The brilliant Marvel Omnibus reprints continue this summer – with Alias!
The series, helmed by Brian Michael Bendis (New Avengers; Ultimate Spider-Man) and Michael Gaydos (Powerless; Daredevil: Redemption), focuses on Jessica Jones, superhero-turned-private-investigator. Now, she’s married to Luke Cage (Power Man) and crops up in the Avengers, but this omnibus reprint introduced her to the MU.
Here’s the synopsis:
“Meet Jessica Jones. Once upon a time, she was a costumed super hero. But not a very good one. Now a chain-smoking, self-destructive alcoholic, Jessica is the owner and sole employee of Alias Investigations — a small, private-investigative firm specializing in superhuman cases. This deluxe hardcover collects all 28 issues of super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis’ ALIAS — plus all-new, behind-the-scenes bonus material compiled in conjunction with the writer himself! In her inaugural arc, Jessica’s life immediately becomes expendable when she uncovers the potentially explosive secret of one hero’s true identity. But her wit, charm and intelligence just may help her survive through another day. Thrust into the midst of a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels, has Jessica burned too many bridges to turn to old friends for help? Plus: Jessica travels to upstate New York to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl rumored to be a mutant in a prejudiced small town; goes on a date with the Astonishing Ant-Man; teams up with Jessica Drew; the original Spider-Woman; and confronts the demons of her past! Collects Alias #1-28 and What If Jessica Jones Had Joined The Avengers? 720 PGS./Explicit Content …$99.99″
It’s a surprisingly expensive collection, with a beautiful cover by David Mack and Mark Bagley.
It’s a very popular series and the original omnibus has been long out-of-print, so I expect this to be high on many people’s ‘To Buy’ list!
Jim Starlin and George Perez’s epic Infinity Gauntlet is to be released in omnibus form on 2nd July 2014.
The 1,248-page book collects together all the issues of The Thanos Quest, Silver Surfer, Cloak & Dagger, and Quasar that lead up to the main event, as well as the titular six issue series, tie-ins (including The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man), plus two issues that deal with the aftermath – though bizarrely seems to exclude Warlock and the Infinity Watch. Here’s the official synopsis:
Death has released Thanos from her cold embrace, and he plans to repay her by murdering half the universe! But even as the Mad Titan gathers the six Infinity Gems from across the galaxy, assembling them into the Infinity Gauntlet and gaining truly godlike powers, a host of heroes gather to oppose him — including the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Dr. Strange and the Hulk! Even with Dr. Doom, Galactus and the universe’s cosmic powers aiding them, can Marvel’s mightiest possibly prevail against Thanos the all-powerful? At long last, the fan-favorite cosmic event is collected in its entirety!
Collecting Silver Surfer (1987) issues #34-38, #40 and #44-60; Thanos Quest #1-2; Infinity Gauntlet #1-6; Cloak And Dagger (1988) #18;Spider-Man (1990) #17; Incredible Hulk(1968) #383-385; Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #31-36; Quasar #26-27 and Sleepwalker #7. Written by Jim Starlin, Ron Marz, Terry Kavanagh, Ann Nocenti, Peter David, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Mark Gruenwald and Bob Budiansky; pencilled by Ron Lim, George Perez, Todd Smith, Tom Raney, Dave Ross, Rick Leonardi, Dale Keown, Tony Dezuniga, Chris Marrinan, Dan Lawlis, Dave Hoover, Greg Capullo and Bret Blevins; with covers by George Perez and Jim Starlin.
At the moment, Forbidden Planet International has the best price, at £63.65 (though, no guarantees, there might be a further special offer available from their newsletters sometime in the future), with ForbiddenPlanet.com not far behind with a price of £65.55.
With an RRP of £95.00, Amazon UK hasn’t discounted it at all yet (their prices are particularly odd at the time of writing), and Amazon US has it listed for $96.11, a 23% saving of the American RRP of $125.00.
Don’t worry: Annihilation will be released as an omnibus in May; nonetheless, the May solicitations from Marvel feature a few graphic novels omni-fans might be interested in.
The Devil Dinosaur omnibus has been long out-of-print, but those eager to read the Jack Kirby-helmed tale will want to snap up the upcoming 184-page Complete Collection book. Here’s the synopsis:
“The adventures of a boy and his dinosaur! At the dawn of human evolution, during a time when primitive man co-existed with the dinosaurs that dominated the Earth, a unique friendship is born — a friendship that may be the only thing that can save mankind! Meet Moon Boy and his Tyrannosaurus pal — the red-skinned Devil Dinosaur — as they face off against giant spiders, enormous ants, and rampaging dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes! And don’t forget the Small Folk, led by the warlord Seven Scars, who rejected Moon Boy for befriending the fearsome Devil — and who aim to dominate the forest by force! Throw in aliens from outer space, and you’ve got a timeless romp through the ages — delivered courtesy of the imagination of Jack “King” Kirby!
Collecting Devil Dinosaur #1-9.”
There’s also a bevvy of galactic spacey-wacey adventures, including Marvel Boy, Galactus the Devourer and Avengers: The Legacy of Thanos. Just in time for the Guardians of the Galaxy, featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace and the beautiful Karen Gillan!
And on a personal note, I highly advise you pick up Fury MAX: My War Gone By HC, which is simply brilliant: fantastic writing and gorgeous art throughout. Here’s what Marvel say:
“Written by GARTH ENNIS
Penciled by GORAN PARLOV
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
Colonel Nick Fury, veteran CIA operative, has been at war for a lifetime. Now he sits alone in a dank hotel room, coughing his confession into a tape recorder, laying out a legacy of carnage stretching back to World War II. Because when that war ended, another one began — and Fury sought it out, regardless of the cost to those who loved him, including loyal George Hatherly, congressman Pug McCuskey and the beautiful Shirley DeFabio. From Indochina to Cuba, Vietnam to Nicaragua, Fury battled across the decades, encountering young Marine sniper Frank Castle and the nightmarish Barracuda — his constant lust for combat blinding him to all other concerns. But the end is coming. The debt is long past due. And Fury’s true legacy will soon be written in blood for all to see. Collecting Fury MAX #1-13.
312 PGS. Explicit Content.”
What are you itching to buy from the May Solicits?
The limited print run of the Avengers vs. X-Men Companion omnibus is in stores nationwide now – and I’ve received my copy from Forbidden Planet International, as you can see…
It’s encased in a special box to keep it looking beautiful, wonderfully illustrated with art by Jimmy Cheung.
I won’t lie: it’s a pain to open, particularly for someone who obsesses over condition. That strip of cardboard has to be ripped off, I’m afraid. But once you do, you’re greeted with a lovely sight.
And don’t worry; the box has a ‘crumple zone’ at the top and bottom to protect the actual omnibus.
Regardless of whether the crossover was a success or not, the book is brilliantly presented, a true triumph. Here’s the hardcover, with the sleeve separated:
Yes, the cover is a stunning close-up of the Phoenix.
So have you picked up the Avengers vs. X-Men Companion omnibus, which includes all the crossover content from last year’s Summer event? Give me your opinions in the comments below!
Until Wednesday 4th April 2013, you can pre-order the upcoming Iron Man By Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen Omnibus at a 40% discount, bringing its RRP of £95 down to £57.
The 1024-page book is released in September, and, whilst primarily by Busiek, is also written by Mark Waid (Fantastic Four; Daredevil), Dan Jurgens (Thor) and Chris Claremont (X-Men), amongst many others.
Chen is obviously on art duties (as well as providing the cover), but joining him are John Romita Jr. (The Amazing Spider-Man; Avengers), Salvador Larroca (Cable and X-Force; X-Treme X-Men), and Terry Shoemaker (X-Factor; Excalibur).
Here’s the official synopsis:
“It’s a new beginning for Iron Man as Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen reinvent the Armored Avenger! Tony Stark is back, with a new company, Stark Solutions — but the Mandarin plans to destroy Tony’s dreams before they take shape! And if that’s not enough, Iron Man must face Firebrand, Whiplash, M.O.D.O.K., Controller, Fin Fang Foom, Count Nefaria, the Exemplars, Ultimo and the new War Machine — while romancing the beautiful Rumiko Fujikawa and protecting his secret identity! Good thing he’s got Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Avengers to help him out!”
As he comes face-to-face with the Mandarin, the omnibus will be released soon after Iron Man 3 hits cinema screens worldwide.
Iron Man by Busiek and Chen Omnibus collects Iron Man (1998) #1-25, Captain America (1998) #8, Quicksilver #10, Avengers (1998) #7, Iron Man & Captain America Annual 1998, Fantastic Four (1998) #15, Iron Man Annual 1999, Thor (1998) #17, Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1999) #11, Juggernaut: The Eighth Day and Iron Man: The Iron Age #1-2.
The series ran from 1998 to 2004, an 89-issue run that led up to Avengers: Disassembled. So if this one sells well (and I think it will), then we can probably expect at least one further volume in the future!
If you want to pre-order at a 40% discount, go to Forbidden Planet International before 4th April. I expect the price will rise to between £60 and £65 after the special offer.
The first omnibus, released in January 2011, collected together Journey Into Mystery #83-120 and Annual #1; this second will continue from Journey Into Mystery #121, relaying the foundations of Thor, Loki, the Warriors Three and the rest of Asgard to readers before the release of the movie sequel, Thor: The Dark World, due out in October in the UK.
The Wolverine is also set to hit cinema screens this year (in July, to be precise), and to coincide, Marvel will release Wolverine by Mark Millar Omnibus, which I will personally be lapping up. With art by John Romita Jr (Thor; X-Men), Steve McNiven (Captain America; The Amazing Spider-man) and Kaare Andrews (Spider-man: Reign; Incredible Hulk), the 576-page book will include the popular Enemy of the State and Old Man Logan storylines. Here’s the official blurb:
He’s the best there is at what he does. And when writer Mark Millar (The Ultimates; Kick-Ass) gets his hands on Wolverine, what he does isn’t very pretty! When the Hand brainwashes Wolverine, he slices and dices his way through friends and foes alike — carving a swath of terror through the Marvel Universe that ultimately results in an X-Man’s death! Finally captured and deprogrammed, Wolverine swears vengeance against his tormentors — and the vengeance of Wolverine is a wonder to behold. Then: Nobody knows what happened the night the heroes fell, but the villains have been calling the shots ever since. Wolverine’s fate is the biggest mystery of all. No one has heard from him for fifty years, and in his place stands an old man called Logan.
Collecting Wolverine (2003) #20- 32, #66- 72 and Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1.
With an RRP of $75, expect to pay about £50 when it’s released in July.
It may not be classed as an omnibus, but the Avengers Vs. X-Men Companion is both the size and price of a normal Marvel omnibus… so I guess you kind folks will be interested, right?
Released in May 2013, the HC is a huge 1088 pages long, featuring every Avengers Vs. X-Men tie-in! Naturally, a large RRP comes alongside the large page count: £75.
But if you pre-order it today (Tuesday 4th December 2012), you can claim 40% off, bringing the price down to just £45! All you need to do it get over to Forbidden Planet International.
It looks to be an amazing book. Here’s the blurb and contents:
Every AvX tie-in, collected in one massive volume! When Captain America declares war on the X-Men, how will Generation Hope and the Avengers Academy react to their mentors’ actions? As the Secret Avengers battle the Phoenix Force in space, Iron Fist discovers the connection between K’un Lun and Hope Summers! And when the Avengers try to secure the Jean Grey School, Wolverine must decide where his loyalties lie! But as the Phoenix Force arrives, tipping the scales of battle, the Avengers and X-Men realize the stakes are higher than they knew — and the that fate of the Earth is in their hands.
Collecting Avengers Academy #29-33, Secret Avengers (2010) #26-28, Avengers (2010) #25-30, New Avengers (2010) #24-30, X-Men Legacy (2008) #266-270, Wolverine & The X-Men #9-16 And #18, AvX: Consequences #1-5, Uncanny X-Men (2012) #11-20, and A-Babies Vs. X-Babies #1, written by Christos Gage, Rick Remender, Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen & Skottie Young, pencilled by Tom Grummett, Renato Guedes, Walter Simonson, Mike Deodato Jr., Rafa Sandoval, David Baldeon, Chris Bachalo, Nick Bradshaw, Jorge Molina, Greg Land, Daniel Acuna, Ron Garney, Gurihiru & others, with cover art by Jim Cheung.
The book os the perfect partner of last month’s Avengers Vs. X-Men hardcover, with an RRP of £55.99. (FPInternational has it for £37.51, though!)
May 2013’s omnibus has been confirmed as New Warriors, a 1064-page book.
The HC is expected to be released on 1st May, with two covers; one by Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man; Fantastic Four) and the other by Skottie Young (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; New X-Men). Here’s the official blurb:
“Young, idealistic heroes Marvel Boy, Firestar, Nova, Namorita, Speedball and the mysterious Night Thrasher join forces as the New Warriors — determined to make a difference and fight the kinds of crime other heroes won’t touch! But as the naïve Warriors dig deeper into a world of grey areas and moral compromises, can they maintain their youthful ideals? And with foes like Terrax, the Juggernaut, Psionex, the Punisher, the Sphinx and more — along with a shocking threat from within — can they even stay alive? Guest-starring Thor, X-Force, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and more!”
It’ll collect New Warriors #1-26 and Annual #1-2; Avengers #341-342; and material from Thor #411-412, New Mutants Annual #7, X-Men Annual #15, X-Factor Annual #6, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #26, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 and Web Of Spider-Man Annual #8.
The omnibus is written by Fabian Nicieza, Eric Fein, Dan Slott, Tom Defalco and David Michelinie, with art by Mark Bagley, Chris Marrinan, Darick Robertson, Tom Morgan, Brandon Peterson, Steve Buccellato, Steve Epting, Ron Frenz, Guang Yap, Tom Raney, Terry Shoemaker and Scott McDaniel.
“You’re probably asking yourself, ‘Why would Marvel publish a New Warriors Omnibus’? The simple answer is because this team features Nova and he is getting is own new ongoing series as part of the Marvel NOW initiative. Granted the new Nova is not Richard Ryder and we’ll have to wait and see just what has happened to our original hero, but this was a fun series that featured a younger alternative team to the mainstream superhero groups of The Avengers and X-Men.”
You can pre-order the upcoming West Coast Avengers omnibus for just £45.00 – a saving of 40% off the RRP of £75!
The offer ends on Wednesday 7th November, and all you have to do is head over to Forbidden Planet International. The offer only applies to the cover by Al Milgrom; the Greg Land cover is available for £50.25, which is what the Milgrom cover is expected to rise to in just over a week’s time.
Here’s the blurb:
“Earth’s Mightiest Heroes head west! Hawkeye splits from the Avengers and sets up shop in California. But the newly recruited members of Avengers ‘franchise’ – including Tigra, Wonder Man, Mockingbird and a new Iron Man – soon find themselves in over their heads! Meanwhile, Ultron and the Grim Reaper target Wonder Man’s “brother,” the Vision – and the Vision’s wife, the Scarlet Witch! Can the West Coasters keep this complex bloodline from getting bloodier? Plus: Both Avengers teams are betrayed from within! Also guest-starring the the Thing, Hank Pym, Firebird and Nick Fury!
Collecting West Coast Avengers (1984) issues #1 to 4, Iron Man Annual #7, Avengers (1963) #250, West Coast Avengers (1985) #1 to 16, Vision And The Scarlet Witch (1985) #1 and 2, Avengers Annual (1967) #15, West Coast Avengers Annual #1, and material from Avengers (1963) #239, #243 and 244 and #246, and Avengers West Coast #100; written by Roger Stern, Bob Harras, Steve Englehart and Danny Fingeroth, and pencilled by Bob Hall, Luke Mcdonnell, Al Milgrom, Richard Howell, Steve Ditko and Mark Bright.”
The 760-page HC will be release in April 2013. You can read more about the West Coast Avengers here.
And thanks to Ruben and Nicolas; I really appreciate you both reading. Please let me know if something else slips under the net!
Pre-order February’s Iron Man By Michelinie, Layton and Romita Jr Omnibus from Forbiddenplanet.co.uk before Wednesday 12th September 2012, and get a 40% discount off the RRP.
Iron Man #150
Normally £75, the saving brings the 944-page book down to just £45. This is only Cover A, but Cover B is available from just £50.25; Forbiddenplanet.com has it for £51.74 each (though they often get damaged in the post from this particular supplier) – while Amazon UK hasn’t even got it listed yet!
Here’s the blurb:
“Up-and-coming talents David Michelinie, Bob Layton and John Romita Jr. joined forces to take on Marvel’s Golden Avenger in 1978 – and captured lighting in a bottle! Now, their history-making first run is collected in one massive volume! From Tony Stark’s taboo-shattering struggle with alcoholism to Iron Man’s legendary clash with Dr. Doom during King Arthur’s time, this one’s got it all – including Justin Hammer’s introduction; a brutal battle against the Hulk; the menaces of Madame Masque, the Melter, Blizzard, Whiplash, the Dreadnoughts, the Titanium Man and more; and the debut of Tony’s outer-space and stealth armours!”
Collecting Iron Man #115- 157, the omnibus features the ground-breaking Demon in a Bottle storyline, which inspired the movie, Iron Man 2. As Bethany Cabe says:
“Can’t you see you’re becoming your own worst enemy? And you’re trying to kill that enemy with a bottle…”
Make Mine A Marvel Omnibus 