Posted in: Recent Updates | Tagged:

IDW To Distribute Dave Steven's Rocketeer Volume Direct To Customers

He created the Absolute format for DC/Wildstorm. Inspired by how the French published The Authority, Scott Dunbier pioneered the oversized hardcover collection of the 250 page plus format first for Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's Absolute Authority before taking on Planetary, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Danger Girl. Then both DC and Vertigo took the format for the likes of Sandman, Batman: Hush, Justice and the like.

Scott Dunbier was let go by DC as a result of the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier fiasco, but has found his feet with other ex-Wildstormers at IDW, working in projects including Bloom County and Darwyn Cooke's Parker.

But now he's revisiting his Absolute concept and upping the ante.

Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer: Artist's Edition will be 12" x 17" hardcover black and white volume printed at the same size as the original art, and shot directly from Dave Stevens' boards and printed uncoated so as to resemble the feel of the original boards as closely as possible.

And, for a publisher that has just joined the Premier section at the front of Diamond's Previews, it's taking a remarkable step selling the book solely directly to customers at the San Diego Comic Con and through the mail, rather that seeing the book distributed to comic stores through Diamond.

Dave Steven's Rocketeer is considered one of the highlights of the medium to date, his artwork sparse and occasional and valued extremely highly. This volume is expected to be highly prized by both comic fans and collectors of comic book art. Especially as there just isn't enough Steven's original art to go around.

If you want to preorder a copy to be picked up at San Diego or mailed to you afterwards, click here. Though your postman may not forgive you for the latter.

What will Scott Dunbier use this format on next? Will IDW sell any more items direct, bypassing Diamond? Could this be another Puma Blues situation all over again?

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!