Coming in October…
In 2024, Simon & Schuster’s Gallery 13 label released a 50th anniversary reprint of the seminal ’70s collection Origins of Marvel Comics, to much ballyhoo.
Not only was there a regular edition, there was a special, deluxe hardcover edited by our pal Chris Ryall that put the book in its proper context and addressed the elephant in the room — that the 1974 original got only a Stan Lee cover byline when the collection was filled with the work of creators such as Jack Kirby (primarily), Steve Ditko, John Buscema, John Romita and others.
The Deluxe Edition, with Alex Ross’ homage to John Romita’s original cover
Last year, Gallery 13 re-released the sequel, Son of Origins of Marvel Comics, with such little fanfare that it escaped our notice — and we’re obsessives! (Click here for more info about that.)
Now, upon our travels, we’ve happened upon a third 50th anniversary re-release — this October’s Bring on the Bad Guys!, also cover-credited to Stan Lee, but featuring the work of folks like Kirby, Buscema, Romita, Joe Sinnott, Gil Kane, and more.
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Buncha thoughts:
— The online description is pretty dinky — “Now back in print and timed for its 50th anniversary—the landmark book Bring on the Bad Guys by Stan Lee!”
— The 256-page trade paperback is due Oct. 6, 2026, and lists for $21.99. The original, published by Simon & Schuster’s Fireside Books, came out in October 1976.
— As the cover suggests, the book features the reprinted origin stories of Dr. Doom, Dormammu, Loki, the Red Skull, the Green Goblin, the Abomination, and Mephisto.
— If this 50th anniversary cycle holds, next year should bring us The Superhero Women: Featuring the Fabulous Females of Marvel Comics.
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MORE
— Hey, Did Ya Miss It? 1975’s SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS Has Been Re-Released. Click here.
— ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS to Get 50th Anniversary Re-Release — Including a DELUXE EDITION. Click here.
