SPOTLIGHT ON MARVEL MASTERWORKS:
Interview with Masterworks Editor Cory Sedlmeier and Marvel Senior VP of Sales David Gabriel

(Click image to enlarge.) Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 1 TPB Collects Amazing Spider-Man #1-10 and Amazing Fantasy #15

Interview conducted by John Rhett Thomas, aka Gormuu

GORMUU: So, first order of business: Can you make a formal announcement about the softcover Masterworks, what they will entail and what we can expect as far as a list price?

DAVID GABRIEL: Yes indeed. They will be issued one per month in the original running order of release. There will be a regular edition and a variant that resembles the marble hardcover variants. The first edition is listed in the January previews, and we're just putting February together now.

GORMUU: Previous to the 2009 softcover initiative, there have been a couple small excursions into applying the Masterworks brand to softcover releases, but after 20 years and over 110 volumes, it's certainly earned its renown as a hardcover franchise. But with this initiative, all that changes. Why is now the time for softcover Masterworks?

DAVID: Mostly because we're up to 110 volumes and the TPBs now will not cut into the hardcover sales. Also, the 70th anniversary plans made a perfect time to launch these. And let's not forget that in these economic times, a $25 TPB may be easier to pick up then a $50/$60 hardcover.

GORMUU: Looking at recent developments with the Masterworks, like the BTP volumes, softcover releases, speeding past the 100th Masterworks volume, and the added value of being a vast reservoir of material to feed into Omnibus releases, it seems like Masterworks are pretty secure in their place as the crown jewel of the classic Marvel collected editions scene. Is there anything else you think the line has to prove?

(Click image to enlarge.) Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1: Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks TPB Collects Amazing Spider-Man #1-10 and Amazing Fantasy #15

DAVID: No, I think it's already proven its longevity...and the surprises will keep coming. We're not done yet, but that's all I will say for now. Sorry to have such a dull answer but we're all very excited about what we have coming up with the HCs, the Omniboo, and the new TPBs...There's something for everyone!

GORMUU: Despite the economy faltering, at this point in time, Masterworks seem stronger than ever. Can you reassure Masterworks fans that, at least for now, Masterworks are on solid ground?

DAVID: We've got realeases planned through the end of 2009. I think Cory and Jeff are working on at least 16 HCs alone and 12 TPBs...and of course the Omniboo have taken off! Keep buying them, and we'll keep making them..it's pretty simple.

GORMUU: The softcover Masterworks start up in January 2009. Will these books feature new restoration?

CORY: As readers know, the softcover Masterworks will be mirroring the release order of the hardcover line begun all the way back in 1987. The approach taken back then was not to restore the original comics' coloring, but to recolor the books in what was then a modern style. When the program was reignited with new editions in 2004, I felt historical accuracy was something readers valued above a bells-and-whistles reinterpretation.

That approach is now law, so the softcovers will be seeing restoration to bring any material not restored to match the original comics' coloring to up the level of quality and historical accuracy readers see in our new hardcovers each and every month.

A lot has already been accomplished through the Omnibus line and the new printings the Masterworks hardcovers have seen over the course of 2007 and 2008, so there's a lot less restoration work cut out for us than there would be if we were starting from scratch.

GORMUU: There are a few departures from the look of the softcover trade dress to the hardcovers. Can you walk us through some of the differences?

CORY: Sure. The main difference will be in our regular or mass market edition. We decided to take an approach readers of the Premiere Classic line with already be familiar with.

The front cover features a bold, dominant type design (in silver as a nod to the hardcover Masterworks) against a black background, and to spice it up, the talented Dean White will be digitally painting the cover artwork over the original artists' line art. I've worked with Dean for almost five years now, and anyone who hasn't already seen his work on Amazing Spider-Man, Black Panther, Kick-Ass, Logan, and all his other many series should check out the work of an artist who's been creating new standards for color artwork in comics for years. What he's done with the Fantastic Four #1 cover is nothing less than stunning.

The variant/direct-market exclusive softcovers will feature the marble-style design that has been part of the Masterworks from the very beginning. There will be minor variations between the softcovers and hardcovers. Instead of having a separate marble color for every series, every variant will have the same marble color, and the foil stamping the hardcover variants have won't be part of the softcovers. We have a great opportunity to attract even more readers with the softcovers, but we still felt that the hardcovers should retain a special distinction as the apex of Marvel collections.

GORMUU: You started charting the course of the Masterworks program back in 2004 with the 33rd volume, Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6, and since then, as editor you've presided over the publication of more than 70 Masterworks volumes. With so many books coming out lately, what steps do you take to keep the quality up with the sheer volume of pages needing restoration?

Fantastic Four Masterworks Vol. 1 TPB Collects Fantastic Four #1-10

CORY: The greatest advantage between today and 2004 is that today I have an experienced core group of artists. When Masterworks returned, I went looking for the talent to do it right, and a lot of talent that was out there looking for an outlet came looking for me. Now, virtually everyone working on the Masterworks has a minimum of three years experience. They're on board with my approach to the books, and we know each other's abilities like second nature. Wil Glass and the All Thumbs Creative gang has been with me for over five years now, Mike Kelleher for nearly as long, and those kinds of relationships mean the we've seen just about every problem possible and can solve new ones without missing a beat.

The biggest step recently was the bit of insanity I spearheaded, with a crew readers of this website may find familiar, doing a complete overhaul and inventory of Marvel's photostat archives. We went through each and every roll, worked way too many hours, and made the archives more well organized and accessible than they've ever been before. That means greater and easier access to the best quality source in out there, which in turn means better and higher-quality collections not just for the Masterworks, but for all of Marvel's classic collections.

Rhett Thomas, Mike Kelleher, Chris Leazer, Wesley Wong and Sheila Johnson all need to take a biiiiiig bow for their being there to make it happen. There isn't a Marvel fan out there that doesn't owe them a handshake for their efforts.

GORMUU: As you've refined the approach taken towards restoration for Masterworks, how important is getting hold of original art? Can you remind interested parties who own original art how they can help connect their art with you for use in Masterworks reproduction?

CORY: It goes without saying that nothing tops original art. It's always a pleasure when collectors share their treasures. Anyone kind enough to contribute original art scans or photocopies can give me a shout anytime via a private message on this website or an email to cmsedlmeier@marvel.com.

GORMUU: The 70th Anniversary of Marvel Comics is coming in 2009. Is there anything in place for Masterworks or the Omnibus volumes you edit to take part in that celebration?

CORY: I wouldn't miss Marvel's big platinum birthday for the world. Of course, I have a project (or three) in the works.

Marvel Masterworks Vol. 2: Fantastic Four TPB Collects Fantastic Four #1-10

GORMUU: Looking ahead to 2009, can you tease a little about the directions you want to take Golden Age and Atlas Era titles?

CORY: I want to keep building. Golden Age had its fits and false starts, but it's full steam ahead now. We're still beholden to tracking down copies of the very rare, often very expensive original comics. At this point, though, many of the toughest have been checked off my list, so readers can expect a nice, healthy clip of Golden Age goodness coming to them. That said, anybody wants to let go of a copy of All-Winners #19 and #21 knows where to reach me.

The great advantage of the Golden Age is that many of the series like Daring Mystery, USA Comics, All-Winners, etc., are very compact—only two to four volumes each—so a focused line will allow us to complete each series relatively quickly. I certainly don't intend to shy away from yet to be initiated series like, Young Allies, but I'd also like to tick off a few complete runs in short order.

The Atlas Era is quite possibly my favorite period right now. There's so many different genres and titles to choose from. I'm loving pre-Code horror. You can't argue with big monster comics, and the '50s heroes are a pleasure. Man, I can't wait to get started on our next new Atlas Era genre. It's going to be a pretty adventurous one.

GORMUU: Looking back at the last few years of the Masterworks program, what are a few things that surprise you about the things you've accomplished?

CORY: For me, it's all about the future. I don't do a lot of looking back. Every accomplishment gets replaced by the next goal, so I just stay focused on keeping the classics coming.