Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 Brings Paul Chadwick’s Classic Series Back to Print from Dark Horse Books
Concrete is finally returning to print.
Dark Horse Books is bringing the original stories from Paul Chadwick’s award-winning comic series back to shelves with Concrete Omnibus Volume 1, the first in a planned omnibus set collecting the landmark series for a new generation of readers. The release marks the first time these stories have been back in print in roughly twenty years, making this a major announcement for fans of literary comics, independent comics, and classic Dark Horse storytelling.
The new omnibus line is set to begin arriving in June 2027, with Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 collecting the first two original volumes: Depths and Heights.
Paul Chadwick’s Concrete Returns
Created by Paul Chadwick, Concrete follows Ronald Lithgow, a man trapped inside a massive stone-like body. He stands over seven feet tall and weighs more than a thousand pounds. His new form lets him walk across the ocean floor, survive a collapsed mineshaft, and even attempt impossible physical feats like climbing Mount Everest.
But the power comes with a heartbreaking cost.
Concrete can endure incredible punishment, but he cannot feel the touch of a human hand. That contrast is what made the series so special. Concrete is not simply a superhero story or a science-fiction concept. It is a deeply human comic about isolation, curiosity, adventure, loss, identity, and what it means to live inside a body that separates you from the rest of the world.
What’s Inside Concrete Omnibus Volume 1?
Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 collects the first two volumes of the series, Depths and Heights, along with additional material for longtime fans and new readers.
The omnibus includes a new introduction by Paul Chadwick and an expanded sketchbook section, giving readers more insight into Chadwick’s creative process and the development of one of Dark Horse’s most respected comics.
Depths features classic early Concrete short stories, including the Eisner-nominated “Orange Glow” and “Vagabond,” Chadwick’s autobiographical account of a cross-country hitchhiking trip.
Heights includes Concrete issues #6–#10, the Concrete Color Special “World Beneath the Skin,” and “Brighter.”
For readers who have only heard about Concrete but never had an easy way to read it, this omnibus gives the series a strong new entry point.
The Full Omnibus Set
Dark Horse’s new omnibus program will go beyond the first two volumes.
The full set is planned to include all seven original Concrete volumes, the one-shot “Three Uneasy Pieces,” the recently published Stars Over Sand, short stories, Dark Horse Presents material, and more from Paul Chadwick’s archives.
That makes this more than a simple reprint. It is a major preservation project for one of Dark Horse’s most acclaimed creator-owned series.
Readers looking for more early details can also check this Concrete omnibus announcement covering the return of Chadwick’s work in collected format.
Why Concrete Still Matters
Concrete stands apart because it treats its impossible premise with emotional seriousness.
Ronald Lithgow is not written as a standard costumed hero. He is a man living with a transformation that gives him extraordinary abilities while also separating him from ordinary human experience. That makes the series thoughtful, funny, strange, and often quietly devastating.
The best Concrete stories find drama in contradiction. He can survive the ocean floor but cannot live a normal human life. He can perform incredible physical feats but remains emotionally vulnerable. He looks like a monster, but the stories are often about empathy, wonder, and humanity.
That is why the series has remained important to comics readers even after long stretches out of print.
A Strong Entry Point for New Readers
For new readers, Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 should be the best way to start.
The collection begins with Depths and Heights, giving readers the early foundation of Paul Chadwick’s world and character. It also presents the material in a large paperback format, making it easier to follow the series from the beginning without hunting down older editions.
The omnibus will be a 544-page paperback measuring 6.625 x 10.1875 inches, priced at $39.99.
That format makes it a practical pickup for longtime fans replacing older collections and new readers discovering Concrete for the first time.
Why Collectors Should Watch This Release
This is a strong release for collectors who focus on creator-owned comics, Dark Horse history, and important independent series.
Concrete has long had a respected reputation, but availability has been a challenge. Bringing the work back into print gives the series new visibility and could introduce it to readers who missed earlier editions.
The added introduction and expanded sketchbook section also give the omnibus extra value beyond simply reprinting the stories. For fans of Paul Chadwick’s process, those extras make the book more attractive as a bookshelf edition.
Release Details
Title: Concrete Omnibus Volume 1
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Creator: Paul Chadwick
Format: Paperback Omnibus
Page Count: 544 pages
Trim Size: 6.625 x 10.1875 inches
Price: $39.99
Release Window: June 2027
Collects: Depths and Heights
Bonus Material: New introduction by Paul Chadwick and expanded sketchbook section
Included Stories: “Orange Glow,” “Vagabond,” Concrete #6–#10, Concrete Color Special “World Beneath the Skin,” and “Brighter”
Final Thoughts
Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 is a major return for one of Dark Horse’s most acclaimed comics.
Paul Chadwick’s Concrete has always been more than a story about a man trapped in stone. It is a thoughtful, emotional, funny, and deeply human series about what happens when extraordinary ability comes with permanent isolation.
With the first omnibus collecting Depths and Heights, adding a new introduction, and expanding the sketchbook material, Dark Horse is giving longtime fans and new readers a strong way to experience the series.
For anyone interested in creator-owned comics, literary graphic storytelling, or classic Dark Horse releases, Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 belongs on the watch list.
Join the Discussion
Are you excited to see Concrete back in print? Will you be picking up Concrete Omnibus Volume 1 when Dark Horse Books brings Paul Chadwick’s classic series back to shelves?
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