It’s been a lonnnnnng wait, but the House of Ideas is taking the plunge in February!
Fans have been begging for Marvel to reprint its Bronze Age Treasury Editions as Facsimiles and, now, finally, the House of Ideas has opened the door with February’s full-size reprint of 1977’s Marvel Special Edition Featuring Star Wars #1.
Dig the solicitation info, which will be formally released later this month:
MARVEL SPECIAL EDITION FEATURING STAR WARS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
WRITTEN BY ROY THOMAS
PENCILED BY HOWARD CHAYKIN
COVER BY RICK HOBERG
Re-presenting the classic story of Episode IV: A New Hope done in the Mighty Marvel Manner! Join Luke Skywalker on the first, fateful steps of his epic journey from the deserts of Tatooine to the very heart of the Rebellion! This opening chapter of Marvel’s adaptation of George Lucas’ masterpiece features the debuts of some of the most beloved characters in cinematic history — including Princess Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO and, of course, the ruthless enforcer of the Galactic Empire, Darth Vader! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original oversized format, including the ads and illustrations! Reprinting MARVEL SPECIAL EDITION FEATURING STAR WARS (1977) #1.
56 PGS./Rated T… $12.99
Trim size: 10 x 13-5/16
On Sale: February 17, 2027
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Buncha thoughts:
— DC has been reprinting its treasuries and has even expanded the line with new ones. That’s been deeply frustrating to Marvel fans, who’ve only seen reprints of the two Superman/Spider-Man treasuries — which were published through DC. But if the publisher was finally going to make the move, this was the way to do it.
— As I wrote last month: “I know I’m a broken record about this — but Marvel is perfectly positioned to finally bring back the Treasury Edition (like DC has, to great success) by reprinting the first Star Wars collections. I never got the original issues but the two treasuries, which reprinted three issues each, I read over and over again, and their 10″ x 13″ size made it so exciting. (The third treasury collected all six issues.)”
— And that’s where we have to pause: Marvel right now has no plans to print the second treasury — in other words, the second half of the story. I seriously hope they course correct here because this isn’t the kind of publication you want to be an “orphan.” But you know how this works: Money talks. If the fans pony up in large enough numbers, the company’s hand might be forced.
Back cover of an original
— Unlike DC’s regular offerings, there will not be a foil cover. That said, the edition is only $12.99, compared to the Distinguished Competition’s standard $14.99.
— To be clear: Marvel has publications that are close to treasury size, but they are essentially oversize trade collections. This is the real deal.
— Obligatory Price Comparison: These things were so popular — it was the best way to experience the movie over and over before the days of home video — that it’s difficult to find any in nice condition. Generally, midgrade originals will run you $15-20 a pop. A set of VF copies of #1 and #2 recently sold on eBay for about $180, but that seems excessive.
— Marvel has one other Facsimile Edition in February: 2015’s Secret Wars #2, continuing the monthly reprinting of the nine-issue series. The ish is also due Feb. 17.
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MORE
— MARVEL Offering a Galaxy of 50th ANNIVERSARY Editions Celebrating the Original Bronze Age STAR WARS Comics. Click here.
— THE (COMIC) BOOK OF BOBA FETT: 1980’s STAR WARS #42 to Get Facsimile Edition. Click here.
