New Comics Collected Editions: Batman Omnibi, Avengers Epic Collection, 'The Super Hero's Journey,' 'Working With Ditko,' More!

Our picks this week. Click the links to order from Amazon.

The Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder return for another thrilling tome of adventures that close out the Golden Age of comics. In this volume, marvel at the voyage of the first Batmarine, see the Dark Knight fall head over heels in love, fight the likes of the Joker and Catwoman, and meet Ace the Bat-Hound, Mad Hattter,and the Batmen of All Nations for the very first time!

Collects full-color restorations of the Dark Knight’s capers in BATMAN #86-100, DETECTIVE COMICS #211-232, along with a brand-new foreword by the originator and executive producer of the Batman film franchise, Michael Uslan.

Writers Jim Shooter and David Michelinie and avenging artists George PĂ©rez and John Byrne bring you the Avengers at their best! And it begins with the cosmic "Korvac Saga" - co-starring the Guardians of the Galaxy! Possessed by the Power Cosmic, Korvac seeks to create a utopia on Earth. His godlike power may mean the end of the Avengers - and everyone else on the planet! Then, bookending this volume is "The Yesterday Quest" - a storyline with deep revelations for the Scarlet Witch, including her first encounter with the evil power of the Darkhold! In between, new heroes join the team, battles with the Absorbing Man and Count Nefaria will shake your fillings, and you will see why the Avengers will forever be called Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #167-188 and ANNUAL #8-9, and material from AVENGERS: THE KORVAC SAGA TPB.

The stories that catapulted Batman to legendary status are collected here in a single, massive volume. These original stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #27-56 and BATMAN #1-7 include the origin of the Dark Knight, as well as the debuts of Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Professor Hugo Strange, The Joker, Catwoman and more!

Prepare to assemble for another epic Avengers Omnibus edition, brought to you this time by Steve Englehart and a host of Marvel’s greatest artists! They present Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in some of their most iconic adventures: the origin of Mantis, the Avengers’ first conflict with Thanos and a defining Kang the Conqueror saga that spans space and time. Of course, there’s plenty of personal drama opposite the action as Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch’s origins are explored and two weddings bring together Marvel’s heroes. New members will also join the ranks as the Beast, Hellcat and Moondragon become Avengers. This volume also features the series’ letters pages as well as art and interviews from Marvel’s famous fanzine F.O.O.M.!

Collecting AVENGERS (1968) 120-149, GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS (1974) #1-4, CAPTAIN MARVEL (1968) #33, FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #150 and material from FOOM (1973) #6-7 & #12.

The Super Hero’s Journey is unlike anything you have ever read. Imbued with the creativity, artwork, and heart of Patrick McDonnell, the beloved creator of the comic strip Mutts, this all-new graphic novel features classic Marvel super heroes including the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Black Panther, and Spider-Man, and is the synthesis of McDonnell’s positive, inspirational sensibility and Marvel’s blockbuster brand. Using the Marvel Universe as avatars, McDonnell muses on how comics changed his life and inspired him to become a cartoonist, instilling a moral sensibility that he carries through his work and his life.

We begin with the Watcher—a being who exists outside the planes of space and time, who sees every moment that has happened, will happen, or is happening throughout the cosmos—as he observes Earth and the inner burdens of the Marvel super heroes. As the Watcher observes the villainous plans of Dr. Doom, who is harnessing the power of the Negative Zone and slowly spreading its negativity across our planet and destroying the human spirit, Mr. Fantastic is led on a meta journey that takes him through the pages of classic comic books and across scenes familiar and unexpected, including the Commercial Zone, which is filled with advertisements for “stuff” and wonders of the imagination only to deliver disappointment and false promises. Ultimately, our heroes discover a zen solution in an unexpected fashion—one that aligns this book with the inspiring messages of McDonnell’s other beloved and award-winning books—leaving readers with a renewed sense of love, hope, and redemption.

Working With Ditko takes a unique and nostalgic journey through comics’ Bronze Age, as editor and writer Jack C. Harris recalls his numerous collaborations with legendary comics master Steve Ditko! It features never-before-seen preliminary sketches and pencil art from Harris’ tenure working with Ditko on The Creeper, Shade the Changing Man, the Odd Man, the Demon, Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes, The Fly, and even Ditko’s unused redesign for Batman! Plus, it documents their work on numerous independent properties, and offers glimpses of original characters from Ditko’s drawing board that have never been viewed by even his most avid fans! This illustrated volume is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the creative comic book process by one of the industry’s most revered creators, as seen through the eyes of one of his most frequent collaborators!

Comments