DC Bronze Age Omnibus and Marvel Epic Thor

Some big collections have arrived through the post recently,

The Swamp Thing Omnibus has been on pre-order for over a year but due to DC re-solicitations and Amazon confusion I had to re-order it at a slightly higher price to make sure I got it.

This large volume covers all the issues up to the Alan Moore run which I will also buy in this format although I've got some of the original issues.

I've been coveting the Brave and The Bold Bronze Age Omnibus Vol 1 for some time but had been undecided about whether or not to buy it because I had a few issues already in other collections (particularly my Jim Aparo books) I own. However, this is a great format with oversized pages and covers before each issue (unlike the other ones I had) so I finally succumbed. It looks fab.

The Thor Epic collection is volume 3 which means when combined with my other Epics, Masterworks and original comics I currently have all the issues up to issue 267. Which is enough to be going on with.

I've a couple of other DC Bronze Age Omnibus editions on pre-order but things are generally looking pretty good in my collection right about now and I predict that 2018 will be a year I read more than I buy!!

Double-dip on the X-Men

So in the last couple of weeks I've purchased these two collections. They reprint almost the same material - so why the double-dip?

The first one I bought was the Epic Collection which reprints GIANT-SIZE X-MEN (1975) 1, X-MEN (1963) 94-110, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 53, 69-70, ANNUAL (1976) 1, IRON FIST (1975) 14-15, MATERIAL FROM FOOM (1973) 10. 

It's a nice collection which includes lots of issues but as it's reprinting some of my favourite comics I was looking at it a bit more critically than some of the other Epics I own and was disappointed in the small gutter on the spine edge which meant it wasn't quite as easy to read as it should have been.

Therefore, because I've been on the Masterworks site looking a discussions regarding Omnibus editions reminded me that I was previously coveting the UnCanny X-men omnibus edition.

This reprints slightly different material (X-Men(1963) 94-131, Giant-Size X-Men 1, Annual 3) plus letters pages and other extras.

The great thing about the Omnibus editions is the oversize format and the reproduction is brilliant. So this will be my copy and I'll persuade Luke to read the Epic. I do own some of the original comics (issue 111 upwards) but I'm still a happy customer!

Oh yes, my old 1st print masterworks will be put away too. These original editions are not as good as later formats with inferior colouring, binding etc.

Thor Epic Collection Vol 2. When Titans Clash!

I do like these Epic Collections. Good value.

Now I have volume 2 I'll just have to wait until vol 3 comes out and I'll have a run from Thor right up to issue 253 (Nov 1976) which is collected in Masterworks vol 15 but is also an issue I actually bought on the newsstand.

Marvel seem to be publishing these collections at a reasonable rate even if you can't predict what volume they are going to publish next. So I guess it won't be too long until my collection is complete.

Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy Purchases

Two new meaty collections to add to my bookshelf.

Both look nice.

Captain America Epic Collection Society of Serpents

I love the value of these Epic Collections. This cost £15.25 and reprints Captain America (1968) 302-317 & material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) all in colour. So more comics and cheaper than a masterworks. Just it isn't in hardcover...but you do get the extras which are now included in the masterworks collections.

If I was just starting to buy collected material this would be the format I'd go for.

At least with Cap I've not got many of the original comics so this and the previous collection are welcome additions!