Fantagraphics Acquires Gaines Library; Will Release B&W EC Books By Author...

[Yoc]

Fantagraphics announced at its company panel today at Comic-Con International that it has reached an agreement with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. to publish one of the great founts of quality comics in the medium's history, the EC Comics Library.

http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/fantagraphics_acquires_gaines_library_will_release_best_ec_books_by_author/

An interesting development.  I wonder what Russ Cochran think about this?

[josemas]

I wonder if Russ still has the rights to continue the EC Archives?  I didn't see anything in the article that indicated that Fantagraphics has exclusive rights to the EC material and I notice that all of the Fantagraphics collections are centered around individuals-Kurtzman, Davis, Wood, Williamson, etc... as opposed to Russ's approach of reprinting volumes featuring complete issues thus the projects don't necessarily conflict.

Best

Joe

[Drusilla lives!]

I get the impression that Russ is packing it in... it was a great run, and he did a lot to keep those works out there... but hey, he's entitled to retire at some point. 

Personally, I don't see why they would want to have creator-centric collections, it might not come off as well as they think.  For example, I happened to recently reread a few "Where Monsters Dwell" issues which reprinted those Atlas monster stories from the late 50s/early 60s, and let me tell you, the first two issues were real bears to get through.  

I partly attribute this to the fact that they consisted of all Kirby-Ayers stories... and pretty bad ones at that.  The third issue was such a pleasure to read due to the inclusion of a single Paul Reinman story (and a mix of inkers on Kirby).  And it only got better in later issues with the inclusion of some Ditko stories as well.  Which made me realize that one of the critical keys to success with many of these anthology comics were their mix of artists.  That's what made EC (and later the Warren mags) so interesting IMO... it was the successful matching and pairing of the individual artists with their diverse styles within each issue that made a big difference... well that, and the fact that they were talented as hell.  

So my point is that sometimes the whole IS greater then its parts.  But nevertheless, I guess it will be easier a task cherry-picking the EC material since so much of it was of such a high quality.  But I see Kurtzman, Davis, Wood and Williamson... what, no Ingels?  Of all the EC artists, I'd think he's the one I'd pick for this type of creator-centric retrospective.  Oddly enough, I was thinking just that a few months ago.  That is, how great it would be to have his "Old Witch" material collected together... I mean, not only are there the Haunt pieces, but there's all those stories in the Crime Suspense comics (which IMO don't belong there).  Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[OtherEric]

The one I'm looking forward to is the Wally Wood Artist's edition, which is NOT from Fantagraphics.  But it will reprint Wood EC stories from the original art, at full original size.

[narfstar]

The EC comics themselves have been reprinted over and over and over. Anyone who wants to read them can find them. I think the creator centric books opens up a much greater market to them. Even someone who had the volume reprints may well by the books of their favorite creators. I think it was a smart move as there are a lot of artist centric collectors.

[Drusilla lives!]

The one I'm looking forward to is the Wally Wood Artist's edition, which is NOT from Fantagraphics.  But it will reprint Wood EC stories from the original art, at full original size.

I think that makes more sense to me then what Fantagraphics is planning.  The Artist's Edition series seems to me to be more of an historical preservation/educational undertaking.  Being shot from the raw art, reproduced at the same size and NOT being corrected, it just seems more of an effort on their part to preserve and somehow document the working methods of these past comic art masters... and in doing so give future artists an opportunity to look over their shoulders and gain some insight into those methods.

The EC comics themselves have been reprinted over and over and over. Anyone who wants to read them can find them. ...

This is exactly why I don't see a need to continue to reprint these stories at this time... anyone who really wants to read and see these works can do so easily enough with what's out there already.

... I think the creator centric books opens up a much greater market to them. Even someone who had the volume reprints may well by the books of their favorite creators. I think it was a smart move as there are a lot of artist centric collectors.

That's true, up to a point.  But see, honestly, I get the feeling that it's more like artistic snobbery creeping into the comic book medium.  I mean, in the case of EC I get the feeling it's like... "Oh if only we could distance some of this stuff from the rest of that trash."  

  

[John C]

I mean, in the case of EC I get the feeling it's like... "Oh if only we could distance some of this stuff from the rest of that trash."  

That's how the entire industry has seemingly viewed itself since at least (and rather ironically) the '90s, no?  Remember the incessant drum-beat of "comics aren't just for kids" and "comics are Real Art"?  (Which, by the way, here's a hint, aspiring professionals:  Like with maturity, if you feel the need to tell me how good an artist you are, then...I have to assume you aren't.)

[darwination]

I'll definitely check these out if they are well done.  I probably own most of the EC comics in one for or another.  I've got the black and white hardcover set for Weird Science (my favorite presentation I own) along with runs of the single issue reprints for most of the titles.  The EC Archives that came out a few years ago were pretty nicely done but too expensive at $50 for a 6 issue hardcover, so I only picked up one of those. The focus on an individual artist is a nice touch, and something I'm interested in.  I'm a big fan of Fantagraphics as a publisher, so I'm guessing they will do an excellent job in however they present these comics.  The EC comics have and will continue to be a gateway for comics fans to going back as far as the golden age, so I've really got no problem with them being endlessly reprinting in one form or another.  I certainly enjoy reading them over and over again. 

[philcom55]

I must say I liked the All-Wood, Wrightson, Crandall (etc.) issues that Warren used to put out - even when I owned every one the original printings. On the Marvel Monster titles I'd love them to compile the Lee/Ditko tales in one set of volumes (preferably in a similar format to Russ Cochran's B&W EC sets).

 - Phil Rushton

[Yoc]

I see Russ Cochran didn't take the Fantagraphics editions laying down - so now there will be compeating collected editions.
It's starting to feel like EC Collectors are looked at like Beatles, Doors and Hendrix collectors.  There can't be too many editions of the same material at any price can there?

-Yoc



Found on the net today -  READ THE COMPLETE RELEASE HERE - http://marvelmasterworksfansite.yuku.com/topic/17958


New EC ARCHIVES titles from GC PRESS, LLC
    Posted by: "Grant Geissman" GGeissman@aol.com grantgeissman
    Date: Thu Sep 1, 2011 11:46 am ((PDT))

EC ARCHIVES from GC PRESS, LLC

First-generation EC Comics fan Russ Cochran and second-generation EC
Comics aficionado Grant Geissman have established a boutique imprint
called GC Press, LLC. The imprint is dedicated to the high-quality
preservation of the 1950s EC Comics—in book form, and presenting
complete issues, the way EC originally intended! The EC comic books have
long since become legendary for their extraordinarily high level of both
writing and artwork. Originally regarded as mere ephemera, mint copies
of the original 1950s issues can now command thousands of dollars. GC
Press, LLC is devoted to keeping these classic comic books, as well as
other fine EC-related products, in print for this—and
future—generations to enjoy.

MORE TO READ ON THE LINK ABOVE

[Yoc]

While answering a question on GC Archives using modern colouring Ross reveals his plans for EC and a new project called Sunday Funnies here -

Bill,
I understand your preference for the old comics coloring.  As limited as it
was, it was the state of the art in the 1950s, and the old EC comics that we
all love were colored that way because it was the only way to go.  So you,
and those who agree with you, should buy the EC Annuals, which reprint
the comics on newsprint and with the old way of coloring.  The linework is
not as crisp and sharp, the colors are often garish, but the beauty of
the EC stories and art still comes through.

But technology changes.  We are now able to color these comics with an
infinite palette, and to reproduce the artists' linework much more
clearly.  If these new computer generated color techniques had been
available in the 1950s, I think Bill Gaines would have used it because
it makes the EC work even more beautiful.  So the EC material has been
printed three different ways:  with the old color, as originally published
back in the 1950s, without any color, as it was drawn by the EC artists (the
EC Library), and with the best color we can do with modern technology (the
EC Archives).

It has been my experience that the most dedicated EC fans are not satisfied
to have them reprinted only one, or two, ways.  They want them all.
Those fans will have the old comics in the EC Annuals, the black and white
art in the EC Library, and the best color we can produce in the EC
Archives.  There's room there for everyone.

Incidentally, I am launching a new publishing venture called the SUNDAY
FUNNIES, reprinting old full page Sunday comic pages in FULL SIZE and FULL
COLOR, just as they were originally published.  These will be monthly
32-page comic sections, printed on good paper.  You should love them!

Russ Cochran