‘Marvel Unforgettable Stories’ To Collect 10 Iconic Tales, Hand-Picked By Patton Oswalt & Jordan Blum (Exclusive)

Together, Marvel Comics and independent publisher the Folio Society have collaborated to produce a shelf’s worth of incredible compendiums, collecting essential entries from Marvel’s extensive back catalog – and now, their latest team-up is Marvel Unforgettable Stories, bringing together ten superhero tales curated by Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum, co-authors of Minor Threats for Dark Horse Comics.

Screen Rant is thrilled to share an exclusive first-look at artist Marco Martin’s cover for Marvel Unforgettable Stories, which will be released in November, and will be available exclusively at the Folio Society’s webstore.The book comes in at nearly three-hundred pages, containing ten classic Marvel stories, only a few of which have been revealed.

The Folio Society’s James described Marvel Unforgettable Stories as a different kind of omnibus, noting that it is a “personal journey,” rather than a traditional “best of.”

Marvel Unforgettable Stories – Available November 27, 2024 From The Folio Society

The Folio Society has become a staple for fans of classic comics over the last several years; its Marvel titles include beautiful hardcover collections like Marvel: The Golden Age (1939-1949), celebrating the best stories from the legendary publisher’s most formative era, and subsequent Silver and Bronze Age volumes covering Marvel up through 1980. The Folio Society and Marvel have also produced collections gathering the best stories from individual Marvel heroes, including Captain America and Spider-Man, each of which has been illuminating for readers in their own ways.

Marvel Unforgettable Stories, the latest Folio Society ode to Marvel history, is a new kind of collection; rather than focusing on a particular era, it will instead offer a personal selection from two pop culture experts. As the publisher explained in its press release:

Now the Folio Society, the independent publisher of beautifully illustrated hardback books, is paying tribute to Marvel’s epic storytelling tradition with Marvel Unforgettable Stories, a handsome, collectible 280-page hardcover that collects ten seminal Marvel stories selected by acclaimed writer and actor Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum, the co-writers of the hit comic series Minor Threats published by Dark Horse Comics. The story selections by Oswalt and Blum range from the classic ― including The Amazing Spider-Man issue 33 from the heart of the Silver Age ― to the contemporary ― including Hawkeye issue 11. Marvel Unforgettable Stories features an all-new stunning cover and slipcase design by Marvel artist Marcos Martín (Daredevil), 280 pages of adventures featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, Daredevil and Captain America, and an introduction by Oswalt.

What makes this way of composing a collection especially exciting is how Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum’s selections will provide a fascinating case study in what makes a memorable Marvel Comic, while also serving as a perfect jumping-on point for fledgling comic book readers.

“Marvel Unforgettable Stories” Was The Product Of A Protracted Debate Between Two Life-Long Marvel Fans

According To Patton Oswalt’s Introduction

Marvel Unforgettable Stories comes with an introduction from comedian, author, and collection curator Patton Oswalt, in which he explains that it was, as expected, no easy process selecting just ten individual comic book issues to represent the width and breadth of his and Jordan Blum’s fandom. The Folio Society offered an excerpt from his preamble, in which Oswalt writes:

Jordan Blum and I—both lifelong comics readers and ‘make mine Marvel’ fanatics—had a hard time picking only ten stories for this collection. I can hear the bleats and rumblings of, ‘But you didn’t include . . .’ and ‘How could you forget . . .’ Lemme save your vocal cords the stress—you’re right. Any objections you have to any stories being passed over? You’re right. There’s simply too many to print under one cover. Hey, maybe buy this edition, and get all of your friends to buy one, and they’ll let us pick ten more! Capitalism!

Of course, the debate about their selections will be an unavoidable – and some would say essential – part of readers’ response to Marvel Unforgettable Stories.

That is, the fun of engaging with a personal curation will come, in part, from comparing and contrasting it with readers’ own personal “top 10” Marvel Comics. Yet Oswalt’s point is that this debate shouldn’t be contentious, but rather joyous; Oswalt and Blum’s Marvel Unforgettable Stories is a celebration of Marvel and its greatest moments, but it is just one collection, and no single tome could contain all of Marvel’s greatness across nearly a century as a fixture of American popular culture.

Jordan Blum & Patton Oswalt Take Their Fellow Marvel Lovers On A “Journey” Through Their Fandom

The Folio Society’s Editor Teases “Surprises”

Whatever pivotal issues ultimately comprise Marvel Unforgettable Stories, the book is first and foremost an insight into Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt’s love of Marvel superheroes. The Folio Society’s Head of Editorial, James Rose, put it this way:

Unlike so many ‘best-of’ collections, here Patton and Jordan have carefully provided a favourite selection of the comics that have defined their love of Marvel. It’s a personal journey through some of Marvel’s most unforgettable stories. Housed in a hardback volume featuring artwork by Marvel artist Marcos Martín, the selection also includes one or two surprises.

In other words, rather than scrutinizing their selections, it will perhaps be best for readers to approach Marvel Unforgettable Stories as a meditation on what makes a Marvel fan, and what keeps a fan coming back to comics month-by-month, year-by-year, and decade-by-decade.

With that in mind, Marvel Unforgettable Stories also seems like a perfect entry point for people whose fandom has started with the MCU, or who have nostalgic memories of the ’90s animated Marvel shows, but have never actually dabbled in comics. In other words, the Folio Society’s newest collaboration with Marvel strikes an ideal equilibrium between appealing to hardcore fans and the uninitiated alike, making it a must-have new release when it comes out at the end of next month.

Marvel Unforgettablr Stories will be available November 27, 2024 from the Folio Society.