Publishers Weekly looks at DC’s Absolute initiative:
This year DC published Absolute editions of genre-redefining works like Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier and Alex Ross’s Kingdom Come. Levitz acknowledged that with titles like those, it’s less of a sure seller for DC and “more an aesthetic judgment.” There have been 13 Absolute editions so far, and Levitz said that DC plans to release another four in 2007, an annual number that he thinks works quite well for DC.
Okay, so one of those four volumes will be a Sandman one for the next four years or so, but start your guesses now as to what the other three books will be next year…
November 22nd, 2006 at 10:53 am
Justice is a fairly obvious candidate, as is Infinite Crisis. And if we’re including Vertigo & Wildstorm, then presumably Preacher and Planetary too.
Generally, though, I’d expect to see “bookstore”, rather than “comic store” material in this format.
November 22nd, 2006 at 11:37 am
I think All-Star Superman is a lock and probably Grant’s JLA run. They’ve already done the first volume of Planetary, so the second volume should be a lock.
DC loves Alan Moore, even if the feeling isn’t mutual. They’ve already done some Absolute editions of his work, so I’d expect Absolute editions of V and his run on Swamp Thing (with the original 70′s run a possibility).
Identity Crisis with the follow-up Crisis of Conscience would make a fine Absolute edition.
Preacher should be a given, but DC really hasn’t exploited this property. Unlike Sandman, which saw two seperate versions of hardcover editions, Preacher has only remained in softcover.
Absolute 52?
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:39 pm
I vote once again for Absolute ‘Mazing Man. But Lord knows we’ll probably see Absolute Camelot 3000 before they approve that one.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Hasn’t DC already announced that LOEG: The Black Dossier will be getting the Absolute treatment after it comes out in non-Absolute format?
All-Star Superman seems like a no-brainer to get the nod a year or so after it finishes. And I’d love to have Top Ten on the shelf…
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Does no one think we’ll see Absolute Genesis?
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:10 pm
One that’s been confirmed and solicited is The Long Halloween by Loeb and Sale. So, with Sandman, we’ll have 2.
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Absolute Camelot 3000 would rock!
Brian Bolland, Knights of the Round Table, and hot Lesbian action! Whooo Hooo! LOL
I doubt they’ll do Absolute ‘Mazing Man, as great as that series was.
Long Halloween really doesn’t hold up as a mystery.
Maybe Absolute Red Son, though perhaps DC should begin giving credit to Grant Morrion (for that and the Authority run), because I no longer believe Mark Millar was capable of that.
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Long Halloween is confirmed for the spring.
Sandman 2 is a sure thing.
Planetary 2 is likely.
Beyond that, its kind of a crap shoot in my opinion. Preacher and Starman both deserve it, but I’m not holding my breath for either. For Tomorrow, as crappy as it was, will probably get the treatment eventually, simply because Hush already has.
November 22nd, 2006 at 3:23 pm
I want all 27 Planetary issues and the 3 specials all in one book. And since I’m dreaming, I want John Cassaday to go back and draw Planetary/JLA and Planetary/Authority. Make it so.
November 22nd, 2006 at 4:27 pm
the quality on these books leaves TOO MUCH to be desired. The covers are scratched, the slipcover’s glue is failing on purchase and the pages are frequently uncut from each other. given they are sold in shrinkwrap, it is inpossible to judge a books quality. For $75, this is C R A P. avoid this entire line.
November 22nd, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Hmmm, could Absolute ‘Mazing Man be on the horizon? It was 12 issues and a special…
November 22nd, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Absolute Promethea. Lengthways.
November 23rd, 2006 at 1:57 am
Absoulte Haywire. Dissociate disorder dude in robot suit tearing shit up drawn by Vince Giarrano at his peak.
November 27th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Dear Publishers Weekly,
If you insist on putting creators’ names before the title of the comic, please remember that Alex Ross worked with Mark Waid on Kingdom Come. Waid’s name is on the cover, after all.