posted March 07, 2003 12:57 PM            

I'm still waiting to see if what the format is like. I'm not entirely certain if this is an Archive as we understand it or just a hardcover series. Which of course leads to the question, "Just what is an Archive, anyway?".

posted March 18, 2003 12:22 AM            

Scheduled and solicited:

March 2003
Golden Age Spectre Archives, V1 (Mar 12th LATE, shipping Mar 19th)

April 2003
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, V12 (Apr 9th)
Spirit Archives, V10 (Apr 23rd)

May 2003
Justice League of America Archives, V8 (May 7th)
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives, V2 (May 21st)

June 2003
Superman Archives, V6 (June 4th)

July 2003
nothing announced yet

August 2003
Batman Archives, V1 (2nd printing, $19.95 price, Aug 27th)

September 2003
Absolute Authority, V2 (Sep 3rd)
Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams (Sep 3rd)

============================
Announced, roughly scheduled, but unsolicited:

2nd Quarter 2003
Challengers of the Unknown Archives, V1 (announced Nov 10 '02, exact date TBA apparently delayed)

============================
Mentioned as being in the works, but unscheduled

Elfquest reprints are coming, said to be in the "Archive format". What that means, xactly, remains to be seen.

unidentified GA Batman volume (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, post of Oct 31)

New Teen Titans Archives, V2 (sometime in 2004; mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, Bob's post of Feb 3 '03.)

Challengers of the Unknown Archives, V2 (announced Nov 10 '02, exact date TBA; mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, post of Nov 19 as not being issued in 2003)

Shazam! Archives, V4 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greengerger, post of Jan 7 '03: "Shazam! will continue although Vol. 4 is not on a schedule as of today." Seems like DC intends to continue the line, but when is another matter)

Spirit Archives, V11 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

Spirit Archives, V12 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

Tor Archives, V3 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives, V3 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

============================
Expected, but neither announced nor scheduled

All-Star Archives, V9 (could appear any time)

Plastic Man Archives, V5 (should appear in 4th Quarter '03)

============================
Vague hints by Bob Greenberger of possible Archives to come

Stuff by Simon and Kirby; Sandman, Manhunter, Boy Commandos, Newsboy Legion etc. are possibilities (See Bob's post of Jan 8 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Another Doom Patrol volume; might be more of Morrison's stuff, not an Archive. (See Bob's post of Jan 7 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Either "Atom, V2" or "Hawkman, V2" will be seen by year's end. See Questions for Bob Greenberger, Bob's post of Feb 3 for his words on this matter.

============================
Stuff that isn't a candidate for Archiving right now, according to Bob Greenberger
Superboy (Golden Age) Archives, V1 (announced in 2001, mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greengerger, post of Dec 12 '02, as being "off the schedule and ... return[ing] as soon as possible")

Swamp Thing, because the TPBs are in print (See Bob's post of Jan 7 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Golden Age work that isn't feasible with current restoration technology, which butchers fine line work by certain artists, including Mac Raboy and Lou Fine. Affects Captain Marvel, Jr., The Ray, The Black Condor, Doll Man, Bulletman, others (See Bob's post of Jan 8 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Mad Archives, V2 won't appear in 2003. (See Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03. Poor sales is the likely villain here. The Diamond preorders were for only 1879 copies. The same month, "All Star, V8" had 2669 copies preordered.)

============================
All other volumes are unknown at this time. This includes any other new #1s and additional volumes to existing series not mentioned above.

Please make corrections and additions if you know them.

posted March 27, 2003 10:23 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by NecessaryImpurity:
Mad Archives, V2 won't appear in 2003. (See Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03. Poor sales is the likely villain here. The Diamond preorders were for only 1879 copies. The same month, "All Star, V8" had 2669 copies preordered.)

---

Boy, what low numbers. MAD is suppose to be a four volumr set (all 29 issues). I wonder what the timeline is for those? Volume 3 2004? and Volume 4 2005?
Chris

posted March 30, 2003 07:35 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by outpost2:
It was also stated that "there will be an as yet unannounced Silver Age first volume".

---

Another Silver Age volume 1 this year?
That makes four, counting Challengers.
An embarassment of riches...

posted March 31, 2003 04:17 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by NecessaryImpurity:
A report over on the Q4BG-2 thread says it will be Atom, not Hawkman. Maybe GA Hawkman is coming?

---

Where is the report from? What is the source?

Any word on possible Hawkman # 2 and Golden Age Hawkman # 1??

posted March 31, 2003 04:24 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by outpost2:
It was also stated that "there will be an as yet unannounced Silver Age first volume".

---

Metal Men! Metal Men, anybody?

...Anybody? ...Bueller?

------------------
Interested in joining Hal's Emerald Advancement Team? Check out www.glheat.cjb.net, and if you agree with our mission statement, then email the application to me at SilverAgeAdam@yahoo.com

I INVITE YOU TO SUPPORT OPERATION EMERALD STORM!!

Send your extra comic books to the families of our troops fighting in the Persian Gulf!!

posted April 02, 2003 03:21 PM            

Scheduled and solicited:

April 2003
Spirit Archives, V10 (Apr 23rd, shipped early, Apr 2 )
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, V12 (Apr 9th)

May 2003
Justice League of America Archives, V8 (May 7th)
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives, V2 (May 21st)

June 2003
Superman Archives, V6 (June 4th)

July 2003
nothing announced yet

August 2003
Batman Archives, V1 (2nd printing, $19.95 price, Aug 27th)

September 2003
Absolute Authority, V2 (Sep 3rd)
Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams (Sep 3rd)

============================
Announced, roughly scheduled, but unsolicited:

3rd Quarter 2003
Challengers of the Unknown Archives, V1 (announced Nov 10 '02, exact date TBA The 3rd quarter (summer) expected release is reported by Daprof in his first post of Mar 31 in the thread July Archive doubleheader?)

4th Quarter 2003
All-Star Archives, V9 (Reported in AlterEgo's post of March 30 on Questions for Bob Greenberger 2. The expectation for 4th quarter (fall) is reported by Daprof in his first post of Mar 31 in the thread July Archive doubleheader?)

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives, V3 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03. We have a report from Chris_ccl in a post above that this volume is scheduled for December)

============================
Mentioned as being in the works, but unscheduled

Atom Archives, V2 (Reported in AlterEgo's post of March 30 on Questions for Bob Greenberger 2)

unidentified GA Batman volume (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, post of Oct 31)

Challengers of the Unknown Archives, V2 (announced Nov 10 '02, exact date TBA; mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, post of Nov 19 as not being issued in 2003)

Elfquest reprints are coming, said to be in the "Archive format". What that means, xactly, remains to be seen.

New Teen Titans Archives, V2 (sometime in 2004; mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger, Bob's post of Feb 3 '03.)

Shazam! Archives, V4 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greengerger, post of Jan 7 '03: "Shazam! will continue although Vol. 4 is not on a schedule as of today." Seems like DC intends to continue the line, but when is another matter)

Spirit Archives, V11 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

Spirit Archives, V12 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

Tor Archives, V3 (mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03.)

============================
Expected, but neither announced nor scheduled

Plastic Man Archives, V5 (should appear in 4th Quarter '03)

============================
Vague hints by Bob Greenberger of possible Archives to come

Stuff by Simon and Kirby; Sandman, Manhunter, Boy Commandos, Newsboy Legion etc. are possibilities (See Bob's post of Jan 8 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Another Doom Patrol volume; might be more of Morrison's stuff, not an Archive. (See Bob's post of Jan 7 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

============================
Stuff that isn't a candidate for Archiving right now, according to Bob Greenberger
Superboy (Golden Age) Archives, V1 (announced in 2001, mentioned by Bob Greenberger in the thread Questions for Bob Greengerger, post of Dec 12 '02, as being "off the schedule and ... return[ing] as soon as possible")

Swamp Thing, because the TPBs are in print (See Bob's post of Jan 7 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Golden Age work that isn't feasible with current restoration technology, which butchers fine line work by certain artists, including Mac Raboy and Lou Fine. Affects Captain Marvel, Jr., The Ray, The Black Condor, Doll Man, Bulletman, others (See Bob's post of Jan 8 '03 in Questions for Bob Greengerger)

Mad Archives, V2 won't appear in 2003. (See Questions for Bob Greenberger 2, his post of Feb 7 '03. Poor sales is the likely villain here. The Diamond preorders were for only 1879 copies. The same month, "All Star, V8" had 2669 copies preordered.)

============================
Other things we know

• There will be 14 Archives in 2003
  
• Six of those will be Golden Age, the rest Silver & Bronze
  
• There will be an additional Golden Age Volume One, said to be "worked on for some time, but source material has been ellusive" and "broad appeal" anticipated. (See DStepp's first post on New Golden Age for 2003 is ...
  
• There will be an additional Silver Age Volume One
  
• One of the upcoming Archives will have approx. 256, to accomodate a logical break in the material
  

============================
All other volumes are unknown at this time. This includes any other new #1s and additional volumes to existing series not mentioned above.

posted April 06, 2003 12:43 PM            

I'm surprised there isn't more ongoing discussion about this -- it's big news! Some thoughts on the developments:

1. The expansion to 14 DCU volumes a year is great. I also like the developing pattern we're seeing with an Archive-type volume every two weeks, including non-DCU stuff like Spirit in with the DCU Archives. Actually, I think this "two week release" schedule is about exactly right. The only modification I'd like to see is winnowing down the non-DCU stuff and expanding up the DCU Archives until we've got at least 18 or so of those a year. In other words, when Tor's finished, leave that slot for DCU. When T.H.U.N.D.E.R.Agents is finished, leave that slot for DCU. The Spirit and Elfquest while continue for a while. It's not that I dislike the non-DCU stuff; in fact, I love it. It's just that we have to prioritize the material for the few available slots, and I'd give prime priority to DC's own characters, making just a couple of exceptions for really exceptional stuff like the Spirit.

2. The apparent 8/6 SA/GA split. I'd prefer to see 7/7. As argued before, it's the GA stuff that really cries out for Archiving, and there's actually more of it. I think it needs to be pumped out as fast as possible while there's still enough quality new SA stuff to subsidize it. Still, this split could be worse, so I suppose I can live with 8/7.

3. Six (count 'em, 6) new Archives titles started in 2003. That's 2 too many by my lights. I love the expansion to 14 DCU Archives a year, but did both new slots have to go to new series? I know people love their new series, but (again, as argued at greater length before) I really think DC's running the risk of strip-mining the new series now for short-term gain and jeopardizing the long-term health of the program. There truly aren't that many quality new SA series left to open; if we were going to see so many new #1 volumes, I'd have much preferred if these, at least, had been balanced in favor of GA. My ideal would be about 4 new #1 series each year, out of an imagined 18 or so DCU Archives, with at least 2 of those being GA (and possibly 3 of those 4 being new GA series as time goes on and SA series begin to dry up).

4. A subcategory of disappointment here for the 6 new series in 2003 -- none of these new series are really surprising at all. I guess Challengers comes the closest, followed by SA Teen Titans, but I still fully expected we'd see these volumes in time. I would have minded the glut of new series less if we'd been treated to 1 or 2 out of left field, as we've seen in the past with characters like Black Canary or Enemy Ace. A Captain Comet #1, for instance, or maybe a lesser GA Quality character, would have pleased me to no end.

5. Where are the second volumes? Early in the year, someone -- DStepp, I think -- teased that we'd see many #2 volumes this year. I don't know if the initial info was unreliable, or if plans changed, but it now appears we'll only get Atom #2. Again, that's bad in my view. It seems strange to me to get out a #1 volume, get people excited about reading the adventures of that character, and then let years pass before issuing a second volume. I really wish there'd be a more conscious effort made to getting consecutive volumes out faster, especially when a series is in its infancy. I had high hopes a while ago we'd see at least some of the likes of GA Flash #2, Starman #2, Blackhawk #2, Enemy Ace #2, Supergirl #2, Hawkman #2, and New Teen Titans #2 in 2003, but we're out of luck on that. And the queue gets longer by the 6 new series for 2004 . . . .

6. Older/longer series got their due. To end on a positive note, I do like the attention being paid to some of the venerable series. It's nice that Legion and JLA aren't forgotten. It's understandable that they should slow down from the rate they used to see, but they should still come out regularly, as these titles are popular, and core parts of DC history. I particularly like the continuing volumes for Superman and Batman: Dark Knight. These are a couple of series I thought could be in danger of falling off the radar. As new Batman/Superman titles come along and fight for oxygen, these titles that only reprint 4 (or soon 5) issues at a time seem imperiled. It's nice that DC continues to advance these lines at an equal pace as much as possible, especially considering Superman and Batman: Dark Knight will advance slower anyway by the nature of the fewer issues they can reprint in any given Archive.

posted April 06, 2003 01:15 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marty Raap:
publishing fewer #1 titles and more GA Archives would end the war in Iraq, fight cancer, and make comics geeks irresistible to supermodels.

---

Isn't this obvious?

posted April 06, 2003 01:57 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marty Raap:
It's not that I dislike the non-DCU stuff; in fact, I love it. It's just that we have to prioritize the material for the few available slots, and I'd give prime priority to DC's own characters, making just a couple of exceptions for really exceptional stuff like the Spirit.

---

Great post, Marty. I, too would like to see more #2 volumes.

Regarding the non-DCU properties, I think DC is doing the smart thing in snapping these properties up as they become available. I mean, Elfquest is gonna sell, and if DC can get the rights, they'll move on it. Unfortunately for DCU fans, that stuff ain't goin' nowhere, and DC can afford to let that stuff get in line behind newly licensed stuff.

After THUNDER Agents and Tor run their course, I imagine we'll see more forays beyond the Universe. Charlton and Gold Key stuff has been mentioned, and I'm sure there's lots of other properties DC could invest themselves into to bring us even more interesting reprint projects.

posted April 06, 2003 02:10 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marty Raap:

5. Where are the second volumes? Early in the year, someone -- DStepp, I think -- teased that we'd see many #2 volumes this year. I don't know if the initial info was unreliable, or if plans changed, but it now appears we'll only get Atom #2. Again, that's bad in my view. It seems strange to me to get out a #1 volume, get people excited about reading the adventures of that character, and then let years pass before issuing a second volume. I really wish there'd be a more conscious effort made to getting consecutive volumes out faster, especially when a series is in its infancy. I had high hopes a while ago we'd see at least some of the likes of GA Flash #2, Starman #2, Blackhawk #2, Enemy Ace #2, Supergirl #2, Hawkman #2, and New Teen Titans #2 in 2003, but we're out of luck on that. And the queue gets longer by the 6 new series for 2004 . . . .

---

I view the Golden Age and Silver Age quite differently, in terms of how I would like to see a balance between volume 1s and series continuations.

My preference is to see Golden Age series explored more completely, with volumes coming out every two years for a line, until the series reaches a logical breaking point.

For the Silver Age series, there are many that I would be willing to see indefinitely delayed after only one or two volumes. The Atom, Hawkman, Enemy Ace, and many that have not yet started: two volumes will do quite nicely. There is a noticeable drop in price of most SA series after the first half dozen issues. I would rather see new SA series explored with a single volume, than see the continuation of a series into the realm where back issues may be had for $5 - $10 in VG/F at a reasonably large convention. Give me Bat Lash #1, Atomic Knights #1, Metal Men #1, Brave and the Bold Batman teamups #1 -- whew -- give me any of these before Atom #3.

I have been fairly happy with recent volume 1s.

Spectre #1 - A character of some importance in the modern DCU, who had a decent run in the Golden Age. It makes sense to give him a volume.

Batman in WF #1 - Continuing the process of reprinting hard to acquire stories of DC's most popular characters. I can't complain about this volume, esp. considering how few of these stories were previously reprinted.

Supergirl #1 - A significant character of DC's Silver Age, and her namesake has a current monthly title. It made perfect sense to give her a volume.

Challs of the Unknown #1 - Finally reprinting some Kirby material! This is early SA material, it kind of opens up a new genre, and is being used to explore an alternate price point for the archives. The only reservation I can see on reprinting this material is that it was mostly reprinted in some 1970s issues of Challs.

Dynamic Duo #1 - Jumping ahead to reprint some SA Batman material made sense. DC's most popular character, in a form identifiable to fans of the 1960s teevee series. Featuring work by a talented stable of creators.

Aquaman #1 - I don't have much interest in this, and I wonder why we saw this rather than Golden Age Aquaman. My guess is that since the SA volumes sell better, and since Aquaman was viewed as a marginal character, the decision was made to go with a Silver Age volume.

Teen Titans #1 - Okay. Makes sense by almost anyone's standards.