Interesting thing about this one...



COVER BY: George Perez

WRITERS: Jim Shooter, David Michelinie, Bill Mantlo (and Len Wein & Roger Stern?)

PENCILS: George Perez, Sal Buscema, David Wenzel, Tom Morgan

THE STORY: He hails from an unimaginable era: the 31st century. Fleeing through the timestream from the pursuing team of futuristic defenders known as the Guardians of the Galaxy, Korvac the Machine Man has established a secret presence on present-day Earth in the self-created persona of the mysterious Michael. Through such an unassuming guise, Korvac contemplates the elements of a universe he thirsts to command. Yet despite the subtlety of Michael’s machinations, the world’s greatest super-team -- the mighty Avengers -- catches wind of his cosmos-conquering scheme, thus drawing the two titanic forces into inevitable conflict. Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #167-168 & #170-177. (And THOR ANNUAL #6?)

ISBN: 978-0-7851-4470-0
Trim size: standard

200 PGS for $29.99?
or
240 PGS for $34.99?

IN STORES: February 3, 2010

...back in September, Diamond evidentally noted in an update that this book was being expanded from 200 to 240 pages, in order to include THOR ANNUAL #6.

Marvel's website still has no mention of this, or of an expansion of pages. It does, however, list two prices...$29.99 (which I believe is what most of their 200 pagers sell for), as well as $34.99 (which would be more in keeping with the larger page count).

If that's the case, there's material in here by me. I co-wrote that THOR ANNUAL with Len Wein.

I guess we'll find out in February.

-- Uncle Rog

Ooo, I have these comcs! Very deserving of this collection!

It appears that the bonus material will be included, Uncle Rog. Amazon's pre-order listing shows 240 pages and a list price of $34.99 (of course their price is lower than that):

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada:
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwan-21

Thanks, Linda. It would be nice if I got a credit in the solicitations, but I'll settle for royalties.

-- Uncle Rog

I will be pur-CHAYSING this. I wish they would put in the What If? issue as well -- it's my favorite What If?

It's already out there in...

WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOLUME 5



"The fifth installment of alternate-Earth action! The Phoenix lived, but the Hulk died! The Avengers take on the world, but Korvac destroys it! Plus: Eternals; Inhumans; and gods, gods, gods! Featuring Daredevil, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.! What If? #27-32"

Should be available through AmazWAN.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0785130861/?tag=imwan-20

-- Uncle Rog (has work in there, as well)

Thanks, Uncle Rog! That should be one of my favorite eras of What If?

What is your opinion of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Uncle Rog? Did you have any interest in working with the characters again?

I'm familiar with the version that I wrote 30-some years ago. I'd love to write those guys again...I would do a much better job, knowing what I know now.

But the Guardians have been chopped, channeled, and given two or three coats of Candy Apple Red since then. I'm sure I wouldn't recognize the current bunch.

-- Uncle Rog

I love that wild Wolverine logo!

The Avengers Korvac Saga in now due from Diamond on 2/24.

Still no official word on whether my THOR ANNUAL story is included.

-- Uncle Rog

Did anyone see this on sale yesterday?

And was the THOR ANNUAL story included?

-- Uncle Rog

I saw a copy on the stands yesterday, sadly I did not check its contents.

I was looking for it and it was not in my comic shop.

My theory is that they pulled it because they were afraid that people would find out about Roger Stern's contribution.

It's out, and in stock at Amazon. This might be the bookstore cover design (since the cover art at Marvel.com says "Direct Market Version"):



Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada:
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0785144706/?tag=imwan-21

It's still listed as 240 pages, which implies that the Thor Annual is included, but in the description it only says this ...

That's a great collection.

And, I've just gotten a confirmation from the lads over on the Marvel Masterworks Boards that the THOR ANNUAL story is indeed included.

Hoozah!

-- Uncle Rog