COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS FOR JUNE 2015: TOO MANY GOOD READS, SO KC IS PLOTTING A BIG BANK HEIST (SHHH! DON’T TELL ANYBODY!)


KC Carlson

KC Carlson


by KC Carlson

It’s one of those months where there are so many interesting collections, it’s hard to choose which ones to spotlight. Here’s all my regular comic book collection picks. Next week, look for Big Books, Comic Strip Collections, Artist/Gallery Editions, and a great bunch of books about comics, including the 2015 Overstreet Price Guide.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

America vs. The Justice Society of America

America vs. The Justice Society of America


America vs. The Justice Society of America (DC Comics): If you’ve ever wondered why long-time comics writer Roy Thomas was obsessed with the Justice Society of America — this collection will answer many of your concerns. The book reprints the entire 1985 four-issue miniseries, which was originally published without ads, so each issue was 32 pages of story and art, and the first issue was 48 pages. Thomas and artists Rafael Kayanan, Rich Buckler, Jerry Ordway, Alfredo Alcala, and Howard Bender lovingly recap every single original Golden Age JSA story inside a framing tale involving a Congressional investigation into the JSA for collaborating with the Nazis — a charge unbelievably leveled by Batman himself! As if that wasn’t enough, they also throw in info on the JSA’s Silver and Bronze Age activity. Not just an interesting story, but a valuable primer for JSA history as well. (Take note JSA newbies!) 160-page color softcover. Available in July.

Bravo For Adventure

Bravo For Adventure


Bravo for Adventure by Alex Toth (IDW/LoAC): This might be my pick for the month — and it’s got lots of competition this month! Collecting, for the first time ever, all three of Alex Toth’s incredible adventures starring knock-about pilot and reluctant swashbuckler Jesse Bravo — including the original graphic novel that’s been out of print for 30 years! The Library of American Comics is calling this Alex Toth’s magnum opus — and I can’t disagree. Also included are never-before-seen pencil roughs, preliminary drawings, and story fragments, as well as Toth’s own coloring samples for an edition that never saw print. This is a capital “E” event — the ultimate Bravo for Adventure, published by special arrangement with the Toth family. 100-page 9.5” x 13” partial color hardcover. Available in July.

Brenda Starr: The Complete Pre-Code Comic Books Volume 2: Good Girls, Cheesecake, and Other Delectable Things

Brenda Starr: The Complete Pre-Code Comic Books Volume 2: Good Girls, Cheesecake, and Other Delectable Things


Brenda Starr: The Complete Pre-Code Comic Books Volume 2: Good Girls, Cheesecake, and Other Delectable Things (Hermes Press): Before Fredric Wertham and The Seduction of the Innocent, before the Kefauver Hearings, and before the Comics Code, the comic book racks at local drug stores and newsstands boasted a plethora of delights highlighted by the good girl adventures of the comic book version of Brenda Starr. They displayed all the finer things loved by a certain audience of the era: good girls, bondage, and a little torture, items right-thinking adults thought would corrupt the morals of young and impressionable readers. Now, for the first time in over 50 years, fans can read and own these rare comics from another era, digitally restored and presented in an archival hardcover. Featuring art by the legendary Jerry Iger Studio and Brenda Starr creator Dale Messick, this volume presents the remaining four Brenda Starr pre-code comic books, issues #9-12, and the very mod 1960’s version of Brenda drawn and scripted by Messick. This reprint also includes all of the original scintillating back-up features. 224-page 8” x 10” color hardcover. Not intended for younger readers. Available in July.

Fables Volume 22

Fables Volume 22


Fables Volume 22 (DC Comics): Well, this is kinda unique! Not only is this the last trade paperback volume of the acclaimed series — it’s also the 160-page final issue of the series, featuring all-new stories! Fables #150 is an original graphic novel in the tradition of 1001 Nights of Snowfall. It all starts with an 80-page lead story illustrated by series regulars Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha, before continuing with stories illustrated by Mark Schultz, Gene Ha, Neal Adams, Andrew Pepoy, and many more! Everything here is written by series creator Bill Willingham. Plus, this once-in-a-lifetime issue features a foldout cover by Nimit Malavia that becomes a four-panel mural, printed with metallic ink. Prepare to say goodbye to all your favorite, beloved characters! Too bad the book doesn’t also include a Fables hankie. 160-page color softcover. Mature Readers. Available in July.

Hawkeye Volume 2

Hawkeye Volume 2


Hawkeye Volume 2 (Marvel): Team Hawkguy has been hit hard, and now they’re going their separate ways. Kate Bishop is on a journey to find herself in L.A. Trouble is, Madame Masque finds her first. Meanwhile, Clint’s back home in his apartment building. Kate took the dog, so he’s badly in need of a best friend. It’s a good thing that Barney Barton, world’s greatest brother, is back in town — right? The Tracksuit Draculas want their building back, and they’re getting serious. Clint’s going to end up deaf, or worse. It’s all racing to the big finish. Hawkeye against an army, with a little help from all the friends he can find. It’s like that movie Rio Bravo, if John Wayne wore purple. Collecting the insanely popular Hawkeye #12-22 and Hawkeye Annual #1. (It was insanely popular until issues disappeared for months on end. At least by September, it should all be finally done and in one place. Maybe… still one issue to go… We’re pullin’ for ya’, Hawkguy!) Written by Matt Fraction and art by David Aja, Francesco Francavilla, Annie Wu, Chris Eliopoulos, and Javier Pulido. Cover by Aja. 280-page 5.9” x 8.3” color hardcover. Scheduled for September 2015.

Howard the Duck: The Complete Collection Volume 1

Howard the Duck: The Complete Collection Volume 1


Howard the Duck: The Complete Collection Volume 1 (Marvel): Well, it’s not quite complete (at least in one volume — look for Volume 2 soon). But this is quite the delectable mouthful of canard, featuring the very best early adventures of the dimensionally-lost duck who was — (everybody sing!) Trapped in a World He Never Made! Chronicled by the one and only Steve Gerber with amazing art by Val Mayerik, Frank Brunner, John Buscema, Gene Colan, and Sal Buscema — who all rose to the challenge of a Gerber script and created something more incredible than its component parts. Easily one of the most important comic book series of the 1970s! And now in a hugeand affordable — format! Cover by Brunner. Collects Fear #19, Man-Thing (1974) #1, Howard the Duck (1976) #1-16 and Annual #1, Marvel Treasury Edition #12, and material from Giant-Size Man-Thing #4-5. 456-page color softcover. Special bonus: this volume features the best fill-in comic book ever created. Gerber’s stream-of-consciousness illustrated text makes for an issue you’ll never forget — unlike 99.9% of all other fill-in issues.

MARVEL EPIC COLLECTIONS:

Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection: The Man in the Ant Hill

Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection: The Man in the Ant Hill


Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection: The Man in the Ant Hill (Marvel): Volume 1 in the Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collections. A man of action and a man of science, Dr. Henry Pym invented an amazing growth serum and a cybernetic helmet, and with them he became — the Astonishing Ant-Man! Pym soon teamed with Janet Van Dyne, the winsome Wasp, and the two tiny titans went on to battle an array of mini- and maxi-sized menaces, from the Scarlet Beetle to the Black Knight. But adventures in the microscopic world weren’t enough for one of the Marvel Age’s first superheroes. Soon, Ant-Man became the biggest Avenger there ever was when he changed into Giant-Man! His earliest adventures are all here in this debut Epic Collection. Collecting the Ant-Man, Giant-Man, and Wasp material from Tales To Astonish (1959) #27 and #35-59. Written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber with Ernie Hart. Penciled by Jack Kirby, Don Heck, Dick Ayers, and Larry Lieber. Cover by Kirby. 448-page color softcover. Available in June. Our pal Bob Greenberger has more about this book and the creation of the series soon — right here at the Westfield Blog!

Iron Fist Epic Collection: The Fury of Iron Fist

Iron Fist Epic Collection: The Fury of Iron Fist


Iron Fist Epic Collection: The Fury of Iron Fist (Marvel): Gearing up for the character’s Netflix debut, this collection of remastered early adventures will answer your questions about this half-mystical, half streetwise character. A Himalayan expedition to find the mystical city of K’un Lun left nine-year-old Daniel Rand’s parents dead, but Daniel found the path to K’un Lun and spent a decade there training under its immortal inhabitants. He became an unmatched master of martial arts and spiritual control. Armed with the shattering power of the iron fist, Daniel left immortality behind to set out into the Western world to avenge his parents’ deaths. In tales packed with wall-to-wall kung-fu action, Iron Fist runs a gauntlet through the Kara-Kai death cult, ninja adversaries, and mystic dimensions, joined by Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Iron Fist’s skill in both mind and body will be tested until his final showdown with the Steel Serpent! Written by Chris Claremont with Roy Thomas, Len Wein, Doug Moench, and Tony Isabella. Penciled by John Byrne with Gil Kane, Larry Hama, Arvell Jones, and Pat Broderick. Cover by Kane. Collects Marvel Premiere #15-25, Iron Fist (1975) #1-15, and Marvel Team-Up (1972) #63-64. 528-page color softcover. Available in July.

Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic Volume 1

Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic Volume 1


Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic Volume 1 (Marvel): A long, LONG time ago… (just like “American Pie”… everybody sing!). Discover the state of the Star Wars galaxy in the distant past in this first volume of an Epic Collection series focusing on the ancient Knights of the Old Republic! When young Jedi Zayne Carrick is framed for the murder of his fellow Padawans, he is forced into an unlikely alliance with the Snivvian con artist Marn Hierogryph. Their quest to reveal the horrifying truth, and to obtain justice for the Padawan Massacre, joins them with Jarael and Camper aboard the junk hauler the Last Resort — and their adventures will take them from the research station Flashpoint to the banking planet Telerath. Written by John Jackson Miller with art by Brian Ching, Travel Foreman, Dustin Weaver, and Harvey Tolibao. Collects Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #1-18 and material from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Rebellion #0. Cover by Brian Ching. 440-page color softcover. Available in July.

Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Volume 9

Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Volume 9


Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Volume 9 (Marvel): In his latest and greatest Marvel Masterworks yet, Daredevil (another new Netflix guy!) must make his decision between Karen Page and Black Widow — and when he does, it means it’s time to head west… where he and the Black Widow begin their exploits in San Francisco! (Where current DD adventures also take place!) There, they’ll face new challenges and classic villains– Electro, Killgrave the Purple Man, and Mr. Fear, just to new a few. And they’ll do it while looking better than ever, courtesy of the unmatched art team of Gene Colan and Tom Palmer! Collecting Daredevil (1964) #85-96. Written by Gerry Conway, penciled by Gene Colan, with a cover by Gil Kane. 272-page remastered color hardcover. Available with choice of cover design (old or new). Available in September.

Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders Volume 5

Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders Volume 5


Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders Volume 5 (Marvel): Steve Gerber’s Defenders run comes to its revolutionary conclusion in the latest Marvel Masterworks extravaganza. Gerber consistently broke the boundaries of what a superhero comic could be, and his Headmen saga (collected here) stands as one of the high points in a celebrated career. From the Elf With a Gun to Bambi and the Bozos, Gerber wove together an unlikely cast with a challenging critique of the era’s culture. His stories would influence a generation of new writers — and with artwork by the stellar team of Sal Buscema and Klaus Janson, Defenders is an indisputable 70s Marvel masterpiece. And they’ve topped it off with the classic Defenders/Howard the Duck team-up from Marvel Treasury Edition! (It doesn’t hurt that the Defenders are also headed for a Netflix show. Hope Elf With a Gun is in it! I love that guy!) Written by Steve Gerber, penciled by Sal Buscema, and featuring a cover by Al Milgrom. Collects Defenders (1972) #31-41, Defenders Annual #1, and Marvel Treasury Edition #12. 280-page remastered color hardcover. Available with choice of cover design (old or new). Available in October.

Walt Disney Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: Treasure Under Glass: The Don Rosa Library Volume 3

Walt Disney Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: Treasure Under Glass: The Don Rosa Library Volume 3


Walt Disney Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: Treasure Under Glass: The Don Rosa Library Volume 3 (Fantagraphics): When sharks and pirates block Scrooge McDuck from the mother of all treasure maps, only noisy nephew Donald Duck can break the impasse … or can he? This is Fantagraphics’ third complete, chronological book of Duck epics by Don Rosa — following in the footsteps of Disney legend Carl Barks with his own stunning, seaworthy style! Standout stories in this latest Scrooge and Donald volume include “Treasure Under Glass”: a tale of ships, scoundrels, and the world’s biggest diving bell. Then “War of the Wendigo” pits Scrooge and the Peeweegah Indians against a piggish profiteer — while in “Return to Xanadu,” a quest for Kublai Khan’s gold leads the Ducks back to Carl Barks’ lost world of … ah, but that would be telling! Presented with brilliant color and a treasure trove of Rosa’s cover art and behind-the-scenes factoids, these Duckburg epics are getting a definitive, comprehensive North American edition for the very first time. 192-page 8.5” x 11” color hardcover. Available in August.

Will Eisner’s The Sprit: A Celebration of 75 Years

Will Eisner’s The Sprit: A Celebration of 75 Years


Will Eisner’s The Sprit: A Celebration of 75 Years (DC Comics): Will Eisner’s classic crimefighter stars in a new hardcover featuring the best of his stories from the 1940s to the modern era. (I bet one of them will be about that little guy who can fly!) Also includes the Spirit’s modern-day team-up with Batman, plus recent stories by current superstars including Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Darwyn Cooke, Jeph Loeb, and more. Cover by Eisner. 480-page oversize color hardcover. Available in July.

Also Available:

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back


Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (Marvel): The comic adaptation of the darkest chapter in George Lucas’ original trilogy is remastered for the modern age. It’s the original adaptation by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson from Star Wars (1977) #39-44, all gussied up for its first appearance in hardcover. Star Wars isn’t headed to Netflix, but maybe there’ll be a new movie or somethin’ someday… Anybody heard anything?! 144-page oversized remastered color hardcover. Available in August.

Star Wars: The Marvel Covers Volume 1

Star Wars: The Marvel Covers Volume 1


Star Wars: The Marvel Covers Volume 1 (Marvel): Featuring every illustrated variant of the recent million-selling Star Wars #1, plus all the covers of Star Wars #2-6, Princess Leia #1-5, and Darth Vader #1-6. Then prepare to be wowed by the new cover art from Marvel’s classic Star Wars collections, including Adi Granov’s sensational takes on the original trilogy. It’s packed with special features, but this is one book you should judge by its covers! Disclaimer: Not much in the way of actual stories here. But, you can judge a book by its title! Available in two cover options: one by Alex Ross and the other by Joe Quesada. 208-page oversized color hardcover. Available in October.

Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 4

Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 4


Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 4 (Dark Horse): Collects Usagi Yojimbo Volume Three #53–75. Miyamoto Usagi’s past returns as he fights alongside his former teacher and struggles with the knowledge that his traveling companion Jotaro is his son! The Neko ninja and fan-favorite character Sasuké the Demon Queller reappear, and a manga classic is paid tribute in “Lone Goat and Kid”! Also includes a full-color cover gallery. 616-page 7″ x 10″ B&W (w/partial color) softcover. Also available as a signed and numbered hardcover edition limited to 900 copies. Both are available in August, and either is wonderful.

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KC CARLSON: So many great books… so little time to read…

An Elf With a Gun

An Elf With a Gun


WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. And don’t blame me if you can’t afford all this great stuff. I can’t either! (And I haven’t even talked about the really pricey stuff yet… See ya’ next week!)