Clover Press’ Kickstarter campaign is live…
Not long ago, Marvel ceased publishing its long-running line of Marvel Masterworks — high-end hardcovers that appeal to the hardcore collector. But they officially back — as in right now — through Clover Press’ just launched Kickstarter campaign.
The first wave includes Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 18; Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 25; Marvel Masterworks: The Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 6 — and, amid much demand — Marvel Masterworks: Super-Villain Team-Up, Vol. 1.
Each book will get three covers — the two classic versions and a new one designed by Clover Press co-founder and Art Director Robbie Robbins.
Here’s more about Wave 1; desciptions by Clover Press:
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE MIGHTY THOR VOL. 25 (VARIANT VOL. 392)
Written by WALTER SIMONSON
Penciled by WALTER SIMONSON & SAL BUSCEMA
Cover by WALTER SIMONSON
In Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 25, Walter Simonson and Sal Buscema’s original art is faithfully restored and looking better than ever as The God of Thunder leads an army into Hel itself in this fan-favorite classic every Marvel fan should have in their library—collecting THE MIGHTY THOR (1966) 360-369 and BALDER THE BRAVE (1985) 1-4.
Featuring an introduction by Walter Simonson
The creative team behind this volume is led by legendary writer/artist Walter Simonson, whose groundbreaking run on The Mighty Thor is widely regarded as one of the greatest in comic book history. Simonson redefined the God of Thunder with epic storytelling and unforgettable creations like Beta Ray Bill, while also leaving his mark on titles including Fantastic Four and X-Factor. Joining him is acclaimed artist Sal Buscema, one of Marvel’s most prolific illustrators, celebrated for his work on The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, and The Avengers.
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MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 18 HC (VARIANT VOL. 390)
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT with LOUISE SIMONSON & WALTER SIMONSON
Penciled by JIM LEE & MARC SILVESTRI with ARTHUR ADAMS, BILL JAASKA, MIKE COLLINS, JON BOGDANOVE, BUTCH GUICE, TERRY SHOEMAKER, CHRIS WOZNIAK, MARK HEIKE & WHILCE PORTACIO
Cover by JIM LEE
The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 18, Chris Claremont and Jim Lee begin their march towards X-Men #1, the Guiness Book of World Records top-selling comic book of all time—collecting THE UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) 256-268 & ANNUAL (1970) 14 and material from THE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL (1963) 23, X-FACTOR ANNUAL (1986) 5 and THE NEW MUTANTS ANNUAL (1984) 6.
Featuring an introduction by Chris Claremont
The creative team behind this volume represents one of the most influential eras in Uncanny X-Men history, led by legendary writer Chris Claremont, whose groundbreaking run transformed the X-Men into Marvel’s biggest franchise through rich character development, sprawling continuity, and iconic stories like The Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past. Joining him is superstar artist Jim Lee, whose dynamic style helped define the look of Marvel Comics in the 1990s and propelled X-Men #1 to become the best-selling comic book of all time. Backed by acclaimed artists Marc Silvestri, Arthur Adams, and Whilce Portacio, along with contributions from Louise and Walter Simonson.
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MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE TOMB OF DRACULA VOL. 6 HC (VARIANT VOL. 393)
Written by MARV WOLFMAN
Penciled by GENE COLAN
Cover by GENE COLAN
In Marvel Masterworks: The Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 6, high-stakes storytelling pulls long-running characters like Quincy Harker, Rachel van Helsing and Blade into a final reckoning that leaves no one untouched from collaborators Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan and Tom Palmer—collecting THE TOMB OF DRACULA (1972) 56-70.
Featuring an introduction by Kelley Jones
Known for merging horror with superhero storytelling, writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan formed one of the most celebrated creative partnerships of the comic book Bronze Age, collaborating together for six straight years on Tomb of Dracula – one of Marvel’s most acclaimed comic series. Wolfman would go on to become one of the most influential writers in comics history through landmark works like The New Teen Titans and Crisis on Infinite Earths, while Colan’s distinctive artwork made him a standout talent on titles including Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and Batman.
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The three covers for
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP VOL. 1 HC (VARIANT VOL. 391)
Written by BILL MANTLO, ROY THOMAS & STEVE ENGLEHART with GERRY CONWAY, TONY ISABELLA, PETER GILLIS, JIM SHOOTER, LARRY LIEBER, MARK GRUENWALD & STEVEN GRANT
Penciled by BOB HALL & HERB TRIMPE with MIKE SEKOWSKY, SAL BUSCEMA, KEITH GIFFEN, GEORGE PÉREZ, JOHN BUSCEMA, GEORGE TUSKA, GEORGE EVANS, JIM MOONEY, JIM SHOOTER, CARMINE INFANTINO, ARVELL JONES, STEVE DITKO, LARRY LIEBER & FRANK GIACOIA
Cover by RON WILSON
In Marvel Masterworks: In Marvel Masterworks: Super-Villain Team-Up, Vol. 1, Doctor Doom and his notorious accomplices Namor and the Red Skull take the stage in this classic Marvel series which gives the bad guys full rein—collecting GIANT-SIZE SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP (1975) 1-2, SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP (1975) 1-17, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT (1971) 27, THE AVENGERS (1963) 154-156, THE CHAMPIONS (1975) 16 and material from MARVEL PREVIEW (1975) 21.
Featuring an introduction by Roy Thomas (which you can read here as a 13th Dimension EXCLUSIVE.)
The creative team behind this volume is packed with legendary Marvel talent. Writers Bill Mantlo, Roy Thomas, and Steve Englehart helped define Marvel’s Bronze Age with influential runs on titles like The Avengers, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Silver Surfer, and X-Men. On art duties, Bob Hall and Herb Trimpe bring the action to life, with Trimpe best known for his iconic work on The Incredible Hulk and as the co-creator of Wolverine. Backed by an all-star lineup including John Buscema, George Pérez, Sal Buscema, Steve Ditko, Keith Giffen, and Carmine Infantino.
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Clover Press promises “meticulous color restoration,” and “the highest fidelity reproduction ever.” Hundreds of pages will be restored directly from the original art.
There will also be a raft of bonuses, such as slipcases, dustjackets, collectors boxes, cards, journals, buttons, prints, and much more.
This is just the beginning: “The publication of the first wave of books marks just the first stage of Clover Press’ publishing plan to continue the historic Marvel Masterworks program, with an ambitious, ongoing schedule that will bring dozens of new editions of Marvel Masterworks series to print,” the company said. “Longtime Marvel series editor Cory Sedlmeier will continue in his role as editor and series steward, continuing the role that he’s served at Marvel for more than two decades.”
“Each Masterworks volume has a completely new restoration that outshines all past editions,” Sedlmeier said. “More than 40 percent of the final issue of Tomb of Dracula—an issue that suffered from poor reproduction in all past printings, including the original comic—has been restored from original art; dozens of pages of Jim Lee X-Men have been restored from the originals; and over 200 pages of Walter Simonson’s Thor have been restored from original art scans that Walter did just for this Masterworks. Coupled with the highest fidelity reproduction ever at 1200dpi and meticulous color restoration, the new line of Masterworks is going to knock the socks off readers old and new alike.”
Hit up the Kickstarter campaign for much more information, including pricing and so forth.
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MORE
— The Secret History of MARVEL’S Cult-Fave SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP, by ROY THOMAS. Click here.
— VOLUME 2 of Cult-Favorite 1980 SPIDER-MAN Paperback Series Also Gets FACSIMILE EDITION. Click here.
