From the desk of Matthew Meylikhov: Here’s a complete shocker: I’m a huge fan of the Criterion Collection. A continuing source of joy in my life, the Criterion Collection produce some of my favorite DVDs in existence, whether it be the unbeatable release of my all-time favorite film Le Samourai or any number of other high quality releases. To that end, I’ve always wanted to have something like it on our site as a recurring monthly column, something with a similar ideal in which we’d hypothesize collections of some of our favorite comics that we want to buy and recommend some comic classics all at once. So to those wondering what was coming to replace Friday Recommendation, this is for you.
Once a month, we’ll be releasing a list of fictional Multiversity Collection releases. A small group of staff will pick books that they believe are essential for every comic book collection, give you a short reason as to why and then create what we feel would be the ultimate release edition of that book. With that in mind, every one of these articles will start with the following note:
- None of these books are actually books that are in production, nor will they ever be in production. We don’t produce books, just articles.
- This is all very much and incredibly unsubtly based on the Criterion Collection, which actually produces high quality DVDs and Blu-rays of fine films that you can buy. If you haven’t already checked them out in the past, you should really check out their selection now.
So, with that in mind, we bring you the first wave of the Multiversity Collection.
The Multiversity Collection is dedicated to gathering the greatest comics from around the world and publishing them in editions of the highest artistic quality, with supplemental features that enhance the appreciation of the art of comics.
Previous months: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
#040: Suicide Squad by John Ostrander, Luke McDonnell, Karl Kesel, Bob Lewis and more
Collection curated by Matthew Meylikhov
The world was used to lines being drawn in the sand. Heroes fought for justice, villains opposed them at every turn but the dynamic was clear. And then there’s the Suicide Squad, full of some of the worst villains DC had to offer and all of them on the side of the law in a “do or die” situation.
Completely turning up the standard dynamic of heroes and villains on its end, John Ostrander’s epic run on “Suicide Squad” is one of the most informative and influential in comics history. Featuring a wide cast of characters that did not and still do not fit into the cookie cutter image that is delivered of super-teams, the Suicide Squad is perhaps one of, if not the most important teams in the history of the Big Two. And while the true magic and innovation of this series was never able to be re-captured by reboots and revamps, Ostrander’s run — now collected here for the very first time — is a masterclass in storytelling, character building and depth, all starring the least likely of heroes to ever operate inside the DCU.
Special Features
- A brand new introduction by Michel Fiffe, as well as a conversation with Fiffe about his “Squad”-inspired book “Copra”
- A full cover gallery of the series
- The inclusion of “The Janus Directive” crossover, as well as the relevant scenes from “Legends” and “Secret Origins”
- “Personal Files,” a new in-depth interview with Ostrander looking back on his run and its brief revival in 2007
#041: Glory by Rob Liefeld, Alan Moore, Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell
Collection curated by Brian Salvatore
“Glory” occupies a really interesting place in comics history; it is clearly an analogue for Wonder Woman, but it also occupies three very distinct periods of comics history, and does so magnificently. During its original run under the pen of Rob Liefeld, the character was a 90’s take on a Golden Age character, even down to her World War II origins.
Then, a few years later, after leaving DC, Alan Moore relaunched the character in a gloriously amalgam of what Liefeld had established, as well as some of the tropes Moore was frequently using at the time, such as incorporating non-superhero influences like romance comics and pulp adventure into his superhero stories.
Continued belowFinally, Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell relaunched the character in 2012, and took the character into a darker, more science fiction direction, incorporating time travel, apocalyptic visions and the question of destiny into the work, completely changing it yet again.
Special Features
- The entire run of the book, including unused scripts, process artwork, and a cover gallery across all incarnations, including one-shots and crossovers
- Glory: A Visual Primer – A comprehensive look at all of the different artistic renderings of the character, from her pinup days to the larger, more demonic look in her last incarnation
- All Glory, Laud and Honor: A Conversation Between Rob Liefeld, Alan Moore and Joe Keatinge – The three main architects behind “Glory” sit down to discuss their versions of the character and the circumstances of their runs
- The Specials in (Soft) Focus: Not only will the collection include classics like “Glory and Friends Lingerie Special” and “Glory and Friends Bikini Special,” but also interviews with Liefeld and the other creators of those books, telling their glorious story for the first time
- A Glorious Mess: In the tradition of the book, which featured strange, different and conflicting versions of the character, the collection will include a 48 page comic where each page is handled by a different creative team, given no more than a single sentence re-cap of the page before
#042: The Tick by Ben Edlund
Collection curated by Vince Ostrowski
When writer/artist Ben Edlund broke The Tick out of the mental institution in 1988, no one could have imagined that the insanity was only just beginning. Over the years, The Tick would gain enemies, allies, and the realization that he had pockets on his costume, as he found his way into the hearts of comic fans of all ages. Whether it was lampooning modern comics of the day, or just being silly for the sake of being silly, the Tick gleefully bounded into the annals of pop culture and ultimately finds it’s way into the Multiversity Collection. Spoon!
Special Features
- A visual coffee table yearbook retrospective on the many ways that The Tick has invaded pop culture over the years, including an in-depth episode guide to both the animated and live action series
- A 30 page career-spanning interview with Ben Edlund conducted by Fairly Odd Parents creator Butch Hartman
- A animation cell from the original Tick animated series, signed and numbered by Edlund
- The Complete Annotated Tick series, featuring notes, references, and insights from Edlund himself
- The complete extended works of Edlund, including a gallery of cover art, comic con prints, and sketches
#043: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck by Don Rosa
Collection curated by Walter Richardson
While perhaps not as well known as his short-tempered nephew, the last of the Clan McDuck has a rich comics history, as established by his creator, the late master Carl Barks. Barks’ Uncle Scrooge comics were peppered with references, and sometimes direct flashbacks, to his earlier years, but Barks himself never set pen to paper to tell a “definitive” historical narrative of Scrooge’s life. Instead, in 1991, the younger Don Rosa, an admirer of Barks, attempted to piece together all of these references and flashbacks to tell the complete story of how a poor lad with only a dime to his name became the richest duck in the world. The result was a masterpiece.
“The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck” displays Don Rosa at the height of his craft. His comedic timing is impeccable; his mastery of facial expression is unparallelled (on “ducks,” at that); his understanding of sequential storytelling on the level of his idol, the Carl Barks. Above all, though, he tells a great story, using the foundation set by Barks to tell his own, grandiose version of the McDuck legend — though he would probably deny that it was “his” as opposed to Barks’. “The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck” is the finest example of an “all-ages” comic: entertaining to readers young and old, and fascinating to those interested in the fine art of comic-making.
Special Features
- Includes all of the previously “missing” chapters Rosa produced after the series original publication Continued below
- Flight of the McDuck: An illustrated map following Scrooge’s journey across the world, as depicted in the series
- Making History: Don Rosa’s notes regarding Barks’ original stories that inspired each issue are reprinted, now alongside excerpts from the source material in question
- Comes with a copy of Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge, the album by Nightwish founder Tuomas Holopainen inspired by the comic. Editor’s Note: This is actually a real thing
#044: The Hilda Omnibus by Luke Pearson
Collection curated by Michelle White
Collecting all three stories for the first time, this omnibus collection is a unique opportunity to become immersed in the world of Hilda. And what a world it is – daunting and very diverse, Hilda’s always finding new problems to tackle and mysterious visitors to encounter. The monsters in these stories always have their own backgrounds and beliefs, and throughout her adventures, Hilda learns all kinds of lessons about culture, independence and cooperation. All the while, Luke Pearson’s clean and colourful art is a delight for the eyes, creating an appealingly strange world that’s full of history and secrets.
This omnibus includes “HildaFolk”, “Hilda and the Midnight Giant”, and “Hilda and the Bird Parade”. The three separate volumes are presented in a specially designed box that unfolds into a diorama of Hilda’s country home.
Special Features
- “HildaFun,” an activity booklet featuring mazes, crosswords and brain twisters
- “HildaSpiel,” a mini comic wherein Hilda lectures a class on the meaning and nature of coziness
- “HildaFriends,” twelve collectible figurines of characters from the series (in scale with the diorama)
