ATLAS CREATOR COLLECTION NO 04 BERNARD KRIGSTEIN THE COMPLETE ATLAS STORIES

While Bernard Krigstein’s groundbreaking work at EC Comics has been reprinted numerous times, his substantially larger output for Atlas has been unfairly neglected. The 78 stories in this volume – the vast majority restored from original photostats – will fully rectify that oversight, and provide a greater understanding of the achievement of this often-misunderstood graphic-storytelling pioneer. Krigstein was the only Golden Age artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and he approached the black-and-white idiom of comics from the perspective of a student dissecting the drawings of the old masters—in this case those old masters included Jack Kirby, Mort Meskin, Alex Raymond, Jerry Robinson, and many others. Already a seasoned comic book veteran when he arrived in mid-1951, Krigstein’s two-year tenure at Atlas can be seen as a vital bridge to his artistic maturity. Story by story, page by page, he stretches and refines the Atlas house style expected of its artists to its outer limits, then defies that convention to forge the personal aesthetic he’ll continue to refine at EC. After EC’s collapse in 1956, Krigstein returned to Atlas to create his final body of work in comics: 29 short-form experiments demonstrating the infinite possibilities inherent in the art of graphic narrative. “I used them as a medium for dramatizing the breakdown technique, to show the limitless ways that a comic book story could unfold. I wanted to show that the form was fluid and dynamic and should not be considered a static form. ” Guest editor and Krigstein biographer Greg Sadowski’s introductory historical essay traces the arc of Krigstein’s development and his efforts to elevate the stature of a medium that was dismissed as disposable juvenile escapism.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs