posted January 19, 2003 09:37 PM               

In an issue of Wizard: The Comics Magazine from a few months back (issue #132, Sept. 2002), there was an article about the 10 greatest comic book stories NEVER told. Counting backwards from 10 to 1, in first place at the end of the article, was about an unpublished Superman story done by Superman creators Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster in the 1940s in which Clark Kent would have revealed his secret identity to Lois Lane that he was really the Man of Steel (plus also introducing Kryptonite for the very first time).

The article ended stating that DC would never publish this story since all the events from the story have already happened in DCU continuity, but Wizard stated that perhaps one day it could appear in maybe a Superman Archives volume in the future. Former Flash writer Mark Waid was quoted ending the article saying that its an important part of Superman's history that should be seen (when he was working at DC, he found out about this story being in the archive vaults).

posted January 20, 2003 10:25 PM               

Others have gotten many of their questions answered, so I'll give it a shot.

1. Blackhawk. Any chance of a 80 Page Giant collecting Reed Crandell's Quality stories from the 1950's? That would seem a natural like your December Wonder Woman 80-Page Giant. Otherwise, it will be years before you get to this great Blackhawk material, like the first War Wheel story from Blackhawk #56. Hey, the Blackhawks and War Wheels made appearances in the animated Justice League "Savage Time." The time may be right for a collection. Is there any fear the racist depiction of Chop-Chop might make a Blackhawk collection less than $10 a Politically correct risk?

2. Speaking of the 80-page Wonder Woman from December, is there any chance that will lead to Silver-Age Wonder Woman Archives #1 reprinting Wonder Woman #98-105?

3. I love Westerns. Particularly Marvel and DC westerns. Any chance we could see Kanigher and Toth's Johnny Thunder in a collection? I see that is your best risk for doing a Western Archives. Bat Lash is another possibility, particularly since I hear collections of Bat do well in Europe. Just as an aside, are Archives marketed and sold in Europe, and how well do they do?

4. Whenever you do the solo Superman in World's Finest collection, could you please reprint Superman's Christmas Adventure. It was reprinted in the 1970's in an oversized edition, and it's just wonderful. Jack Burnley art. Supes saves Santa Claus from Meaney and Grouch. I have lovely memories of this story, and frankly I don't see where else it would fit.

posted January 21, 2003 02:23 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:

Yes, as the page counts drop on the later Golden Age comics, we will be able to fit more issues per volume. The goal is to keep the page count stable between 224 and 240, where possible. And yes, we have plans for more GA Batman and Superman beyond the WF material. Stay tuned for the formal announcements.

[/B]

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Bob - curiously - does that goal also apply to Silver Age and Modern Age comics? If so, is there a way we can ask you to see if the Legion archives can be expanded to around 240 pages instead of 200 pages per Archives? That is what it would make the money worth for me to buy it.

posted January 21, 2003 02:24 AM            

Here's hoping that you can answer my questions since you've answered to others already.

1) In the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Marvel Comics was publishing their Marvel Masterworks hardcover series of reprints, which ran for 27 volumes before they stopped it briefly.

During that run, Marvel also published two hardcovers in the Masterworks format, both reprinting Joe Simon & Jack Kirby classics: "Fighting American" (1989) and "The Kid Cowboys of Boys' Ranch" (1992).

Would DC Comics ever have any interest, or plans to get the reprint publishing rights to these books and collect them as new editions to compensate the old ones for being long out-of-print? Or would Marvel still own these publishing rights? Are there any plans by DC to do a Joe Simon & Jack Kirby Library collection like the Will Eisner Library and the Joe Kubert Library line of books?

2) Are there any plans by DC to revive the old reprint series of books, The Greatest Stories Ever Told line? I think some volumes are now going out-of-print, and no longer available to order even from the DC backlist thru Diamond Comic Distributors' Star System. All of the volumes that were done got the hardcover, then to paperback editions treatment at the time, except one volume, The Greatest Golden Age Stories Ever Told, which never even got the paperback treatment.

There was also an eighth volume from DC, back in 1992, The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told volume 2 (which was only published as a trade paperback). This second Batman volume reprinted only Catwoman & Penguin stories (tie-in for the second Batman film, Batman Returns). This volume has been long out-of print as well. Are there any plans to get this book to be available again?

If you can share some thoughts on these questions, that would be quite helpful. Thanks!

posted January 21, 2003 09:49 AM               

OK, from the top, somewhere back on page 24...

An Adam Hughes WW cover collection sounds need but as you know, we rarely do artist-centric books so this one is doubtful for now.

Will we do more Superman and Batman 80-Page facsimiles? Maybe. Our goal was never to put them all back into print. Similarly, we talked about the Supergirl in Action giants but they were kinda close to what might go into an Archives Vol. 2 so we stayed away to keep our options open.

When planning the facsimiles and "lost annuals" we look at the overall publishing line. I suggested the SUPERBOY #147 facsimile since it tied in with the release of the next wave of Legion action figures. For the "lost" chocies, we think back to the 1960s and wonder what else could have been featured? This one is usually gut-level thinking that occurs at the planning meeting.

Blackhawk Giant? Good idea. Steven Utley keeps asking for a Quality Giant so this fits the bill, to a degree.

Given the disappointing Millennium Edition sales, we are not planning a regular reprint series. And we really did let the fan voting pick the winners. It was exciting each month to see what would happen.

Aztek comes up in conversation from time to time. It was an underrated, and under-sampled series, if you ask me.

Yes, WildStorm handles their trades and the ABC books. Given the popularity, it's likely we'll see THUNDERCATS collections.

Given the discussion around here, I need to take a second look at the Waid and early Johns Flash stuff. Should something change, you guys will be the first to know.

What would I like to see from the 1970s-80s? Wein/Aparo Phantom Stranger, Fleisher/Aparo Spectre, Redondo's Rima, the JSA stuff as discussed elsewhere, the Suicide Squad (personal preference, natch), 'Mazing Man, Amethyst and I'm sure there's more.

The Siegel Superman story is not something I can discuss so let's drop this.

I find it hard to find a useful demarcation point between the GA WW and the SA WW. One could argue that when Wonder Girl and Wonder Tot start appearing alongside the Princess we have jumped eras. But that's a tough one. Right now we're not even discussing the option.

We'd love to do more westerns and we just might.

Well, had YJ stayed around, we might have looked to collect the recent story that ended with #51 or so, leapfrogging from the beginning. It's great stuff and will be fondly remembered.

The page counts are usually dictated by the content material For example, do we fill an Archive to logical break point in a continued story, if possible? Yes. Do we have to worry about material availability? Yes. No steadfast rule one way or the other so Dale approaches these one book at a time.

Simon & Kirby's non-Marvel titles? Classic stuff, some of which has still not been collected such as Bullseye. I think it's a great idea. Time will tell.

As for bringing back the Greatest Stories Ever Told, well, we're approaching those eras differently these days. The main reason is that the bookstore buyers say the majority of their customers prefer getting a big story, not an anthology. And the Batman Vol. 2 was tailored to Batman Returns being in release. There's little likelihood of it coming back to press.

posted January 21, 2003 10:28 AM               

I would buy TWO volumes of RIMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------
Rock a little,

posted January 21, 2003 11:16 AM               

I'd also *love* to see a "best-of" his work with Bob Haney on Brave & Bold--maybe timed to coincide with the Smith/Hester relaunch, if that ever happens. That cover with Batman and Wildcat facing off in the boxing ring while the Joker looks on is one of the most memorable images in Batman (and my personal) history. There are lots of cool Green Arrow team-ups from that run, (maybe even enough for its own trade) and some of the most pleasingly nonsensical scripts Haney ever produced.

Finally, I think there might be a market right now for Jim's second run on Aquaman starting in Adventure Comics and running into his relaunched title. These were some of my most treasured comics when I was four. Now that Aquaman is getting a new push, this would be the perfect time to bring these comics back into print--they're a lot of fun, and the Archives won't get to them for decades, if ever.

posted January 21, 2003 11:17 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:

Will we do more Superman and Batman 80-Page facsimiles? Maybe. Our goal was never to put them all back into print. Similarly, we talked about the Supergirl in Action giants but they were kinda close to what might go into an Archives Vol. 2 so we stayed away to keep our options open.

When planning the facsimiles and "lost annuals" we look at the overall publishing line. I suggested the SUPERBOY #147 facsimile since it tied in with the release of the next wave of Legion action figures. For the "lost" chocies, we think back to the 1960s and wonder what else could have been featured? This one is usually gut-level thinking that occurs at the planning meeting.

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I wonder...what ELSE is there besides Superman and Batman we could ask for? (To be honest, I love these, and especially want to thank you for the Superboy #147 replica!)

quote:

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Blackhawk Giant? Good idea. Steven Utley keeps asking for a Quality Giant so this fits the bill, to a degree.

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I DO think there was a Plastic Man collection (though, I'd rather see Blackhawk...or maybe some type of "Intro to the Freedom Fighters" type 1970s 100-Super Spectacular...like - "DC has just acquired these characters and plan to feature them in JLA 107-108"...wouldn't mind something similar for the Seven Soldiers of Victory (JLA 100-102) and the Squadron of Justice (JLA 135-137)...maybe something for when the JLA Archives get closer to those issues?...though I'd love to see these sooner...

quote:

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Given the disappointing Millennium Edition sales, we are not planning a regular reprint series. And we really did let the fan voting pick the winners. It was exciting each month to see what would happen.

---

quote:

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Aztek comes up in conversation from time to time. It was an underrated, and under-sampled series, if you ask me.

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quote:

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Given the discussion around here, I need to take a second look at the Waid and early Johns Flash stuff. Should something change, you guys will be the first to know.

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But how about anything PRE-Waid (basically, starting from Wally's first issue?)

quote:

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What would I like to see from the 1970s-80s? Wein/Aparo Phantom Stranger, Fleisher/Aparo Spectre, Redondo's Rima, the JSA stuff as discussed elsewhere, the Suicide Squad (personal preference, natch), 'Mazing Man, Amethyst and I'm sure there's more.

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Phantom Stranger as Archives starting from his first 1950s issues (though I COULD take the W/A PS as a TPB...); Fleisher/Aparo Spectre...maybe. Rima...yes please! Suicide Squad...well, any chance at the original 6 B&Bs? 'Mazing Man...this fan of the Answer Man thanks you! Amethyst...would be nice.

How about J'emm, Son of Saturn? Or a collection of Legion from the Levitz/Lightle era (say, 18, 37, 38 and 46-50...their final battle against the Time Trapper, including the Crisis issue just to introduce "the why" and that GREAT twist at the end of 50...), maybe a "Starman 0 TPB" with a collection of the run of Prince Gavyn Starman from Adventure, Mikaal's story from First Issue Special and Will Payton & David Knight's meeting from Starman (first series) 26 & 27...

quote:

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We'd love to do more westerns and we just might.

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quote:

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Well, had YJ stayed around, we might have looked to collect the recent story that ended with #51 or so, leapfrogging from the beginning. It's great stuff and will be fondly remembered.

---

Sigh...and speaking of Supergirl...hoping against hope for a collection of 75 through 80? (Saw someone else asking this on the Supergirl board...)

posted January 21, 2003 12:29 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by kid colt:
4. Whenever you do the solo Superman in World's Finest collection, could you please reprint Superman's Christmas Adventure. It was reprinted in the 1970's in an oversized edition, and it's just wonderful. Jack Burnley art. Supes saves Santa Claus from Meaney and Grouch. I have lovely memories of this story, and frankly I don't see where else it would fit.

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It was also reprinted in the DCU Christmas TPB. Excellent story, I must say. Easily one of the better stories in the book.

posted January 21, 2003 01:03 PM               

How about a new BLACKHAWK series?! I know this may not be the place to ask for it, but someone else brough ole Blackhawk up...

posted January 21, 2003 01:20 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Greenberger:
What would I like to see from the 1970s-80s? Wein/Aparo Phantom Stranger, Fleisher/Aparo Spectre, Redondo's Rima, the JSA stuff as discussed elsewhere, the Suicide Squad (personal preference, natch), 'Mazing Man, Amethyst and I'm sure there's more.

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May you live to be a thousand. And may all the other DC folks listen to you on every one of these. I have most of them, but I would love collections or better yet (esp. with Phantom Stranger and Spectre) hardcovers.

posted January 21, 2003 01:22 PM               

I would probably turn in half of my collection for a Tomahawk or Johnny Thunder Archive.

posted January 21, 2003 01:42 PM               

I would probably turn in half of my collection for a Tomahawk Archive or Johnny Thunder Archive.

posted January 21, 2003 02:02 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bgztl:
Although "COUGH COUGH" (a famous Western series I am told) and Bat Lash are great,

I would probably turn in half of my collection for a Tomahawk Archive or Johnny Thunder Archive.

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posted January 21, 2003 02:30 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by datalore:
Sigh...and speaking of Supergirl...hoping against hope for a collection of 75 through 80? (Saw someone else asking this on the Supergirl board...)

As always, thanks much!

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posted January 21, 2003 02:47 PM               

Bob, you hear any rumblings that Supergirl might not get the axe after all?

Another question- what's up with the five issue HC of Batman that covers the Loeb/Lee stuff. Isn't that a bit light for a DC HC? I also thought these five stories took place as part of a longer storyline.

Finally- any other HC projects coming up reprinting recent DC fare? Like perhaps another Green Arrow volume? Thanks for your time