DC/Marvel/General Omnibus posters...

[Brian]

We have an entire (shared) forum so I say a thread for each release, or at least each series; let's use the space. The classics guys didn't limit themselves to a few threads, so there's no reason we should either.

The advantage of being in with the Classics forum is that two previously separate groups of people can get together to talk about the content, regardless of the format. So if someone wants to talk about the Roger Stern Spider-Man omnibus, there's no reason the Classics regulars can't contribute. And if a Classics person starts a thread about the original Justice League of America issues, then the Omnibus crowd can chime in. There will probably be some aspects of the discussion that don't apply so much to one crowd or the other, but overall, I like that we have a chance to grow the community.

From an Collections perspective, the only things that I think can be limited to single threads are production issues (e.g. Marvel's Omni paper, or DC's binding), collection pics, maybe a bargain alerts thread, upcoming releases, and so on. But in general, I'm going to be inclined to start a new thread, or reply to an existing one that's relevant.

By the way, if anyone's interested, there's a cached version here of an old thread where a Collected Editions forum was discussed before.

[dark phoenix]

To start and to sort of echo CrazyOldHermit, I could definitely see these topics sustaining their own threads within this new forum:

Marvel Omnibus and Oversized Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Masterworks and Essentials (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Epic/Complete/Ultimate Editions (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

DC Absolute, Omnibus and Deluxe Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Archives and Showcases (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Independent/Classic Omnibus, Library, Deluxe Special Edition and Oversized Hardcovers
Independent/Classic Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Collected Edition Complaints - All Complaining, All The Time
Shelfies (Collection Pictures - Since maybe Shelf "Porn" wouldn't fly under new CBR rules)
Custom Binding (First posts should contain FAQs)
Online Retailers

I think any other threads would emerge organically as the need arises for them such as "Every Batman Collected Edition" or "Sandman Absolute vs. Omnibus vs. Annotated." But these threads might be sustainable long term, which is fine as not every thread is supposed to be a never ending discussion.

Kodave just listed EXACTLY how I would like to see it. Seperate by Publisher and trim size. By book is too granular I think. Thanks Kodave!!

[pch3727]

I propose we have a thread dedicated to shelf porn, it would be glorious!

I second this notion

[Dr. Jay]

K I S S

Were the old threads not satisfactory? The were consistently my favorite with a wide swath of information and opinion regarding collected editions. The new proposal would mean a lot of those "I think you are posting this in the wrong thread" and eye rolling posts.

[dark phoenix]

K I S S

Were the old threads not satisfactory? The were consistently my favorite with a wide swath of information and opinion regarding collected editions. The new proposal would mean a lot of those "I think you are posting this in the wrong thread" and eye rolling posts.

On one hand yes but on the flip side, if you are looking for information on an Epic Collection, it would be easier to find in a dedicated thread than wading through a collected edition thread. Its 6 of one, half dozen of another. Guess it will depend on what the majority find more annoying to do.

[DrGregatron]

It might be too early to make hard decisions on how the Collected Edition Thread will need to look in the future. Since we have our own thread now, we hopefully won't be bombarded with discussions on whether Pyxie dressed like a slut in the current issue or whether Kitty Pryde was a bitch in front of her class.

The old omnibus thread could move pretty fast if you didn't keep up, but I don't know if it's going to be any easier if you got to check 6 threads regularly to see what being discussed. I probably couldn't keep up with more than a few threads. It might be best to keep the old Marvel/DC/Other publisher format just to make things more managable. But maybe we ought to give it some room to work itself out and see what grows out of "Classics and Collected" soil.

[Rheged]

To start and to sort of echo CrazyOldHermit, I could definitely see these topics sustaining their own threads within this new forum:

Marvel Omnibus and Oversized Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Masterworks and Essentials (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Epic/Complete/Ultimate Editions (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

DC Absolute, Omnibus and Deluxe Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Archives and Showcases (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Independent/Classic Omnibus, Library, Deluxe Special Edition and Oversized Hardcovers
Independent/Classic Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Collected Edition Complaints - All Complaining, All The Time
Shelfies (Collection Pictures - Since maybe Shelf "Porn" wouldn't fly under new CBR rules)
Custom Binding (First posts should contain FAQs)
Online Retailers

I think any other threads would emerge organically as the need arises for them such as "Every Batman Collected Edition" or "Sandman Absolute vs. Omnibus vs. Annotated." But these threads might be sustainable long term, which is fine as not every thread is supposed to be a never ending discussion.

I could definitely get behind this set up. Thanks Kodave!

The only other thing I could think of is maybe a buy / trading thread? Or just a trading thread if buying isn't permitted.

Wait ... maybe a reading order thread? Or should we just link to Krisis? And I'm assuming that ... crap, what do they call them? The reading order / list of books to bind should go in the Binding thread?

[kodave]

I could definitely get behind this set up. Thanks Kodave!

The only other thing I could think of is maybe a buy / trading thread? Or just a trading thread if buying isn't permitted.

Wait ... maybe a reading order thread? Or should we just link to Krisis? And I'm assuming that ... crap, what do they call them? The reading order / list of books to bind should go in the Binding thread?

There was a trading thread on the old board, but I don't know if it has been re-established here. If not, perhaps it could go in this forum.

A reading order thread for TPBs/HCs would fit in here, but those might be better on a per title/storyline/character basis rather than a megathread.

Single issue mapping for binding purposes would probably be best in the Binding thread.

As for people who don't think they can follow more than one thread... I'm not sure what to say. That's exactly the point of a message board. Multiple threads for multiple discussion topics. And again, that's the reason we have this particular forum - to spread the discussions out since different interests were clashing in the mega threads. It wasn't just to stick the three pre-existing mega threads in the same forum to save an extra click or two.

I think it's just a question of who should start the threads to maintain the FAQs in the first couple of posts, and keep them up to date with the latest information. So far the current Marvel Megathread has already resulted in not being formatted or updated properly and just links to someone else's work instead of copying that into the first post. I don't think that's the best way to maintain a thread. I haven't perused the Binding, General, DC or the new Shelf Porn megathreads yet.

[Rheged]

There was a trading thread on the old board, but I don't know if it has been re-established here. If not, perhaps it could go in this forum.

A reading order thread for TPBs/HCs would fit in here, but those might be better on a per title/storyline/character basis rather than a megathread.

It could work for a megathread, if the OP was willing to do the work of linking each title/storyline/character. But that's a lot of work, and of course, with the expectation that the OP would be sticking around. On second thought, I prefer linking to Krisis.

Well, maybe I'll start one here, then. I've got a stack of books I'd like to trade.

Single issue mapping for binding purposes would probably be best in the Binding thread.

Agreed. Though again, it would be nice if it were linked -- but the resultant problems. I wonder if the search function will work any better now?

<snip>

I think it's just a question of who should start the threads to maintain the FAQs in the first couple of posts, and keep them up to date with the latest information. So far the current Marvel Megathread has already resulted in not being formatted or updated properly and just links to someone else's work instead of copying that into the first post. I don't think that's the best way to maintain a thread. I haven't perused the Binding, General, DC or the new Shelf Porn megathreads yet.

THIS.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that believes in maintaining a thread. LOL!

[danmar85]

To start and to sort of echo CrazyOldHermit, I could definitely see these topics sustaining their own threads within this new forum:

Marvel Omnibus and Oversized Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Masterworks and Essentials (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Epic/Complete/Ultimate Editions (First posts should contain FAQs)
Marvel Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

DC Absolute, Omnibus and Deluxe Hardcovers (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Archives and Showcases (First posts should contain FAQs)
DC Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Independent/Classic Omnibus, Library, Deluxe Special Edition and Oversized Hardcovers
Independent/Classic Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks

Collected Edition Complaints - All Complaining, All The Time
Shelfies (Collection Pictures - Since maybe Shelf "Porn" wouldn't fly under new CBR rules)
Custom Binding (First posts should contain FAQs)
Online Retailers

I think any other threads would emerge organically as the need arises for them such as "Every Batman Collected Edition" or "Sandman Absolute vs. Omnibus vs. Annotated." But these threads might be sustainable long term, which is fine as not every thread is supposed to be a never ending discussion.

Speaking as a newbie to this site and comics in general this sort of thing overwhelms me. Not knowing the difference between Omnibus, Library, Absolute, Epic, Complete etc. makes me reluctant to enter any thread at all. May I suggest - and this may have already been put into practice - some type of stickied FAQ with general information for layman's like me? Explaining the general difference between each type of edition, how they're usually bound, general price point in comparison to other editions, etc etc...

What would also be nice is knowing what editions each series is available in and if it's currently in print, oop or soon to be in print.

[kodave]

Speaking as a newbie to this site and comics in general this sort of thing overwhelms me. Not knowing the difference between Omnibus, Library, Absolute, Epic, Complete etc. makes me reluctant to enter any thread at all. May I suggest - and this may have already been put into practice - some type of stickied FAQ with general information for layman's like me? Explaining the general difference between each type of edition, how they're usually bound, general price point in comparison to other editions, etc etc...

What would also be nice is knowing what editions each series is available in and if it's currently in print, oop or soon to be in print.

Ideally the first posts of the different threads could briefly explain what each format is and why they're grouped together. A general stickied brief FAQ would be a good idea, but the would take a mod's approval I believe.

The in print / out of print thing would be fairly easy to do for deluxe type books from Marvel/DC and the new Marvel Epic line and similar books. It might be more arduous for the older material collections like Masterworks/Essentials/Archives/Showcases. The Marvel Omnibus thread has a fairly comprehensive listing of what is in print and what isn't in print and what is going out of print soon, but unfortunately it was never well maintained in the first posts of the thread, requiring people to find the latest updates within the pages of the thread.

[dupont2005]

I think kind of a mix of publisher and genre. Like Marvel superheroes, DC superheroes, EC collections, AE's, War comics, horror comics. But really, since it's an entire subforum all itself, there's plenty of room for threads for individual releases as well. Especially the harder to find or more expensive HC's, a good review thread would be nice so we get to let others know what to expect when they drop $75-$250 on a HC.

[GenericUserName12]

I LOVE the idea of a complaints section. All the talk about thin wavy paper, rising costs and the like can be discussed ad nauseam in that thread. Now I can just ignore that thread!

[teej]

I think kodave's layout is pretty much perfect.

I suppose the biggest obstacle now, is finding people to implement all them all. I'd be willing to start the DC Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks if a majority of members would be up for that.

[danmar85]

Ideally the first posts of the different threads could briefly explain what each format is and why they're grouped together. A general stickied brief FAQ would be a good idea, but the would take a mod's approval I believe.

The in print / out of print thing would be fairly easy to do for deluxe type books from Marvel/DC and the new Marvel Epic line and similar books. It might be more arduous for the older material collections like Masterworks/Essentials/Archives/Showcases. The Marvel Omnibus thread has a fairly comprehensive listing of what is in print and what isn't in print and what is going out of print soon, but unfortunately it was never well maintained in the first posts of the thread, requiring people to find the latest updates within the pages of the thread.

Thanks for the feedback and goodluck to those who decide to put their time and effort into this.

I have one more suggestion, which pertains to my last suggestion of listing all editions available for each series and weather it's in print or not. I would suggest a Master Database, including all publishers, that listed all editions in an orderly manner. It would be locked and only a select few would be allowed to alter/add/remove information. No chat would be allowed to avoid it turning into just a general edition thread. Any edition listed will have links to individual threads if there's relevant information posted (pictures, reviews, discussion etc.) Links would be provided at the very beginning to each individual edition thread. Once someone found the basic information they were looking for, they can use those links and visit the relevant thread to get the more detailed info.

eg. I'm looking for Invincible and the formats it's available in. I find it on the list and see it has Library Editions containing 24-issues and Ultimate OHC? with 12-issues with general information mentioned and links to the "Independent/Classic Omnibus, Library, Deluxe Special Edition and Oversized Hardcovers" and any post with relevant information. The Trade Paperbacks will list similar info and link to the "Independent/Classic Standard Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks" and any relevant posts. The same for the compendiums. So and and so forth...

Sorry for the long, rambling post :3. I know it's probably to much to ask for.