The Comics Rack

HUH? or DO CREATOR RIGHTS MATTER?

Long time readers of this page will know that I've long been concerned with creator rights-—particularly when those rights concern payment for reprints or even just compensation for the creation of a character (simply head over to Thought Balloons for in-depth looks at Siegel, Shuster and DC, among other topics). To their credit, most publishers have taken the high road in this matter and the ancient concept of work-for-hire has faded off into the past.

Then, just the other day, I find reference to a blog that suggests a form of tricky corporate bookkeeping may be alive, well and thriving at the former champion of creator rights, DC.

The posting, on the blog of former DC writer and editor Bob Rozakis, Anything Goes, discusses his situation with reprints and, as you read the post, make sure you note the phrase "in perpetuity"...sounds like a new twist on the old work-for-hire agreements (and, if you find this piece of interest, why not drop me a line over on the message boards???).

The link: Anything Goes: The "Rights" Thing

SHIPPING UPDATES

Except for Dick Tracy being late, everything seems calm on the shipping front, although, as mentioned last month Marvel Masterworks: Warlock Vol. 2 (the Starlin volume) has been delayed from June to July.

AC COMICS

Nothing new on the reprint front this month.

CLASSIC COMICS PRESS

Two new releases this month. Leonard Starr's Mary Perkins Vol. 6 reprints the dailies and Sundays from March 10, 1963 to October 1, 1964 of the slickly produced strip with introduction by Batton Lash. Stan Drake's The Heart of Juliet Jones Vol. 2 presents the dailies from August 15, 1955 to November 30, 1957 of the ongoing soap opera strip with an introduction by Howard Chaykin. Both volumes have an SRP of $24.95.

DARK HORSE

The Saga of Solomon Kane

Another omnibus collection of Robert E. Howard Marvel material, this time devoted to Solomon Kane. The Marvel stories vary in quality, with art and story kind of mixed, although mention should be made of Howard Chaykin's take on Kane, which I've always felt was one of the best. The stories for this volume are listed as coming from the Marvel B & W magazines, but Dark Horse doesn't list which stories from which issues. Give it a squint and see if it looks good to you. SRP $19.95

Creepy #1

Due to their success with the Creepy Archives, Dark Horse has decided to revive the title as a 48 page quarterly. Not sure exactly what you'll find here, but the Eric Powell covers look good and Angelo Torres and Bernie Wrightson are slated to contribute art to this first issue. Also, and not quite a exciting, there is promise of a classic story to be included as well. What the heck, give it a squint. SRP $4.99

THOUGHT BALLOONS

Just to update my loyal readers (both of you) that the eyeballs continue to improve and final adjustments are now scheduled for the end of July. I can work a bit longer each day and will probably start doing some writing again in August (I'd love to finish the Comic Book Memories sequence and get its abatrossness from around my neck!).

More commentary (including Comic Book Memories) can be found at Thought Balloons.

DC

Wednesday Comics

DC is attempting something new this summer and is reviving the look and feel of the old Sunday newspaper comics (you know, the kind that weren't published at postage stamp size). With this in mind, Wednesday Comics will be a 12 issue weekly series. Each issue will fold out into a large 28" x 20" 16 page issue that will feature one Sunday style episode on each page (for the math challenged among you, this means that you will get 16 stories of 12 episodes each. As of this writing, the series is set to include:

• BATMAN (weekly cover feature), by writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso
• ADAM STRANGE, by writer/artist Paul Pope
• METAMORPHO, written by Neil Gaiman with art by Michael Allred
• THE DEMON AND CATWOMAN, written by Walter Simonson with art Brian Steelfreeze
• DEADMAN, written by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck, art by Dave Bullock
• KAMANDI, written by Dave Gibbons with art by Ryan Sook
• SUPERMAN, written by John Arcudi with art by Lee Bermejo
• WONDER WOMAN, written and illustrated by Ben Caldwell
• GREEN LANTERN, written by Kurt Busiek with art by Joe Quiñones
• TEEN TITANS, written by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway
• SUPERGIRL, written by Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Amanda Conner
• HAWKMAN, written and illustrated by Kyle Baker
• SGT. ROCK, written by Adam Kubert and illustrated by Joe Kubert
• THE FLASH, written by Karl Kerschl and Brenden Fletcher and illustrated by Karl Kerschl
• METAL MEN, written by Dan DiDio with Art by Ian Churchill

Quite a roster and it will be interesting to see how the creators tackle the problems of telling a story in only 12 chapters. In any event, DC is to be commended for trying something new instead of falling back on the usual Secret Crisis Ad Nauseum drivel that has filled the racks for way too long. I rarely get excited about anything new from comic companies, but this one definitely deserves a good, long squint! My only concern for the series is that the issues will be double folded for shipment and I just hope it won't mess up the pages. Look for Wednesday Comics starting July 8th! SRP $3.99 each.

DC Comics Library: Flash of Two Worlds

Reprints The Flash #123, 129, 137, 151 and 173 by Fox, Broom, Infantino, Giella and Greene. The first DC Library (Kryptonite Nevermore and the only one released at the time of this writing) has been getting really bad press due to its poor reproduction and high price for what is a very slim volume (most people I've talked to suggest that at $10 less, these books would be more palatable). One would hope that DC is paying attention and will at least make the pages look better by the time this one hits the stands. I was never a fan of the Flash and although these are stories that first introduced the concept of the multiple earths, I'm going to suggest you bypass this one by a wide margin. This series is overpriced as it is and the poor reproduction just makes me want to spend my money elsewhere. I would suggest you do the same. SRP $39.99

The Superman Chronicles Vol. 7

Reprints, in chronological order the Superman stories from Action Comics #41-43, Superman #12-13 and World's Finest Comics #4 by Jerry Siegel, Leo Nowak and John Siketa. Nothing much to say here, except that these are excellent stories that belong up on your sagging bookshelf. I've recommended the previous 6 volumes and if you aren't paying attention by now, I don't know what to do with you! SRP $14.99

Showcase Present: Bat Lash

Reprints Showcase #76, Bat Lash #1-7 and the Bat Lash stories from DC Special #16 and Jonah Hex #49, 51 and 52 by Cardy, Aragones, O'Neil, Cardy, Sekowsky and others. Bat Lash was an oddity in the DC schedule of the 60s, in that it was a western who's star wasn't your typical western character: no fancy gunplay and no mock heroices, something along the lines of Maverick. What DC has done here is to reprint the entirety of the Bat Lash solo adventures. The earliest material up through #5 is the best, as it demonstrates just how good the series was, both in art and story. Nick Cardy is often unappreciated when comics are discussed, but he did a fine job on the art seen here. The later stories are only so-so, particularly the last two issues of the Bat Lash comic, where "darker and bleaker" were introduced in an attempt to save the book. Worth a squint and possible inclusion on your sagging bookshelf, particularly since this is a smaller than normal Showcase volume and DC has dropped the price accordingly to a reasonable SRP of $9.99.

Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 4

Reprints Batman #202-215 and Detective Comics #376-390 by Fox, Robbins, Kanigher, Friedrich, Novick, Springer and others. The stories here are from the post-camp Batman era and have a bit of a grittier feel to them, although the full transformation wouldn't occur for around another year when O'Neill and Adams set a new direction for the character. The stories written by Frank Robbins are of particular interest since they are done in a style that focuses on Batman's ability as a detective. Some good reading with even better stories yet to come. Worth a squint. SRP $16.99

DRAWN AND QUARTERLY

The John Stanley Library: Nancy Vol. 1

John Stanley had a knack for writing and drawing children's comics and was one of those rare creators who had not only one, but two, popular strips. In addition to the Little Lulu series (currently being reprinted by Dark Horse), Stanley also did a series of comic books based on Ernie Bushmiller's Nancy comic strip. Drawn and Quarterly is reprinting an unknown number of issues in this first of an ongoing series of hardback reprints that will feature Stanley's work on Nancy in full color. Worth a squint and a nice addition to the sagging your sagging bookshelf of kid's comics. SRP $24.95

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

Popeye Vol. 4: Plunder Island

This volume will present, for the first time, a complete, and uncut, reprinting of the 8 month long, Sunday only sequence that pitted Popeye against the Sea Hag and her sidekick, the Goon. Great reproduction and a large hardcover format that show the strips at their best. Deserves a good long squint and possible inclusion on that sagging bookshelf. SRP $29.99

GEMSTONE

Haven't heard any news about Gemstone and whether they will continue with the Disney material, or continue at all for that matter. The EC Archives: Weird Science Vol. 3 is in the latest Previews, but since all listings of upcoming books have been pulled from the various Gemstone sites, I'm guessing that this one won't be coming out soon. I feel your pain.

HERMES

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Dailies Vol. 3

Reprints the complete daily strips for 1932 through 1934 by Philip Nowlan and Dick Calkins. Lots of space adventures by this point in the strip and this particular set of reprints has now gone beyond those contained in the old Bonanza volume from many years ago. Great loopy fun and well worth a squint. SRP $39.00

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Complete Series Vol. 2

This is the final volume of the series and reprints #7-14 of the Gold Key comics with art by Alberto Giolitti and story by the ever popular Various. Covers and background information are included (so, they couldn't read the background information to say who wrote the stories?) and I just sort of stand by what I said about the first volume: that the comics are okay, but not great and are just okay and this should have been done in a cheaper edition. SRP $49.99

Walt Kelley: The Life and art of the creator of Pogo

A comprehensive art book that traces Kelly's career from his early days at Disney to his long run on Pogo. Illustrated with lots of original art and documentary materials that have never before appeared in print. SRP 49.99

IDW

The Hunter

This is the first of a proposed 4 graphic novel series of adaptions of novels from the Parker series written by Richard Stark (or, as he was better known, Donald Westlake). I'm not real clear on the title, since I've seen it referred to as Richard Stark's Parker-The Hunter and then just The Hunter, so you'll need to look at both. Westlake was a tremendous talent and the previews I've seen show that Cooke is using a combination of Bruce Timm meets Harvey Kurtzman style for his art, but is also throwing in some of the illustrated text pages that were championed by Steranko and Eisner. Should be worth a good squint due to the pedigree of the story and Westlake had input on the project before his death. With the recent spate of crime books hitting the shelves, it's refreshing to have one appear by an author who really understood the genre. SRP $24.99

The Complete Chester Gould's Dick Tracy Vol. 8

Reprinting the daily and Sunday strips from September, 1942-March, 1944 and introducing Pruneface, Mrs. Pruneface, Laffy and Flattop. All in the new larger format which will make it a lot easier to read the Sundays! Don't even squint at it, simply buy it and read it!! SRP $39.99

UNABASHED PLUG DEPT.

The Unabashed Plug Dept. is closed for the forseeable future.
Past reviews can be found in The Unabashed Plug Dept.

MANUSCRIPT PRESS

Comics Revue #280

Sixty-four pages of comic strip reprints, including anything from Gasoline Alley to Tarzan. Tarzan is featured on the cover this month. Well worth a squint and a great place to start exploring the world of comic strips. SRP $6.95

MARVEL

Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Young Allies Vol. 1

Reprints Young Allies #1-4 by Lee, Binder, Kirby Gabriele, Nicholas and others. Beginning in Captain America #4, Simon and Kirby introduced a new concept to the comic world: a kid gang. Dubbed the Sentinels of Liberty and led by Bucky, the group went off to fight the Axis without much adult interference and became so popular they had their own fan club and were eventually spun off (with the addition of Toro) into their own book, Young Allies. This book will cover the first 4 issues of the team, with only the first issue ever having been reprinted before (and that was done quite badly). Kirby provides pencils for parts of the book-length first issue and then other hands do #2-4, since S & K departed for DC after its completion. Fun stuff here with lots of war time adventure and good, solid, Marvel Golden Age material. Definitely worth a good long squint and inclusion up on that sagging bookshelf, although the racial stereotyping may be a bit uncomfortable for some. SRP $59.99

In the 70th Anniversary corner for this month, we have All Select Comics #1 70th Anniversary Special (featuring the Blonde Phantom) and USA Comics #1 70th Anniversary Special (featuring The Destroyer). The All Select cover is by Russ Heath and (at least) looks like something one would want to read, while the USA cover shows a grim and dark Vision (Sigh!). The USA comic will also feature a Destroyer reprint from All Winners. Can't speak for the interiors, so a squint is at least in order. SRP $3.99 for each.

Marvel Masterworks: the Sub-Mariner Vol. 3

Reprints Sub-Mariner #2-13 by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Gene Colan and Marie Severin. The Sub-Mariner has always caused problems for Marvel, since his continuity goes back to 1939, but much of it is simply ignored while various writers fumble about trying to decide what to do with the character. Under Everett in the 40s and the 50s, the character evolved from an immature adult to a sort of gentleman adventurer and his first Marvel appearances fell back to the earlier personality. Once he got his own series, however, the character quickly became a bit of a bore. Sadly, this volume won't change my opinion, although it does feature great art by both John Buscema and Gene Colan, the stories are not very good and, although you might give it a squint, I would suggest you pass on the one, unless you are a completist. SRP $54.99

Marvel 70th Anniversary

Here's a whomping trade paperback that attempts to give an overview of the last 70 years of Marvel Comics. While it would take way too long to list the creators represented here, the book is set to reprint material from Sub-Mariner #1, Captain America Comics #2-3, Journey Into Mystery #2, Tales To Astonish #13, Amazing Fantasy #12, Fantastic Four #13, Strange Tales #115, Amazing Spider-Man #50, Avengers #93, Iron Man #128, Uncanny X-Men #132, Daredevil #168, Incredible Hulk #340, Marvels #0, Avengers #4, Ultimate Spider-Man #13, New Avengers: Illuminati #1 and Captain America #25 (whew!). Now, since the book is only 344 pages, there's a real good chance that many of the material listed here will only be excerpts, and since you may already have much of this material already up on your sagging bookshelf, so I would suggest you tread with caution and give the book a good squint before you decide. SRP $24.99

Captain America #601

I only make note of this issue, because if is slated to run 48 pages and the pencils are to be done by Gene Colan. Worth a squint, not only due to Colan's work, but also because the story is set in World War II. SRP $3.99

Powers: The Definitive Collection Vol. 3

This one is set to reprint Powers #25-37 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming and while this is one of my favorite series, we all know how the publishing schedules work on this one, so look for it to actually come out around December or even March of next year. I will say that the Powers series is always worth a squint and that this book should be added to your sagging bookshelf without a second thought if it ever comes out...SRP $29.99

Essential Marvel Two-In-One

Reprints Marvel Two-In-One #53-77 and Annual #4-5 by a whole slew of people. I've always had a soft spot for stories that feature Ben Grimm and will actually blushingly reveal that Two-In-One was one of my favorite titles back when it was on the stands. This volume has some of the best (and worst) the series had to offer with a great sequence with Perez art, a short Byrne run and the writing team of Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio showing everybody how it should be done up until other hands took over with the last few issues reprinted here. Even in black and white, these a re good stories and since Two-In-One seemed to play in its own little corner of the Marvel Universe, the stories were always a little fresher and inventive than in some of the other books. Well worth a squint. SRP $19.99

PURE IMAGINATION

Nothing listed for this month.

TWOMORROWS

Marvel Comics in the 1960s

An overview by Pierre Comtois that examines how Marvel emerged from being an also-ran company to the top comic publisher in America and, in the process, changed the look and feel of graphic storytelling. SRP $27.95

Alter Ego #87

A look at Marvelman and how the character had a sensational run from 1954-1963 in Great Britain with an interview with Mick Anglo and rare material by Alan Davis, Alan Moore and more. Plus, all the usual features from the FCA! SRP $6.95

Back Issue #35

An all-villain issue that looks at the 70s and 80s exploits of Kraven, the Hobgolin, the Joker, Magneto and others with lots of art. SRP 6.95