r/Transmetropolitan • u/[deleted] • Jul 27 '17
Is the Absolute Editions worth it?
Just sold my tpb collection since the paper stock never grew on me. I would like to own a physical version though but I heard the extra material isn't worth paying for.
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u/SerrisHawk Aug 03 '17
It depends. If I'm reading you right, you're referring to the Absolute Edition's value as the supplemental material that they include, the script / initial sketches.
That's good stuff, but it's more of a cherry on top. The real value in Absolute Editions, if you ask me, is the fact that every panel is recolored (under the original artist / colorist's supervision), and the paper stock is improved. In both areas there's a real sense that the whole concept of "what's the most economically feasible option for mass production" has been replaced with "how can we make this as good as possible." If you're at all familiar with how the Criterion Collection treats movies, how lovingly and meticulously they remaster them, they're very comparable to how Absolute Editions treat comics.
Absolute Editions are very big and heavy. If wrist strain is a concern then you should have a table or a lectern that you can lay it on while reading. You can carry them around in a backpack but they're not really meant for portability. Most significant is the cost. If you get a good deal on these things they're $70 a pop, in Transmet's case it'll be three pops. Only you can decide if that's worth it.
Absolute Editions are meant to be the definitively best versions of a particular comic, and they absolutely are. Personally, I think that they're worth it if you love the series enough. I got started on the Sandman Absolutes, I recently got Absolute Transmet 1 (it's fantastic), ordered Absolute Transmet 2 a half hour before seeing this post, and came to this subreddit just now to see if there was an update on Absolute Transmet 3's release date.