Woof, that was quick. I think Marvel's policy of allowing the Epic books to go out of print quickly, increasing their after-market prices, has inadvertently helped to jump-start sales of this DC version.
Allowing the Epic books to go out of print quickly is foolish because it doesn't put a dime in their pockets, it'll be the after market businesses that will be making money if they don't or rarely reprint them.
You are correct. All-Star Comics 1 and 2 featured many of the characters from the JSA but they were all individual stories. Issue 3 is when DC started writing stories with all the characters together and calling themselves the JSA. Great video, so happy I found this channel.
The old DC Archives line also starts with issue All Star number 3, although DC did go back and do an All Star Archives number 0 to plug in those missing issues. But officially that line was an All Star Comics line and not JSA so it makes more sense to include the first two issues there than it does in a line focused on JSA.
I am loving these books! It’s pretty much my dream line for DC, so much so I’m pretty much just collecting these over omnibus or older editions. Hopefully DC sees the interest for these!
The Legion stories were reprinted in black-and-white Showcase Presents volumes. These stories are when I first discovered the Legion, and made me a fan, so I'm glad they reprinted them in color.
I'm glad they started the Legion books with these issues. The first books are widely available in the silver age collections, are rather odd by modern standards, and have very repetitive storylines. I do not think those early books would win over many new fans, especially young ones.
They will be also coming out with volumes of Plastic Man and Metamorpho stories. Both these were some of the best stories of their eras. Metamorpho in particular a lot of fun. It was by Bob "Zaney" Haney who was known for his wacky plots. (Though he also wrote some pretty gritty war comics. He was a Pacific vet. It's weird how many comic creators of the old days were grizzled WWII vets.) Metamorpho to some degree was a parody of the Marvel style. Haney was one of the first to realize that Marvel would be a big competitor for DC.
Great books in the series. That Legion book is a great one for fans. I have the early Legion stories in a few different formats, but these stories are ones I haven't seen in a long time. I'm really looking forward to and hoping for volumes reprinting the Legion stuff from the 80s.
I thought it was thrilling. Mildly thrilling anyway. It's always nice to get your opinions on comics. If DC keep up the superb work with their DC Finest, we'll be happy. Currently 3/4 of the way through the new Wonder Woman, and yes, it is very good. Thanks for all you do Michael
If we're taking a field trip back into DC's past, I sure would like to see some Joe Kubert Hawkman, followed by some Murphy Anderson Hawkman. Also, some Adam Strange.
I started reading DC in the mid 60s. Love these DC Finest volumes. Very excited about the JSA. I hope they are popular enough to reprint the entire run of all star. I am also a Flash fan. And Metamorpho comes out in the spring.
You're right, the JSA begin in All-Star Comics 3. Issues 1 & 2 are a mix of hero strips, those strips will probably be scattered into specific character books, I've no idea why anyone would complain, that would be like expecting Green Arrow back up strips from Batman to be in Batman books when they'll just end up in the Green Arrow books at some point. Impressive stack already, I've got the team books so far, plan to pick up more of the preCrisis collections. At the launch Superman & Batman topped the book charts, hope DC continues the line.
I'm wishing I hadn't missed out on reading these so far. How do you store all your books? I once had 12,000+ volumes, stored in my humidity controlled basement, but had to sell off most of the collection when I moved to California (where basements are rare). I only have about 400 "real" books now, and thousands of e-books stored in my various Kindles. I'd like to see a video on the storage arrangements in Vaughn Manor, please and thank you.
These look great. I have all of the archives and other hardcovers, so I’ll pass on most of these. However, if they do ones for Unknown Soldier, Haunted Tank, War That Time Forgot, and other of the more obscure Silver Age characters that have never been reprinted in color, I’ll jump on them quickly!
Perfect tie for the video. They are printing so fast, is hard to keep up with all of them. Maybe one day I will dive deeply into the line if they keep them in print.
why didnt they call this line DC Chronology? bc the entire point is that theyre not printing the great runs were all familiar with it includes filler issues, one shots, etc in publishing order
The golden age of The Super Friends was with Wendy Harris, Marvin White and Wonder Dog, much better than the later years with the Wonder Twins and Gleek, I mean what were they thinking with those clowns. 😁
I did pick up the Batman book and was pretty impressed with it. They've done a good job on them from what I can see. I won't be able to buy them all, but I'll probably buy the Batman books as they come out. You've got a lot of reading ahead of you. 😏
Huge Legion Fan here. So far the only DC Finest I have is the Zap goes the Legion. I have never read any of this stuff, love it Zero Hour was a weird place to start the Events. Why not Crisis on Infinite Earth's? Especially since they just did some movies on it. Also Zero Hour was dealing with the repercussions of Crisis. I dont know. Strange choice.
I'm still figuring out how much of these bonkers oldies I was to consume for bemused historical anthropology, or if some of could be genuinely good story telling to me, or how much comic history I really need to read through the good stuff. I've got Thor masterworks #1 and it's been slow going - a bit of incredulous fun. At least my library seems to be getting all of these, far better then they've done with Marvel epic collections - and I've got Superman 1939 on reserve right now.
Enjoyed them so far, a few minor issues with them but a great start for the series. Won't buy them all as I have the omni for the Flash (though there are some additional pages as you mentioned). Wish they would include those extra pages throughout the other books, of course, letters pages would be great as well as direct currents. JSA is my favourite even though I had them in the archives (wish they hadn't missed out the issues 1 and 2 and 8 WW - wasn't called the JSA in those first issues but basically it still the JSA so why leave them out ?). The Legion one is great as the omnis (so far) have failed to cover it. Wish they had included all the covers though
Bought all the volumes released this year. Read mainly marvel growing up but find little interest in modern comics. Loving these volumes of older material and with the exception of a few issues of batman i have read in the past its material that is fresh for me. The superman volume was an eye opener for me with him being a champion for the oppressed and disadvantaged, much more interesting than the truth, justice and the American way version we get today. The fact that the release schedule is fast also helps keep my interest up as I'm not waiting months for the next release. Most are available for around 25 percent off the cover price if you shop around and for the page count are excellent value when a single us comic can cost up to a fiver, factoring in delivery costs.
While I don't own a ton of Epics (always been more of a DC guy) I'm absolutely all in on this line so far to support it so far. I'm wondering if they're not starting at #1 for a lot of characters is only because it's been done so many times? As long as they start at a good enough jumping on point I don't mind it for a curated reading experience.
@@kiyankurji67 From Marvel my favorite superhero is Captain America, though my favorite team and Marvel Comic is Fantastic Four. Of course Superman is my all time favorite superhero.
I'm excited as well! But I'm told they aren't selling well in the Chicagoland area. I think these reprint series are great and I hope adults get them for their kids for Christmas. Great episode Michael!
They are sold out at my local store, near Boston, except for the Superman one. I think that one is probably of more interest to those of us interested in comic book history than to a casual reader, though. I think the Batman one might have sold out in that store on the day it hit the shelves, but that is probably the one with the greatest fan base and one that will have the most appeal to a modern reader.
@@slothrob The Batman issue also being the first time that Year One and Year Two were collected together into a single volume probably helped with it's sales as well. Plus I think it includes "There is No Hope in Crime Alley" which is kind of spendy now to buy on the secondary market.
Flipping through the latest Marvel Free Previews I see Marvel is going to produce their own line of 'Finest' and calling it 'Premiere'. They look to be about half the pages and price. Catwoman still has her own solo book. I think it is in the 70's as far as issue number of the current run.
Interesting. I never seen any of the DC Compact line since I live rural with the closest thing to an LCS being a gaming store. I thought they might be more inline to the Mighty Marvel Masterworks based on being called compact. Thus far any Compact books I would be interested in I already have a graphic novel copy of so haven't bought any.
Woof, that was quick. I think Marvel's policy of allowing the Epic books to go out of print quickly, increasing their after-market prices, has inadvertently helped to jump-start sales of this DC version.
Allowing the Epic books to go out of print quickly is foolish because it doesn't put a dime in their pockets, it'll be the after market businesses that will be making money if they don't or rarely reprint them.
@@rap3208 Right but it creates a sense of FOMO and people buy the books even if they were on the fence about it.
You are correct. All-Star Comics 1 and 2 featured many of the characters from the JSA but they were all individual stories. Issue 3 is when DC started writing stories with all the characters together and calling themselves the JSA. Great video, so happy I found this channel.
The old DC Archives line also starts with issue All Star number 3, although DC did go back and do an All Star Archives number 0 to plug in those missing issues. But officially that line was an All Star Comics line and not JSA so it makes more sense to include the first two issues there than it does in a line focused on JSA.
I am loving these books! It’s pretty much my dream line for DC, so much so I’m pretty much just collecting these over omnibus or older editions. Hopefully DC sees the interest for these!
The Legion stories were reprinted in black-and-white Showcase Presents volumes. These stories are when I first discovered the Legion, and made me a fan, so I'm glad they reprinted them in color.
I'm glad they started the Legion books with these issues. The first books are widely available in the silver age collections, are rather odd by modern standards, and have very repetitive storylines. I do not think those early books would win over many new fans, especially young ones.
I really want the Legion from Shooter all the way up to new 52.
I'm hoping Roger will wear something decorative for Christmas....maybe twinkling lights, or a Santa outfit.
This would be a good format for Amethyst
@@MalibuSkipper it would.
They will be also coming out with volumes of Plastic Man and Metamorpho stories. Both these were some of the best stories of their eras. Metamorpho in particular a lot of fun. It was by Bob "Zaney" Haney who was known for his wacky plots. (Though he also wrote some pretty gritty war comics. He was a Pacific vet. It's weird how many comic creators of the old days were grizzled WWII vets.) Metamorpho to some degree was a parody of the Marvel style. Haney was one of the first to realize that Marvel would be a big competitor for DC.
Great books in the series. That Legion book is a great one for fans. I have the early Legion stories in a few different formats, but these stories are ones I haven't seen in a long time. I'm really looking forward to and hoping for volumes reprinting the Legion stuff from the 80s.
I thought it was thrilling. Mildly thrilling anyway. It's always nice to get your opinions on comics. If DC keep up the superb work with their DC Finest, we'll be happy. Currently 3/4 of the way through the new Wonder Woman, and yes, it is very good. Thanks for all you do Michael
If we're taking a field trip back into DC's past, I sure would like to see some Joe Kubert Hawkman, followed by some Murphy Anderson Hawkman. Also, some Adam Strange.
I started reading DC in the mid 60s. Love these DC Finest volumes. Very excited about the JSA. I hope they are popular enough to reprint the entire run of all star. I am also a Flash fan. And Metamorpho comes out in the spring.
You're right, the JSA begin in All-Star Comics 3. Issues 1 & 2 are a mix of hero strips, those strips will probably be scattered into specific character books, I've no idea why anyone would complain, that would be like expecting Green Arrow back up strips from Batman to be in Batman books when they'll just end up in the Green Arrow books at some point.
Impressive stack already, I've got the team books so far, plan to pick up more of the preCrisis collections. At the launch Superman & Batman topped the book charts, hope DC continues the line.
great vid, new sub! love this line!
Love the Superman tie! 👍
I'm wishing I hadn't missed out on reading these so far.
How do you store all your books? I once had 12,000+ volumes, stored in my humidity controlled basement, but had to sell off most of the collection when I moved to California (where basements are rare). I only have about 400 "real" books now, and thousands of e-books stored in my various Kindles.
I'd like to see a video on the storage arrangements in Vaughn Manor, please and thank you.
These look great. I have all of the archives and other hardcovers, so I’ll pass on most of these. However, if they do ones for Unknown Soldier, Haunted Tank, War That Time Forgot, and other of the more obscure Silver Age characters that have never been reprinted in color, I’ll jump on them quickly!
I'm asking Santa for Finest: Batman volume.
Perfect tie for the video. They are printing so fast, is hard to keep up with all of them. Maybe one day I will dive deeply into the line if they keep them in print.
They already have like 10 more books in the pipeline all through 2025! They went all in with these DC Finest books.
I'm loving these. The size and price are great. I got Batman and Flash and plan to grab more.
why didnt they call this line DC Chronology? bc the entire point is that theyre not printing the great runs were all familiar with it includes filler issues, one shots, etc in publishing order
The golden age of The Super Friends was with Wendy Harris, Marvin White and Wonder Dog, much better than the later years with the Wonder Twins and Gleek, I mean what were they thinking with those clowns. 😁
I did pick up the Batman book and was pretty impressed with it. They've done a good job on them from what I can see. I won't be able to buy them all, but I'll probably buy the Batman books as they come out. You've got a lot of reading ahead of you. 😏
Huge Legion Fan here. So far the only DC Finest I have is the Zap goes the Legion. I have never read any of this stuff, love it
Zero Hour was a weird place to start the Events. Why not Crisis on Infinite Earth's? Especially since they just did some movies on it. Also Zero Hour was dealing with the repercussions of Crisis. I dont know. Strange choice.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super Tie!
Omnis, Epics, Books and Now DC Finest?? those things take space (you must be sleeping on your roof lol).
I'm still figuring out how much of these bonkers oldies I was to consume for bemused historical anthropology, or if some of could be genuinely good story telling to me, or how much comic history I really need to read through the good stuff. I've got Thor masterworks #1 and it's been slow going - a bit of incredulous fun. At least my library seems to be getting all of these, far better then they've done with Marvel epic collections - and I've got Superman 1939 on reserve right now.
Enjoyed them so far, a few minor issues with them but a great start for the series. Won't buy them all as I have the omni for the Flash (though there are some additional pages as you mentioned). Wish they would include those extra pages throughout the other books, of course, letters pages would be great as well as direct currents. JSA is my favourite even though I had them in the archives (wish they hadn't missed out the issues 1 and 2 and 8 WW - wasn't called the JSA in those first issues but basically it still the JSA so why leave them out ?). The Legion one is great as the omnis (so far) have failed to cover it. Wish they had included all the covers though
I hope one of the releases for the next wave of DC Finest books
will be Atom: The World's Smallest Super-Hero!
Bought all the volumes released this year. Read mainly marvel growing up but find little interest in modern comics. Loving these volumes of older material and with the exception of a few issues of batman i have read in the past its material that is fresh for me. The superman volume was an eye opener for me with him being a champion for the oppressed and disadvantaged, much more interesting than the truth, justice and the American way version we get today. The fact that the release schedule is fast also helps keep my interest up as I'm not waiting months for the next release. Most are available for around 25 percent off the cover price if you shop around and for the page count are excellent value when a single us comic can cost up to a fiver, factoring in delivery costs.
All Star 1 and 2 had the same heroes but in separate stories. An anthology.
Needs more Batman.
Using the Shooter era for a Legion anchor is interesting... tacking the Cary Bates era on is... odd
While I don't own a ton of Epics (always been more of a DC guy) I'm absolutely all in on this line so far to support it so far. I'm wondering if they're not starting at #1 for a lot of characters is only because it's been done so many times? As long as they start at a good enough jumping on point I don't mind it for a curated reading experience.
Who is your favourite superhero from Marvel or DC? You can tell a lot about a person from that. Personally mines Spider-Man
@@kiyankurji67 From Marvel my favorite superhero is Captain America, though my favorite team and Marvel Comic is Fantastic Four. Of course Superman is my all time favorite superhero.
Well, without Sgt Rock, they should be called DC's not quite Finest 🤭 Oops, I've mentioned war comics again.
I just got editions 1 of the Howard the Duck Epic Collection.
@@CWilliam21 That doesn’t exist. Must be Marvel Masterworks or a Complete Collection.
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Complete. Excuse me.
I'm excited as well! But I'm told they aren't selling well in the Chicagoland area. I think these reprint series are great and I hope adults get them for their kids for Christmas. Great episode Michael!
They are sold out at my local store, near Boston, except for the Superman one. I think that one is probably of more interest to those of us interested in comic book history than to a casual reader, though. I think the Batman one might have sold out in that store on the day it hit the shelves, but that is probably the one with the greatest fan base and one that will have the most appeal to a modern reader.
@@slothrob The Batman issue also being the first time that Year One and Year Two were collected together into a single volume probably helped with it's sales as well. Plus I think it includes "There is No Hope in Crime Alley" which is kind of spendy now to buy on the secondary market.
Flipping through the latest Marvel Free Previews I see Marvel is going to produce their own line of 'Finest' and calling it 'Premiere'. They look to be about half the pages and price.
Catwoman still has her own solo book. I think it is in the 70's as far as issue number of the current run.
DC Finest is actually DC's answer to Marvel's Epic Collections, while Premiere is Marvel's answer to DC's Compact Comics
Interesting.
I never seen any of the DC Compact line since I live rural with the closest thing to an LCS being a gaming store. I thought they might be more inline to the Mighty Marvel Masterworks based on being called compact.
Thus far any Compact books I would be interested in I already have a graphic novel copy of so haven't bought any.
Are you related to Brian K Vaughan?
@@Carlos-xz3vi not at all.
😊