Behind the Panel: On the hunt for Treasury Editions

Do you remember the heyday of Marvel and DC's epic Treasury Editions? During the '70s and early '80s, these oversized comic books were all the rage. DC innovated the format before Marvel eventually followed suit.

The result was a comic book experience that just couldn’t be matched by an ordinary monthly issue. These stories were not only physically larger, they were the initial publications for some of the most famous comic book stories of all time.

In the latest installment of SYFY WIRE's Behind the Panel, we're roaming the halls of New York Comic Con while searching for an elusive Treasury Edition: MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz. True story: That was the first-ever collaboration between Marvel and DC. But their second collaboration was a true game changer: Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.

That's right, the unthinkable crossover already happened in 1976, with a follow-up sequel in 1981. Only the Treasury Edition format could fully capture the twin heroic icons of comics as they had their inevitable battle before their equally inevitable team-up to save the day. For the time, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man was the comic book equivalent of a blockbuster movie. That Treasury Edition is long out of print, but fans may be lucky enough to spot it at comic conventions.

Additionally, we're touching on the history of the Treasury Edition format, as well as a few of the other notable titles to get this special treatment. Chief among them is the Superman vs. Muhammad Ali Treasury Edition, which pits the Man of Steel against arguably the best boxer in the world. It may sound silly, but it's an epic tale told in an epic format.

For more Treasury Edition details and memories, check out the full video!