Great Trades?

I usually like Trade Paperbacks of the really old comics that i won't or can't get anywhere else. The problem is that Marvel & DC put their rare, vintage comics into nice hardcover editions with hefty price tags. Often I want to just read the stories and not necessarily collect the finest tome. on a rare occasion they'll do a softcover version of their super nice hardcovers and sell them at a decent price. Barnes and Noble recently did a lot with marvel at the $10-12 price point (see above link). i think that doesn't happen enough.

There's now a Trade Paperback of The Black Panther comic by Jack Kirby. has anyone read these comics (or the trade)? it sounds good.

Essential Marvel__ (Fill in the Character's Name). Does anyone else read these things? i have a few of 'em so far. when they came out i was sorta pissed at the 'mistreatment' of these comics. putting them on crap paper in black and white...but you know. i can't decide. now i DO think i'm missing a LOT by not seeing them in their colored glory, but maybe it's ok. i WANTED to read the first 40 issues of Thor and Iron Man. i knew i'd never have the original issues, and there's no way i'll ever get 'em all reprinted (if i even can) for a better price than $16. usually they're about 600 pages long(!)