Read & COLLECT THESE BOOKS
By Alex Ness
April 30, 2025
Times have changed, and in the present all the comic book reading public and well aimed collector or investor buyer have so many options that they should never be stuck for something to read, and to revel in. This article considers some interesting DC and tangential imprint works for TPB sales, and then I am going chat a bit about Elseworlds from DC with repeated read potential, from the first to others I only read in the 2015s and above. The combination of the two focuses exclude Image, Dark Horse or Marvel, but does include Fawcett from the 1950s, and Eclipse from the joyous 1980s and 1990s. Next time I do a tpb request, it will be for more Indies or whatever I decide to cover, or not. I do plan to write about the Godzilla vs Marvel books out on the stand currently.
A TPB list of books to do:
The world of comics went from single issue and collections were rare, to single issues and numerous collected versions of the series or mini series in hardcover, softcover. Also, larger collections of important or popular works of recent and vintage age allowed publishers to remind collectors and readers of some of their best works. The owners of the intellectual property, (publishers, owners of the trademark and copyright, original creative) are obviously also able to benefit from new sales from older works.
This article includes a long forgotten or uncollected work that has collector interest from the people who can't afford to collect, nor even read the original comics. Most of my previous articles were more about new comics or mini series that finished and had a built in need, to collect them for various reasons.
Automatic Kafka By Joe Casey & Ashley Wood Wildstorm/DC
I am a big fan of the artist, and the writing of this comic was quite fun. The character Kafka is an android who was once part of super hero group, and his then desire to experience trying to know human life. He attempts to experience human experience and exist through drugs, sex, fame, and more traits and behaviors. This was enormous fun for me, as Ashley Wood creates a look that allows one to look at life, from an artificial set of eyes, by looking at life from their side of p.o.v. Wood creates moody and wild existence, as Joe Casey tells a story by questioning our distinctly human outlooks and views on outsiders, upon if the human p.o.v. is even good to have. I found it a wild ride, and one worth reading. And found it, especially disappointed to not continue along its path.
Arion Lord of Atlantis Paul Kupperberg & Jan Duursema, DC
This series had well told tales from a distant time far from the present. It is rather well done in the sense that for an adventure and fantasy work, it doesn't resort to tropes or fantasy cliche. The lead character, who is Arion, from the title. The stories allow magic, but a reasonable amount, not a limitless sort, and never so much that it makes every adventure have a happy without cost victory. The style of writing tells stories that are different than most and feel new. Jan Duursema's art makes this book worth buying, and due notice to the publisher, this title was fun and well done. Duursema did many Star Wars comics and her style always seemed a perfect accompaniment to the script. The story is centered in ancient Atlantis with no connection to the activities of the DC universe, until the Crisis on Infinite Earths. But I'd love a big collection of this.
Scarab John Smith & Scot Eaton, Vertigo/DC
This work began as an alternative take upon Golden Age Doctor Fate for Vertigo. The original character possesses magic powers, greater strength, flight and more. Eventually, as the early development went through different angles upon the character, so far that it was decidedly not about Dr Fate. As such, rather than start with a version of Fate that had little to do with Fate the creative team began an entirely new character concept. The character was dark, and was retired super hero. He was also a collector of unique and historic items. One gave Scarab a power, seeped in magic and ancient myth beings and events from the past. The art in this 8 issue run by Scot Eaton was absolutely lovely, and writing was such that readers would desire more tales in this setting. New entries and the original series in collected form have not appeared. It was spooky fun, and would fit well in the present.
Prowler By Timothy Truman & John K Snyder III, Eclipse
The pulp era of novels and heroes, allowed people to have a form of hero and story that played the same role as comics of their golden era. As such the character The Prowler is meant to be an analogue to the works of that present (80s - 90s). Truman and Snyder are able to catch a certain amount of excitement and nostalgia in their work. Snyder's work is more stylized and less detailed than Truman's own art, but Truman's writing allows readers to taste an era and enjoy it for its glory, but also, emotive character development. I'd glory in this, and know if it has been collected, it wasn't a big collection and yet to reach more people in the market.
Captain Marvel Adventures By many hands, Fawcett
This grouping represents a different reason for TPB or collected works. Some comics are great, some are fun if not particularly great in quality but... One reason to collect a far older work is not to tell people this was classic or great, but to pay attention to the portion of a comic run that didn't get reached over time. That is, many great collections are captured in 12 out of 50 or 100 issues, and don't keep being revealed, but follow a logic, that earlier editions will reach more people, than a dwindled number, due to the same reasons that many comics become cancelled. Few comics go on forever, so it makes sense that collections have followed a similar mindset. But that mindset is absolutely why expanded and dedicated collecting works have a valid purpose.
I've truly enjoyed many and at least liked all the Elseworlds DC comics I have read. They feature a setting and more, the characters who are playing each of the analogues found in the other world. Particularly, I have enjoyed the Batman takes that I've read. Others are fine but Batman's origins, character defects and abilities tend to shine. The art is never a complaint for me, and some were exceptional. Click the image and see for yourself who did these works, and appreciate what the creative talents did.
QUANTUM CON GO TO QUANTUM-CON.org
I'm a guest here, and will sell many of the new books that have come out over the last 2 years. Many will have their official debut at QuantumCon. If you want more details click the link, or send me a an email. I can be found at AlexanderNess63@gmail.com Don't send me spam.
CONCLUSION
I'll be back in a couple weeks. In the meantime, for all your printing needs, Matt at Speed Print Inc. is amazing.
My Poetry AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
This place Poplitiko.Blogspot.Com
Personal: AlexNessFiction.Blogspot.Com/
Social Media
https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderness63.bsky.social
https://x.com/alexnesspoetry
or the published works, with my words and reviews remain my own. 2025© No copyright infringement intended.
No comments:
Post a Comment