Essential Defenders V2

[scratchie]

So, apparently Essential Defenders V2 is finally on the release schedule from Marvel:

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Defenders-TPB-Marvel-Essentials/dp/0785121501/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_3/103-4129598-5379819?ie=UTF8

From the description: "Collects Defenders #15-39, Giant-Size Defenders #1-5."

But... there's only one problem...

Steve Gerber's legendary "Headmen/Nebulon" storyline continues into issue 40. And concludes in Defenders Annual #1. This volume will present the first ten installments of an epic storyline that many of us consider among the highlights of Marvel's 70s super-hero output, and then make us wait another year (at least) for the conclusion.

Now, I realize that this is going to be a large essentials volume. As listed, it comprises 25 regular issues plus five giant-size issues. That's got to be one of the largest Essentials volumes to date.

For comparison, Volume 1 (one of the thicker Essentials on my shelf) consists of 26 issues total (of which one or two of the Marvel Features are giant-size). Essential Spider-Man V3 (the only other Essentials volume I have easily at hand) consists of 22 regular issues and one giant-size annual.

But still, there must have been some alternative. Even for Marvel, whose piss-poor treatment of their book-collecting fans is extensive and well-documented, this is beyond the pale.

The sad thing is, I'll probably buy it anyway. It's easier and cheaper than getting my issues bound into a hardcover. But it just goes to show, that just when you think Marvel couldn't display any more contempt for their fans, they can always surprise you.

[Shellhead]

I suppose they could have published this second one minus a couple of the annuals, and then printed those in the next collection. Looking ahead, I'm hopeful that volume three manages to include the Day of the Defenders issues, because I'm not interested in any Defenders issues after that #64.

[Josh S]

Perhaps they've mistaken the Annual for one of the Giant-Size issues and just put 39 instead of 40 by accident. Then again, the latter would be a pretty strange typo.

Ah well, I was considering picking up Volume 1, but now I'm not so sure depending on release schedules.

[Beast]

Just remember, the information on Amazon.Com is just early information from Marvel. Until it's solicited in the actual solicits later this month it's not in set in stone. And even then it often changes. I doubt that Marvel would cut the storyline off for the Essential Defenders Vol. 2 release. ;)

[swinebread]

Yeah but it sounds like it has the whole team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy vs. Badoon! So I'm good to go. :D

[pmpknface]

I'm only at about issue 5 in the Essential vol, and I'm gonna just get the issues. Only need about 10 more to get from 14 (where vol 1 ends) an up! But I need 3 or 4 of the GIANT SIZE issues!

[Agentum]

well i have most of them after 33 so i get this one and after that i am going to read them all.

ok, it's in black and white, but its easier to lose the color in the 70s comics imho.

[scratchie]

Just to update, for anyone, including me, who was nursing outrageous fantasies about "-39" being a typo, that the online listing confirms the ridiculous sequencing of this volume:

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2006-12

The other thing I realized is that there's a storyline concerning the history of Valkyrie's host body, Barbara Norris, that starts in Marvel Two-In-One #6-7 and concludes in Defenders #20. It's not one of the highlights of Gerber's run but it does provide some humanization for Barbara Norris and introduces the Jack Norris character who became a regular for a while.

Marvel has double-printed crossover stories in multiple Essential volumes before, but this volume doesn't look like it got much attention. Readers of the "Essential" version will be dropped in 2/3 of the way through the story. It's particularly ironic because Volume 1 was particularly well-done, in the way it pulled together all the diverse stories that preceded the group's first official appearance. I read more than one review that cited Essential Defenders Volume 1 as an example of the strengths of the series, but based on the amount of preparation that this volume received, they might as well change the name to You Geeks Will Buy Anything.

Anyway, to wrap up this rant, I'm obviously leaning towards giving this volume a pass -- ironically, the Essential volume I've most been looking forward to, and one which I thought would be a no-brainer purchase. If you're leaning the same way, let me note that solid, readable copies of all these issues are all plentiful on Ebay and at your favorite online (or local) shops.

[DarthAstuart]

I picked this up from here: (http://p206.ezboard.com/fmarvelmasterworksfansitefrm1.showMessage?topicID= 7209.topic)

The Essential Defenders Vol. 2 TP (OCT062228D, $16.99) will now contain Defenders #15-#30, Giant-Size Defenders #1-#5, Marvel Two-in-One #6-#7, Marvel Team-Up #33-#35 and Marvel Treasury Edition #12, instead of the solicited Defenders #15-#39 and Giant-Size Defenders #1-#5.

Page count and price remain unchanged.

so it sounds like they fixed it.

[pmpknface]

Thanks for the info. Not sure if I'm getting that one now, as I have 90% of those books.

[scratchie]

I picked this up from here: (http://p206.ezboard.com/fmarvelmasterworksfansitefrm1.showMessage?topicID= 7209.topic)

The Essential Defenders Vol. 2 TP (OCT062228D, $16.99) will now contain Defenders #15-#30, Giant-Size Defenders #1-#5, Marvel Two-in-One #6-#7, Marvel Team-Up #33-#35 and Marvel Treasury Edition #12, instead of the solicited Defenders #15-#39 and Giant-Size Defenders #1-#5.

Page count and price remain unchanged.

so it sounds like they fixed it.Thanks for posting. That's good news, assuming it's accurate. Although this denies us the Headmen/Nebulon story until next time, that's the perfect place to cut it off, and it will mean Volume 3 will contain what many people consider the peak of the series (the aforementioned story and David Kraft's Scorpio story).