In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Western was a significant part of American pop culture, with an outsized presence in film and literature and on television. Tales of the noble American cowboy, roaming the Old West on a trusty horse armed with a six-gun and a sense of justice, were no stranger to comics, either. In fact, it was one of the most popular genres – along with horror, sci-fi, war and romance – that kept comics afloat during times when the super heroes that helped launch the industry had subsided in popularity. The Western comics of this era – iconic but unheralded, historic but overlooked – have been given short shrift in this Golden Age of collected editions we are lucky to live in. But like a lone small town sheriff riding high on his steed and giving hope to his townspeople, Dark Horse has gallantly entered the scene to rectify this largely missing piece of Marvel Americana with the first of a planned three-volume set of Jack Kirby’s Western comics at Marvel.

There were a great many wonderful artists drawing Westerns at this time in comics history – at Atlas alone there was Joe Maneely, Russ Heath, John Severin and the woefully under-appreciated Jack Keller – but Kirby was “king” of them all. His work in these pages is a woodshedding period for concepts that would later become foundational for the Marvel Universe proper.

The first volume, due in February of 2027 and titled The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns by Jack Kirby Volume 1 – 1957-1961, collects 200+ pages of Kirby’s earliest Western work at Atlas/Marvel – all his covers and interior pages of story art – in chronological order by “job number”, the number assigned to artists’ work in that era to track a project’s status as it was being created and delivered. This editorial decision will give readers a chance to see Kirby’s evolving approach to his drawing style and his renderings of Old West archetypes.

And who is that editor? Why, anyone familiar with Marvel Masterworks will be pleased to know that Cory Sedlmeier is attached to this project! His firm grasp on resource materials will guarantee that only the best film, stats and original art is used to restore these vintage comics for a new audience. The King Goes West Volume 1 will feature covers and story art from Black Rider, Gunsmoke Western, Quick-Trigger Western, Two Gun Kid, Wyatt Earp, Kid Colt Outlaw and Two Gun Western – plus a raft of newly restored pages of Rawhide Kid, which had previously been presented in Marvel Masterworks in 2006 and 2007.

This news is most welcome for collectors of classic Marvel Comics, and not just because they are important artifacts from the dawn of the Marvel Age and essential for those who appreciate the King of Comics, Jack Kirby. It’s welcome news mainly because they’re just plain fun to read!

Below is the text from Dark Horse’s press release:

THE KING GOES WEST: THE COMPLETE MARVEL WESTERNS BY JACK KIRBY TRANSPORTS READERS TO THE LAWLESS AMERICAN FRONTIER

The first of three Volumes of Western stories from Marvel Comics begins with the earliest Marvel works of Jack “King” Kirby in the genre

MILWAUKIE, Ore., (AUGUST 2026)—Dark Horse books in collaboration with Marvel Comics, present The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns by Jack Kirby Volume 1: 1957-1961. This first of three volumes, edited by Marvel archival consultant Cory Sedlmeier, collects Jack Kirby’s Marvel Westerns in page after page of classic artwork alongside rare never-before-reprinted stories and covers. Chronicling a side of Marvel comics that preceded the modern Marvel Era, these Western stories take readers far from our bustling world to a place deep in the wilds of western settlements where Kirby’s imagination and artwork could invoke truly breathtaking storytelling.  

“Jack Kirby’s Marvel Westerns are the last major frontier to explore in his vast career,” says Sedlmeier. “I’ve been working behind the scenes for years to bring the King’s Western work back into print, and I’m proud that Dark Horse has come along for the ride. Every story and cover has been painstakingly restored from the very best archival sources available, including rare materials that I acquired in 2023. Jack Kirby is the most consequential creator in American comics, and it’s an honor to give this chapter of his career the comprehensive presentation it has always deserved.”

Inside The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns by Jack Kirby Volume 1: 1957-1961

Filled to the brim with Kirby’s trademark action, readers can rediscover the many ways that these Western stories spring from the same creative well as Marvel’s legendary super heroes—like Johnny Bart, the all-new Rawhide Kid who vows to use his skills to avenge his murdered Uncle Ben. In this volume, Kirby also presents the original Two-Gun Kid and the Black Rider and crafts taut morality tales of the pioneers and outlaws of the American frontier. Restored from the finest archival materials including scans of original art, these stories can be enjoyed and discussed by fans and historians for many years to come.

Volume 1 collects the complete Jack Kirby stories and covers from Quick-Trigger Western (1956) #16; Black Rider (1957) #1; Two-Gun Western (1956) #12; Gunsmoke Western (1955) #47, #51-53 & #56-62; Wyatt Earp (1955) #22, #24-26 & #29; Kid Colt Outlaw (1948) #83, #85-97; Two-Gun Kid (1948) #48, #52, #54-57 and Rawhide Kid (1955) #17-20.

Saddle up for The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns by Jack Kirby Volume 1: 1957-1961when the 216-page (7×10”) Hardcover arrives in bookstores and comic shops on February 2, 2027, for $59.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop. Visit Find Your Comic Store (FYCS) or Bookshop.org for more details and stores near you. 

Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media and check our website, www.DarkHorse.com, for more news, announcements, and updates.

The post Dark Horse Saddles Up With Jack Kirby On “The King Goes West: The Complete Marvel Westerns By Jack Kirby Volume 1 – 1957-1961” HC appeared first on Collected Editions.

Marvel Masterworks: Ka-Zar Vol. 4 HC will see release in January of 2025. For a preview page loaded with interior and cover art previews, click the link below!

The post Ka-Zar Masterworks Vol. 4 HC Completes The Jungle Dweller’s 1970s Run With Help From Shanna The She-Devil appeared first on Collected Editions.

Marvel Masterworks: Ka-Zar Vol. 3 HC

Reprints: Ka-Zar (1974) #6-9 and material from Savage Tales (1971) #5-11.

(Vol. 336 in the Marvel Masterworks Library)

First Print
Release Date: January 18, 2023

REGULAR EDITION ISBN: 978-1-302-94918-1 • List Price: $75.00
VARIANT EDITION ISBN: 978-1-302-94917-4 • List Price: $75.00
VARIANT PRINT RUN: TBA

Printed by R.R. Donnelley Asia Printing Solutions, China

368 Pages

Written by Gerry Conway with Carla Conway, Archie Goodwin, Stan Lee, & Doug Moench

Penciled by John Buscema, Steve Gan & Russ Health with Ross Andru & Tony DeZungia

Cover by John Buscema

Introduction by TBA

Collection Editor: Cory Sedlmeier
Color & Art Reconstruction: TBA

BONUS CONTENT:

ON SALE:
• REGULAR MASTERWORKS STOREFRONT
• VARIANT MASTERWORKS STOREFRONT

DISCUSS AT THE COLLECTED EDITIONS FORUMS:
• KA-ZAR MASTERWORKS VOL. 3 DISCUSSION

PREVIEW IMAGES

A RUMBLE FROM THE HIDDEN JUNGLE: KA-ZAR RETURNS!

The Marvel Masterworks series unveils more gems from the Hidden Jungle with a third volume devoted to Ka-Zar and that lovable little furball, Zabu! The creative team of Gerry Conway and John Buscema turn out top-notch jungle action with a run of stories in their run from the full-color Ka-Zar comic: Zabu is taken captive by the evil priest Sandratha to be used as a sacrifice for an ancient ritual! Ka-Zar also takes on the beast-god of the lost river and a dinosaur hunter! Plus: You haven’t seen Ka-Zar until you’ve seen him in John Buscema’s lushly illustrated—never before reprinted—adventures from Savage Tales! Also featuring team-up tales co-starring Shanna the She-Devil and two Shanna solo stories!

ISSUES REPRINTED
Ka-Zar (1974) #6-9 and material from Savage Tales (1971) #5-11.

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Dazzler returns to the top of the Masterworks charts in her third volume! Family secrets explode in the life of Alison Blaire, as no sooner does her half-sister, Lois London, arrive in her life, but she’s on the run as a fugitive accused of murder while trying to stay one step ahead of a vengeful Rogue! Dazzler’s bent on staying out of the super hero game, but still winds up in Attilan to team with the Inhumans against Blackout and Moonstone. Things are much better on the fashion runway with Millie the Model’s agency, that is until Chili Storm shows up! This volume concludes with the Dazzler: The Movie graphic novel guest-starring the X-Men! And don’t miss out on Bill Sienkiewicz’s painted cover art!

Dazzler Masterworks Vol. 3 HC, in both a regular and variant edition, will hit store shelves on April 20, 2022! View a preview page loaded with art and information at the link below:

The post Dazzler: The Movie Hits Bookshelves Everywhere April 2022 In Dazzler Masterworks Vol. 3 HC! appeared first on Collected Editions.

Kull the Conqueror: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus HC is due October 6, 2021. For book information and a gallery of preview art, click the link below!

The post Kull the Conqueror Omnibus HC Collects Timeless Art By John Bolton And John Buscema! appeared first on Collected Editions.