It also seems that DC has adopted a "bullet point" style for their solicitations, something I think Marvel's been doing for a while. Maybe shorter bursts will make the solicitations more accurate, though I think we lose a little something if no one has to write exciting solicitation paragraphs any more.
As for the collections:
* Batman: Earth One
The "Earth One" books, to some extent, haven't turned out quite how we trade-waiters hoped. Yes, these are stand-alone graphic novels, and I'm happy about that and eager to read the Batman volume. They're coming out so slowly, however, and seem to sufficiently lack any continuity between them so far, that by the time the "Earth One" books become an "Earth One" universe, I suspect it will have taken so long that it'll be hard to care. Maybe if Batman does as well as Superman did, DC will release these a little faster.
* Infinity Inc.: The Generations Saga Vol. 2 HC
It was a small miracle that we saw the first Infinity Inc. volume -- this has been on my "wish they'd collect" list forever. I'm glad to see a second book, and so quickly, too -- and it's big, collecting fourteen issues. This book seems to include more than just "Generations Saga," which is good, because it suggests additional Infinity, Inc. volumes to come. This book's final issue, #18, is a Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, and it would be cool for DC to collect the additional Infinity Crisis tie-in issues (at least six more) in the next book.
* Batman And Robin Vol. 1: Born To Kill HC
* Batgirl Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection HC
* Red Lanterns Vol. 1: Blood And Rage TP
* Frankenstein, Agent Of S.H.A.D.E. Vol. 1: War Of The Monsters TP
* Static Shock Vol. 1: Supercharged TP
* Legion Of Superheroes Vol. 1: Hostile World TP
* Mister Terrific Vol. 1: Mind Games TP
Here's the third round of DC's New 52 trade solicitations. A nice mix of Dark books, Young Justice, Justice League, and Batman -- no Edge this time, I don't think, and no Superman, but others. Static Shock and Mister Terrific are both "hail and farewell" collections now, collecting the books' entire eight issues ("The entire NEW 52 series!" the solicitation shouts rather blithely). I like Static as a character so I'm inclined to buy that Static Shock collection, but the behind-the-scenes sniping between "writer" and "artist" sure has been messy, and the book didn't get good reviews overall.
I'm eager to read all the rest of those, though.
* First Wave TP
As I mentioned before, I just can't understand why DC would release a paperback edition of their crime-noir First Wave miniseries given that they pulled the plug on the whole thing -- except that now, a few weeks wiser, I wonder if it's because writer Brian Azzarello's name is going to be much in the news coming up ...
* Justice TP
Speaking of "Before Watchmen," if you want some clue how DC might collect that series, consider Justice -- a three-volume hardcover set, a three-volume paperback set, a full hardcover, a full paperback, and an Absolute edition. Someone must be buying 'em.
* Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore TP
Equally I'm not sure what warrants another edition of Kryptonite Nevermore, except that this volume abandons the short-lived DC Comics Classics Library heading. We saw DC re-release Batman: Death in the Family (with Lonely Place of Dying) also without the DC Comics Classics Library moniker.
* Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 7 HC
I give DC a lot of credit for continuing to release the Archives with the old trade dress and DC Bullet, keeping the look of these consistent (and, perhaps, knowing their audience for these volumes). I'll be curious to see if they keep on keeping on with the bullet after their other books get the DC Peel (which I adore, by the way) in March.
* Showcase Presents: Showcase Vol. 1 TP
The title of this one just makes me laugh. That is all.
* Night Force TP
Night Force fans should keep their fingers crossed until this one shows up in the stores, given that it's been cancelled and re-solicited a bunch of times. I know I'm not supposed to say things like this, but whether the new Night Force miniseries has some important tie to the new DC Universe or not will factor heavily as to whether I ever pick this book up -- though at the same time, I have heard good things about how it reads as a graphic novel.
Those're my picks -- what's on your to-buy list?
(If you didn't hear, our big DC TPB Timeline announcement had to be postponed due to circumstances outside our control. The plan right now is to have that announcement here tomorrow morning -- stay tuned!)
Batman and Robin, Frankenstein, and Batman Earth One
ReplyDeleteAre the JLI trades from the Giffen/DeMatteis years dead at this point? Wasn't there a seventh that was supposed to come out and then never did? Was there just not enough interest? I picked up the first six and really enjoyed them so I'm sad to see that they appear to be stopping there.
ReplyDeleteJustice League International Vol. 7 showed up with bookstores for pre-order, but DC never actually announced it; hence, they've never had to cancel it, though I think there's general agreement that the book is cancelled. We would have heard about it by now; that the JLI books went to paperback was never a good sign of how they were selling; and Justice League: Generation Lost Vol. 2 has a preview in it of JLI Vol. 1 that refers to "volumes 1-6." I'd be thrilled if DC collected all the way to "Breakdowns," but I don't expect it.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the solicited Annuals of Batman, Animal Man and Teen Titans get collected in the Vol. 2 HCs/TPB?
ReplyDeleteWow, that really sucks for anyone collecting those JLI books. I remember Breakdowns being really awesome and a suitable way to end the Giffen/DeMatteis era.
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested in Batman: Earth One because of Geoff Johns (and the little I've seen of Gary Frank's art), but because it's off in its own little universe, I think I'm going to wait for the reviews to come out before deciding to buy it
I definitely think we'll see the annuals in the Volume Two trades. The Batman annual is part of "Night of the Owls" and the Teen Titans annual is part of "The Culling," so I can't believe those won't be collected (how DC collects the Teen Titans/Legion Lost/Superboy crossover will be something to watch -- will it be Teen Titans Vol. 2, or its own trade and then the series will have their second volumes next?).
ReplyDeleteThe Animal Man annual is a little more iffy, but really I can't imagine DC will skip collecting anything this early in these series.
The Animal Man annual is supposed to promise "details on The Green, The Red, and The Rot", which as near as I can tell are important parts of the current Animal Man and Swamp Thing stories. So I'd like to think that it would get collected, but you never know I guess!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't say in the description but I wonder what size is the hardcovers going to be. It is going to be a little bit oversized like the Grant Morrision's Batman and Robin or the standard regular DC Comics.
ReplyDeleteI think if we were in for any deluxe editions, DC would make a bigger point of saying so. I'm guessing standard size all around.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably pick the Red Lantern book plus Batman and Robin. Maybe Frankenstein. But this month doesn't really have any 'must buys' for me.
ReplyDeleteWhere can I see the full list? I looked at the Source on the DC site but couldnt see it?
ReplyDeleteDC's got these integrated in their list of upcoming comics now; you can also usually find solicitation listings around the 15th of the month from Comic Book Resources, Newsarama, and many of the sites you'll find on the blogroll below.
ReplyDeleteCE: Just wondering because perhaps you have some sources or something. Do you have any idea if DC will finish putting out Sandman Mystery Theatre?
ReplyDeleteIt was an annual release before. Nothing came out last year, and so far nothing this year. It's been stuck at volume 8 for 2 years. The series would have been finished this year if they kept it up releases.
Haven't heard. I wouldn't turn down a Sandman Mystery Theatre omnibus, personally.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the early volumes are going out of print....can't find vol 2 around...I doubt they will complete it....same for SHADE THE CHANGING MAN
ReplyDelete