The publisher launches a new GN line in 2025!
19th October 2024
Article by: Paul Dunne
Earlier this year, DC launched its Compact Comics line, a range of its best-selling collections in a smaller, bag-friendly format.
Now it’s not something I’m against. Increasingly, space has become a factor for collectors and readers. And the more ‘kid-friendly’ format can only help increase readership. But I prefer my graphic novels and collections at full trim size. Or bigger! But one can’t deny the success of this format. DC’s Compact Comics have sold out at bookshops everywhere, with some comic stores finding difficulty in re-ordering.
With that success happening hard and fast, it was only a matter of time before Marvel took note. And just prior to NYCC ‘24, the publisher announced its own line of small (but beautiful) graphic novels!
Dubbed The Marvel Premier Collection and featuring a mix of Marvel’s best modern tales as well a older books such as Daredevil: Born Again, the line will serve two functions. First, it will give readers an answer to the age-old ‘Where do I start?’ question. Secondly, it will provide tit-in material for upcoming MCU and Marvel Television projects.
Dan Buckley, Marvel’s President of Comics and Franchise had his to say on the launch of the premier Collection: “We’ve all heard the age-old questions: ‘Where do I start? What is that one run you just cannot miss? What should I read before or after the next big movie or television show to have the best experience?’ The Marvel Premier Collection program is our answer to each of those questions. Comics are at the heart of everything we do at Marvel, so this collection will be our go-to publishing line for any and all fans looking for a way into — or further into — the Marvel Universe. These titles will not be the only place to start of course, but they will be one of the best.”
So, which book will be the first to be graced with the Marvel Premier trade dress? Daredevil Boorn Again arrives in February 2025. The story, one of the most quintessential and gripping runs for Daredevil in its history, has been lauded as “one of the greatest Daredevil stories ever told” by The Washington Post, and dives into the core of who Matt Murdock is. It acts as a perfect introduction to his character and the world around him. The collection will also feature an exclusive new foreword by Frank Miller and afterword by Charlie Cox.
Simultaneously, we’ll see the release of Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, which collects the National Book Award-winning saga and New York Times bestselling author Ta-Nehisi Coates’ character-and-world-defining story in one single paperback for the first time. Offering a profound look at Wakanda and Afrofuturism, the story is one of the must-reads for any Marvel fan. More details about this title will be announced at a later date.
Here’s a look at the rest of Marvel’s offerings so far for the initial line:
Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, collecting the full saga in one trade paperback for the first time! Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and drawn by Brian Stelfreeze and Chris Sprouse.
Captain America: Winter Soldier, collecting one of the most influential stories to shape the Marvel Universe! Written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Steve Epting.
Fantastic Four: Solve Everything, collecting an all-new, streamlined version of the seminal Fantastic Four run for the first time, personally curated by author Jonathan Hickman! Written by Hickman and drawn by Dale Eaglesham, Neil Edwards, and Steve Epting.
Interestingly, Marvel has launched at a higher price point, with their books starting at $14.99 versus DC’s more reasonable $9.99. No surprises, really. This is Marvel, the company that made $9.99 single issues alarmingly commonplace. Still, it’s great to see another publisher jumping on reader-friendly formats! Before we sign off, let’s look at those titles!
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN
From the powerhouse pairing of Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli comes the definitive Daredevil tale. Daredevil’s identity as attorney Matt Murdock is exposed by his former lover Karen Page at her lowest point.
Now the blind hero must find all the strength he can muster as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, wastes no time crushing the man behind the mask. As he’s nursed back to health, Matt discovers a shocking family secret that will change him forever. Can he piece his life back together and survive a battle against a brutal Super-Soldier named Nuke?
Written by FRANK MILLER with DENNIS O’NEIL
Art by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
Cover Art by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
Collects Daredevil (1964) #226-233
ISBN: 9781302965983
Trim Size: 6” x 9”
$14.99
On sale February 4, 2025
BLACK PANTHER: A NATION UNDER OUR FEET
As esteemed author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates brings his considerable talents to Marvel, will he usher in a new age of glory for Wakanda and its king, T’Challa, A.K.A. the Black Panther? Or will he enter the proud kingdom into its final days? The high-tech African nation has been ravaged by outside forces, its queen has fallen and the people have turned against their king. As dissidents seek violent change, two of T’Challa’s own Dora Milaje forge their own brave path. And while outside forces pour fuel on the fire, the Black Panther recruits his own crew to aid in the struggle.
Meanwhile, on the spiritual plane, a journey of transformation begins. This is the story of a king who must find a new way to lead. Of a queen whose tale is not yet fully told. Of angels fighting for change and devils fomenting chaos. Of allies and enemies, friends and foes, love and hate. This is the story of Wakanda.
Written by TA-NEHISI COATES
Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE & CHRIS SPROUSE
Cover Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE
Collects Black Panther (2016) #1-12
ISBN: 9781302964856
Trim Size: 6” x 9”
MSRP $14.99
On sale February 4, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
Writer Ed Brubaker pushes the Captain America mythos headlong into the future with high adventure and full-throttle action. For more than fifty years, the Soviets employed an undercover agent — an unstoppable, untraceable killer known as the Winter Soldier — to assassinate key political figures in the West. His suspected identity? Bucky Barnes, Captain America’s one-time partner, thought to have been murdered in the closing days of World War II.
Now the Winter Soldier is back, working under the command of the ruthless General Lukin — who has obtained a functional Cosmic Cube, a weapon of limitless power that can bend reality itself. Vowing to end Lukin’s reign of terror and destruction, Captain America relentlessly tracks the Cube — only to find himself face-to-face with the Winter Soldier. Will Cap be forced to battle his resurrected partner so soon after finally learning the astonishing truth?
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Art by STEVE EPTING, MICHAEL LARK & JOHN PAUL LEON
Cover Art by STEVE EPTING
Collects Captain America (2004) #1-9, 11-14
ISBN: 9781302964863
Trim Size: 6” x 9”
$14.99
On sale April 1, 2025
FANTASTIC FOUR: SOLVE EVERYTHING
Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman revamps and redefines Marvel’s First Family in a sweeping and epic saga that crosses time, space and reality — but still finds its themes in family. And it all begins when Mister Fantastic decides to solve everything!
A series of amazing revelations come together in quick succession: The Old Kingdom of Atlantis is discovered under thick Antarctic ice. Alien “Inhumans” from throughout the galaxy converge on Earth. A race of super-intelligent underground dwellers takes possession of a high-tech laboratory. And a religious cult in Manhattan threatens to cause an interdimensional invasion.
Fate will play an awful hand in tying these disparate events together in a gripping drama that tests the fortitude of Marvel’s First Family like never before.
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by DALE EAGLESHAM, NEIL EDWARDS & STEVE EPTING
Cover Art by JOE QUESADA
Collects material from Fantastic Four (1998) #570-588
ISBN: 9781302964870
Trim Size: 6” x 9”
$14.99
On sale June 17, 2025