IDW Publishing dropped a bombshell today, announcing two
blockbuster Artist's Editions produced under license from DC Entertainment. And
these offerings are truly blockbusters—Jack Kirby's New Gods Artist's Edition
and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen Artifact Edition. For the first time ever, readers
will be able to see up close Kirby's energy and dynamic storytelling, and
Gibbons' intricately designed and beautifully realized pages, as they never
have before—as close as possible to how they looked on the artist's drawing
boards!
Jack Kirby's New Gods Artist's Edition will be released
in March and feature five complete issues of Kirby's inaugural Fourth World
book. Kirby, often called the King of Comics, is arguably the most important
and influential comics creator of all time. His work on New Gods, which he
wrote as well as drew, clearly reinforces that notion. Filled with amazing
imagery and giant concepts, this book will measure 12 x 17 inches.
Dave Gibbons' Watchmen will debut later in the year.
Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, is the story most often cited as the
greatest graphic novel ever published. This Artist’s Edition will be atypical
in that the stories will not be complete, and will be an Artifact Edition, the
first released by IDW. It will be produced to the same exacting standards as an
Artist's Edition, and will feature a cornucopia of individual pages and covers
from Watchmen, each image a testament to Gibbons' elegant and nuanced style.
This book will also measure 12 x 17 inches.
“IDW’s Artist’s Editions are among my very favorite comic
art books of all time, so I’m thrilled that they’re publishing a Watchmen
collection,” said series artist Dave Gibbons.
“We’re equally thrilled,” said IDW President Greg
Goldstein. “Watchmen is obviously one of the most acclaimed and influential
series of all time, and New Gods is arguably the greatest of Kirby’s works
during his tenure at DC. It’s a true privilege to publish these books.”
“Wow,” added editor Scott Dunbier, “there's not really a
lot more to say, is there?”
WHAT IS AN ARTIST’S EDITION? AN ARTIST'S EDITION PRESENTS
COMPLETE STORIES WITH EACH PAGE SCANNED FROM THE ACTUAL ORIGINAL ART.
While appearing to be in black and white, each page was
scanned in color to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the
actual original art—for instance, corrections and blue pencils. Each page is
printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible
to the original art board.