In an earlier article, I gave my impression of Omnibus
compilations – specifically, focusing on the one Marvel Omnibus that I was able
to buy at a near 50% discount – and still costly despite the half price cut.
However, what one paid for in said omnibus was an over-sized version of classic
comic arcs… in this particular case, the compilation of John Byrne’s stories
for the Fantastic Four.
Now, I don’t know why? But apparently, the DC Omnibus
collections are nearly half the price of the regular Marvel version. Likewise
presented in an oversized manner – though I’ve yet to own a copy of a DC
omnibus, I already have my eyes one the Teen Titans run of Wolfman and Perez.
From what I see, they already have three volumes, though what I really want to
get would be the first two… more specifically, number 2. This particular
collection, after all, had – far as I’m concerned, the best Titans stories. But
since I don’t have them yet, I can’t really comment on it yet.
I can, however, comment on a few other omnibus issues I’ve
been able to collect, namely four (4) volumes of the James Bond comic strip
compilation – mostly visual comic strip interpretations of the Bond novels-
most of which have been turned into movies; and one volume of Jon Sable,
Freelance by Mike Grell. In this particular case, I know there are two volumes,
and I got the first volume. I may come back for the second one, but
technically, I have all I need, or want with the first volume
This particular blog entry will give my thoughts on these
Omnibus collections.
1. Bond… James Bond:
As mentioned earlier, this is a compilation of comic strips
that came out through the years – being such, they are basically presented at
the original size as when they were printed in the broadsheets, or maybe a
little smaller?
This four volume (as far as I know) collection is purely in
black and white with each page having four rows of each strip - each
compilation, representing a collection of reprints making up seven to eight
novels.
I was curious to read these strips, since I had never seen
them, much less read through them. It will take me a lot of reading time to
finish all these, but that’s fine. It’s nice ot know that I have them within
reach when I’m home – on the times I find myself free, that is. As a fan of the
movie franchise, I naturally look forward to reading them.
2. Jon Sable, Freelance:
The man in basically a hired gun for many possible odd jobs
– so long as these odd jobs do not go against some deeply rooted moral code…. one
that Mr. Sable would outright deny. The stories revolve around his work, his
history and his life. It’s also a venue where the writer, Mike Grell, better
known for his works in the Legion of Superheroes, and Green Arrow, can present
his stock knowledge of guns, rifles, sniping, mercenary life, and yes… even
Africa.
I liked what I read from the individual issues – and I don’t
exactly know what happened to my collection… whether these issues were lost to
floods, termites, or transitions between addresses. (it has been that long a time since I've read them) I’m just glad I saw this
particular Omnibus, so I could relive the art, and the stories of Jon Sable.
The Omnibus is a smaller version of the comic – being done
by Dark Horse publishing (all their Omnibus collections are basically smaller
than a comic book… almost Digest size (as in Reader’s Digest dimension), or
more likely in-between Digest and comic size. The size itself did not distract
much, as I was a bit worried for the font size - I mean, I normally need glasses for some text in regular comics... specially when the texts play with some bad color combinations.
So I was understandably concerned with this Omnibus' size and the possibility of having difficulty reading the stories should the text be reduced as well – hey, I’m Fifty plus, so my
eyes will have some difficulty reading small test – luckily, this was not such a
situation. So, first worry averted.
Having this Omnibus allows me to once again have a
collection of Jon Sable stories – more so his origin. Mike Grell’s art does not
suffer in the new print size either, so apparently, this Omnibus works. I think I got dismayed with latter Sable issues - specially when Grell left as artist. The title did not get the same type of artistic caliber after Grell, hence I did not collect them any more. Gladly, this Omnibus focuses on Grell's work. I'll consider getting the 2nd volume, once I've ascertained that it's all (or mostly) Grell's art too.
3. Bindings:
If I had one concern (not really a complaint), it’s that the
binding of these Omnibuses - or should I mention this as Omnibi? Guess the
first one is more appropriate, as spell check did not flag it). Anywho, my
concern? Soft-binding. Unlike like my Marvel Omnibus (and the one's from DC as well) which has hardbound spines and covers, these new Omnibus are more soft covered and spined... more like paperback books. Maybe this ensures they can be sold at a more convenient price for most colelctors - but I'm worried that they have to be cared for a bit more carefully.
In fact, they had better stay whole from possible multiple readings. Aside from that, they're basically fine.
As a side note, I've been collecting the hardbound, full colored and broadsheet sized Prince Valiant from Dynamite graphics. It's not called an Omnibus, per se, but it sure feels like it. Thing is, unlike the Bond stories that can be easily addressed as a per book basis, the Prince Valiant of Hal Foster is more organic - so it's hard to say if the compilation is of several arcs... or just one long continuous one. Maybe that is why it's not being called an Omnibus... but believe me, it can be considered as one due ot the price and binding.
That's it for now... and no, I've yet to finish reading the Bond compilation.
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