2019 Update - Lots of Big Books

It's way past time for an update on my recent purchases as I've neglected posting about these items when they arrived. But I blame Brexit and Christmas.

When I say big books I mean BIG BOOKS. That "Ditko is Amazing" is HUGE!

The book is purely an indulgence on my part as I've all the stories in the Amazing Spider-man Omnibus #1 anyway but I just couldn't resist this.

The other Marvel books are two Fantastic Four Omnibus editions. Confusingly, each is a Number One! Of course they contain different stories.

I wanted the "Fantastic Four Omnibus" because its a decent reprint of FF issues 1-30. I'm now all ready for my long delayed re-reading of Marvel history from its early days.

"Fantastic Four by John Byrne Vol 1" reprints some of my favourite stories and after looking through the originals in early December, I just got the urge to splash out on this and have the comics with much improved reproduction.

The other books are both by Alan Moore.

"Absolute Swamp Thing Vol 1" has been on my wants list for ages and I'm so pleased DC have finally got round to publishing this. My previous reprints of these comics were from very old DC trades and left a great deal to be desired. So chuffed to get this and I will read this very soon together with my Swamp Thing Omnibus!

"The Tempest" is a large HC with the last League of Extraordinary Gentlemen story. This series has been a bit hit and miss but I got this for completeness. Hope it's good!

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!!

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.

Dr Strange Masterworks Vol 1

It's been some time since I posted and one of the reasons is because it has taken me some time to finish this.

Not because it wasn't any good either!

In fact, I found it both interesting and enjoyable as I'd never read any of the stories reprinted in this collection. Knowing that Lee and Ditko were producing this comic at the same time as their classic Spidey made the stories feel extra special. I can't explain why.

It was also nice to get some background knowledge of the character before the film is released at the end of the month.

More Daredevil Masterworks

I finally bought this hardback edition via ebay after seeing that a future Daredevil Epic collection continues directly from it. When I've got that I'll have issues 1-63. Which'll be nice.

That Epic collection isn't due until March 2017 and reprints DAREDEVIL (1964) 42-63.

More Thor Masterworks

It's not actually been that long since I last bought two volumes of Thor Masterworks but here I am buying two more, And these will be my last ones.

Vol 9 fits the gap between the Thor Epic collection vol 4 which I've had since March 15 and, what was up to then, the earliest Thor Masterwork collection I had which was volume 10.

Volume 15 is the latest volume to be published and it reprints the first US edition Thor comic I ever bought (not that I bought many). That was issue 253 and my copy is getting a bit shabby now. Great Kirby cover on this one!

I've pre-ordered volume 2 of the Thor Epic collection series and so when that arrives I will have the majority of the Silver and Bronze Age runs.

Fantastic Four 72 completes my collection!

I'm feeling a bit of a sense of accomplishment with this new purchase.

I think this is the final issue I require to complete my back-issue collection. It's a nice FN/VFN copy from ebay bought using proceeds from comic sales (particularly Amazing Spider-Man #361 1st Carnage)

Of course, I will probably buy more single issues but looking at the titles I intend to read when I eventually start reading my Marvel collection, I think I have them all. Some of the early stuff is in Marvel Masterworks or another collected edition but I have all the stories. FF#72 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby was the last single I was after.

If I get the opportunity I'll get more Dr Strange and Thor in collections but I don't mind if I don't.

Now I can look forward to starting Marvel from the beginning!

New Purchases - both old and new

Plenty of stuff arriving and believe it or not I'm near to completing some trades and can blog about them soon.

First is Doctor Strange Masterworks vol 1. This is a new hardback printing of this once rare and, hence expensive, masterworks. I've not got any of these stories so I'm pleased with this. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It's going to be a blast I know it.

Next up, iZombie.I've seen that this is now a TV show so I thought I should check out the first volume of the trades. Mike Allred does the art so definitely worth checking out.

And lastly, a variant (but unsigned) Scarlett Couture comic. Issue #2. Nice cover!

Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy Purchases

Two new meaty collections to add to my bookshelf.

Both look nice.

The Might Thor Epic Collection Vol 1

This arrived a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to post about it.

Better value than the Masterworks series and good for me to collect for series featuring "secondary" Marvel characters - the Epic line is, well, epic.

These volumes are also coming think and fast and so hopefully I can add to more Cap America, Thor and possibly Doc Strange epic volumes

May the Force be with You

As it is Star Wars Day I thought I'd post that I've recently bought Star Wars by Brian Wood Vol 2.

Also have bought The X-Men Masterworks Vol 1 and Vol 4 is on it's way to complete my collection of the X-Men series.

Two Massive Marvel Omnibus

Well I've been coveting these two massive collections for some time and finally gave in and treated myself.

I'm pleased I did as they look great.

Spider-man omnibus is 1088 pages (approx 40 issues) reprinting the earliest adventures by Lee and Ditko.

X-Static omnibus is even bigger at 1200 reprinting loads of issues from 10 years ago. But it's the whole run and I'm quickly becoming a fan of Mike Allred's art.

God knows when I'll get stuck into these but when I do, I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

Now considering selling some of my old Lee/ Ditko issues as the omnibus does the stories justice and I'll probably not really "read" the originals again. Oh, what to do!?

Marvel Masterworks Captain America Vol 3

This hardcover volume (purchased for £14.99 incl P&P) fills the gap in my Cap Masterworks. When I get vol 7 I'll be almost up to my first original comics in the series.

This volume includes the 3 Jim Steranko issues which are just amazing.

More Marvel Masterworks and a Classic Graphic Novel

 Incredible Hulk Masterworks vol 3softcover

 Iron Man Masterworks Vol 8

Dr Strange & Dr Doom Triumph and Torment Graphic Novel

All 3 arrived on the same day courtesy of the Book Depository who are often significantly cheaper than Amazon.

This means I've completed my Iron Man run.

Captain America Masterworks Vol 4

This hard back edition of Marvel Masterworks is vol 93 in the masterworks line but also Vol 4 reprinting Cap's adventures. Vol 3 will be out in paperback in approx a year but this volume and subsequent ones are many years away from the softcover treatment. Although I would have liked to get the official vol 4 I haven't spotted it available in this country and anyway £25 for a masterworks volume is about standard.

The stories in this look great. I recognise some of the artwork from old British reprints but it will be a treat to read these in colour and in their entirety.

Finally...some back issues added to my collection!

But nothing that exciting in this lot of 99p bargains.

The Marvel Tales reprinting Spidey's first ever appearance looks nice but is only FN at best - still it matches my other early Spidey reprints and that's why I got it.

Marvel Team-Up #92 gets me one step closer to completing the 1-100 run on that title.

And I always thought Paladin was cool- will I still think that after reading this issue of Marvel Premiere where the (then) Daredevil nemises strikes out in his own comic?

New Purchases Galore

 I am having to blog more regularly to keep up with my new purchases recently. My goal of buying less than I am reading is well beyond reach at the present time. There are a few factors to blame for this. My trips to London for one and alos CBRs's greatest stories of all time series.

I really value the sites where I find out about cool comics from the past I missed and these features listing stories are a real treat. Of course, as soon as I read about stuff I investigate the net to see if I can get it! This trade of "Generations" from 1999 was the only copy I could find. It was listed as in "good nick" on ebay and I can't disagree. Definitely well read but complete. This particular story was highly placed in both the best Elseworlds stories and the best Superman stories. And it's by John Byrne who was a favourite of mine for a long time.

I did say I was going to look out for more Iron Man Masterworks. Just like the Superman/Batman book above, this hardback edition is quite rare and getting expensive. That's why I plonked down £30 for this copy from Amazon Market place. I will still try and get Vol 5 very soon too.

I haven't forgotten by actual comic collection either despite the number of trades and hardcovers I have bought recently. But there are not that many on my wants list and those that are are hard to get at a good price. These two issues of Team-Up were an exception priced at 99p and £1.04 respectively.

This isn't the end of the spending spree..more stuff on the way. Oh my giddy aunt!

New trade and Masterworks

Two more of my Book Depository sale purchases arrived today.

Really, really looking forward to Agent of the Empire. That will go very near to the top of my to-read list.

The Cap Masterworks takes me to issue 100 April 1968. I need to log where I'm up to on the Marvel series which I'm aiming to complete before starting my Marvel reading from the very beginning. But this and the recent Iron Man masterworks have moved things forward. I think the Hulk is the title which is most behind.

Thor Masterworks

Wow. This is a bit of a first for me. A Thor Masterworks! Volume 10 to be exact which reprints issues 184 - 194. Most by Stan Lee and two by Gerry Conway and all illustrated by John Buscema.

These particular issues reprint the Thor stories which were included in Super Spider-man and the Super Heroes # 190 which was the first comic I ever bought and which reprinted various strips. The Thor strip was not an immediate favourite but I did grow to like it escpecially Big John's pencilling. I've long desired to have at least full colour reprints of the original US Marvel comics SSMATSH contained but trying to identify which issues they come from was a challenge! A nice one though. Thanks goodness for the Grand Comics Database which makes things much easier these days.!

This is the cover to the comic cover dated Sept 29 1976. Purchased a WH Smiths by me aged 9.

So far I have identified and purchased

Amazing Spider-man 140
Marvel Team-Up 2
Thor 191

I need

Iron Man 19
Invaders 1