Marvel Masterworks TP vs Essential Volumes

[timbre68]

Help me out. I can't decide whether I want to purchase the MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 01 and commit to this format for my library or if I should commit to the Essential Volumes.

I like the value of the Essential Volumes but I'm wondering if the quality of the MMW is worth the extra cost and lower page count.

What is your opinion?

MY DCBS order this month depends on your vote.

Thanks!

[JohnMayo]

The Essentials will be cheaper but black and white. The Masterworks will be more expensive but in color. Personally, while I like the cheaper Essential format I prefer my comics to be in color. So, if it can fit in the budget I'd suggest considering the Masterworks.

[BobBretall]

I like my super-heroes in color.....but (as John Points out) Masterworks are generally more expensive & have fewer issues (usually 10-12 issues per volume as opposed to 20-25 in an Essential).

[BobBretall]

....also, not sure how committed Marvel is to putting out SC Masterworks. has someone read any position from Marvel on this?

Are they committed to putting out a LOT of the masterworks in SC over the long haul??

[ctowner1]

....also, not sure how committed Marvel is to putting out SC Masterworks. has someone read any position from Marvel on this?

Are they committed to putting out a LOT of the masterworks in SC over the long haul??

Marvel actually HAS put out a bunch of the Masterworks in SC - but they did so pursuant to an exclusive agreement with Barnes & Noble. I think I read that the agreement had expired and that they will be putting the SC's out in other places. I don't know what their longrange plans are on that though.

I tend to agree that colorless Essentials aren't all that appealing to me. I wish they offered a more expensive colored Essential alternative. i.e. keep the cheap paper, just make it in color. I wonder how much that would jack up the price?

e
L nny

[Flash77]

Something to consider is purchasing the Amazing Spider-man Omnibus. It collects the Lee/Ditko run. And while I haven't viewed this monster of a trade...I have been working my way through the Uncanny X-men Omnibus.

This is one sweet format. The colors on the page are phenomenal. The pages are nice and heavy. And the best part for me...letter pages are included. What a way to enjoy these stories.

Two things about this format...1) Not terribly commuter/travel friendly, as they are thick and heavy. 2) You can't hold them like a traditional trade or comic - your arms will go numb from the weight. You pretty much need to position yourself in a seated position with your knees up and the book rested on ones thighs.

Plus you should be able to find this book for 40 to 50% off cover. And 38 issues for $55 or so...is not bad at all.

[BobBretall]

Marvel actually HAS put out a bunch of the Masterworks in SC - but they did so pursuant to an exclusive agreement with Barnes & Noble. I think I read that the agreement had expired and that they will be putting the SC's out in other places. I don't know what their longrange plans are on that though.

I knew about these and discounted them for 2 reasons:
1) They were exclusive to B&N and seemed more "promotional"
2) They ended WAY short of a complete SC reprinting of MMW and went out of print.

I was more referring to their commitment to a new SC series of masterworks of which the Spider-Man v1 would be the 1st.

[HassanT]

Marvel actually HAS put out a bunch of the Masterworks in SC - but they did so pursuant to an exclusive agreement with Barnes & Noble. I think I read that the agreement had expired and that they will be putting the SC's out in other places. I don't know what their longrange plans are on that though.

I knew about these and discounted them for 2 reasons:
1) They were exclusive to B&N and seemed more "promotional"
2) They ended WAY short of a complete SC reprinting of MMW and went out of print.

I was more referring to their commitment to a new SC series of masterworks of which the Spider-Man v1 would be the 1st.

Based on Amazon future solicits, I think they plan on release on SC a month, which I think is pretty good. The last thing Marvel should do is flood the market with trades

I prefer color myself. I been getting the MM HCs and Omnibus when I can, but I need to slow down because I think I have over two dozen of MM HCs and Omnibi that I haven't read yet.

These new SCs should be better than the B&N ones because of the recoloring they did on these issues for the Omnibus line.

[ctowner1]

Marvel actually HAS put out a bunch of the Masterworks in SC - but they did so pursuant to an exclusive agreement with Barnes & Noble. I think I read that the agreement had expired and that they will be putting the SC's out in other places. I don't know what their longrange plans are on that though.

I knew about these and discounted them for 2 reasons:
1) They were exclusive to B&N and seemed more "promotional"
2) They ended WAY short of a complete SC reprinting of MMW and went out of print.

I was more referring to their commitment to a new SC series of masterworks of which the Spider-Man v1 would be the 1st.

Does the new series look different from the B&N versions? i.e. if you bought the first one from B&N and you buy the 2nd one now, with the trade dresses not match?

e
L nny

[BobBretall]

Never got any B&N editions, so I don't know what their trade dress looks like.

The new ones have 2 trade dresses. The normal is kind of a black background kind of like the Marvel Premiere Classic volumes, the other (DM only) is a SC version of the HC Masterworks "variant" or classic trade dress.

[Flash77]

Does the new series look different from the B&N versions? i.e. if you bought the first one from B&N and you buy the 2nd one now, with the trade dresses not match?

Not sure if this is final art...but it kind of looks like it is. Check out the link:

http://www.dcbservice.com/highlight.aspx?id=4

If it doesn't work, just go to dcbservice.com and look under specials.

Looks slick if it is it and similar to the B&N copies (with black instead of the grey).