Marvel Omnibus/Oversized Hardcover Discussion Part V

[studioremark]

I posted this on a thread over at the Marvel Masterworks site, but thought that it would be applicable to share here as well. The eBook covers what would presumably be in a Hickman "Fantastic Four" omnibus (a collection that he recently said would be on the way at some point, most likely in two volumes).

_________________________________

I completed my eBook on the Hickman "Fantastic Four" run just prior to Christmas and am currently offering it for free in a promotion that runs until the end of day on January 1st. If you don't have a Kindle or a phone/tablet to install the Kindle app on, you can read it on your computer via Amazon's Kindle Cloud reader that will launch within your browser.

It had a handful of sales at 99 cents upon release and earned 1 review (with a quite dismissive 1-star rating). In commenting on the negative review, I offered the following perspective on the book's intended audience:

'I wrote the book with the casual or lapsed "Fantastic Four" fan in mind. I’d initially thought of approaching the project as a page-by-page annotation, similar to what others have done with Neil Gaiman's "Sandman." However, I didn't find that Hickman's run had quite the page-by-page depth of "Sandman." Rather, Hickman's strength was in planting numerous tiny story threads that paid off later in the run.

As such, my comments on early issues began very much in a synopsis mode (ex. updating lapsed readers with the background of Nu-World, etc.). As I approached Hickman's later issues, I was able to provide a connection of the dots back to where seeds had been planted in prior issues. In many cases, what might have been forgettable incidents a dozen issues in the past (between the "Fantastic Four" and "FF" titles) later had elevated importance.'

Here's the link to get a free copy (again, until 11:59pm PST on January 1st):

http://amzn.to/VlYsi6

If you find the book helpful or interesting, I ask that you please take a moment to add a positive review on Amazon to help balance out the initial review. If you don't like it, I'll certainly take that feedback too and try to update the book.

This has been a passion project rather than a money maker, since the market for this particular book is likely rather small. At the 99 cent price, Amazon takes around 77 cents for itself, so best-case is that I'll be able to someday take my wife out for dinner (hopefully to something other than McDonald's).

Unfortunately, writing the book was not the 'hasty' process that the initial reviewer had assumed. Given the effort that went into producing the book, I'd rather not see it die such a quick death.

If the general consensus is that 'This book is awful,' I will likely split it up on my website as a series of articles. I think that it does work better as an eBook though, since that's much handier from a quick reference standpoint than clicking around on a website. It is also available off-line when in an eBook format.

[shaggyforum]

Has Marvel stopped making Captain America Omnibi? They haven't done anything since Captain America Lives Omnibus and their is still a ton of Brubaker's run that hasn't been collected in the Omnibus format.

There hasn't been any word of whether or not they will put the rest of Brubaker's run into an omnibus or two.

[grahamgg]

Just snagged a Tomb of Dracula Omibus vol 1 NM for cover price from mycomicshop.com. Nice! Even better I used my company provided AmEx gift card for Christmas to pay for it! Score!

[BananaPhone]

Any word on an Uncanny X-Force Omnibus happening anytime soon?

[shaggyforum]

Any word on an Uncanny X-Force Omnibus happening anytime soon?

No word on it, Remender says it is coming, but since the final HC still hasn't been released don't expect it anytime soon.

[kodave]

Has Marvel stopped making Captain America Omnibi? They haven't done anything since Captain America Lives Omnibus and their is still a ton of Brubaker's run that hasn't been collected in the Omnibus format.

I was just looking at this last night, researching a potential overview article on his run now that it is complete. I too was surprised by just how much was left to collect... doing some quick math, it seemed like another 2 omnibi would be needed.

I hope that we someday see them, although the original trilogy of omnibi essentially covered a complete storyline. I'm not sure how sales were on the floppies that came later, but perhaps the popularity cooled down and it isn't as economically attractive to continue collecting in OHC format. Time will tell.

First Omnibus - Early October 2007
Death of Omnibus - Early December 2009
Lives Omnibus - End of March 2011

2 years 2 months between the first two
1.5 years between the last two

I'd say if we don't see something solicited for the last quarter of 2013 (~2.5 years), then I'd say it would be time to worry, as much as one could possibly worry about Omnibuses.

Assuming the Brubaker Omnibuses still make money, and there are two more Omnibuses to come, and first remaining Omnibus comes in fall 2013, then the second one would possibly be the last quarter of 2015 assuming Marvel keeps up its slower pace of an average of 2 years between volumes.

The Trial Of Captain America Omnibus by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Captain America #602-605; Who Will Wield the Shield?; #606-610; Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1-4; Captain America #611-615 and #615.1, #616-619; plus material from Captain America 70th Anniversary Magazine
(24 issues)

Captain America Volume 6 Omnibus by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Captain America Vol. 6 #1-19
(19 issues)

While probably unlikely, there's also the potential for:
Captain America and… Omnibus by Ed Brubaker, Marc Andreyko, James Asmus and Cullen Bunn
Collecting: Captain America and Bucky #620-628; Captain America and Hawkeye #629-632; Captain America and Iron Man #633-635; Captain America and Namor #635.1; Captain America and Black Widow #636-640
(22 issues)

And even:
Winter Soldier Vol. 1 (Oversized) by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Winter Soldier #1-5; Fear Itself #7.1; #6-14
(15 issues)


But I guess it all depends on how strong Marvel thinks the oversized market is for any book with Brubaker's name attached to it.

[DrGregatron]

My Christmas Lee/Kirby Cap Omnibus arrived from Amazon today. Those bums sent it in an empty box again. Luckily, it arrived without even a dented corner.

Now I've got to decide where to put it! If I put it on my expensive custom-built maple shelf downstairs, I'm going to have to move some books to my old shelf upstairs. Talk about First World problems.

I need to covert the basement into my mancave. Then I can really post some pictures in the Shelf Porn blog on CBR.

[Omnibus]

My Christmas Lee/Kirby Cap Omnibus arrived from Amazon today. Those bums sent it in an empty box again. Luckily, it arrived without even a dented corner.

Glad no damage at least as Amazon now has it listed as 1 to 3 weeks which I think this time is now Out of Print.

I made updates to the page 1 list as the past 2 weeks had some titles moving around.

Simonson Thor and Silver Age Captaion America now join the OOP list. Hulk is only left at CGN (now at $80). Women of Marvel moved to the Almost OOP list since Amazon is now sold out. IST/TOW/CGN will have that title for a long time.

I also added in a lot of the Direct Market cover info on which are sold out and which are available. Let me know if I missed anything.


As of 12/29/12

72 Omnibus titles have been released to date. 35 titles are currently Out of Print with another 4 titles getting close. We are on the edge of having 50% of the omnibus line OOP

For the 4 titles that are getting close to going Out of Print I have listed sites that still have them in stock. You can also still find deals for them on Ebay and Amazon Marketplace.

Use this very helpful guide to know what issues are in each omnibus, cost per page, which era etc... http://crushingkrisis.com/collecting...ibus-editions/

Out of Print
Alias Omnibus
Silver Surfer Omnibus
Amazing Fantasy Omnibus
Devil Dinosaur Omnibus
Eternals Omnibus
Howard the Duck Omnibus
Daredevil Omnibus Frank Miller
Daredevil Omnibus Companion Frank Miller
Daredevil Omnibus Volume 1 (Bendis)
Daredevil Omnibus Volume 2 (Bendis)
Daredevil Omnibus Volume 1 (Brubaker)
Daredevil Omnibus Volume 2 (Brubaker)
Elektra Omnibus
Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 1
Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 2
Spiderman Omnibus Volume 1
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Volume 1
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Volume 2
Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 Omnibus
Punisher (Ennis) Omnibus
The Ultimates Omnibus
Iron Man Omnibus Volume 1
X-men Omnibus Volume 1
Wolverine Omnibus, Volume 1
Captain Britain Omnibus
Immortal Iron Fist Omnibus
The Death of Captain America Omnibus
Thor Omnibus Volume 1
Captain America Omnibus (Brubaker)
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus
Iron Man Omnibus Volume 2
Ghost Rider Omnibus
Thor (JMS) Omnibus
Thor Walter Simonson Omnibus (CGN still has some at cover price)
Captain America Omnibus Volume 1

Almost Out of Print
Hulk Omnibus Volume 1 (CGN) * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Secret Wars Omnibus (CGN, TOW, IST) * (Direct Market cover available)
Secret Wars II Omnibus (CGN, TOW, IST) * (Direct Market cover available)
Woman of Marvel Omnibus (CGN, TOW, IST) * (Direct Market cover available)

Instock everywhere
Golden Age of Marvel Omnibus Vol. 1 * (Direct Market cover available at IST & CGN)
Squadron Supreme Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available)
Captain America Lives Omnibus
Captain America Omnibus (Kirby)
X-men Omnibus Volume 2 * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Atlantis Attacks Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available)
Acts of Vengeacne Omnibus * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Acts of Vengeacne Crossovers Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available at IST & CGN)
Evolutionary War Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available at CGN)
Wolverine Jason Aaron Omnibus
Dark Tower Omnibus
Spiderman MacFarline Omnibus * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Vol 3 * (Direct Market cover available)
Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus Vol 1 * (Direct Market cover available)
John Carter: Warlord of Mars Omnibus * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Avengers Volume 1 Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available at CGN)
X-Statix Omnibus
X-men Claremont / Lee Omnibus Vol 1 * (Direct Market cover sold out)
X-men Claremont / Lee Omnibus Vol 2 * (Direct Market cover sold out)
X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available at IST & CGN)
Untold Tales of Spider-man Omnibus * (Direct Market cover available at CGN)
Ultimate Avengers Omnibus
Avengers: The Crossing * (Direct Market cover available)
Spider-man Omnibus Volume 2 * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Ulitmate Spider-man Omnibus Volume 1 * (Direct Market cover available at CGN & TOW)
Punisher Omnibus
Secret Warriors Omnibus
New X-Men Omnibus (New Printing)
The Stand Omnibus
New Avengers Omnibus Volume 1 * (Direct Market cover available)
Marvel Zomnibus
Man Thing Omnibus * (Direct Market cover sold out)
Ultimate Death of Spider-man Omnibus

[krisis]

Just snagged a Tomb of Dracula Omibus vol 1 NM for cover price from mycomicshop.com. Nice! Even better I used my company provided AmEx gift card for Christmas to pay for it! Score!

Wow, that is a MAJOR FIND. Do you just have a killer wishlist built on there that you check every day?

[grahamgg]

Wow, that is a MAJOR FIND. Do you just have a killer wishlist built on there that you check every day?

Yes I do have a wish list set up & they email me whenever something comes back into stock on my list. I was so excited I didn't even think to double check their weekly newsletter to see if I had a codeword I could apply for an extra discount! LOL

In the last year I've snagged ASM v1 1st print Alex Ross cover version for $90, all three NXM OHCs, ToD v1, XM Messiah CompleX OHC, Thor SA v1 and I don't remember what else. Usually I flip them and then use the profits on upcoming pre-orders & new releases.

[actionjackson2099]

First Omnibus - Early October 2007
Death of Omnibus - Early December 2009
Lives Omnibus - End of March 2011

2 years 2 months between the first two
1.5 years between the last two

I'd say if we don't see something solicited for the last quarter of 2013 (~2.5 years), then I'd say it would be time to worry, as much as one could possibly worry about Omnibuses.

Assuming the Brubaker Omnibuses still make money, and there are two more Omnibuses to come, and first remaining Omnibus comes in fall 2013, then the second one would possibly be the last quarter of 2015 assuming Marvel keeps up its slower pace of an average of 2 years between volumes.

The Trial Of Captain America Omnibus by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Captain America #602-605; Who Will Wield the Shield?; #606-610; Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1-4; Captain America #611-615 and #615.1, #616-619; plus material from Captain America 70th Anniversary Magazine
(24 issues)

Captain America Volume 6 Omnibus by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Captain America Vol. 6 #1-19
(19 issues)

While probably unlikely, there's also the potential for:
Captain America and… Omnibus by Ed Brubaker, Marc Andreyko, James Asmus and Cullen Bunn
Collecting: Captain America and Bucky #620-628; Captain America and Hawkeye #629-632; Captain America and Iron Man #633-635; Captain America and Namor #635.1; Captain America and Black Widow #636-640
(22 issues)

And even:
Winter Soldier Vol. 1 (Oversized) by Ed Brubaker
Collecting: Winter Soldier #1-5; Fear Itself #7.1; #6-14
(15 issues)


But I guess it all depends on how strong Marvel thinks the oversized market is for any book with Brubaker's name attached to it.

I would hope they'd add those Captain America and.... issues to pad out the 2 proposed omnis. With Marvel these days they might try to charge $100 for both.

[MFDoom]

Just scored an Elektra Omnibus still wrapped for $58 out of the door! my LCS was having a Sale through Sunday. Been eying his for a while, finally pulled the trigger. I've been searching for the Elektra Lives in any format and now I got it in the Omnibus form. I'm stoked!

[merrick97]

First post has been updated to include Omnibus updated list.

[Omnibus]

Wow Simonson Thor is just taking off now that it is OOP.

CGN is now $150 for regular version and $200 for DM version. They also raised the price on amazon marketplace to $180. Every time they put a few up there they sold out at $155 price.

This was a title that could have been ordered the week before Christmas for $69. Then IST and TOW sold out and off to races it went.

[knick_knick]

Curious what the more desirable Frank Miller DAREDEVIL Omnibus is - the black and red split dust jacket collection (with the companion and Elektra as well) or the regular cover(s) from the actual series? What is your favorite?

I'm kind of digging the red and black style that Marvel went with. Wonder why they haven't attempted this 'VARIANT' style with other omnibus'.

Also, is one style worth more than the other?

Happy Festive Season everyone!