DC Comics Absolute Editions

 

DC Comics Absolute Editions are a series of archival quality printings of graphic novels published by DC Comics and Wildstorm Productions. Each is presented in a hardcover, dustjacketed and slipcased edition with cloth bookmark consisting of one or more books which include restored, corrected and recolored versions of the original work, reprinted at 8 inches by 12 inches. Also included are supplemental materials regarding the creation of the work, including sketches, comic scripts, memos, etc. There are collections that are the same but don't have the "Absolute" title.

Titles

The following titles in the series have been released or announced.

Authority

• Absolute Authority Volume 1 - Collects The Authority # 1-12. Released 2002. ISBN 1-56389-882-9.

• Absolute Authority Volume 2 - Collects The Authority # 13-20, 22, & 27-29. Released 2003. ISBN 1-4012-0097-4.

Batman

• Absolute Batman Hush - Reprinting Batman: Hush storyline from Batman #608-619. This absolute volume includes additional sketches and character designs by Jim Lee. Released October 1st, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0426-0.

• Absolute Dark Knight - Collects Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller. Extras include character design sketches. Released August 23rd, 2006. ISBN 1-4012-1079-1.

• Absolute Batman The Long Halloween - Reprints Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13, and includes an interview and commentary by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale and 4 new pages inserted into the story. Released April 4th, 2007. ISBN 1-4012-1282-4.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Unlike most of the other Absolute Editions which are a single slipcased book, this was a set of two volumes, with the separate 96 page book containing most of the supplementary material. In addition to memos, notes, sketches, and commentary by the creators, it includes The Official Crisis on Infinite Earths Index #1 and The Official Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover Index #1, both reprinted for the first time. Released November 16th, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0712-X.

Danger Girl

Released December 17th, 2003. ISBN 1-4012-0096-6.

DC: The New Frontier

Released November 8th, 2006. ISBN 1-4012-1080-5.

JLA/Avengers: Collector's Edition

Absolute in all but name. Similar to Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths, this collection included two volumes in a slipcased hardcover. Introductions by Stan Lee and Julius Schwartz, the original 21 pencil drawn pages from the unpublished 1980s crossover, an article on the original crossover by K.C. Carlson, the actual miniseries proposal and plot development, George Perez portfolio, and annotated notes from Kurt Busiek to the characters, and more. Released December 1st, 2004. ISBN 1-4012-0207-1.

Kingdom Come

Released July 26th, 2006. ISBN 1-4012-0768-5.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

• League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume 1, Absolute Edition - In addition to the full six issue run of the first series in the first of the set's two books the second book contains scripts for each of the issues as well as penciled original art and production sketches. Released June 18th, 2003. ISBN 1-4012-0052-4.

• League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume 2, Absolute Edition - In addition to the full six issue run of the second series in the first of the set's two books the second book contains scripts for each of the issues as well as penciled original art and production sketches. Released August 1st, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0611-5.

• The Black Dossier - Has been stated as due for release June, 2007. However as the original hardcover edition originally scheduled for October 2006 has been delayed 12 months, it is probable that this edition would be delayed as well. ISBN 1-4012-0751-0.

Planetary

• Absolute Planetary 1 - Collects Planetary #1-12. Released January 1st, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0327-2.

Sandman

• Absolute Sandman 1 - Reprinting The Sandman issues #1-20. The more than 65 pages of bonus material include the original proposal for the series and the full script and pencil art for issue 19. Released October 11, 2006. ISBN 1-4012-1082-1.

• Absolute Sandman 2 - Reprinting The Sandman issues #21-39. Bonus material includes two never-before-reprinted stories by Neil Gaiman (one prose story from the box of the Sandman statue, and one comics story from illustrated by John Bolton [1]), a complete reproduction of the never-before-reprinted one-shot THE SANDMAN: A GALLERY OF DREAMS, and the complete script and pencils by Gaiman and Kelley Jones for Chapter Two of "Season of Mists" from THE SANDMAN #23. Due October 31 2007. [2]

• Absolute Sandman 3 - TBA

• Absolute Sandman 4 - TBA

Watchmen

The supplemental material for this volume is reprinted from the limited edition Watchmen hardcover published by Graphitti Designs in 1987. It includes background on characters, the original creation process as well as brief essays by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Released October 5th, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0713-8.

The World's Greatest Super-Heroes

Absolute in all but name. Reprints the six oversized graphic novels by Alex Ross and Paul Dini; Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, Shazam!: Power of Hope, Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth, JLA: Secret Origins, and JLA: Liberty and Justice. Includes several pages of promotional art, preliminary art and thumbnails, art done for DC Direct product, model-to-finished-painting comparisons, creator's reflections, introduction by Chip Kidd, an 8-page foldout of the JLA: Liberty & Justice poster with every JLA member, etc. Released July 6th, 2005. ISBN 1-4012-0254-3

External links

• List of DC Comics Absolute Edition books from the TPlist website

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