DYNAMIC FORCES COLLECTS CHAYKIN'S AMERICAN FLAGG!

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Merchandise/AmericanFlaggGiclee.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="185" height="286" border="0" hspace="1" src="http://www.newsarama.com/Merchandise/AmericanFlaggGiclee_t.jpg" align="right" alt="Glicee image"></a>After nearly two decades out of print, Dynamic Forces today announced that it will publish a collected edition of Howard Chaykin’s <b>American Flagg!</b> series. It’s an announcement many felt was coming, given the recent synergy (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5846) between Chaykin and DF.

Dynamic Forces’ press release reads:

<blockquote>Dynamic Forces is giving all comic fans a special gift this year – a definitive collection of Howard Chaykin’s America Flagg, long out of print, and never before fully-collected!

“I know that this is a dream come true for all comic book fans, myself included,” said Nick Barrucci, President of Dynamic Forces. “We are so pleased to be working with Howard [Chaykin] on this project, that for once, words truly fail me.”

Flagg! Creator Howard Chaykin added, “I can't convey how happy I am to have AMERICAN FLAGG! back in print. This stuff was watershed work for me, and for my place in the industry. And as for the content, don't say I didn't warn you--or, as it says in AMERICAN FLAGG! ‘The future is just like the present, only later, of course--and more so.’”

In the world of Flagg!, earth has survived nuclear combat, the black plague, food riots, a banking-system meltdown, and more. In what had been the United States the year 2031, things are worse than ever: gang wars, political rivalries settled by shooting matches, the populace drugged by both media overload and exotic drugs, economic depression, and much, much more.

The U.S. government, along with the executive boards of most major corporations, had moved to Mars decades before, and on Mars, the Government couldn't care less.

Reuben Flagg, an out-of-work actor raised on Mars, transforms his screen personality into real life as he takes over the job of representing the government and enforcing the law in 21st-century Chicago. This is American Flagg!.

Originally published in 1983 by First Comics, and running through the early 1990’s, Chaykin’s Flagg helped set the tone for more mature comics work, and remains a vital part of comics’ history.

This new, definitive edition is currently planned for a late June or early July release (“We’re hoping for the 4th of July,” added Barrucci.) and will include the first six issues of the series, as well as new art and materials from the creator.

Look for more information on the release of American Flagg – including pre-order information – in the weeks to come!</blockquote>

[St. Vincent]

Oh man, this is great great news. I've been wanting to read this series for a really long time. I'm just surprised it took this long.

[EMeadow]

American Flagg for me has always been one of those "people have told me bout it, I've read the accolades for it, but never seen a copy of it anywhere" books. So I'm looking forward to picking these up.

But since its Dynamic Forces doing it, I'm hoping they keep the cost relatively low for a product coming from them. Will make it all the more enjoyable.

[jasinmartin]

Cool!

I loved this series back in the day, and remember when this book was both hot on the back issue market, and controversial due to the mature content. I loved the book and it's mature tone, but never got all the early issues because they were hard to come by. Memories...

I was hoping there'd be a collected version announced, after the potential was brought up a few Newsarama articles back.

[SpyGuy]

Since the collection will only be six issues, I hope this means it's going to be a trade paperback instead of a hardcover. I think it would sell more copies in a trade format.

Still, this is some sweet news. Now where's JON SABLE, FREELANCE?

[OM]

...Well, if it's DF, then it'll probably overpriced as hell, but at least will have a stamped-on signature by Howie.

[DocBrass]

I had to dig up what issues I had after the last American Flagg topic. I've got some gaps in the collection. I'll be looking to this since the paper and printing quality will be a lot better 20 years later.

[gren99]

i'm kinda curious how they arrived at six issues.

i'm reasonably certain (i re-read the 3 previous collections issued early last year -- fwiw, the book is still dead-on topical today, imo) that the first 12 issues were broken down into three 4-issue arcs. so a 6 issue collection would end midway through the second arc (southern comfort, i think).

personally, i wish they would just collect them 10-12 issues at a time and issue them as hardcovers.

[Fazhoul]

I hope they aren't too damned expensive. I was there when the originals were published and I still have all of them but I would love to have some nice trade paperbacks.

[sythspawn]

Yay! Finally an American Flagg! collected edition!

However, being from DF, I echo the previous price concerns.

Also, only collecting the first 6 issues leaves me hoping there will be subsequent volumes. I'd also prefer a hardcover, but I'm just glad it's gonna finally get a new printing.

[kevthemev]

Actually, the first 12 issues consisted of four 3-issue story arcs:

1-3 Hard Times
4-6 Southern Comfort
7-9 State of the Union
10-12 ? not sure - never been collected before

Great news! Can't wait.

Kev

[heeBGB]

Originally posted by gren99
i'm kinda curious how they arrived at six issues.

i'm reasonably certain (i re-read the 3 previous collections issued early last year -- fwiw, the book is still dead-on topical today, imo) that the first 12 issues were broken down into three 4-issue arcs. so a 6 issue collection would end midway through the second arc (southern comfort, i think).

And you'd be wrong -- as someone just posted, the first dozen issues of Flagg consisted of four, three-issue arcs, so they'll fit nicely into two six-issue volumes.

And what are the "3 previous collections issued early last year"? The announcement made here wouldn't be news, then. The only previous collections I'm aware of would be three "album-sized" books collecting the first nine issues (again, in three-issue arcs) were published by AF!'s long-dead publisher, First Comics (with Graphitti Designs) well over a decade ago.

That said....

Originally posted by gren99
personally, i wish they would just collect them 10-12 issues at a time and issue them as hardcovers.

I'm with you on this.

However, I fear that DF, as part of their past business practices favoring "comics as collectibles" demonstrate, will actually restrict the long-term availability of this series. If any series is deserving of the exposure a "mass market" trade edition would bring, it is this one. I'm sold -- I'm buying this edition already -- but I'd like to be able to buy this in perpetuity, the way I can buy it's contemporary series, which are now "evergreen" perenially best-selling comics classics: Watchmen , V for Vendetta , Ronin and The Dark Knight Returns.

[Horgam]

The first 12 issues of American Flagg! were in 3-issue arcs, 1-3 was "Hard Times" and 4-6 was "Southern Comfort". Both arcs were reprinted as First Graphic Novels, and I know that at least the Hard Times GN had some additional pages of story (a pretty pointless intro, nothing that would be missed). Not sure whether 7-9 was ever reprinted....

Not likely to buy the 1st collection, since I have the original issues and the GN's, but looking forward to later books. It's great stuff, but getting a bit dated (1996 was the year "it all fell apart"), a problem with near-future sci-fi.

[brazilgilliam]

This is great news for people who've heard of Flagg but haven't ever read it. I personally liked Flagg a lot until I reached the point where I couldn't quite get straight which villain was which and what their respective vendettas was. Some awesome art and story-telling by Chaykin, but I'm also wondering when they'll collect issues 7-12 and for how much the respective trades will be. Oh well, for now rejoice!

[gon]

Right on!!!!

It was about time!

[kalorama]

About time indeed. I've never really bought any of DF stuff (price issues as some have pointed out) but I'll definitely be giving this a look. I have a TPB collection of the Hard TImes arc from years ago, but I suspect this new addition will be sporting upgraded coloring and printing and some extras that might make it worth a look.

[sullivan]

I know that this will just be one more voice among many, but thank all the comic book gods for this. Admittedly, I'm now kicking myself for having bought back issues and two of the graphic novels, but, still, this is just great news. Writing that I am stoked hardly begins to cover it.

Now lets begin the move to demand that Chaykin provide far, far more work to the waiting comic book masses.

By the way, he illustrated McSweeny's Mannoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales, and I highly recommend it for that reason and for the great stories contained within.

[gren99]

Originally posted by heeBGB

And what are the "3 previous collections issued early last year"? The announcement made here wouldn't be news, then. The only previous collections I'm aware of would be three "album-sized" books collecting the first nine issues (again, in three-issue arcs) were published by AF!'s long-dead publisher, First Comics (with Graphitti Designs) well over a decade ago.
[/i].

bad grammar on my end. what i should have said is:

in 2003, i re-read the 3 collections that had been previously issued (mainly because i picke dup a set of all 3 of the graphitti designs HCs on ebay for $40). i had a couple of the album-sized TPBs a long time ago, but my magazine-size box took some water damage a few years back and those albums were the only things that were a complete loss (damn odd-ball size. :))

personally, AF! is one of those series i would have happily plunked the $50 (or $32 as it were) to get in an archive edition type format -- even for the less than stellar stuff towards the end of volume 1 (volume 2 was actually quite an improvement in that regard).

[Edunikki]

There were three hardcover albums released (reissued?) about 4-4 and a half years ago along with a lithograph. I think they were limited to about 400. Presumably they covered the first nine issues.

[BillReed]

I've been looking for a full run of it for a little while now. Good news indeed!

[sythspawn]

Didn't Chaykin's run on the series extend past 12 issues?

[BuckySinister]

Originally posted by sythspawn
Didn't Chaykin's run on the series extend past 12 issues?

I think he was on the book as writer til around issue 30 or so, but I don't think he drew all those issues. The first 12 are considered the real classics, as I recall. I think the original plotlines all come to a head around that time.

[Logan X]

WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!

Hopefully DF doesn't charge an arm and a leg for it.

[Kerouac]

This is all fine and good, but knowing Dynamic Forces, Chaykin will scribble his name inside the dustjacket of a limited edition hardcover and DF will charge $100 for it.

Matt

[musclebound]

Cool man. I always wondered about this series waaay back in the 80's. I was into Dreadstar and Grimjack, and used to read the blurbs about American Flagg all the time. I bought issue # 1 @ the San diego Comic-Con a few years ago. Never tracked down another. Sooo, this is pretty cool news. I'll be able to read it all in one session. Hell, maybe it'll last me a week, whatever. Don't know if I like hearing a $100 price tag. But hey, that's what Christmas is for, right??:D

[SAINT TY]

I refuse to pay a lot for this muffler!!!!!!
Was that just a regional St. Louis thing or was Meineke (sp?) a nation wide thang?
At any rate, if DF thinks I am anal enough to pay anything above the going TPB price, they are SADLY mistaken!

[DoctorDoom99]

This is great news!
I've wanted to read these for a long time, and now I finally get the chance,
Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!

[J.D. Lombardi]

Hmmm. I REALLY want the series in collections, but why can't they give it to us in larger amounts? Also, did I just not see where it specified if this was a HB or TPB collection?

I'm a little torn now because I haven't read this gems since it came out...(I sold'em in my first collection) But I'd like a more comprehensive collection.

[Ed (again)]

Excellent News. Chaykin's Flagg was one of those books I thought I was waayyy cool to be reading back in the 80s.

Now to collect Black Kiss - a masterpiece of perversion!!

[Darth Presley]

Now all those young whippersnappers can experience what us old-timers have been going on about...yeah.

Hope it holds up well for being twenty years old -

Remember Prince William was the leader of a British resistance group - or something? Have to drag those boxes out and put on a dust filter -

There were AF Trades out back in the day, some of your old older shops might still have them...

eager to see the DF price point b/c I am a cheap bastard...

[heeBGB]

Originally posted by Ed (again)
Now to collect Black Kiss - a masterpiece of perversion!!
Black Kiss has pretty much remained in-print since it's original publication over 15 years ago; it's current publisher is Fantagraphics "porn division", Eros Comix, and can be ordered thru Diamond via your local comics shop (it never hurts to ask, and if they won't order it, take your business elsewhere) or the Fantagraphics online store (http://www.fantagraphics.com/cart/).

[Ed (again)]

Thanks for that!!

[mrhelm]

To echo others on the list I hope this isn't overpriced. I've wanted to read the early issues of this series for years now.

[Kerouac]

Was that just a regional St. Louis thing or was Meineke (sp?) a nation wide thang?

Must've been nation-wide, 'cause Letterman used to make jokes about it. But I guess I can't say for certain, since I live relatively close to the St. Louis area.

Matt

[OM]

Originally posted by SAINT TY
I refuse to pay a lot for this muffler!!!!!!
Was that just a regional St. Louis thing or was Meineke (sp?) a nation wide thang? ...Nationwide. Even Meneke (SIC) was in Alaska, as I've met Alaskans who came to Texas and were surprised to see familiar commericals.

And the punch line? You didn't pay a lot for the muffler, but they sure as hell raped your wallet on the non-optional services...

[SAINT TY]

Hee, hee! OM, you rock (despite our profound disagreements on the credibility of certain op/ed pieces & your fixation with anal massaging)!
Your sobering advice on a marathon-like Legion battle plan/initiation has been quite fruitful! I am reading it ALL, my friend, & anytime you want to get some insight on how a relative neophyte would take in the ENTIRE Legion history in a breakneck amount of time; just ask. Been a wacky-ass trip so far.
Down with Newsarama censorship!!!!!!

Having never read this book, I'm very pleased to hear this news... but also a tad perplexed that DF would announce that is is the "definitive collection of a series never before collected in it's entiritey" and then their press release goes on to detail a HC that only collects 6 issues. No mention of any future planned installments. What the hell?

Chaykin's oeuvre has always been a challenge for me to collect. Maybe I'm just exposing myself as ignorant and most comic fans know his resume backwards, but there just doesn't seem to be a lot of literature available on him or any kind of a definative list of his stuff. I found a "Time Squared" GN in a quarter bin at a local store, and I had never heard of it, had no idea what it was, if there were others in the series, or if that was even the original medium of publication. It was actually difficult for me to make out exactly what the title was, the design was so weird -- I resorted to checking the idicia to be sure. A similar thing happened to me when I ran into "Big Black Kiss" at a con several years ago. I had never heard of it and I didn't understand it's relationship to "Black Kiss" (I thought it might be a sequel) until I got it home and realized it was just a collection. Money down the fucking drain.

Chaykin's a wizard and I love his stuff (particularly "Blackhawk" and "The Shadow") but it seems totally impossible to find any of it, or even to know what to look for. I'd appreciate any help you guys could give in providing me with any titles (not including his Vertigo work, or his recent Tom Strong story, which I have) that he's worked on, and the publishing history so I know what to look for. Thanks.

[OM]

Originally posted by SAINT TY
Hee, hee! OM, you rock (despite our profound disagreements on the credibility of certain op/ed pieces & your fixation with anal massaging)! ...Hey, I'm not the one with the stick up <i>my</i> ass! So there's no fixation here :-P

Originally posted by SAINT TY
Your sobering advice on a marathon-like Legion battle plan/initiation has been quite fruitful! I am reading it ALL, my friend, & anytime you want to get some insight on how a relative neophyte would take in the ENTIRE Legion history in a breakneck amount of time; just ask. Been a wacky-ass trip so far. ...And that's the point. If more readers would quit being fucking lazy and take the time and effort to catch up with Legion history, we'd have far less reboots.

Originally posted by SAINT TY
Down with Newsarama censorship!!!!!! ...Agreed. Matty knows that I can defend myself as it is :-P

[MattBrady]

Hey everyone!



Nick of DF here. I just want to let you know that we follow these discussions and listen to

your input. I also want to correct one statement: All of the signatures we arrange for on our products are real and handwritten. Neither we nor our signers use stamps for signatures. On the Flagg! collections (yes, plural) with signature versions, Howard himself will

sign each and everyone of the HC's.



We're still determining the exact format, and your input is appreciated. It seems most fans would like the first 12 or 14 issues as a solid

HC, and we'll definitely be looking at the possibility of doing that while still keeping the trades at six-issue or eight-issue arcs.



Thanks,



Nick Barrucci

[OM]

Originally posted by MattBrady
We're still determining the exact format, and your input is appreciated. It seems most fans would like the first 12 or 14 issues as a solid HC, and we'll definitely be looking at the possibility of doing that while still keeping the trades at six-issue or eight-issue arcs. ...Regardless, we don't want our wallets raped. That's the main point of order.

[heeBGB]

Originally posted by Nick Barrucci
We're still determining the exact format, and your input is appreciated. It seems most fans would like the first 12 or 14 issues as a solid HC, and we'll definitely be looking at the possibility of doing that while still keeping the trades at six-issue or eight-issue arcs.Nick -- having separate hardcovers and trades is a great idea... I hope you follow this up. The die-hard Chaykin freaks (like myself) would love a hardcover of their own, but the "comics evangelist" types, who want to spread their love of the artform by getting books in people's hands to read (like I will do on many occasions, and have wanted to do for years with Flagg!), would be best served to have an evergreen, "perennial bestseller" softcover edition in order to do so. In comics fandom, there's too much binary thinking: "either this, or this", "this versus this"... why not "both", or "this *and* this"? Speaking only for myself, you can take my money both ways! :D

All this said, I think the first dozen issues should be collected as one unit, hardcover or softcover -- taken as a whole, those dozen issues are a veritable bible on how to do great comics storytelling, and a single volume of the first twelve issues of American Flagg! should be an essential on every creator's bookshelf.

[gren99]

i concur. TPBs of #1-6 would make great gifts or stocking stuffers (imo), but as a fan/reader, a HC of the first 12-14 issues would be a dream come true (i'd consider going for a S&N edition if need be, but that really depends on the pricepoint -- $50 i don't think i'd mind. $75 is a bit harsh on the ol' pocket book.)

[bollandfan]

Originally posted by MattBrady
[B]

Dynamic Forces’ press release reads:

<blockquote>Dynamic Forces is giving all comic fans a special gift this year – a definitive collection of Howard Chaykin’s America Flagg, long out of print, and never before fully-collected!


How is the first six issues a "definitive collection"???

[meverat]

sooooo just to clarify. is DF just making one trade or do they plan to reprint the whole series?

I need to know because I just bought the first 2 album sized GNs from the used book store and I'm wondering if I should go back issue hunting or wait

[SiegeofGondor]

If Nick Barruci follows this site, tell him to answer my DF SUCKS and charged me and hasn't sent out the product in 3 weeks yet thread.

This TPB sounds great, but if I have to wait 6 months after im charged to see it ship, what's the point?

Siege

[WesleyWes]

Hello,

It was the only comic that was worth reading again and again, one of a kind. Any plans to bring it back?

Peace!
WesleyWes
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Liberty411

[samnoir]

What they really need to collect in on volume is Alan Moore's backup astories!

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