Marvel Masterworks — the publisher's premier archival hardcover line since 1987 — is officially back, but not from Marvel itself. Independent publisher Clover Press has licensed the line and launched a live Kickstarter campaign to fund its return.
Why the line needed saving
Marvel quietly ended Masterworks earlier this year after sales declined, leaving several long-running collections incomplete — some just one or two volumes short of finishing a series. Clover Press, known for restored archival collections and its existing licensed Marvel Art Of series, stepped in to continue it.
The first wave: four volumes
- Uncanny X-Men Vol. 18 — Chris Claremont and Jim Lee's Uncanny X-Men #256–268 plus Annual #14, marching toward the record-breaking 1991 X-Men #1. Includes a new introduction by Claremont.
- Super-Villain Team-Up Vol. 1 — the Doctor Doom-led series with Namor and the Red Skull, introduction by Roy Thomas.
- The Mighty Thor Vol. 25 — Walter Simonson and Sal Buscema's #360–369 plus Balder the Brave #1–4, introduction by Simonson himself.
- Tomb of Dracula Vol. 6 — Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan, and Tom Palmer's horror run, issues #56–70, introduction by Kelley Jones.
Longtime Masterworks editor Cory Sedlmeier continues as series steward, overseeing new restoration work from original art where available. Clover Press says each volume will offer three cover options: the classic legacy trade dress, a variant of it, and a new design by co-founder Robbie Robbins.
What's the plan going forward
Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz says the company has its first year fully mapped out and a rolling 36-month plan beyond that, with the next four releases already in the works.
Worth knowing
This isn't a one-off deal — Clover Press already publishes Marvel's licensed art-book line, so Masterworks extends an existing relationship rather than starting a new one. The campaign is live now on Kickstarter.
Details sourced from Clover Press' official announcement, and reporting from AIPT, Bleeding Cool, and CBR.