Several years ago, I noticed that Marvel and DC started compiling at least two years of comic book works into single bound trades... and in Marvel's case, these were called Essentials. As far as I was concerned, this was a great move. People who missed out on historical stories could now read them. If there ever was a downer, these stories were, I guess for cost management sake, printed sans the four colored procedures that made comics so... well, colorfully attractive. Still, it was better than nothing, so I got me a few. But deep within I longed for them to come up with colored versions of these compilations. Then they did!
Unfortunately, the price was outrageously high. I mean, when comparing the dollar value to our cost of living, there would be an exchange rate of at least x40 to begin with... And that did not include whatever carrying costs these tomes had. So here I was... longing for these compilations and now that they've come out, I was reluctant to get them dune to their price.
A combination of things happened, a few years ago, that made me rethink the hard bound and colored compilation path. 1) a great flood literally wiped out a vast majority of mag comic collection; 2) the Philippine economy was showing greater resiliency - and with that, the exchange rate (that great multiplier) wasn't too high anymore. For the most part, these compilations did not seem too unreasonable anymore.
It was also around this time that deluxe revisions (meaning basically oversized versions that were hard bound) started to come out. Initially, I though 'why even bother coming out with that size? It would just make the collections have two sizes, and wouldn't look as neat.' But my thoughts likewise changed when I saw how some great artistic pages were better reflected in the larger size. But I thought that not all stories and compilations deserved this treatment. Yes, I feel stat others were more a marketing move than an appreciation of real quality work... but that is a tale for another time.
I also noticed that some stories were quickly compiled... while others were taking forever to be placed into such a compilation, and others that are, shall we say, well popular, well... someone decided to come up with an overpriced deluxe edition... Cough - Dark Phoenix Saga - Cough. So I really don't understand the pricing and compilation decisions. Usually, these compilations are made of story arcs, which also means that stand alone issues are at times not included. It may not affect things entirely, but still... unless the stand alone was a reprint story, it feels a waste to not include them. But one main advantage of these all sold together arcs is that you have the complete story.
Lastly,between paperback reprints and hard cover reprints, I believe that if the story is worth it, I would prefer a hard bound version (e.g. Batman: Year One), and should I own a paperback, I would still get a hard bound version should I see it.
Well a year or two before, both Marvel and D.C. Started opting up with these long running issues collections- easily 24 issues compiled, in a Deluxe sized format (meaning hard-bound, colored,and oversized pages),but at whooping prizes... calling them Omnibus Collections. For the most part, they represent great runs, and in some cases, I would really love getting them...if only they were cheaper.
This recent Free Comic Book Day, held at Fully Booked Bonifacio Global City (there's another tale all about this one), I got my chance. For some reason - possibly a worry that a certain Omnibus title would not be selling, the bookstore decide to give off the Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus at 50% off... making an otherwise unthinkable purchase now worth getting. Otherwise, I'd say this year's FCBD would have sucked.
First of all, it is John Byrne's run, and there have been just a handful of great FF runs, with Byrne being one of them, but only long time collectors (like me) might know this. Suffice it to say, it was my proud purchase of the day, and because of this, I can now give off a few facts about this FF Omnibus, and Omnibus collections in general.
Okay...
Fact #1: The omnibus is obviously thick and heavy. This makes it a non desirable with portable and comfortable reading on the go.
Let me expound on this. I usually carry my camera bag with me, which in itself can be a bit bulky. I also have my iPad, which conveniently fits into the bag. Now, this means, if I'm bringing my usual comic stash, it's either they are likewise placed in the bag, or I carry them separately. Now, on days where I need to bring my laptop - not too often, but it happens... and btw, it's a 17" laptop, so it's not that light. So in days like this the comics could fit into my laptop's bag as well.
Now, if this were a deluxe issue, such won't fit into my camera bag, so I'll have to lug it around... unless I have my laptop bag as well. But you see where this is going? The Omnibus is much thicker and heavier than a deluxe. That said, it was obviously not designed to be portable. I envision these Omnibus compilations to be enjoyed at one's library. You can't really bring it around... well, you can, but it's not user-friendly that way, unless you don't mind carrying a heavy and bulky book around.
Fact #2: (at least for this Omnibus) I got more than I expected. I really thought I'd get FF starting with the issue where John Byrne started most of the work. Apaprently, this compilation included much earlier issues where Byrne was doing artwork while Marv Wolfman was still writing it (he would later transfer to DC and revolutionize the place with George Perez). So yeah, it was a wonderful surprise. I don't know if all other Omnibus collections will have such a surprise though.
Fact#3: They're still expensive... but I may either save up to get more, or wait for another discount day before I get one. Let's face it. I may be an avid fan... a serious collector too, if I really think hard about it. I've gotten used to buying hard covers left and right (but usually in discounts whenever possible), but what I'm saying is that spending around 6K in one time isn't news to me when it comes to comics (that, by the way, represents how much I sepnd, when I pick up my collection, that has compiled for nearly a month). But that doesn't mean I can do this on a whim whenever I like. If I see an omnibus I seriously want (and I have seen at least two, mind you... Ed Brubaker's Daredevil run, and Wolfman/Perez's Teen Titans run), I will try to save up for it/them.
Meanwhile, I foresee my reading this for quite some time.
Unfortunately, the price was outrageously high. I mean, when comparing the dollar value to our cost of living, there would be an exchange rate of at least x40 to begin with... And that did not include whatever carrying costs these tomes had. So here I was... longing for these compilations and now that they've come out, I was reluctant to get them dune to their price.
A combination of things happened, a few years ago, that made me rethink the hard bound and colored compilation path. 1) a great flood literally wiped out a vast majority of mag comic collection; 2) the Philippine economy was showing greater resiliency - and with that, the exchange rate (that great multiplier) wasn't too high anymore. For the most part, these compilations did not seem too unreasonable anymore.
It was also around this time that deluxe revisions (meaning basically oversized versions that were hard bound) started to come out. Initially, I though 'why even bother coming out with that size? It would just make the collections have two sizes, and wouldn't look as neat.' But my thoughts likewise changed when I saw how some great artistic pages were better reflected in the larger size. But I thought that not all stories and compilations deserved this treatment. Yes, I feel stat others were more a marketing move than an appreciation of real quality work... but that is a tale for another time.
I also noticed that some stories were quickly compiled... while others were taking forever to be placed into such a compilation, and others that are, shall we say, well popular, well... someone decided to come up with an overpriced deluxe edition... Cough - Dark Phoenix Saga - Cough. So I really don't understand the pricing and compilation decisions. Usually, these compilations are made of story arcs, which also means that stand alone issues are at times not included. It may not affect things entirely, but still... unless the stand alone was a reprint story, it feels a waste to not include them. But one main advantage of these all sold together arcs is that you have the complete story.
Lastly,between paperback reprints and hard cover reprints, I believe that if the story is worth it, I would prefer a hard bound version (e.g. Batman: Year One), and should I own a paperback, I would still get a hard bound version should I see it.
Well a year or two before, both Marvel and D.C. Started opting up with these long running issues collections- easily 24 issues compiled, in a Deluxe sized format (meaning hard-bound, colored,and oversized pages),but at whooping prizes... calling them Omnibus Collections. For the most part, they represent great runs, and in some cases, I would really love getting them...if only they were cheaper.
This recent Free Comic Book Day, held at Fully Booked Bonifacio Global City (there's another tale all about this one), I got my chance. For some reason - possibly a worry that a certain Omnibus title would not be selling, the bookstore decide to give off the Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus at 50% off... making an otherwise unthinkable purchase now worth getting. Otherwise, I'd say this year's FCBD would have sucked.
First of all, it is John Byrne's run, and there have been just a handful of great FF runs, with Byrne being one of them, but only long time collectors (like me) might know this. Suffice it to say, it was my proud purchase of the day, and because of this, I can now give off a few facts about this FF Omnibus, and Omnibus collections in general.
Okay...
Fact #1: The omnibus is obviously thick and heavy. This makes it a non desirable with portable and comfortable reading on the go.
Let me expound on this. I usually carry my camera bag with me, which in itself can be a bit bulky. I also have my iPad, which conveniently fits into the bag. Now, this means, if I'm bringing my usual comic stash, it's either they are likewise placed in the bag, or I carry them separately. Now, on days where I need to bring my laptop - not too often, but it happens... and btw, it's a 17" laptop, so it's not that light. So in days like this the comics could fit into my laptop's bag as well.
Now, if this were a deluxe issue, such won't fit into my camera bag, so I'll have to lug it around... unless I have my laptop bag as well. But you see where this is going? The Omnibus is much thicker and heavier than a deluxe. That said, it was obviously not designed to be portable. I envision these Omnibus compilations to be enjoyed at one's library. You can't really bring it around... well, you can, but it's not user-friendly that way, unless you don't mind carrying a heavy and bulky book around.
Fact #2: (at least for this Omnibus) I got more than I expected. I really thought I'd get FF starting with the issue where John Byrne started most of the work. Apaprently, this compilation included much earlier issues where Byrne was doing artwork while Marv Wolfman was still writing it (he would later transfer to DC and revolutionize the place with George Perez). So yeah, it was a wonderful surprise. I don't know if all other Omnibus collections will have such a surprise though.
Fact#3: They're still expensive... but I may either save up to get more, or wait for another discount day before I get one. Let's face it. I may be an avid fan... a serious collector too, if I really think hard about it. I've gotten used to buying hard covers left and right (but usually in discounts whenever possible), but what I'm saying is that spending around 6K in one time isn't news to me when it comes to comics (that, by the way, represents how much I sepnd, when I pick up my collection, that has compiled for nearly a month). But that doesn't mean I can do this on a whim whenever I like. If I see an omnibus I seriously want (and I have seen at least two, mind you... Ed Brubaker's Daredevil run, and Wolfman/Perez's Teen Titans run), I will try to save up for it/them.
Meanwhile, I foresee my reading this for quite some time.
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