It’s always fun to deviate from he traditional review of a comic book collected edition. Today is such a show as I take a look at all of the DC Comics Animated movies, what storylines they are adapted from and where you can find them in print. I even go over the movies that are in production and the proposed and canceled ones, too.

Also on the show Pre-Watchmen, fun with Marvel Comics solicits and Showcase Presents: Ghosts – The Mis-Print Edition!

Movies and Books talked about:
Green Lantern: First Flight and Emerald Nights
New Frontier
Batman: Gotham Knight and Deadshot (Secret Six)
Superman/Doomsday
Batman: Under The Red Hood
Superman/Shazam
The Spectre
Wonder Woman
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
All-Star Superman
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and JLA: Earth 2
Batman: Year One and Dark Knight Returns
Jonah Hex
Catwoman
Justice League: Doom
Superman vs. The Elite
Flash
Aquaman
Green Arrow
Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War
Teen Titans The Judas Contract

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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

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I started this for my own personal reason back in 2007, when I wanted to learn more about Thor. I remember growing up with the reruns of the The Marvel Super Heroes mini-cartoons and getting more familiar with him in The Avengers and Secret Wars comics of the 1980′s. But it wasn’t until he was seemingly killed off in the Disassembled storyline that I wanted to know more about him, Odin and Asgard. I reread the Masterworks and picked up inexpensive but essential comics from back issue bins.

In 2008, I chose to focus on Luke Cage and Iron Fist, reading all the Essentials that were published up to that point. In 2009, I went ahead with the daunting task of reading all 27 Volumes of The Spirit Archives. That works out to be one book every two weeks. Couple that with all the other reading I do for this blog not to mention spending time with my family and non-comics book activities and that’s a whole lot of reading to get done in one calendar year. Not only did I have a much better understanding for The Spirit, but also for his creator Will Eisner. That impacted me on my decision to switch things up in 2010 and instead of a superhero, I chose Steve Ditko. Not only did I reread everything I owned by him including my Spider-Man and Dr. Strange Masterworks (Marvel), but I bought Strange Suspense The Steve Ditko Archives (Fantagraphics), Strange & Stranger World Of Steve Ditko (Fantagraphics), The Creeper By Steve Ditko (DC), The Art Of Steve Ditko (IDW), his Atlas-Era Marvel comics and current independent work with Robin Snyder. I even recorded a five-part podcast series covering his entire body of work.

Now it’s 2011 and I’m going back to where it all began – The Golden Age Superman. In general GA comics are not the easiest comics to read. Most of the time super heroes fought petty criminals and mad scientists. You almost had to wonder why a God among men would bother with such lowlifes. But that’s the charm. It is a simpler time with simple writing and a country trying to get by while the men were away fighting WWI. I’m fortunate to own all the Archives: Superman in Action Comics Vols. 1-5, Superman Vols. 1-8, and Superman: World’s Finest Comics Vols. 1-2. I also have The Complete Diamond Anniversary Edition Superman Collection (Bosko edition) that wonderfully collects all of the 1941-1943 Superman cartoons from Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios. There are a few different DVDs of these cartoons, but from all accounts the Bosko disc is still the one to buy.

I hope you, too, pick a character(s) or creator(s) to learn more about and to let me know who it is.

Long before the merchandising boom of Star Wars in the late 1970′s, Captain Marvel coveted the nickels and dimes of young kids. They read Captain Marvel comic books, they went to see his movie serial (the first for any superhero) and they bought the stuff – lots and lots of stuff: figurines, wrist watches, beanbags, decoder rings, beanie hats, neck ties(!) and they signed up for the fan club in droves.

Author and graphic designer extraordinaire, Chip Kidd and photographer, Geoff Spear who first collaborated together on Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan (Pantheon Books, 2008), have teamed up again to document a forgotten era. Culled from the impressive collection of Harry Matetsky, one cannot help but wonder if Kidd and Spear did indeed capture everything that was ever made regarding the Golden Age Captain Marvel. Kidd adds his own commentary to the rich, full color photos that capture every detail whether it be the most cared for item or the lost and forgotten belongings from years of neglect. The aforementioned movie serial is also dissected along with its promotional stills, costumes and other pieces. There are also chapters to other Marvel Family members: Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. There is also a section on the hero Spy Smasher, who was considered to be the Batman of the Fawcett characters and counter to the Captain Marvel, Superman. Unfortunately, the two never met up, save for the covers.

It’s not just statues and cut-out Shazam flying helicopters that are in this book, some of the art contained has never been seen in years including some wonderful work by Mac Rayboy (Flash Gordon). There is also one full comic story collected here, the first feature from Captain Marvel Adventures #1 (1941) by none other then Jack Kirby and Joe Simon (Captain America, et al.). Several other single panels and cover art is strewn about adding to the lore.

Kidd does and excellent job describing everything that we are fortunate enough to see and spares us from the litigation between Captain Marvel/Fawcett and Superman/National (DC) of old. He is wise to treat us with intelligence and respect the fact that we are well aware of the history.

Shazam! The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal
Abrams ComicArts, 2010
246 pages, 12 x 9, $35.00 US
A copy of this book was supplied to me by Abrams ComicArts

If you would like to read the comic books of Captain Marvel, DC Comics has four Shazam! Archive volumes and even one for the Marvel Family featuring Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel.  There is also the (not too hard to find, if you look for it) Shazam! From The 40′s to the 70′s HC (Harmony Books), which is worth every penny. I even typed up a new Table of Contents, because the book lacks a sufficient one of its own (available for download). More recently, DC published Showcase Presents: Shazam! which reprints the characters’ return to comics in 1973 and Shazam!: The Greatest Stories Ever Told TPB, a nice overview of Captain Marvel throughout the years.

A number of items has come from Rich Johnson’s Bleeding Cool. I don’t mind scraping things from Rich, as I consider him a friend and I’ve sent a few blurbs to him now and then.

• Boom! Studios To Collect All Don Rosa Donald Duck Stories. Walt Disney Treasury: Donald Duck Volume 1 (June 2011), Volume 2 (August 2011); $14.99 Softcover. This has been a long time coming. Readers of this CCL blog may recall that Gemstone announced this project back in 2009, but we all know what happened there. Boom! also announced Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories Archives Volume 1 ($14.99, softcover). This will be a chronological series of reprints from Floyd Gottfredson and Al Taliaferro. Amazon.com lists the Reading level: Ages 4-8. There should be a Collectors level: 35-up. I hope we can get that Complete Carl Barks one of these days, too.

• Fanatgraphics announced a number of books this week, the first being a hardcover reprint of Congress Of The Animals (Frank) by Jim Woodring ($19.99). Just looking at the images it reminds me of Porky Pig in Wackyland. Also due is Dave McKean’s Celluloid HC, $35.00. Ever since Cages was reprinted by Dark Horse a few months back, the McKean catalog has been in high demand. This book is not exactly for the kids as it is an female erotic tale. The last book mentioned this week is Barnaby by Crockett Johnson (April 2012), with art direction by Dan Clowes. Does the name sound familiar? That’s because Johnson created Harold and the Purple Crayon, one of the most beloved and read childrens books of all time. There’s even a newly restored DVD of the animated version. But that’s not all, Tom Spurgeon, Comics Reporter, tells us that this book will coincide with the release of Philip Nel’s biography of Johnson (The Purple Crayon And A Hole To Dig: The Lives Of Crockett Johnson And Ruth Krauss from the University Press Of Mississippi).

• Speaking of Dan Clowes, Drawn & Quarterly has acquired the world rights to Daniel Clowes’ The Death-Ray and will release it as a hardcover graphic novel in Fall 2011. I’ve never read Death Ray but I do like his Ghost World and Wilson work, so this will be a nice chance to play catch up.

• CBR has all you need to know about the new The Essential Superman Encyclopedia as Alex Dueben interviews Bob Greenberger and Marty Pasko. As much as I love these types of books, I hesitate to pick them up because the material gets dated fast. So much information is online and if you need anything specific it’s usually just a few clicks away.

• Good friend of the show, Collected Editions Blog, is interviewed in Berlin Tagesspiegel. A fantastic and well throughout read. CEB also pointed me in the direction of a new CBR Shelf Porn today. I’m jealous as usual.

• Finally, Friday was the last day of Alex Segura at DC Comics. Alex has been the long time Publicity Manager and a stern one at that. Whatever he does and whereever he goes, I’m sure he’ll have success. My sincere thanks to his help over the years. You can follow him on Twitter @alex_segura

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.

Last summer at Comic Con 2009 all the buzz was about Marvel obtaining the reprint rights to Marvelman. Immediately everyone seemed to say “Hooray!” Alan Moore and Neil Gaimen and everyone else have put aside their differences and we were going to have the most sought after comic finally in our hands! Then we were reminded that this was Mick Anglo’s Marvelman and not Miracleman. Our hopes were dashed but we seemed OK with it because perhaps it would pave the way to what we actually want. 18 months later (including Marvel December 2010 solicitations) was have a 6-issue Best Of periodical series called Marvelman Family’s Finest and a Marvelman Premiere Hardcover that reprints his adventures in chronological order. No new series and certainly no Miracleman, just a few reprints from a bygone era. Needless to say I’m a bit disappointed in Marvel’s efforts particularly the way Joe Quesada hyped up the announcement. I hoping that all will change come 2011. Today I take a look at the Hardcover and I have some mixed feelings about it. One one hand it is good to see this in print. But on the other hand it seems all that the Marvel did was slap a hardcover on what seems to be the same type of paper that is used in their Essential line of books. This is a pity because it could have easily been reprinted on higher quality paper – and for $39.99 it should have.  I’ll get into that and more on today’s podcast.

Other topics discussed today include:

• Upcoming newspaper collected editions
• More Smurfs
• Usagi Yojimbo Deluxe Fantagraphics in October
• DC Solicits and DC Comics Presents / Wildstorm is now doing it!
• Digital Update: Graphic.ly/Marvel and Who owns mobile?

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The name Neal Adams has been synonymous with comic books for decades. He has spent the majority of his career with DC and in recent years they have celebrated his work with the release of Batman Illustrated Volumes 1-3, Superman Kyrptonite Nevermore, DC Universe Illustrated Volume 1 (projected to be 3 volumes) and the upcoming Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali HC (November).
Adams has worked on just about every character in the DCU including working on several War genre stories. One of those characters has been Superman and today I go over as to what could be a Superman Illustrated by Neal Adams Volume 1.

Also on today’s show is recap of last week’s Women of Marvel Comics blog posts including who was left out (Rogue) and who I should have added in (Red Sonja).

Lastly, what’s old is what’s new again as the Detroit Fanfare is coming October 30-31, 2010. Even Stan Lee is going to make an appearance!

Links of Note:
Collected Editions Blog – Blackest Night reviews
Neal Adams Official Site
Collected Comics Library iPod App
http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/
@dgtlcomics
Digital Comics Review

It’s hard to name many people who have both excelled in the TV and Comic Book industry, but one name instantly comes to mind: J. Michael Straczynski. From his creation and success on Babylon 5 to his epic run on Amazing Spider-Man and he reintroduction to Thor at Marvel, JMS has successfully crossed the line and has become on of the best writers in the medium. Recently he has made the move to DC Comics where he is guiding both Superman and Wonder Woman into a new era. We go over his comic book collected editions and reprints today. I was surprised to find out that just about everything he has done is collected! Don’t forget his other Superman work due in October, Superman: Earth One which is a re-imagination of Kal-El coming to Earth in 2010.

There’s also some information on a Battle Chasers Omnibus, The Best Of Battle (Titan UK), an email regarding The Unknown Solider and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Collected Comics Library iPod App
http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/
@dgtlcomics
Digital Comics Review

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• Besides the book mentioned above, our pals over at the Collected Editions Blog has the rundown (and comments) of other DC books coming out this Fall.
• IDW, and with help from DC and Paul Levitz, will be collecting Peter David and David Lopez‘s 20-issue Fallen Angel series in an one volume softcover Omnibus format this May.
• Heidi MacDonald, over at the Beat 3.0, has the cover to American Elf Volume Four
• Dark Scribe magazine has announced the winners of the Third Annual Black Quill Awards, celebrating the best work in dark horror, suspense, and thrillers. Thanks to Jason Boog, Galley Cat
• Review: Raoul, Trade Talks, on Batman and the Mad Monk by Matt Wagner
• Review: Collected Editions Blog on Mystery in Space Vol. 2 TPB (DC Comics)