Omnibus/OHC Graphic Novel Collectors discussion
Comic Reading Discussion
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What have you added to your collection recently?
Lazarus is great. I recently read both HC volumes and loved them. If you jump in I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Odd question. I'm having trouble getting Invisibles Deluxe Book 4, it's going out of print. Should I hold out for it, possibly pay retail, or sell 1-3 and get the omnibus?
Invisibles Deluxe 4 is in stock on Amazon for $25.99
Better spine handling on the deluxe.
Good looking out, Joe. Cheese, true. The glued binding is pretty tight but seems strong enough for the lightweight books. I watched a few YouTube videos and the binding on the omnibus is...interesting. Seems like a "perfect" version doesn't exist. Too bad Vertigo can't make OHCs like Image, nor omnibuses like Marvel : /
I'm planning on getting the Doom Patrol omnibus soon (on a Morrison kick) so that'll be my intro to Vertigo omnibuses I guess.
Mod
I think if you enjoy Morrison's wacky stuff like the Invisibles and can just go with it, you'll probably like DP. I've read enough of his stuff to know I'm safe buying it blind.
I've read the doom patrol omnibus and like with most Morrison stories, the first few volumes are brilliant and then it becomes too whacky. It's like he has these whacky dreams and puts them on paper when he wakes up, which is cool don't get me wrong, but sometimes he just takes it too far. It's a huge omnibus as well, but the spine copes quite well and the cover artwork is beautiful underneath the dust sleeve.I think their earlier stuff, before Morrison, is supposed to be better, i'd love to check that out one day and I recently see that the Silver age Doom patrol omnibus is coming out so i've got it on my wishlist.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/140127355...
I'm not sure what the criticism is of The Invisibles and Doom Patrol Omnibus construction; it's virtually identical to the Marvel Omnibus editions... the only difference I've noticed seems to be that Marvel leaves the binding a bit looser than DC Omnibuses tend to be.From a review on Amazon.com of The Invisibles Omnibus, which I thought summed it up well:
"ABOUT THE EDITION:
This Omnibus is definitely gorgeous, with a very solid sewn-binding that makes the book lay flat on the table (quite like the Marvel Omnibus editions) and allows for a comfortable reading (that is, for a monstrous 1500-plus pages book, of course!). This looks like the kind of book that will last for a lifetime: the high quality sewn-binding seems to be able to sustain multiple readings without any risk of damaging it. However, this book is stiffer to open than the Marvel Omnibuses. Marvel Omnis feature more flexible bindings, thus making the reading experience a bit more comfortable. The gutter loss in this book is almost nonexistant, even in the middle pages, so the art can be fully appreciated.
The paper stock is heavy weight and glossy, you don't see the art through the pages. The printing quality is great as well, with pristine reproductions of the multiple artists' work. I'm also very pleased with the overall design of the book: the new cover by Brian Bolland looks great and the design of both the dustjucket and the hardcover under it look amazing. The interior design is very well-done too."
There's also pics, comparing it with a similar-sized Marvel Omnibus, which you can find here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Compared with most DC & Marvel books, the paper stock is excellent and the binding is solid. It uses the same sewn binding using a tough spine/signature-card and cloth headband that all the Marvel Omnibus editions use.
They're both Smyth-sewn, like the Absolutes and Artist's Editions, one of the best binding methods available, which is AKA "'sewing through the fold', where the signatures of the book are folded and stitched through the fold. The signatures are then sewn and glued together at the spine to form a text block." (Wikipedia)
Using glue to reinforce sewn binding is common. There's plenty of art-books that use heavier-duty kinds of Smyth-sewn binding, and the Absolute and Artist's Editions seem like they might be a bit higher quality, but using tougher, thicker paper makes for more solid binding, and it's hard to compare a 400 page book with a 1500 page omnibus. Just my opinion, of course; a lot of this is no doubt subjective. :)
Donovan wrote: "That's true, I've finished reading Fear Agent at 900 odd pages and have only read the first three trades of Black Science and Low. That being said, I think the former accomplishes far more and soon..."You really, really, really should check out Uncanny X Force. I loved Fear Agent, but I still think UXF is better. Probably.
Eisnein, thanks buddy. That in-depth info is extremely helpful. I noticed in YouTube videos that it was sewn/glued, which as you say is pretty standard. My concern was the book laying flat (which videos show doesn't happen until at least a hundred or hundreds in, depending on each book), the spine/binding bearing awkward angles because it isn't flat (seen in an "Invisibles binding" video), and the combination of those potentially causing pages to fall out, which I can't attest to because I've never owned an omnibus of that size nor had a book fall apart, period. If it's sewn I'd imagine it would take some extreme reading (or misreading) for that to happen, right? So it was mostly the binding and the simple weight (9 pounds?) discouraging me from getting into the omnibus.
All that said, if the binding is as good as you (and the reviewer) say, I have no hesitation, so thank you for that. I would really appreciate the higher quality cover and paper, as the covers and dust jackets of the Deluxes are easily prone to bends and tears. While the artwork isn't mind blowing, from Book 3 Phil Jimenez mostly draws and the clean artwork would look even better. The generally psychedelic nature of the book also just looks better oversized. I'll see how the four books look on the shelf and go from there. So thanks!
Lee, I've been wanting to read Uncanny X-Force for sometime. But the omnibus is of course OOP and very hard to find. Think I saw it on eBay for $230. But maybe I'll see if I can get the first trade and check it out in case they reprint! So far FA and Deadly Class are my favorites.
Yeah I only have the trades unfortunately, but it is still worth it to read the story. Judging by all the photos on here, it seems like just about everyone else has the omnibus. I'm crossing my fingers for a reprint one day. Maybe when the do the movie (if it happens). I wish they would put them up on Kickstarter or something and let people back the ones they want reprinted. I've not read Deadly Class as yet, but it is on my list to check out. I've liked everything else by Remender so far and it gets good reviews.
Marvel could reprint if they wanted, there just has to be demand for it.
Mod
I just received some gift money. Can't decide:
1) Be good and just keep it to cover all the stuff I already bought
2) Try and get a used copy of Absolute Final Crisis
3) Buy my first Gallery Edition: LOEG V1.
Decisions, decisions...
Nice haul. I know, I desperately want some Absolute books too but they're spendy!
I heard some complains about the built of Absolute Final Crisis. I can't remember the details, it was so long ago. I got Absolute WW by Azzarello vol. 1 not long ago, still waiting for it to arrive. Once it and my War of Kings Aftermath Omnibus arrive, i will put the haul picture with the rest of what i got :D
I got them two ozan. They are beautiful. Look forward to your photo.
Donovan wrote: "Eisnein, thanks buddy. That in-depth info is extremely helpful. I noticed in YouTube videos that it was sewn/glued, which as you say is pretty standard. My concern was the book laying flat (which..."
Thanks, man. :) The only difference, as I mentioned, was that Marvel binding was looser. That makes it easier to read for some, but I never lay books flat... with the exception of Japanese artbooks, which are often deluxe softcovers with a smyth-sewn binding and NO SPINE, though with a dust-jacket & Obi; it allows for true full-flat reading and very strong, esposed binding. If it gets loose, this makes it easy to tighten.
I prefer tight binding, since gutter-loss is not a concern, and binding tends to loosen over time.
BUT: My Marvel Omnibus collection is relatively new, in that they're all releases from the past few years, and I only have a few of them. Older Marvel Omnibus volumes might have had a better construction than the new ones, I have no idea.
I decided to boycott Marvel Omnibae after buying Hawkeye by Fraction and Aja. Loved the material, but it was a deluxe HC, not an Omnibus. {I've decided to break my Marvel boycott, since there's a few I want... my conviction crumbled fast. :) }
At 8" x 11" and 550 pages, it was priced at 100$ USD. For that, you could purchase:
-the 9" x 12.5", 670 pg. 'Absolute Top Ten'
-the 10" x 13", 1400 pg. 'Big Damn Sin City'
-the 9" x 13", 1000 pg. 'Fear Agent - Library Ed.: Vol. 1 & 2 (Volume 1 alone is larger, with better stock, and the same page-count as the Hawkeye Omnibus)
... and so on.
My full objections are noted here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[[EDIT: I now see that Marvel is releasing the Daredevil by Brubaker & Lark Omnibus as TWO 100$ books, a couple weeks apart, even though it's collecting 608 pages in Vol. 1, and just 472 pages in Vol. 2; they could easily have published both as one smallish-Omnibus of 1080 pages.
So again, Marvel is taking books in the same length, format, and quality that Image and Dark Horse consider deluxe hardcovers, calling them Omnibus editions, and charging twice as much. I'm back on the f@#$ Marvel boat. :) ]]
Odd Nerdrum's excellent collection of paintings, 400+ pages, also had an open spine, but no Dust Jacket to hide it. It was hilarious seeing other some of the other reviews before posting...
Firstly, idiots used the Book Review section incorrectly when they should have went to Feedback; then they were whining and bitching and cursing Amazon for sending them a clearly defective product!... despite the fact that the 'Odd' construction was mentioned clearly.
Blindzider wrote: "Just received Best of Spider-Man V1-5 and Spider-Man Back in Black (JMS volume). With the copy of The Other I bought a few weeks ago, I now have almost the entire run of JMS on Spider-Man (except f..."Tough calls; I'd like to pick up Absolute Final Crisis, Absolute Kingdom Come, and Absolute LOEG vol.2...
But I have to recommend the LOEG Gallery Edition for fans of LOEG and Kevin O'Neill's artwork. It's one of the best comics of the modern age, and seeing all the details at 12" x 17" make this the best way to experience the story. The B&W art gives it a more authentic fin-de-siecle vibe, and everything looks gorgeous. It's one of the nicest AE's, with all the Victorian ads and covers, including a full-color painted cover with the writing on a vellum overlay to compare it naked and adorned. O'Neill's work is period-ideal; the only other artists who might have matched his deceptively complex artistry on LOEG are Jeremy Bastian and Tony Millionaire... but they would have made it something very different.
Mod
If you have the other Absolute Crisis books it makes sense to pick up Final Crisis. :) And of course you can just wait a few weeks and there will be more new books coming out. :D
The Brubaker Daredevil omnibus books are reprints, so they are just printing them the same size they were when released. The price may have risen (I want to say they may have originally been $75 each). The books are good enough IMHO to easily be worth the price at 50 to 40% off of that $100 price. The Bendis and Brubaker DD run is still my favorite for the character.
Mod
I was a little disappointed when the LOEG Absolutes were announced. I know everyone likes to read Moore's full scripts, but I really just wanted V1 and V2 (and maybe even Black Dossier) in the Absolute size together in one book. I could have lived without the scripts.
Agreed O'Neill's art needs to be in that larger format. The Gallery Edition was kind of my way of getting the Absolute format. I'm leaning very heavily towards getting this. My curiosity with the Gallery/Artist Edition needs to be satiated.
Relstuart wrote: "Blindzider wrote: "Just received Best of Spider-Man V1-5 and Spider-Man Back in Black (JMS volume). With the copy of The Other I bought a few weeks ago, I now have almost the entire run of JMS on S..."
I don't have the other Crisis in Absolute. I mainly want Final Crisis because it's sort of a chapter to Morrison's Batman run.
Mod
The first Infinite Crisis on Infinite Worlds Absolute is pretty good looking with the Perez art on those large pages. :)
Mod
The first Infinite Crisis on Infinite Worlds Absolute is pretty good looking with the P..."
I'll have to research that more then. I seem to recall that's when Bruce comes back from the time jumping. I read Final Crisis so long ago it's hard to remember.
I have Crisis on Infinite Earths in the original slipcase hardcover, but it's not something I pull out frequently to look at. Agreed, though that Perez's art is nice and maybe if it was on a larger format I'd take a gander at it more.
I wouldn't mind having Infinite Crisis, because I do like Jimenez's art and actually enjoyed the story up to the end.
Now you are "making me" get all the Crisis Absolutes...
@Eisnein Re: Marvel omnibuses. I bought Doctor Strange Omnibus Vol. 1 a few months ago. Granted, it's 600 pages, on the larger side of OHCs, but retail is $75.00. Which is comparatively steep to Image and Dark Horse OHCs like you say, because I own both Fear Agent Library volumes and they are beautiful books at $50 retail each. Doc is sewn binding, lays flat, but that paper is thin! And I honestly find Marvel omnibuses lackluster on the shelf because they look identical. Whereas FA also has sewn binding, lays flat, and has paper so thick you think two are stuck together. And has killer design and covers. DC and Marvel definitely overprice their books with generally lower quality, with the exception of Marvel's binding. But it definitely depends upon the era in which the books were printed.
Re: Batman/Final Crisis. It's important in that it sets up the premise of Bats' death/time travel story arc explored in Batman RIP, Time and the Batman, and The Return of Bruce Wayne. If you don't know/remember what happens in FC then the those books won't make sense. I'd say FC, at least Bats' subplot, is vital to Morrison's Bat run.
That sucks. I'd imagine that Amazon would refund your money though...
Yeah, I've had sellers that've not sent the item I bought. If you cancel the order before it's shipped it should be easy. If they mark it as shipped you may have to wait a while before disputing it, but you should still get your money eventually.
Mod
I have not heard good things about private sellers on B&N by the way. Like they'll list items as in stock that are actually on back order. But hopefully you found a good seller.
Mod
Yeah, I decided to take a chance. I'm hoping if there is a problem B&N will help resolve it.
I added a picture to the collection photos of my Independent Publisher shelves.
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...
Thankfully, websites tend to lean in the buyer's favour whenever disputes are filed. Amazon especially are pretty good for sorting refunds for stuff like this, so Im not too worried.Nice collection, Blindzider. I'm debating whether to get the Martini edition of Parker or not. Its supposedly being reprinted this year, so hopefully we'll eventually get a vol 2.
Mod
Nice collecti..."
Thanks! Yeah, the scary part is if they don't give us V2. Then we'll need to track down the smaller hardcovers.
Nice shelves, man. Weird to see the blue variant of Deadly Class when mine is pink : ) I'm trying to get rid of Goon Library if you want 2 and 3.
Mod
Thanks, but I'm not sure if I even want my Goon V1. I see the appeal but it just isn't my taste. I'm trying to get rid of my Sweet Tooth V1-3.
I hear ya. I was into Goon for a while and then I just wasn't, ya know? Are your Sweet Tooths the Deluxes?
Mod
I also have the variant Deadly Class HC. I thought it would match better with some of books versus the pink color.
I agree we really need a Parker oversized volume with the rest of the Parker material. I hope it is in the works somewhere at IDW.
I realized Goon wasn't doing for me what other series were, as far as enjoyment goes. The artwork and world building are still incredible though. Heh, I don't mind the pink. I enjoy the whole spectrum of colors on my shelf.
Mod
They are. I put them on ebay once but no bites. I'll probably try again soon, slightly cheaper.
Send me a PM and we can talk prices : )
I'd been thinking about buying Goon but this thread gives me pause.
I'm glad that I bought/read them but I don't see rereading them. That's why I'm unloading what I have. It's dark, funny, weird, with great sketchy artwork and fantastic painted covers. I'd say start with the first trade and see what you think.
Maybe my sense of humor is more juvenile, but I love The Goon. I agree that the tone alternates quite a bit, but the way it's written feels like it fits together well in my opinion. The artwork alone is worth the price of the library editions.
Just ordered: First Ultimate collection of Ultimate Spiderman ( it came back in print recently, thank god as I had the 2nd one)
Hawkeye by Matt fraction OHC Volume 2
That's it for me until June when I go to New York on holidays for the first time! I'm very excited as I live in Ireland and there aren't many comic shops around unless you live in the capital of Ireland which is Dublin and they often have few hardcovers. Just to be able to see all these omnibuses and OHCs in one place will be amazing. Hope to spend a crap ton on comics and perhaps find a few gems. Can't wait!
Mod
I'd be interested if you want to message me.
Just received The Complete Phonogram today. I actually was intending to cancel my pre-order but Forbidden Planet shipped it early! Terrific quality and binding as expected from Image. Thick paper stock and terrific print. Hope to enjoy it as much as Wicked/Divine. Also got very lucky and scored a used copy of the Civil War Box Set for £80 (about $100 from Amazon Warehouse Deals). It was listed as 'good' condition but the price seemed amazing so I jumped on it. Turns out the outer box has seen better days but the books are all pristine with 8 of them still in shrink wrap. I'm thinking to trash the outer box anyway, I don't have the space and all I really wanted was the hardcover books anyway. Just mentioning this in case anyone else come across deals like this, that it may be worth a shot. It would be awesome to get the Secret Wars Box Set at that price but I doubt I'll see that luck twice!
Mod
Omnibus/OHC Graphic Novel Collectors
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I'd have to agree about comparing Black Science to Fear Agent. For Fear Agent, Volume 2 really elevated that entire story and Black Science isn't that far along yet. The glued binding is unfortunate but I think that's a result of the printing error the first time and Remender/Image couldn't/wouldn't pay for a second printing with sewn binding.
I also agree Remender's run on Uncanny X-Force was his best Marvel work (still hoping for an omnibus reprint.) Uncanny Avengers started well but I lost interest halfway. Didn't read Punisher, Venom was "ok". The first storyline in his Cap wasn't bad. He had big shoes to fill and I think if you take it on its own, it deserves a little more credit. After that arc, the rest of the run was terrible.
I'm still gathering opinions on Lazarus before I jump in...