Article: An Alpha Flight by John Byrne Omnibus Coming In February 2017?

[Phil]

Diamond have an in-store date of February 1st for Direct Comics stores:
http://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG160992

[Garry/Al-Fan]

Marvel should let the Mantlo era---which starts with INCREDIBLE HULK #313 and leads into ALPHA FLIGHT #29---stand on its own, and not graft it onto early-era ALPHA FLIGHT. Since the Hulk was pulled from an interdimensional "Twilight Zone" and since the team in ALPHA FLIGHT #29 bears more of a resemblance to INCREDIBLE HULK # 313 than ALPHA FLIGHT #28, the Mantlo run should be considered in its entirety...from IH #313 through AF #66, including the 2 AF Annuals and the MARVEL FANFARE featuring Northstar.

[Phil]

Okay, so a page count gives me 1207 pages:

UXM #109: Cover + 17 + Letters Page = 19
UXM #120: Cover + 17 + Letters Page = 19
UXM #121: Cover + 17 + Letters Page = 19
UXM #139: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
UXM #140: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24

#1: Cover + 38 + Letters Page = 40
#2: Cover + 17 + 5 = 23
#3: Cover + 17 + 5 + Pin-Up = 24
#4: Cover + 22 = 23
#5: Cover + 17 + 5 = 23
#6: Cover + 16 + 6 = 23
#7: Cover + 15 + 7 + Letters Page = 24
#8: Cover + 17 + 5 + Letters Page = 24
#9: Cover + 14 + 8 = 23
#10: Cover + 17 + 5 + Letters Page = 24
#11: Cover + 12 + 9 + Ad + Letters Page = 24
#12: Cover + 38 + Letters Page = 40
#13: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#14: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#15: Cover + 22 + Letters Page + Ad = 25
#16: Cover + 22 + Letters Page + Ad = 25
#17: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#18: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#19: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#20: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#21: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#22: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#23: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#24: Cover + 37 + Pin-Up + Letters Pages = 41
#25: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#26: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#27: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#28: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
#29: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24

Incredible Hulk #272: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
Incredible Hulk #313: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24
Incredible Hulk Annual 8: Cover + 34 = 35

Machine Man #18: Cover + 22 + Letters Page = 24

X-Men & Alpha Flight #1: Covers + 48 = 50
X-Men & Alpha Flight #2: Covers + 48 = 50

X-Men/Alpha Flight #1: Cover + 32 = 33
X-Men/Alpha Flight #1: Cover + 32 = 33

Secret Wars II #4: Cover + 3 = 4

MTIO #83: Cover + 21 + Letters Pages = 24
MTIO #84: Cover + 23 = 24

MTU Annual 7: Cover + 34 = 35

--

So that leaves 41 pages IF all the letters pages and adverts are included. (More, if they're not)

I'd imagine there'll be some intro and then filler pages where double page spreads are on incorrect pages in this format, and possibly some recap/recount pages for the guest appearances, but that still seems like a lot.

Hopefully some of Marvel Age #2 and maybe OHOTMU pages too?
Maybe extracts from the relevant FF issues booking ending #4?

[Garry/Al-Fan]

Although Classic Alpha Flight volume 1 contains the essence of the best Alpha Flight, the omnibus could be the comprehensive compilation...if an explanation is included as to: (1) why Mr. Jeffries disappears from the story in Alpha Flight # 29 on page 13 and doesn't reappear until after the fight with the Hulk is over [on page 20]; (2) why a repaired Box---presumably the strongest member of the team---doesn't carry Mr. Jeffries or Puck into battle, and; (3) if AF # 29 is truly a continuation/conclusion of the Byrne storyline, why no mention was made of Aurora recovering from bruised ribs sustained during the "Dark Guardian" segment?

[Le Messor]

So that leaves 41 pages IF all the letters pages and adverts are included. (More, if they're not)

The X-Men Omnibi include letters pages (that's so cool!) but not adverts. I imagine the same will happen here.

~ Le Messor
"I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia."
~ Daily Affirmation

[Le Messor]

'Material from' MTUAnn7 is vague.

Just to give you even more hope...
I've got the Marvel Visionaries: Chris Claremont hardcover. In the table of contents, each story is listed as 'from' Comic, issue #. Which always implies to me excerpts.
I've just gone through and checked every one I can (either by the original or another reprint), and none of the single-issue stories has so much as a page missing. (I didn't check the back-up stories from Classic X-Men or the annual, since I already knew they were excerpts.)

I realise that what applies to one doesn't necessarily apply to the other, but it's still a good sign.

~ Le Messor
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."
~ Abraham Lincoln

[Phil]

Oh yeah, totally.
When I made my vague comment I'd forgotten there was a second story.
I've only counted the pages of the AF story in my page count.

[Le Messor]

Comic Shop News #1545 has a section called 'FYI: Must-Have Additions to Your Reference Library' (a regular feature in CSN, as we all know).

Quoted verbatim:
"ALPHA FLIGHT BY JOHN BYRNE OMNIBUS HC
(Marvel AUG160993 $100.00)
John Byrne's fan-favorite run on Alpha Flight is collected in a single volume, along with the team's appearances from X-Men #s 109, 120-121, 139-140, and much more."

The blurb also has a picture (not all of them do), of AF #1.

~ Le Messor
"He that plants trees loves others beside himself."
~ English proverb

[Ryan Maxwell]

This is out now, did anybody else pick it up? It's a beast! Huge and very heavy. And absolutely gorgeous. I'm about 5 comics in. At roughly 1200 pages, it's going to take a while to read.

[Phil]

I own a copy, but it's not in my hands yet...

I saw your photos Ryan, and cannot wait!

And also taken from the JBF to answer my earlier question:

. Besides the complete issues reprinted in the Omnibus, there are shorter excerpts from other issues. Vindicator's cameo appearance from Fantastic Four 220 is included. Dr. Langkowski's appearances in Fantastic Four are included. There are also some Marvel Age articles and covers, artwork by JB and others for posters, subscription ads, house ads, trade paperback covers, etc. JB's covers for Alpha Flight 81 and 82 are included. Official Marvel Handbook artwork is included.

An awesome result there then! Cannot wait to go pick it up!

[Phil]

Also worth noting; if anyone in the US hasn't ordered it, it's pretty cheap here: http://www.instocktrades.com/TP/Marv...S-HC/AUG160992

[Le Messor]

Thanks, Phil. That's been bugging us for a while! Makes sense, too.

~ Le Messor
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."
~ Eric Hoffer

[rplass]

It is indeed a beast, Ryan. The TOC doesn't list most of the fun stuff. I like the order of the presentation; very well thought out. The origin stories are collected after AF#1, then the features of issues 2+ continue. It's just amazing. And so big. It will take me forever to type out all the contents, but I'll do it one of these days. I'm a bit busy with the wedding coming up and all but I'll get around to it.

[rplass]

OK here's the contents. I abbreviate (RM) for an image of a Red Mapleleaf used to occupy omitted page blocks or inserted as a full page to correct facing pages.


Dust jacket front cover Ryan posted a nice pic
Book front cover is the bare art (no trade dress) from Alpha Flight Classic v1 TPB cover
Spine is the same as the dust jacket spine which Ryan already posted
1 - Title page - back cover of Alpha Flight Classic #3 TPB (from Alpha Flight #23)
2 - Indicia page - with Title block used on AF #1, et al
3 - TOC with team promo (same as spine image)
4 - TOC with Red Mapleleaf (RM)
5 - UXM #109
23 - UXM #120
41 - UXM #121
59 - Incredible Hulk Annual #8
94 - FF #220 p17 and 18, with the top two panels of p17 replaced by RM
96 - UXM #139
119 - UXM #140
142 - Machine Man #18
165 - Marvel Two-in-One #83
187 - Marvel Two-in-One #84
211 - Incredible Hulk #272
234 - Incredible Hulk #273 p1-4
238 - AF #1
277 - Alpha Waves from AF #1
278 - 2nd story - AF #2
283 - 2nd story - AF #3 incl. Guardian pin-up
289 - 2nd story - AF #5
294 - 2nd story - AF #6
300 - 3rd story - AF #7
307 - 2nd story - AF #8
312 - 2nd story - AF #9
320 - 2nd story - AF #10
325 - 2nd story - AF #11
334 - RM
335 - 1st story - AF #2
353 - FF #260 pp1-3, 20-21
358 - 1st story - AF #3
376 - AF #4 (with RM p388 )
400 - FF #261 p1 and 2, with the bottom two panels of p2 replaced by RM
402 - 1st story - AF #5
420 - 1st story - AF #6
437 - 1st and 2nd story - AF #7
453 - 1st story - AF #8
471 - FF #266 p2 and 22
473 - FF #267 pp1-4, 20-22
480 - FF #268 pp2-4
483 - 1st story - AF #9
498 - 1st story - AF #10
516 - 1st story - AF #11
529 - promo for issue #12
530 - AF #12
569 - AF #13
592 - Marvel Team-up Annual #7
627 - AF #14
650 - AF #15
673 - AF #16
696 - promo for issue #17
697 - AF #17
720 - AF #18
743 - AF #19
766 - AF #20
789 - AF #21
812 - AF #22
835 - RM
836 - X-Men/Alpha Flight #1 (with RM p838 )
887 - RM
888 - X-Men/Alpha Flight #2 wraparound cover
889 - X-Men/Alpha Flight #2 inside front cover
890 - X-Men/Alpha Flight #2 contents
939 - AF #23
962 - AF #24 incl. Shaman pin-up
1001 - AF #25
1024 - AF #26
1047 - RM
1048 - AF #27
1071 - Secret Wars II #4 pp15-17 with the bottom panel of p17 omitted
1074 - AF #28
1097 - Alpha Waves from AF #28
1098 - Incredible Hulk #312 p26 with the editor's note omitted
1099 - Incredible Hulk #313
1122 - AF #29
Starting here the pages are full bleed, without page numbers so I hope I counted right
1145 - X-Men/Alpha Flight v2 #1
1178 - X-Men/Alpha Flight v2 #2
1211 - Marvel Age #2 cover
1212 - Marvel Age #2 pp7-10
1216 - 1st half of Byrne's Marvel Age #31 interview, without the illustrations, ending when the interview shifts to the Incredible Hulk title
1217 - Marvel Age #32 cover
1218 - Marvel Age #32 pp18-20 with Salicrup's Section replaced by RM
1221 - Marvel Super Hero Portfolios: X-Men Set Two 1983 Portfolio pin-up (Mutants of Canada - Unite!)
1222 - Amazing Heroes #22 cover
1223 - September 1983 Bullpen Bulletins pin-up
1224 - Comics Buyers' Guide #500 cover art (inked)
1225 - 1984 AF poster art by John Byrne
1226 - Alpha Waves from AF #6 (Lighthouse pin-up)
1227 - 1984 Marvel Subscription Ad by John Byrne
1228 - Guardian pin-up from Marvel Fanfare #23
1229 - 1993 X-Men Portfolio pin-up by John Byrne
1230 - Amazing Heroes #76 cover
1231 - 1985 Hulk/Alpha Flight house ad by John Byrne & Mike Mignola
1232 - AF #81 cover
1233 - AF #82 cover
1234 - Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (OHOTMU) Alpha Flight art including the floating head boxes from the team entry in issue #1 p7 and portraits from the individual members (Aurora, Guardian, Marrina, Puck, Northstar, Sasquatch, Shaman, Snowbird). Portraits continue to upper half of 1236
1236 - bottom half - OHOTMU Deluxe Edition updated Alpha Flight art including the updated portrait of Aurora and floating head boxes for Heather, Talisman, Box and an updated Aurora.
1237 - Four panels: UL- OHOTMUDE art for The Master from #8 p28, UR- sketch of Pink Pearl by John Byrne, LL- Alpha Flight #1 cover art (inked), LR- Guardian pin-up from AF #3(inked)
1238 - Four panels of original art: UL- Alpha Flight #22 p1, UR- AF #22 p14, LL- AF #25 p1, LR- AF#27 cover
1239 - Classic X-Men #16 cover
1240 - Classic X-Men #26 cover
1241 - Classic X-Men #27 cover
1242 - Classic X-Men #45 cover
1243 - X-Men Classic #46 cover
1244 - X-Men/Alpha Flight TBP wraparound cover
1246 - Asgardian Wars TPB cover (white/pink title used on 2nd and 3rd printings)
1247 - Four panels of covers - UL- X-Men/Alpha Flight Premiere HC UR-Alpha Flight Classic v1 TPB, LL- Alpha Flight Classic v2 TPB back cover, LR- Alpha Flight Classic v2 TPB front cover
1248 - Four panels of covers - UL- Alpha Flight Classic v3 TPB back cover, UR- Alpha Flight Classic v3 TPB front cover, LL- Asgardian Wars HC, LR- Marvel Universe by John Byrne Omnibus HC
Book back cover is the bare art (no trade dress) from Alpha Flight Classic v2 TPB front cover
Dust jacket back cover is an array of thumbnailed covers of the full issues listed above

[Le Messor]

Rob, that's a lot of work. Thank you!

I'm so glad to hear they separated out the origins. I've always wanted to see a collection do that, and it only makes sense.

Um... congratulations on the upcoming wedding? I don't think I knew about it before now?

~ Le Messor
"If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse."
~ Anonymous