Mighty Marvel Team-Up Thrillers (1983)

Mighty Marvel Team-Up Thrillers, published in 1983, marked Marvel Comics first self-published foray into the lucrative market of comic book reprints.

The Marvel/Fireside Books – Afterword

Between 1974 and 1979 Fireside Books published 11 collections of reprinted comic book stories starring Marvel Comics characters –now widely considered to be the first trade paperbacks – as well as one of the first Graphic Novels, and both of these new formats would have a far reaching impact on the industry (scroll down to the bottom of this page for links to my individual reviews of those books). However, in summing up the Fireside Books it seems only fair to draw attention to the other 12 collaborations between the two publishers that took place during this time, books that concentrated more on younger readers.

The Silver Surfer and the rise of the Graphic Novel (1978)

The Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience
by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Between 1974 and 1979 Fireside Books published collections of reprinted comic book stories starring Marvel Comics characters and featuring introductions and commentaries by author Stan Lee. Widely considered to be the first trade paperbacks they proved such a success that 11 volumes saw print. There was also one more volume published from that series that featured a brand new, feature-length story created specifically to be published in book form, in a new format that would have a far reaching impact on the comic book industry. The Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience, published in 1978, was one of the very first story’s to be published in this new format: the Graphic Novel.

Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty (1979)

Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty by Stan Lee

In the late 1970s Fireside Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, published collections of reprinted comic book stories that are now widely considered to be the first trade paperbacks. The books featured a selection of stories featuring Marvel Comics characters with introductions and commentaries by original story author Stan Lee. These books proved such a success that 11 volumes saw print –  Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty by Stan Lee was the last of these reprint collections and was published in 1979.

Stan Lee presents The Best of Spidey Super Stories (1978)

The Best of Spidey Super Stories

In the mid-Seventies Fireside Books published collections of reprinted comic book stories – beginning with Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee – that are now widely considered to be the first trade paperbacks. The books featured a selection of stories featuring Marvel Comics characters with introductions and commentaries by original story author Stan Lee. These books proved such a success that several more volumes of reprints followed including Stan Lee Presents The Best of Spidey Super Stories published in 1978.

The Incredible Hulk (1978)

The Incredible Hulk by Stan Lee

In the autumn of 1974 Fireside Books published a softcover collection of reprinted stories featuring characters from Marvel Comics’ popular back catalogue, and today Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee is now widely considered to be the first trade paperback. It was such a success that more volumes of reprinted material followed between 1975 and 1979, including The Incredible Hulk by Stan Lee published in 1978.

Marvel’s Greatest Superhero Battles (1978)

Marvel’s Greatest Superhero Battles by Stan Lee

In the mid-Seventies Fireside Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, published four collections of reprinted Marvel comic book stories now widely considered to be the first trade paperbacks. The books proved such a success that several more reprint collections followed, including Marvel’s Greatest Superhero Battles by Stan Lee published in 1978.

The Amazing Spider-Man (1979)

The Amazing Spider-Man
by Stan Lee

In 1974 Fireside Books published the first ever collection of reprinted comic book stories, Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee, now widely considered to be the first trade paperback. The book proved such a success that several more volumes of reprints followed between 1974 and 1979, including The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee.

The Fantastic Four (1979)

The Fantastic Four by Stan Lee

In 1974 Fireside Books published a collection of reprinted stories featuring characters from Marvel Comics’ popular back catalogue of stories. Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee, now widely considered to be the first trade paperback, was such a success that three more volumes followed between 1974 and 1977. With these four books began a fruitful collaboration between the two publishers that over the next five years saw the publication of a wide diversity of titles featuring Marvel characters including a second set of reprint books; The Fantastic Four by Stan Lee, published in 1979, is the fifth title of this second wave.

Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts (1979)

Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts by Stan Lee

In the autumn of 1974 Fireside Books published a softcover collection of reprinted stories featuring characters from Marvel Comics’ popular back catalogue. Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee is now widely considered to be the first trade paperback and was such a success that three more volumes followed between 1974 and 1977 – Son of Origins of Marvel Comics, Bring On The Bad Guys and The Superhero Women. With these four books began a fruitful collaboration between the two publishers that over the subsequent five years saw the release of a wide variety of titles including activity books, puzzle books, health and fitness books and even a cookbook. There was also a second set of reprint books that ran to seven volumes; Dr Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts by Stan Lee, published in 1979, is the sixth title of this second wave of titles.