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.
#001: “The Invisibles” by Grant Morrison
Collection curated by Matthew Meylikhov
Taking the comic world by storm and placing a defining title in a bourgeoning line, Grant Morrison’s “The Invisibles” helped to usher in the British invasion of comics in the early 90’s. An absolute must-have for any comic fan, the adventures of King Mob and his crew would not only present an engrossing and challenging fictional narrative, but the entire series would become a highly influential point of inspiration for the generations that follow. Few books offer as challenging a puzzle, and so few books offer as tremendous a reward.
A narrative that wound up semi-autobiographical in its habit of leaking into Morrison’s own life, “The Invisibles” is one of the most important comics of all time and a monumental staple in his career.
Special Features
- A brand new “Invisibles” mixtape put together by Morrison for listening to while reading the issues, one song per issue
- A brand new reprint of “Anarchy for the Masses: the Disinformation Guide to the Invisibles“, with a new cover by Frank Quitely
- “Finding your Scorpion God”, a handy guide to performing magic, the Grant Morrison way
- “Invisibles 101,” a copy of the curriculum of courses offered at the Invisible College
- “No Idea What You’re Talking About,” a video interview with the Wachowski’s in which they continue to assert that the Matrix did not rip-off ideas from “The Indivisibles”
- “You Know What You Did,” a corresponding response video from Grant Morrison relating to the Wachowski’s video
#002: “Starman” by James Robinson
Collection curated by Brian Salvatore
“Starman,” the magnum opus by James Robinson, is a story about destiny, family, and the places we call home. Set in Opal City, a locale of class, history and faded glory, the story revolves around the Knight family: patriarch Ted, doting son David, and the black sheep of the clan, Jack, who winds up being the heir to the Knight family tradition: the mantle of Starman. Jack, though his father’s son, is his own man, and quickly establishes himself as a superhero who doesn’t fit into the traditional mold. Journey with Jack through tragedy, space, near-death experiences, the growing of a surrogate family and, ultimately, his own path, far away from the cosmic staff.
Continued belowSpecial features:
- Commentary from writer James Robinson, co-writer David S. Goyer, and principle artists Tony Harris and Peter Snejbjerg
- “Stars: My Destiny,” a feature length documentary on the making of Starman
- “Starmen: A History” featurette on the various men to call themselves Starman
- “Outside of Opal” – a seventh omnibus collecting “The Shade” New 52 maxi-series, as well as all other Jack Knight appearances (including his brief run as a member of “JSA”)
- “The Grand Guignol” – sketches and unused art from Harris, Snejbjerg, and others
- Replica of Jack’s cosmic staff and an instruction manual for how to assemble your own Ted-era cosmic rod
#003: “Bone” by Jeff Smith
Collection curated by Vince Ostrowski
Jeff Smith’s “Bone” is perhaps the finest examples of a book suitable for readers old and young. With plenty of high adventure and a terrific sense of humor, “Bone” is one of the most gripping and hilarious stories of any kind, let alone in the comic book medium. Children of all ages will enjoy the fantastical monsters and wacky characters, while adults will appreciate the craft and the sly humor, but everyone can enjoy a story that twists and turns with every new setting the plucky adventurers come upon. From beginning to end, “Bone” is an epic piece of individual storytelling and a landmark title in the history of creator-owned comics.
This gorgeous slipcase set includes all 9 volumes of “Bone” and is available in either a “black & white” or “color” edition. The 9 volumes are carefully divided into 2 oversized omnibus editions.
Special Features:
- A third omnibus featuring every spin-off and one-shot collected for the first time in one place
- A fold-out map of the world of “Bone”, individually numbered and signed by Jeff Smith.
- The 3 existing pewter Bone figures, which will be joined by Thorn and The Great Red Dragon
- A bonus DVD of Jeff Smith visual commentaries for each of the nine “volumes” take you into the mind of the man behind the story and lots of insight into what goes into making a creator-owned comic book. (As a bonus feature on the DVD, select scenes of the comic are interpreted and performed by Sir Ian McKellan in the format of a one-man puppet show.)
#004: “Promethea” by Alan Moore and JH Williams III
Collection curated by Walter Richardson
A collaboration between two of the most celebrated names in comics, “Promethea” by Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III is just as mesmerizing as its pedigree suggests. A celebration of fiction, magic, and the blurred line between the two, “Promethea” is a spectacle like no other, an example of two giants pushing themselves to their extremes, reveling in the glory of what makes comics great, what makes art great, and what makes art great. Moore’s astonishingly fine sense of construction frames the story, organizing issues according to the suits and arcana of the tarot, the spheres of Kaballah, and other ideas beyond us mere mortals, and J.H. Williams III follows faithfully; visually, the most intriguing aspect is the sprawing Kaballah arc wherein Williams modifies his artistic style to match with the sphere in question, from impressionism to a look that is imitative of woodcuts. It all culminates in a magnificent penultimate issue that is a less a story’s climax and more a way to live life — and what a beautiful way that is.
As “Promethea” is very much structured by its serialized format, this graphic album collects the series as it was meant to be read: each chapter has been reprinted separately in a square-bound, cardstock-covered “issue,” at the full resolution of the original scanned pages. DC’s Absolute editions are certainly gorgeous, but they miss this essential aspect of Moore’s magnum opus, a mistake we aim to remedy.
Special Features:
- Two posters that display the separate sides of the final issue.
- Two separate slipcases for the posters, each displaying a condensed version of the larger image.
- “The Magic of Promethea,” a paperback containing process work such as script excerpts, character designs, and thumbnails, including the entirety of issue #12, from script, to pencil, to inks, to the finished product sans letters. Continued below
- Box art newly illustrated by J.H. Williams III. This box can be dismantled and unfolded into a single piece. (Note: Matt is not J.H. Williams III, so you’ll have to use your imagination)
#005: “Good-bye, Chunky Rice” by Craig Thompson
Collection curated by Michelle White
Chunky Rice is a turtle, so he carries his home on his back – and that means he was meant to travel. But what of Dandel the mouse deer, the close friend he’s leaving behind? And will a boat trip alongside pirates and cynical sisters really take Chunky where he needs to go? Whimsical art and a deeply-felt appreciation for the meaning of friendship converge in this delightful fable about what it really means to leave somebody.
Now known for the award-winning “Blankets”, “Good-Bye, Chunky Rice” was Craig Thompson’s first graphic novella. A work of remarkable imagination, it established Thompson as a powerful new voice on the indie comics scene.
This deluxe hardback edition comes specially packaged in a replica glass bottle.
Special Features:
- Introduction by Alan Moore
- Never-before-seen, full-colour short story explaining how Chunky and Dandel first met
- Full-length, all-Motown soundtrack to the book (includes download code)
- Replica of author’s notebook featuring character sketches and doodles
- Handcrafted Ruth and Livonia marionette
