Review: Action Comics #1000 (DC Comics)

Action Comics #1000 has arrived. It's a comic that at some points seemed very far off, at other points I wasn't sure we'd ever see. When the New 52 restarted Action's numbering, it seemed the idea that high numbers put off new readers might be extending even so far as DC's longest running titles -- but around the time DC recognized Detective Comics #900 amidst the New 52, we got an inkling the renumbering was not so cynical as we thought. And now, of course, here we are, and with the Superman title about to be renumbered to #1 too, we get an Action and Superman in sync with at least their right-most digit, which leaves neither title looking so old after all. If we didn't know better we'd think they planned it this way.

Review: Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition hardcover (DC Comics)

In celebration of Action Comics #1000, DC Comics has released Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman, a deluxe commemorative hardcover collecting key issues of Action along with essays. It is an interesting and affecting book, worth reading before Action #1000 to contextualize and put one in the right mindset for that volume. A number of the essays, including by former DC executive Paul Levitz and writer Larry Tye, try to convey the enormity of a Superman comic having been published continuously every month for the past eighty years; the logistics are almost too much to fully comprehend, but reading multiple perspectives on the feat brings it home ahead of the issue itself.

Review: Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living (Rebirth) trade paperback (DC Comics)

What a weird, wacky story is the Rebirth Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living. A Red Robin Tim Drake spotlight book that serves to re-establish much of Tim's pre-Flashpoint origins, I had thought based on solicitations that this would also involve Robin-mythos stalwarts Spoiler and Anarky (who actually appear in the second story included). Instead, this Rebirth tie-in (pit stop?), with a secondary revelation of Mr. Oz's identity, is considerably more of a superhero sci-fi story than we normally see in a Batman book, and with tendrils that reach forward to Batwoman, Superman, and Super Sons, among other DC titles.

As a sequel to the story Lonely Place of Dying, writer James Tynion's ties are largely more thematic than plot-based, which perhaps is the right way to go. Controversially, Tynion holds over one of this book's most pressing questions for the next volume, though in the non-answer perhaps we get our answer. Between the last book and this one we learned Tynion is leaving this title, and to that point this volume foreshadows its own end; there is triumph here in the apparent return of Tim Drake, though it's bittersweet in our sense that there isn't much time left to enjoy it.

Review: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 3: Quest for Hope (Rebirth) trade paperback (DC Comics)

The Rebirth Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 3: Quest for Hope is a fine return to form for the Robert Venditti-lead Green Lantern franchise. This particular series started strong with an epic first volume, but then faltered with a second book that didn't add much to the story. With this third book, Venditti's ideas seem to be bubbling over; the four-part "Quest for Hope" itself swings far and wide from what the premise of the story seems to be, giving the tale a wonderful crazed, unpredictable quality. Venditti follows that with another four-parter that reminds of some of the wild multi-front wars of Venditti's New 52 run. In short Quest for Hope demonstrates Venditti back on the right track, with only a couple minor hiccups along the way.

Review: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 2: Bottled Light (Rebirth) trade paperback (DC Comics)

What was good in Robert Venditti's first volume of the relaunched Rebirth Green Lantern series becomes a detriment in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 2: Bottled Light. I praised the first Corps for its unencumbered, straightforward story, appropriate for this new beginning in an epic TV movie/TV pilot kind of way. But Bottled Light is in the same vein in relatively light fashion, with a low threat by Green Lantern standards and character work that unfolds along predictable lines. I didn't mind that the first seven issues just essentially re-established the status quo for this book, but when we've only moved by inches after the next six, this starts to feel sluggish -- especially given how much Venditti packed into his New 52 stories.

Review: Flash Vol. 5: Negative (Rebirth) trade paperback (DC Comics)

There's an interesting mystery at the beginning of Joshua Williamson's Rebirth Flash Vol. 5: Negative, but that momentum is squandered in a generic fight with a forgettable villain and inconsistent character work. Once again, Williamson's Flash defies explanation; the writer of the superlative Justice League vs. Suicide Squad populates this book with unlikable characters and overlays a general sense of malaise. My fervent hope was that Negative would mark the end of this book's "negative" bent, but it hasn't happened yet; if all of this is meant to be part of some "Flash is possessed" story thread, hopefully it resolves itself soon.

DC Trade Solicitations for June 2018 - Superman Blue Vol. 1, Wonder Woman by Byrne Vol. 2, Red Hood New 52 Omnibus, Wildstorm: Michael Cray Vol. 1, Final Rebirth Birds of Prey and Blue Beetle

Not to give you too much "solicitation fatigue" when we just saw the full list of DC Comics Fall 2018 collections earlier this week, but there is also this month the regular listing of upcoming DC Comics hardcover and trade paperback solicitations for June 2018.

Some of what's here, like the Red Hood and the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus, we just saw in the Fall 2018 catalog. Other notable books include the end of the Rebirth Batgirl and the Birds of Prey and also a second Wonder Woman by John Byrne collection. The book that sticks out for me this month, however, is what was once called Superman Red/Superman Blue, now called Superman Blue Vol. 1, a smaller chunk of the late 1990s saga that essentially marked the exit of what remained of the "Death of Superman" team. This is a long story, which I clock at about four volumes, and I'll be curious to see how this collection series unfolds.

Let's take a look at the list.

• Absolute Flashpoint HC

Flashpoint, I'm reminded when the book rears its head now and then, marked the erosion not just of the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe, but also of Flashpoint itself -- of whatever it was that Geoff Johns was doing with Barry Allen at the time and whatever plans he had that were co-opted and changed by the coming of the New 52. It's hard in some cases to view the dark, brutal Flashpoint un-ironically, but it was on its own merits an interesting story, with a big role for Cyborg, at least, plus a curious take on Captain Marvel that unfortunately hasn't fully manifested yet. All of that is to say that I can see why DC wants an Absolute of this book on the stands, up to and including the ties to the upcoming Flash movie, though it seems an odd package when so much work was just done to separate the story universe from what this began.

• Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Vol. 3: Full Circle TP

Collects issues #14-22, the end of the first Rebirth Birds of Prey series.

• Batman Vol. 6: Bride or Burglar? TP

Collects Tom King's Batman #38-44, including the much-discussed Wonder Woman issue and an appearance by Poison Ivy, in the run-up to issue #50.

• Batman: Death of the Maidens New Edition TP

This would seem to be a paperback based on the recent Deluxe edition.

• Batman and Robin Adventures Vol. 3 TP

Collects Batman and Robin Adventures #19-25 and Annual #2.

• Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Deluxe Edition HC

Already collected in both hardcover and paperback, this is a deluxe-sized edition of the first miniseries.

• Batman: Thrillkiller New Edition TP

Collects both the 1960s-set Elseworlds Thrillkiller miniseries by Howard Chaykin and Dan Brereton, as Detective Bruce Wayne tries to catch Batgirl and Robin.

• Blue Beetle Vol. 3: Road to Nowhere TP

Collects #13-18, the final issues of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis's Rebirth Blue Beetle.

• DC Universe by Mike Mignola TP

Paperback of the hardcover, including Superman: The World of Krypton, Action Comics Annual #1, Superman #18 and 23, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #54, Batman: Gotham Knights #36, Swamp Thing Annual #5, Phantom Stranger #1-4, and more.

• Doom Patrol: The Silver Age Vol. 1 TP

Collects My Greatest Adventure #80-85 and Doom Patrol #86-95.

• Flash by Geoff Johns Book Five TP

Issues #214-225, from the Flash Vol. 7: The Secret of Barry Allen and Flash Vol. 8: Rogue War collections.

• Harley Quinn: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book Two HC

Collects issues #14-27 and the Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special, which are the contents of the paperbacks Harley Quinn Vol. 3: Red Meat and Harley Quinn Vol. 4: Surprise, Surprise.

• Jetsons TP

Issues #1-6 of the Jimmy Palmiotti series.

• Justice League of America Vol. 4: Surgical Strike TP

Collects issues #18-21 and Annual #1. I'm especially interested to see a villain from Steve Orlando's Midnighter series return.

• Justice League of America: The Silver Age Vol. 4 TP

Collects Justice League of America #31-41.

• Ragman TP

Issues #1-6 of the Ragman reboot by Raw Fawkes and Inaki Miranda. I'd say it seems a bit of a shame to have a new Ragman when the original one's perfectly functional, but I guess that was a continuity ago so this would indeed be Ragman's "first appearance." Fawkes did well for a while writing DC's dark magic side, so he seems a fine choice for this.

• Orion by Walter Simonson Book One TP

In 2015 DC released an omnibus of this material, which was both the (JLA-tied) 25-issue Orion series by Walter Simonson and also various stories from Showcase '94, various 80-page giants, and the like. This cut-down paperback has Orion #1-11 and some of the outside material, and presumably Book Two will have #12-25.

• Red Hood and the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1 HC

Given the New 52's spotted reputation, a New 52 omnibus is an unexpected thing, and no title probably invited more controversy in the New 52 than Red Hood and the Outlaws. Still I enjoyed this title more often than not, and the Rebirth iteration is getting rave reviews, so I'm glad to see DC standing up for it with this. And furthermore, where DC could have just gone with the Scott Lobdell material, this is Red Hood complete (even with "Death of the Family" tie in issues), so especially if you're coming at this new, it's a nice package. And this is only Vol. 1, so I'm guessing DC will include the Red Hood/Arsenal series with the rest of the issues in the next book.

• Suicide Squad Vol. 6: The Secret History of Task Force X TP

Collects issues #27-32 by Rob Williams, just after the Dark Nights: Metal crossover.

• Supergirl by Peter David Book Four TP

Collects issues #32-43 of the Peter David series. The solicitation doesn't mention it, but within this is a Young Justice crossover, and we'll have to see if those issues are included (the recent Young Justice Vol. 2 collection included the Supergirl issues. There's also a tie-in to the Day of Judgment event.

• Superman for All Seasons New Edition TP

Paperback following the recent Deluxe edition.

• Superman Blue Vol. 1 TP

What had been billed as a Superman Red/Superman Blue collection (without listing enough issues for such) now becomes Superman Blue Vol. 1, which makes more sense. This book collects about 13 issues, and I estimate the whole saga at over 50 issues, so we're looking at something like four paperbacks to bring this to completion. I am hopeful, but will be very interested to see if that happens; these were not good Superman stories, melodramatic and often focused on secondary characters, and while I love them for the nostalgia, I wonder if the market will support four volumes.

Collects Superman #122-125, Adventures of Superman #545-547, Action Comics #732-734, Superman: The Man of Steel #67-69, and Superman Annual #9.

• Titans: The Lazarus Contract TP

Paperback of the Rebirth crossover.

• Trinity Vol. 3: Dark Destiny TP

Trinity apparently switches from hardcover-first to straight to paperback with this collection of issues #12-16 and Annual #1. This volume is by Rob Williams; the next should collect the end of the series.

• Wildstorm: Michael Cray Vol. 1 TP

Collects issues #1-6 of new Detective Comics writer Bryan Hill's series.

• Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3 HC

Collects Sensation Comics #49-67, Wonder Woman #16-25, and Comics Cavalcade #14-22.

• Wonder Woman by John Byrne Book Two HC

Continuing John Byrne's Wonder Woman run, which saw the introduction of Wonder Girl Cassie Sandsmark, involved the Justice Society, and lead-in to Byrne's Genesis line-wide event. This book ends just before Genesis, as a matter of fact, and I do hope DC includes Genesis in the next volume. Byrne's run goes to issue #136, so the next volume could be the last. Also here is Byrne's "Legends of a Dead Earth" Annual #5 and "Pulp Heroes" Annual #6.

• Wonder Woman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book Two HC

Collects issues #15-25, the Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth and Wonder Woman Vol. 4: Godwatch trades, though presumably presenting the issues in publication order. There's a story from the Rebirth Wonder Woman Annual #1, same as in the fourth trade, but also apparently a story from the DC Rebirth Holiday Special 2017, which was not in the other trades. Maybe that's the Wonder Woman/John Constantine story by Mariko Tamaki and Matias Bergara; it's unusual for these deluxe editions to have newly collected material but good for those readers, I guess.

Have you been buying the Rebirth Deluxe editions? Do you want to see those continue into the "No Justice" era or end with the current runs?

Review: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Sinestro's Law (Rebirth) trade paperback (DC Comics)

I've started reading Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps just as it seems writer Robert Venditti is bringing his Green Lantern franchise run to a close. Eighty-five issues is certainly respectable, but it's bittersweet because Venditti's Green Lantern work has been continually of high quality and continually improved on itself.

With the Rebirth Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Sinestro's Law, Venditti crafts well a tale that finds its origins in the previous DC You Green Lantern era, but also offers a perfectly accessible jumping-on point. Whereas Venditti's inaugural story in the franchise was heavy on the multi-hued Corps mythology set up by previous writer Geoff Johns, Sinestro's Law is a more straightforward superhero sci-fi epic -- perhaps the most basic and least encumbered Green Lantern story I've read in a while, though surely not without nuance and strong characterization. Additionally, here at the beginning of the Rebirth era, Venditti brings Hal Jordan's own arc full circle in a way that I thought most appropriate for the character.

Batman Knightfall 25th Anniversary, Batman: The Wedding Album, Crisis Companion Deluxe Edition, Green Arrow Rebirth Deluxe, Super Sons Omnibus, 1960s Aquaman: Search for Mera, Nathanial Dusk, Red Hood New 52 Omnibus, Judd Winick's Titans, more in DC Comics Fall 2018 solicitations

It's DC Comics' Fall 2018 catalog hardcover and trade paperback solicitations. As always there's a lot here (190 books!) from the Golden Age to DC's latest No Justice and new Justice League events. The full run-down is below, but here's some highlights before we dig in.

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• There's eight Batman: Knightfall-centered books here, individual paperback tear-downs of the recent more-complete Batman: Knightfall omnibuses. As far as these solicitations go, these books don't contain everything that the omnibuses does -- missing "Troika," most notably -- but hopefully they'll match the omnibuses exactly when they're released. These are Batman: Prelude to Knightfall, Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1 (25th Anniversary Edition), Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 (25th Anniversary Edition), Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 1, Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 2, Batman: Knightquest: The Search, Batman: Knightsend, and Batman: Prodigal.

• As you've heard by now, we also see Batman Vol. 7's big event, the Batman: Preludes to the Wedding collection of the "hero vs. villain" specials, and a Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album commemorative edition.

• A book that had fallen off the schedule but I'm glad to see back, the Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion is now a deluxe edition, and volume one of a multi-volume set.

• I haven't seen it announced anywhere, but this catalog calls Batwoman Vol. 3: The Fall of the House of Kane the last volume of the series, suggesting cancellation after issue #18.

• DC will release a Nathaniel Dusk: The Complete Collection, kind of a fourth-wall-breaking Doomsday Clock souvenir.

• Harley Quinn Vol. 1 and Nightwing are both getting renumbered in trades even as their ongoing series continue the same numbering.

• My theory, unsubstantiated, is that the Rebirth Deluxe hardcovers are coming to an end. "Rebirth" as a moniker doesn't even fit any more, and DC never expanded on these once they started (which suggests to me they weren't wildly good sellers). Granted there is on this list the first edition of Green Arrow: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition, which is starting just as that creative team is leaving, but notice a lot of give-and-take on this list in the Rebirth Deluxe editions -- half-full collections, collections that are padded so as not to jump to the next team, etc. I think that signals the close of these.

• And still even more cool stuff, including Aquaman: The Search for Mera Deluxe Edition (run from the 1960s, Batman The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 2 (post-Crisis Batman stories, though the contents are questionable), Batman: Shaman (new Legends of the Dark Knight collection series), Final Crisis 10th Anniversary Omnibus (with "Dark Side Club" and Justice League America #21), Green Arrow: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1 (Rebirth) (it's actually happening!), Justice League: No Justice, Justice League Vol. 1 (Scott Snyder's new run), Titans Book 1: Together Forever (Judd Winick's pre-Flashpoint series), Young Justice Book Three ("Sins of Youth"), Aquaman by Geoff Johns Omnibus, Red Hood & the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1, and Super Sons: The Complete Series Omnibus.

Here's the full list. Note that all of this information is subject to change before publication. Not all links may be functional yet.

• Absolute Batman: The Killing Joke (30th Anniversary Edition)

Includes Killing Joke and stories from Batman: Black & White #4, Countdown #31, and Who’s Who in the DC Universe #13 featuring art by Brian Bolland.

• Absolute Flashpoint

Flashpoint, I'm reminded when the book rears its head now and then, marked the erosion not just of the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe, but also of Flashpoint itself -- of whatever it was that Geoff Johns was doing with Barry Allen at the time and whatever plans he had that were co-opted and changed by the coming of the New 52. It's hard in some cases to view the dark, brutal Flashpoint un-ironically, but it was on its own merits an interesting story, with a big role for Cyborg, at least, plus a curious take on Captain Marvel that unfortunately hasn't fully manifested yet. All of that is to say that I can see why DC wants an Absolute of this book on the stands, up to and including the ties to the upcoming Flash movie, though it seems an odd package when so much work was just done to separate the story universe from what this began.

• Absolute Kingdom Come (New Edition)

One day ... one day! ... this will include The Kingdom and all the one-shots.

• Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 3

Issues #40-60, completing the run.

• Adam Strange: The Silver Age Vol. 1

Showcase #17-19 and Mystery in Space #53-79.

• All-Star Batman Vol. 3: The First Ally (Rebirth)

Paperback of the (excellent) hardcover, collecting the final issues, #10-14.

• American Vampire Omnibus Vol. 1

Collects issues #1-27, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1-5, and American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #1-5.

• Animal Man by Grant Morrison Book One 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

New collections of Animal Man are always a good thing. This is issues #1-10 and Secret Origins #39 in deluxe size, which is obviously working for DC.

• Aquaman by Geoff Johns Omnibus

It's things like these that make me excited what we'll get closer to the Shazam! movie (Jerry Ordway's Power of Shazam! omnibus, yes please). Collects Johns' Aquaman #0-25, #23.1, #23.2, and Justice League #15-17 (marking yet another New 52 omnibus on this list).

• Aquaman Vol. 6 (Rebirth)

Dan Abnett's issues #34-40 and Annual #2.

• Aquaman: His Greatest Victories

A $9.99 collection said to be of Geoff Johns' stories (though it also includes Dan Abnett's Aquaman: Rebirth #1 and the solicited cover is from Abnett's post-"Underworld" run). The other issues are #0 (origin issue), #1, #3 (parts 1 and 3 of "The Trench" simply omitting part 2 and part 4), #13 (the end of "The Others"), #15 (midway through "Throne of Atlantis"), and #25 (final part of "Death of a King"). Kind of a lopsided sampler, though maybe that's what a sampler does.

• Aquaman: The Search for Mera Deluxe Edition

Collects the start of Steve Skeates run on the 1960s Aquaman series, with Jim Aparo on art. This is said to collect issues #40-48 and Skeates and Aparo go to issues #56, so there could be another volume to follow. Where that book would end is where the Aquaman: Death of a Prince collection begins.

• Aquaman: Throne of Atlantis

A re-branded (and possibly unnumbered) collection of the New 52 Aquaman Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis: Aquaman #0, 14-16 and Justice League #15-17.

• Aquaman: Underworld Deluxe Edition

This is a funny thing since what was the Rebirth Aquaman Vol. 4: Underworld is just part one of a longer story and I don't expect DC to go deluxe on the whole thing. Rather, even though it's incomplete, I imagine this is getting deluxe due to the art of Stjepan Sejic -- not by any means undeserved, but I'd have felt better if Sejic had remained the whole story arc. Makes me wonder what kind of weird gems we'll get closer to when Shazam! comes out.

• Bane: Conquest

Collects the twelve-issue miniseries by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan. Will Bane be able to trade his new mouth-hole mask for his better, cooler mask that didn't have one? It is great that this is hitting stores around the same time as the "Knightfall" anniversary collections.

• Batgirl Vol. 4 (Rebirth)

Issues #18-23 by Hope Larson. Looking ahead, issue #24 is by Shawn Aldridge, and there's a rumored shakeup of the Bat-books after Tom King's Batman #50.

• Batman & the Justice League Manga Vol. 1

A translation of the Japanese series by Shiori Teshigori.

• Batman Arkham: Penguin

Collects Detective Comics #58 (first appearance), #610-611 ("Snow and Ice" by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle) and #824 ("Night of the Penguin" by Paul Dini and Don Kramer); Batman #155, #374, and 548-549 ("Penguin Returns" by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones); Batman: Penguin Triumphant #1; and Joker’s Asylum: Penguin #1.

• Batman Beyond Vol. 4 (Rebirth)

Issues #20-25. Dan Jurgens keeps plugging along on this, with Phil Hester on art.

• Batman by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato Deluxe Edition

Collects issues #30-40 of the New 52 Detective Comics by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul (it's funny how printings work, that here there's a deluxe hardcover while their "Essential Edition" Flash arrives in paperback), plus the "Future's End" and "Endgame" issues. These were lushly drawn issues and the stories were interestingly small in scope, with an emphasis on Harvey Bullock and street crime, plus the return of Renee Montoya.

• Batman by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale Omnibus

A truly impressive omnibus, and certainly a treat if you've made it this far and haven't read these stories yet. Collects Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Madness, Batman: Ghosts, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Catwoman: When in Rome, and stories from Superman/Batman Secret Files 2003, Superman/Batman #26, and Solo #1.

• Batman by Neal Adams Book Two

A new paperback printing of the previously released hardcover and paperback. Batman #219, Detective Comics #395, #397, #400, #402, #404 and #407-408, and Brave and the Bold #86 and #96.

• Batman by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo Box Set 3

Being Batman Vol. 7: Endgame, Batman Vol. 8: Superheavy, Batman Vol. 9: Bloom, and Batman Vol. 10: Epilogue. I might be courting some controversy but I think these were among the best of Snyder and Capullo's run.

• Batman in the Brave & the Bold: The Bronze Age Vol. 2

Brave and the Bold #92-109, with Teen Titans, Flash, Metal Men, Wonder Woman Diana Prince, Green Arrow, and Black Canary among others.

• Batman The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 2

I'm eager for these collections of the immediate-post-Crisis Batman and Detective Comics to start arriving; we should have Dark Knight Detective Vol. 1 at the beginning of April and Caped Crusader in August, with this volume 2 out in October.

But whereas Caped Crusader Vol. 1 is Batman #417-430 and Annual #12 (including "Ten Nights of the Beast" and "Death in the Family") and Dark Knight Detective Vol. 1 is Detective Comics #568-754 and #579-582 (Legends and Millennium tie-ins, skipping the recently-collected Batman: Year Two), this solicitation for Dark Knight Detective Vol. 2 suggests it collects Batman #432-444 and Annual #13, which would be the content we expect from Caped Crusader Vol. 2. There were some writer shakeups here -- Mike W. Barr largely wrote Dark Knight Detective Vol. 1, and he would not be writing the stories expected in Dark Knight Detective Vol. 2, but neither did Barr write these Batman stories, so I can't quite make sense of this shift unless the solicitation is incorrect.

Anyway, this would be "Many Deaths of Batman" by John Byrne, and "Batman: Year Three" (collected finally!) and "Lonely Place of Dying" by Marv Wolfman. There's an issue of New Titans that needs to be in there too.

• Batman Vol. 7

The big event, Tom King's issues #45-50.

• Batman Vol. 8

Issues #51-56 by Tom King, taking place after the last volume's big events. I reviewed the first book in this series January a year ago, people. Life comes at you fast.

• Batman: A Lot of Li'l Gotham

The first full collection of the digital-to-print Li'l Gotham series, previously collected in two separate trades.

• Batman: Creature of the Night

The new four-issue miniseries by Kurt Busiek and John Paul Leon that just started, out in hardcover in July.

• Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 7: Batmen Eternal

Collects issues #975-981. This is James Tynion's last collection of this book ... sniff ... I think I've got something in my eye ...

• Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 8

Though solicited as an epilogue by James Tynion, these issues #982-986 are by Bryan Hill, bringing Black Lightning to the series.

• Batman: Detective Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Collects issues #963-974 and Annual 1, the Detective Comics Vol. 5: Lonely Place of Living and Detective Comics Vol. 6: Fall of the Batman paperbacks.

On James Tynion's run, there's just one more volume, Detective Comics Vol. 7: Batmen Eternal, before Bryan Hill takes over. The relative lack of these Rebirth Deluxe Editions suggests to me DC might want to get out of them, and I don't expect them to continue for Brian Michael Bendis's Superman family run, letting alone Bryan Hill's Detective issues. To that end, as with Peter Tomasi's Superman, I wonder if DC will stick Tynion's Detective #975-981 into this volume too, rather than leaving the Detective Rebirth Deluxe Edition line incomplete.

• Batman: Europa

The fourr-part miniseries by Matteo Casali, Jim Lee, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Diego Latorre, and Gerard Parel.

• Batman: Gates of Gotham Deluxe Edition

Once upon a time it seemed like Scott Snyder and company had a certain grand plan for the history of Gotham that I think never quite totally emerged, though we saw parts in Night of the Owls and etc. To that end I've thought Gates of Gotham never quite got its due (consider the last issue arrived on the eve of the New 52 relaunch) and so this deluxe collection is a nice surprise, a chance to consider the story on its own merits.

• Batman: Haunted Knight New Edition

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Madness, and Batman: Ghosts that preceded Long Halloween and Dark Victory.

• Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1 (25th Anniversary Edition)

Again, a reprinting of the recent Batman: Knightfall omnibuses in paperback form, this is one half of "Knightfall" proper, Batman #492-497 and Detective Comics #659-663.

Also included (via the omnibus) is Batman Villains Secret Files and Origins #1, which was published about five years after "Knightfall" but included the story "How Bane Infiltrated Wayne Manor" by Chuck Dixon and "Ed Barreto" (I think this is the late Eduardo Barreto of Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography). In the Secret Files, these are presented as "lost" unpublished pages, framed on storyboards, though I think that's just a gimmick. I'm curious, if someone has the omnibus, whether they're presented like that in these volumes or just as normal pages.

• Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 (25th Anniversary Edition)

Collects Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase ’93 #7-8, Batman #498-500 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18, the second half of "Knightfall."

• Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 1

Continuing the Knightfall Omnibus paperbacks, this collects half of the Azrael half of "Knightquest," Detective Comics #667-670, Robin #1-2, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #19-20, Batman #501-504, and Catwoman #6-7.

• Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 2

The second part of the Azrael-focused "Crusade," Detective Comics #671-675, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #24-28, Batman #505-508, and Showcase ’94 #7.

• Batman: Knightquest: The Search

Among the parts of "Knightfall" with the spottiest collection history, we finally get a definitive collection of "Knightquest: The Search," culled from the Knightfall omnibuses. Collects Justice League Task Force #5-6, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #21-23, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #59-61, and Robin #7.

• Batman: Knightsend

Batman #509-510, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29-30, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, Detective Comics #676-677, Catwoman #12-13, and Showcase '94 #10.

• Batman: Prelude to Knightfall

Happily, DC is taking the recent super-complete Knightfall Omnibus books and chopping them up into more accessible trade paperbacks. This collects Vengeance of Bane #1, Batman #484-491, and Detective Comics #654-658.

• Batman: Preludes to the Wedding

As announced in a couple of places, this collects the one-shot specials spinning out of Tom King's Batman Vol. 7: Robin vs. Ra’s Al Ghul, Nightwing vs. Hush #1, Batgirl vs. The Riddler, Red Hood vs. Anarky and Harley Quinn vs. The Joker

• Batman: Prodigal

Still more from the Knightfall Omnibus, we get Batman #512-514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-34, Robin #11-13, and Detective Comics #679-681. What is unfortunately not here, however, is Batman #515, Shadow #35, Detective #682, and Robin #14, being the "Troika" story (debuting Batman's new costume) that was reprinted for the first time in the Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3. Also missing: Nightwing: Alfred's Return and Batman: Vengeance of Bane #2.

• Batman: Shaman

Though simply called Batman: Shaman (instead, perhaps, of Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight: Shaman), this appears to be a new series of collections of the Legends of the Dark Knight series. This is issues #1-15, so the "Shaman" (by Dennis O'Neil), "Gothic" (by Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson), and "Prey" stories (by Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy), each of which was previously collected on their own. "Venom" by O'Neil would be next, followed actually by a Mike W. Barr story that doesn't seem to have been collected before, amazingly enough.

• Batman: Sins of the Father

Collection of the digital comic tying in to the Batman: The Telltale Series video game.

• Batman: The Arkham Saga Omnibus

Collects Batman: Arkham Knight #1-12, Arkham Knight Annual #1, Arkham Knight: Batgirl Begins #1, Arkham Knight: The Road to Arkham #1, Batman: Arkham City #1-5, Arkham Unhinged #1-20, Batman: Arkham Knight Robin Special #1, Arkham Knight – Genesis #1-6, Batman: Arkham Knight – Batgirl and Harley Quinn #1, among others.

• Batman: The Brave & the Bold: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2

Collects Brave and the Bold #110-156.

• Batman: The Court of Owls Saga (Essential Edition)

Collects issues #1-11, so both the New 52 Batman Vol. 1: Court of Owls and Batman Vol. 2: City of Owls collections together. I'll be curious to see the trade dress on these new DC "Essential Editions."

• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DC Modern Classics)

Another of the "DC Modern Classics" in hardcover. The solicitation doesn't specifically mention slipcase, as the Watchmen listing does.

• Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race

The nine-issue miniseries and mini-comic tie-ins in paperback.

• Batman: The Dark Prince Charming

The two-issue story by European comics' Enico Marini.

• Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 6

Detective Comics #132-149, Batman #45-54, stories from World's Finest Comics #33-41.

• Batman: The Golden Age Vol. 5

Detective Comics #113-131, Batman #36-44, and World's Finest Comics #23-32.

• Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Said to collect Batman #33-43 (though I think that's supposed to be to #44) and Annual #2, the Batman Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement and Batman Vol. 6: Bridge or Burglar paperbacks.

• Batman: White Knight

Issues #1-8 of the Sean Murphy series.

• Batman: Year One New Edition

Pretty sure this "new edition" paperback is based from the recent deluxe edition, with script and pencils for Batman #407 among other things.

• Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album

It's funny because I remember the Green Arrow/Black Canary: The Wedding Album collection. DC should retroactively do one of these for Superman and Lois. This collects the otherwise-collected Batman #44 and #50, plus "never-before-seen photos from the wedding album" and bonus material.

• Batman/Shadow: The Murder Geniuses

The six-issue miniseries by Scott Snyder, Steve Orlando, and Riley Rossmo, plus a story from Batman Annual #1.

• Batwoman Vol. 3: The Fall of the House of Kane

The solicitation here calls this the "stunning conclusion to the series," so it sounds like Marguerite Bennett's Batwoman is ending. Collects issues #12-18.

• Before Watchmen Omnibus

This seems somewhat obvious, in retrospect -- an omnibus edition of the Before Watchmen books. Includes Before Watchmen: Comedian #1-6, Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1-4, Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1-6, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1-4, Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1-4, Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1-4, Before Watchmen: Moloch #1-2, Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1-6, Before Watchmen: Crimson Corsair #1, and Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill #1

• Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands

Recent six issue miniseries by Tony Isabella. I'm enjoying the new TV series but the mini wasn't on my must-read list, seeming somewhat standalone, but given Black Lightning coming to Detective Comics, that might change.

• Bombshells United Vol. 2

Collects issues #7-12.

• Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman

The six-issue Liam Sharp miniseries.

• Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye

Said to collect "issues #1-6 of the hit limited series" by Jon Rivera and Michael Avon Oeming. I thought it was an ongoing?

• Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

So, so glad to see this back on the schedule, and as a deluxe edition and part of a set, too.

Lists I've looked at suggest anywhere from 40-50 or more Crisis on Infinite Earths tie-in issues, so I'm not quite sure how many issues this will be all told or all of what will be included, but this volume is said to have Justice League of America #244, Justice League of America Annual #3, Green Lantern #194, Wonder Woman #327-328, Losers Special #1, Infinity Inc. #18-20, DC Comics Presents #87-88, Omega Men #31, Blue Devil #17-18, New Teen Titans #13-14, All-Star Squadron #50-51, and Fury of Firestorm #41.

Near as I can tell, these are tie-ins mostly sequential through about Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10, missing only perhaps DC Comics Presents #86.

• Curse of Brimstone (New Age of Heroes)

By Justin Jordan with art by Philip Tan. No word on how many issues included.

• Cyborg Vol. 4

Issues #21-26; the solicitation says it's written by Kevin Grevioux, but with this volume Marv Wolfman takes over.

• Damage Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Collects issues #1-6 of the "New Age of Heroes" series spinning out of Dark Nights: Metal.

• DC Bombshells: The Deluxe Edition Book One

Deluxe-size collection of issues #1-12

• DC Meets Hanna Barbera Vol. 2

The newly announced specials: Flash/Speed Buggy, Super Sons/Dynomutt, Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey, and Aquaman/Jabberjaw.

• DC Super Hero Girls: Search for Atlantis

By Shea Fontana.

• Deathbed

Collection of the Joshua Williamson/Riley Rossmo series from Vertigo.

• Deathstroke by Tony S. Daniel Omnibus

The best part about this news is that it gives hope that there might be a Deathstroke by Christopher Priest omnibus to follow. I have read the entirety of this second New 52 Deathstroke series and it is a poor showing. A lot of Deathstroke running around chasing false leads that he ought be smart enough to recognize, a lot of Deathstroke naively fighting a bunch of other DC characters due to misunderstandings, and a cadre of forgettable (and often loosely or inconsistently motivated) antagonists -- plus the pleasure of Red Hood repeatedly calling Slade Wilson "Douchestroke." There might even be more of co-writer James Bonny here than Tony Daniel. It's a good thing that Deathstroke is a hot commodity, but this is not by far the best representation of his exploits.

• Deathstroke Vol. 5 (Rebirth)

Collects Christopher Priest's Deathstroke issues #26-29 and Annual #1, the end of the "Defiance" storyline.

• Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 5: World Tour

Collects issues #26-34. So glad these classic Deathstroke collections are still coming out. The last one was a short one, just issues #21-25 and an annual, so nine issues is a good look.

• Demon: Hell is Earth

The recent six issue miniseries by Andrew Constant and Brad Walker.

• DMZ Book Five

Issues #60-72.

• Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile

MAD parody of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

• Eternity Girl

Collects issues #1-6 of the relaunched series.

• Final Crisis 10th Anniversary Omnibus

There was general excitement when we learned about the Final Crisis Omnibus a few weeks ago, but one cause for concern is that it didn't include Justice League America #21, a a lead-in story that introduced some of the book's villains and had implications for Martian Manhunter. This new solicitation now includes that book and also Superman/Batman #76, an aftermath issue. Though I am exceptionally glad to see some of the lesser-regarded "Dark Side Club" issues included in this book, still missing are Peter Milligan's Infinity, Inc. #11-12, probably because I'm the only one who wants them there.

Anyway, other contents are Batman #676-683 and #701-702, Birds Of Prey #118, DC Universe #0, DC Universe: The Last Will and Testament #1, Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #1-5, Final Crisis: Requiem #1, Final Crisis: Resist #1, Final Crisis: Revelations #1-5, Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #1-3, Final Crisis Secret Files, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2, The Flash #240-241, Teen Titans #59-60, and Terror Titans #1-6.

• Flash by Mark Waid Book Five

Collects Mark Waid's Flash #106-118 and Impulse #10-11. This is the "Dead Heat" crossover plus the "Race Against Time," story, and a tie-in to Waid's own Underworld Unleashed.

• Flash Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #39-45 by Joshua Williamson. The next trade will be the "Flash War" storyline.

• Flash Vol. 8: Flash War

Joshua Williamson's Flash War story, about which I'm very excited. Issues #44-48, though I wonder if there's not supposed to be an annual or something in there.

• Flash: Starting Line (Essential Edition)

Another Essential Edition (and another New 52 collection), issues #0-12 of the Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul run.

• Future Quest Presents Vol. 2

Issues #7-12 by Jeff Parker and Steve Rude.

• Goldfish

By Brian Michael Bendis.

• Gotham City Garage Vol. 2

Collects issues #7-12.

• Green Arrow by Jeff Lemire & Andrea Sorrentino (Essential Edition)

Another New 52 "omnibus" collection and another of these large paperback Essential Editions, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino's Green Arrow #17-34 and the Futures End and Secret Origins stories. Fine work by writer and artist; this was a deluxe hardcover in 2016.

• Green Arrow Vol. 6 (Rebirth)

Issues #26-31, the new "Hard Travelin' Hero" storyline guest-starring the Justice League.

• Green Arrow Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #39-42 and Annual #2. Though solicited as written by Benjamin Percy, we know Percy is leaving the series and that issues #39-40 are by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (picking up on a story by Phil Hester from the New 52/DC You Deathstroke Annual #2), and issues #41-42 are by Mairghread Scott.

• Green Arrow: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1 (Rebirth)

A welcome surprise, after this was solicited and then cancelled early on in Rebirth. Collects the Rebirth special and issues #1-12, which is the Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen and Green Arrow Vol. 2: Island of Scars paperbacks.

• Green Lantern: Kyle Rayner Vol. 3

Said to collect issues #66-75 and Annual #4 of the Ron Marz run. Most of this has actually already been collected before, except for the "Year One" annual, in the Green Lantern: Baptism of Fire collection, with appearances by Flash Wally West, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Darkstars Donna Troy and John Stewart, and an Underworld Unleashed tie in. Darryl Banks and Paul Pelletier are both pretty great on the art.

• Green Lanterns Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

Issues #40-43 and Annual #1 by Tim Seeley.

• Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 6 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #37-41, which see the Corps face off with General Zod. I have enjoyed DC's use of Zod in non-Superman settings, e.g. in Suicide Squad, and I expect Robert Venditti will write him well too.

• Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

Issues #42-50, the final issues by Robert Venditti. I have enjoyed Venditti's run very much, and I'm especially eager to see him use the Darkstars in this volume.

• Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica

Due out in September, just a couple months after the start of the Batman '66/Archie comic.

• Harley Loves Joker

Paul Dini's backup stories from issues #17-25 of the Rebirth Harley Quinn, plus the two-issue series.

• Harley Quinn by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti Omnibus Vol. 2

At least another Harley Quinn omnibus or so to go, since this only collects through the end of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti's New 52 run, before Rebirth. Collects Harley Quinn #17-30, Harley Quinn Road Trip Special #1, Harley Quinn: Be Careful What You Wish For Special Edition, Harley Quinn and Her Gang of Harleys #1-6, and Harley Quinn’s Little Black Book #1-6.

• Harley Quinn by Karl Kesel & Terry Dodson: The Deluxe Edition Book 2

Issues #9-19 of the post-Crisis series plus covers to #20-23; Kesel wrote to #25, so it seems a little unfair to stop at #19. This includes a tie-in issue to the Joker's Last Laugh event (drawn by Pete Woods, so again I'm not too clear why DC is cutting this off at #19).

• Harley Quinn Vol. 1

My OCD and my bookshelf are ... un-thrilled about DC releasing a variety of new Vol. 1 trades even as the series numbers continue; at least when DC inevitably releases a new Superman Vol. 1 by Bendis, Superman the series will actually have new numbering; meanwhile both Harley Quinn and also Nightwing get new Vol. 1s even as the series don't change. I am excited to see that Sam Humphries run will tie the Harley Quinn title closer to the DC Universe, though I understand that's not for everyone.

• Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass

The new DC Ink graphic novel by Mariko Tamaki and Steve Pugh.

• Harley Quinn: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #28-40 (including apparently the Paul Dini backups) and Harley Quinn: Be Careful What You Wish For. This is the Harley Quinn Vol. 5: Vote Harley and Harley Quinn Vol. 6 paperbacks, more or less, including the switch from Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti to Frank Tieri.

• Harley's Little Black Book

Paperback collection of the miniseries.

• Hellblazer Vol. 4

Issues #18-24 by Tim Seeley. Among other things, Seeley's got Huntress in there, so my interest in this goes up significantly.

• Hellblazer: 30th Anniversary Celebration

Collects Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 and John Constantine, Hellblazer #11, #27, #41, #63, #120, #146, #229 and #240 by the likes of Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, Brian Azzarello, Paul Jenkins, and Jamie Delano.

• House of Mystery Omnibus Vol. 1

Issues #174-200. If I'm not mistaken, much of this has only been reprinted in black-and-white Showcase Presents volumes.

• Immortal Men Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Issues #1-6 by James Tynion and Jim Lee. We do know that artists are coming and going on these, but after Tynion's Detective Comics run, I'm freshly eager to see what he'll do less established characters.

• Injustice 2 Vol. 3

Issues #14-20.

• Injustice 2 Vol. 4

Issues #21-26.

• Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Four - The Complete Collection

Issues #1-12 and the annual by Tom Taylor and Brian Buccellato.

• Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year One: The Deluxe Edition

The solicitation claims this is the first hardcover collection of issues #1-12; I'd have thought the first time DC collected #1-12 together (as opposed to #1-6 and #7-12) would have been hardcover, but indeed I don't see a hardcover online, so maybe so. With a new introduction by Tom Taylor.

• Invisibles Book Four

The final new paperback collection, Invisibles Vol. 2 #14-22 and Invisibles Vol. 3 #12-1.

• Jinx

Graphic novel by Bendis.

• John Constantine: Hellblazer Vol. 20: Systems of Control

Issues #230-238 and the Hellblazer: All His Engines graphic novel by Mike Carey and Leonardo Manco.

• Justice League of America Vol. 5 (Rebirth)

This is said to collect Steve Orlando's issues #22-27, but with the book ending at issue #29 and that particular story beginning in issue #27, my guess is that this is the final collection of all of those issues.

• Justice League Vol. 1

Scott Snyder, Jim Cheung, and Jorge Jimenez, collecting issues #1-6 in paperback. Martian Manhunter and Cyborg? Check. Jorge Jimenez, whose animated art has been among the best parts of Super Sons? Check. Excited for this new era of the League.

• Justice League Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

This is said to collect issues #39-44, but I'm pretty sure Christopher Priest's run ends with #43 before No Justice and the title relaunches with Scott Snyder at the helm. Also, as I think issue #39 is the last part of "The People vs. Justice League," possibly this is just #40-43, though that would make for a short trade.

• Justice League: No Justice

Hardcover collection of the four issue miniseries plus the DC Nation story, to be published in September.

• Justice League: The Darkseid War (Essential Edition)

I'm noticing too that these new Essential Edition paperbacks are large, too -- this Darkseid War book, collecting Justice League #40-50 plus all the one-shots and so on, will be 400 pages, the same as DC also released as an omnibus.

• Justice League: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Said to collect issues #26-33, which is Justice League Vol. 5: Legacy plus two Dark Nights: Metal tie-in issues. With the changes coming to the Justice League titles, I wouldn't be surprised if DC calls it here and this is the last Justice League Rebirth Deluxe edition book.

• Justice League: The World's Greatest Superheroes by Alex Ross & Paul Dini

A new paperback collection of Paul Dini and Alex Ross's Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, Shazam!: Power of Hope, Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth, JLA: Secret Origins, and JLA: Liberty and Justice.

• Justice League/Power Rangers

Paperback, following the hardcover collection of the six-issue miniseries.

• Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Vol. 2

Glad to see a second of these. This is Batman Annual #11-12 and Detective Comics #579, #582-594, #601-607.

• Lobo by Keith Giffen & Alan Grant Vol. 2

Collects Lobo: Infanticide #1-4, Lobo: Death and Taxes #1-4, Authority/Lobo: Jingle Hell, Authority/Lobo: Spring Break Massacre. Also Lobo #58 is here, an issue from the ongoing series by Giffen and Grant, which suggests the ongoing series just by Grant won't be being collected -- I was hoping that it would be, as it did indeed include crossover tie-ins and such.

• Man of Steel

I'm certainly eager to see what Brian Michael Bendis has to offer here (after 1,000 issues of Action Comics, I'm genuinely curious to see what he can fashion that will feel new), and the collection of artists -- Ivan Reis, Evan “Doc” Shaner, Ryan Sook, Kevin Maguire, Adam Hughes, and Jason Fabok -- is top-notch (if not necessarily gender diverse). I guess that John Byrne's is now called Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 1 eliminates that confusion on the bookshelf. I think you can be sure there'll be a deluxe edition of this on the way.

• Mera

DC Ink graphic novel by Danielle Paige.

• Mera: Queen of Atlantis

Collects the six-issue miniseries by Dan Abnett and Lan Medina.

• Mister Miracle

Collecting Tom King and Mitch Gerads twelve-issue series.

• Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. Vol. 1

Issues #1-6 of the revamped series.

• Motherlands

By Si Spurrier and Rachael Stott.

• Nathaniel Dusk: The Complete Collection

It's fun that DC is releasing this collection of the two Nathaniel Dusk miniseries by Don McGregor and Gene Colan. This wouldn't otherwise necessarily be for me but the draw, of course, is Dusk's recent mention in Geoff Johns's Doomsday Clock; I see this like a world-building bonus, like the Black Canary soundtrack and the rumored same for Dark Nights: Metal. To that end, I might have enjoyed this a little sooner -- I think DC would be doing well to strike while the iron is hot with this one, given its relative obscurity, than to be waiting until November 2018 for it. Granted at that point Doomsday Clock still won't be over -- and for the threads of Rebirth not to be resolved until 2019 is itself a risky decision -- but I have seen my enthusiasm for tie-ins like this wane from announcement to arrival.

• New Challengers Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Issues #1-6 by Scott Snyder and Andy Kubert; I've got to think having the writer of Dark Nights: Metal and Justice League on this should make it good.

• New Gods by Jack Kirby

Another of DC's new Jack Kirby collections; includes New Gods #1-11, "Even Gods Must Die," and Hunger Dogs.

• Nightwing Vol. 1

Oh I am not thrilled that with issue #48, Nightwing restarts its collection numbering. Beginning the new run by Benjamin Percy, issues #44-48 and Annual #1.

• Nightwing Vol. 6: The Untouchable

Collects issues #35-41 by Sam Humphries, between Tim Seeley's and Benjamin Percy's runs.

• Nightwing Vol. 8: Lethal Force

Collects the mostly-uncollected issues #61-70 by Chuck Dixon, including tie-ins to Joker's Last Laugh and "Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive." Now the thing to see is if DC will collect Devin Grayson's issues that followed.

• Powers Book One

Issues #1-20 of the Bendis series.

• Powers Book Two

Issues #21-37 and Annual #1 of the Bendis series.

• Raven: Daughter of Darkness Vol. 1

Collects just issues #1-6 of the new Raven miniseries by Marv Wolfman. I might've preferred DC just waited and collected the whole thing in one shot.

• Red Hood & the Outlaws Vol. 4 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #19-25.

• Red Hood & the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1

Given the New 52's spotted reputation, a New 52 omnibus is an unexpected thing, and no title probably invited more controversy in the New 52 than Red Hood and the Outlaws. Still I enjoyed this title more often than not and thought it took some flak sometimes undeservedly. The Rebirth iteration is getting rave reviews, so I'm glad to see DC standing up for it with this. And furthermore, where DC could have just gone with the Scott Lobdell material, this is Red Hood complete (even with "Death of the Family" tie in issues), so especially if you're coming at this new, it's a nice package. And this is only Vol. 1, so I'm guessing DC will include the Red Hood/Arsenal series with the rest of the issues in the next book.

• Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Anniversary Edition

New-new editions of the Sandman paperbacks. Issues #1-8.

• Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House 30th Anniversary Edition

Issues #9-16.

• Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country 30th Anniversary Edition

Issues #17-20.

• Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists 30th Anniversary New Edition

Issues #21-28.

• Scalped Book Four

Issues #35-49.

• Scarlet Book One

Issues #1-5 of the Brian Michael Bendis series.

• Scarlet Book Two

Issues #6-10 by Bendis.

• Scooby Apocalypse Vol. 4

Issues #19-25

• Scooby Doo Team-Up Vol. 6

Issues #31-36, with the Atom, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Birds of Prey, and Yogi Bear. Every monthly DC solicitation, I always look to see who's appearing in the book this month.

• Shade, the Changing Woman

Issues #1-6 of "the hit limited series," which I thought was an ongoing.

• Sideways Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Issues #1-6 by Dan DiDio, Grant Morrison, Justin Jordan, and Kenneth Rocafort.

• Silencer Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Issues #1-6 by Dan Abnett with John Romita.

• Suicide Squad by Jim Lee Unwrapped

The Rebirth Suicide Squad issues #1-8, the Rebirth special, and the Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad April Fool's Special, with just Jim Lee's pencils. The latter special has another artist and I wonder how they'll handle that.

• Suicide Squad Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #33-40 by Rob Williams.

• Suicide Squad: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Collects issues #21-32, the Suicide Squad Vol. 5: Kill Your Darlings and Suicide Squad Vol. 6: The Secret History of Task Force X paperbacks.

• Super Sons Vol. 3

Collects isues #13-16 and Annual #1, the final issues of Peter Tomasi's series.

• Super Sons: The Complete Series Omnibus

This was quick, a full omnibus of Peter Tomasi's Rebirth Super Sons series. That ought to look nice next to your Tomasi Batman and Robin hardcover. Collects Super Sons #1-16 and Annual #1, Superman #10-11 and #37-38, Teen Titans #15, and a story from DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1.

• Supergirl Vol. 4 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #15-20 by Steve Orlando, the last volume before the changes of "No Justice."

• Supergirl Vol. 5: The Hunt for Reactron

Supergirl #45-46 and Action Comics #881-882 by Stering Gates and Greg Rucka. Set right in the middle of the "New Krypton" story, this is essentially the Supergirl Vol. 7: Friends & Fugitives collection, except that had Supergirl #43 and #47 and a story from Superman Secret Files 2009. This can't be 304 pages as listed with just four issues.

• Superman & Batman: Generations (Elseworlds)

Collects together John Byrne's Generations and Generations II -- which I thought had been done before but apparently hasn't -- but not Generations III which shockingly looks like it's never been collected at all.

• Superman Vol. 7 (Rebirth)

The end of Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's Superman run, this is issues #42-45 plus the closing special.

• Superman: Action Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Said to collect issues #985-999, which is both the Superman: Action Comics: The Oz Effect hardcover and the Action Comics Vol. 5: Booster Shot paperback. For completeness one imagines Dan Jurgens' Action Comics special should be in here, if not also Jurgens' Action Comics #1,000 story.

• Superman: Kryptonite Deluxe Edition

A new deluxe-size collection of the story from Superman Confidential #1-5 and #11 by Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale.

• Superman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3

Collects issues #27-36 and #39-41, which is the Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears and Superman Vol. 6: Imperius Lex paperbacks.

There's only one Superman collection by Tomasi left, also solicited in this list, Superman Vol. 7, with issues #42-45 and Tomasi's special; that's unlikely to be collected in its own deluxe hardcover, so I wonder if DC will add those issues in here. I'm sure buyers of the Superman deluxe Rebirth editions would be unhappy if the hardcovers ended one volume short.

• Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder Deluxe Edition

I mentioned elsewhere looking forward to what gems we'll get around the Shazam! movie; I read this Superman/Captain Marvel miniseries by Judd Winick and Joshua Middleton long ago and found it a pleasant all-ages tale (if I'm not mistaken, there's an animated short based on this). What would make this perfect would be the inclusion of Action Comics #826, Adventures of Superman #639, and Superman #216, an Infinite Crisis-era sequel to this by Winick and Ian Churchill.

• Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Vol. 1

House of Secrets #92 and Swamp Thing #1-13.

• Sweet Tooth Book Three

Issues #26-40.

• Teen Titans Go! Vol. 5

Issues #25-30.

• Teen Titans Vol. 3 (Rebirth)

Collects issues #13-14 and #16-19 (with pause for the "Super Sons of Tomorrow" crossover) by Benjamin Percy, the final issues before the "No Justice" relaunch.

• Teen Titans: The Silver Age Vol. 2

Teen Titans #12-24 and Brave and the Bold #83.

• Terrifics Vol. 1 (New Age of Heroes)

Issues #1-6 by Jeff Lemire, Doc Shaner, and Ivan Reis.

• Titans Book 1: Together Forever

I definitely think Judd Winick's DC Comics work deserves more recognition than it gets, and the idea of DC collecting some of the old adult Titans Titans comics is great, but I really wish they'd have started with Devin Grayson's quite enjoyable The Titans series (starting really with JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative) before going to this. Both of these series had their problems -- Grayson's book, later by Jay Faerber, gets embroiled in the annoying DEO Orphans, while Winick's book, later by Eric Wallace, becomes a dark villains' title -- but the start of Grayson's book had the better spirit of the adult Titans.

• Titans Vol. 4 (Rebirth)

Collects the final issues of Titans before whatever spins of out "No Justice" happens, issues #19-22 and Annual #2.

• Trinity Vol. 4

The final volume of Trinity, straight to paperback, collecting issues #17-22. This is James Robinson writing the Big Three teamed up with the Warlord characters -- I really, really, really hope Robinson preserves the Warlord continuity of Convergence.

• United States of Murder Inc. Book One

Issues #1-5 by Bendis.

• V for Vendetta 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition


• Vertigo: A Celebration of 25 Years

Scheduled for November 2018, the solicitation describes this as "a luxurious hybrid of oral history and retrospective art book." With a timeline of Vertigo projects, behind-the-scenes features, interviews, and all-new stories.

• Very DC Holiday Sequel

The 2018 DC holiday special, now direct to trade, apparently? That's not a bad way to do it; granted these have been one-shots all along, but turning it into an all-star OGN gives it a lot of cache. The description here is the same stories as 2017, so I'll be curious to see what's actually in here.

• Watchmen (DC Modern Classics)

"DC Modern Classics" apparently means hardcover with slipcase, versus the paperback Essential Editions.

• Wild Storm: Michael Cray Vol. 2

The second collection by new Detective Comics writer Bryan Hill, collecting issues #7-12.

• Wonder Woman Vol. 6: Children of the Gods (Rebirth)

The first collection of James Robinson's run, collecting issues #31-37.

• Wonder Woman Vol. 7: Amazons Attacked

Kudos to James Robinson for daring that particular title. Collects issues #38-45. I'm eager to start reading this; Robinson's "normal person as a superhero"/Starman could be interesting and apt for Wonder Woman.

• Wonder Woman: Diana Prince Omnibus (50th Anniversary)

The 1970s adventures of the white-suited "new look" Wonder Woman, previously collected in four paperbacks. This is Wonder Woman #178-204 (some just covers because the books were reprints), Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #93, Brave and the Bold #87 and #105, and World's Finest Comics #204.

• Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol. 2

Previously scheduled for August 2018, now for October.

• Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3

Sensation Comics #49-69, Wonder Woman #16-25, and Comics Cavalcade #14-22.

• Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Vol. 2

In paperback, Sensation Comics #15-24, Wonder Woman #4-7, and Comics Cavalcade #2-5.

• Wonder Woman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book Three

Interestingly, this collects issues #26-30 by Shea Fontana, plus Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor and the Annual #1 (likely just the Fontanta stories) -- being the contents of the Wonder Woman Vol. 5: Heart of the Amazon paperback -- and the Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary comic. To the question of how DC should collect odd-numbered books in these Rebirth deluxe hardcovers -- when again, my sense is DC is bringing these to an end -- apparently the solution here is to include the 75th anniversary special, which I think is a fair option.

• Young Justice Book Three

This third collection of the Peter David series comprises the "Sins of Youth" fifth week event: Young Justice #18-19, JLA Jr. #1, Aquaman/Lagoon Man #1, Batboy and Robin #1, Kid Flash/Impulse #1, Starwoman and the JSA #1, Superman Jr./Superboy Sr. #1, Wonder Girls #1, The Secret/Deadboy #1, Superboy #74, and Sins of Youth Secret Files #1.

Chime in and let me know what excites you from this list!