Someone please convince me to buy volumes 3 and 4 of Avengers omnis.
I don't have 1 and 2 and don't know if those will get (or have had) reprints.
Someone please convince me to buy volumes 3 and 4 of Avengers omnis.
I don't have 1 and 2 and don't know if those will get (or have had) reprints.
In my opinion I am fine mixing formats. If I wanted and collected Omnis, I would rather have epics for the first 2 Omni material and Omnibus' starting at 3 rather than getting all Epics just because I missed out on the first 2 omnis. I am reading Omni 4 at the moment and it is worth the oversized are for sure.
Why do you say that? I'm willing to go the Epic route, just wondering why.
Edit: I don't have many Epic Collections at all. Is it easy to collect chronological works? Seems like omnibus is so easy to collect volumes without missing any material. How do you go about deciding which Epics to collect?
Edit 2: Ok after some research I see they have volume numbers on the back of the Epics. But it doesn't say the volume # on descriptions for any website(?). I think I understand that Epic collection are mostly made for collecting a whole story in one book.
Last edited by j0nnyboy; 04-28-2019 at 02:07 PM.
Epics are designed to collect the majority of an entire title. So for Avengers, I think we can expect to see epic collections cover issues 1 through 375 (at minimum) with no gaps. Furthermore, it’s not just the main run but any other comics that may be relevant as well (crossover issues, limited series, etc). Aside from the obvious thick hard cover vs thinner paperback, the primary differences between omnis and epics appear to be the release frequency and the release order. So avengers omnis are in the early 100’s through 4 volumes, going in order. The epics started later I think but have covered more ground already (I think again). But they are not being released in order. They’ve released some from the ‘60’s, some from the ‘70’s, some from the ‘80’s, and some from the ‘90’s, but not all from any decade. But they’ll get there eventually, likely sooner than later, at least compared to Omnis (I think).
“Generally, one knows me before hating me” -Quicksilver
I don't have volume 1 or 2 either, but I do have 3 and 4
I got into focusing on just collected editions a few years ago.
I quickly realized that (for me) it was just about building a personal library
and the reading and that some times a omnibus works and other times
a soft cover trade works and so I balance both.
I am not worried about ever getting volume 1 and 2 of the Avengers omnibus (I will if they ever get reprinted)
but I can wait. For me (and to more directly answer your question) I am a stickler for keeping everything
of a run in the same format, so with Avengers Silver Age in Bronze it will be Omnibuses and something like
Hickman's Fantastic Four it will be trade (because I just got volume One in 2018).
ARkadelphia, Thanks for the explanation.
Yeah, I think I'll have to find a balance myself between collected editions, because I'm real deep into omnibus collections. I'll use various tpbs (Complete Collections, Epic Collections and regular old trades) to round out what I don't have. Might not be the most uniform looking way but oh well. And there's always an aftermarket with this stuff if I am eventually able to collect everything in one format.
Yeah, when older omnibuses go out of print, then you need to really work out what's the best for you. If you HAVE to have all omnibus, then so be it; my advice would be to be patient. There are deals to be had on ebay, local used bookstores, etc... if you're patient. For some books (i.e. Thor omnibus vol 1 as example), that guy's insanely priced, and no way I'm going to pay that money. So until they reprint, IF they reprint it, which they might not, then I go the EPIC collection route.
The issue with Epics is a few of them are going for big $ due to OOP on them as well. Avengers is not the case. You could get the 1st 4-5 Epics and have that run into Avengers Omnibus vol 3, and then get vols 3 + 4, which are still in print and at reasonable prices. And then cruise the internet and perhaps be able to nab vols 1 + 2 eventually for $60-80 each if you're lucky.
Again, if you HAVE to have everything in the same format, (all of us collectors have some form of OCD related to our books, so this is not a bad thing, LOL) I would say be patient and they'll come sooner or later. IMO, there are some books they're just not going to reprint. Books that a few of us clamor over but just aren't that popular - ala Thor vol 1, Iron Man 1 + 2, etc... and 3rd volumes, like for FF and SPidey that are really high priced, I doubt they'd randomly reprint a vol 3; they're more likely to reprint a vol 1 than a 3.
We all just have to realize that collecting omnibuses is a niche market of a niche market (of a niche market), and we've picked a great (but very frustrating!) hobby for ourselves.
As far as the material, When Roy Thomas took over halfway through OMnibus vol 2, I think that's when the Avengers really took off. Less "silly Silver Age" dialogue via Stan, a little more adult stories, better pacing, and most of all great art by John Buscema (my all-time favorite!). I just started reading vol 3 myself and it's great! While the "Kooky quartet" and other things are great from a historical perspective, those first 30-40 issues were a bit of a chore to get through. But this is all MY opinion, and your views may vary, obviously.
I always go for the Omnibus if possible, as oversized HC is my premium spot. But again, if it's just financially silly or unattainable, then the Epics are a good alternative.
*Unless you want SIlver Age x-men, in which case you're hosed, as vol 1 of the EPic is insanely priced for a thick TPB. They really need to reprint that sucker, as the odds of them reprinting the v1 omnibus is slim-to-none, IMO.
"Boomerang arrow, Kate... It comes back to you in the end. Boomerang. Respect it." - Clint
"Why the hell do you need an arrow that comes back to you after you shoot it, Clint?" - Kate
"Because... Boomerangs." - Clint.
I think the original Ultimates series by Millar and Hitch is essential reading. Endgame had me feeling nostalgic and I remember being amazed by how much the MCU was taking it's look from that series. Fury, Thor, Iron Man, the look of Shield, I think the Ultimates proved how to make the Avengers Cinematic. There is only 8 years between the original Ultimates comic and the first Avengers. I am really enjoying a re-read of that first series, but I do think the movie makers made the right choice when it comes to tone. I don't find that book as rough as say, The Boys, but it has some crude moments. Still a must read in my book!
Rimmer, wow. Thanks for the lengthy response. Much appreciated. That's what I'm going to settle on - to go the omnibus route and get epics to fill in gaps while waiting for the omnibus reprints.
I hate to say it, but yeah Stan's era I've always found a little bit boring. I've read a little bit of Roy's early Avengers work and you're right, it does really start to take off and become more exciting (and a little less corny - I HATE to say that cause I love Stan). I'm gonna pick up the Vol. 3 & 4 omnis.
Thanks for the feedback guys!
Since my last update two titles have been moved to the OOP list (Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-man Omnibus and Young Avengers Omnibus). A total of six titles have moved to the 'Stock Running Low' list (Avengers by Hickman Omnibus Volume 2, Daredevil by Brubaker Volume 1 Omnibus, Daredevil by Brubaker Volume 2 Omnibus, Hulk: Planet Hulk Omnibus, Marvel Monsterbus Volume 1 and Marvel Monsterbus Volume 2)
If there is a title on the 'Stock Running Low' list that has the word 'Avengers' or 'Deadpool' on the cover and you want it ... I wouldn't suggest that you wait.
Here is the complete list:
Out of Print
Acts of Vengeance Omnibus
Acts of Vengeance Crossovers Omnibus
Alias Omnibus
Amazing Fantasy Omnibus
Captain America: The Trial of Captain America Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Volume 3 Omnibus
Annihilation Omnibus
Annihilation Conquest Omnibus
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus
Atlantis Attacks Omnibus
Avengers Busiek/Perez Volume 1
Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Volume 1
Avengers Volume 1 Omnibus
Avengers Omnibus Volume 2
Avengers: The Crossing
Brian Michael Bendis Crime Noir Omnibus
Captain America by Brubaker Omnibus
Captain America by Jack Kirby
Captain America Lives Omnibus
Captain Britain Omnibus
Daredevil Omnibus by Bendis Volume 1
Daredevil Omnibus by Bendis Volume 2
Dark Tower Omnibus
Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Omnibus
Deadpool & Cable Omnibus
Deadpool by Joe Kelly Omnibus
Death of Captain America Omnibus
Devil Dinosaur Omnibus
Eternals Omnibus
Evolutionary War Omnibus
Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus Volume 2
Fantastic Four by Fraction Omnibus
Fantastic Four by Hickman Volume 2
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus Volume 1
Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 2
Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 3
Ghost Rider Omnibus
Howard The Duck Omnibus
Immortal Iron Fist Omnibus
Incredible Hulk Volume 1 Omnibus
Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus
Invincible Iron Man Volume 1 Omnibus
Invincible Iron Man Volume 2 Omnibus
Iron Man by Kurt Busiek & Sean Chen Omnibus
Iron Man Omnibus Michelinie/Layton/JRjr
John Carter: Warlord of Mars Omnibus
Man-Thing Omnibus
Marvel 75th Anniversary Omnibus
Marvel Now Omnibus
Marvel Zomnibus
Mighty Thor Omnibus Volume 2
Mighty Thor Volume 1 Omnibus
Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-man Omnibus
New Avengers Omnibus Volume 1
New Warriors Omnibus Volume 1
Powers Omnibus
Punisher Max Omnibus by Jason Aaron
Punisher Omnibus by Remender
Secret Warriors Omnibus
Secret Wars II Omnibus
Secret Wars Omnibus
Silver Surfer Omnibus
Spider-Man by McFarlane Omnibus
Spider-Man by Roger Stern
Stand Omnibus
Star Wars Omnibus Volume 1
Superior Foes of Spider-Man Omnibus
Thor by JMS Omnibus
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Volume 2
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Volume 3
Ulitmate Spider-man Omnibus Volume 1
Ultimate Comics Avengers Omnibus
Ultimate Death of Spider-man Omnibus
Ultimates Omnibus
Uncanny Avengers Omnibus
Uncanny X-Force Omnibus
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 3
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
War of Kings Omnibus
West Coast Avengers Omnibus Volume 2
Wolverine & The X-Men Omnibus
Wolverine by Mark Miller Omnibus
Wolverine Jason Aaron Omnibus
Wolverine Volume 1 Omnibus
Women of Marvel Omnibus
X-Force Omnibus Volume 1
X-men Claremont / Lee Omnibus Volume 1
X-men Claremont / Lee Omnibus Volume 2
X-Men Omnibus Volume 1
X-Men Omnibus Volume 2
X-Men Age of Apocalypse Companion
X-Men/Avengers Onslaught Omnibus
X-Statix Omnibus
Young Avengers Omnibus
Stock Running Low
Alpha Flight by John Byrne Omnibus
Avengers Busiek/Perez Volume 2
Avengers by John Byrne Omnibus
Avengers by Hickman Omnibus Volume 2
Captain America Volume 1 Omnibus
Captain America Volume 2 Omnibus
Captain America: Return of the Winter Soldier Omnibus
Captain America by Mark Waid & Ron Garney
Carnage Omnibus
Daredevil by Brubaker Volume 1 Omnibus
Daredevil by Brubaker Volume 2 Omnibus
Daredevil by Waid Omnibus Volume 1
Daredevil: Shadowland Omnibus
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Volume 1 Omnibus
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Volume 2 Omnibus
Deadpool & Co. Omnibus
Deadpool: Beginnings Omnibus
Deadpool Classic Omnibus
Deadpool Minibus Volume 0
Deadpool Minibus Volume 1
Deadpool Minibus Volume 2
Deadpool by Posehn & Duggan Omnibus
Deadpool by Daniel Way Omnibus Volume 1
Deadpool and X-Force Omnibus
Doctor Strange Volume 1 Omnibus
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme Omnibus Volume 1
Elektra Omnibus
Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus Volume 1
Golden Age of Captain America Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy by Bendis Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy by Valentino Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy Solo Classic Omnibus
Hawkeye by Fraction Omnibus
Hellstorm by Warren Ellis Omnibus
Hulk: Planet Hulk Omnibus
Loki: Journey Into Mystery Omnibus
Marvel Firsts: The 1990s Omnibus
Marvel Monsterbus Volume 1
Marvel Monsterbus Volume 2
Marvel Universe by Chris Claremont Omnibus
Marvel Universe by John Byrne Omnibus Volume 1
Mighty Thor by Simonson Omnibus
Mighty Thor Omnibus Volume 3
Ms Marvel Omnibus
Muppet Babies Omnibus
Muppets Omnibus
New X-Men Omnibus
Oz Omnibus
Punisher: Back to the War Omnibus
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Volume 1 Omnibus
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Volume 2 Omnibus
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Volume 3 Omnibus
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Volume 4 Omnibus
SHIELD Omnibus
Spider-Man by Michelinie and Larson Omnibus
Spider-Man: Clone Saga Omnibus Vol. 2
Spider-Man's Tangled Web Omnibus
Squadron Supreme Omnibus
Squadron Supreme Classic Omnibus
Star Wars Omnibus Volume 2
Star Wars Omnibus Volume 3
Star Wars: Droids & Ewoks Omnibus
Star Wars: Kanan Omnibus
Star Wars: Marvel UK Omnibus
Thor: Heroes Return Volume 1 Omnibus
Ultimate Marvel Omnibus Volume 1
Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 Omnibus
War of Kings Aftermath Omnibus
War of Kings Prelude Omnibus
Weapon X: The Return Omnibus
Werewolf by Night Omnibus
West Coast Avengers Omnibus Volume 1
Wolverine Goes to Hell Omnibus
X-Men Classic Omnibus
Readily Available
Amazing Spider-Man by Michelinie and McFarlane Omnibus
Avengers Omnibus Volume 3
Avengers Omnibus Volume 4
Captain Marvel - Ms Marvel: A Hero is Born Omnibus
Conan the Barbarian Omnibus Volume 1
Daredevil by Mark Waid Omnibus Vol. 2
Daredevil Companion Omnibus
Daredevil Omnibus Frank Miller
Daredevil Volume 1 Omnibus
Deadpool Minibus Volume 3
Deadpool by Daniel Way Omnibus Volume 2
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme Volume 2 Omnibus
Earth X Trilogy Omnibus Alpha
Earth X Trilogy Omnibus Omega
Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 1
Fantastic Four by Waid & Wieringo Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy by Gerry Duggan Omnibus
Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Heroes Omnibus
Hulk: World War Hulk Omnibus
Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus
Infinity War Omnibus
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale: Yellow, Blue, Gray and White Omnibus
Marvel Cinematic Universe Omnibus
Marvel Knights by Joe Quesada Omnibus
Marvel Universe by Frank Miller
Marvel Universe by John Byrne Volume 2 Omnibus
Punisher by Garth Ennis Omnibus
Punisher Max by Ennis Volume 1 Omnibus
Punisher Max by Ennis Volume 2 Omnibus
Runaways Omnibus
Savage Sword of Conan Omnibus Volume 1
Secret Invasion Omnibus
Silver Surfer by Slott and Allred Omnibus
Spider-Man: Ben Reilly Volume 1 Omnibus
Spider-Man: Clone Saga Volume 1 Omnibus
Spider-Man Vs Venom Omnibus
Star Wars: Darth Vader Omnibus
Star Wars by Jason Aaron Omnibus
Thanos Wars: Infinity Origin Omnibus
Thor: Heroes Return Omnibus Volume 2
Tomb of Dracula Omnibus Volume 1
Venomnibus Volume 1
Venomnibus Volume 2
X-Men Age of Apocalypse Omnibus
X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga Omnibus
X-Men Legacy: Legion Omnibus
X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus
X-Men Revolution Omnibus
Upcoming Omnibus Releases
Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Stracynski Omnibus Volume 1 21-May-19
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Volume 4 4-Jun-19
Amazing Spiderman Omnibus Volume 1 25-Jun-19 Reprint
Hulk by Loeb & McGuiness Omnibus 25-Jun-19
Heroes Reborn Omnibus 9-Jul-19
Cable & X-Force Omnibus 16-Jul-19
Conan the Barbarian Omnibus Volume 2 6-Aug-19
Golden Age of Marvel Comics Omnibus 20-Aug-19 Reprint
Marvel Masters of Suspense: Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol 1 27-Aug-19
Timely's Greatest: The Golden Age Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett Omnibus 17-Sep-19
Marvel Horror Omnibus 17-Sep-19
Spider-Man by John Byrne Omnibus 17-Sep-19
Marvel Universe by Rob Liefeld Omnibus 15-Oct-19
Namor the Sub-Mariner by John Byrne & Jae Lee Omnibus 15-Oct-19
Timely's Greatest: The Golden Age Simon & Kirby Omnibus 5-Nov-19
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Omnibus 19-Nov-19
Savage Sword of Conan Omnibus Volume 2 19-Nov-19
Timely's Greatest: The Golden Age Human Toch by Carl Burgos Omnibus 10-Dec-19
Iron Man: The Mask in the Iron Man Omnibus 17-Dec-19