Paperback Flashback

Looking at classic stories collected in trade paperbacks

Welcome to the very first edition of Paperback Flashback! This will be a series that we will look back at classic stories collected into trade paperback form. For this first installment I have two classic stories that are on sale this week. Marvel Premiere Collection which collects Civil War 1-7 and DC Compact Comics which collects DC: The New Frontier 1-6. Both stories are vastly different in tone and style, but both feature an ensemble cast, written and drawn by top creators in the early 2000s. 

DC: The New Frontier 

Written and Drawn by Darwyn Cooke with Colorist Dave Stewart. 

Price: $9.99 

Page count: 416 

The New Frontier takes place right after World War II in the DC Comics’ Silver age. This out of continuity tale is set right before the Justice League of America officially forms. When the world was full of hope and promise, but also in a time of uncertainty. This story touches all of the cornerstones of the DCU at that time in history. 

Starting out with the long forgotten team named The Losers in an adventure on Dinosaur Island, the team comes across lost soldier Colonel Flagg. The meeting between them introduces paranoia about the Cold War and the threat simply named “The Source.” 

Washington has declared war on the masked men that helped win WWII, without a war to fight and to root out communism the heroes were deemed UnAmerican and dangerous. They were forced into retirement or worse. This story introduces the new heroes that will lead America into the new frontier! Heroes like Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Batman, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman. 

This story is full of great moments in a silver age style with beautiful art and colors. For 10 bucks this is a lot of great story for a little cost. A must bye for any comic book fan. 

Highly Recommended.

Civil War 

Written by Mark Millar, drawn by Steve McNiven, inked by Dexter Vines, Mark Morales, John Dell and Tim Townsend, colored by Morry Hollowell. 

Price: $14.99 

Page count: 264

Whose Side Are You On? 

That was the question being asked during this mega event back in 2006. After a tragic accident caused by inexperienced superheroes, The New Warriors, the US government has issued the Superhero registration act. When the act becomes law the Marvel Universe is spilt in half with pro registration side lead by Iron Man and the Anti-Registration side lead by Captain America. 

These two titans of the Avengers lead an all out war against each other, with both sides standing for compelling arguments. Caps side goes underground and into hiding, hero’s switch sides, lives are lost, lines are crossed, questionable decisions are made. 

This story is a big blockbuster movie that has twist and turns at every page. 

Another comic I highly recommend. I understand why this storyline is sometimes harshly criticized, but in my opinion Mark Millar and Steve McNiven deliver a great story that had ramifications for the whole Marvel Universe for years and years. 

Well that is for this time. Do you like articles like this or more of the deep dives? Please let me know either way. Do you like these stories or are these just not your thing? I’d love to know. 

Until next time, keep it EPIC!