Green Lantern: HC or TPB?

[Elayis]

I'm really hyped about Blackest Night. However, the only GL story I've read is Rebirth at my library, so I'm going to be buying all of the trades to catch up.

My question is, should I get the trades or the HC's? I'm an HC man myself, but they seem so expensive. And they're not even oversized! Plus, when I was deciding on which version to buy, I realized that the trades were in-fact glossy paper, and not the matte/newspaper-style that all of the Vertigo trades have, which really has me tempted to buying trades.

My question is, which do you think is more worth it: the trades or the HC's?

Also, I just found a used copy of GL: Rebirth in HC, but it has a few tears and it's $35. Should I fork over the money for the HC, or just get the significantly cheaper trade?

Your input would be much appreciated!! :biggrin:

[Babylon23]

Rebirth is incredibly difficult to find in HC. I've been trying for a while now but it's no longer in print. So if you're looking for continuity of packaging on your GL collection then I'd recommend the trades. Not only are they chea[er but they're easier to find.

[Iron-boy]

In my opinion, that 35$ seems excessive, i'd say get the TPB for 10$ on amazon.com. Heck, get all the trades on amazon, it always 30% off cover, and sometimes free shipping.

[aut0matic]

i prefer all of my graphic novels to be in hardcover, too. sturdier, easier to read, looks better...

hc's are more expensive. that's why i never pay retail for them. get them on ebay. i've gotten some for as little as 4 dollars before, in mint condition. i, too have been looking for a decent copy of rebirth in HC, but i heard they're releasing an absolute version of it, so i'd much rather buy that than shell out twice what the book retailed for at release...

and when ebay fails you, amazon will save you about 30% off retail of almost anything. i hate to not give business to my LCS, but they can't compete.

[NickFury90]

Read Secret Origin is you don't understand everything. I'm in a similar situation as you(big Ultimate Marvel fan trying to get into GL because of Blackest Night hype).

[FanboyStranger]

I don't think that any of the Sinestro Corps War has been released in paperback yet, and those two volumes (three if you want the Tales volume) seem pretty essential towards the buildup of Blackest Night. I'm not keen on most of DC's HCs-- many of them seem like they may fall apart if you look at them too long-- and the Sinestro Corps HCs are no exception. (In contrast, Y: The Last Man, Deluxe Edition, vol. 1 has a wonderful paper stock that encourages repeat reading as does Ex Machina, Deluxe Edition, vol. 1.) I would pick up GL: Rebirth in paperback as you can probably find it anywhere.

[Elayis]

Read Secret Origin is you don't understand everything. I'm in a similar situation as you(big Ultimate Marvel fan trying to get into GL because of Blackest Night hype).

Yeah, I've seen your posts on the Ultimate boards and we seem to have similar tastes. I got into comics because of Ultimate X-Men and the Ultimates.

GL: Rebirth seems to possess the same qualities as the Ultimate books, but still keeping that DC feel (being optimistic and ending happily).

I don't have a problem with understanding GL, just trying to find the trades and get caught up in time for July. And I've found that getting the trades at Barnes & Noble is pretty cheap, only about $20 more than Amazon, for all GL trades, with GLC being $7 more than Amazon. The reason why I don't buy from Amazon is because my mom works at a bank, and she's seen tons of fraud on Amazon, so I don't trust that site anymore. And I don't feel like waiting to send a money order. The last (and only) time I did that, I had to wait a month for the book to finally arrive, and it as damaged in shipping. And at B&N, I have the member discount, and buying online also has a percentage off. B&N is probably my favorite store ever.

By the way, does anyone know where I can get the Revenge of the Green Lanterns HC? It seems to have gone out of print, and if I get the rest in HC, it'd be a bummer to screw up my collection with a tpb. That's why I only get the Premiere HC for New Avengers.

Thanks for all of the input!

[JohnShil]

I don't think that any of the Sinestro Corps War has been released in paperback yet

The first of them is being released 29 April.

[Elayis]

I don't think that any of the Sinestro Corps War has been released in paperback yet, and those two volumes (three if you want the Tales volume) seem pretty essential towards the buildup of Blackest Night. I'm not keen on most of DC's HCs-- many of them seem like they may fall apart if you look at them too long-- and the Sinestro Corps HCs are no exception. (In contrast, Y: The Last Man, Deluxe Edition, vol. 1 has a wonderful paper stock that encourages repeat reading as does Ex Machina, Deluxe Edition, vol. 1.) I would pick up GL: Rebirth in paperback as you can probably find it anywhere.

Actually, both of the Sinestro Corps War tpb's are out, with the Tales trade out in June. But, both Secret Origins and the upcoming Rage of the Red Lanterns HC's don't have tps'. And I'd prefer not to buy those in single issue format; I don't mind the ads, but I just prefer having them in one volume.

EDIT: My bad, the Sinestro Corps Vol. 2 tpb won't be out until June, as well.

[Iron-boy]

They are going to release all of them in TPB, but it takes time for some reason, all the sinestro corps war stuff will be released before July, only thing youll be missing is secret origin,alpha lantern,rage of the red lantern, which will not be released in TPB not for another fews months or so.

[BurningStarIV]

I generally prefer hardcovers myself, because they are sturdier than the paperbacks. Also, most of the time, the hardcovers come out sooner, and I'm very impatient about getting trades of stories I loved. But, I have a major complaint with the DC hardcovers.

The paper is a little too flimsy. I feel like I'm going to rip the pages most of the time just trying to turn them. If I'm paying the $25 or whatever for the hardcover, the paper should be thicker and nicer. I imagine they use the same paper in the paperbacks, but at least with the paperbacks you're not paying nearly as much.

So, I'd say go with the trades. They're cheaper, and you're getting all the same material. And by the time Blackest Night gets in full swing, most of the trades for Green Lantern will already be out. And Green Lantern Corps is apparently only in trades (if you're not reading it, you really should). So, if you get them all, they'll all look nice together on the shelf.

[Elayis]

They are going to release all of them in TPB, but it takes time for some reason, all the sinestro corps war stuff will be released before July, only thing youll be missing is secret origin,alpha lantern,rage of the red lantern, which will not be released in TPB not for another fews months or so.

Actually, Alpha Lantern is being included with Rage of the Red Lanterns.

[Karl O'Neill]

Get the hardcovers!

I have all the single issues and the hardcovers.

[Iron-boy]

Actually, Alpha Lantern is being included with Rage of the Red Lanterns.


I know, I meant that you are going to miss it, had i say you were not going to miss it , you'd be asking where does alpha lantern fit in all of this.

[Skeets]

I never buy hardcovers, I'm patient and cheap.

[dancj]

I can't much see the point in paying more for something that's heavier to carry around, less flexible and takes up more of my precious bookshelf space.

[4thHorseman]

All preference. If you like hardcovers, get hardcovers. If you like TPB's, pick up the TPB's.

I always go for TPB's. Cheaper and I expect myself to take care of them so having a hardcover wouldn't matter.

[DarthNervous]

Hi all. I used to read comics in the early 90s (INifinity Gauntlet and X-Force got me into them)

I had a renewed interest recently and read all the Crises except for Final and had to buy all the GL and GL corps trades to catch up. These are the only ones I have in my collection now because they are so awesome! Whereas Marvel cosmic saga was great in the 90s, now that I'm older, the DC series are more intelligent and mature I find.

I find myself using dc.wikia.com and wikipedia to fill in my knowledge gaps.

My question is that are you sure all issues will be released in trade/HC? I really need to catch up on the Alpha Lantern saga. I know that Secret Origin just came out a few months ago and I am going to pick it up. Why don't they release them in order like most of the other titles?

[BurningStarIV]

Hi all. I used to read comics in the early 90s (INifinity Gauntlet and X-Force got me into them)

I had a renewed interest recently and read all the Crises except for Final and had to buy all the GL and GL corps trades to catch up. These are the only ones I have in my collection now because they are so awesome! Whereas Marvel cosmic saga was great in the 90s, now that I'm older, the DC series are more intelligent and mature I find.

I find myself using dc.wikia.com and wikipedia to fill in my knowledge gaps.

My question is that are you sure all issues will be released in trade/HC? I really need to catch up on the Alpha Lantern saga. I know that Secret Origin just came out a few months ago and I am going to pick it up. Why don't they release them in order like most of the other titles?
As far as I am aware, every single issue of Green Lantern has been/will be released in HC/TPB, albeit a little out of order. Green Lantern Corps, however, still has two issues that haven't been collected in a trade, and thus far haven't been solicited as in an upcoming trade. Those issues are Green Lantern Corps issues 21-22, The Curse of the Alpha Lantern parts 1 and 2. I had hoped that they'd be included with the GL Alpha Lantern stuff, but that hasn't happened thus far.

Then after that, all you have is the newer issues, with story arcs that are still running as Prelude to Blackest Night:
Green Lantern issues 39 onward.
Green Lantern Corps issues 33 onward

Those will more than likely end up in trades/HCs as well.

The only GL that hasn't been released in order is the Alpha Lantern issues (#26-28). And the fact that they skipped GLCorps issues 21-22. Everything else has pretty much been in order, with a few exceptions during the Sinestro Corps stuff (which were put in HCs before some of the GLCorps stories to put all of the Sinestro Corps War into *nearly* story order). I keep hoping one day in the future there will be a deluxe edition HC collecting the ENTIRE Sinestro Corps War in one giant hardcover, not three flimsy ones.

Also, in regards to Marvel's cosmic stories: Have you checked out Annihilation and the subsequent Nova series? Marvel's cosmic stories are pretty nearly the only Marvel things I read.

[Lemurion]

I find DC hardcovers tend to be overpriced for the content; more so than Marvel. I actually have slightly more Marvel hardcovers than trades, and I have three times as many DC trades as DC hardcovers. Half my DC hardcovers are Absolutes. On the whole, I think DC hardcovers are about $5.00 too expensive though I was pleasantly surprised by the price of the Batman RIP deluxe hardcover ($24.99 same as my GL: Rebirth hardcover but a much better value for money.)

[Infinity Man]

I have the HCs for the Sinestro Corps Wars, and they are pretty nice, plus they are already out. According to Amazon.com the last of the Sinestro volumes wont be available in TPB until the end of June, which is in time for the beginning of Blackest Night. It really depends on which ones you prefer, and in this case, how fast you want them.

[Seraku]

I only got HCs for SCW, because I'm impatient

[NickFury90]

Man, DC is really slow on their trade game. They are JUT getting around to doing a TPB of Batman: Hush, and JLA Deluxe Vol.2 is finally coming in June(which is fine, since thats the one with Rock of Ages in it).

[Iron-boy]

I only got HCs for SCW, because I'm impatient
Impatient indeed, since the SCW are going to be released in TPB this week for volume 1 and the other 2 in June.

[dancj]

Man, DC is really slow on their trade game. They are JUT getting around to doing a TPB of Batman: Hush, and JLA Deluxe Vol.2 is finally coming in June(which is fine, since thats the one with Rock of Ages in it).
I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic here or now.

You do know that both of those stories have been in TPB for years right?

[BurningStarIV]

Man, DC is really slow on their trade game. They are JUT getting around to doing a TPB of Batman: Hush, and JLA Deluxe Vol.2 is finally coming in June(which is fine, since thats the one with Rock of Ages in it).
I don't know about JLA, but I got trades of Hush like.....three years ago? Maybe four. I don't remember.

The solicit you are probably referring to is that they're finally putting all of Hush in one trade, instead of having them in two separate trades like they have for all these years.

I seem to recall the JLA stories already being in trades, and the Deluxe editions are hardcovers.

Impatient indeed, since the SCW are going to be released in TPB this week for volume 1 and the other 2 in June.
Don't forget the trade of Tales of the Sinestro Corps is also coming out in June.

[NickFury90]

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic here or now.

You do know that both of those stories have been in TPB for years right?

Yeah they've been in trades, but they are finally getting around to giving them the HC treatment they deserve. And yes, I mean that Hush is finally going to be in one trade now, instead of the two HCs after several years.

[Iron-boy]

I don't know about JLA, but I got trades of Hush like.....three years ago? Maybe four. I don't remember.

The solicit you are probably referring to is that they're finally putting all of Hush in one trade, instead of having them in two separate trades like they have for all these years.

I seem to recall the JLA stories already being in trades, and the Deluxe editions are hardcovers.


Don't forget the trade of Tales of the Sinestro Corps is also coming out in June.

Ha, that why i said " the other 2 " . :P
It all good though.

Can't wait to get them. Since im short on cash, i can only get them in June online since it cheaper and better then a lcs ( most lcs i go to here are greedy)

[mimic_616]

I think nearly all my GL collection is in HC, I just can't be bothered waiting for the paper back. Also if my friends read any HC they can't bend them. :smile:

[Taskmaster]

Any word on if we might get a Sinestro Corps War Omnibus? I really want an oversized collection of the whole war!

[Sean Walsh]

I'd go with HC's mostly because DC is still rather slow getting softcover editions of initial HC releases out.

I'm also rather surprised that they let a big seller like Rebirth HC fall out of print, even with softcovers now in some abundance.

[BurningStarIV]

Ha, that why i said " the other 2 " . :P
It all good though.
Haha, you said "other 2", I read "volume 2". Sorry!
Any word on if we might get a Sinestro Corps War Omnibus? I really want an oversized collection of the whole war!
I keep hoping and thinking and wishing and praying that DC will release a Deluxe Edition hardcover collecting the entire Sinestro Corps War. I have all three of the SCW hardcovers, but I'd totally buy another one if all three were in one big HC. I mean, come on! It's only....what, like 16 issues? I've got deluxe hardcovers with 20 or more. Sixteen should easily fit in one book!
I'm also rather surprised that they let a big seller like Rebirth HC fall out of print, even with softcovers now in some abundance.
Yeah, that's the only one I have the trade of. I have been trying to find the HC, since it'd go nicely with my other HCs, but seems like most people selling it online are overcharging.

I had heard rumors that there was going to be a Green Lantern: Rebirth Absolute edition. I may just wait and get that, if it's real.

*gay gasp* Absolute The Sinestro Corps War. I'd buy it.

[Sean Walsh]

Yeah, that's the only one I have the trade of. I have been trying to find the HC, since it'd go nicely with my other HCs, but seems like most people selling it online are overcharging.

I had heard rumors that there was going to be a Green Lantern: Rebirth Absolute edition. I may just wait and get that, if it's real.

*gay gasp* Absolute The Sinestro Corps War. I'd buy it.

Considering SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW just got an Absolute edition (that story was terrible), there had BETTER be a Johns Absolute GL of some form coming down the line.....

[dancj]

Yeah they've been in trades, but they are finally getting around to giving them the HC treatment they deserve. And yes, I mean that Hush is finally going to be in one trade now, instead of the two HCs after several years.
Well the problem there isn't that they're slow - it's that they didn't bring the books out in the format you wanted in the first place.

In the case of Hush I'd agree with you - 12 issues stories should never be split into 2 tpbs.

[Elayis]

A couple days ago I was browsing through some bargains stacks of groups comics, and I found a Guy Gardner mini by Howard Chaykin that I'd never heard of. It got me to thinking, were there any other minis released since Rebirth that haven't been collected in trade?

So, does anyone know of any other minis?

And yesterday, I found some old Green Lantern comics at an Antique Store: an apartheid annual with Hal's fist on the cover, and the first three issues of Emerald Dawn II. Are these any good? Is it worth getting the trades of both Emerald Dawn minis? And on a side not, was the Parallax storyline and Final Night worth owning?

[BurningStarIV]

And yesterday, I found some old Green Lantern comics at an Antique Store: an apartheid annual with Hal's fist on the cover, and the first three issues of Emerald Dawn II. Are these any good? Is it worth getting the trades of both Emerald Dawn minis? And on a side not, was the Parallax storyline and Final Night worth owning?
I have the trade of the first Emerald Dawn. It's a retelling of Hal's origin, and certainly a good read for people who have never read it (by now, I've read at least four or five different retellings of his origin). And Emerald Dawn II is his time with Sinestro. For some damned reason, the Emerald Dawn II trade is out of print, and really hard/expensive to find (at least, last time I checked). Yet I managed to get all six issues for a dollar in NM condition at a junk store just a few weeks ago.

So, Emerald Dawn: if you really want to read Hal's origin again, get this trade.
Emerald Dawn II: If you can find the trade, it's a good read. But not worth the money a lot of people are asking for with the trade.

Emerald Twilight/New Dawn (collected in one trade) is a good trade to have, as well.

[MasterOdin]

I don't mean to derail the thread, but I thought I would ask this question here rather than starting a new thread. I am interested in the Blackest Night upcoming arc and was wondering where a good starting point would be to catch up on the events leading up to this. Thanks!

[Thok]

I don't mean to derail the thread, but I thought I would ask this question here rather than starting a new thread. I am interested in the Blackest Night upcoming arc and was wondering where a good starting point would be to catch up on the events leading up to this. Thanks!

This question comes up fairly frequently. One starting point is GL: Rebirth, where Hal Jordan returns to life, and then following the GL/GLC trades until you catch up to current events. This thread (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=265592) had some similar discussion.

[MasterOdin]

This question comes up fairly frequently. One starting point is GL: Rebirth, where Hal Jordan returns to life, and then following the GL/GLC trades until you catch up to current events. This thread (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=265592) had some similar discussion.

Thanks! That was really helpful.

[Elayis]

Just on the subject of Rebirth, who was the guy in prison with the huge head? And why was he in it? I seriously don't understand what he added to the story.

[Lemurion]

Hector Hammond, Hal's other arch-enemy.

[Elayis]

And why do Black Hand, Red Tornado, and a few others all have the same symbol on their head?