CCL on Comic Book Page: April 2013 Collected Edition Sale Estimates

2013-04-TradesJohn Mayo from Comic Book Page and CBR and Chris Marshall of the Collected Comics Library podcast discuss the sales estimates for the Top 300 Graphic Novels and Collected Editions for April 2013.

Links:
Mayo Report articles on Comic Book Resources
Email us at MayoReport@ComicBookPage.com with any questions or comment you have on the episode or join in the discussion at our forum.

This podcast episode originated on the Comic Book Page website.

6 Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #19

Is there one book that is a “must have” that came out this week? My friends Andy Tom (@AndrewJTom), Chris Campbell (@ChrisCampbell8), Marc Diefenderfer (@Dief88), Shane Hannafey, Adam Besenyodi (@adambesenyodi), Joey Nazzari (@CaptDS9E), and I (@ChrisCCL) are sharing some comic book collected editions, reprints and/or graphic novels released this week that you may be interested in.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic TP (IDW)

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic TP (IDW)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic TP (IDW), $17.99
One of the most common characteristics of the Collected Edition buyer is that he or she is typically a busy person with many responsibilities. Typically in our latter years one of those primary responsibilities is the care and nurturing of children. I have two older sons who like superhero and adventure comics, but I’ve always found that I had trouble sharing my love of comics with my younger daughters. I bought my youngest daughter a copy of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #1 at my LCS on one Saturday afternoon. It gave me an opportunity to not only share my hobby with my daughter, but to share it with her in a book that I know she would love. Many nights thereafter I found myself sitting on the side of my daughter’s bed reading the adventures of Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Though, I initially dismissed this book as a comic “for little girls”, I discovered that if a comic is done well… it can be enjoyable for (not only) little girls, but for the parents who read it to them. Katie Cook and Andy Price have taken a children’s property and turned it into an enjoyable comic that can be appreciated by anyone. If you’ve been looking for a comic to share with your kids (both girls and boys), then this comic is one that I can recommend. A wonderful all ages story with some really great cartooning make this book a worthy successor to the hole left in the hearts of kids who miss Tiny Titans each and every month.
Also, a bit of advice… if you try and do the Pony voices every night at bedtime, you’ll be paying for it in the morning.

New Warriors Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Marvel)

New Warriors Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Marvel)

Picked by @ChrisCampbell8
New Warriors Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Marvel)
Collects New Warriors #1-26 and Annual #1-2; Avengers #341-342; and material from Thor #411-412, New Mutants Annual #7, X-Men Annual #15, X-Factor Annual #6, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #26, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 and Web Of Spider-Man Annual #8, 1064 pages, $99.99
There were always comic books that you worried your buddy down the street would “borrow” because they were just “that book” at the time. They were precious. Hell, some of these titles could serve as playground currency. This could apply to any number of comics throughout the years, but today we’re talking New Warriors. Marvel has released a glorious omnibus covering the group’s earliest appearances, as well as a good chunk of the ongoing series by Fabian Nicieza. The title eventually ran for 75 issues, but this is the magma, the good stuff, that made me love Nova, Firestar, Speedball, and the other members of the team. The comic involved a young, naive group of heroes that were essentially learning the ropes and fighting villains like the Sphinx (bonus points if you remember him from Wolfman’s Nova run) and other characters in the Marvel universe such as the Punisher. It was fun to watch other heroes such as Darkhawk join the group temporarily, and watch the young-hero dynamic play out with all the ego and uncertainty. Capture some 90′s magic and grab this at a discount.

Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns TP (DC Comics)

Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns TP (DC Comics)
Collects Batman Beyond Unlimited #1-13, $16.99
Like Smallville Vol 1 which I recommended a few weeks back, Batman Beyond is another of DC’s digital first releases, written by Adam Beechen, with art by the fantastic Norm Breyfogle. I have always been a fan of the Batman Beyond Universe, so I was very excited to hear that the digital comics would continue on from where the animated film Batman Beyond Return of the Joker ended. This trade covers the first giant arc called 10,000 Clowns. Joker Gangs from all over, are gathering in Gotham, and that can mean nothing but trouble. As future Batman Terry McGinnis gets further into his investigation he finds out that this gathering, and it’s ensuing plot, hits very close to his personal life, and will be one of his toughest challenges as Batman yet. To stop the terror, Terry is joined not only by brand new heroes, but others from the Batman Legacy itself. I have read a good chunk of past Batman Beyond comics, and I can say that by the end of this story that not only will you be very entertained, but you will be craving to see what comes next in Terry McGinnis’s universe.

(Marvel Now!) Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere HC (Marvel)

(Marvel Now!) Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere HC (Marvel)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
(Marvel Now!) Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere HC (Marvel)
Collects Indestructible Hulk #1-5. Includes designs, sketches, script, and pencils, $24.99
I haven’t read a Hulk comic regularly since Bill Mantlo’s run in the early ’80s. Imagine my surprise when I happened upon a copy of Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk #1 and was suddenly, completely swept up in the fun. The notion of Banner and Hulk working together with Director Maria Hill in a remote location (Bannertown!) and being deployed as a weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. is everything you want in a book. The gorgeous art of Leinil Francis Yu provides the perfect visual complement to the story. The bonus here is that in addition to the usual extras we expect from our collected editions, this one also includes a code for a digital copy of the story. Among the Marvel NOW line, you could do worse than these great, green tales that stand on their own.

The EC Comics Library: Fall Guy For Murder And Other Stories by Johnny Craig (Fantagraphics)

The EC Comics Library: Fall Guy For Murder And Other Stories by Johnny Craig (Fantagraphics)

Picked by @Dief88
The EC Comics Library: Fall Guy For Murder And Other Stories by Johnny Craig (Fantagraphics), $28.99
Frank Frazetta, Harvey Kurtzman, and Wally Wood are all amazing artists, but to be honest, Fall Guy For Murder is the book I’ve been most looking forward to since Fantagraphics announced that it would be reprinting classic EC Comics stories in black and white. Johnny Craig may not be as well-known today as the other artists I mentioned (all of whom have already gotten their own reprint books from Fantagraphics), but to my mind his work at EC outshone all of theirs. This book’s solicitation description describes Craig’s style as “elegant,” “crisp,” and “contemporary” – all fitting adjectives. There was a good reason for his being asked by Al Feldstein to draw every single cover of EC’s Vault of Horror series: Craig knew how to tell a whole story with one image. Remember that infamous EC Comics cover with the axe murderer holding up the decapitated woman’s head? That was Craig’s. This book has more than just horror stories, though. Craig did a ton of crime comics too, and it’s amazing to see how that same clean, naturalistic style lends itself in totally different ways to the two genres. If you haven’t picked up one of these black-and-white EC collections yet, there’s really no better time to start.

Bazooka Joe And His Gang HC (Abrams ComicArts)

Bazooka Joe And His Gang HC (Abrams ComicArts)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Bazooka Joe And His Gang HC (Abrams ComicArts), $19.95
When I was 15, I went away to Canadian Outward Bound located about 100 miles north of Thunder Bay. It was clearly stated that I couldn’t bring anything other then my clothes and a toothbrush, but I managed to smuggle in a small bag full of Bazooka Joe gum. The gum, itself,  was great and got me through some long days and nights while canoeing Lake Nipigon and the Black Sturgeon. But it was the silly juvenile comics that made me realize not to take life so seriously. It wasn’t until 20 years later that I found out that the artwork for Bazooka Joe and His Gang was done by Wesley Morse, who created Tijuana Bibles in the 1930′s! Note – every true comic book fan should own a Tijuana Bible. Anyway, jump to 2013 and Abrams ComicsArts has put together a 60 year celebration of the gum, the comics and the Americana that is Bazooka Joe. The 224 page book includes reproductions of more than 100 classic comics spanning six decades—including the complete first series, reprinted in its entirety for the first time—as well as jokes, fortunes, and tiny ads for mail-order merchandise.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

CCL Podcast #359 – Interview with Fred Pierce and Hunter Gorinson, Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertaiment

Valiant Entertaiment

Collected Comics Library Podcast #359
38.0Mb; 41m 22s

In 2012, Valiant Entertainment rebooted several titles that were popular in the 1990’s. The past year has garnered positive responses from fans and critics alike. Along with the expanding library, Valiant is in the midst of their first event: Harbinger Wars and the upcoming Unity event. Valiant has also once again started to re-release their classic material with the hardcover Valiant Masters series. Today I sit down with Publisher Fred Pierce and Marketing and Communications Manager Hunter Gorinson of Valiant Entertainment.

Cheers!

Chris
Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

In the USA…
Top Sellers this week! In Stock Trades
In the UK and Europe…
Pre-order books from Forbidden Planet International
Manhattan Projects TP Vol 2
Happy TP
Avengers Vs X-Men HC Companion
Uncanny Avengers Prem HC Vol 1 Red Shadow
Batman Incorporated HC Vol 1 Demon Star
Avengers Prem HC Vol 01 Avengers World
Superman Action Comics HC Vol 2 Bulletproof
Marshal Law The Deluxe Edition HC (MR)
House Of Secrets Omnibus HC
Invincible HC Vol 08 Ultimate Collection
Marvel – 40% off Special until May 29 – Fantastic Four: Crusaders & Titans
DC Comics – 40% off Special until May 29 – DC One Million Omnibus HC
Indie – 40% off Special until May 29 – Eerie Archives Vol 14 HC
Manga – 40% off Special until May 29 – Dance In The Vampire Bund Omnibus Vol 3
Classic – 40% off Special until May 29 – All-Star Superman
Thunderbirds: The Comic Collection HC
Paul Joins The Scouts
Green Lantern Vol 3: The End HC
American Vampire Vol 4
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 1: Cosmic Avengers Premiere HC

CCL Podcast #358 – C2E2 Part 3: Drew Gaska, Space: 1999 and Brion Salazar, Around Comics

Space: 1999 - Aftershock and Awe

Space: 1999 – Aftershock and Awe

Collected Comics Library Podcast #358
48.6Mb; 52m 57s

Here in Part 3 of my C2E2 coverage I interview Drew Gaska about his graphic novel and revival of the classic sci-fi tv show with Space:1999 Aftershock and Awe (Archaia). These comics mix the classic original artwork from Gray Morrow with new styles from David Hueso and Miki and also tells the tales of just what happened to Earth on that fateful day – September 13, 1999. We also go over Drew’s other works Critical Millenium and Conspiracy Of The Planet Of The Apes as well as the Blam! Ventures imprint.

In the second part I catch up with my old friend Brion “Sal” Salazar formerly of the Around Comics Podcast. Sal talks about his original artwork, podcasting and today’s state of collected editions.

Also on the show: Jason Wood’s (11 O’Clock Comics Podcast) Kickstarter panel with Ryan Browne and Ryan Stegman, also Browne’s God Hates Astronauts HC, Tim King’s A Once Crowded Sky and I went to see Iron Man 3!

Cheers!

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

6 Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #18

Is there one book that is a “must have” that came out this week? My friends Andy Tom (@AndrewJTom), Chris Campbell (@ChrisCampbell8), Marc Diefenderfer (@Dief88), Shane Hannafey, Adam Besenyodi (@adambesenyodi), Joey Nazzari (@CaptDS9E), and I (@ChrisCCL) are sharing some comic book collected editions, reprints and/or graphic novels released this week that you may be interested in.

Batman, Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star HC (DC Comics)

Batman, Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star HC (DC Comics)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
Batman, Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star HC (DC Comics)
Collects Batman, Incorporated #0-6, $24.99
If you’re reading this blog (and other websites), then odds are that you’re pretty up to date on the comics that have been popular over the past year or so. Hidden among Vaughn’s Saga, Snyder & Capullo’s Batman, Waid’s Daredevil, and Aaron’s Thor is an often forgotten book called Batman Inc. This book, written by Grant Morrison, boasts the break-out work of Superstar artist, Chris Burnham. Morrison and Burnham have a great chemistry as they tell the penultimate chapter in Morrison’s epic Batman run. This book, is thought-provoking, beautiful, and lots of fun. If you have yet to discover Chris Burnham, then I recommend that you jump in head first with this volume. You’ll soon discover why Chris Burnham will be one of the most sought after illustrators in comics when his tenure on Batman Inc. comes to a close.

Spider-Men TP (Marvel)

Spider-Men TP (Marvel)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Spider-Men TP (Marvel)
Collects Spider-Men #1-5, $19.99
One of my favorite comic series for a long time has been Ultimate Spider-Man written by Brian Bendis. When word came out that he had decided to kill off Ultimate Universe Peter Parker, it caused a bit of an uproar. People cried about it being just another stunt. However Peters death very well done, and it then led us to be introduced to young a young kid name Miles Morales. As with the original Spider-Man stories, Miles gets bitten by a Spider, gains powers, and decides to take up the mantle of Spider-Man. Even with the change, the series continued to be fantastic, as Miles is a great character. It’s fun learning about his life, and family, but still seeing characters from before pop up, and interact with him. The one thing everyone wanted to see was Miles meet Peter Parker, and that is where this miniseries comes in. Peter Parker in the regular Marvel 616 universe gets thrown into a dimensional portal while fighting Mysterio, and ends up in the Ultimate Universe. He realizes he is not where he is supposed to be when he runs into different versions of people he knows like Nick Fury (who is African American here), Tony Stark (still drinks liquor), and of course this new Spider-Man. Their meeting at first results in some fighting, but they come together to find out how Peter was transported there. It’s great seeing Peter and Miles work together, and have each other discover their similarities and differences. The real heart of this series though, is when Peter decides to meet Ultimate Aunt May and Gwen Stacy who thought they would never see their Peter Parker again. This is a must read for any Spider-Man fan, and that last part will make you emotional every time.

Essential Defenders Vol. 7 TP (Marvel)

Essential Defenders Vol. 7 TP (Marvel)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
Essential Defenders Vol. 7 TP (Marvel)
Collects Defenders (1972) #126-139, Iceman (1984) #1-4 and Beauty And The Beast (1984) #1-4, $19.99
Oh, man. Talk about right in my wheelhouse: You can’t get any closer than this collection! This is an assemblage of comics that speaks to me on so many levels. First and foremost, it’s J.M. DeMatteis blowing my young teenage mind when I read these issues fresh off the corner convenience store spinner rack 30 years ago. It’s the heyday of the Marvel Four-Issue Limited Series, collecting TWO of them alongside the introduction of the New Defenders team. There’s the über-trippy Iceman limited series that finds Bobby Drake up against the Void, and everyone’s favorite furry blue Beast falling in love and teaming up with Dazzler to battle Dr. Doom in the Beauty and the Beast limited series. In the collection’s namesake book, Beast rouses the troops, including his fellow original Children of the Atom, Iceman and Angel, alongside Gargoyle (whom DeMatteis would feature in a great four-issue limited series of his own just a year later that I wish Marvel had collected here!), Valkyrie, and Moondragon. This is the end of the original run of the title that began all the way back in 1972, but includes the title’s Assistant Editors’ Month entry by Ann Nocenti! Although you could probably find almost all of these original single issues for a song, the value of the black and white Essentials reprint line is undeniable, and this is a series that begs to be read and reread and passed around.

Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC (Harper Collins)

Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC (Harper Collins)

Picked by Shane
Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC (Harper Collins), $9.99
I’ve loved Neil Gaiman’s writing ever since my friend put a copy of Good Omens (his collaboration with author Terry Prachett) in my hand. I immediately sought out more of his prose writing. Some of those works included American Gods and its sequel Anasi Boys, now both favorites of mine! A few of his books have been adapted into film and TV such as Stardust and Coraline. The British TV series Neverwhere was written by him and Lenny Henry and then Gaiman adapted and expanded it into a novel. I really enjoy this series and it is well worth watching! I haven’t even mentioned his comics yet. The Vertigo Sandman series is revered as one of the greatest comics of all time. You’ll hear stories of people who aren’t even big comic fans and they’ve read it. Its sister series Death was equally entertaining and his Marvel and DC runs are definitely worth seeking out. His Marvel series 1602 was an elsewhere tale of sorts that puts famous Marvel characters into the era of the 1600s; a time of American exploration by Europeans. Imagine the possibilities or just pick up the book and see what he did with it! Now, I’m going on and on about Gaiman and this collection of short stories wasn’t necessarily written by him, but they are stories selected by him. Because of his pedigree with fantasy and science fiction, I trust that he picked out a great selection of stories. This collection intrigues me. It contains sixteen stories all dealing with magical creatures. Some you’ve heard of before, some were made up for the stories in this book. One of the really cool things about getting this book is that sales of Unnatural Creatures benefit 826DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students in their creative and expository writing, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. So not only are you getting a great book, you are supporting a great cause. Check it out and also check out some of Gaiman’s other prose and comic works. You won’t be sorry! By the way, for you Doctor Who fans, the second Gaiman penned episode is airing this week.  Don’t miss it!!

Complete Don Quixote GN (SelfMadeHero)

Complete Don Quixote GN (SelfMadeHero)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
The Complete Don Quixote GN (SelfMadeHero), $27.50
I was exposed to The Man Of La Mancha at a very early age. I saw the musical as a kid, read the book in high school (an updated translation) and saw the musical again (with Robert Goulet) in my 20′s. Each time I saw different things with this wildly peculiar hero. Yes, I said hero. In fact, if you didn’t know, Don Quixote was published in 1605! This fully illustrated edition from SelfMadeHero is a collection of Two Volumes that was published in 2011 and 2012. Now, here, in 2013 The Complete Hardcover has been published. Rob Davis has translated and illustrated the founding work of modern western literature with the utmost respect and care. Mr. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) would be very proud. One question: Is Sancho Panza the first side-kick?

and…

Thunderbolts Vol. 1: No Quarter TP (Marvel)

Thunderbolts Vol. 1: No Quarter TP (Marvel)

Thunderbolts Vol. 1: No Quarter TP (Marvel)
Collects Thunderbolts (2013) #1-6, $15.99
As a Punisher fan, I wasn’t sure how well I’d like Frank in a team book. I mean, I enjoyed Marvel Knights all those years ago, but this time around he’s been paired up with Red Hulk, Deadpool, Elektra and Venom. As it turns out, this “team” is so dysfunctional – it works! The violent artwork from Steve Dillon is spot on and because of that, I’m surprised that it’s not a MAX book. You just wonder how long these Thunderbolts will be around for and just how it will inevitably implode. My money is on Frank.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

CCL Podcast #357 – C2E2 Part 2: Charles Pelto, Classic Comics Press and Tom Gianni

Tarzan of The Apes/The Return of Tarzan

Tarzan of The Apes/The Return of Tarzan

Collected Comics Library Podcast #357
29.2Mb; 31m 49s

Here in Part 2 of my C2E2 coverage I catch up with Charles Pelto of Classic Comics Press. I last had Charles on the show for episode #300. Charles has also teamed up with Tom Gianni for his reprints of Edgar Rice Boughos Tarzan novels with his Homeworld Press line. Sal Amendola supplied the artwork for the Volume 1: Tarzan of The Apes/The Return of Tarzan and now Tom his on board for Volume 2.

Also on the show: Free Comic Book Day and what I bought at C2E2…(hint: there’s a few Punisher books involved).

Cheers!

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

In the USA…
Top Sellers this week! In Stock Trades
In the UK and Europe…
Pre-order books from Forbidden Planet International
Manhattan Projects TP Vol 2
Happy TP
Swamp Thing TP Vol 2 Family Tree
Uncanny Avengers Prem HC Vol 1 Red Shadow
House Of Secrets Omnibus HC
100 Bullets HC Book 4
Marshal Law The Deluxe Edition HC (MR)
Avengers Prem HC Vol 01 Avengers World
Batman Detective Comics HC Vol 2 Scare Tactics
Batman HC Vol 2 The City Of Owls
Marvel – 40% off Special until May 22 – Avengers: The Complete Collection by Geoff Johns Vol 2
DC – 40% off Special until May 22 – Shazam! Vol 1 HC
Indie – 40% off Special until May 22 – Peter Pan By Regis Loisel HC
Manga – 40% off Special until May 22 – Doubt Omnibus Vol 2
Classic – 40% off Special until May 22 – Great Pacific Vol 1: Trashed!
Monster on the Hill
Science: A Discovery In Comics HC
Green Lantern: New Guardians Vol 1 – The Ring Bearer
Dr Strange & Dr Doom: Triumph & Torment
Judge Dredd: Day Of Chaos – Endgame