Advance Warning: The Twelve Days of Classic Comics Christmas 2012

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

I reserve the right to change my mind, but at the moment:

1990s - 1
1980s - 1
1970s - 4
1960s - 2
1950s - 2
1950s, 60s - 1
1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s - 1

DC - 5
Other - 7
Marvel - 0

American - 10
Canadian - 2

Two books that could be considered reprint (but they were new to me at the time I first read them), while the others are mostly original material--with some reprints thrown in, in a couple of cases (if that's not revealing too much).

[DubipR]

I've narrowed it down. Like Scott Harris, I'm not picking any mini-series or any comic that is a limited series which made my selections a bit harder. I culled through my collection and went through each long box and found some odd little goodies. It might change a bit, perhaps something out of the box and beaten path, but there's at least 7 solids. So far:

Marvel- 4
DC- 5
EC- 1
Misc Publishers- 2

1950s- 1
1960s- 2
1970s- 5
1980s- 2
1990s- 2

[Jezebel Bond]

I've narrowed it down. Like Scott Harris, I'm not picking any mini-series or any comic that is a limited series which made my selections a bit harder.

I'll be picking some of those, for the simple reason that my overall reading or collection is nowhere as comprehensive as others here on the classics board. Besides, a mini sometimes does a whole lot more than a run of other issues in the main titles featuring the same character.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

The mini-series isn't something that really got off the ground until the 1980s. Before that, many titles were unintentional minis. The 1970s seems like a time that was particularly fertile for the unintended limted series, as titles were quick to be cancelled. Some DC comics didn't even make it to a second or third issue (and even others didn't make it to a first).

[DubipR]

I'll be picking some of those, for the simple reason that my overall reading or collection is nowhere as comprehensive as others here on the classics board. Besides, a mini sometimes does a whole lot more than a run of other issues in the main titles featuring the same character.

That may be, but a mini is usually written with an ending in mind. I saw that as a sign of not to use them. The editorial staff had the creative team create the mini in mind rather than starting up a new series. Besides, for almost every mini I would even attempt to write down I found 2 or 3 on goings that are more interesting.

The mini-series isn't something that really got off the ground until the 1980s. Before that, many titles were unintentional minis. The 1970s seems like a time that was particularly fertile for the unintended limted series, as titles were quick to be cancelled. Some DC comics didn't even make it to a second or third issue (and even others didn't make it to a first).

Agreed. If it had a "(Insert Number) of a (Insert Number) Series" it didn't make the cut.

[MWGallaher]

Since everyone else is giving advance reporting on their strategies...
I'm avoiding reprints, like so many others. But lemme say for the record that I, too, love "Wrath of the Spectre", but I wish DC had let Jim Aparo ink and letter the originally-undrawn issues.
I'm including mini-series (intended for 3 to 6 issues), but leaning against maxi-series (intended for 12 issues). I'm debating whether I want to include a certain 10-issue limited series...it feels too close to the maxi...but I'm re-reading it to see if it holds up, and if it does, I'll include it.
Prematurely cancelled series I'm allowing the full 12 issues, but I suspect none of my choices will hit the maximum.
I'm trying to avoid revisiting any of my choices in previous Classic Comics Christmas threads. I've given the love to Starstruck once, and believe me, I still have that love inside me, but I'll (mostly) be turning my attention elsewhere this time around.
Given that there are so many comics to love, I'll be aiming at books that I suspect noone else here is going to be saluting. I'll join in with my praise when any of you nominate one that I, too, love.

[shaxper]

For our purposes, a "short run title" is any comic book that ran a minimum of 3 issues, a maximum of 12 issues, and began with either #1 or #0, with each subsequent issue consecutively numbered

Just realized that this criteria makes no mention of what the indica does or does not say. I have a perfect series to include that fits the letter of the requirements entirely so long as you ignore the indica...

[thwhtGuardian]

Just realized that this criteria makes no mention of what the indica does or does not say. I have a perfect series to include that fits the letter of the requirements entirely so long as you ignore the indica...

I decided against the various Hellboy stories for this very reason. On the covers it'll for instance say Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #1 but when you look at the information in the small print inside it says Hellboy issue #17 in a series.

[Cei-U!]

It is, in fact, the indicia information that I will be using to determine a submission's eligibility if there's any doubt. Just so you know.

Cei-U!
I summon a word to the wise!

[Jezebel Bond]

I've got just one reprint series in mine...since it was easier to get this than the originals at the time...in fact I still don't have all the originals...

[DubipR]

I've got just one reprint series in mine...since it was easier to get this than the originals at the time...in fact I still don't have all the originals...

That's cool Jez. I know you were looking forward to using Ramba but it was 14 issues. I actually have 2 series in that genre on my list (might have to take one off) but there's some good adult comics out there that are classics. Good luck on your list.

[berk]

Wait a second, did someone say one of the Invisibles volumes would fall within the rules? I read them all in trade and just assumed they were numbered consecutively from the beginning to end with no breaks and thus would not qualify. Hmmm ... tempted to pick one if it does, though it seems to go against the spirit of the rules, considering it is really one big, long story.

[DubipR]

It's three separate volumes, which is one story, but was released as such.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

I suppose it is all one big story, but I bought them individually and I thought of each Invisibles series as a thing unto itself.

I'm going to be nervously checking those indicia--already a few series I might have taken on were ruled out by those insipid indicia.*

*editor's note: wondering about the plural of indicia, I checked--and I realized that indicia is the plural. The singular is indicium. Have I been using it wrong all these years? That statement inside the comic should be called the indicium, not the indicia--I guess.

[shaxper]

It is, in fact, the indicia information that I will be using to determine a submission's eligibility if there's any doubt. Just so you know.

Well poopy on you, Mr. letter of the law.

Considering the Hellboy problem, that actually leaves a vacancy on my list now too. Dang.