Posted By Dan Greenfield on Apr 20, 2023 | 2 comments

Classics starring the Avengers and the Fantastic Four…

Marvel on Thursday released its solicitations and included are two big-time Epic Collections — one a new entry and the other a long-awaited re-release:

Dig the official solicitations:

AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION: THIS BEACHHEAD EARTH TPB

NEW PRINTING! Volume #5 in the Avengers Epic Collections

Written by ROY THOMAS with HARLAN ELLISON
Penciled by JOHN BUSCEMA, SAL BUSCEMA & NEAL ADAMS with FRANK GIACOIA, HERB TRIMPE & SAM GRAINGER
Cover by JOHN BUSCEMA

Roy Thomas’ epic run continues with the origin of the Black Panther, the debut of the Lady Liberators, the return of the Squadron Sinister and the all-time classic Kree/Skrull War! Caught in a cosmic crossfire, Earth has become the staging ground for a conflict of star-spanning proportions! Two eternal intergalactic enemies – the merciless Kree and the shape-shifting Skrulls – have gone to war, and our planet is situated on the front lines! Can Earth’s Mightiest Heroes bring about an end to the fighting before humanity becomes a casualty of war? And what good are even a dozen super-powered champions against the vast military machines of two of the greatest empires in the cosmos? Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #77-97 and INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #140.

Rated T.

—

FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION: THE CRUSADER SYNDROME TPB

Volume #9 in the Fantastic Four Epic Collections

Written by GERRY CONWAY & ROY THOMAS with LEN WEIN, MARV WOLFMAN, CHRIS CLAREMONT, TONY ISABELLA & STEVE ENGLEHART
Penciled by RICH BUCKLER, JOHN BUSCEMA & GEORGE PÉREZ with BOB BROWN & SAL BUSCEMA
Cover by RICH BUCKLER

FANTASTIC FOUR stands tall as one of the greatest super-hero series of all time – and it certainly didn’t get there by doing the same old, same old! In this Epic Collection, the strained relationship of Reed and Sue Richards takes a turn for the worse. Sue joins Namor in an invasion of New York City – and the Frightful Four pile on, too! Then, the Femizons and Mahkizmo the Nuclear Man begin a battle of the sexes. Next, the Silver Surfer returns – with a vengeance! The Machiavellian Doctor Doom has captured the Surfer’s beloved Shalla Bal and used her to turn him against the Fantastic Four! Giant-Size adventures and a royal wedding round it out as the FF prove that nothing is stronger than the bonds of family! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #147-167, GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #2-4 and AVENGERS (1963) #127.

Rated T.

—

A few thoughts:

— This Beachhead Earth runs 504 pages and lists for $44.99. It’s due August 23, 2023. The volume was first released in 2020 and is one of those Epic Collections that should always be available. Kree-Skrull War, y’know?

— The Crusader Syndrome — featuring George Perez’s first issues on the title — runs 512 pages and lists for $49.99. It’s due August 30, 2023.

— I don’t know if this is a popular opinion or not but I really dig that ’70s Namor outfit. Dude is stylin’!

— Hey, check out the links below for more retro Marvel news!

—

MORE

— Classic X-MEN #101 Leads Marvel’s FOUR Facsimile Editions Coming in July. Click here.

— Dig This Groovy JOHN ROMITA Variant Cover For CAPTAIN AMERICA #750. Click here.