This is it! My Big Year in Review Show! Not only do I go over my Top 10 Collected Editions of 2011 (which I already blogged about), but I also do a month by month look – and critique – of many news and noteworthy books that caught my eye from all the major companies this past year.

Warning: I say it every year; this particular podcast should be taken in moderation because this is not your typical CCL Podcast. What this basically is, is one big list, so I suggest you listen while shoveling snow, mowing your lawn, going on a long commute, etc. It’s perfectly alright to keep this as a reference tool.

I have also supplied a much more expanded collected editions release list for 2011 and a time listing of all the different months.

Intro and Top 10 – 00:00
January – 18:08
February – 22:10
March – 24:45
April – 31:35
May – 38:43
June – 46:33
July – 53:55
August – 57:09
September – 1:05:39
October – 1:11:01
November – 1:18:57
December and Outro – 1:29:48

My sincere thanks to all of you! Have a great and wonderful 2012!

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

Lots to go over on today installment of the CCL.
First up I question the timing of a Press Release from Image regarding The Nightly News Anniversary Edition HC, it’s a conspiracy theory is epic proportions. Next, I talk about the New 52 Trades and Hardcovers that will be coming out all year long in 2012. The Flashpoint trades will also be coming out in Q3, but oddly enough there is no Road To Flashpoint trade paperback in the mix. There’s also a lot of great reprints coming out from IDW’s Library Of American Comics imprint including announcements of Bloom County sequels Outland and Opus! Strange happenings with Marvel’s Avengers: The Children’s Crusade HC – not only is there a $5 price hike but it is also moved back on the schedule by 6 weeks! Finally, I go over Hal Jordan’s many origins and wonder if there are too many and just how much tweaking should there be for new readers – and movie goers.
Chris

Links Of Note:
Collected Editions Blog: DC’s New 52 Trades and Hardcovers
Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock
Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

Ever since Comic Con in late July and thanks to Fantagraphics and IDW, there has been lots of talk of the EC line of comics. The talk heated up even more this week with the announcement of GC Press’ revival of the EC Archives started by Gemstone. Today on the show I straighten all out as to who is doing what. All projects are vastly different with much of the same material.

Also on the show I call out Marvel as it pertains to their most recent solicitations. There were blatant mistakes and I find it aggravating, amateurish and a bit humorous.

Finally there is news about Batman: Earth One, The Harvey Awards, a wonderful blog from The Comics Journal and Shipping and Product changes for Fantastic Four Omnibus by John Byrne Volume 1 you do not want to miss!

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

Marvel

• Expect a X-Men #1 The 20th Anniversary Edition in October. It’s a special project by Senior Editor Jeff Youngquist of Marvel’s Collected Editions department and the entire book, all 5 covers and all, will be recolored.

IDW

• The folks at IDW know how to time things. Each day we get another gem and today’s happens to be Will Eisner’s The Spirit Artist’s Edition, 144 pages, $100, 2012. This is going to go so well with my complete run of Spirit Archives. – Thanks to Rich, Bleeding Cool

Hermes Press

• Tails, the original webcomic by Comeback Kings artist Ethan Young, is finding print life at Hermes Press as a graphic novel in early 2012. – Thanks to Chris, Hermes Press Blog

In Other News

• The Collected Comics Library Podcast Android App (by Wizzard Media) is now available in the Amazon.com App Store. It’s only $1.99 and a great way to keep informed and support my show. If you buy it (or the iTunes Apple App), please send me an email with your name, city and favorite collected edition of all time and I’ll mention you on the show!

Ahhhh, Day 1 of Comic Con 2011! This is when the real announcements happen. Why? Everyone wants the buzz to flow through the weekend. Make no mistake, more cool news will be coming, but the first sampling is A+ ! Let’s recap:

DC Comics

• In Spring 2012, Vertigo will publish a Black Orchid Deluxe Edition from The New York Times Bestselling author Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and innovative artist Dave McKean. Currently out of print, this new Deluxe Edition hardcover will make a gorgeous addition to your Neil Gaiman collection. – Thanks to the Vertigo Blog

IDW

• Following on the heels of the Wally Wood Artist’s Edition we will get John Romita’a The Amazing Siper-Man Artist’s Edition, $100, hardcover, black and white, 144 pages, will be available in stores in 2012. – Thanks to Charlie, ComicList
• Along with the new Crow series, IDW will reprint the classic material from James O’Barr.

Legendary Entertainment/Legendary Comics

• You can now go see the very graphic trailer for Frank Miller’s Holy Terror and also go view the first 5 pages! Holy Terror is a 120 page hardcover graphic novel with spot-color interiors presented in a 10 x 13 landscape format. Distributed by Diamond Books, $29.99 and will be in stores in September.

Aspen Comics

• Available at the Con will be Aspen: The Heroic Years a brand new sketchbook celebrating the career and body of work of their founder and legendary artist Michael Turner. A follow-up to last year’s release of the Michael Turner sketchbook, this 2011 edition features artwork from Turner’s own titles Fathom and Soulfire, along with such Aspen favorites as Shrugged and Aspen Seasons. Plus, a very special section of Turner’s acclaimed DC work along with tons of never before seen layouts and sketches. – Thanks to CBR

Abrams

• The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist, a monograph to be released in the Spring of 2012. – Thanks to Tom, Comics Reporter

In Other News

• IDW and Archie will be sharing the KISS license on two upcoming projects. Sort of makes you want to go out and pick up that KISS Kompendium after all.
• IDW and DC are teaming up for a Star Trek/Legion Of Superheroes crossover that will have the Original Captain Kirk and Crew team up with the superteam during The Great Darkness Saga. The crossover tale, which is being written by the Eisner nominated author Chris Roberson (iZombie), will have interior art by Jeffrey and Phillip Moy, while Phil Jimenez will provide covers for all six issues with variants coming from Keith Giffen, Steve Lightie, Mike Grell, and Gabriel Rodriguez. Call me crazy, but I bet Star Trek/X-Men (Marvel 1996) will shoot up in price on eBay. – Thanks to iFanboy

Podcasting at SDCC

• The 6th Annual Comics Podcasting All-Stars is up and ready to listen to!!! Join the titans of comics media, the comics podcasters, for the 6th annual gathering at the San Diego Comic-Con. Get a front row seat to see some of your favorite comics podcasters discuss everything from the latest in comics industry news to behind-the-scenes stories. Podcasters appearing on the panel include Cameron Hatheway (Cammy’s Comic Corner), John Mayo (The Comic Book Page), Brian “Pants” Christman (Comic Geek Speak), Jimmy Aquino (Comics News Insider), Conor Kilpatrick (iFanboy), John Siuntres (Word Balloon), and Pat Loika (Loikamania!) – Thanks to John Mayo, Comic Book Page Podcast

I should correct myself, Locke & Key isn’t so much horror as it is violent, dark fantasy that is set in the “real world” of Lovecraft, Massachusetts. There is blood, profanity and a bit of sex, so is is not intended for a younger audience. The story centers around a family that has lost there father to a brutal murder and moves out east to a old, mysterious mansion. Keys are found by the kids and they soon open doors to wonder, imagination and even your even head! In every chapter in the first two books, Welcome to Lovecraft and Head Games, I found myself drawn into this strange place and I even had empathy for all the characters, something that isn’t easy for me to do. As with any good tale, secrets abound but with the right key anything can be let out, but some things should be locked away forever.

The extras in these two books are very good. Volume 1 includes an introduction by detective fiction author Robert Crais (Hill Street Blues, Elvis Cole/Joe Pike), a 10 page art gallery by Gabriel Rodriguez, creator biographies, character sketches, and Lovecraft Island and Keyhouse sketches. Volume 2 gets even better with infold sketches of all four faces (north, south, east and west) of the Keyhouse house, an introduction by Warren Ellis, the 6vknows keys including the Omega key, the 12 step process of one page – page 8 from issue #6. I liked the simple description at the end when Rodriguez states, “Repeat 22 times and you get a comic book”. There is also a 9 page art gallery including creator biographies similar to the first book.

There are two more Locke & Key Volumes available; Volume 4 was just released a few weeks ago.

Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
Collects Welcome to Lovecraft #1-6 (2008)
Volume 2: Head Games
Collects Head Games #1-6 (2009)
Locke & Key
Written by Joe Hill
Art by Gabriel Rodriguez
Colors by Jay Fotos
Letters by Robbie Robbins
$24.99, 152 pages, IDW

Recommended reading:
The Barry Windsor-Smith Conan Archives Volume 1-2
Dark Tower Omnibus and Companion Omnibus Slipcase HC

What I don’t have is a ton of money. And the money I do have I try to spend it on collected editions that I want to keep and reread at a later date or for reference purposes. But I consider myself very lucky especially when it comes to the area that I live in and the great amenities it offers. I’ve talked on the podcast about how great my local library is and the selection of comics, graphic novels and collected editions it has. It’s also so easy to reserve and renew books online. Here is a short list of what I plan on reading so far and doesn’t include my To Read Pile or pre-ordered books from Discount Comic Book Service. Yeah, I have about 10 years of reading to do. I hope to fly through these books at a good rate and post reviews on each bullet point below every Sunday.

• Locke & Key Vol. 1: Welcome To Lovecraft and Locke & Key Vol. 2: Head Games by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
  • I read volume 1 as it came out in single issue form. I’m eager to reread it along with volume 2. Locke & Key Vol. 4: Keys To The Kingdom HC is due out at the end of June.
• Adventures of TinTin: Land Of Black Gold, Destination Moon, Explorers On The Moon by Hergé (Little, Brown)
  • I plan on reading every TinTin story before the movie hits this Christmas. I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t seen any indication of a Complete TinTin Omnibus yet.
• The Contract With God Trilogy: Life On Dropsie Avenue and New York: Life In The Big City by Will Eisner (WW Norton)
  • Ever since I read the The Spirit Archives Volumes 1-27, I’ve been meaning to read Eisner’s other work. I’m already halfway through Trilogy.
• Frank Frazetta’s Johnny Comet (Vanguard Productions)
  • I bought this book at the Motor City Con in May and it’s still wrapped in cellophane – but not for long!
• Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel (Hyperion Book)
  • Not for me, but my 11-year-old son. My wife actually bought this book for his school summer reading program. Perhaps you’ll get to see Patrick’s review on this site.

What are you reading this summer?

Every day when I look at my books, I’m reminded of the wonderful words and art that has been published throughout the years. But I’m also reminded of the packaging of these comics; hardcover, softcover, oversized, regular sized, digest, thick or thin, you name the format and it’s sitting before me. As a man on the go, I can’t always take my Omnibus with me and sometimes one trade paperback isn’t always enough to satisfy me if I’m held over at the airport, getting my car fixed or lounging in the backyard. I, like you, can read 128 pages at a good clip and being that the majority of the books I read are from DC and Marvel, I think it’s high time they offer us readers a new format, but one that’s been in circulation for sometime and one that I’m very fond of – the 6×9 inch softcover.

Dark Horse and IDW have been publishing these handy trades for a few years now. Not only do they have more pages then the standard, but for the amount of comics you get they usually come at the very affordable price of $24.99 and perhaps best of all they are heavy duty and can take a beating. I dive into this topic and tell you what comic runs would be a great trial for this format.

Also on the show today, a quick Motor City Comic Con wrap up , my adventure at the Thor movie and the return of Shipping and Product changes.

Cheers!

Chris

Links of note:
Collected Editions Blog – Trade Perspectives: DC August 2011 Solicitations: JLA and other concerns

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

“The first two Parker graphic novels have been met with such overwhelming praise,” said series editor Scott Dunbier. “It’s almost been an embarrassment of riches. With this Martini Edition we’re really trying to up the bar and give the fans something extra special—I think we’ll succeed!”

Adapted from Richard Stark’s classic crime noir novel, Darwyn Cooke’s PARKER: THE HUNTER graphic novel debuted in July 2008 to instantaneous popular and critical acclaim. It made the New York Times best-seller list and won coveted Eisner and Harvey awards. The second graphic novel, THE OUTFIT, was released last year and was met with similar response, and is currently under consideration for nominations in this year’s awards season. Parker: The Martini Edition will be a very special collection in that it will also feature an expansive section of sketches and preliminaries by the artist, with commentary accompanying. Also included is a brand-new 8-page Parker story by Darwyn Cooke, unique to this volume.

The Hunter and The Outfit tell the story of Parker, Richard Stark’s classic anti-hero, as he returns to New York to settle the score with his wife and partner in crime after they betray him in a heist gone terribly wrong. After evening the field and reclaiming his prize, the Outfit decide to do some score settling of their own… and learn much too late that when you push a man like Parker, it had better be all the way to the grave.

PARKER: THE MARTINI EDITION ($75.00, partial color, 344 pages, 9″x13″) will be available comic and book stores in July 2011. ISB 978-1-60010-980-5.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling book.

My thanks to iFanboy for the pic.

Wouldn’t you know that I go record my six year anniversary podcast and it turns out that I get a bad sore throat. Not to worry, it’s a quick show today as I go over some collected edition news from IDW, DC, Marvel, Fantagraphics, Flesk, Boom, and Dark Horse (and even more) that has caught my eye and is worth commenting on.

I want to thank everyone who has come by this blog and downloaded a podcast from the past six years. It truly means a lot to me and your support keeps me going from week to week.

If you are gong to C2E2, please let me know, I’d be happy to meet with you.

Chris

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