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In the world of today's monthly comic books, there are more and more delays. Anywhere from 1 week to a couple of years. So many comic fans are just simply waiting for the Trade Paperback (TPB) to come out.
Basically what a TPB is a collection of either reprinted specific storylines or stories about a character, published in either a hardcover or soft cover format. This format also allows the comic publishers to get into more mainstream book stores like Barnes & Nobel or Borders.
My issue is, it seems just like every crappy stories are put into a TPB, and meanwhile a lot of great stories are just overlooked. Now with most of the publishing being digital, it's much easier to go from printing a single issue to printing a TPB. But still, the publishers really need to re-evaluate what gets made into a TPB.
In that vain, I've compiled a list of some stories that I think deserve the TPB treatment:
All-Star Squadron - # 1 – 67 (1981) – A great series by Golden Age master Roy Thomas. It created a new WWII super-team, made up of mostly lesser known Golden Age heroes like Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, & Commander Steel.
All-Star Squadron - Infinity Inc. – All-Star Squadron # 21 - 26 & Annual # 2 (1983) – This storyline 1st introduced Infinity Inc into the DCU.
Arsenal – Arsenal Special # 1 (1996), Batman Plus # 1 (1997), Arsenal # 1 – 4 (1998) – Before Roy Harper became Red Arrow, he was Arsenal. The 2 one-shots and the mini series really get into Roy's head. From getting out of Green Arrow's shadow, to being a father, and especially his past drug usage.
Batman vs. the Wrath - Batman Special # 1 (1984) and Batman Confidential # 13 – 16 (2008) – Here's a truly underrated villain. Before Grant Morrison's Prometheus, Mike Barr & Michael Golden created the Wrath. He was truly Batman's opposite number, but unfortunately died in his only appearance. But then, in Batman Confidential, Tony Benard & Rags Morales had the Wrath return. But like a lot of great DC characters, the Wrath got put in limbo again.
Batman / Hellboy / Starman - # 1 & 2 (1997) - James Robinson & Mike Mignola team up for this unusual & just plain incredible cross-over.
Blue Beetle - # 1- 24 - (1986) – Ted Kord just can't get a break. Before be became a joke in JLI and killed, Len Wein & Paris Cullins came out with this awesome solo series. This should be a must publish by DC.
Captain America: No More - Captain America # 327 - 350 (1987 - 1989) – I don't get why this storyline by Mark Gruenwald ever got the TPB treatment. It has Cap getting fired by the government for the 1st time, and introduces John "USAgent" Walker. Just one of Gruenwald's best.
Captain Atom - # 1 - 57 (1987) – With Captain Atom about to be a back-up feature in Action Comics, now's a great time to put his solo series in TPB.
The Defenders # 1- 12 (2001) & The Order # 1 – 6 (2002) – The return of the original non-team. Written by Kurt Busiek & Erik Larsen, the Defenders series reintroduces them to the Marvel Universe. Through the series, Doc Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, & Hulk end up being corrupted & take over the world. This leads into the series the Order.
Green Arrow: Where Angels Fear To Tread (1995) – Green Arrow # 0, 91 – 100 – This storyline introduces Connor Hawke & has the death of Oliver Queen.
Green Arrow: Brotherhood of the Fist - Green Arrow # 134 - 135, Detective Comics # 723, Robin # 55, & Nightwing # 23 (1989) - Connor Hawke teams up with Batman, Nightwing, and Robin to face the mysterious Silver Monkey. Connor is established as top martial artist. This is one of Chuck Dixon's best. He really shows his love for all these characters.
Last Days of the Justice Society Special # 1 (1987) & Justice Society of America - # 1 - 10 (1992) – This shows the demise & the rebirth of the original member of the Justice Society. Last Days is very grim, but it's still an important part of when the JSA returned in 1992.
Quasar & the Squadron Supreme – Quasar # 13 - 17 (1990) – When the Squadron Supreme TPB, Death of a Universe, came out, I was shocked that these important parts of the Squadron's saga storyline were left out. They need to be put into a TPB.
Superpatriot # 1 – 4 (1993) – A great mini from Image that never got produced into TPB. I find this funny, because the second Superpatriot mini was. Dave Johnson's art is just plain incredible.Now this list is far from definitive, but I believe it's a good start.
I know I'll have some more in the future.
2 comments:
This is a great list, particularly The All-Star Squadron ideas (yes, I'm very partial) - the only thing I would add to the #1-67 would be the 3 Annuals and JLA (vol. 1) #207-209 since that year's annual JLA/JSA team-up crossed over into TASS (#14-15).
Although, I'm still waiting for DC to also finish the "Crisis on Multiple Earths" volumes to finish out the classic JLA/JSA teams-ups, too... :-/
I would think that All-Star Squadron would be a prime candidate for DC's Showcase series, along with Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, and Starman (the one that preceded The most recent edition).
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