Interesting set of books in the latest Marvel solicitations. The big one is obviously the second FF OMNIBUS, over 700 pages of Kirby, some of his best work ever, plus various special features (John Morrow mentioned on his blog that he’s writing a piece about “This Man, This Monster” for it).
AVENGERS CLASSIC begins an on-going reprint of the original AVENGERS comics, the first time Marvel’s done Kirby reprints in this format since X-MEN – THE EARLY YEARS in the mid-1990s (most of their comic magazine format reprints of Kirby material since then has been in the form of one-shots or back-up material to new comics). Not sure if the new material here will be a regular feature or just in the first issue, and I’m hoping that bit of nonsensical hype about the “re-mastering” just means it’ll be the more faithful to the original colouring that they use in the Masterworks line now.
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE v2 and MARVEL MASTERWORKS – THE SUB-MARINER v2 are both just listed since they’ll have one Kirby reprint cover each (this and this, respectively).
FANTASTIC FOUR OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC
Written by STAN LEE
Penciled by JACK KIRBY
Cover by JACK KIRBY
With all that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby accomplished in their first 30 issues of FANTASTIC FOUR, who would have thought they were just warming up? Well, True Believers, now it’s time to jump into the fire because the second 30 are where they really start to turn up the heat!
Their achievements reflect the boundless energy of two creators at the top of their game with each issue, character and creation building upon and exceeding the scope of the last. It’s a list of accomplishments unparalleled in the history of comics: the origin of Dr. Doom; the Frightful Four; the Wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm; the Inhumans; the first appearance of the Silver Surfer; the Galactus Saga; the debut of the world’s first black super hero, the Black Panther; the cosmic clash between the FF, the Surfer and Dr. Doom; and, of course, “This Man, This Monster!” – the story widely regarded as the greatest FF tale of all!
Collecting the greatest stories from the World’s Greatest Comics Magazine in one, massive collector’s edition that has been painstakingly restored and recolored from the sharpest material in the Marvel Archives. With critical essays on the Lee/Kirby collaboration and bonus features a-plenty, this book is nothing short of a cornerstone to the Marvel Universe!
Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR #31-60 and ANNUAL #2-4.
832 PGS. $99.99
ISBN: 0-7851-2403-9
AVENGERS CLASSIC #1
Written by STAN LEE & DWAYNE MCDUFFIE
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, MIKE OEMING & KEVIN MAGUIRE
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
In the tradition of CLASSIC X-MEN, we’re re-presenting the original AVENGERS #1 digitally re-mastered with THX ™ surround sound and a brand spankin’ new cover by ARTHUR ADAMS! But that’s not all!!! We have not one, but TWO brand new short stories as well! DWAYNE McDUFFIE and painter MICHAEL AVON OEMING bring you a tale of the Avengers first tumultuous meeting and STAN “THE MAN” LEE (who started it all!) and artist extraordinaire KEVIN MAGUIRE bring you a compelling tale about how the Avengers REALLY formed!
Face it, this book is HOT!
48 PGS. $3.99
SPECIAL OVER-SIZED FIRST ISSUE!
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 2 TPB
Written by MARV WOLFMAN, ROGER SLIFER, TOM DEFALCO, DAVID ANTHONY KRAFT, RALPH MACCHIO, JOHN BYRNE, PETER GILLIS, ALAN KUPPERBERG, BILL MANTLO, MARY JO DUFFY, STEVEN GRANT & JIM STARLIN
Penciled by RON WILSON, JOHN BUSCEMA, ERNIE CHAN, SAL BUSCEMA, BOB HALL, ALAN KUPPERBERG, CHIC STONE, FRANK MILLER & JIM CRAIG
Cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
Cosmic calamities, espionage, black magic, time travel, alien gangsters and martial-arts madness: Benjamin J. Grimm can handle it all, but he won’t have to face it alone! Stars old and new shine when the thunderous Thing joins them against many of the most magnificent menaces the Marvel Universe can offer! Invasions, impersonations, assassinations and transformations! Plus: when heroes play poker! Guest-starring Captain America, Daredevil, Ms. Marvel, the Black Panther, Moon Knight, Spider-Woman and more! Collecting MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #26-52 and ANNUAL #2-3.
568 PGS. $16.99
ISBN: 0-7851-2758-5
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE SUB-MARINER VOL. 2 HC
Written by STAN LEE, ROY THOMAS, ARCHIE GOODWIN & RAYMOND MARAIS
Penciled by BILL EVERETT, DAN ADKINS, GENE COLAN, JOHN BUSCEMA, MARIE SEVERIN & WERNER ROTH
Cover by JOHN BUSCEMA
After a five-year drought, it’s time for Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner to come ashore with a second spectacular Masterworks offering. One of Marvel’s oldest and most storied characters, the Sub-Mariner protects the undersea kingdom of Atlantis from the threats of the murky deep, and from those pesky pink-skinned land lubbers!
In this volume, you’ll be treated to the amazing illustration of Namor’s creator, Bill Everett, as he brings his unmatched ability to craft action and adventure in all things aquatic. You’ll also be graced by the first scripts of heir apparent to the scripting crown of Atlantis, Roy Thomas, as he builds the foundation for the Sub-Mariner’s leap into his very own solo series! With head-to-head battles with the Hulk, guest art by Gene Colan and the first of John Buscema’s classic run on the character, you’ll need an aqualung not to be drowned out by the majesty of this Masterworks!
Collecting TALES TO ASTONISH #88-101, IRON MAN & SUB-MARINER #1 and SUB-MARINER #1.
240 PGS. $54.99
ISBN: 0-7851-2688-0