Gasp! ORIGINS Of MARVEL COMICS - 50th ANNIVERSARY De Luxe Edition (2024)...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

How did I miss this one?  Published back in 2024, I only found out about it in the last few days and promptly ordered a copy, which arrived today.  This is the 50th Anniversary deluxe edition of Origins Of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee, including everything the book contained back in 1974 - plus a whole lot more!  Loads of bonus features, like articles, artwork, ads, interviews, reminiscences, etc., this is the only incarnation of this iconic hardback volume you'll ever want or need.

I thought perhaps it would use new proofs of these classic stories, but no - they're exactly as they first appeared in OOMC five decades ago.  Closely examining the pages, I suspect they've either been scanned or photographed from an actual 1974 edition, but it's been done to such a high standard it's hard to be certain.  All I know is that any obvious 'reconstruction' and retouches in the original version are also present here, but instead of being a drawback, it simply adds to the book's authenticity.

It's available on eBay (and perhaps Amazon - dunno, I haven't checked), so if you haven't already bought this valiant (and surprisingly heavy) volume, track one down right away.  I'd be surprised - shocked - amazed if you were disappointed.  The dustjacket is by Alex Ross, underneath is the original cover by John Romita Snr.  I've only had a cursory browse through this terrific tome so far, but its magical spell is irresistable, as it took me right back to the sizzlin' '70s in a heartbeat.

I'm not suggesting, I'm not hinting, I'm not asking you to consider it; I'm telling you - buy this book now!  (And your world will never again be the same.)