Best Collected Editions of 2011

Hundreds of reprints, collected editions, retrospectives and graphic novels came out this year. Here are a few of my favorites. I’ll also be posting my Best Of 2011 Podcast which includes a rundown of many other books that came out during 2011 later today.
Thanks for a great 2011! Here’s hoping 2012 will be just as good!

1. Thor By Walt Simonson Omnibus (Marvel) and Walter Simonson’s Thor: Artist’s Edition (IDW)
It wasn’t just Thor that was reintroduced to new and old fanboys thanks to the major motion picture, Marvel reprinted Thor’s epic run by Walt Simonson is a massive Omnibus that’s a big as the Thunder God himself. IDW also published the extraordinary Artists Edition showcasing Simonson’s raw pencils and line work at it’s best. Both books will set you back a bit (and I’m hoping that the Artists Editions is still in print!) But they compliment each other very well.

2. Pogo The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips Volume 1 Through The Wild Blue Wonder (Fantagraphics)
After several attempts to reprint Walt Kelly’s Pogo the right way, Fantagraphics finally published volume 1 this year in what will be one of the best reprint runs a comic strip has ever seen, maybe second only to Peanuts. Even if by chance you don’t collect any strip reprints you ought to give this one a try. Even stalwarts like Alan Moore knew the genius in Kelly, and now you can too.

3. Dark Tower 2-Volume Slipcase Omnibus (Marvel)
For Stephen King fans the Dark Tower series from Marvel is a great way to get the backstory on one of the most epic tales ever written. Of course Marvel has been publishing each story arc in premiere hardcovers and trade paperbacks for years now, but they never included the prose pieces that were in the back of every single comic — much to my chagrin. Now I’m happy to report that it’s all included in this 2-volume slipcase omnibus. Go read it again, for the first time.

4. Government Issue Comics For The People 1940-2000s and The Someday Funnies (both Abrams Comicarts)
At the beginning of The Fellowship Of The Ring, Galadriel said, “…And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost.” Thank goodness that’s not the case here. Abrams continued to publish wonderful retrospectives of days past. First with Government Issue by Richie Graham who dove head first into the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and found a treasure trove of classic PSA’s some of which have never been seen and written and drawn by a Who’s Who of talent. The Someday Funnies was/is an anthology from Rolling Stone in the 1970′s that never really found a publisher until today. This book features over 129 previously unpublished strips by 169 writers and artists including Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby, Moebius, Art Spiegelman. Both books would be a welcome addition to your library.

5. Metabarons Ultimate Collection (Humanoids)
As a nice follow-up to Alejandro Jodorowsky’s and Moebius’s The Incal, Humanoids continues to publish superior deluxe hardcover collections of some of the most sought after comics. I have come around to focus on the wonderful artwork and storytelling of this series and I have had a new found appreciation for Moebius and I look forward to more of his work, including his Silver Surfer, to getting reprinted in 2012.

6. MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)
How do you take one the of the greatest Graphic Novel of all time and make it better? Publish a retrospective on it’s creation. Packed with rare insight and interviews this volume delves deep into Spiegelman’s most famous work. It even contains a DVD which is much more then a reference to The Complete Maus. Pick this up to complete your collection.

7. Sugar And Spike Archives Volume 1 (DC Comics)
For years I’ve been collecting the DC Archives, in fact I own every single volume. Ever since I started, one series has been requested by fanboys over and over – Sugar And Spike. DC finally got around to granting everyone’s wish and they did an excellent job of meeting expectations. Let’s hope it sold well enough that will see a complete set.

8. Bone 20th Anniversary Full Color One Volume HC (Slipcased Edition), (Cartoon Books)
Bone has been reprinted over and over but never as fine as this edition. Not only is the epic story in a color hardcover volume, but the extras just keep on coming. The packaging itself, is a treasure, too! Give the paperbacks to the kids and put this edition on the highest shelf for only you to enjoy.

9. Male Call by Milton Caniff (Hermes Press)
Hermes Press made great strides this year with several reprint projects and collected editions. And of all their projects, Mail Call staring Miss Lace by Milton Caniff was their best of the year. Some, if not all, of this work has not be seen in decades and thanks to state of the art reproduction techniques this work can be enjoyed for a whole new generation. If you are a fan of the classic art of Jesse Marsh or Lou Fine, this book is for you.

10. DC Comics The New 52 HC (DC Comics)
There’s no doubt in my mind that DC comics is the publisher of the year when it comes to monthly comics. They took an chance and shook up the industry in 2011. Less then 4 months after Justice League of America #1, we got the New 52 hardcover that collected all 52 #1 issues in one massive book. OK, OK, you may not like all the comics included, but I assure you that this will become one of the most sought after collected editions in a few years.

Honorable Mentions:
Comics The Complete Collection by Brian Walker (Abrams ComicsArts) and The Comics: An Illustrated History Of Comic Strip Art Jerry Robinson (Dark Horse)
These two books are probably more similar then they are different, but that’s no matter. Both books are essential for understanding the comic strip and it’s rich history. Robinson’s book was first published in 1974 and this updated version brings us up to today. Walker’s book brings a unique perspective of having grown up in a house of comics and and comics genius.

X-Statix Omnibus (Marvel)
One of the real nice Omnibus surprises came from Marvel this year. I never expected them to ever release Mike Allred’s X-Statix in such a handsome and collectable way. Allred takes his unique artistic style and presents us with the Marvel Universe the likes of which we have never seen before. I remember when this series was coming out and, to be frank, you either got it or you didn’t. For those of you who didn’t, you really missed out, but now is the time to come aboard and see what you’ve missed.

Archie Archives Volume 1 (Dark Horse)
I’m not much of an Archie fan. There I said it. Buy I cannot deny the impact Archie has had on millions of kids over the years. Scores of reprints have been published and several companies besides Archie Comics have had the reprint rights. But now we have Dark Horse’s turn and they spare no expense in delivering classic golden age Archie the way it was meant to be read. On caveat, this may not be the best place to start with Archie. If you never read him and the gang, I would suggest the Americana series, but if and when you want more, come back to this series.

21 The Story Of Roberto Clemente HC (Fantagraphics)
People try to combine sports and comics, but if you ask me it rarely works. Fantagraphics did it right this year by publishing a story of one of the greatest people to ever walk the face of the earth. Not only was Clemente great baseball player, but he was a great humanitarian, who died all too young. As a baseball fan I can only watch his old highlights and read about him in books. Now with this new graphic novel, I get to see the ball and his smile come off the page.

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Tags: best of, best of 2011, thor, walt simonson