…or Week for that matter…

This is truly a historic time that we live in. Not only is the Avengers movie out Friday (in the States) but today we get the first collected editions of the New 52. That is if you don’t count the New 52 Hardcover that came out last December. Take a step back and let it all soak in.

Soon you are bound to see several reviews of the first two released – Justice League Vol. 1: Origin HC (collects Justice League #1-6, $24.99) and Animal Man Vol. 1: The Hunt TP (collects Animal Man #1-6, $14.99) which if you ask me should also be a hardcover. You can’t really go wrong with Geoff Johns who is the solid architect on everything in the DCU and Jeff Lemire is a rising superstar in all things comics. I have yet to be disappointed by either man. Both series are very good choices to kick off these brave new waves of the DC Universe.

But getting back to The Avengers, Marvel has made some interesting choices when it comes to promoting the movie property with their collected editions. You see, in the past a movie will conveniently coincide with an Omnibus or Masterwork. That what we got with Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor. However, The Avengers Omnibus that collected the original Sane Lee/Jack Kirby run of The Avengers #1-30 and Annual #1 was released back on February 15! This week is a bit odd. The only “classic” material we are getting is Avengers: Kree/Skrull War HC (collects Avengers [1963] #89-97, $34.99). A seminal story, yes, and recently published in Marvel Masterworks Avengers Volume 10 but not exactly the best one to introduce the team to a new generation. I trust that this Saturday, which is Free Comic Book Day, most local comic book stores will have a nice display of Avengers and “solo” Avengers books that will be available for purchase. That should include another book out this week Marvel’s The Avengers Prelude Fury’s Big Week TP (collects Marvel’s The Avengers Prelude #1-4, $14.99) that ties directly into not only The Avengers movie but all the movies! I read it online, and I enjoyed it very much. Patrons should also be aware of The Ultimate line of comic books. These may be better suited for the movie crowd who are interested in more “movie” Avengers and/or the Disney XD series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. I say this because many of the 1960′s Avengers comics are just not that good and will feel dated to a new reader. But if it’s the classic Avengers you want then here’s a short list of the best and all should be easy to get:

• Avengers: Defenders War, collects Avengers #115-118 and Defenders #8-11
• Avengers: The Serpent Crown, collects Avengers #141-144 and #147-149
• Avengers: The Korvac Saga, collects Avengers #167-168 and #170-177 and Thor Annual #6
• Avengers: Under Siege, collects Avengers #270-277 (my personal favorite)
• Finally, another must read storyline, The Bride Of Ultron (collecting Avengers #157-166) is expected October 3, 2012, just in time for the DVD release.

So enjoy this day, week and the wonderful time in which we live. It really is unlike any other.