posted February 03, 2003 11:33 AM               

Bob, has DC ever given thought to a "Barnes & Noble Deal" like Marvel is now undertaking to help finance the Archives program? As I'm sure you know, they are using the proceeds from licensing five early Masterworks to Barnes & Noble for cheap softcover publication to fund the rejuvination of the HC Masterworks program.

posted February 03, 2003 11:51 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
The facsimiles sell okay and we are committed to 1-2 per year. We also mix in the "lost annuals" and have 3 of those forthcoming, the first of which will be in June.

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Woo hoo! I love those things!

quote:

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We've done various story arcs from LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT and might do so again. Any suggestions?

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The recent story by McDuffie (Blink?) and it's upcoming sequel could make a nice one for the general public. Honestly, there hasn't been much outstanding work in LOTDK lately and I'm not sure what's available in TPB.

quote:

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METAMORPHO and ADAM STRANGE remain towards the top of the Silver Age candidates but no decisions have been made. We'll probably start roughing out the 2004 schedule in the next month or so.

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Excellent. Add one more vote for Adam.

posted February 03, 2003 12:42 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by BillNolan:
OK, I have a question now...

Bob, has DC ever given thought to a "Barnes & Noble Deal" like Marvel is now undertaking to help finance the Archives program? As I'm sure you know, they are using the proceeds from licensing five early Masterworks to Barnes & Noble for cheap softcover publication to fund the rejuvination of the HC Masterworks program.

- Bill

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I, too, would like to hear whatever thoughts Bob is willing to share on this matter. I would like to clarify that the press release confuses the issue of whether this initiative is licensing the material to B+N or if B+N is purchasing quantities of a softover printing from Marvel. The press release distinctly says "Barnes & Noble agreed to purchase a sufficient quantity of the softcover edition to make the project work financially."

So is it licensing? Or is Marvel publishing the book? And are these 5 softcovers going to cause sales on the 5 hardcovers to cave? And does Marvel care? Or will they even notice?

Here's a link to the newsarama thread: http://www.newsarama.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000245

There's also tons and tons of hubbub at the Masterworks message board, which can be reached through my site linked below.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled Questions for Bob G. thread....

posted February 03, 2003 01:48 PM               

I have a question about cover art for the Archives, please excuse me if it's been asked before: How is it decided who does the cover art? Sometimes it makes perfect sense, given the history and look of a character -- Fradon on "Aquaman," Infantino on "Flash," but sometimes it makes little sense -- the prime example being Frank Miller on "Supergirl," when Jim Mooney is still out there doing great work. I only ask because a DC Archive, as a thing of beauty, should be beautiful both inside and out, and I'm hoping that the "Adam Strange" Archive will have an Infantino cover, "Metamorpho" a Fradon cover, "Aquaman vol. II" a Cardy cover, etc.

posted February 03, 2003 01:50 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
We've done various story arcs from LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT and might do so again. Any suggestions?

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posted February 03, 2003 02:03 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by TommyYesterday:
Bob - Glad to hear that "Adam Strange" and "Metamorpho" are high on the list of Silver Age Archives for 2004.

I have a question about cover art for the Archives, please excuse me if it's been asked before: How is it decided who does the cover art? Sometimes it makes perfect sense, given the history and look of a character -- Fradon on "Aquaman," Infantino on "Flash," but sometimes it makes little sense -- the prime example being Frank Miller on "Supergirl," when Jim Mooney is still out there doing great work. I only ask because a DC Archive, as a thing of beauty, should be beautiful both inside and out, and I'm hoping that the "Adam Strange" Archive will have an Infantino cover, "Metamorpho" a Fradon cover, "Aquaman vol. II" a Cardy cover, etc.

Thanks for your time!

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In the particular case of Supergirl, Diana Schutz explains this in her forward. She was the one who pushed for the Supergirl Archive, telling DC they'd get a Frank Miller illo for the cover if they scheduled it. Too bad; I think DC bought a pig in a poke on that deal.

posted February 03, 2003 02:08 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
We've done various story arcs from LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT and might do so again. Any suggestions?

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posted February 03, 2003 03:44 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by TommyYesterday:
NecessaryImpurity -- Thanks for the answer re "Supergirl" -- I hope DC does make it up to Mooney with future volumes.

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And that day might be soon....

posted February 03, 2003 05:37 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
ATOM 2 or HAWKMAN 2? Well, I suppose one of them could be out by year end. heh heh heh

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I've got my fingers crossed for Atom Archives # 2. The # 1 volume has to be one of the finest surprises in the Archives line!

But it'd be hard to feel like a loser either way.

I don't have HAwkman Archive # 1 -- but only because all of the issues were reprinted in softcover in my lifetime. If a Hawkman Archive # 2 comes out, I might actually buy # 1 to have a matched set.

posted February 03, 2003 06:22 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
ATOM 2 or HAWKMAN 2? Well, I suppose one of them could be out by year end. heh heh heh

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I'll buy either one, but I'm hoping for Atom.

posted February 03, 2003 06:41 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bgztl:
I don't have HAwkman Archive # 1 -- but only because all of the issues were reprinted in softcover in my lifetime.

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Have they really ALL been reprinted before? I know there was a collection of half the stuff before, but has the second half been collected elsewhere?

posted February 03, 2003 07:11 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bgztl:
[B(But still no Golden Age Hawkman Archive yet?!?!? What's Carter gotta do? Come down to DC HQ with a mace and make his case personally!?!?!? )[/B]

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I'm Hawkman. The ORIGINAL Hawkman. And this is my BFM. Where iS MY ARCHIVE!.

posted February 03, 2003 07:42 PM               

Also, in any future lodk collection, id like to see lodk #100, as i never did get a copy, and despite searching hi and low for it, cant find it anywhere. It includes year one stories of dick grayson and jason todd, and based on the excellent job on the year one story of joker in lodk #50 (collected in collected legends or dark legends, i always get mixed up), ive always had the higest of expectations for the lodk 100 story. Plus, im sure it would fit in nicely with the robin: year one, and batman chronicles: the gauntlet tpb's i own, as there are very few stories in print of dick grayson as robin.

About Bop, im not a particularly big fan of the series, despite loving chuck dixon's nightwing and early robin work. I do own both tpb's however, and would love to see at least one more tpb (one more is all i need) Whats so important about one more collection? Bop #8, valued by wizard at $50 (more than any other bat related book of the last 25 yrs), and including the first post crisis date of dick (robin I) grayson, and barbara (batgirl II technically, but well call her the original batgirl) gordon, as they go to the circus. I dont own the issue, but would pick up the trade solely for this reason.

Also, about the nml issue, i would accept it if it was relagated to 3 volumes, but 5 instead of 6? So close to collecting the whole run...

Anyway, i have a suggestion for how to partially alleviate the problem (not the ideal answer, as that would be 6 nml volumes, but a partial solution nontheless) Robin, Nightwing, Bop, Batgirl, Azrael, Catwoman, and Anarky are all batman supporting characters in the past who have earned their own books. They also all have tpb's reprinting their original appearance and/or first series/mini series.

Harley Quinn is another bat character who has her own book. So the partial solution is release a harley quinn trade reprinting her one shot (not officially nml, but heavily nml related), and the 2 part nml arc "code" which takes place immediately after the one-shot and includes harleys first appearance in the monthly bat books, as well as her and joker's first involvement in nml. This collection could then easily be sandwiched on the booksehlf between nml vol 3 and 4.

To refresh your memory, the original solicitations for the issues im proposing included in a harley quinn tpb;

BATMAN: HARLEY QUINN
Written by Paul Dini; art by Yvel Guichet and Aaron Sowd; painted cover by Alex Ross
The most popular character introduced in Batman's animated adventures enters the DC Universe — and "No Man's Land" — in a Prestige one-shot written by Harley's creator, Paul Dini (SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH), with a painted cover by PEACE ON EARTH's Alex Ross and stunning interiors by Yvel Guichet and Aaron Sowd. Since Gotham's fall, the Joker has been relatively quiet...but that's about to change as former Arkham Asylum doctor Harleen Quinzel joins the Clown Prince of Crime to put him back on top. But when their unusual partnership leaves Harley a little worse for wear, she enlists Poison Ivy's help. Now the Joker and Batman are going to learn that this souped-up Harley's not going to be pushed around anymore.
DCU § FC, 48 pg. $5.95 § In stores August 11, 1999
Copyright © 1999 by DC Comics

THE CODE parts 1-2 (Bronwyn Carlton)

BATMAN #570
Written by Bronwyn Carlton; art by Mike Deodato and David Roach; cover by Rodolfo Damaggio
Harley Quinn hits the streets of "No Man's Land" in Part 1 of the 2-part "The Code!" Following the events of BATMAN: HARLEY QUINN, Harley returns just as the Joker expands his turf over the broken bodies of two warring gangs. While she uses a philosophy called "The Code" to try to manipulate events to her liking, Joker makes a sweeping move that threatens to tip the balance of power in Gotham and change the face of "No Man's Land" forever.
DCU § FC, 32 pg. $1.99 § In stores August 18, 1999 Copyright © 1999 by DC Comics

DETECTIVE COMICS #737
Written by Bronwyn Carlton; art by Tom Morgan and David Roach; cover by Rodolfo Damaggio
Harley Quinn, the Joker, and the Huntress face off in "No Man's Land" in the conclusion of "The Code!" While the Joker's political campaign threatens to send the so-called society of "No Man's Land" even further into a state of anarchy, the Huntress and Billy Petit's renegade ex-GCPD band join the fray. But they've never tangled with someone like Harley Quinn, who doesn't appreciate anyone standing between her and her Joker!
DCU § FC, 32 pg. $1.99 § In stores August 25, 1999
Copyright © 1999 by DC Comics

posted February 03, 2003 07:53 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
The next Perez Titans material you see is will be the second volume of the Archives, probably in 2004.[QUOTE]

It's well known that I think NTT 1 was put on the schedule way too early. However, I don't think that the series should be condemned to oblivion despite what some people may think. 2004 seems like a good year for NTT 2. I'm not saying that I'm going to buy it; I'm still undecided. However, I won't be upset, especially if we get more than 12 DCU volumes. One big reason that I won't be upset is that the percentage of Archives devoted to easily available material is much smaller than it was when NTT 1 was released.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
ATOM 2 or HAWKMAN 2? Well, I suppose one of them could be out by year end. heh heh heh

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posted February 03, 2003 07:59 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bgztl:
I don't have HAwkman Archive # 1 -- but only because all of the issues were reprinted in softcover in my lifetime.

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Are you sure? I know you have the B&B issues. I think you have the team-up with Adam Strange (Greatest Team-Up Stories?). However, I don't think you have the solo stories from Mystery in Space. There are only a couple, but I think they are only available in the Archive.

posted February 03, 2003 08:00 PM               

I already own Robin: Tragedy and Triumph, so this doesnt affect me, but i believe this should return back to print. It is a wonderful collection (especially the tragedy part, his mother's murder, which fits in nicely with her funeral, still in print in the ridiculously cheap "a hero reborn" tpb) and i think it would be more worthwhile to get this volume back in print then offer another robin collection. Not that i wouldnt welcome another robin collection (i welcome all tpb's, espec dc and bat related trades), but the stories told in tragedy and triumph are a lot more integral to tim drake's mythos than anything else not currently in print.

As for a new robin tpb? I know you said something more current, but id go more to the past. Not a follow-up to flying solo, mind you, rather, a prequel. I, personally would collect batman #460 (i believe thats the issue #, i could be wrong, but im referring to the first official batman/tim drake robin team-up) #480 (a wonderful, wonderful batman/robin story, although more of a solo robin tale, and a wonderful telling of the relationship between tim and his father) and the third mini (1st appearance of ariana, tims first girlfriend, and sets the stage for any future robin tpb's where ariana appears, and also because its one of the first major involvements of huntress with the bat family, and it sets the stage very nicely for the subsequent robin/huntress team-up already reprinted in "Flying Solo". Oh, and you could count me in for this trade if its collected.

I really hope this could become the next robin trade, and it really sets the stage for the series (ariana, his first gf, his relationship with his dad, his first team up with bat, and his first team up with huntress, also where he becomes first bat family memeber to learn huntress id, and earn a special trust with her later exhibited in the bat titles)

posted February 03, 2003 08:15 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by vze2:
Are you sure? I know you have the B&B issues. I think you have the team-up with Adam Strange (Greatest Team-Up Stories?). However, I don't think you have the solo stories from Mystery in Space. There are only a couple, but I think they are only available in the Archive.

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Hmm.

Well, you're probably right at that.

I have the B & B stuff in multiple formats includes some "floppy" reprints of some stories from the 1970's and the softback trade edition. I also have a reprint of the Adam Strange/Hawkman team up -- again from the 1970's, I think.

I can't recall any solo stories originally from Mystery in Space.

Soooo.

Your counsel would be : "Stop being a cheapskate and spring the 35-45 bucks for Hawkman archive!!" ??

posted February 03, 2003 08:21 PM               

Earlier in this thread, bob, you said no plans for bat tpbs other than the crossovers (hush being obvious exception) Can i ask why?

Marvel is reprinting EVERYTHING spiderman and x-men related (eevrything period, in fact) so i dont see why batman reprints must be relegated to just the crossovers.

Titles, such as JLA, JSA, GA (so far) GL, and flash have pretty much all their issues reprinted. If batman is popular enough to warrant 3 in-cont monthly titles as opposed to one all of those guys gets, cant we also assume he'd be popular enough to support 3 times as many in-cont tpb's?

posted February 03, 2003 08:25 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by dylanfan:
And does Marvel care? Or will they even notice?

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I know the answer to these, but do you really want me to tell you?

posted February 03, 2003 08:29 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by gothcityfan:

About Bop, im not a particularly big fan of the series, despite loving chuck dixon's nightwing and early robin work. I do own both tpb's however, and would love to see at least one more tpb (one more is all i need) Whats so important about one more collection? Bop #8, valued by wizard at $50 (more than any other bat related book of the last 25 yrs), and including the first post crisis date of dick (robin I) grayson, and barbara (batgirl II technically, but well call her the original batgirl) gordon, as they go to the circus. I dont own the issue, but would pick up the trade solely for this reason.

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Really?

I've gotta get that sucker up on ebay!

posted February 03, 2003 08:37 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Staeger:
Really?

I've gotta get that sucker up on ebay!

Rob

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