Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Savage Sword of Conan Reforged, The Legend Testers, Cryptology, Alter Ego, Silver Age World’s Finest, ERB and Octopus Stories!

Small list of new items this week, so we’ve created a brand-new special with an additional 25% off all ALMOST GONE items for just 7 days.

New items: Savage Sword of Conan Reforged, The Legend Testers by Jordi Bernet and Graham Baker, a new edition of the Silver Age World’s Finest Omnibus Vol 2, and RevERBerate #1.

Our latest catalog (Bruce Timm cover) can be downloaded now. Print copies were mailed out this week to any U.S. customer who has ordered in the last 18 months. We no longer mail printed catalogs outside the U.S. due to the mailing cost.

Happy New Year, Everyone! Have a wonderful 2026.

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Click here for last week's new items, and here for 2025's Best Sellers!

Click here to see ALL New Arrivals, beginning with the latest and going back 30 days.


 


BEDTIME STORIES FOR YOUR OCTOPUS Signed
Signed! Our Highest Recommendation. By Brian Kesinger. The Octopus series by Disney creator Brian Kesinger is back! The eccentric Victoria Prismall and her ever loyal Otto the octopus are here to star in a plethora of panoramic, full-page illustrations that journey into the world’s most famous fairy tales, fables and legends. While previous volumes have instructed readers how to care for and travel with your octopus, this visits the stories of our past with Victoria and her pet in starring roles! Brian Kesinger is an Annie award-winning story artist, illustrator and author; most recently he worked on the Netflix animated series Blue Eye Samurai for which he won an Emmy in 2024. Baby Tattoo, 2025....More.

Item Code: BEDSHS
Hard Cover, 7x14, 64pg, Full Color
$39.95
 


ALSO AVAILABLE
BUSTER AND THE HAUNTED BANJO Signed
Signed! Highly Recommended. “Once upon a time a ramblin’, banjo playin’, bag-a-bones by the name of Buster set out to find his fortune, along with a haunted banjo for a partner.” Brian Kesinger’s (Walking Your Octopus) tale of hobo strummer Buster Bones began October 1st 2020 as an improvised story written and illustrated with the engagement of over a quarter million social media followers. By the end of the month, with guidance from Kesinger’s most enthusiastic fans, Buster had become a rags-to-riches success story and bonafide rock star. Baby Tattoo, 2022....More.

Item Code: BUSTHS
Hard Cover, 7x10, 64pg, Full Color
$20.00
We have only four copies left of Buster, and just one copy of Walking Your Octopus, signed, from 2013. As-new [RB6559 $40].
 


ALTER EGO #197
Highly Recommended. Edited by Roy Thomas. Behind an incredible cover by Dave Stevens of Valkyrie and Airboy—the incredible inside story of Hillman Publishing — 1940 to 1953 — by Mark Carlson-Ghost! Thrill to the adventures of Airboy, aviatrix Valkyrie, The Heap, Skywolf, et al! With classic art by Kida, Schroeder, Leav, Infantino, Zolnerowich, and some of comics’ finest artists! Plus FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) and Michael T. Gilbert visits Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt! Plus a feature on Lady Luck, a tribute to Jack Katz. TwoMorrows, 2025....More.

Item Code: AE197
Magazine, 8x11, 84pg, Full Color
$10.95
Here are all back issues still available.
 


CRYPTOLOGY #7
Recommended. Vampire Issue. Begin with the career of Bela Lugosi, including illuminating commentary from those who once knew him. Then feast on the Universal classic Dracula’s Daughter, as a prelude to Blood of Dracula’s Castle. Marv Wolfman discusses his time working on Marvel’s celebrated Tomb of Dracula, with a host of mesmerising artwork from Gene Colan, Tom Palmer and Gil Kane. Delve into comic book vampires, and explore their roots from the latter 19th century. Vampire warrior Kate Beckinsale also gives us a few words on her role in the Underworld franchise. TwoMorrows, 2025....More.

Item Code: CRY07
Magazine, 8x11, 84pg, Full Color
$10.95
#1 is sold out but we still have #2-6 in stock. This is the hit of the new Twomorows magazines, it's proved very popular!
 


THE LEGEND TESTERS 60th Anniversary
1966-67. By Graham Baker and Jordi Bernet. Twelve Monkeys meets Clash of the Titans in this epic time travel adventure. 3900 AD. Rollo Stones and Danny Charters are the Legend Testers — employees of the Central Knowledge Museum, tasked with taking exhibits back through time to see if they are genuine or not. Using the world’s only time machine, called The Time Chamber, Rollo and Danny throw themselves into peril, seeking out the truth behind myths and legends. From werewolves to Greek Gods, the entire run of the Legend Testers strip from the British comics magazine Smash!, all beautifully illustrated by Spanish art superstar, Jordi Bernet. Rebellion, 2025....More.

Item Code: LEGTES
Soft Cover, 8x11, 160pg, Full Color
$24.00
 


THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Reforged Volume 2
Highly Recommended. A true classic, “The Devil in Iron”, appearing in full color for the very first time. Written by the incomparable Roy Thomas and brought to life by the legendary duo of John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala, this tale bursts with new vibrancy as Conan battles through the dark mysteries and savage dangers of the Hyborian Age, and meets up with at least two beautiful ladies that will tax his patience. Conan? Patience? Gorgeous cover by Boris Vallejo with no text. High gloss cover stock, superb coloring inside. Titan, 2025....More.

Item Code: SAVR02
Magazine, 8x11, 48pg, Full Color
$9.99
 


ALSO AVAILABLE
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Reforged Volume 1
By Roy Thomas. Art by Barry Windsor-Smith and John Buscema. Cover by Roberto De La Torre. The classic Savage Sword of Conan returns — now in full color! Reforged revitalizes the black-and-white magazine with vivid, all-new color restorations, bringing new depth and intensity to Conan’s celebrated adventures. "Tower of the Elephant" features art from John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala, and Barry Windsor-Smith illustrates "The Frost-Giant’s Daughter", now recolored to fully capture the brutal majesty of Robert E. Howard’s Hyborian Age. Titan, 2025. ...More.

Item Code: SAVR01
Magazine, 8x11, 64pg, Full Color
$9.99
Click here for more Savage Sword of Conan.
 


REVERBERATE A Magazine of Edgar Rice Burroughs
Recommended. A new magazine spotlighting the work of The Master of Adventure. "We want to explore Edgar Rice Burroughs’ work, life, and legacy, and impact in media including art, comics, film." The debut issue showcases acclaimed artist Benito Gallego, whose lush portfolio boasts the comic-strip adventures of Tarzan and The Outlaw of Torn; profiles fireman turned silent film actor Gene Pollar, who starred in The Revenge of Tarzan (1920); and investigates the early African explorers whose feats influenced Burroughs’ writing. Also: the books of author Gary A. Buckingham, who helmed three Tarzan projects, with his fourth in development.Scott T. Griffin, 2025....More.

Item Code: REVERM
Magazine, 8x10, 48pg, Text/b&w
$15.00
bob eg
Here are more of the latest Edgar Rice Burroughs books and back issues of Burroughs Bulletin in Rare Books. Latest from ERB Inc is The Monster Men, Return of the Monster Men, Barsoom Books Vol 4 and 5, and Tarzan in Color volumes by Foster and Hogarth.
 


ALSO AVAILABLE
TIME'S LAST GIFT Deluxe Signed Hardcover
Signed by Bob Eggleton & the four contributors! Limited to just 200 copies. Our Highest Recommendation. By Philip Jose Farmer. Cover by Bob Eggleton. Hardcover, wrap-around dust jacket, leatherette binding with gold foil stamping, custom printed color end papers. A high quality collectible in the tradition of Meteor House’s prior limited edition hardcovers. I don't want to give this away—but fans of the Edgar Rice Burroughs universe—like me—should REALLY enjoy this. Not only is it an outstanding time travel story, but Farmer has pulled a real number here. As you may know, he's a big ERB fan—in A Feast Unknown he did something similar with favorite fictional characters. This is even better. -Bud. Three men and a woman travel on board a timeship from the future of 2070 AD back to to 12,000 BC! For these anthropologists, it's a chance to study primitive man, the wild creatures and the very different world they inhabit. But none of them was prepared for what they would encounter, or for the impact of their travels in time that had yet to come... And one of the travelers is a thinly veiled very famous fictional character! A prequel to Philip Jose Farmer’s Ancient Opar series and a big fan favorite, first published in 1972 in paperback. Meteor House, 2025....More.

Item Code: TIMLGH
Hard Cover, 6x9, 212pg, Text Only
$65.00
This signed deluxe could already be out of print, with only 200 done, but we have three copies for sure on hand as I write this. Also available in softcover [TIMLG. $23].

I really, really enjoyed this. No spoilers but just let it be said it's deeply in the ERB universe and I can’t see any ERB  fan who would not really enjoy this. It's also a Time Travel novel. - Bud

 


BATMAN AND SUPERMAN World's Finest The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 2 Hardcover
New printing. Collects #117-158, 1961-66. Recommended. By Bill Finger, Edmond Hamilton et al. Art by Curt Swan, Dick Sprang, Jim Mooney et al. Superman and Batman first teamed up in Worlds Finest Comics #71 in 1954. Bat-Woman, a Joker and Luthor team-up, Bizarro Superman, Bat-Mite, Mr. Mxyzptlk and much, much more. Here is the origin of the Composite Superman, a Legion appearance, a Luthor/Clayface and a Luthor/Braniac team up, the second Super Sons story, and the last appearance of Kathy Kane (Bat-Woman) until Batman Family #10 in 1977, more than ten years later! Dick Sprang provides the art until #135. DC, 2026....More.

Item Code: BSF02H
Hard Cover, 7x11, 688pg, Full Color
$75.00 $65.00
Volume 1 is in stock at $100, $90 but just one copy, then it will be a special order item [BATS01H.] In Rare Books we have a set of four Showcase Presents World’s Finest volumes, as-new [RB6660. $80], roughly #71 to #202. 2007. Black and White.
 

Coming in February

 


OIL AND WATER The Paintings of Brian J. Haberlin
Recommended. Known worldwide for his work in the comic book industry, Haberlin has turned his boundless creative energy toward watercolor and oil painting, melding narrative, atmosphere, and exquisite technique in each piece. This 120-page hardcover volume captures the breadth of Haberlin’s evolving artistic journey. From delicate studies of the human form to richly textured dreamscapes, these works bridge the realms of fantasy and reality with a signature voice as compelling as his celebrated graphic novels. Image Comics, 2026....More.

Item Code: OILWH
Hard Cover, 6x10, 120pg, Full Color
$50.00 $44.95
 


THE JOKER The Bronze Age Omnibus (New Edition)
By Denny O'Neil, Martin Pasko, Elliot Maggin et al. art by Simonson, Colan, Newton, Aparo, Neal Adams, Chan, Cardy, Staton, & Garcia-Lopez. The Joker's greatest tales from December, 1969, to January 1986, in one massive hardcover. Includes the never-before-published The Joker #10. Collects Batman #251, 260, 286, 291-294, 321, 353, 365-366, 400; The Brave and The Bold #111, 118, 129-130, 141, 191; The Joker #1-10, Detective Comics #475-476, 504, 526, 532, Wonder Woman #280-283, DC Comics Presents #41 and 72 and more! DC, 2026....More.

Item Code: JOKBAH
Hard Cover, 7x11, 832pg, Full Color
$125.00 $110.00
 


SUPERMAN NEW KRYPTON SAGA Omnibus Volume 1
By Geoff Johns. Art by Gary Frank. Collects Superman #681-690, Superman: World of New Krypton #1-5 and much, much more, 2008 on. A world of Kryptonians has risen — and Earth may not survive their arrival. As Superman’s people return to claim a new home, tensions erupt between humanity and the last sons and daughters of Krypton. Can Superman protect both worlds, or will he be forced to choose? As General Zod rises and the Kryptonian city of Kandor is restored, Superman must navigate political intrigue, alien diplomacy, and the growing threat of war between worlds. Collects the first half of the epic storyline that redefined Superman’s mythos for a new era. DC Comics, 2026...More.

Item Code: SUPNK01H
Hard Cover, 7x11, 992pg, Full Color
$125.00 $110.00
 

Rare Books This Week!

Set of 9 issues!

Set of 15!

Set of 15!  

15 sets of Comics Reference magazines this week: Comic Book Marketplace (three sets of 15), Comics Feature (two sets of 21 and a 3rd of 15), Comics Interview (three sets of 15), Comics Revue (9), Comics Collector (7 and 6), Comic Art (7), and Blackhawk DC Archive Vol 1.

Graphic Novel $6 Flash Sale

 


CAPTAIN AMERICA Cold War Aftermath
Closeout Price! Collects Captain America: Symbol of Truth #14, Captain America #750, 2023; and Captain America: Finale. In honor of 750 issues of Captain America, here fan-favorite writers and superstar artists spin nine tales of the Sentinel of Liberty! The two Captains America return home to mourn their fallen. Back in Harlem with battle scars and a renewed sense of focus, Sam Wilson sets out to forge a new path, with Misty Knight by his side and a new shield in his hand! Steve Rogers makes a final stand against the Outer Circle. Cap sets his sights on releasing the world from the Outer Circle's influence and ending the Century Game for good! A bold new direction for Sharon Carter and more. Marvel, 2023....More.

Item Code: CAPCO
Soft Cover, 7x10, 128pg, Full Color
$15.99 $6.00
 


SHE-HULK By Rainbow Powell Volume 1
Closeout Price! Collects #1-5, 2022. The best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe! The Sensational She-Hulk is no longer savage — and now she needs to put her life back together. She’s got a legal career to rebuild, friends to reacquaint herself with (and maybe represent in a court of law), and enemies to...well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are definitely going to connect with her. And Jen is about to be sent down a road she’s never traveled, one that will shake up her life...and possibly the whole Marvel Universe. Variant covers by Stanley Lau, Adam Hughes, and eight others. Marvel, 2022....More.

Item Code: SHRR01
Soft Cover, 7x10, 120pg, Full Color
$15.99 $6.00
 


STAR WARS Hidden Empire
Closeout Price! Collects Star Wars: Hidden Empire #1-5, 2022. By Charles Soule. Art by Steven Cummings et al. Cover by Paulo Siqueira. Qi'ra's final plot to take down the Empire! The mysterious criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn and its leader, Lady Qi'ra, have become the galaxy's most wanted now that Emperor Palpatine has realized the scope of their plans against him. But Qi'ra still has tricks up her sleeve — and with the help of the Knights of Ren and her many other allies, she will not go down without a fight! But as her bid to use an ancient Dark Side weapon known as the Fermata Cage to destroy the Sith falls apart and Darth Vader draws ever nearer, can Qi'ra still salvage victory from certain defeat? The epic trilogy begun in Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters and Star Wars: Crimson Reign concludes here! Marvel, 2022....More.

Item Code: SWHIDE
Soft Cover, 7x10, 136pg, Full Color
$17.99 $6.00
 


TIGER DIVISION
Closeout Price! Collects #1-5, 2022-23. By Emily Kim. Art by Creees Lee and Craig Yeung. Cover by Carlos Gomez. South Korea's preeminent super-team takes center stage! "One of Marvel's strongest ensembles." - ComicBook.com. Taegukgi is a powerhouse with a heart of gold. Lady Bright, a card-wielding sorceress. Mr. Enigma, a street-brawling demigod. Gun-R II, an android with an attitude. They're joined by fan-favorites White Fox and Luna Snow to form an unstoppable team! And when a powerful artifact goes missing from Tiger Division HQ, the squad must retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands. But their fearless leader, Taegukgi, is being haunted by ghosts from his past — and his secrets might just tear Tiger Division apart. Marvel, 2023....More.

Item Code: TIGDI
Soft Cover, 7x10, 112pg, Full Color
$15.99 $6.00
 


WARLOCK REBIRTH
Closeout Price! Collects #1-5. By Ron Marz. Art by Ron Lim and Don Ho. An untold tale of Adam Warlock and the Infinity Watch. Marz and Lim go retro and return to the world of Adam Warlock to tell a tale set in the wake of the classic cosmic epic Infinity Gauntlet! Adam was created to be the perfect human specimen. Since then, he has gone on to be a cosmic savior, defending the galaxy from the likes of Thanos and the Magus. But what will happen when the next evolution of Warlock emerges? Someone stronger, faster and smarter than Adam? Adam has been stripped of his Infinity Gem, and its new bearer calls herself Eve! Marvel, 2023....More.

Item Code: WARRE
Soft Cover, 7x10, 112pg, Full Color
$15.99 $6.00
 

Goner25 Sale

 

Our last 3…2…1 Gone sale did so well, we’re expanding it to include ALL of the Goner items—over 1000 items. These are either items that have gone out of print, or are on sale, and we have FIVE COPIES or less in stock. Our previous Goner Sale was just 70 items, so this is MUCH expanded.

Using the GONER25 Coupon will get you AN ADDITIONAL 25% off on whatever the RETAIL OR SALE price is, whichever one is less. So if an item is already 40% off, 25% more off makes it 50% off. If its 50% off, now you get another 25% off, making it 62.5% off.

THIS OFFER EXPIRES MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7TH.  

 

News & Notes

 

Illustrators Quarterly #49 – Cho and Manchess

This is featured at the top of this eblast; it was listed in full last week but we wanted to do our Christmas Card message in the eblast and on the website…so we kicked this banner forward. Click here for full details, featuring a double-cover feature: Gregory Manchess front cover, Frank Cho rear cover. Click here for more Illustrators back issues and specials.

 
 

New from Illustration Press

Illustration Press has just released two new art books on classic illustrators Harry Beckoff (1901-79) and Joe Bowler (1928-2016). They’ll be $45 each and limited to 1000 copies as usual. We’re not taking orders for either book yet, but we’ll have both available for immediate shipment as soon as they come in the door.

Bowler was elected to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame on 1992. He is best know for being part of the Charles Cooper Studio. His style is close to that of the fine Coby Whitmore, whose name many of you will recognize—he’s known for elegant men and women. He was a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan and Ladies Home Journal, two of the premier prestige magazines in "The Second Golden Age" after World War II. He was named Artist’s Guild Artist of the Year in 1967.
 

Beckoff is better known, he did wonderful magazine covers for Colliers in particular, plus illustrations for stories, from the 1920s to the 1950s. He studied with Dean Cornwell and Harvey Dunn, but his style was very different, working more with line and flat colors. He started out emulating Russell Patterson but moved into his own very individual style. He did wonderful work that I’ve always enjoyed.

~Bud

 
 

Our Catalog and Contact Info

We publish a color catalog every two months—if you’ve placed an order in the last 12 months, you will receive it hot off the press. If this is your first order, or if you’d like an extra copy, you can add one to your order: click here. Or call or send us your address and we’ll mail one to you. You can also download it here.

Place your order before noon PST, Monday through Friday for SAME DAY shipping (for in-stock items).

Note: FREE SHIPPING OVER $300. If your order total is $300 or more and you are in the U.S., we pay the standard shipping cost.

Contact us: csr@budsartbooks.com or 530-273-2166 Mon-Fri 9-4

Download Catalog
 

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