posted December 28, 2002 02:09 PM               

And then there are things like Big Little Books (these are less likely I know, but I’m asking anyway) and Captain Marvel's hybrid book/comic book (from what I understand of it), "Captain Marvel's Story Book" which ran 4 issues. Any plans for any of these items? Have they even been mentioned?

-Steve

posted December 29, 2002 03:51 AM            

One more reason for a humor archives! Most of us on the board are baby boomers or close to it - think back to how you got into comic books in the first place. Did you start off by reading superman and batman? Chances are you did not - chances are you got into comic books by being gently introduced to them through humor books like Archie, Richie Rich, Casper, Little Lulu, and Sugar and Spike or the Three Muskeeters. I still have a vague memory of a long-lost Three Muskeeters comic book from when I was very little. Who knows how many future comic book readers might be drawn to comic books as a hobby if DC published a humor archive?

posted December 29, 2002 09:19 PM            

The 2 Part Question
1)a)Will the beginning of Geoff John's run on The Flash be collected for a TPB (this would be the Wonderland storyline which runs from The Flash #'s 164-169)?

b)If so, when could it be expected to come out?

posted December 30, 2002 12:26 AM            

I'm indexing Supergirl Archives Vol. 1 for the Grand Comic Book Database. The volume includes a house ad promoting Action Comics #252. The table of contents doesn't give the source for this ad. I assume it appeared in various DC comics cover-dated May, 1959, but do you know which comic was used as the source for the reprint?

Thanks,

posted December 30, 2002 08:51 AM               

We've been fixating on Mayer material here because many of us believe his stuff is perfect to really give DC Humor the best chance for success. "pearls before swine", so to speak :-}

Jim

posted December 30, 2002 09:09 AM               

Wonder Woman is nowhere near as strong a seller as Superman and Batman so we need to pick our contents especially well. Right now, the DIANA PRINCE notion is fine to you and me but may flop as totaly alien to people at Borders or Amazon. Our book buyers tell us their readership prefers current material with contemporary art. Which means a lot less interest in the nostalgia that the direct market likes.

Haven't seen the Compendia so I have no opinion yet.

The comics pages can be scaned directly from digital files or printed archive pages for CD-Rom. However, we have discussed things to enhance the viewing experience which might require additional modifications. Again, it's all talk so there's no knowing what the final product will be ike when and if it ever happens.

As I stated before, the contents of the trades collecting current monthlies, including JSA, is intended to present readers with complete stories, not be Archive-like collections with all chronological comics collected. Therefore, we have no place at this time for either JSA ANNUAL or JSA: OWAW.

Similarly, Geoff's run of THE FLASH probably should have been collected from the beginning but wasn't and we're just running to keep up with the current stories.

Well, there's the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Dynamo statue that's no out. Figures may or may not happen.

To me, the only really nice work in SEA DEVILS were the covers. They are not high on anyone's list for Archive treatment. Viking Prince has more of a chance but again, there are a lot fo other Silver Age properties that have higher demand.

The Supergirl Ad is a mystery to me. The book was produced while I was away from DC and I haven't found any records. Sorry.

posted December 30, 2002 09:33 AM            

Not to sound like the broken record
(yay, vinyl!) that I am , but has there been any more discussion re: The Golden Age Sandman Archives?

I'd really love to see vol. 1 before 2004-'05.

Thanks again!

posted December 30, 2002 11:42 AM               

Bob, "Jack Benny" just reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask. What about things like promotional comics in the Archives? Books like Superman-Tim and the various Wheaties Giveaways? Captain Marvel alone had (that I know of): Captain Marvel: Guardian of the Polls, Captain Marvel and the Good Humor Man #1, Captain Marvel and Billy's Big Game #1, and Captain Marvel and the Lieutenants of Safety #1-3.

And then there are things like Big Little Books (these are less likely I know, but I’m asking anyway) and Captain Marvel's hybrid book/comic book series (from what I understand of it), "Captain Marvel's Story Book" which ran 4 issues. Any plans for any of these items? Have they even been mentioned?

-Steve

posted December 30, 2002 03:56 PM               

1. I really disagree with the idea that humor archives won't sell. DC had some great digests in the early eighties that had humor stories (Sugar & Spike).
I say these should be tried. They can't be anymore obscure than Enemy Ace.

2. PLEASE finish Starman. This is the one sore spot in the entire archives line. Just do it and market it along with new Starman action figures and a new James Robinson hardcover Starman book with are by Harris. This will work

3. I like the idea that you are saving the Silver age Superman. No sense doing everything at once. Please continue the GA Supes and Bats titles

4. New Teen Titans - I would love to see this continue. I would also love to see the original Teen Titans in archive form.

5. Tie some more archives in with action figures like you did with Sgt Rock and Enemy Ace. This was a good idea in my opinion

6. Please continue with the archives that you have started. GA Flash, Supergirl, Atom, Hawkman, Blackhawk, Doom Patrol, Enemy Ace, Sgt Rock all need 2nd volumes

7. Try marketing to a new audience. don't just advertise in comic books

posted December 30, 2002 06:45 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
Viking Prince has more of a chance but again, there are a lot [of] other Silver Age properties that have higher demand.

---

Okay, you've forced me to say this.

I will accept the fact that I ahve to buy one each of Adam Strange Archives, Original Teen Titans Archives, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen Archives and Silver Age Superman Archives before I can buy Viking Prince.

And I'm not gonna miss future volumes of JLA.

I promise.

And so does every body else in message board land.

(That's at least 3 people at $250 a head )

NOW can I get a Viking Prince Archive. . . Pretty please. . . . .????

posted December 30, 2002 11:04 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
Similarly, when we start something in sequence, we make an editorial commitment to it. Therefore, it's not likely we would leapfrog the numbering. That's one reason behind starting Dynamic Duo Archives as opposed to skipping ahead from Batman Vol. 4 to, say, Vol. 19.

---

In general, I agree with this philosophy. However, I'd like to point out that The New Look was an intentional break with the past. Isn't that why it was called The New Look? I'm less familiar with GA Flash and GL, but I think that later volumes of these series are best seen as volume 10 (or whatever) rather than volume 1 of GA GL: The New Look Years (or whatever).

Having said that, I appreciate the problems inherent in dealing with the GA GL Flash/GL situation, as well as Aquaman, Green Arrow, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

And just for those who think these slots are only in my head,

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
but there are only so many slots....

---

posted December 30, 2002 11:26 PM               

And it's good to hear that War Story collections are being considered, at least. I'm looking forward to them, when their time comes.

posted December 31, 2002 05:15 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Donna Troy Fan:

I like the idea that you are saving the Silver age Superman. No sense doing everything at once. Please continue the GA Supes and Bats titles

---

posted December 31, 2002 09:05 AM               

Glad you guys like the dialogue exchange as much as I do. Better yet, I can't wait to see your reaction at some of the stuff still to come.

posted December 31, 2002 10:47 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lee Semmens:
I see no point in "saving" the Silver Age Superman for the future, because even if DC only commence it from circa-1958 it will take many, many years to get through this massive amount of material, even at the rate of one volume a year - by the time they reach 1970 the 1970s issues of Action and Superman will be a lot harder to come by then they are now, I believe. On one of these threads, someone, probably Owen (or srca1941?), indexed the SA Superman Archives, and, if I recall correctly, came up with over 20 volumes!

---

posted December 31, 2002 10:49 AM               

In connection with the Raelian sect of alien true believers, the Marvel Masterworks Message Board would like to announce the cloning of Bob Greenberger! An exact DNA replica of Mr. G. will return to work at Marvel and head up the Masterworks and collected editions and be as helpful answering questions about their inner workings on my message board as he is about dealing with the DC Archives on this message board.

Ridicule me if you wish, but this is true science and in ten days I'll have the proof!

No, seriously, we miss you over there, Bob! None of the people at Marvel seem very interested in promoting, pumping up, and getting people excited about their product....well, I guess because there is no product.

BTW- I am very excited to hear about upcoming projects- did somebody say Charlton?!?!?!?!

posted December 31, 2002 03:06 PM               

--The Hostess ads would be fun, but overall I think the promotional comics are a bad idea for the archives. Why bring down a great book like New Teen Titans with those lame drug-abuse comics? I don't remember the art, but I do remember the book was not at all well received in my school at the time, even with comic fans.

Joe