Amazon is running a serious discount on Paul Levitz’ massive tome of comic-book history, 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking. The 720-page coffee table book weighs in at 16 pounds and normally sells for $200. Amazon initially listed it for $126, but it’s down to $109.66 — a 45% discount cutting $90 off the price!

I finally ordered a copy.

I doubt this discount will last. If a huge, detailed art book about DC Comics’ history appeals to you but (like me) you’ve been holding out because of the price, now’s your chance!

Last month, DC announced a collaboration with TASCHEN Books: a massive history of DC Comics, written by Paul Levitz with tons of artwork from DC’s 75-year history.

At the time, I asked, “How soon can I pre-order this?”

Well, now I can…for the low, low price of $126, marked down from $200.*

Yow! That may be a little out of my budget. Admittedly, it’s a 650+ page hardcover full of glossy color printing that weighs in at 15 pounds (6.8kg). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows weighs less than three pounds, and even the slipcase edition of Comic Book Tattoo “only” weighs eight. Still, when the price gets into triple digits, I start thinking seriously about what else I could buy with that money instead.

Two other items are on the listing that I don’t recall seeing when I looked last month: a cover and a release date. I don’t know if the cover is final or preliminary. It’s on Amazon’s schedule for November 1, 2010, making this a likely Christmas gift for historically-inclined DC fans.

Amazon: 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking

*This tracks with the £135 that Acrobatic Flea spotted on Amazon UK a few weeks ago. So much for it being a placeholder price.