6 Collected Editions

6 Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #23

by CJM • June 14, 2013 • 0 Comments

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.

(Marvel Now!) Captain America Vol. 1: Castaway In Dimension Z Book 1 Premiere HC (Marvel)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
(Marvel Now!) Captain America Vol. 1: Castaway In Dimension Z Book 1 Premiere HC (Marvel)
Collects Captain America (2013) #1-5, $24.99
Yeah… I know that I’ve been absent from this column for the last couple of weeks, but I’ve got excuses. Even though, none of you care about the hardships of my life these past few weeks, I need to share them with you in the context of this column. Y’see three weeks ago I chaperoned the 8th grade trip to Washington DC. While this may sound educational and fun, you should know that 8th grade boys aren’t typically model citizens when it comes to proper behavior in the nation’s capital. During the trip we had (not one, but) two buses break down. The very night that I returned home from DC, we had some severe storms that caused flash floods in the area. This included leaving my basement all wet and squishy. I subsequently spent the following week drying my basement; only to get another frog-strangling storm two nights ago that made my basement “squishy” again. Needless to say… I need an escape. My plan of escape is this very hardcover that came out this week. Captain America: Castaway in Dimension Z offers an escape from the real world. This story looks to be a love letter to Jack Kirby and I for one can’t wait to read it. I admit that I’m a big fan of Brubaker’s Cap run; but it’s largely because his stories took place in a more realistic setting. Rick Remender and John Romita Jr. have gone as far away from the Brubaker run as they possibly can. Cap is trapped in an apocalyptic wasteland controlled by Arnim Zola, all the while trying to protect a child. If you’ve only read Brubaker Cap stories in the past… throw out your preconceived notions about what a Cap story should be and escape to Dimension Z along with Steve Rogers and me.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan TP (IDW)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan TP (IDW), $17.99
Since joining in on the Pick Six fun, I have already picked the FCBD issue based on the animated series, and a collection of the original TMNT. It’s only fair that I now pick something that has to do with the current series. Because frankly I find the current IDW books at the top of anything coming out in comics these days. This trade is the miniseries TMNT Secret History of the Foot Clan, which collects four issue series written by Erik Burnham with Art Mateus Santolouco . Half of the story takes place Feudal Japan, where we learn about the original unknown founder of the Foot, as well as how Oroku Saki rose to power to become Shredder and eventually lead the organization. As well as learning how his relationship with his good friend Oroku Saki goes south because of Saki’s thirst for power. The other half takes place in the present where the Foot Clan and the TMNT are in a race to be first to get the Foot Clans secret texts. What secrets will the victors gain by getting there first? Santolouco is a real force as the book is beautiful, and it’s probably the reason he is moving over to the main book now. I would buy this book just for the art, but it’s a complete package, with a complete story.

Preacher Book One TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @Dief88
Preacher Book One TP (DC Comics)
Collects Preacher #1-12, plus pinups from Preacher #50 and #66, $19.99
Much like Marvel has done with its “Ultimate Collection” trades, DC a few years ago began putting some of its completed Vertigo series into nice, thick collected editions. Having recently finished collecting Preacher in hardcover, DC is now giving us another (cheaper!) option and releasing the first volume, which collects the series’ first twelve issues, in trade paperback. Preacher is not a comic for the easily offended, but for those who can stomach its over-the-top violence and near-constant assault on Christian orthodoxy, there’s a compellingly written story that poses interesting questions about religion and how we live our lives in relation to it. With this new edition, as well, DC has chosen an endpoint for the first volume that actually allows it to work as its own, self-contained story – and it’s only $19.99!

Marvel Noir: Daredevil/Cage/Iron Man TP (Marvel)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Marvel Noir: Daredevil/Cage/Iron Man TP (Marvel)
Collects Daredevil Noir #1-4, Luke Cage Noir #1-4 and Iron Man Noir #1-4, $34.99
A few weeks back I recommended Marvel Noir: Spider-Man/Punisher TP (Marvel) and now the third volume of the Noir line is out (the first – X-Men and Wolverine Noir came out in April). There’s not much more to say other then if you liked the first two volumes, then you’ll want to finish the series. The Noir line is dark, gritty and sometimes goes to the MAX, so to speak. Let me know in the comment section if you like this type of Elseworlds Marvel and what characters you would like to see next.

and…

Wolverine First Cuts TP (Marvel)

Wolverine: First Cuts TP (Marvel)
Collects X-Men Origins: Wolverine #1, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #118-119, Wolverine (1982) #1-2, Marvel Team-Up (1972) #83-85 and material from the Best Of Marvel Comics HC, $19.99
OK I get it you didn’t go out and plop down $200 for the Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection HC Slipcase (Marvel). If you still need your Wolverine fix, I highly suggest this book. The short coming is that it only collects two of the four Frank Miller issues of the must own mini-series, but it does collect the rare story The Hunter from Best Of Marvel Comics HC published in 1987.

and…

Complete Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie Volume 9 1940-1941 HC (IDW)

Complete Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie Volume 9 1940-1941 HC (IDW), $49.99
We comic book snobs like to think we know all about Annie. Harold Gray’s little orphan was a strip long before we were dragged to the 1982 movie staring the great Carol Burnett and singing about Tomorrow. But did you know that the musical was nominated for Best Revival Of A Musical at the 2013 Tony Awards? It lost out to Pippin – talk about a Hard-Knock Life! At least it’s refreshing to know that IDW continues to reprint the classic strip as part of their Library of American Comics imprint.

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.

Podcast, Podcast Interview

CCL Podcast Special – Mainstream vs. Indie Comics

by CJM • June 13, 2013 • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

CCL Podcast Special – Mainstream vs. Indie Comics
95.5Mb; 104m 13s

This past week I was invited to a roundtable discussion with Andy and Derek from Comics Alternative Podcast and John Mayo from Comic Book Page podcast. In this special, we discuss the differences between mainstream and indie comics, including the makeup of the comics themselves, the publishers, and even the buyers. It’s an interesting look at just what is an indie comic in this age of all-ages, licensed comics and imprints like Icon and Vertigo.

I would like to thank Andy and Derek for having me on and it’s always fun to hang out with my old friend, John.

This podcast originated on the Comics Alternative Podcast Episode 41: A Roundtable Discussion on the Mainstream – Indie Divide from June 12, 2013

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…
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Solo Deluxe Ed HC
Absolute Top Ten HC
New Teen Titans Omnibus HC Vol 3
Authority HC Vol 1
Thor God Of Thunder Prem HC Vol 1 God Butcher
Hellboy Library HC Vol 6 Storm Fury Bride Hell
All New X-Men Prem HC Vol 2 Here To Stay
Aquaman HC Vol 2 The Others
Superman The Golden Age Omnibus HC Vol 1
Indestructible Hulk Prem HC Vol 1 Agent Of Shield

Marvel – 40% off Special until June 26 – Hawkeye Volume 1 HC
DC – 40% off Special until June 26 – The Sandman Omnibus Vol 2 HC
Indie – 40% off Special until June 26 – Walt Kelly’s Pogo the Complete Dell Comics Vol 1 HC
Manga – 40% off Special until June 26 – Witch Buster Vol 2: Books 3 & 4
Classic – 40% off Special until June 26 – Preacher Book One
Alan Moore’s Fashion Beast
The Sixth Gun Vol 1 Deluxe HC
Thrud The Barbarian HC
Batman: Odyssey
Young Avengers Vol 1: Style > Substance

6 Collected Editions

5, Not 6, Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #22

by CJM • June 8, 2013 • 0 Comments

Star Wars: Legacy Book 1 HC (Dark Horse)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Star Wars: Legacy Book 1 HC (Dark Horse), $34.99
There have been a lot of Star Wars comics by Dark Horse over the years, but Star Wars Legacy is by far the best of the bunch. The series is written by John Ostrander and Kan Duursema, and is set 125 years after Return of the Jedi. As the story begins the One Sith Order attacks a Jedi Temple where young Cade Skywalker is training with his father. As the attack goes on the Jedi are killed and Cade is left alone, thought dead. The One Sith order led by Darth Krayt are now is taking over the galaxy a piece at a time. Flash forward a few years, and we learn that Cade is alive, and has taken up a new first name, dropped Skywalker, and has strayed from being a Jedi. In this time he became attached to the pirate named Rav, and has chosen the life a a smuggler/pirate himself. Doing jobs with a small crew that can’t be trusted, trying to keep his identity secret from all. However like all SW tales, he gets pulled back into galactic affairs, and must once again become a Jedi for the sake of the entire galaxy, and live up to the Skywalker name. This collection is the first couple of trades of the series. The main series ran 50 issues, and the grand finale finished in the Legacy War miniseries. So once your done with this, I don’t know if you will be able to wait for the next HC, as you will want to keep reading.

The Walking Dead Vol. 18: What Comes After TP (Image)

Picked by Shane
The Walking Dead Vol. 18: What Comes After TP (Image)
Collects The Walking Dead #103-108, $14.99
Maybe you haven’t heard about this comic? Unless you’ve been stuck on an island for the past several years, you can’t get away from the Walking Dead. I do love the television series, but the comic was there first and while the TV series is sticking with some of the same story lines, it takes entirely different directions with that source material. A lot of the characters are the same, but they might come and go at different times. Just read this comic series! There are several options out there, but the trades seem to be the most cost effective way to catch up. I came into the series late. Although I had the first issue in my hand at the comic shop and stupidly put it back on the shelf thinking it was a 28 Days Later rip-off. I was very wrong and you could say that was a very expensive mistake! I kept hearing how good this series was and took another chance with Volume 1 of the trades. I haven’t stopped buying the trades since and usually pre-order them so that I get them in my hands as quick as possible. It is painful enough waiting six months for each one, but I decided to stick with trades a long time ago. After a shocking death in the last volume, Rick is out for revenge on a man who seems equally as crazy and brutal as The Governor. You know war is on the horizon and I can’t wait to see what Rick has planned!

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 6 TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 6 TP (DC Comics)
Collects Justice League #195-197, #207-209 and All-Star Squadron #14-15, $19.99
This book arrived on my doorstep this afternoon from my DCBS order and I wasn’t going to recommend it but after further review, it’s worth the mention. DC has been publishing this trade paperback series for a few years now and it’s a fun and easy way to get all of the annual Justice League of America and Justice Society of America Team-Ups all in one place. Here in volume six we not only get the JLA/JSA but the All-Star Squadron makes their appearance. These eight comics are from 1981-1982 and foreshadow a bigger Crisis to come in just a few short years.

and…

Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection HC Slipcase (Marvel)

Wolverine: The Adamantium Collection HC Slipcase (Marvel)
Collects Origin #1-6; material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #72-84; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #162, #205 and #268; Wolverine (1982) #1-4; Wolverine (1988) #75 and #119-122; Wolverine (2003) #32; and Wolverine & The X-Men #1-3, 720 pages, $200.00
If you have the Wolverine Omnibus from 2009, you’ll find that this is a nice follow-up. The only comics that both books have in common are Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #72-84 and Frank Miller and Chris Claremont’s Wolverine (1982) #1-4. I had hoped that Marvel would rerelease the Omnibus, but we may have to wait on that for another year or two. In the meantime, to save you some money, you can all of these issue digitally. Pick this one up if you are so inclined. If nothing else you can keep it sealed and sell it for $300 when Wolverine 3 comes out in theaters.

and…

Solo Deluxe Edition HC (DC Comics)

Solo Deluxe Edition HC (DC Comics)
Collects Solo #1-12, 568 pages, $49.99
Make no mistake – this is one of the best collected editions of 2013.
Why?
Because it has some of the best comics ever published.
Want proof?
OK, here you go.

It won three 2006 Eisner Awards:
Best Anthology: Solo, Edited By Mark Chiarello
Best Short Story: “Teenage Sidekick,” By Paul Pope, Solo #3
Best Single Issue: Solo #5, By Darwyn Cooke

I talked this book up for CCL Podcast #347 – Going Solo, The DC Way
Buy this book and your fanboy street cred will triple.

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.

Podcast, Podcast Interview

CCL Podcast #361 – Interview with Kirk Taylor on Wesley Morse and Bazooka Joe

by CJM • June 5, 2013 • 2 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bazooka Joe and His Gang: The 60th Anniversary Collection (Abrams ComicArts)

Collected Comics Library Podcast #361
80.8Mb; 88m 08s

Every kid has had Bazooka Joe bubble gum at some point in their life. Not only does the gum itself have a good long lasting, sugary flavor, but they all come with those funny comic strips. But who was the man behind those comics? Today I sit down with Kirk Taylor and talk about Wesley Morse, who may be the most obscure artist and creator of the Golden and Platinum Ages, and the new book Bazooka Joe and His Gang: The 60th Anniversary Collection published by Abrams ComicArts.

Cheers!

Chris

Links of note:
Wesley Morse (official)
The Taylor-Morse Collection

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In the UK and Europe…
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Absolute Top Ten HC
Authority HC Vol 1
New Teen Titans Omnibus HC Vol 3
Batman Incorporated HC Vol 1 Demon Star
Avengers Vs X-Men HC Companion
Thor God Of Thunder Prem HC Vol 1 God Butcher
Aquaman HC Vol 2 The Others
All New X-Men Prem HC Vol 2 Here To Stay
Solo Deluxe Ed HC
Indestructible Hulk Prem HC Vol 1 Agent Of Shield

Marvel – 40% off Special until June 19 – Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Two-In-One Vol 1
DC Comics – 40% off Special until June 19 – Batgirl Vol 3 : Death of the Family HC
Indie – 40% off Special until June 19 – Classic Space: 1999 – To Everything That Was HC
Manga – 40% off Special until June 19 – Witch Buster Vol 1: Books 1 & 2
Classic – 40% off Special until June 19 – Joe the Barbarian
Green Arrow Vol 3: Harrow
All-New X-Men Vol 3: Out of Their Depth Premiere HC
Doctor Who: The Chains Of Olympus
Hellboy: The Midnight Circus HC
East Of West Vol 1: The Promise

6 Collected Editions

6 Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #21

by CJM • May 31, 2013 • 2 Comments

Absolute Top 10 HC (DC Comics)

Picked by @ChrisCampbell8
Absolute Top 10 HC (DC Comics)
Collects Top 10 #1-12, Top 10: The Forty-Niners, Smax #1-5 and a story from America’s Best Comics Special #1, $99.99
I always have a difficult time describing an Alan Moore work when trying to recommend the book to a friend. It shouldn’t be a difficult task, but when describing the work, I keep interrupting myself and say “I’m not doing this comic justice – it’s Alan Moore and its brilliant – just read it”. Not everything is brilliant, of course, but the Alan Moore section of my home library is certainly a target-rich environment. The newest addition to the section is the Absolute Top 10 by Alan Moore and Gene Ha. First it should be noted that this is an expensive item – an Absolute Edition. And people should be picky when choosing an Absolute. I follow three simple rules. First, is it a great story, whether by a comic legend or not? Check. Are the visuals worthy of the oversized nature? Gene Ha – check. Is it more than a few issues? Green Lantern Rebirth – I’m looking at your pathetic story page count. Check. But getting back to the story, Top 10 is a glimpse into the lives of various police officers in the 10th precinct of Neopolis, where people with powers are everywhere and science fiction wackiness is in full display. But you know, I’m really not doing it justice. It’s Alan Moore. It’s brilliant. It’s got a Galactapuss! Read it.

Star Wars Omnibus: Wild Space Volume 1 TP (Dark Horse)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
Star Wars Omnibus: Wild Space Volume 1 TP (Dark Horse)
Collects Star Wars 3-D #1-3; Star Wars: Devilworlds #1-2; Star Wars: Death Masque; Star Wars Weekly #60, #94-99, and #104-115; Star Wars from Pizzazz #10-16; The Rebel Thief, X-Wing Marks the Spot, Imperial Spy, and The Gambler’s Quest from Star Wars Kids #1-15; Star
Wars: The Mixed-Up Droid; Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Galoob minicomic; Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Ertl minicomic; and StarWars: Droids from Apple Jacks. A mega-collection of previously uncollected adventures!, $24.99
Dark Horse has done a spectacular job of identifying stories both classic and of more recent vintage from the far reaches of the galaxy and collecting them in their Star Wars Omnibus line. They’ve pulled together everything from the entire original Marvel run to the ’80s Droids and Ewoks series to the Infinities stories of the early 2000s and beyond. Here, in their 28th omnibus, Dark Horse has really gone out of its way to collect a treasure trove of orphaned and one-off Star Wars tales. Highlights include two arcs from Pizzazz magazine, along with rarities like the Star Wars: Droids single-page comic from Kellogg’s Apple Jacks cereal, the 12-page Mixed-Up Droid comic that accompanied the audiobook of the same name, and the three Blackthorne Publishing Star Wars 3-D comics from ’87 and ’88. Also included are the Shadows of the Empire mini-comics originally included with the Galoob Micro Machines and Ertl model kits that were left out of Dark Horse’s Shadows of the Empire Omnibus back in 2010. This 480-page collection is worth the investment. And if you were paying close attention, you probably noticed that this is only volume 1. A second volume is scheduled to follow later this year and include more gems, like Sergio Aragonés Stomps Star Wars!

Doctor Strange The Oath TP (New Printing, Marvel)

Picked by @Dief88
Doctor Strange The Oath TP (New Printing, Marvel)
Collects Doctor Strange: The Oath #1-#5, $19.99
Why Marvel has chosen this week to reprint Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin’s excellent Doctor Strange: The Oath is anyone’s guess (we’re still a few years out from the Doctor Strange movie that’s supposedly in development), but it’s great that they have. The Oath is a modern classic that simply needs to be in print. More so than perhaps any other Doctor Strange story, this one is practically dripping with real, relatable emotions, all expertly developed by Vaughan. For instance, Strange is stricken with grief and fear by the fact that his longtime servant, Wong, is dying. He even experiences love – with a mortal, for once! For those familiar with Martin’s more recent artwork in Amazing Spider-Man, know that The Oath is just as lush and colorful a comic (and with quite a few more mystical characters and creatures thrown in, to boot). The only truly disappointing thing about The Oath is that subsequent writers didn’t pick up the ball that Vaughan had placed in their court, and that the character has languished for years now as a result. Maybe the upcoming movie and the fact this trade is being reprinted are indicative of a change on the horizon? (By the hoary #$@!ing hosts, let’s hope so!)

Superior Spider-Man Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy TP (Marvel)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Superior Spider-Man Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy TP (Marvel)
Collects Superior Spider-Man #1-5, $17.99
There has been a huge split between Spider-Man fans with this book, but I am here to tell you that it is awesome. . For those who do now know, at the end of Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus switched minds with Peter Parker, thus switched bodies. Doc Oct was now Parker/Spider-Man, and Peter ended up dying inside Doc Oct’s sick body. This caused a huge uproar for a lot of fans (shocker). How could they kill Peter Parker, it’s a travesty. However it really was not. These events have led to the fantastic brand new series, The Superior Spider-Man. This is the story of Doctor Octopus not only trying to fit in as a new Superior Spider-Man, but also into Peter Parkers personal and professional life. How will he fit in at work, with the Avengers, and with his friends/family. Dan Slott does a fantastic job of balancing all of these things, while making Doc Oct one of the more interesting characters in comics right now. It’s serious, it’s funny(takes a few jabs at the Spider-Man fans), and he throws a few twists in turns in there to make you be on the edge of your seats. I also have to give huge credit to fantastic Ryan Stegman on art duties. I have really enjoyed his stuff in other books, but he has taken it to an entirely different level. He was born to draw Spider-Man, and I hope he stays on it for a very long time. I see people every day, say big two comics do not take enough chances, but there are some out there. This is one of those books changing things up, and bringing a different dynamic to a long running series, even if for a few years. Get it ASAP.

Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 1 TP (Marvel)

Picked by Shane
Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 1 TP (Marvel)
Collects Spider-Man 2099 #1-10, $24.99
In 1992, Marvel started its 2099 line of books. It was a series of re-imaginings of Marvel characters taking place over 100 years in the future. I was not collecting a lot of comics at that point, but these series’ grabbed me for some reason. To this day, this line remains one of my fondest memories of nineties era comics, which to many was a bleak time for the comic business. I collected several of these titles including Ghost Rider 2099, X-Men 2099 and Spider-Man 2099. For me, there was something to like in all of them and now writing about the upcoming release of this volume of Spider-Man 2099 makes me what to pull out the long boxes and start reading them again. In the Spider-Man 2099 title, our hero Miguel O’Hara worked on a genetics program inspired by the original Spider-Man. In a lab accident, he acquired spider-like abilities thus making him the title hero. Evidently the character will be appearing in the Superior Spider-Man title this year, so what better way to get up to speed with the character, but with this volume collecting issues 1-10 of the original series.

Marvel Noir: Spider-Man/Punisher TP (Marvel)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Marvel Noir: Spider-Man/Punisher TP (Marvel)
Collects Spider-Man Noir #1-4, Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without A Face #1-4 and Punisher Noir #1-4, $34.99
So many good collected editions came out this week, but if I have to go with one it would be this Marvel Noir. This series is essentially Marvel’s version of DC’s Elseworlds, but with all the stories taking place around the 1930s to the 1940s. It’s a little more violent then the 616 universe that we know of, but not as graphic as the MAX line. What’s nice about these three stories, and in fact all the Noir books, is that they are 4-issue series. So the stories are tight and compact and not drawn out with the more common 6-issue pace. This book is the second of three; the first Noir collection reprinted the X-Men and Wolverine comics and upcoming in June will be Daredevil/Luke Cage and Iron Man. When it’s all said and done these three books will be a welcome addition to your library.

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.

6 Collected Editions

6 Collected Editions Worthy Of Your Attention #20

by CJM • May 24, 2013 • 0 Comments

Conan Volume 1 The Frost Giants Daughter and Other Stories HC (Dark Horse)

Conan Volume 7: CImmeria HC (Dark Horse)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
Conan Volume 1 The Frost Giants Daughter and Other Stories HC and Conan Volume 7: CImmeria HC (Dark Horse)
There are weeks when a guy looks at the release schedule and (regardless of quality) nothing grabs you and says, “This is a book that I need to check out.” Well… that’s what happened to me this week. So, I’m going “back to the bookshelf”.
Recently, I started following Cary Nord on Twitter and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed his work on his often underappreciated Conan run from Dark Horse. You see… a few years ago I decided that I was going to try reading some Conan comics. I bought a copy of Savage Sword of Conan (Vol. 1) and I found a couple of the more recent Conan trades on the ding and dent shelf at my LCS. What I discovered in those trades was absolute gold. Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord have crafted a series of Conan comics (currently available in trade and HC) that are so enjoyable that I’ve read several of them on multiple occasions. With these Conan trades you can jump in anywhere and be swept away to lands with fierce monsters, dastardly villains, and beautiful women. They’re modern in style, yet “pulpy” in feel.
Around vol 6 or so, Busiek and Nord turned the creative duties over to Tim Truman and Tomas Giorello. The goodness that Kurt and Cary started continued into their run. These men crafted some great stories as well; and the Conan series of books doesn’t miss a beat. Along with the beautiful artwork of Giorello, we get art by three of my favorites, “Papa” Joe Kubert, Richard Corben, and Darick Robertson.
Once again, I’ll stress that these trades are written so that you can “jump in” on any volume, while still maintaining a running narrative through all of them (personally, I started with vol. 6, 7 & 8… vol. 7 being my favorite). I HIGHLY recommend that you check these books out. Most of the trades are priced around $16-$18 (before any discount) and clock in at around 190 pages (a great value these days). Also, because (I love all of you CCL readers so much J). I had a talk with good friend Cameron Merkler (owner of www.instocktrades.com). I’m very pleased to let all of you know that you can buy any of Dark Horse’s Conan books (even the older stuff) at a discount of 45% off. Just go towww.instocktrades.com and Cameron will hook you up (btw, order $50 worth of stuff and you get free shipping to). Now go read some Conan!!!!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Works, Vol. 1 HC (IDW)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Works, Vol. 1 HC (IDW)
The first seven issues of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series plus the Raphael Micro-Series issue are collected in this hardcover collection, reproduced in full-color, $49.99
Since IDW picked up the TMNT license, they have been releasing the original B&W versions in every single way possible. Then they continued by releasing newly colored versions in issue form. So it was only a matter of time before the first Hard Cover of those arrived. This collection covers issues 1-7 of the original main series, and the the original Raphael One shot, in it’s new colored glory. Everyone knows who the TMNT are at this point. There have been multiple animated series, one animated movie, and 3 live action movies, with one more on the way. Add in the brand new comic series by IDW (which I also highly recommend), and you know the tale of Mikey, Donnie, Leo, Ralph, Splinter and April. However the shocking thing is how many people have never read the original series. If you are a fan of TMNT from the other mediums, or started reading the new TMNT comic series, then you owe it to yourself to go back and pick this book up. Read the stories that made this property one of the greatest pop culture success stories in our lifetime. It’s darker and more mature then the cartoons, movies, and comics, but it is a blast. You will not be disappointed, go pick it up, or I will send Shredder after you.

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist Vol. 1 TP (Dynamite)

Picked by Shane
Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist Vol. 1 TP (Dynamite), $29.99
Flash Gordon was my gateway drug to the SciFi genre. Some of my first SciFi memories are ones of watching the thirties Flash Gordon serials rerun on my local PBS TV station. From there I discovered other SciFi on TV as well as books and comics. But I always loved Flash Gordon and always returned to him. I was of the generation that watched the Flash Gordon animated series on TV and the 1980 flick on the big screen and I won’t beat around the bush, I loved that cheesy film! I also read a lot of the Flash Gordon comics over the years. Compilations of the early comic strips, any of the old King and Gold Key comics I could get my hands on, as well as the Marvel and DC mini-series. Dynamite has done some great stuff with their licensed properties and Flash Gordon definitely ranks up there among them. I bought the first issue when it hit the stands, but since mostly transitioning over to collected editions, I held out buying the rest of the issues and opted to wait until the trade came out. Taking from some of the original thirties story lines, but also borrowing from other incarnations of Flash Gordon including that 1980 film and throwing in Nazis to boot, this should be a fun read. This 200 page volume contains the complete 10 issue run so check it out!

G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection, Vol. 2 HC (IDW)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
G.I. JOE: The Complete Collection, Vol. 2 HC (IDW)
Volume 2 contains issues #13-25 along with extras such as character file cards and an introduction by Mark W. Bellomo that sheds light on the creation of the series, $49.99
If I had to pick one book that epitomizes my comic fandom of the ’80s it would be Marvel’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. More than Avengers, more than X-Men, more than Alpha Flight… G.I. Joe was the book my buddy Mark and I called our own. My love of that title led me to devote an entire chapter of my book to the series and exploring the incongruity of that love: I don’t come from a military family, have no male siblings, and my liberal parents raised a liberal me. But somehow G.I. Joe architect Larry Hama found a way to pull me into this jingoistic world right from the Baxter-papered first issue, and straight on through until I bought my last issue four-and-a-half years later. The series has bounced around in the collected editions world… first being reprinted in trade paperbacks by Marvel, then by IDW. Now IDW is bumping the series up with a five-star promotion. The second volume in the gorgeous, hardcover, oversized Complete Collection series includes the legendary “Silent Interlude” issue #21 with the first appearance of Storm Shadow. By all accounts, Mark W. Bellomo is curating this new collection with the same affection so many of us have for the title by presenting issues in their entirety and correct reading order (like including 2008’s issue #21.5 in this volume), fun extras like a vehicle blueprint gallery, and information to properly contextualize the series. This is a must-buy for anyone who came of age reading comics in the ’80s.

Lone Ranger A Little Golden Book Classic HC (Golden Books)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Lone Ranger A Little Golden Book Classic HC (Golden Books), $3.99
I know what you’re thinking. At first glance why would Chris recommend a 24 page book aimed for children ages 2-6? It’s simple, really, this Little Golden book was first published in 1956 and is only now getting reprinted. beautifully done by writer Steffi Fletcher and artsistE. Joseph Dreany. No doubt because of the upcoming movie with Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp. So if you want a true classic for all ages — Hi Ho Silver!

and…

Star Trek: John Byrne Collection HC (IDW)

Star Trek: John Byrne Collection HC (IDW)
Collects Assignment Earth, Crew, Leonard McCoy: Frontier Doctor, and Romulans: Pawns of War, $49.99
John Byrne is of course one of the industry’s greatest writers. His work on X-Men and Fantastic Four is bucket list stuff and he was responsible for rebooting Superman in the 1980′s with Man Of Steel. Here, with his work on Star Trek, is complete and is some of the best Star Trek comics ever written. My personal favorite is Leonard McCoy: Frontier Doctor. It’s a lighthearted 4-issue series that explore Bones shortly before the events of Star Trek The Motion Picture. If you’re a fan of DeForest Kelley or even Karl Urban, this series and hardcover is for you.

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.

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