TARGET AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES (Jul 2004) Marvel Comics

I've previously mentioned about Marvel's version of their exclusive Target version of selected comic books, and I thought it was really cool that a department store like Target would carry comics.

Well it's cooler now, is that they are also carrying Trade Paperbacks. One of them is a stripped down version of AVENGERS VISIONARIES: GEORGE PEREZ.

The Target book only reprints AVENGERS #161, AVENGERS #162, AVENGERS #196, AVENGERS #201, AVENGERS ANNUAL #6 and AVENGERS ANNUAL #8 (missing are the two AVENGERS #194 and AVENGERS #195).

The tradeoff for less the two issues is that the paper and color printing has been upgraded, and the price is somewhat cheaper at $13.99 vs $16.95, but given inflation as it is, you should probably add one or two dollars to the original price.

The nicest thing is that the paper is bright white, glossy paper, similar to the Barnes & Noble Marvel Classic books. The colors was also enhanced by a computer, so the colors are bright and blended much better than the original printing.

An example:

ORIGINAL (Jul 1999)

TARGET (Jul 2004)

As you can see the computer misinterpret Whizzer's yellow costume as white and left that one area colorless. But it still looks much better than the original block color (interlaced with small white areas).

The strangest thing is, and I know that this was originally George Pérez as the theme in the book, but the cover does not indicate it is Perez's book - nor does the main content page lists George Pérez as penciller! All the inkers, original colorists, editors, writers are listed, but not George.

Still, I think this is a great program for casual shoppers to give these comics a try. I'm looking forward to more titles.

As previously mentioned on this website, the Avengers have a new series of "Legends" books. They are actually just re-titled trade paperback books, the first two do have some Pérez-related material. AVENGERS FOREVER TP includes reprinting the cover to AVENGERS FORVER #1 and AVENGERS FOREVER #1 (Westfield) cover.

What's interesting to note is that the subtitle of the second book is "GEORGE PEREZ BOOK I". Sounds like they are going to release a book II sometime.

Note: Covers shown are original covers and not with the new Legends logo.

From Marvel Comics

AVENGERS LEGENDS VOL. I: AVENGERS FOREVER TPB (NOVEMBER 27, 2002) Written by Kurt Busiek Art by Carlos Pacheco A team of Avengers from disparate timelines fights to safeguard the future from Immortus, the Lord of Time. RATING: PG PAGE COUNT: 264 ISBN: 0-7851-0756-8 PRICE: $24.95

AVENGERS LEGENDS VOL. II: GEORGE PEREZ BOOK I TPB Written by Jim Shooter, David Michelinie Art by George Perez This edition includes some of legendary George Pérez's finest work — including classic confrontations with Ultron and the Taskmaster. RATING: PG PAGE COUNT: 160 ISBN: 0-7851-0999-4 PRICE: $16.95

Avengers Visionaries (Marvel, 1999)

Lot Number: 7337 - Lot 7337: George Perez - Original Cover Art f
Starts at: US $1,500.00
Estimate: US $2,500.00 - US $4,675.00
Item #: 1867637233
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Auction Date: Oct-12-02 11:00:00 PDT
Seller: icoll_heritage

George Perez - Original Cover Art for Avengers Visionaries Trade Paperback (Marvel, 1999).
This incredibly detailed cover was specially created for the trade paperback by Gentleman George Perez. The book reprints a classic Avengers storyline featuring the Squadron Sinister drawn by Perez. Even close-up it is hard to imagine how this work should ever have to be reduced because the detail is incredible. Any one part of this work could be a cover in itself! Some slight white-out and rework on Thor's hand and Cap's shield but otherwise pristine. Overall size is 11" x 17", image size is 10" x 15". Signed by the artist at the bottom of the page.

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Re: Avengers Legends (Question for Tom Brevoort or whoever wants to answer)
Posted by Tom Brevoort on Tuesday, October 01 2002 at 01:52:52 GMT in reply to Avengers Legends (Question for Tom Brevoort or whoever wants to answer), posted by sleeper on Monday, September 30 2002 at 03:47:24 GMT

> I was looking at Amazon.com and they list this book to be published in January 2003 - at first I thought it was the AVENGERS VISIONARIES: GEORGE PEREZ TP (which was published July 1999).

Same book, slightly different title to better fit in with our current TPB structure.

Tom Brevoort

AVENGERS LEGENDS: GEORGE PEREZ
by Jim Shooter, David Michellnie, George Perez (Illustrator)

List Price: $16.95

This item will be published in January 2003. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.

Edition: Paperback

Paperback: 160 pages

Publisher: Unknown; ISBN: 0785109994; (January 2003)

FEATURES OF THE WEEK
Flashback: Perez' Avengers
by Sean Dulaney

(excerpt)

Flashback: AVENGERS VISIONARIES: GEORGE PEREZ (Marvel Comics-1999 $16.95)

Seeing as how one of the big comic book events of 2002 is going to be the JLA/Avengers team up, I thought it might be fun to take a look at the work of the man who has been connected to the project from the very beginning, George Perez.

First though, the bad news. Perez’ Justice League of America run has never been collected. This is truly a shame as Perez has a very special place in comics history. In 1980, George Perez was the regular penciler on JLA, the New Teen Titans AND the Avengers. Perez was the regular penciler on the Avengers when former Marvel Editor In Chief Marv Wolfman asked him to pencil a revival of DC’s Teen Titans....

...

As much as I love the man’s work, I don’t think I could recommend this collection to a new reader or another Perez fan unless they have to have EVERYTHING related to the man. You’re better off spending your money on one of the trades collecting his recent Avengers run or waiting for Marvel’s “Essential Avengers” black and white collections to reach Perez’ run.

[ Read more on Campusman ]