posted November 28, 2002 04:24 PM            

Has anyone ever suggested a SWING WITH SCOOTER Archive? If not, then I'm suggesting it in order to take Bob Wayne up on his offer.

posted November 29, 2002 06:53 PM               

Therefore, I've never actually read one.

However, we may conclude from the other DC books of the period, that Scooter was just another ill-advised attempt by the tired old men at National Periodicals to be "with it" and put out a comic that was hip and groovy.

I shudder.

It ran 36 issues? Amazing.

posted November 30, 2002 04:12 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Corrosive Kid:
[B]Here's something which I've often wondered about:

How much of a factor is whether a creator is still living in deciding what gets archived?
[B]

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posted December 04, 2002 11:03 AM               

I've been thinking about the Spectre Archives, and I'm not sure if I'll buy it immediately, or wait until I can find a deal on it on ebay. Most of my indecision comes from my unfamiliarity with the book -- I know and like the modern Spectre, but I don't think I've read any of the Golden Age stories.

This got me to wondering if it's feasible to promote new Archive series -- particularly series with unfamiliar material -- by running a chapter on the website. I'm not sure if the benefits of this would outweigh the cost, but it might help move the fence-sitters, at least (not that there are many on THIS board, enthusastic bunch that we are).

The Millenium editions served the same purpose, whether by intention or design. And while I notice some timed re-solicits of them, I think this may be a way of broadening the potential Archive audience.

What does everyone think?

Rob

posted December 04, 2002 08:08 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Corrosive Kid:
DC does publish the first few pages of their Volume 1s on their webpage. Go "Graphic Novels," then select "Archive Editions," then select the volume which you're interested in. I guess it's just a matter of time before they do it with all of their archives.

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Thanks, CK. I didn't realize that. (And thanks to you, too, Steven, for the Spectre pointers).

posted December 05, 2002 01:04 PM               

So, let me play catch up.

Creators being living or dead have no bearing whatsoever on our Archive discussions. If any are still alive, we usually ask them to contribute such as Jack Burnely's great intro to Starman Vol. 1.

Also, the Archive paperstock has remained constant at 80 pound so you perceive a thinness in Sgt. Rock that shouldn't be there. If you think about it, we've maintained the quality and the price on the Archives pretty much for the last deacde, not bad given the economy.

How many Archives or trades could we produce? it all comes down to demand. Let's say the Shazam Book of the Month Club notion works. Printers? Check. Color removal/color separation suppliers? Need more. Editorial? Need more. If we thought the economics worked, we'd add to staff since this was a growth area. Heck, I got added to staff in May as a result of our growing line. Is the Book of the Month idea likely to happen? Not really.

As for the collected edition stock, we use a variety as the economics and subject matter dictate. Sure, we'd like them all to be on heavy white stock, but that's just not possible.

Yes, wherever possible we will try and add "extras" to both trades and hardcover compilations. I've got some great stuff coming in a Batman collection for late spring and the second collection of Green Arrow. Retailers, fans and the creators all seem in favor of this.

Finally, as to what Marvel trades would be happening were I still there? I'd rather not get into such What If? because clearly current management has an idea of what works and were I still there I might not have as much inoput as you think regarding the older stuff. That being said, I bet you the Essential Tomb of Dracula would not have been canceled.

Back to you.

posted December 09, 2002 09:12 PM               

Can you discuss the Perez Wonder Woman TPB rumors? Sorry if this has already been discussed but this thread is 10 pages long now.

Any chance we can see the Byrne Superman or Action reprinted. I own them but would like them in TPB or Hardcover. Of course there may not be a market for it.
Perez WW and Byrne Superman would be nice companion volumes.

I don't think Legends has ever been reprinted either and that is a very important tale in DC canon. I would definitely buy that.

Thanks for the Adams' Batman HC and reprinting of the original Swamp Thing TPB.

posted December 10, 2002 04:18 AM               

Also i'm with you on the Super Man TPB's.
Other than the Man of Steel TPB, very little of Byrne's work has been reprinted.

posted December 10, 2002 02:50 PM            

Is there an official opinion from TPTB on releasing comics on CDRom? If not what is your opinion on possible future releases?

posted December 10, 2002 06:28 PM               

Being a major Supes fan, I'm interested to know what the status of Superman Archives is, both Superman and Action, and whether we'll see anything new in 2003, since it's been a while for both. Seems the flagship character would be more in demand!

Is Superboy Vol.1 still on the schedule?

As well, is Superman in World's Finest now a foregone conclusion with the publication of the Batman stories?

Thanks in advance...

posted December 12, 2002 09:39 AM               

THUNDER Agents Archive Vol.1 is the final book affected by the port strike. Our TPBs are printed in Montreal and some back-to-press titles are running late due to capacity issues.

I think Forge and Edge are interesting ideas but now that CrossGen has repurposed them into a new size, I need to see those before I offer any opinion/observation.

Canceled Comics Cavalcade is a cult item with limited appeal beyond diehard comics fans. Much of the material collected in those volumes does not necessarily represent DC's best work from that decade. It's not something we've ever seriously considered.

Yes, I know what's on our March and May-December schedule. However, as stated elsewhere, we constantly revise the schedule based on market conditions. I'd much rather not tell you something is coming out in a specific month and then have us change it. For March, which is locked down, we will have a volume of JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES, NEW TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT (back to press), WONDER WOMAN: PARADISE FOUND (issues #170-177), GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD DAWN II and 100 BULLETS: COUNTERFIFTH DETECTIVE.

As you see, we do have Phil's material running in sequence so yes, our plans today are to go from #178-189 inclusive.

Yes, we're doing our homework on collecting George Perez's run of Wonder Woman but exact details and release dates will be forthcoming. Part of the problem is that with older film it takes longer to inspect and prep.

John Byrne's Superman material has been oft-requested and let's just say, I have ideas.

LEGENDS is currently out of print but on a short list of works we're thinking of putting back to press. Opinion?

I believe I addressed DC and comics on CD-rom earlier this thread. It's something we've thought about but haven't figured out a plan that we think works both from a long-term user standpoint or economic benefit.

Superman Archives will see another volume in 2003.

Superboy Archvies is currently off the schedule and will return as soon as possible. Let's table future discussion/debate/speculation on this, okay?

The Master Plan for the Archives was created when the format was conceived lo these many moons ago. It has been continually refined as the market changed and as we got deeper into our library. When it was first conceived, I doubt anyone thought we'd do a Black Canary or Enemy Ace. However, both have performed well. Our goals for the Golden Age and Silver Age material differ a little and we continue to revisit when we're getting too current (as seen in the debates over NEW TEEN TITANS). Each year when we sit and form our plan, we revisit our goals and tweak as necessary.

posted December 12, 2002 11:59 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
LEGENDS is currently out of print but on a short list of works we're thinking of putting back to press. Opinion?

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If you mean the 6 issue Legends mini from late 80's, this is when I pretty much hopped on the DC bandwagon, so I have very fond memories of this. I recall petulantly declaring to my comics friends that "Legends was WAY better than Crisis!" So of course, I would love to see some sort of TPB of this. Or HC, preferably. How about an Archives to really piss some people off? (Just kidding!!!!! )

quote:

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Superman Archives will see another volume in 2003.

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Yippee!!!! I assume this is Superman #6, and not a vague reference to a general Superman-oriented archive?

quote:

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Superboy Archvies is currently off the schedule and will return as soon as possible. Let's table future discussion/debate/speculation on this, okay?

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Consider it tabled!