Blade Epic Collection: His Name Is...Blade

Read the stories that created the legend!

Blade burst onto the comics scene in the 1970s, a time when horror movies were all the rage and Black cinema was introducing bold new action heroes who defied authority. He immediately raised the stakes in Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan’s Tomb of Dracula, bringing unstoppable determination as he hunted the vampire who killed his mother — and dispatching a few others along the way. This Epic Collection presents Blade’s complete early adventures — from his influential role in Tomb of Dracula and his 1970s solo stories in Marvel’s black-and-white magazine titles to his final vengeance on Deacon Frost and his 1980s collaboration with Doctor Strange to end the vampire menace once and for all.

COLLECTING: Tomb of Dracula (1972) #10, #12-14, #24, #30, #41-43, #51, #58; Fear (1970) #24; Marvel Preview (1975) #3; Doctor Strange (1974) #61-62, #67; material from Tomb of Dracula (1972) #17-19, #21, #44-50, #52-53; Vampire Tales (1973) #8-9; Marvel Preview (1975) #8; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #64

Written by Marv Wolfman with Chris Claremont, Steve Gerber, Roger Stern & Marcus McLaurin
Penciled by Gene Colan with Tony Dezuniga, Rico Rival, P. Craig Russell, Steve Leialoha, Dan Green & Malcolm Davis

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