Marvel Masterworks

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Marvel Masterworks are a collection of hardcover comic book reprints published by Marvel Comics that feature their most famous series in chronological order. The collection started in 1987 with volumes reprinting the first issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Avengers, etc. It now features over seventy volumes, and has expanded from just silver age to include golden age, Atlas Era and with Uncanny X-Men even some bronze age. There are around 10 comics a volume. It is the most popular way of reading silver age Marvel Comics stories in color, and has acquired a large fan following as a format.

There is also an Essential range printed in trade paperback with around 25 comics a volume but printed in black and white. In addition Marvel have recently started introducing Omnibuses which are full-color giant hardcovers reprinting 3-4 Masterworks volumes' worth of material, but up to now only Fantastic Four Omnibus: Vol. 1 , Uncanny X-Men Omnibus: Vol. 1, Eternals Omnibus and Alias: One Volume Omnibus have been released.

Contents

[edit] History of the Masterworks Program

[edit] Early History - The 'Original 27' (1987-1994)

The first Masterworks program from Marvel started in 1987 and continued until 1994, covering 27 volumes (often called the "original 27"). Each volume had a marble dustjacket (of varying colours) and was printed with a number on its spine representing the order in which the volumes were released - for example, The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 1 was number 1, The Fantastic Four: Vol. 1 was number 2, and so on. The number of issues reprinted was determined by what looked best on the book shelf, and not by page count - so typically volumes contained 10 issues plus any annuals and were about 220-260 pages, but this policy led Iron Man: Vol. 1 to be just 197 pages, The Incredible Hulk: Vol. 1 to be just 150 pages and Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 1-3 all to be under 200 pages as well. However the volumes under 208 pages were and still are sold for $10 less to compensate. Many volumes went back to press for subsequest prints (The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 1 had 6 prints).

[edit] The Program Slows Down (1994-2002)

The 'Defunct Era' (1994-1996)

From 1994-1996, no new Masterworks were published and exisiting volumes did not go back to print.

The 'ComicCraft Era' (1997-2002)

From 1997 to 2002, some of the original 27 went back to print once more, but now with a new style of dustjacket and without the chronological numbering on the spine (instead the number of the volume for that particular title is given). In addition to making existing Masterworks available again, from 2000 to 2002 four new Masterworks were published (bringing the total to 31).

[edit] The Restart of the Masterworks Program (2002-2004)

The 'Silver/Black Era' (2002)

With Sub-Mariner: Vol. 1, the 32nd Masterwork, Marvel launched the system of Silver dustjackets they use today (silver as the comics were from the silver age, although Uncanny X-Men is from the bronze age). These new dustjackets do not have the chronological numbering on their spine either, however upon their initial release a limited print run is produced with Variant dustjackets (using the original marble style and retaining the chronological numbering) - this two-cover system keeps both the old and new fans happy.

Barnes and Noble Paperbacks (2002-)

In 2002, Marvel partnered with Barnes & Noble to produce popular-priced paperback versions of selected Masterworks volumes. They use the Silver covers. There have only been 12 produced up until now, many of which are no longer available.

'ReMasterworks' (2003-2004)

In 2002, Marvel decided to get the 32 now-out-of-print volumes back into print, all with the new Silver dustjacket and with limitied variant marble dustjackets in the style of the original. This occurred between 2003-2004. However, the volumes were not just brought back to print as on previous occasions - many changes to the quality of the reprints, and what was reprinted were made. Issues/covers were often recolored, previously unreprinted pin-up pages were added and some issues were moved between volumes.

[edit] Masterworks in Full Swing Once More (2004-)

New Volumes (2004-)

Starting with The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 6 in April 2004 (the 33rd volume), Marvel started producing new Masterworks once more From volume 34 in September 2004 - The Fantastic Four: Vol. 7 - Marvel started releasing a silver age Masterwork every month, a programme that still continues to this day.

Golden Age Masterworks (2004-)

Up until now, Marvel had only released silver age Masterworks (with the exception of Uncanny X-Men, which were bronze age). However in October 2004 they released Golden Age Marvel Comics: Vol. 1, launching a new line of Masterworks. The 1940s Golden Age/Timely Comics line is differentiated from the 1960s Silver Age line by the facts that the names of all volumes start with "Golden Age" and the regular dustjacket is Gold, not Silver. From Golden Age Captain America: Vol. 1 in February 2005, these volumes have been released quarterly.

Atlas Era Masterworks (2006-)

In January 2006, with Atlas Era Tales to Astonish: Vol. 1, Marvel is scheduled to start a third line of Masterworks, the Atlas Era Masterworks, reprinting 50's and early 60's material. The volumes will all have red dustjackets instead of silver. 50's material is fairly unique in that little superhero and a lot of non-superhero material was produced, and Atlas Era Tales to Astonish vol. 1 reflects this in that it is reprinting monster stories, not superhero ones - another new move for Marvel. Atlas Era Masterworks volumes are scheduled to come out twice-annually.

More Reprints (2006-)

*NOTE: The most recent indication is that the information below is premature Starting in May 2006, Marvel will start reprinting some of the out-of-print Masterworks volumes. This is the first time second edition volumes will have been reprinted. Some of the volumes that were not fully restored during the ReMasterworks program will be restored properly for the first time.

[edit] Examples of the Different Covers

Below are examples of what the various different cover types look like - in each case, The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 1 is used as this was reproduced in each type. The 2nd edition style is the current one used, with the 1st edition style still used on variant covers produced for each book.

[edit] Volumes Out Of Print (O.O.P.)

More recently, some of the Masterworks volumes have been going out of print once more. It remains to be seen whether Marvel will reprint them. The Masterworks currently out of print are:

  • The Avengers: Vol. 2
  • The Avengers: Vol. 3
  • The Fantastic Four: Vol. 5
  • The Invincible Iron Man: Vol. 1
  • The Mighty Thor: Vol. 2
  • The X-Men: Vol. 4
  • The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 3

In addition, the variant covers all have limited print runs (between 380 for Avengers: Vol. 1 and 1505 for Fantastic Four: Vol. 7), and these typically sell out fast. So most of them should be considered out-of-print too.

[edit] Prices

Volumes typically list for $49.99 with the regular cover and $54.99 with the variant cover. However, volumes under 208 pages sell for $10 less ($39.99/$44.99) to compensate for the low page count. It is quite easy to buy in-print volumes for much lower than the cover price, however.

Older Masterworks with marble covers and newer ones with the limited edition Variant covers can sell for well over list price on the secondary market.

[edit] Comparisons with DC Archive Editions

While Marvel Masterworks started as a format two years before DC Archive Editions, DC Archives have been published consistently from when they first started in 1989 - meaning there are now about double the number of Archives available as Masterworks. Both book formats are about the same physical size, have similar page counts and cost the same. In terms of material reprinted, DC has more golden age material available simply because they were a bigger, more popular company in the golden age, with a Universe that goes back to these times - whereas the Marvel Universe only really launched in 1961 with the Fantastic Four.

[edit] List of Marvel Masterworks Volumes

This is the alphabetical list of all volumes. More information on each book is given in the chronological table below.

Golden Age

Atlas Era

Marvel Comics

[edit] Table of Marvel Masterworks Volumes

Notes about the Table

Below is a list of Marvel Masterworks volumes, sorted by the order on the limited edition spines and therefore also by order of first publication. Note that while the Uncanny X-Men volumes are technically bronze age, they are listed as being silver age here as this is how Marvel have categorized their reproductions of them. When the variant and regular covers of volumes came out on different dates, the regular edition date is listed. When books are not out yet, the date they are due is listed. When issues have been moved between volumes for their 2nd editions, their current placement is listed. The 'B&N?' category asks as to whether a Barnes & Noble paperback is available or not. The ISBN listed is the ISBN of the current regular/silver edition of each volume.

The Table

Age/Era Volume Name Issues Collected 1st Edition 2nd Edition Pages B&N? ISBN
1 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 1 Amazing Fantasy #15, The Amazing Spider-Man #1-10 November 1987 9 July 2003 248 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1256-1
2 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 1 The Fantastic Four #1-10 November 1987 29 June 2003 251 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1181-6
3 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 1 The X-Men #1-10 November 1987 21 June 2003 241 Yes ISBN 0-7851-0845-9
4 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 1 The Avengers #1-10 September 1988 1 October 2003 216 Yes ISBN 0-7851-0883-1
5 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 2 The Amazing Spider-Man #1-19, Annual #1 October 1988 27 August 2003 248 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1256-1
6 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 2 The Fantastic Four #11-20, Annual #1 October 1988 30 July 2003 295 No ISBN 0-7851-0980-3
7 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 2 The X-Men #11-21 November 1988 9 July 2003 240 No ISBN 0-7851-0983-8
8 Silver The Incredible Hulk: Vol. 1 The Incredible Hulk #1-6 September 1989 7 May 2003 150 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1185-9
9 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 2 The Avengers #11-20 September 1989 3 December 2003 224 No ISBN 0-7851-1178-6
10 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 3 The Amazing Spider-Man #20-30, Annual #2 October 1989 15 October 2003 261 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1188-3
11 Silver The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 1 Giant-Size X-Men #1, The X-Men #94-100 November 1989 12 November 2003 167 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1192-1
12 Silver The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 2 The X-Men #101-110 August 1990 7 January 2004 181 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1193-X
13 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 3 The Fantastic Four #21-30 September 1990 24 September 2003 234 No ISBN 0-7851-1182-4
14 Silver Captain America: Vol. 1 Tales of Suspense #59-81 October 1990 4 June 2003 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1176-X
15 Silver The Silver Surfer: Vol. 1 The Silver Surfer #1-6, The Fantastic Four Annual #5 June 1991 18 June 2003 260 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1187-5
16 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 4 The Amazing Spider-Man #31-40, Annual #2 August 1991 10 December 2003 216 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1189-1
17 Silver Daredevil: Vol. 1 Daredevil #1-11 September 1991 10 December 2003 256 Yes ISBN 0-7851-1257-X
18 Silver The Mighty Thor: Vol. 1 Journey Into Mystery #83-100 October 1991 16 July 2003 280 No ISBN 0-7851-1267-7
19 Silver The Silver Surfer: Vol. 2 The Silver Surfer #7-18 December 1991 20 August 2003 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1177-8
20 Silver The Invincible Iron Man: Vol. 1 Tales of Suspense #39-50 September 1992 5 November 2003 197 No ISBN 0-7851-1186-7
21 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 4 The Fantastic Four #31-40, Annual #2 November 1992 26 November 2003 264 No ISBN 0-7851-1183-2
22 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 5 The Amazing Spider-Man #41-50, Annual #3 December 1992 18 February 2004 232 No ISBN 0-7851-1190-5
23 Silver Doctor Strange: Vol. 1 Strange Tales #110-111, 114-141 December 1992 6 August 2003 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1180-8
24 Silver The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 3 The X-Men #111-121 September 1993 10 March 2004 197 No ISBN 0-7851-1194-8
25 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 5 The Fantastic Four #41-50, Annual #3 October 1993 28 January 2004 197 No ISBN 0-7851-1184-0
26 Silver The Mighty Thor: Vol. 2 Journey Into Mystery #101-110 January 1994 10 September 2003 218 No ISBN 0-7851-1191-3
27 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 3 The Avengers #21-30 February 1994 4 February 2004 216 No ISBN 0-7851-1179-4
28 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 6 The Fantastic Four #51-60, Annual #4 25 October 2000 17 March 2004 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1266-9
29 Silver Daredevil: Vol. 2 Daredevil #12-21 17 October 2001 25 February 2004 224 No ISBN 0-7851-1265-0
30 Silver The Mighty Thor: Vol. 3 Journey Into Mystery #111-120, Annual #1 14 November 2001 19 November 2003 256 No ISBN 0-7851-1268-5
31 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 3 The X-Men #22-31 ??? 2002 4 September 2003 224 No ISBN 0-7851-1269-3
32 Silver The Sub-Mariner: Vol. 1 Tales to Astonish #70-87 1 May 2002 14 January 2003 224 No ISBN 0-7851-0875-0
33 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 6 The Amazing Spider-Man #51-61, Annual #4 27 April 2004 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-1362-2
34 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 7 The Fantastic Four #61-71, Annual #5 25 August 2004 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-1584-6
35 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 4 The X-Men #32-42 22 September 2004 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1607-9
36 Golden Golden Age Marvel Comics: Vol. 1 Marvel Comics #1, Marvel Mystery Comics #1-4 20 October 2004 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1609-5
37 Silver The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 4 The X-Men #122-131, Annual #3 27 October 2004 N/A 224 No ISBN 0-7851-1630-3
38 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 4 The Avengers #31-40 10 November 2004 N/A 224 No ISBN 0-7851-1638-9
39 Silver The Incredible Hulk: Vol. 2 Tales to Astonish #59-79 29 December 2004 N/A 266 No ISBN 0-7581-1654-0
40 Silver The Uncanny X-Men: Vol. 5 The X-Men #132-140, Annual #4, Bizarre Adventures #27, Phoenix: The Untold Story #1 19 January 2005 N/A 312 No ISBN 0-7851-1698-2
41 Silver Daredevil: Vol. 3 Daredevil #22-32, Annual #1 16 February 2005 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-1696-6
42 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 8 The Fantastic Four #72-81, Annual #6 16 March 2005 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1694-X
43 Golden Golden Age Captain America: Vol. 1 Captain America Comics #1-4 23 March 2005 N/A 264 No ISBN 0-7851-1619-2
44 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 7 The Amazing Spider-Man #62-67, Annual #5, The Spectacular Spider-Man (Magazine) #1-2 27 April 2005 N/A 320 No ISBN 0-7851-1636-2
45 Silver The Invincible Iron Man: Vol. 2 Tales of Suspense #51-65 25 May 2005 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1771-7
46 Silver Captain America: Vol. 2 Tales of Suspense #82-99, Captain America #100 29 June 2005 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1785-7
47 Golden Golden Age Sub-Mariner: Vol. 1 Sub-Mariner Comics #1-4 22 June 2005 N/A 280 No ISBN 0-7851-1617-6
48 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 5 The X-Men #43-53, The Avengers #53, Ka-Zar #2-3, Marvel Tales #30 13 July 2005 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-1787-3
49 Silver Dr. Strange: Vol. 2 Strange Tales #142-168 14 September 2005 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-1737-7
50 Silver Captain Marvel: Vol. 1 Marvel Super Heroes #12-13, Captain Marvel #1-9 21 September 2005 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1178-6
51 Golden Golden Age Human Torch: Vol. 1 Human Torch #2-5A 26 October 2005 N/A 280 No ISBN 0-7851-1624-9
52 Silver The Mighty Thor: Vol. 4 Journey Into Mystery #121-125, The Mighty Thor #126-130 9 November 2005 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-1880-2
53 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 9 The Fantastic Four #82-93, Annual #7 23 November 2005 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1846-2
54 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 5 The Avengers #41-50, Annual #1 21 December 2005 N/A 288 No ISBN 0-7851-1848-9
55 Golden Golden Age All-Winners Comics: Vol. 1 All-Winners Comics #1-4 28 December 2005 N/A 253 No ISBN 0-7851-1884-5
56 Silver The Incredible Hulk: Vol. 3 Tales to Astonish #80-101, The Incredible Hulk #102 18 January 2006 N/A 288 No ISBN 0-7851-2032-7
57 Atlas Atlas Era Tales to Astonish: Vol. 1 Tales to Astonish #1-10 25 January 2006 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1889-6
58 Silver Sgt. Fury: Vol. 1 Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1-13 15 February 2006 N/A 320 No ISBN 0-7851-2039-4
59 Silver Ant-Man/Giant-Man: Vol. 1 Tales to Astonish #27, 35-52 15 March 2006 N/A 288 No ISBN 0-7851-2039-4
60 Golden Golden Age Marvel Comics: Vol. 2 Marvel Mystery Comics #5-8 29 March 2006 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-1609-5
61 Silver The X-Men: Vol. 6 The X-Men #54-66 26 April 2006 N/A 320 No ISBN 0-7851-2056-4
62 Silver The Fantastic Four: Vol. 10 The Fantastic Four #94-104 24 May 2006 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-2061-0
63 Silver The Rawhide Kid: Vol. 1 The Rawhide Kid #17-25 June 2006 N/A 256 No ISBN 0-7851-2117-X
64 Silver Captain America: Vol. 3 Captain America #101-113 July 2006 N/A 288 No ISBN 0-7851-2063-7
65 Silver The Invincible Iron Man: Vol. 3 Tales of Suspense #66-83, Tales to Astonish #82 23 August 2006 N/A 256 No ISBN 0-7851-2067-X
66 Silver The Human Torch: Vol. 1 Strange Tales #101-117, Annual #2 20 September 2006 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-2070-X
67 Silver The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 8 The Amazing Spider-Man #68-77, Marvel Super-Heroes #14 11 October 2006 N/A 240 No ISBN 0-7851-2074-2
68 Atlas Atlas Era Tales of Suspense: Vol. 1 Tales of Suspense #1-10 25 October 2006 N/A 272 No ISBN 0-7851-2406-3
69 Silver The Mighty Thor: Vol. 5 The Mighty Thor #131-140, Annual #2 22 November 2006 N/A 256 No ISBN 0-7851-2076-9
70 Silver The Avengers: Vol. 6 (NOT YET RELEASED) The Avengers #51-58, Annual #2, The X-Men #45 13 December 2006 N/A 256 No ISBN 0-7851-2079-3
71 Golden Golden Age All-Winners: Vol. 2 (NOT YET RELEASED) All-Winners Comics #5-8 28 December 2006 N/A 280 No ISBN 0-7581-2406-3
72 Silver Warlock: Vol. 1 (NOT YET RELEASED) Marvel Premiere #1-2, Warlock #1-8, The Incredible Hulk #176-178 10 January 2007 N/A 288 No ISBN 0-7851-2411-X
73 Atlas Atlas Era Heroes: Vol. 1 (NOT YET RELEASED) Marvel Boy #1-2, Astonishing #3-6, Young Men #24-28 24 January 2007 N/A 304 No ISBN 0-7851-2408-X
74 Silver Daredevil: Vol. 4 (NOT YET RELEASED) Daredevil #33-41, The Fantastic Four #73 28 February 2007 N/A 224 No ISBN 0-7851-2072-6
75 Silver Doctor Strange: Vol. 3 (NOT YET RELEASED) Doctor Strange #169-179, The Avengers #61 14 March 2007 N/A 256 No ISBN 0-7851-2410-1
76 Golden Golden Age USA Comics: Vol. 1 (NOT YET RELEASED) U.S.A. Comics #1-4 28 March 2007 N/A 280 No ISBN 0-7851-2478-0


[edit] See also

[edit] External links