Red Mosquito

bada wrote:

VinylGuy wrote:Anyone read Dark Knight The Master Race?
Just finished book two. Seems cool so far.

I read the first issue and thought it was better than expected but I haven't felt motivated to keep reading.

VinylGuy wrote:i mean how many comics does Batman have these days??

bada wrote:

VinylGuy wrote:i mean how many comics does Batman have these days??

Ah ok sorry. If you count the extended Bat-Family then there are a lot. Too many to list. Strictly Batman the two main ones are Detective Comics and Batman. Currently Gordon is Batman in those. There is also a weekly called Batman and Robin Eternal which features the entire Bat-Family with Bruce in flashbacks and Gordon in current time. Batman/Superman too which I guess is out of continuity. Two mini series that I know of...the Dark Knight 3 and Batman Europa. Oh and Batman/TMNT which my oldest kid loves. The only Bat-Books I'm currently reading are Batman and Robin Son Of Batman.

You know this really does come down to preference.

I own books from all types of Marvel collections.

Marvel Omnibus (collecting 18-35 issues)
Oversized Hardcover.
Later printings all have great sewn binding and good restoration. Recent books have been discussed a lot due to new thin paper, many hate the new paper.
Personally I love the thinner volumes (below 750 pages), but the thick books are too big for my taste. They looks great on the shelf but I don't like reading them.
I sometimes buy these for books I hold very dear, I don't see it as a large collection for me.
My favorite Omnibus books are Daredevil by Bendis and Brubaker and Wolverine by Millar.

Marvel Oversized Hardcovers (collecting 10-18 issues)
These are a lot like Omnibus with smaller page count. But the binding is a hit and miss as sometimes it is great sewn with good paper, other times thin paper and glued.
These mostly collect modern (post 1991) comics and are not meant as a complete collection, but often collect smaller runs. Do note that recently Marvel has published vol. 1 and 2 as OHC and the later comics in a different format. This annoys many collectors.
My Favorite OHCs are Daredevil by Waid, Runaways vol. 1-3, Planet Hulk.

Marvel HC Masterworks (collecting 10-13 issues)
Great books however pre 2009 books didn't always have the best build quality, wasn't sewn and not best restoration. Volumes from after vol. 100 or so are AMAZING quality in all regards. If you want complete collections look for series where vol. 1 is printed later than 2009 (Iron Fist, Marvel Two-in-One etc.).

Marvel SC Masterworks (collecting 10-13 issues)
These are softcover with fantastic restoration and are published in order and at good value (if you like smaller TPBs)

Marvel Classic Premiere (collecting 6-10 issues)
The first set (fist 20 volumes or so) had tight glued binding, after that it was a better sewn binding. The later volumes changed the spine design a bit due to new Marvel logo, so the shelf will not be "uniform". I like the sewn ones as individual books, not as a big collection.

Marvel Epics (collecting 18-22 issues)
Large TPB collections.
These are MY personal favorites. They collect a decent amount of comics. Have great paper (because I prefer non-glossy comic paper for classic (pre 1991) books.
The only downside is that we don't know when our favorite books will be collected (on the upside i get top read comics I never read before like Thor: War of the Pantheons).
Regarding not being published in order. These books don't have a volume number on the spine so your shelves will look good seven if you are missing volumes. (the vol number is printed on the bad for he book along with years the original comics were published).

So what does better quality mean?
TO ME the Epics are the best format. Other prefer Masterworks and those who don't mind huge books prefer Omnibus.

>> Groo, the Marvel Masterworks vol. 1 are being re-printed due to Marvel Anniversary celebration.
Absolutely nothing has been hinted that later volumes will get a re-print.

bada wrote:I'm reading Extraordinary X-Men and Old Man Logan. I tried the others but they didn't stick.