Last week Marvel released the teaser image for the Death Of Spider-Man storyline which will begin February 2011. Details are very limited but it looks like it will start in Amazing Spider-Man #654.1. Note that this issue will be part of Marvel’s Point One series of books that are self contained stories and jumping on points for readers. Repercussions from this line will be explored all throughout the Marvel Universe in 2011.

But the real fun began just a few days later when DC Comics ran their own promo for Doomsday Will Reign and featured the familiar, bloody Superman logo circa 1992. Not surprisingly, fanboy reaction is running wild as to what this could mean. Most likely is that it will be the return of Doomsday in the pages of Superman, Action and Legion of Superheroes.

Some even speculated that in the wake of the promo that an Absolute Death And Return Of Superman is forthcoming. The mere notion of that was troubling to me because it was only three years ago when DC published the Hardcover, Standard sized, Omnibus, 784 pages including 40 pages of bonus material for $75.00. Why would DC repackage it? The answer is obvious. DC (and Marvel) republish classic titles and tie them into current story lines (or movies and TV) to help keep the past alive. Even though bigger isn’t always better, I’m now all for it if DC decides to go this route with Doomsday.

The reason being is that the Hardcover Omnibus is out of print. If you check out eBay or Amazon the asking price is about $100. Not terribly unreasonable considering the initial price. It’s too bad that this version, of such a pertinent story, of the Superman mythos isn’t republished or kept in print as much Dark Knight Returns or Watchmen – even as a trade paperback. If DC does the Absolute version, expect a price jump to the normal $99 point. It should include everything the Omnibus has and perhaps a little more, and without a doubt you’ll get the slipcase.