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Author	Topic: Questions for Bob Greenberger
Bob Greenberger Member	posted November 18, 2002 09:37 AM Well, let's see... The Neal Adams books will be complete. Just because Neal had something reprinted a while back doesn't mean it will be left out. We're going for as complete a run down as possible. BUT, this is a book celebrating Neal's Batman. We do not intend to add the connective stories by others...those who are interested can go read Tales of the Demon. Meanwhile, our current schedule for 2003 calls for 20 Archive editions including Spirit, Tor, THUNDER Agents, et. al. Let the salivating begin. ------------------ Bob Greenberger Senior editor - Collected Editions IP: Logged
Pig Iron Member	posted November 18, 2002 09:51 AM Oooph, my wallet is getting thinner as you speak Bob. Hopefully there is an Adam Strange or Lois Lane in there somewhere..hint, hint. IP: Logged
GDL Member	posted November 18, 2002 10:05 AM I also hope that Sandman made the cut also for this year!!! ------------------ Proud member of Hal's Emerald Advancement Team Hal fans aren't going away...YOU "Get Over It"! Also co-founder of the Golden age Sandman club/group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goldenagesandman/ DEATH to the 90's Tinfoil Age Of Comics! Green Lantern 1940-1993, 2002-? IP: Logged
vze2 Member	posted November 18, 2002 10:08 AM Thanks Bob. Somewhere, I've stated that I really want a tentative schedule from DC. Your message is exactly what I'm talking about (20 in 2003, includes everything, not set in stone). This allows me to manage my budget. Thanks. IP: Logged
bob_r Member	posted November 18, 2002 03:22 PM quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: Meanwhile, our current schedule for 2003 calls for 20 Archive editions including Spirit, Tor, THUNDER Agents, et. al. Let the salivating begin. So basically you are saying I should set aside around $1,950 dollars for hardcover alone from DC. Sorry, but I haven't been picking up the Tor volumes. Then around another $2,100 for regular DC comics. Wow. I've never done the math for a whole year before. I know I go about $40-$50 a week for regular comics (DC and others), with the Archives thrown in as they come up. But I'd only done the numbers on a weekly basis for the budget. Never multiplied the answer by 52 before. IP: Logged
Marty Raap Member	posted November 18, 2002 04:41 PM Actually, that count is a bit disappointing for fans of the regular DCU Archives. If you figure at least 3 Spirit books next year, one Tor, one T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents (could be more) and one MAD (again, could be more), you're down to 14 books. That's the regular 12 plus 2, and we assume one of the extras will be Challengers (although we don't know for sure -- the two Challengers could even come out April/May, say). And I'm also not counting something like the Adams book in here against the 20 books Mr. Greenberger forecasts. I'm happy to get most of these other non-DCU books, so it's a small complaint, but I'd been hoping for 18 regular DCU Archives in addition to the non-DCU stuff. Perhaps the "regular" Archives will expand at least one slot when Tor is finished. IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted November 18, 2002 09:44 PM It's only disappointing because we've been playing with the idea of 18 for the past couple of weeks. Before that, 14 is pretty much what I'd been hoping for as a number for 2003. If it seems to be working, let's hope for 16 in 2004, and so on... IP: Logged
fbalkin Member	posted November 18, 2002 09:54 PM Hi, Bob, thanks for your nice note above. I was wondering if you could elaborate on the thinking behind not doing paperback(softcover) versions of the Archives. I'm guessing that there are other fans, who, like me, would pay $18-25 for a softcover compilation of TEEN TITANS(first series) 1-14, for example, but would not pay $45-55 for the same material in hardcover. Where's the downside of printing both versions? Unless there's a HUGE number of people buying the hardcover who would for some reason refuse to buy either version if there were two versions(unlikely - chances are, if they wanted the material, they'd buy one of the versions), I don't see the downside. - Frank Balkin IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted November 18, 2002 10:22 PM Without cutting in on Bob's ability to answer, I can think of a few reasons: First, as most of us are familiar with by now, archives collecting more recent material help to subsidize the ones containing older stuff that requires a lot of expensive art restoration. It's therefore essential that all of them be priced the same. Just putting a hard cover on a book costs the publisher very little--a dollar or two, maybe. One dollar cost to DC probably translates into roughly five dollars more retail price (a dollar extra production cost, a dollar more profit for DC, fifty cents for Diamond Distributors, and two and a half bucks for the store owner). Would you buy a $45.00 paperback? A $40.00 one? Dropping the price further than the actual reduction in production cost as it is magnified through the distribution system would constitute an incentive for customers to wait for the trade paperback and could well destabilize the whole program. Most hardcover books are either high-profit items for the publisher (that's if they have high sales) or have very low print runs and might not in themselves be worth doing without a paperback version that follows. Taken as a group the DC Archives carry their own weight; it wouldn't do to inquire too closely into the individual profitability of particular volumes--your favorite might disappear. And then there's the question of what the DC Archives are: a high-quality, permanent edition of historic material, suitable for libraries and able to take heavy wear. It's no accident that except for relatively few high selling books, publishers let hardcovers go out of print when (or shortly after) the paperback edition comes out: there simply isn't room in the market for two existing editions of most books. It's almost certain that paperbacks would drive hardcover DC Archives out of print. And DC (and I, and I hope you) want them to stay in print as long as DC exists. IP: Logged
superstar Member	posted November 18, 2002 11:41 PM quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: Well, let's see... The Neal Adams books will be complete. Just because Neal had something reprinted a while back doesn't mean it will be left out. We're going for as complete a run down as possible. BUT, this is a book celebrating Neal's Batman. We do not intend to add the connective stories by others...those who are interested can go read Tales of the Demon. Meanwhile, our current schedule for 2003 calls for 20 Archive editions including Spirit, Tor, THUNDER Agents, et. al. Let the salivating begin. Did I just hear that there'll be a THUNDER Agents volume 2? IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted November 19, 2002 02:22 AM quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: ...our current schedule for 2003 calls for 20 Archive editions including Spirit, Tor, THUNDER Agents, et. al. Let the salivating begin. If we assume three Spirit volumes and one each of Tor, Mad and THUNDER Agents, and in the absence of any new projects, that would leave 14 DC Universe Archives. I'm assuming the Neal Adams Batman volume doesn't count as an Archive. We know about: Aquaman 1 Dynamic Duo 1 Spectre 1 Challengers 1 Challengers 2 Legion of Superheroes 12 We can probably safely assume: All-Star 9 Plastic Man 5 We've been told there will be a Golden Age Batman volume. I'm guessing it'll be Dark Knight 4, though I'd rather see Batman 6 myself. That's nine. So, five more, presumably 3 Golden Age and two Silver or newer. My guesses are: GA Flash 2 GA Hawkman 1 Superman In World's Finest 1 (or possiblySuperman In Action 4) Atom 2 Justice League 8, although the two SA selections are as much my own preference as anything else--Hawkman 2, Supergirl 2, or even Sgt.Rock 2 or Enemy Ace 2 would make just as much sense. I think it's too soon for Doom Patrol 2, Green Lantern 5, Flash 4, Shazam! 4 or Wonder Woman 4. Hawkman 1 is based on what I think is very heavy reader demand. Besides, I don't think DC wants to give us all the big surprises and innovation in the first half of the year. And I'm ignoring the possibility of Superboy 1 until we hear that the material has all been collected. Once again, impeccable logic. So it's probably entirely wrong. IP: Logged
Lee Semmens Member	posted November 19, 2002 05:15 AM I am pretty much in agreement with you, James, though personally I would rather see Dark Knight #4 than Batman #6, and definitely Superman: Man of Steel #1 (Silver Age), plus Adam Strange #1, instead of Atom #2 and JLA #8, as I have all the relevant original issues of the latter two archives (not that I am saying they shouldn't be archived - I would rather see some other SA material archived first). I am still hoping against hope for the long promised Superboy #1 - but I am not holding my breath. IP: Logged
vze2 Member	posted November 19, 2002 05:45 AM I think we'll see 2 or 3 Superman related titles. Superman in World's Finest or World's Finest 3 definitely if the new Superman and Batman book comes out in 2003. I think Hawkman 2 has a better chance than Atom 2. Hawkman has a hot series (with a TPB coming out). Vol. 1 came out before Atom 1. Doesn't Hawkman need to catch up so that they will be about even when they get to Atom and Hawkman? I think this will edge out GA Hawkman. All 5 of your choices are high on my list, so I won't complain. 14 total is good for my budget. And they'll never increase production enough to print everything I want. IP: Logged
Donna Troy Fan Member	posted November 19, 2002 11:26 AM 14 is a great number. 18 sounds great but my budget would be strained. When you think about it 2 of the archives are the slimmer $40 Challengers. Aquaman 1 Dynamic Duo 1 Spectre 1 Challengers 1 & 2 Legion 12 All-Star 9 Plastic Man 5 GA Batman of some type That is nine. 5 that haven't been named yet. My guesses JLA 8 Supergirl 2 Action 4 GA Flash 2 hopefully Shazam 4 or GA Hawkman 1 IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted November 19, 2002 12:15 PM I doubt that we'll see more than five #1 volumes, and we already know about four of them, three of which are Silver Age. My guess of GA Hawkman as a possible fifth was based on its being hands-down the most requested Golden Age volume around here, as well as the success of the current Hawkman series. IP: Logged
Bob Greenberger Member	posted November 19, 2002 04:56 PM Let's be clear: there will be only ONE Challengers volume in 2003. One of the news sites misspoke. And no, the Neal Adams collection was not included in the 20 count. Management has maintained that these Archvies are preserving our history in Library-quality volumes. We're making a commitment to these collections, as are you, and we do not think there may be as viable a market for softocver editions. In fact, it may hurt some of the more marginal series should people stop buying them in favor of the softcover edition. The question comes up repeatedly but each and every time it gets voted down. Should economics, markets and demographics change, then one day the answer may be different. Hints have been duly noted. You guys will just have to be patient. Meantime, I have some trades to worry about. ------------------ Bob Greenberger Senior editor - Collected Editions IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted November 19, 2002 05:21 PM Cool. I'd like to have all the Kirby Challengers right away, but more diversity is always nice, too. So that leaves room for another volumes. I suppose Teen Titans has to be considered a strong candidate; I don't care about it myself, but it's pretty likely. IP: Logged
Rob Staeger Member	posted November 19, 2002 06:34 PM Thanks for setting us straight on the Challengers, Bob. And I noticed a nice selection of trades in the February solicitations. It's good to see the new editions of older trades, and the new collections of older books like Shade that missed being reprinted the first time around. Rob IP: Logged
Mike Falcon Member	posted November 19, 2002 07:01 PM quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: Let's be clear: there will be only ONE Challengers volume in 2003. One of the news sites misspoke. Great! The chances of me buying this have just gone up. But I still don't like the smaller size. I may abstane just to protest. quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: Meantime, I have some trades to worry about. That's right! Back to the mines!!!!! IP: Logged
vze2 Member	posted November 19, 2002 07:55 PM quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: We're making a commitment to these collections The difference between Archives and Masterworks. quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: Hints have been duly noted. Thanks for noticing my subtle hint that we need The Brave and the Bold Archives 1-3 featuring the first 24 issues. I won't bother to mention that it features Kubert, Heath, and Novick. Or that these 3 volumes are at the absolute top of my want list. quote: Originally posted by Bob Greenberger: I have some trades to worry about. I've been wondering about trades and other hardcovers. It seems logical to me that you decide on an approximate number of Archives to produce each year and then try to fill the slots. Is this procedure used for the trades and original hardcovers as well? If so, what is the approximate number of slots available? In your decision-making process, do you distinguish between modern trades and older material (Batman in the Fifties, etc.)? By the way, I just saw the cover to Sea Devils 5 today. You have got to find a way to reprint this series in some format (in color please). IP: Logged
vze2 Member	posted November 19, 2002 07:59 PM quote: Originally posted by Mike Falcon: Meantime, I have some trades to worry about. quote: Originally posted by Mike Falcon: That's right! Back to the mines!!!!! He's just saying that in case Paul's lurking. IP: Logged
NickDanger Member	posted November 19, 2002 08:53 PM Like everyone else here, I want to thank Bob for taking the time to respond to these posts. It shows that DC really does care about what we�re thinking. I�m slightly disappointed that the Adams� books won�t have some parts of the Ra�s Al Ghul saga, but I more than understand the rationale. Hopefully, we�ll get to see a reproduction of the cover Neal did for �Limited Collector�s Edition� in the late �70s. I don�t want to bug Bob with this, but does anyone know what the frequency of these books is going to be? Around fourteen DCU archives this year? Hmmm, maybe I�ll still be able to get them all. One of the possibilities that I don�t anyone has mentioned is a �Superman: The World�s Finest Archives�. With the Batman volume recently out, I think it�s only a matter of time before big blue gets his turn. It�s been awhile since we�ve seen a Superman solo volume. ------------------ "I thought 'Kid Rock' was a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes..." IP: Logged
Marty Raap Member	posted November 19, 2002 10:11 PM A question (or three) for Mr. Greenberger -- as it is now clear we're not getting the two Challengers volumes released in proximity to each other, can you explain the thinking behind making the volumes thinner and cheaper? Does this foreshadow a permanent change in format (size/price)? If it was just a desire to complete Kirby in two volumes, why not accomplish that goal with two regular-sized volumes in which some non-Kirby stuff was included in volume 2? IP: Logged
gmp Member	posted November 20, 2002 12:11 AM Posted by vze2 --------------------------------------------Thanks for noticing my subtle hint that we need The Brave and the Bold Archives 1-3 featuring the first 24 issues. I won't bother to mention that it features Kubert, Heath, and Novick. Or that these 3 volumes are at the absolute top of my want list. By the way, I just saw the cover to Sea Devils 5 today. You have got to find a way to reprint this series in some format (in color please). -------------------------------------------- I couldn't agree more about THE BRAVE & THE BOLD, although I have to admit, my main reason for wanting it is for Kuebert's VIKING PRINCE. As for Russ Heath, I feel his artwork on SEA DEVILS is the best thing he's ever done, as well as being my all-time favorite Silver Age art. It's at the top of my archive wish list, and I'm amazed more people don't seem to be pushing for it. I suppose it's because they haven't been reprinted before, and not that many people are aware of it. Glenn IP: Logged
segaboi24 Member	posted November 20, 2002 03:28 AM few things 1.what were neal adams batman issues? exact numbers would be great 2.not so much a question,just speculation on 2003's archives(like i'm behind enough already without more coming out lol) i think a new green lantern might be a possiblity,i doubt plastic man vol.5 will appear,i think it's too close to vol.4 being released.i'm hoping for all star archives 9,i guess this will reprint 39-43?i wouldn't mind seeing a dark knight and batman archives.the batman archives go too slow because those early issues had so much content and 5 issues is all the space can take.wouldn't mind justice league vol.8 Jess IP: Logged

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