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Say it ain't so! Not when we were so near Alan Davis' run!

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XIII	Say it ain't so! Not when we were so near Alan Davis' run!	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (06/17/08 7:49 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : classic, excalibur, alan davis Remove this ad Hi, I've been lurking this board sporadically, but until yesterday I didn't feel the necessity to register and have my say about something. I'm talking about David Gabriel's statement on the future of my favorite Marvel reprint: "Excalibur I think we've done all we can for now" Here's my analysis of the situation. First off, that's not a cathegorical NO, so I still hold hope that this is not the end for Excalibur Classic. However, this is not unexpected news at all. Let's revise the order figures from Diamond: EXCALIBUR CLASSIC VOL 1 - 2,308 VOL 2 - 1,840 VOL 3 - 1,464 VOL 4 - 1,267 VOL 5 - ???? (doesn't even appear in the May Top 100, so probably less than 1,000) NEW MUTANTS CLASSIC VOL 1 - 1,844 VOL 2 - 1,617 VOL 3 - 1,601 Ok, figures speak loud and clear, but I hope Marvel realises that everybody was waiting for Excalibur to reach issue 42, which is the beginning of the classic Alan Davis solo run. For comparison, there's no significant erosion between vols. 2 and 3 of New Mutants because that's where the good stuff begins (the stuff for which the book is remembered, in this case the Sienkiewicz run). In Excalibur's case, the good stuff doesn't really start until issue 42, after a long decadence in the previous 20 or so issues. No wonder that the sales of the collected edition that reprints those issues are on a freefall. Now, let's see what would probably await in the next volumes: EXCALIBUR CLASSIC TPB vol. 6: Issues 35 to 41, plus Special editions 4 and 5: "Excalibur: The Possession" http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=242702&zoom=4 "Excalibur: Air Apparent" http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=244334&zoom=4 plus (probably not) Marvel Comics Presents vol.1 #31 to 38 and 75 EXCALIBUR CLASSIC TPB vol. 7: Issues 42 to 50 (Alan Davis' return) EXCALIBUR CLASSIC TPB vol. 8: Issues 51 to 58, plus Special edition 6: "Excalibur: XX Crossing • Excalibur vs. the X-Men Special Edition" http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=119580&zoom=4 EXCALIBUR CLASSIC TPB vol. 9: Issues 59 to 67 (End of Davis run) It's safe to say that that hypothetical volume 7 would see a significant increase in sales. Just look at the numbers of previous Alan Davis classic collections: X-MEN OLD SOLDIERS TP --- 2,733 CLANDESTINE CLASSIC PREM HC --- 1,378 The trade containing classic X-Men/New Mutants stuff by Claremont and Davis sold even better than Excalibur Classic vol 1, and the Clandestine Classic collection, despite being a $29.99 premiere hardcover of a non-mutant title, sold in the same level of Excalibur Classic vols. 3 and 4. That's why I think it's safe to say that the trades collecting the Davis's solo run would return Excalibur Classic to the good sales levels of the first 2 volumes. However, that means for Marvel to publish a 6th volume with guaranteed abysmal sales before reaching the promised land. But if that's the problem, and although I'm I'm as much a completist as the next guy, I wouldn't mind if instead of Excalibur Classic vols. 7 to 9, this is collected as: X-MEN VISIONARIES: ALAN DAVIS' EXCALIBUR Vols. 1 TO 3 I'm not saying EXCALIBUR VISIONARIES, because with the cancellation of the last 2 series and the new Captain Britain separate book, the word "EXCALIBUR" doesn't seem to carry much currency in current Marvel, but anyway the important thing is that the Alan Davis' solo run must be collected in some form, and if Excalibur Classic is at a dead end, it's time for trying another approach. Besides, at this point, a Volume ONE of an Alan Davis focused reprint would probably sell better than a Volume SEVEN of a deflating project like the one in course. Does this all make any sense? (Edited search tags....Moderatin' 'Muu ) Last Edited By: Gormuu 06/17/08 10:02 PM. Edited 1 time.
leveret1		#1	[-]
Posts: 361 (06/17/08 8:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	XIII wrote: Does this all make any sense? I also thought it was a shame that they wouldn't get to Davis' return. Problem is there's a lot of fluff in-between when he left and came back; hence, the poor sales. I still think they should re-instate the Marvel Visionaries line. Davis' run on Excalibur would be perfect for it.
Five Years Later		#2	[-]
Posts: 1547 (06/17/08 8:18 PM) Registered Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Great reasoning on the title and concept! Great first post! [emoticon] [joke] [funny cat picture]
Gormuu		#3	[-]
Posts: 5394 (06/17/08 8:19 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Great first post, XIII! Well done! The story is in those sales numbers you posted, dagnabbit. It would be nice if we could squeak out one more Excalibur Classic trade to bridge the gap to the Alan Davis run, but it'll probably take a while for that. In the meantime, I really bet you'd see Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis Vol. 1-3. In fact, I bet that's the kind of thing Marvel would do anyway, whether or not the regular Classic series was keeping adequate sales levels. Further, if we did see some Visionaries books, it might better the odds of seeing that 6th and final Classic trade needed to fill in the gap. Finally, this wouldn't be the only Excalibur Visionaries line. Warren Ellis would also make for a nice three volume set. This forum has a website! Click this link for the MASTERWORKS HOME PAGE, and don't miss out on the latest news and release information on the whole scene of collected editions at the CURRENT NEWS page!
sterlling		#4	[-]
Posts: 3425 (06/17/08 8:55 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'd rather see a Alan Davis Excalibur Omnibus... So sue me! .. ... The Pick!
Very Crazy Penguin		#5	[-]
Posts: 1281 (06/17/08 9:09 PM) Golden Age Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Releasing the run under the Visionaries banner seems like a fine compromise. A new volume one to draw people in and the prestige factor to boot. Where was David Gabriel's comment anyway? I must've missed it!
XIII		#6	[-]
Posts: 2 (06/17/08 9:53 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Very Crazy Penguin wrote: Where was David Gabriel's comment anyway? I must've missed it! http://marvelmasterworksfansite.yuku.com/sreply/145686/t/Attn-Power-Players-What-it-gonna-TAKE-.html sterlling wrote: I'd rather see a Alan Davis Excalibur Omnibus... So sue me! Hey, I'd buy that in a heartbeat (and the coveted Simonson Thor Omnibus too!), but realistically, I haven't seen Marvel releasing any Omnibus of material not previously released and tested in other formats: masterworks, essentials, tpbs... leveret1 wrote: I still think they should re-instate the Marvel Visionaries line. Davis' run on Excalibur would be perfect for it. I think you mean a different kind of Marvel Visionaries, those hardcovers of miscellaneous stuff by Kirby, Steranko, Romita Sr. and others, that have been discontinued. I'm thinking more of something like the current X-Factor Visionaries: Peter David (4 volumes) or FF Visionaries: Walter Simonson (3 volumes). Thanks for all the responses and kind words of welcome.
Gormuu		#7	[-]
Posts: 5398 (06/17/08 10:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Let's assume there will be Visionaries series for Alan Davis and Warren Ellis. What does that leave us as gaps? This forum has a website! Click this link for the MASTERWORKS HOME PAGE, and don't miss out on the latest news and release information on the whole scene of collected editions at the CURRENT NEWS page!
SamyMerchi		#8	[-]
Posts: 11118 (06/17/08 11:11 PM) Golden Age Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I went and grabbed my Excal Masterworks 4-5 hardcovers from my shelf to check. Here goes. EXCALIBUR: THE POSSESSION, written by Michael Higgins EXCALIBUR #53, written by Scott Lobdell EXCALIBUR: XX CROSSING, written by Scott Lobdell EXCALIBUR #59-60, written by Scott Lobdell ("Jungle Man no interest in political infrastructure. Me only want to free woman -- and maybe make time for evening diction classes!" -- brilliant, hilarious) EXCALIBUR ANNUAL #1, written by Evan Skolnick and Joey Cavalieri (published after the conclusion of Davis' run, but takes place during it, so arguable) Ellis' run had no fill-ins, but there is a single-issue crossover with X-MAN #12, written by John Ostrander Also under consideration should be taken the Age of Apocalypse, whose segment was done by Excalibur's regular creative team (Ellis and Lashley): X-CALIBRE #1-4 I would also include within Warren Ellis Excalibur Visionaries the following: PRYDE AND WISDOM #1-3
Gormuu		#9	[-]
Posts: 5403 (06/17/08 11:25 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would also include within Warren Ellis Excalibur Visionaries the following: PRYDE AND WISDOM #1-3 That would definitely belong in an Ellis Visionary volume. You think the X-Calibre stuff should go in there? This forum has a website! Click this link for the MASTERWORKS HOME PAGE, and don't miss out on the latest news and release information on the whole scene of collected editions at the CURRENT NEWS page!
SamyMerchi		#10	[-]
Posts: 11120 (06/17/08 11:34 PM) Golden Age Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad I didn't include it in my own hardcovers, but that was a foregone conclusion as I try to avoid duplication and was already binding them into my AoA hardcovers. Taken in isolation, there's a case to be made for inclusion. There's some plot elements that are foreshadowed in X-CALIBRE, most notable is probably the character of Damask, who ended up being 616 introed later as a member of the London Hellfire Club. It could go either way. In such a case, my preference tends to be to err on the side of inclusion, just to be safe.
marvelocd		#11	[-]
Posts: 83 (06/18/08 1:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Was Ellis really that memorable on Excalibur?
leveret1		#12	[-]
Posts: 363 (06/18/08 1:10 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Gormuu wrote: Finally, this wouldn't be the only Excalibur Visionaries line. Warren Ellis would also make for a nice three volume set. I loved Ellis' take on Excalibur although he poohs-poohs it nowadays. His introduction of Pete Wisdom and the character interaction made for a great run. While there was a lot of 90s X-crud, there were some shining spots: Ellis' Excalibur, David's X-Factor and the Cable trifecta of Loeb, Casey and Robinson with Ladronn on art.
gp.thenegativezone		#13	[-]
Posts: 54 (06/18/08 1:20 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	X-MEN VISIONARIES: ALAN DAVIS' EXCALIBUR Vols. 1 TO 3 I'm not saying EXCALIBUR VISIONARIES, because with the cancellation of the last 2 series and the new Captain Britain separate book, the word "EXCALIBUR" doesn't seem to carry much currency in current Marvel, but anyway the important thing is that the Alan Davis' solo run must be collected in some form, and if Excalibur Classic is at a dead end, it's time for trying another approach. Besides, at this point, a Volume ONE of an Alan Davis focused reprint would probably sell better than a Volume SEVEN of a deflating project like the one in course. Does this all make any sense? -------------------------------------------------------- That seems like a great idea, as does another poster's suggestion for an Alan Davis Excalibur Omnibus. The only issues of Excalibur that I'm interested in are the ones that Davis drew, and until those are put together is some sort of collected edition, I'm just going to hang onto the original issues.
Gotham95		#14	[-]
Posts: 176 (06/18/08 1:30 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Bummer! Excalibur was one of my favorite comics and I too was anxiously awaiting getting to #42. I hope Marvel changes their mind down the road. Where was that quoate taken from?
dc newton		#15	[-]
Posts: 1378 (06/18/08 5:44 AM) Golden Age Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	While there was a lot of 90s X-crud, there were some shining spots: Ellis' Excalibur, David's X-Factor and the Cable trifecta of Loeb, Casey and Robinson with Ladronn on art. Add the writer who did Cable post Ages of Apocalypse / pre issue 97 to that list. Are you doing the Reader's Digest versions of your posts now? Thank You!!! I prefer it to the normal 20 pages of repetitious posts.
JB Clarenson		#16	[-]
Posts: 248 (06/18/08 6:33 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm with you on an Ellis visionnaries excalibur.. since the AoA were reprinted and pretty much Out of continuity I would leave them but definetly include pryde and wisdom 1-3....there is also teh strajammers 1-4 with the aliens that show up also... an xmen visionnaries would be great (with storm mini, starjammer mini...)
Gotham95		#17	[-]
Posts: 177 (06/19/08 11:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Does anyone have a link for the interview or article where this was mentioned? Thanks XIII wrote: Hi, I've been lurking this board sporadically, but until yesterday I didn't feel the necessity to register and have my say about something. I'm talking about David Gabriel's statement on the future of my favorite Marvel reprint: "Excalibur I think we've done all we can for now"
XIII		#18	[-]
Posts: 3 (06/19/08 1:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Gabriel's post: http://marvelmasterworksfansite.yuku.com/sreply/145686/t/Attn-Power-Players-What-it-gonna-TAKE-.html from this thread: http://marvelmasterworksfansite.yuku.com/topic/6530 BTW, if we ever see the 4 next volumes of Excalibur Classic with the configuration I posted, these are the covers I think they should choose for each one of them. I think everyone would agree that these are the most obvious choices and would look even cooler with the digital remastering treatment that these covers are getting for the collected edition. All the covers of the series can be seen here, if you want to judge for yourselves: http://www.comics.org/covers.lasso?SeriesID=3648 http://www.comics.org/covers.lasso?seriesID=3648&skip=50&show=50 For volume 6 I'd use the cover of the Air Apparent Prestige, by the great Walter Simonson, which is very iconic and far better than any of the covers of the regular issues in the interval 35-41: For Volume 7 (Issues 42 to 50): For Volume 8 (Issues 51 to 58): And for Volume 9 (Issues 59 to 67):
ShineyMetal	Re: Say it ain't so! Not when we were so near Alan Davis' run!	#19	[-]
Posts: 194 (06/19/08 2:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi. I was about the post in the other thread when I spotted this. Nothing new to report here. Like everyone else, I'm frustrated at the notion of the Excaliber reprints not continuing and therefore depriving us of the second run of Alan Davis. I do have to say, though, that I'm not interested in volume 5 or what would be volume 6. When I originally read the comic, I likewise bailed out after Davis left the book and resumed when he returned. I enjoyed his solo run even more than the Claremount/Davis pairing which is saying much because I really enjoyed that run as well. I like the idea of an Alan Davis' Excaliber series of books. We can only cross our fingers that something of that sort is being planned. edited to correction heinous grammatical errors Last Edited By: ShineyMetal 06/20/08 10:26 AM. Edited 1 times.
Gotham95		#20	[-]
Posts: 179 (06/19/08 5:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Great choices for covers. I hope someday we can buy these. And thanks for the link.

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Say it ain't so! Not when we were so near Alan Davis' run!

Say it ain't so! Not when we were so near Alan Davis' run!