|
|
Exclusive Interview with Folio Society Head of Editorial, James Rose on "DC: Superman"
Posted on February 05, 2025 by Neil Cole
The Superman Super Site recently had the opportunity to speak exclusively with James Rose, the Head of Editorial at The Folio Society, about their latest hardcover publication, "DC: Superman". This stunning new release celebrates the enduring legacy of the Man of Steel, featuring twelve iconic Superman stories, a replica of Superman #1, and insightful commentary from industry veterans Jenette Kahn and Marjorie Liu. The book promises to be a fitting tribute to the hero who redefined the superhero genre.
We had the chance to ask James about the process behind curating this special edition, the collaboration with DC Comics, and what sets "DC: Superman" apart from other editions in the Folio Society's DC collection.
• Super Site: James, congratulations on the upcoming release of "DC: Superman"! Can you share what the process was like for curating this particular edition, and what made Superman the ideal character to focus on for this new addition to the DC collection?
• Rose: Folio began collaborating with DC back in 2022, and after the publication of DC: The Golden Age and DC: Batman, we really wanted to follow up with another massive star and there's none bigger than Superman - he's still utterly beloved by fans and is the blueprint for so many later superheroes. Thankfully, DC doyenne Jennette Kahn was on hand once again to guide us through his almost ninety-year history and help make a stand-out selection of his best comics.• Super Site: The inclusion of rare, iconic artwork and detailed annotations is a hallmark of The Folio Society's DC publications. Can you talk about the specific approach taken with DC: Superman to make it stand out among other editions?
• Rose: Folio's been publishing illustrated books for over 75 years, and comics are probably the ultimate combination of story and illustration, so it was important for us to let the original artwork shine. We've therefore chosen to only use original artwork, scanned directly from the DC archives, as well as creating a faithful replica of Superman #1. It's as close to reading the real thing as you can get, unless of course you're one of the lucky ones with the real thing!• Super Site: What role does collaboration with artists, writers, and historians play in the creation of these DC volumes? For instance, how involved was DC Comics in the production of DC: Superman?
• Rose: Collaboration is always incredibly important. Fortunately, Jenette Kahn has written a fantastic introduction, explaining in depth each comic and its part in Superman's timeline, and we also get an exclusive foreword by Marjorie Liu who really goes into the continuing influence of the Man of Steel. Perhaps most crucially though was the support we got from the DC archivists who sourced original comics and had them scanned for us in super high-resolution. It's what makes the comics appear so fresh.• Super Site: Folio's DC line has been expanding with titles like "DC Comics: The Golden Age" and "DC: Batman". How do you decide which DC characters or stories are worthy of inclusion in the Folio catalog, and are there plans for future releases in this line?
• Rose: Having started with the Golden Age as an overall introduction to the comics, we really wanted to go in-depth on some of the most significant DC creations, hence Batman and Superman coming first. They are simply the most loved, most significant characters in the DC lineup. However, there are many, many more to choose from, and more eras to cover.• Super Site: One of the defining features of The Folio Society's books is their attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. Could you speak to the specific materials, bindings, and finishes used in DC: Superman to elevate it beyond a traditional hardcover release?
• Rose: Every part has been carefully thought through. The protective slipcase features Superman's logo UV spot varnished, and the title on the book itself has a striking blue metallic foil. The pages themselves are sewn, not glued, for extra durability and we've used a high-quality matt paper that really shows off the art, and then of course there's the replica comic. For this we've scanned from an original copy, but we've also printed on a newsprint paper, so even the feel of it is as close to picking it up off the newsstand in 1939 as we can possibly get!• Super Site: Looking to the future, do you see The Folio Society continuing to explore the world of graphic novels, or are there other literary genres or iconic characters that you are excited to bring the Folio touch to next?
• Rose: Rose: I'd very much like to continue exploring iconic characters within the Marvel and DC wheelhouse, as well as significant graphic novels, and there are just so many to choose from! That said, Folio has never touched on Manga and I think that could be rather fun too. Either way, we won't stop here and there's plenty more to come.
"DC: Superman" is poised to be a must-have edition for collectors and fans alike, offering a rare and immersive experience into the world of the Man of Steel. With exquisite production values, insightful commentary, and a thoughtful curation of iconic stories, it is the ultimate tribute to Superman's legacy and is sure to become a cornerstone of any comic book fan's library.
"DC: Superman" retails for US$100.00 and is currently available direct from FolioSociety.com.
×
![]()
×
![]()
