That reminds me. I saw this on Mike's official facebook today:

"Confirmation from Diamond this week that the MADMAN 20TH ANNIVERSARY MONSTER is requiring some extra processing, but we are told it will definitely be out next Wednesday, 2/1. In the meantime, don't forget all the special teases and sneak peeks over at the Allred Art Spot!

http://allredart.blogspot.com/ "

So I've got my couple of copies ordered and hopefully my online comic shop will see my email from last Thursday asking that they ship them THIS week and charge me the extra $6.25 for shipping. I can't wait to get this book!

It's always like this with an Allred and Co. book, though. The last week is the most impatient and the worst. I've been pretty successful in not looking at the previews on Mike's blog so I wouldn't spoil stuff for myself, but man... those entries are getting awfully tempting right about now.

I don't think anything Mike has shared could fall under the category of 'major spoilers' if that's what you're worried about. For me personally, each 'sneak-peak' has made waiting for the book to release even more unbearable. So many cool artists! On second thought.... perhaps it's a good idea you continue shielding yourself. You'll lower the risk of suffering a heart attack due to the anticipation unlike me.

That's the close-second reason for trying hard to not look at the previews. Much as I appreciate taking the time to post them, I'll go even more nuts not getting a chance to have the book in hand. And because my online comic shop didn't email me back today and they usually ship tomorrow for a Friday delivery, I'm guessing I won't be getting mine for at least another week. *SWEAR WORDS*

I pre-ordered mine from Amazon, so who knows when they're shipping (Feb.7, per their site...so I guess I know, after all)

And I'm avoiding the previews too because I want the whole thing to be a giant surprise

I've scoured every description of this I can find, but nothing out there actually spells out what is being reprinted in this book. I understand that it probably contains all of the back-cover images from the Dark Horse Madman series (that were also used in Bubble Gum Card sets), as well as some of the Non-Allred short stories from the Madman Galleries. But what else? That doesn't seem like enough stuff to fill a "Monster HC."

Can anyone give me a detailed description of what is reprinted here?

Actually the majority of the book is brand new material. The first post in this thread has the official description but along with the latest story by Mike and Laura, the book also contains new comics especially created for this hardcover from Peter Bagge, Kyle Baker, Philip Bond, Peter Milligan, Darwyn Cooke, Dave Cooper, Dean Haspiel, Los Bros Hernandez, Erik Larsen, David Mack, Pat McKeown, Bernie Mireault, Michael Avon Oeming, Paul Pope, Eric Powell, Frank Quitely, Steven T. Seagle, Teddy Kristiansen, Jeff Smith, Jay Stephens, Craig Thompson, Matt Wagner, Joe Quinones, and Maris Wicks. What might be confusing you is that every pin-up from the bubblegum card sets, the Gallery, and the comics are being reprinted in this as well. But no, the comics in this collection have never been published anywhere before. Hope that cleared things up!

Thanks, Skestra. That is helpful. I guess the official description does say "new stories from..." but I managed to convince myself that meant "newly collected stories from..."

And I didn't know if "MICHAEL ALLRED’s latest – and most epic ever – MADMAN story!" was a new story or a reprinting of the 17 issues of Madman Atomic Comics Image series (which would seem to fit the description of "most epic ever").

Anyway, thanks again. I'm attempting to trim my back issue collection down by replacing them with collections and tpbs, so I needed to know what I would be replacing if I got this book. Looks like it doesn't replace anything, but I'm still going to need it.

Hey Saint Doyle, if you plan to get rid of any single issues written or drawn by M.Dalton Allred, Michael "Zane" Allred, Red Allrod or Mike Allred let me know as I have been browsing the wonderful Madman Checklist thread and have realized I'm missing a ton still.

I typed out a post of all the questions I have about the Madman Monster, then realized that I'd be happier keeping it a surprise since I don't need anything except Madman on the cover to convince me to buy it. I am insanely curious to know if there will be any new Madman stories by Mike and Laura, but I should just buy it today...

Amazon says they'll ship mine on Sunday...those wacky kids!