Galactus
Devourer of Worlds
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2000
- Messages
- 16,277
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 31
August will see the kickoff of a new line of hadcover collections from Marvel, following in the format of the publisher's Premiere hardcover line which collects current stories. Instead of recent material, however, the Marvel Premiere Classic Hardcover line will dip into Marvel's history, and pull out fan-favorite storylines, polish them up, and re-present them between two covers with plenty of extras.
The first volume, if the cover didn't already give it away, will collect the "Kraven's Last Hunt" storyline, which was originally presented as a title-spanning Spider-Man story by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck in 1987, showing the utter breakdown of Kraven the Hunter, due to his inability to capture and kill Spider-Man after years and years of trying. The 160 page hardcover collection will carry a $19.99 price tag.
We spoke with Marvel's Mark Beazley about the debut collection and the new line of hardcovers.
"Fans have been so responsive to our Premiere HC line of current releases that we decided to expand the treatment to collect exactly what the title suggests - classic Marvel storylines from throughout Marvel's publishing history," Beazley said when asked about the goal behind the new line. "When you think of definitive Spider-Man stories, 'Fearful Symmetry/Kraven's Last Hunt' is one of those greats that everyone remembers. We want to showcase some of the true gems of Marvel's past by presenting them in the best possible way."
Speaking of the presentation, Beazley said that the hardcovers are being printed on the same archival matte paper stock Marvel uses in its Masterworks line. "There may be the occasional more modern classic which was done with more modern coloring techniques where we'll stick to the glossy paper, but the vast majority of these will be presented in the best manner possible," Beazley said. "We're hoping to reach out to the original creators and dig up as much behind the scenes material as possible. It may be rough on some stories, but we truly are striving to make these definitive collections.
"In the original collection of 'Kraven's Last Hunt,' the covers weren't included as chapter breaks. We got in touch with inker Bob McLeod who was kind enough to provide scans of the original inked covers, which are recolored to match the originals. Artist extraordinaire Mike Zeck sent us tons of material including copies of the original pencils to all the covers as well as a large number of interior pencils. We set aside over 20 pages in the back to showcase his gorgeous pencils."
Speaking of the cover for the collection, yes, that is the original cover image to Web of Spider-Man #32, but it's been recolored from the ground up. "Since Mike was able to provide us with the original pencils, that enabled us to use modern digital coloring techniques. We were lucky enough to convince Richard Isanove to find a hole in his insanely busy schedule to digitally paint over the pencils to the cover of Web of Spider-Man #32 to render that amazing image. p> "Also - akin to our Masterworks line we're doing regular and variant version of the jackets. The regular versions emphasize the story and character featured - it's a Spider-Man book reprinting the classic Spider-Man story 'Kraven's Last Hunt.' The design highlights the creators and characters involved. The variants emphasize that the Premiere Classics are a line of hardcovers reprinting the best stories of Marvel's past. They'll be numbered sequentially with each release so Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt is Vol 1 of the Marvel Premiere Classic Line. The design showcases the original covers of the stories reprinted."
And as for what's to come in the line?
"The next book should be in the October previews is a Premiere Classic of one the most influential storylines in Marvel history - Wolverine: Origin. We're going to be packing in the extras on this one. Our contact with Mike Zeck has given us a bevy of great stuff for a collection of Punisher: Circle of Blood reprinting the classic first solo Punisher miniseries. Beyond that you'll have to wait and see.
