more of The Question but I'm not sure in what format. I want Outsiders not to suck. Where's my Daredevil/Batman crossover and where's my Ghost Rider/Lobo special. Why don't you print Christmas and Holiday specials anymore (bunch of Scrooges)? Oh yeah, I want lunch boxes for DC stuff that really shouldn't have lunch boxes like Loveless, Shade the Changing Man, Richard Dragon, the Goodwin/Simonson Manhunter, and original Injustice Society, The Witching Hour, Tito and Burrito, Fox and Crow. I want a Mr. Mind stuffed toy. I want Charlton reprints. Gimme, Gimme.

And a Colonel Sander's Kentucky Fried Chicken One-shot with puzzle pages and some fun one-pager stories and a Matter Eater Lad guest appearance (I can eat anything! But KFC is My Favorite!) and Plastic Man forming himself into a KFC chicken bucket and Punch and Jewelee could fight over whether the cole slaw or the potatoes with gravy was better and then fight about original recipe and extra crispy. Man, that is so much swankier than Rush City to pimp some lousy new Pontiac.

Oh, and I need a Flash Rogue's Gallery Lunchbox with Captain Cold on the thermos.

First Post!

[jedifish]

Hmmm, may have to get the New Gods Omnibus.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

GON was originally published by DC close to a decade ago now. There were about a half dozen books in the series, with one of them being in color. I think it might have been through the Pirhana Press imprint, but don't quote me on that. GREAT books. I just hope there's new stuff in 2007 in addition to the ones DC put out already.

-Augie

[Sean Walsh]

I've only got one real question:

Why does DC feel that the New Gods line needs to be differentiated from Archives?

These are color hardcovers of 200+ pages. They're exactly like Archives. Why the differentiation?

Because it's Kirby.

Because it's the NEW GODS.

That's why. :D

Sean,
SO buying this stuff...

[Zemo13]

On a related note, I'm hoping that George Brewer will read this or this gets back to him but this is about a particular pet peeve I have regarding many DC collections. Maybe it's just me or there are others that share it but, well, hear me out:

Personally, I prefer when collected editions (TPBs, HCs) have each of the issues broken up by the corresponding issue's cover and art. As a regular buyer and dreaded "waiting for the trade" kind of comic book fan, I hate when there's a cover gallery at the end of the book rather than being broken up.

It's kind of like the chapter of a book. There's a break between the major moments or cliffhangers, so why should a collected edition, which honestly should read in a simliar manner, be any different? Especially in the case when there's a change in artists. The change is nowhere near as sudden or abrupt if the chapter/issue is broken up by the covers.

Best examples I would give to this would be most (if not all) of Marvel's hardcovers, the Vertigo line of trade paperbacks or even recent DC trade releases such as Green Lantern: Rebirth or Identity Crisis. Even Batman: Face the Face TPB.

Examples of the cover gallery hurting the overall enjoyment of the book? JLA: Divided We Fall (Mark Waid & Bryan Hitch's run) or Superman: Birthright. Both were great stories but it felt like a marathon having to read them with any sort of chapter break. The jarring art change from Hitch's art to Mike Millar's during JLA: Divided We Fall would have helped with a simple cover break.

Just my two cents. I have the feeling I'm alone in this opinion.

I totally agree. And I ESPECIALLY hate it when the tpb's don't contain the covers at all! I'm looking at you, Superman/Doomsday Omnibus & Superman Vs. Lex Luthor!

[Sean Walsh]

The who's who showcases is just a direct copy of Marvel's Esential Handbook to the Marvel Universe....

As for the New Gods Omnibus, it's definitely cool but can't they give it an Absolute treatment. Since i always associate Absolute with DC and Omnibus with Marvel

I fail to see the problems here:

- now I can own BOTH the Essential Marvel Handbooks and DC's Who's Who collections in sweet trade paperback collections

- New Gods in a hardcover collection. 'Nuff said (HA! That's a Marvel thang too! :p )

[Sean Walsh]

It seems to me to be more of a sales issues than a creative decision.

Is they released these as separate books with each character, the New Gods one would sell a whole lot more than the Forever People one would!

But now, if you're more interested int he New Gods or Mister Miracle, you have to buy all four of them to get the whole series!

Kirby wrote them a certain way. I've yet to crack the equation myself (and I'm a loyal 4th World disciple), but many have said it is a LOT better if you read it as they came out.

[skinnyboy23]

What happens if you ordered LOEG off of DCBS?

[HeX111]

ok... so we're getting another Wildstorm Absolute... it's a step in the right direction (especially since DC pretty much comandeered the format from Wildstorm, even though they invented it)... now we need to see the following Absolute Editions

Absolute Wildcats Vol. 2 (as in Vol. 2 of the series) 2 volumes for 28 issues and the Mosaic 1-shot
Absolute Authority: Revolution
Absolute Sleeper (Seasons 1 & 2)
Absolute Wildcats Version 3.0 (Vol. 1 & 2)
Absolute StormWatch (2 or 3 volumes)
Absolute StormWatch: Team Achilles (1 or 2 volumes... with a complete issue 24 included... it would make DC some money since it would be the only way to get issue 24)

[Davy]

Very disappointed that the Who's Who book will be in B&W. I would have bought this in a heartbeat had it been in color. Now, I'm not interested AT ALL.

New Gods: interesting. Not sure I want it in hardcover, but I'm curious to see how it looks.

Davy

[bumpusth]

What happens if you ordered LOEG off of DCBS?

Essentially you have to wait until it is released, but you have already paid for it. If DC decides to cancel it and then resolicit, then you will be credited the inital amount you paid for it and be required to place a new order with the new solicitation included.

It sounds like DC isn't cancelling it to resolicit, so I'm guessing we just have to wait. I'm in the same situation.

[punjeb]

I realize its a hell of a lot more work, but rather than the time and money spent to bring these out, I'd rather see an all-new post-IC "Who's Who". That being said, I'll probably get them for nostalgia's sake.

[holtom2000]

I've still got my loose leaf who's who series, all pulled apart and sorted by colours - red for heros, black for villians, etc. I even had the few mistake versions with wrong colours. It's not as great as the first who's who, but it's still interesting. i wonder what something like that is worth today?

[Morrison]

In the wake of the Civil War disaster, it's nice to see DC respond with this:

According to DC, a new in-store date will be announced as soon as possible. As a result of the delay, the book will be made returnable for retailers at a later date

[RichJohnston]

In the wake of the Civil War disaster, it's nice to see DC respond with this:

If any book is delayed 30 days after ship date it's returnable. And with DC and Marvel there are FOC opportunities.

[Moleculo83]

OMFG This is a total breach of our trust, I hate Alan Moore, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever read another book of his again.


OMFG this is a total breach of our trust, I hate DC Comics, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever read another book from DC again.


...was I too subtle?

[skinnyboy23]

Essentially you have to wait until it is released, but you have already paid for it. If DC decides to cancel it and then resolicit, then you will be credited the inital amount you paid for it and be required to place a new order with the new solicitation included.

It sounds like DC isn't cancelling it to resolicit, so I'm guessing we just have to wait. I'm in the same situation.

That's a bit confusing... So basically I'll have to reorder it but not repay for it?

[jsf]

Best news out of DC in ages, imo.

And I second what Del Gorky said about the Demon ... get on with the collected treatment for him too DC!!! I've been waitin' years for that ...

[davesharon]

I've only got one real question:

Why does DC feel that the New Gods line needs to be differentiated from Archives?

These are color hardcovers of 200+ pages. They're exactly like Archives. Why the differentiation?

Probably so that DC/Warners will make more money off of us

[Evil Twin]

I'm very disappointed in the LOEG delays. Especially since DC waited long enough to solicit it. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long. And at least we'll get the whole story in one shot.

OTOH, I'm very excited about the New Gods Omnibus. Does that mean the whole series in one shot? I hope so. Along with a nice slipcase. A hardcover New Gods collection is long, long overdue.

[Binkley]

Personally, I prefer when collected editions (TPBs, HCs) have each of the issues broken up by the corresponding issue's cover and art. As a regular buyer and dreaded "waiting for the trade" kind of comic book fan, I hate when there's a cover gallery at the end of the book rather than being broken up.

Just my two cents. I have the feeling I'm alone in this opinion.

You are not alone. I feel exactly the same way. It doesn't even have to be the cover; a blank page will do just fine.

[skeletorjr]

The who's who showcases is just a direct copy of Marvel's Esential Handbook to the Marvel Universe....
As for the New Gods Omnibus, it's definitely cool but can't they give it an Absolute treatment. Since i always associate Absolute with DC and Omnibus with Marvel

Why does any of this matter at all?

[furioso2012]

Morrison has got it completely wrong: The gods do not inhabit the bodies of humans, or take on the appearance of humans...

Try reading some mythology & folklore, Luke. Those two activities are common.

[furioso2012]

OMFG This is a total breach of our trust, I hate Alan Moore, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever read another book of his again.


OMFG this is a total breach of our trust, I hate DC Comics, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever read another book from DC again.


...was I too subtle?

The artist is taking his time, not the writer. Try reading the articles before you respond so eloquently.

I guess, given CIVIL WAR delays, that you won't "ever ever" read Marvel again, either. And many indies have their delays as well, so eventually, you won't be reading comics at all, will you?

[Ralph Mathieu]

I'm disappointed but not surprised hearing about the LoEG delay - hopefully it'll make it in time for the holiday season, but I wouldn't bet on that.

Looking forward to the New Gods omnibus!

[Morrison]

If any book is delayed 30 days after ship date it's returnable. And with DC and Marvel there are FOC opportunities.

Then why the big outcry from retailers when the delay was annouced for Marvel to make the Civil War books returnable?

[Evan Waters]

You know what I like?

Morrison and Gaiman thinking they know how to do Kirby's concept better than Kirby.


... How does this follow? They're putting their own spin on things. Which, since Kirby isn't around, is probably the best approach.

[CitC]

The who's who showcases is just a direct copy of Marvel's Esential Handbook to the Marvel Universe.... I grew up buying whatever comics the drugstore had to offer, so I did not grow up being a Marvel Zombie, or whatever they call DC zombies. That said, I always loved DC's Who's Who and could barely stand Marvel's version. WW's entries were a good length with good categories. On the other hand, I think it is great that Marvel has continued to make their series while DC has not (I did not like the 90's version with the tear out pages you could sort yourself. It was interesting, but had none of the charm of the original series and the updates).

I didn't know that Marvel had an Essential Handbook, good for them, but I am very excited about the Showcase volumes.

Why not the 1988 Who's Who update as well, I wonder. I assume that this will be in a third volume if the other two do well.

[khuxford]

I'm excited about the Who's Who stuff...though I really wish it was in color...that sucks...

[dantebk]

That sucks. :-(

I want my League! They are extraordinary, darn it!

[Doombug]

The artist is taking his time, not the writer. Try reading the articles before you respond so eloquently.

I guess, given CIVIL WAR delays, that you won't "ever ever" read Marvel again, either. And many indies have their delays as well, so eventually, you won't be reading comics at all, will you?
its obvious that the poster was expressing sarcasm or parody against other posts he's read. I thought it was funny and very obvious he was joking.

[Amoebas]

Why not the 1988 Who's Who update as well, I wonder.Maybe because the '88 version was written for the post Crisis universe (whereas the '86 version included the Multiverse).

And don't forget there was more than just that '88 Who's Who. There was also the excellent Legion of Super-Heroes Who's Who.

[Red Turnado]

Gon was Paradox Press, the DC Imprint . To the above person who was not sure. I just wish they would collect both "Gon", and "What's Michael?", (I know W's. M. is from Dark Horse) into some sort of normal size Hardbacks. Those are really the only two Manga's I can stomach and would love to be able to display them on my normal HB/TPB booksleves.

I am drooling for the New Gods collections. I was just the right age for them when they first came out, and even knew some older teenagers who took nicknames from the Forever People. (And believe me some of them were dopplegangers for each member.)

And back in 79' Jack and Roz were guests at a convention and as I was running the con suite got to hear Jack explain his concept for the New Gods, and then Roz showed me the snapshots of their kids. Sorta made me a Kirby fanatic for life. (Even forgave hime for what he did when he came 'back to Captain America.)


Bobb

(Who maybe needs to go back and reread all his Fourth World comics to pretend he is that kid again.) :) :)

[The Marvel]

BLACK DOSSIER DELAY

$#!%.

ABSOLUTE WILDCATS

If this is the original Jim Lee stuff, my only real response is "Why?"

[CaptainCanad]

Damn, I was looking forward to "Black Dossier."

[Jess Nevins]

Yes, it's true that Kevin O'Neill is getting the art perfect on the book.

But--and this bears repeating--O'Neill isn't the person who announces release dates to the press and to Amazon. Neither is Moore.

That person works for DC Comics.

Neither Kevin O'Neill nor Alan Moore made the decision to announce the release date--twice--before the complete, finished product was in-hand.

The person who did that works for DC Comics.

If you're going to get angry at someone for yet another delay in the Dossier, don't get mad at Kevin O'Neill or Alan Moore, since neither one of them made promises to the fans, via release dates, that they knew they couldn't keep.

The person you should be angry with...well, you can fill in the rest.

[Moleculo83]

Okay so...never attempt sarcasm with you people ever ever ever again. Got it, filed, stored.

[Jess Nevins]

Sorry--my post wasn't aimed at you, as I saw that, yes, you were being sarcastic, and appreciated that. My post was more of a general announcement and pre-emption to the folks who -are- blaming Moore and/or O'Neill.

[Wright Blan]

BLACK DOSSIER DELAY

$#!%.

ABSOLUTE WILDCATS

If this is the original Jim Lee stuff, my only real response is "Why?"

To stroke Jim Lee's ego, probably.

[Moleculo83]

Sorry--my post wasn't aimed at you, as I saw that, yes, you were being sarcastic, and appreciated that. My post was more of a general announcement and pre-emption to the folks who -are- blaming Moore and/or O'Neill.

S'all good in the hood, Bro-zilla. I agree with everyone in one sense on these delays...it sucks big time and it's not always professional, but stuff happens. We gotta relax...so we'll flush $3.99 down the toilet some other time.

[khuxford]

Sorry--my post wasn't aimed at you, as I saw that, yes, you were being sarcastic, and appreciated that. My post was more of a general announcement and pre-emption to the folks who -are- blaming Moore and/or O'Neill.

In fairness, how long ago was this project announced? O'Neill has been working on this awhile. I think the announced date was probably a fair estimate. If they had to do it all over again, they'd probably just announce that they expect it to come out in a range of quarters.

Edit: this isn't to blame O'Neill, either...he's doing great work and wants it not to be rushed. More power to him.

[Jess Nevins]

The first publication date that was announced was, if I'm remembering correctly, May 30, 2006, and that...actually, I don't think it was announced at the end of January/beginning of February, but that's when Amazon made the date available. They, of course, would have been given that date from someone within DC--and, I'm betting, someone in DC Marketing rather than DC Editorial. And whoever gave that date out didn't have the material in-hand and knew that the material simply wouldn't have been done by that date, but gave the date out anyhow.

And then, at the end of May, they bumped the publication date up to the end of October, while still not having the material in-hand. Did they ask Kevin O'Neill whether he'd have the pages done in time for the book to be published at the end of October? You'd have to ask DC Marketing (or whoever) that, but I somehow doubt it.

I know that DC, like all publishers, has to give the publication date out ahead of time, so that the publication and ordering cycles can do their work, and so that stores can get their orders in. *However*, given the previous history with the League, the decision by DC Marketing (or whoever) to make any announcement about a publication date before the completed product is in-hand was not just bad but curious.

[ZEBULON]

Anyone notice that no one predicts the fall of the industry or calls for boycotts and resignations when dc announces their delays?

[Jess Nevins]

Honestly, I wish people wouldn't get so wound up about delays. They happen in every industry. It's just a fact of life of the industry of popular culture.

[Hobowatcher]

Anyone notice that no one predicts the fall of the industry or calls for boycotts and resignations when dc announces their delays?
When DC delays, it doesn't afftect their whole line of books.

[samnoir]

They need to produce a seperate full color volume with gatefolds in order to do justice to Perez's Who's Who covers.

___________________________________

GREG RUCKA, DAVID FINCH, ADAM KUBERT and WARREN ELLIS SIGNED COMIC BOOKS for sale on EBAY! RARE VARIANT COVERS! (http://stores.ebay.com/HOUSE-OF-FUN)

THE MIGHTY ISIS #1 and #2 for sale on EBAY! VINTAGE 70's comic book. OUT OF PRINT. RARE. (http://stores.ebay.com/HOUSE-OF-FUN)
___________________________________

[Unknown]

New Gods Omnibus?

There is a Source!

[IronWolf]

Thats so cool.

[LunarDaydreamer]

Am I blind? Where is the Absolute Wildcats info? What series will it collect? If it's 3.0, I'd be exstatic, but it's probably the first series:(

Oh, and poo on the LoEG delay. I was looking forward to that more than anything else the rest of the year...

I agree re: Wildcats, it'll probably be the Jim lee series, but i'd lop off a limb for an Absolute 3.0 (and the arcs before it come to think of it, the Joe Casey/Sean Phillips stuff). Absolute (hee hee) flat out classic run that DC weren't even proud enough on to complete the trades.

[NM Condition]

Showcase Presents Who’s Who, count me in!

[Evan Waters]

Anyone notice that no one predicts the fall of the industry or calls for boycotts and resignations when dc announces their delays?

Trade delays really don't concern me nearly as much- they're kind of annoying, but there's not the expectation of regularity you get when you're publishing what is technically a magazine.

[MitchHundred]

hmm, i guess while i'm waiting ill find some more minor alan moore to read. any suggestions?

[EMeadow]

What happens if you ordered LOEG off of DCBS?

DC didn't mention the word cancellation, specially since they said the book would be returnable.

My guess is they're gonna keep the code in the system till the book actually comes out. Doubt they're gonna do a re-solicit.

[Hobowatcher]

hmm, i guess while i'm waiting ill find some more minor alan moore to read. any suggestions?
The Ballad of Halo Jones
Skizz
D.R. & Quinch

[EMeadow]

Then why the big outcry from retailers when the delay was annouced for Marvel to make the Civil War books returnable?

Because at one point about 3-4 years ago Marvel refused to let books they've had late be returnable after the policy was created and enforced by Diamond.

A class action lawsuit was done so Marvel would honor their contract.

Retailers are rightfully afraid thanks to Civil War delays this could happen again.

[jqam]

if I were to buy an Absolute Wildcats, I would want the Alan Moore run.

but it's probably just the first 12 issues of the regular series.

[Nat Gertler]

Then why the big outcry from retailers when the delay was annouced for Marvel to make the Civil War books returnable?The books aren't returnable if the retailer has a chance to "FOC" them - to adjust their orders in the face of the delay.

(Not that I noticed a particularly large amount of "make them returnable" talk on this book, but it's hard for the retailer to predict how much effect the delay will have on their sales. Most of the retailer talk I saw was displeasure with having so much of their income-generating product disappearing for months.)

[lostphrack]

am i the only person in the world who is devastated by the delay? worth the wait yeah, but....agch....oh well. I guess the day that i am more upset about an alan moore book delay than most anything else is the day that i need to lay off the funny books and do something with my life. finish soon kev. good luck.
I'm pretty miffed about it myself. I was really looking forward to reading it before the end of this year. Ah well, I guess this gives me some time to consider buying a record player and trying for the Absolute Edition.

Speaking of Absolutes.. I'm with everyone else who's confused about Absolute WildC.A.T.s. I mean, yeah.. I bought them and liked them at the time. Sometimes I still flip through them to drool over the pretty pictures.. but does it really need Absolute-ing?

[Predabot1]

THE NEW GODS HAVE ARRIVED! :D I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear of that, the New Gods getting some new colour and in an awesome format! :)

This time, maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to publish some pencils where the faces in the Jimmy Olsen issues are actually made by Jack Kirby, and not butchered away? :rolleyes:

[Queen of Swords]

George Perez didn't draw every cover to the first, original Who's Who series: John Byrne drew the cover to Who's Who #22 (cover date: Dec. 1986), the issue that featured Superman. I'm pretty sure other artists drew other covers to Who's Who issues.

I would like to know if DC plans to also collect the other Who's Who series that followed: Who's Who Update '87 and Who's Who Update '88. I'm not really sure if DC should bother reprinting the last Who's Who series that came out in 1990, the loose leaf, binder series.

Anyways, some great news on upcoming collected editions from DC Comics.

[Arion]

It was about time to reprint the New Gods saga properly instead of those forgettable black and white editions.