Machine Man by Kirby & Ditko
The Complete Collection*

Written by: Jack Kirby, Roger Stern, Marv Wolfman, and Tom DeFalco
Art by Jack Kirby, Sal Buscema, and Steve Ditko

A military machine with a soul, a thinking computer in the form of a man, X-51 is the Machine Man! Abel Stack gave a government-created robot a human face, nurturing the man inside the machine and calling him son. But Stack's death left that son, Aaron, alone and running for his life. The military wants to strip him apart, mankind doesn't understand him - but in exploits crafted by two of the medium's greatest talents, he'll still redefine humanity. Few comic books were lucky enough to be graced by the work of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.

COLLECTING: MACHINE MAN (1978) #1-19; INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #235-237

ISBN: 9780785195771
Format: TRADE PAPERBACK
Price: $39.99 ($47.99 in Canada)
Pages: 440

On Sale: August 9, 2016


*Well, not exactly complete ... the 2001 stories are evidently tied up.

This is the omnibus I have been waiting for! Yes!

About time!

I was hoping this book meant they'd cleared it up.

Ah, just noticed the 2001 stories aren't part of this. A darn shame, they are essential to the story.

Still, this is well worth getting.

Uh, I was hoping for a hardback Omnibus.

Beggers can't be choosers.

I just want to read them. They haven't been collected as far as I could tell.

Do you prefer Kirby's take on Machine Man or Ditko's revision? The first Ditko issue was one of my earliest comics, and it blew my mind.

If you were asking me (or everyone), I haven't read them.

I bought it off the shelves mainly because it was a new issue #1, and I liked it well enough.
Wasn't too disappointed when it was cancelled, but was pleased when it came back again
nearly a year later with Ditko drawing it. Both were good, but I thought Ditko made it his own.

Marv Wolfman wrote the Ditko issues and I thought they were a little hacky, changing Machine Man's personality to the typical 70s hero with a chip on his shoulder and big attitude. The Kirby stuff was gold and much more interesting.

Me, I live 'em both. If it helps, you can think of the Ditko Machine Man as an actual re-boot. His power set is a bit different after the Hulk ... uh ... crashes his systems.

By the way, here's the cover ...

I wish this were a hardback. Then I would double dip for it.

I've only read the Hulk issues. But they're good. It's a pretty epic fight, from what I recall.

Wolfman wrote the first five issues, then Tom DeFalco took over. My recollection is that DeFalco tried for a retro, early 60s Marvel feel to his stories, but I haven't reread them since they were first published so I don't recall much else.

Yes, as I remember it's the Tom Defalco stuff that is especially cheesy. There was a lot of alliteration in the dialogue. Ugh. As a kid I found it really annoying.

But I will be buying this. I love Machine Man.

Ah, I see. Sorry for the misinformation.

In any case, I personally felt the only thing good about those issues was the Ditko artwork.

This just in from Marvel's July Solicitations ...

Machine Man by Kirby & Ditko: The Complete Collection



Written by: Jack Kirby, Roger Stern, Marv Wolfman, and Tom DeFalco
Art by Jack Kirby, Sal Buscema, and Steve Ditko

A military machine with a soul, a thinking computer in the form of a man, X-51 is the Machine Man! Abel Stack gave a government-created robot a human face, nurturing the man inside the machine and calling him son. But Stack's death left that son, Aaron, alone and running for his life. The military wants to strip him apart, mankind doesn't understand him - but in exploits crafted by two of the medium's greatest talents, he'll still redefine humanity. Few comic books were lucky enough to be graced by the work of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Machine Man never saw an issue that wasn’t illustrated by one of these creative titans. Now, the complete MACHINE MAN epic is collected for the first time, and in one complete volume!

COLLECTING: MACHINE MAN (1978) #1-19; INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #235-237

ISBN: 9780785195771
Format: TRADE PAPERBACK
Price: $39.99 ($47.99 in Canada)
Pages: 440

On Sale July 27, 2016

FINAL ORDER CUT-OFF DATE: JUNE 6, 2016

Interesting that these Hulk issues -- also reprinted for the first time -- are from the exact same era as that Dr. Strange Masterworks. Hulk & Dr. Strange were Roger's first two ongoing comics.

Didn't I get you a run of these, Jay?

I read these when they were new, great stuff.

I love these issues and while I'll be getting this, it's a real damn shame they couldn't have included the 2001 stuff which features Machine Man's origin and earliest adventures.

It really shouldn't be called the "complete collection" without those comics included.