Absolute Editions

DC comics has been publishing over sized editions of their best selling graphic novels for two years now, i think. I have seen those being sold in book stores and comic book shops, but I never considered purchasing them. First reason: those books seem to be created out of greed. Another attempt to get the fans to buy books that they already have, by creating even better editions. Just like those movie companies initially releasing dvd titles with little extras, then months later releasing the same movie with more extras... then after a year or so, you'll see another release saying it's the directors cut, or the ultimate edition, or the absolutely final and most complete edition.

Another reason: I ignored those titles out of preference. Sure, they'd look good in any bookshelf... an over sized hard bound graphic novel that comes with a slipcase--- the ultimate packaging. How can a comic book be even more special than that? But I knew I wouldn't prefer reading a huge comic book. That's a lot of weight to carry around. Besides being overweight, those things are also ridiculously overpriced. They range anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars. Why spend that much money just to read a story that you'll finish in one sitting? And besides, I already own the "normal" editions of those comic books. i wouldn't waste my money for the same comic books, no matter how many extras they pack in those new editions.

Two days ago, I went to a comic book shop to have a gift exchanged. A friend gave me a volume of Sandman, not knowing I already have all volumes. lol. Anyway, I was looking for a replacement, when I saw Batman: Hush volume 1. I've been looking for that book last year, but I could not find a copy. I chose that to replace the gift, and then I told the saleslady that I'm going to buy the second volume. Then she said that it was out of stock. Bummer. Then she said they have the absolute edition, which contains both volumes--- i could buy that instead. I laughed at first. I thought, you'd never get me to buy an absolute edition. Then I saw it. It really looked... nice... elegant. A black slipcase with the word HUSH in bold letters, containing both volumes of the softcover I wanted to buy. I didn't know what got into me... some sort of over excitement, as the child within me suddenly woke up from hibernation when he saw something he liked... I felt that I NEEDED to buy it. I WANTED it immediately. It was ridiculous to spend all that money for a graphic novel... but I was also ridiculously happy. I was down in the dumps for days, and just like that I was inexplicably happy. I guess that alone is enough to validate my action. :) I couldn't wait to tear open the packaging and savor my new purchase.

The story was great. Not over hyped as some fans were saying... I guess it's hard to live up to the hype when the writer is Jeph Loeb, and the illustrator is Jim Lee--- both well renowned, their collaboration was highly anticipated. The story is not as good as the Batman Classics like The Dark Knight Returns, or Batman: Year One, but it's up to par with Loeb's previous works (The Long Halloween and Dark Victory). I even think it's a bit better... though Jim Lee's artwork may be credited for that impression, because I've always loved his artwork. And the visuals in Batman: Hush are one of his best efforts! Sure, it's less mystery and more action, but that doesn't make it any worse. It may be less "intelligent", but that doesn't make it less fun to read. Some fans complain that there were drastic changes in the Batman Universe resulting from events presented here... I say change is inevitable. The series can't possibly grow if they remained complacent and chose to remain in the status quo.

Now that I've finished reading it, i still don't think of it as a wasteful purchase. Even if I don't open it again, it would still make a really nice display in my bookshelf. Lol. as for the other absolute editions? I'm still not going to purchase absolute versions of those graphic novels that I've already read... but I have my eyes on the Absolute edition of Kingdom Come. :)