A new artist on an entire story arc of Spider-Man, in one hardcover package. Spider-Man: Big Time Premiere hardcover collects Amazing Spider-Man 648-651 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

Big changes are happening for the Amazing Spider-Man: Bigger threats, bigger guest-stars, and a big opportunity that could turn Peter Parker’s life around! Which cast members are staying and who’s saying goodbye. Find out as we’re introduced to new characters and reintroduced to a number of Spidey villains as they make the triumphant return to the book! Plus: New developments …

Like most comic enthusiasts  I saw the online campaign for Nemesis, a creator owned series by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven.  It’s four issues have finally been collected in a hardcover Premiere edition.  I generally like both creators so I was anxious to pick it up.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

CIVIL WAR? Nothing. KICK-ASS? A warmup. What if the smartest, toughest costumed bad ass in the world was totally evil? Meet Nemesis.
He’s systematically been destroying the lives of every police chief in Asia, and he’s now set his sights on Washington, …

Based on the title I get the distinct feeling I should know who Jonathan Hickman is, but I still don’t.  I’ve always been a Fantastic Four fan but I haven’t been reading it for a few years so Fantastic Four By Jonathan Hickman Volume 1 seemed like a good point to jump in.  For some background depth check out this interview.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

Solve everything! Inside a room kept secret from even his closest friends and family, Reed Richards had scrawled upon the walls …

Originally published at Comic Book Daily under my Bound Together column.
I was perusing the new books at my local comic book shop and came across Siege: Embedded in softcover.  I noticed it because Chris Samnee had done the art: he’s been making a name and is doing the art on the recent Thor all ages series that I’m waiting to see in a trade paperback.  I gave it a quick thumbing and added it to my buy pile.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

The SIEGE of Asgard has begun! …

Originally published at Comic Book Daily under my Bound Together column.
This book wins for longest title this year by a mile.  Fire & Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, And The Birth Of Marvel Comics is a biography of Bill Everett complete with lots and lots of art.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

Written by Blake Bell and compiled with the aid and assistance of Everett’s family, friends, and cartoonist peers, Fire and Water: Bill Everett, the Sub-Mariner & the Birth of Marvel Comics is an intimate biography of a …

Originally published at Comic Book Daily under my Bound Together column.
During a flip through Previews a few months back I noticed a solicitation for The Marvel Art Of Joe Quesada: 240 pages dedicated to Quesada’s work at Marvel.  Since all his early work that I enjoyed happened at DC with The Ray and Azrael I skipped it, but a big discount brought the book back into focus and in my hands.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

For the last decade, Joe Quesada has guided Marvel and its characters …

Originally published at Comic Book Daily under my Bound Together column.
In 1989 Marvel decided to give some Joe Simon and Jack Kirby works the deluxe treatment in the form of hardcover reprints.  The Fighting American, Captain America and Boys Ranch were reprinted as hardcover volumes outside of the Marvel Masterworks program that was in full swing.  At the time Masterworks were focusing on silver age Marvel works so these 1940s and 1950s works didn’t fit.

Captain America The Classic Years was published in 1990: two 7.25×10.25″ hardcover volumes in a …

I read the entire Walter Simonson run on Thor as they were published during the 80s: it was my favorite book and I was completely captivated by the story.  I even hung on when Simonson stopped doing the art and strictly wrote.  That run and Miller’s Daredevil are highlights of my early comic reading.
Was recently culling my collection and trading in some trade paperbacks to my local comic store when I came across Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson Volume 1.  Nostalgia got the better of me and over the course of …

While perusing the used trade paperback section of my local comic shop Big B Comics I snatched up Machine Man by Tom DeFalco, Herb Trimpe and Barry Windsor-Smith.  This gem from 1988 collects the 1984 four issue mini series.

I couldn’t locate a publisher’s blurb like I normally add so I’ll go it alone.  It’s 2020 and the world is dominated by robots, created by the richest corporation in the world Baintronics.  Those who live below the corporate radar work their own robot magic from discarded parts.  These “midnight wreckers” scavenge …

I’m a lifelong Howard Chaykin fan.  In the 80′s I discovered American Flagg! and never looked back.  He has a unique storytelling style that appeals to the teenager in all of us.  His art has shifted over time: I’m not sure why all his male characters are becoming wider.  Recently he completed a story for Marvel using an old character Dominic Fortune who was a retread of his Scorpion character for a failed publisher that he brought over to Marvel in 1975.
Dominic Fortune: It Can Happen Here And Now is …