Marvel to release ‘Annihilation Omnibus’ edition in May 2014

Annihilation #1

Amazon has listed an Annihilation Omnibus for 6 May 2014, apparently collecting together one of the biggest cosmic events of the last few decades. Just in time for the Guardians of the Galaxy film, the retailer lists the collection at 880 pages, which is identical to the total of the previous three (out of print) hardcover editions of the saga.

With a central mini-series by Keith Giffen and editor Andy Schmidt, Annihilation took all of the (then) neglected cosmic characters and put them all together in a single universe-spanning conflict. With little concern with what was happening with the Earth-bound heroes, it firmly put a stamp on its corner of the comics world. When the insect like Annihilation Wave from the Negative Zone wipes out the Xandarian Nova Corp and threatens all existence, surviving Nova Richard Rider must lead a handful of heroes to stop the destruction. The series would pave the way for the introduction of the modern Guardians of the Galaxy in the follow-up Annihilation: Conquest. From what we’ve seen of the Guardians of the Galaxy film, the Xandarian Nova Corps’ defeat may serve as a catalyst.

The omnibus is likely to containthe  Drax the Destroyer mini-series, “Annihilation: Prologue” one-shot, Annihilation: Nova, Annihilation: Ronan mini-series, Annihilation: Silver Surfer mini-series, Annihilation: Super-Skrull mini-seriesAnnihilation: The Nova Corps Files one-shot/handbook, Annihilation limited series and the Annihilation: Heralds Of Galactus mini-series. Creators include Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (Nova), Simon Furman (Ronan), Keith Giffen (PrologueSilver Surfer,Annihilation), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Super Skrull) and artists Renato Arlem (Silver Surfer), Giuseppe Camuncoli (Heralds of Galactus), Andrea Di Vito (AnnihilationHeralds of Galactus), Scott Kolins (PrologueHeralds of Galactus), Jorge Lucas (Ronan), Mike McKone (Heralds of Galactus), Gregory Titus (Super Skrull) and Kev Walker (Nova).

It retails for $125, but you can preorder it now through Amazon for significantly less.

(Thanks to the Masterworks Message Board (and James R) for the tip!)