The Multiversity Collection: November 2013 Titles

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:

1. 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.
2. 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

#031: Scalped by Jason Aaron and RM Guéra

Collection curated by Matthew Meylikhov

There was a time when Vertigo was one of the defining voices in comics, offering up important works of sequential fiction that defined what all comics should seek to aspire to. Spanning genres and styles, this voice was important to Vertigo’s identity within the comic community, though it eventually lost that title overtime. Yet, in Vertigo’s twilight years as one of the most important imprints of our time, it gave us “Scalped” by Jason Aaron and RM Guéra, one of the most important crime comics of the last decade.

Giving us the story of Dashiell Bad Horse as he returned home to the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation in South Dakota, “Scalped” is to comics what shows like Breaking Bad are to television. A dark tale where ethics are always in question and morality exists against a blurred line, it’s a book that took all of the standard ideas of procedural drama and flipped it on its head for one of the most raw crime stories of the past decade. While many books will offer takes into the crime genre, few stand as tall and moving as “Scalped,” and few ever will.

Special Features

• A special five-year anniversary print, featuring a collaboration between series artist RM Guéra and series cover artist Jock
• A complete book full of all of Jock’s cover art
• A new introduction by Vince Gilligan
• “Revisiting the Rez,” a new documentary featuring both the series creators and colleagues such as Ed Brubaker discussing the impact of “Scalped” on modern crime and police procedural comics

#032: 52 by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen and more

Collection curated by Brian Salvatore

One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by a major comics company in the modern era, “52” brought together some of DC’s most talented writers and artists to put together a weekly series chronicling the “lost” year in the DCU. Focused on relatively minor characters like John Henry “Steel” Irons, Black Adam, Booster Gold, and Ralph Dibney, the series introduced new characters, killed old ones, and changed the status quo of DC Comics forever.

After the events of “Infinite Crisis,” Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman disappear for a year, leaving the world without its most recognizable heroes. Due to that power vacuum, as well as the recent losses of Sue Dibny and Superboy, and various other unusual events, the year that is chronicled in “52” is unlike any other year in comic book history. Regular people are granted super powers; Animal Man, Starfire and Adam Strange find a pacifist Lobo; a mysterious new hero called Supernova shows up in Metropolis; who are the Science Squad? Who would dare challenge Black Adam?

Special Features

• The never-before collected “History of the DC Universe,” written by Dan Jurgens and illustrated by Art Thibert, which appeared in issues #2-11.
• The never-before collected “Secret Origins” written by Mark Waid and illustrated by a rotating cast of artists, which appeared in issues #12-51
• The complete “World War III” limited series, written by Keith Champagne and John Ostrander, and illustrated by Pat Olliffe and Tom Derenick, inserted into the proper reading order
• The full script and breakdown pages for issues #1 and 52
• The previously published “52 Companion” in its completion, as well as both “Aftermath” series (“Aftermath: The Four Horsemen” and “Aftermath: The Crime Bible: Five Lessons of Blood”) and the “Booster Gold” ’52 Pick-Up’ story arc.
• The Story According to Skeets – A feature length documentary involving all the key players discussing the weekly series
• Vintage 2006 Calendar, featuring the events of the series
• Replica can of “Soder Cola” and gold-plated facsimile of Ralph Dibny’s wedding band

#033: Madman by Mike Alred

Collection curated by Vince Ostrowski

Mike Allred and Frank Einstein have been on a long, strange trip for more than 20 years. From brawling with street beatniks to having periodic existential breakdowns, Allred’s “Madman” never failed to be himself – even if he had no idea who that was. With stints at Dark Horse, Image, and even through self-publishing, “Madman” found a happy home with whoever would have him. Allred’s unmistakeable style grows as the series goes on and we even see him begin to experiment with homages and references to the great artists in comics history, of whom he is now surely among. A true pioneer in mixing the mainstream with the underground, “Madman” is a culturally important work, available for the first time in one ginchy volume.

Special Features

#034: The Complete Corto Maltese, Vol. 1 HC by Hugo Pratt (Collecting Ballad of the Salt Sea, Brazillian Eagle and Banana Congo)

Collection curated by Joe Keatinge (owner of the Corto Maltumblr, as well as writer of “Glory,” “Hell Yeah” and the upcoming “Marvel Knights: Hulk”)

There is no other comic book series I think deserves to be given a prestigious release more than Hugo Pratt’s Corto Maltese. It’s my all-time favorite comic book and it’s impossible for English readers who are not willing to throw down some serious money on some long out-of-print and extremely hard-to-find editions. Often described as a “modern day Ulysses,” Corto Maltese is something of a swashbuckling adventurer, with tales largely taking place in the early 20th century, at international locales all over the planet. Hugo Pratt lived a few lifetimes himself, allowing him to truly immerse you in Maltese’s reality.

The first of five hardcover volumes collecting the entirety of Hugo Pratt’s Corto Maltese, beginning with the seminal classic, Ballad of The Salt Sea, then collecting the shorter stories previously only available in the NBM editions of Brazilian Eagle and Banana Congo.

Special Features

• Translated by Stefano Gaudiano
• Introduction by Paul Pope
• A Bibliographical Appreciation by Professor Ben Saunders
• Designed by Eric Skillman
• Selection of translated Hugo Pratt Interviews
• Sketchbook + Art Gallery featuring commentary by Pratt from international editions
• Page Count: 432
• Format: 11 x 8.5 inch hardcover, sewn binding, black & white interiors, color printed cover (no dust jacket)