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Limited Collectors' Edition

Limited Collectors' Edition is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1972 to 1978. It usually featured reprints of previously published stories but a few issues contained new material. The series was published in an oversized 10″ x 14″ tabloid (or "treasury") format.

Publication history

Limited Collectors' Edition was launched with a collection of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stories which went on sale October 24, 1972. DC Comics vice president Sol Harrison had suggested the format stating that "we could create a tabloid size comic that would stand out on the newsstand".[1] Limited Collectors' Edition shared its numbering with two other treasury format series, Famous First Edition[2] and All-New Collectors' Edition.[3] The final issues of the latter two series were tie-ins to the release of Superman: The Movie. DC later published treasuries as part of DC Special Series in 1981 and as a number of one-shots from 1999 to 2003 primarily produced by Paul Dini and Alex Ross.

In 2020, DC put out a new Famous First Edition, C-63, which reprinted in hardcover the first issue of New Fun Comics, which launched the company that became DC.

In 2025, DC released a new treasury edition as part of their “Summer of Superman” publishing initiative.[4]

The issues

Several planned features for Limited Collectors' Edition were never published. These include several projects by writer/artist Sheldon Mayer. Mayer had been working on an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz but DC's then-publisher Carmine Infantino canceled the project upon learning of a similar adaptation by Marvel Comics. The two companies published the project jointly and the adaptation was crafted by Marvel's Roy Thomas and John Buscema instead. Mayer also worked on a follow-up to "The Bible" issue of Limited Collectors' Edition titled "The Story of Jesus" as well as "Rudolph's Easter Parade", an Easter-themed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer issue. Neither project was published. "The Legend of King Arthur" by writer Gerry Conway and artist Nestor Redondo was a four-issue storyline which was advertised as "Coming Soon" in DC comic books dated September 1975, but the series was never published.[43] A second volume of "The Best of DC" would have included stories reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #42; All-Star Western #11; Superman #247; and Green Lantern #75 but was canceled as part of the DC Implosion.[44]

Famous First Edition

Famous First Edition was a series of oversized reprints of original Golden Age comics. All but two (#F–7, All-Star Comics #3 and #F–8, Flash Comics #1) included full-size glossy cover-stock reprints of the front and back covers in addition to the usual cardstock outer covers. Famous First Edition reprinted the comics in their entirety, including any paid advertising and other features that appeared in the original. Several issues of Famous First Edition were also published in hardcover editions by Lyle Stuart, Inc.[54] The Grand Comics Database only lists hardcover versions for issues #C–26 (Action Comics #1), #C–28 (Detective Comics #27), #C–30 (Sensation Comics #1), #F–4 (Whiz Comics #2), and #F–6 (Wonder Woman #1)[55] while the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide includes a listing for a hardcover version of #F–5 (Batman #1) with a notation of "exists?"[56] The reprint of New Fun #1 published in 2020 was released in a hardcover edition only.[57]

All-New Collectors' Edition

Three features originally intended for All-New Collectors' Edition were published elsewhere due to the title's cancellation as part of the DC Implosion. "Superman's Life Story" by Martin Pasko and Curt Swan was published in Action Comics #500 (October 1979). The planned 1978 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tabloid's material appeared in The Best of DC #4 (March–April 1980).[73] A Justice League story by Gerry Conway and Rich Buckler saw print in Justice League of America #210–212 (January 1983–March 1983).[74][75][76]

DC Special Series

Other DC treasuries

Collected editions

  • Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López includes All-New Collectors' Edition #C–54, 360 pages, April 2013, ISBN 978-1401238568
  • The Amazing World of Superman collects The Amazing World of Superman, 64 pages, April 2021, ISBN 978-1779509185
  • The Bible collects Limited Collectors' Edition #C–36, 72 pages, May 2012, ISBN 1401234259
  • Shazam! The World's Mightiest Mortal Vol. 2 includes All-New Collectors' Edition #C–58, 328 pages, April 2020, ISBN 978-1779501172
  • Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 1 includes All-New Collectors' Edition #C–55, 312 pages, June 2017, ISBN 978-1401272913
  • Superman vs. Muhammad Ali collects All-New Collectors' Edition #C–56, 80 pages, November 2010, ISBN 9781401228729 (treasury size); ISBN 9781401228415 (comic book size)
  • Superman vs. Shazam! includes All-New Collectors' Edition #C–58, 192 pages, March 2013, ISBN 978-1401238216
  • Superman vs. Wonder Woman collects All-New Collectors' Edition #C–54, 72 pages, December 2020, ISBN 978-1779507204
  • Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth collects Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth, 72 pages, March 2020, ISBN 978-1401291082
  • The World's Greatest Super-Heroes collects 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, 396 pages, July 2005, ISBN 1401202543

See also

External links

References

  1. John Wells. The Perils of the DC/Marvel Tabloid Era Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  2. Wells in Back Issue! p. 2: "Running parallel to Limited Collectors' Edition was another trailblazing tabloid...Famous First Edition provided exact replicas of key Golden Age DC issues".^
  3. Wells in Back Issue! p. 6: "The series was renamed All-New Collectors' Edition with issue #C-53's Rudolph volume and shifted toward newly commissioned adventures".^
  4. DC Announces Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All DC.Com, April 21, 2025^
  5. Mark Arnold. You Know Dasher and Dancer: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  6. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-20 at the Grand Comics Database^
  7. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-21 at the Grand Comics Database^
  8. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-22 at the Grand Comics Database^
  9. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-23 at the Grand Comics Database^
  10. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-24 at the Grand Comics Database^
  11. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-25 at the Grand Comics Database^
  12. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-27 at the Grand Comics Database^
  13. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-29 at the Grand Comics Database^
  14. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-31 at the Grand Comics Database^
  15. James Barron. The Mystery of the Missing Man of Steel The New York Times, April 18, 2010, retrieved July 19, 2013^
  16. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-32 at the Grand Comics Database^
  17. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-33 at the Grand Comics Database^
  18. Michael Eury. Christmas Re-Presents Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2015^
  19. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-34 at the Grand Comics Database^
  20. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-35 at the Grand Comics Database^
  21. Eddy Zeno. DC Comics' The Bible Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  22. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-36 at the Grand Comics Database^
  23. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-37 at the Grand Comics Database^
  24. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-38 at the Grand Comics Database^
  25. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-39 at the Grand Comics Database^
  26. Rob Kelly. The World's Second Greatest Detective: Dick Tracy Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, April 2014^
  27. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-40 at the Grand Comics Database^
  28. Chris Franklin. The Kids in the Hall (of Justice) A Whirlwind Tour with the Super Friends Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  29. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 at the Grand Comics Database^
  30. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-42 at the Grand Comics Database^
  31. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-43 at the Grand Comics Database^
  32. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-44 at the Grand Comics Database^
  33. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-45 at the Grand Comics Database^
  34. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-46 at the Grand Comics Database^
  35. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-47 at the Grand Comics Database^
  36. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-48 at the Grand Comics Database^
  37. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-49 at the Grand Comics Database^
  38. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-50 at the Grand Comics Database^
  39. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-51 at the Grand Comics Database^
  40. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-52 at the Grand Comics Database^
  41. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-57 at the Grand Comics Database^
  42. Limited Collectors' Edition #C-59 at the Grand Comics Database^
  43. John Wells. 'Lost' DC: 1976-1980 Comics Buyer's Guide, October 24, 1997^
  44. Wells in Back Issue! p. 5^
  45. Famous First Edition #C–26 at the Grand Comics Database^
  46. Famous First Edition #C–28 at the Grand Comics Database^
  47. Famous First Edition #C–30 at the Grand Comics Database^
  48. Famous First Edition #F–4 at the Grand Comics Database^
  49. Famous First Edition #F–5 at the Grand Comics Database^
  50. Famous First Edition #F–6 at the Grand Comics Database^
  51. Famous First Edition #F–7 at the Grand Comics Database^
  52. Famous First Edition #F–8 at the Grand Comics Database^
  53. Famous First Edition #C–61 at the Grand Comics Database^
  54. Wells in Back Issue! p. 2: "Partnering with Lyle Stuart, Inc., DC released $5 hardcovers of its first six replicas".^
  55. {{gcdb series|id= 39253|title= Famous First Edition ''(Lyle Stuart, Inc.)''}}^
  56. Robert M. Overstreet. Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Gemstone Publishing, 2019^
  57. Jeffrey Dohm-Sanchez. DC to Release Hardcover Edition of Its First Comic ICv2, August 30, 2019^
  58. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-53 at the Grand Comics Database^
  59. Andy Mangels. Kryptonian and Amazonian Not Living in Perfect Harmony Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  60. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-54 at the Grand Comics Database^
  61. Jim Ford. Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  62. Michael McAvennie. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Dorling Kindersley, 2010^
  63. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-55 at the Grand Comics Database^
  64. Brett Weiss. Superman vs. Muhammad Ali Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  65. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 178: "Writer/artist Neal Adams proclaimed that Superman vs. Muhammad Ali was "the best comic book" he and co-writer Denny O'Neil had ever produced".^
  66. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-56 at the Grand Comics Database^
  67. P.C. Hamerlinck. When Worlds Collide The Colossal-Sized Confrontation Between Superman and Captain Marvel Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  68. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-58 at the Grand Comics Database^
  69. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-60 at the Grand Comics Database^
  70. Michael Eury. The Amazing World of Superman Tabloids Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  71. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 180: "DC went to greater lengths with its tabloid-sized Superman: The Movie magazine than with prior treasury editions. Instead of containing stories and artwork, it approached the material with a greater eye toward graphic design".^
  72. All-New Collectors' Edition #C-62 at the Grand Comics Database^
  73. The Best of DC #4 at the Grand Comics Database^
  74. Justice League of America #210 at the Grand Comics Database^
  75. John Wells. 'Lost' DC: The DC Implosion Comics Buyer's Guide, October 24, 1997^
  76. Wells in Back Issue! p. 6^
  77. DC Special Series #25 at the Grand Comics Database^
  78. DC Special Series #26 at the Grand Comics Database^
  79. Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 195: "Written by Len Wein and illustrated by José Luis García-López, the comic saw...Batman and the Hulk doing battle with both the Joker and Marvel's ultra-powerful Shaper of Worlds".^
  80. Special Series'' #27 at the Grand Comics Database^
  81. The Amazing World of Superman, Metropolis Edition at the Grand Comics Database^
  82. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 165: "The Yellow Brick Road from Munchkin Land to the Emerald City was also wide enough to accommodate DC and Marvel as they produced their first-ever joint publication...Roy Thomas scripted a faithful, seventy-two page adaptation of Dorothy Gale's adventure, while John Buscema's artwork depicted the landscape of Oz in lavish detail".^
  83. Jack Abramowitz. The Secrets of Oz Revealed Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  84. MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz #1 at the Grand Comics Database^
  85. Glenn Greenberg. Tabloid Team-Ups: The Giant-Size DC-Marvel Crossovers Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  86. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 170: "The tale was written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Ross Andru, both among the few [at that time] to ever have worked on both Superman and Spider-Man...The result was a defining moment in Bronze Age comics".^
  87. Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man at the Grand Comics Database^
  88. Zack Smith. Paul Dini & Alex Ross Discuss a Treasured Format Back Issue!, TwoMorrows Publishing, December 2012^
  89. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 286: "Alex Ross teamed up with writer Paul Dini...to tell a powerful story of the Man of Steel. In this beautiful sixty-four-page oversized one-shot...Superman fought a battle even he couldn't truly win: the war on poverty and hunger".^
  90. Superman: Peace on Earth at the Grand Comics Database^
  91. Superman / Fantastic Four at the Grand Comics Database^
  92. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 289: "The second in the oversized prestige-format tabloid collaborations between writer Paul Dini and painter Alex Ross, Batman: War on Crime was just as successful as its predecessor, and just as beautiful".^
  93. Batman: War on Crime at the Grand Comics Database^
  94. Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 297: "Artist Bryan Hitch made full use of the book's extra-large format...Written by Mark Waid, Heaven's Ladder dealt with religion and the afterlife".^
  95. JLA: Heaven's Ladder at the Grand Comics Database^
  96. [http://www.comics.org/issue/235010/ ''Shazam! Power of Hope''] at the Grand Comics Database^
  97. Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth at the Grand Comics Database^
  98. JLA: Secret Origins at the Grand Comics Database^
  99. JLA: Liberty and Justice at the Grand Comics Database^