Format of classics

[Aaron C]

Just wondering what format you prefer when reading the classics (if any) ie monthly 1st prints, 2nd prints, essentials, masterworks, other trade, etc.

I'm in the process of changing my original and uncanny x-men collections to masterworks and was just wondering if anyone had done the same, why or why not?

Being the collector I originally only wanted the original first printing of everything (still do for Spidey) but now not important any more.

[ACertainMrDoe]

...was my first emotion when I saw the Marvel Essentials in my comic shop. BW reprints? Bah. Ugly.

But now, after reading dozens of them, I LOVE the format. Color is less important than you might think - especially the extremely ugly, bad colorwork from the 60s.

But, I also collect the Conan reprints from Dark Horse with new coloring (and though some may think I'm crazy, I really think that these are astonishing coloring jobs) and like them a lot.

I would appreciate if even the newer comics from the 90s or this decade would appear in Essentials format.

[MDG]

My favorite is probably original books, but in "reading copy" shape, so if I should god forbid sneeze on it, it doesn't lose $50 in value.

But for conveneice, can't beat the Showcase/essential format. Just wish they reproduced full books (ads, letter pages, etc)

MDG

[Slam_Bradley]

essentials, other trade, etc.


This is pretty much all I buy now. I haven't purchased a new comic in nigh on ta seven years and haven't purchased a back issue in about the same amount of time.

There is so much bang for your buck in the Essential/Showcase books that it's insane to complain about the lack of color.

I buy quite a few other trades, but with the proviso that I don't pay over $5 for them. I'm cheap. And while that might seem limiting, I always have an enormous pile of unread trades.

[scratchie]

As Slam says, you can't beat the value of the Showcase/Essentials series. I've plowed through the entire Amazing Spider-Man Essentials set and never missed the color.

Generally speaking, I prefer to read comics in some sort of "book" format if possible. Sometimes it's fun to read old comics from my youth and get off on the old ads and bullpen bulletins, but the convenience of a collected format always wins out for me.

There are even some current titles that I buy in trade (or hardcover) format even though I've bought the individual issues, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy rereading them regularly (Fables, Ultimate Spider-Man, Exterminators).

I've also had some back issues bound into hardcover volumes at a local bindery. Last summer, I got three volumes bound:


Guardians of the Galaxy (origin tale through Marvel Presents #12)
Foolkiller miniseries
The work of Seth Fisher (Happydale, Vertigo Pop Tokyo, Batman: Snow, etc)


I'm currently acquiring a set of VF or NM Howard the Duck issues (boy, those prices have dropped!) for binding, and will probably get those bound along with the complete Hard Time once I find a third title to qualify for "bulk" discount.

[Cei-U!]

Although it's not a hard and fast rule, I generally follow this formula:

Golden Age DC - Archives
Silver Age Marvel - Masterworks
Silver Age DC - Showcases
Bronze Age Marvel - Essentials
Modern Age Comics - Trades

I do, however, have comics from all these periods as well as non-Big Two stuff in TPB.

Cei-U!
I summon the madness to my method!

[spoon_jenkins]

It depends. Generally, I prefer Essentials if they're available. I've stockpiled a bunch of Essentials over the past few years, because I love the value and the conveniece of having so many issues together so I can read through a run easily. It also let's me get into series that I'd be reluctant to get into if the issues were more expensive.

But if money were no object, I'd prefer color. I'm glad that I have color originals and reprints of my X-Men comics because that's my favorite series. It's also cool to read the letter pages. But I might even get Essentials of those someday, because they're so darn convenient.

[Jolly Mon]

One format no one mentioned is the DVD-ROM collections that Marvel has been putting out. You get full color, all the ads & letter pages, and the cheapest format around. The only downside is sitting at the computer to read them. But, since the only time I really have to read them is during lunch at work, and since I work on a computer and eat lunch at my desk, it works out pretty well. I've read 40+ years of Spider-Man & FF, and I'm in the middle of the Avengers. All three series for less than $150 is a real bargain. It would be hard to get all the Essentials for even one of the series for less than that, and you won't get a hernia carrying them around.

[benday-dot]

I prefer old school myself. To me there is nothing more aesthetically pleasing than the old monthly floppy. I always feel it lets me establish the most direct link possible to the times from which it emerged. I guess that's very important to me as I value the comic book as much for its ability to act as pop culture artifact as I do for its provisioning of many other great sources of amusement. I do not care about things like condition, first appearances, deaths of characters or whatever. Most of my floppies are in the Good to Very Good condition. If its conceptually intriguing I'm on board. I also should mention that I do have a fair amount of Essentials and some Showcases as well, and enjoy them to death. But its a rather utilitarian read for me compared to the my old musty monthlies.