Saluting a Flagg
I'm generally pleased to see that November will see a hardcover compilation of the first 12 issues of one of my favorite series of the early 80's -- American Flagg! -- including a new story in the form of a 12-page introductory sequence. I have the original issues, and the couple of graphic novel collections, but a quality hardcover collection of what's really the best of the series would be nice.
The series is set in the early 2030's and centers on Reuben Flagg, a man who went from being a pampered actor in a highly-rated tv show, living in luxury on Mars, to being an ex-actor (replaced by a computer simulation) and drafted into a sort of marshal service. Enourmously entertaining and prescient in its look at where corporate and entertainment-driven trends were headed, it was my first truly solid "Indy" comic experience, and one of a few titles that emerged in the early direct market of the 1980's that had me seeing that Marvel and DC's near stranglehold on the North American comics market wasn't as absolute as it had been. During that first year of its existence Flagg! was my favorite series. (It began to sputter and fail after that, IMHO.)
The only aspect I'm not happy with is that this is being done via Dynamic Forces, which, IMHO, typifies a continuation of most of what caused the comics industry to go so horribly wrong as the late 80's rolled into the 90's. Namely, reinforcing a "collectibles" market with over-priced signed and numbered editions, including various specialty prints, busts, etc.
From farther down in the main thread a supposed rep for Dynamic Forces estimates a $49.95 price for the unsigned, unnumbered hardcover edition, which is steep, and something approaching $20 for the trade editions - reprinting just 6 issues each - which is appalling. They claim that they're still deciding on prices.
Comments