If there’s a “new DC” on the rise, the DC Comics Spring 2022 trade paperback and hardcover catalog solicitations feel like perhaps our next, best indication of what that is — lots of omnibuses, lots of media tie-in books. Which is not to say we don’t also have collections of classic material, collections of ongoing titles, and so on, but wow — 15 omnibuses on this list, and more Batman, Black Adam, and Sandman than you can shake a stick at. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Standout surprises for me include the Question by Dennis O’Neil Omnibus (though I’m hoping of course this begets a new round of paperbacks) and Talon by James Tynion, a series I’ve been meaning to finish for a while (though too little, too late, apparently, in getting Tynion to stay). The aforementioned Black Adam books include a weird one, Black Adam: Rise and Fall of an Empire, a remix of just the Black Adam parts of the 52 weekly series(!). Some of you will be happy to see the Birds of Prey collections continuing with Birds of Prey: Whitewater, others of you will be thrilled to hear about the Who’s Who Omnibus Vol. 2, and everyone should support the DC Pride 2021 collection, though I have some hesitation about how DC decided to fill that book out.
What else? Everything that’s old is new again with new first volumes of Detective Comics Vol. 1 and Action Comics Vol. 1 as well as new hardcover collections set in Batman '89 and Superman '78 (bumped from the Fall 2021 solicitations, apparently) — what a weird, weird world we live in where anything is possible. My favorite, the dedicated collections of post-Crisis Batman, keep on ticking with Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 7. And Infinite Frontier and Batman Vol. 5: Fear State bring DC’s latest big events to collections; Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 2 should have everyone waiting to see what this title will do for an encore.
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Lots, lots, lots, oh my gosh so much more to talk about. All my thoughts on these and more books down below.
New collection of the omnibus by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid. The previous edition collected 52 issues #1-52 though not the DC: World War III tie-in miniseries; no word whether this will be the same or different.
In hardcover, collecting 100 Bullets #59-100 and 100 Bullets: Brother Lono #1-8.
Collects Dark Nights: Metal #1-6, Batman: Lost #1, Dark Nights: Metal Director’s Cut #1, and Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1. Good for Greg Capullo, especially, getting an Absolute edition of this artwork. I will say I recently re-read Dark Nights: Metal and liked it a lot more than I did the first time.
• Absolute Dark Nights: Metal (Exclusive Edition)
No idea what this will have different from the “regular” Absolute.
I mean, so many mixed feelings about Doomsday Clock in general, but if you didn't read it another way, this is a way to read it.
[See the latest DC trade solicitations.]
• Annotated Sandman Vol. 1 (2022 Edition)
With the Netflix show getting closer and closer, this is issues #1-20 (being Preludes and Nocturnes, Doll's House, and Dream Country, due out in March in hardcover. Annotated by award-winning researcher Leslie S. Klinger.
In hardcover in July by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, collecting the first 12 chapters of the digital series.
• Batman Vol. 2: The Joker War
Paperback collecting of Batman #95-100, following the hardcover.
In hardcover in March 2022, said to collect Batman #112–117, part of the “Fear State” event across a number of titles.
• Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham
The new six-issue miniseries by Bill Willingham, relaunching Fables. In paperback in April.
• Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1
Everything old is new again, as it often is, as these solicitations see both Detective Comics Vol. 1 and Action Comics Vol. 1, though individual issue numberings remain on track, of course. This is Detective #1034–1039 by Mariko Tamaki and Dan Mora, coming in hardcover in February.
• Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 2
In hardcover in July, collecting Detective Comics #1040-1046 and Batman Secret Files: Huntress #1 by Mariko Tamaki and company.
"The Batman: Fear State Event is collected like never before!" says the solicitation, which, yes, is a factual statement. This includes Batman #112-117 (also collected on its own as Batman Vol. 5: Fear State), Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1, Batman Secret Files: Peacekeeper #1, Batman Secret Files: Miracle Molly #1, Batman: Fear State: Alpha #1, Batman: Fear State: Omega #1. Indeed, that's a lot of Batman: Secret Files titles, and does not include the I Am Batman, Harley Quinn, or Catwoman issues of "Fear State." So we'll see to what extent these contents stand; said to be in hardcover coming in April.
In hardcover in July, collecting the three-issue miniseries written and drawn by Jock.
In hardcover in May, collecting the six-issue miniseries by Garth Ennis and Liam Sharp.
• Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two
Issues #1-7 of the second “season” by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Ty Templeton, and Monica Kubina, bringing the Court of Owls to Batman: The Animated Series.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 7
Batman #474, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #27, Detective Comics #634-638, Detective Comics #641, Detective Comics #643, and Detective Comics Annual #4. Batman and Legends are in there as part of the "Destroyer" crossover, which introduced a new-look Gotham in line with the first Tim Burton movie; the annual is an "Armageddon 2001" tie-in. Stories written by Kelley Puckett, Louise Simonson, Peter Milligan, and Alan Grant. Pretty sure this series has one more volume to go to end before "Knightfall" and Detective #654.
In hardcover, collecting the six-issue miniseries by Tom Taylor and Andy Kubert. That’s a powerhouse team — Kubert draws a great Batman, and Taylor’s star is on the rise. I might not usually stop for the Batman miniseries of the week, but I’m eager to see what these two do together. Coming in February.
Elseworlds-type Batman story by writer of the upcoming movie Mattson Tomlin, with art by the inimitable Andrea Sorrentino. Fascinating that even before the start of the three-issue miniseries, DC already announced in press release the ship date of the hardcover collection, February 2022.
• Batman: The Long Halloween: Catwoman: When in Rome: The Deluxe Edition
Another volume now newly branded with "Long Halloween." Collects Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's six-issue miniseries, which I never read and maybe should take this opportunity with all the Long Halloween hoopla.
Timed, of course, for Colin Farrell's turn as Penguin in the new Batman movie, this is said to be Batman #155, Batman #374, Batman #548, Batman #549, Detective Comics #610, Detective Comics #611, Detective Comics #824, Joker's Asylum: Penguin #1, and Penguin Triumphant #1. Missing in that list is Detective Comics #58, Penguin's first appearance, which was collected (along with the rest of these) in Batman Arkham: Penguin. Possibly this is just a reprint under another name.
• Batman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Batman #101–116 and Detective Comics #233–257.
• Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 2
Collects issues #7-10 of the anthology series; said to include stories about Terry McGinnis and Cassandra Cain, among others.
• Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn
Paperback, following the hardcover, of the six-issue miniseries by Katana Collins plus the Harley Quinn Black + White + Red tie-in story.
The oft-solicited (and cancelled) Batwing Omnibus finds new life as a Batwing: Luke Fox collection. Don’t get me wrong, I love Camrus Johnson on Batwoman and especially his turn in the season finale, but these stories by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (Batwing #19–34 and the Futures End issue) were not the best of the series. That distinction goes to the first dozen or so issues by Judd Winick, starring Congolese police office David Zavimbe as Batwing; I rather wish those were sharing in the spotlight.
I think many will be happy to see the collections of the first Birds of Prey series continuing. This is issues #104–112, marking the end of Gail Simone’s run (for this volume) and the start of Tony Bedard’s. Simone’s Secret Six appear a couple of times.
It feels a little bit like the late 1990s/early 2000s again, but among the many good things about the forthcoming Black Adam movie is a bevy of Black Adam collections materials. This box set — a Black Adam box set, can you even imagine? — collects what’s now called Black Adam/JSA: Black Reign (formerly JSA Vol. 8: Black Reign, being JSA #56–58 and Hawkman #23–25, with the JSA losing the top billing in their own book), Shazam! Vol. 1 (the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank backup from the New 52 Justice League), and Black Adam: Rise and Fall of an Empire, a cut down of relevant pages from the 52 weekly series that I’ll discuss more elsewhere.
• Black Adam: Rise and Fall of an Empire
This would be kind of a double-dip purchase for me, but at the same time I’m very curious how it’ll read. Essentially this is just the Black Adam material from the 52 weekly series, said to collect stories from 52 #1–3, 6–10, 12–16, 18–26, 29–34, 36–40, 43–50, and 52. It has been a while since I read 52 but I feel like the stories were very interwoven, especially toward the end, and I wonder to what extent a cogent story can be told with just the Black Adam parts and not the Elongated Man or Question parts. At the same time, I’m now very interested in a Pulp Fiction-esque set of interweaving 52 collections, this one with all the Black Adam material, that one with all the Question Renee Montoya material, and so on.
• Black Adam: The Dark Age (New Edition)
New printing of the six-issue miniseries by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke, in paperback next July. I reviewed Black Adam: The Dark Age some 10 years ago.
• Black Adam/JSA: Black Reign (New Edition)
New edition of JSA Vol. 8: Black Reign, which collected JSA #56–58 and Hawkman #23–25. Apparently getting a movie gives Black Adam top billing in the JSA's own book. The solicitation says this also includes JSA: Black Reign #1, which isn’t a thing that I think ever existed unless that’s meant to indicate the original collection’s cover. I reviewed JSA: Black Reign some 15 years ago.
• Blue Beetle: Jaime Reyes Book One
Issues #1-12 of the original Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle series by Keith Giffen and Cully Hamner. It'll be interesting to see if DC would continue this through Jaime's various continuities — this, the post-Crisis series, then the New 52 series, then the Rebirth series.
• Catwoman of East End Omnibus
Rather surprised this has never been an omnibus before. Surely collects the Detective Comics backup stories, issues #759–762, plus Ed Brubaker's 24-issue run with Darwyn Cooke and Cameron Stewart, plus the Selina's Big Score graphic novel and sundries.
In paperback in May, this collects Ram V’s Catwoman #34-38, including the tie-in to the “Batman: Fear State” event.
In paperback in March, collecting Challenge of the Super Sons #1-7 by Peter Tomasi.
In paperback in June, collecting the miniseries by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. There’s still an Event Leviathan special uncollected, which I hope they include here.
In paperback, in May, the eight-issue miniseries by Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan. I'd rather like to see them include Tamaki's Crush story from Let Them Live!: Unpublished Tales from the DC Vault #6 as well.
Paperback collection of Dark Knights: Death Metal #1-7, in April.
In paperback, following the hardcover.
• DC Horror Presents: The Conjuring: The Lover
In hardcover in March, collecting the five-issue series and tying in to the Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It movie, written by Conjuring screenwriter David L. Johnson-McGoldrick and Rex Ogle with art by Garry Brown and covers from Bill Sienkiewicz.
• DC One Million Omnibus (2022 Edition)
Contents so far seem the same as the original DC One Million Omnibus, including DC One Million #1-4, the #1,000,000 issues of Action Comics, Adventures of Superman, Aquaman, Azrael, Batman, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Catwoman, Chase, Chronos, Creeper, Detective Comics, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hitman, Impulse, JLA, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legionnaires, Lobo, Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, Power of Shazam, Resurrection Man, Robin, Starman, Superboy, Supergirl, Superman, Superman: The Man of Steel, Superman: The Man of Tomorrow, Wonder Woman and Young Justice*, plus Booster Gold #1,000,000, DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1, and Superman/Batman #79–80 (minus the creator-owned Young Heroes in Love issue).
• DC Poster Portfolio: DC Pride
Covers from DC’s Pride Month, due out in May.
• DC Poster Portfolio: Frank Quitely
No contents listed, but surely All-Star Superman, Flex Mentallo, what have you.
• DC Poster Portfolio: J.H. Williams III
Williams’ covers “from Batman to Promethea.”
• DC Poster Portfolio: Jenny Frison
Jenny Frison’s Wonder Woman covers have been quite impressive; this one arrives in June.
I wondered if DC Pride would recieve a collection and I'm glad that it is. At the same time I'm unsure about the items collected with it. On one hand, yes, I'm equally happy to see DC's recent disparate specials also collected — Mysteries of Love in Space, New Year's Evil, Young Monsters in Love. And I grant that these fall backward into the DC Pride theme by having stories of LGBTQIA+ characters in them, Crush and Harley Quinn among others. But also it kind of posits Pride Month as a Hallmark holiday a la Valentine's or New Year's instead of a recognition of a marginalized group that deserves representation; put another way, DC Price is not the same thing as Young Monsters in Love. I'd as soon have seen DC pair DC Pride with key stories about Aqualad, Alan Scott, Renee Montoya, Batwoman, Obsidian, Apollo and Midnighter, etc., or stories from Love Is Love. Or with the DC Festival of Heroes celebration of Asian Heritage Month and call the whole thing DC Heroes: A Celebration of Diversity or whatnot. This collection as it is doesn't quite seem on the mark.
• DC Title
Despite the name, this appears to be a collection of the art from the Audible Sandman Instagram account, in which dreams submitted by listeners were drawn by artists including Tony Harris, Colleen Doran, and Kelley Jones.
Paperback of issues #1-7 by Tom Taylor, following the hardcover.
• DCeased: Hope At World's End
In paperback, following the hardcover.
• Death and Return of Superman Omnibus (2022 Edition)
It is interesting all these omnibuses are being reprinted. Near as I can tell, nothing different here than in the previous edition.
• Death: The Deluxe Edition (2022 Edition)
Contents seem to be the same as the earlier edition: Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3, Death: The Time of Your Life #1-3, the “Death Talks about Life” AIDS pamphlet, stories from Vertigo: Winter’s Edge #2 and Sandman: Endless Nights, the short story “The Wheel” from the 9-11 tribute book, and Sandman #8 and #20.
• Doom Patrol by Rachel Pollack Omnibus
Filling a long-unfilled gap in the Grant Morrison-era Doom Patrol collections, this collects Doom Patrol #64-87, Doom Patrol Annual #2, Totems #1, and Vertigo Jam #1 by Rachel Pollack, with art by Ted McKeever among others. This had been solicited previously and cancelled, so I'm glad to see it back again, though I'd prefer smaller volumes than an omnibus. I'd also like to see the lead-in to Morrison's Doom Patrol, the issues #1-18 et al., collected in something other than an omnibus too.
• Fables 20th Anniversary Box Set
Maybe this is all 22 (paperback) or 15 (deluxe) or four ("compendium") editions, but gosh that'd be a big box either way.
The Future State anthology series launches with a Red Hood story by Joshua Williamson; said to collect Future State: Gotham #1–7 and Future State: Dark Detective #2–4 (presumably the Red Hood stories).
YA graphic novel by Jadzia Axelrod and Jess Taylor, about an alien princess living in hiding as a boy on Earth and the girl from Metropolis who changes everything. I’m very pleased to see these YA books set against a DC universe backdrop but with new and interesting characters.
• Gotham Central Omnibus (2022 Edition)
A new Gotham Central omnibus, happy to see it remain in print, though the contents don't seem to be more than the original issues #1-40 ("Officer Down," anyone?)
• Gotham Central: In the Line of Duty
Collects Gotham Central issues #1-10, including the "In the Line of Duty" and "Half a Life" stories.
YA take on a 13-year-old Oliver Queen by Brendan Deneen and Bell Hosalla.
• Green Lantern Vol. 1: Invictus
In paperback in June, spinning out of Infinite Frontier, this is Green Lantern #1-6 by Geoffrey Thorne and Tom Raney. Starring John Stewart, Teen Lantern Keli Quintela, and Sojourner “Jo” Mullein — I'm excited about this one.
New YA volume by Minh Le and Andie Tong with Green Lantern Tai Pham, teamed up with a new Kid Flash.
In hardcover, by Brandon Thomas and Denys Cowan, collecting the first six issues of the new series and Milestone Returns: Infinite Edition #0. Coming in April.
• Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey: The Hunt for Harley
Paperback, of course, following the hardcover.
Paperback collection of the three-issue miniseries by Tom Taylor.
In hardcover in June, collecting Icon & Rocket: Season One #1-6 by Reginald Hudlin and Doug Braithwaite.
The next phase of the DC Universe, by Joshua Williamson, in hardcover coming in February. Said to collect Infinite Frontier #0–6 and Infinite Frontier Secret Files #1.
• Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Zero - The Complete Collection
In paperback, collecting issues #1-14, featuring the Justice Society in the Injustice universe.
• John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 26: The Curse of the Constantines
A new edition of what was largely the Death and Cigarettes collection, this is Hellblazer #292-300, Hellblazer Special: Bad Blood #1-4, and Hellblazer Annual #1 by Peter Milligan and company.
• Justice League by Scott Snyder Deluxe Edition Book Three
Issues #26-39 of the Scott Snyder series, being the tale end of the Sixth Dimension collection plus the Justice/Doom War collection.
The solicitation for this one is all sorts of confused, conflating Brian Michael Bendis' new Justice League run with the Justice League Dark annual from James Tynion’s run, at a page count of 1,440 pages and $150 (which probably refers to the Justice League Dark Omnibus). My guess is this is paperback, regular price, collecting Ram V’s JLD backup stories from Bendis' Justice League #59–71 and — though not announced yet — what seems to be a Justice League Dark Annual 2021.
In paperback in June, collecting the seven-part series based on Justice League Unlimited.
• Justice League Vol. 1: Prisms
Said to collect Brian Michael Bendis’ Justice League #59-63 in hardcover, in May.
• Justice League: Last Ride Vol. 1
In paperback in June, collecting the seven-issue miniseries by Chip Zdarsky and Miguel Mendonca.
• Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2
This is a large one. Collecting the entire second half of Geoff Johns' New 52 Justice League, issues #24-52, plus (deep breath) Forever Evil #1-7, DC Universe: Rebirth #1, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League #1, Justice League feat. Secret Society #23.4, Justice League of America feat. Black Adam #7.4, Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Batman #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: The Flash #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Lex Luthor #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam #1, and Justice League: Darkseid War: Superman #1 — so, as you can see, from Forever Evil all the way to Darkseid War and the end of the New 52. The two "Villain's Month" titles have only elsewhere been collected in the DC Comics: The New 52: Villains Omnibus, if I'm not mistaken.
• Legion of Super-Heroes: Five Years Later Omnibus Vol. 2
Continuing this collections series, including L.E.G.I.O.N. #69-70. Legion of Super-Heroes #40-61, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #4-5 ("Bloodlines" and Elseworlds), Legionnaires #1-18, Legionnaires Annual #1 (Elseworlds), Valor #20-23, and Who's Who Update 1993 #1. For those playing along at home, this is the end of the series, including the Zero Hour tie-ins ahead of the full reboot for Zero Month. This is the “Five Years Later” era, though I don’t tend to associate it with that since it’s less “five years later-y” than the early Keith Giffen material.
• Midnighter: The Complete Collection
“Complete collection” might be a bit of a misnomer, but this is a full collection of the quite enjoyable Midnighter tales by Steve Orlando and ACO, previously collected in three volumes. This is DC Sneak Peek: Midnighter #1, the DC You era Midnighter #1-12, Midnighter and Apollo #1-6.
I have thought from time to time about trying to pick up all the existing Milestone trades — here DC just made it easy for me. This is, at the least, Blood Syndicate #1-12, Hardware #1-12, Icon #1-10, Static #1-8, and Xombi #0-11, and Shadow Cabinet #0. Hopefully this keeps going through the rest of the Milestone books and monies, through to Milestone’s appearances in the regular DCU and the character appearances from the late 2000s Brave and the Bold series. For reference, the Worlds Collide crossover with coincide with the next book.
• Mister Miracle: The Great Escape
A YA take on Mister Miracle by Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles. This looks promising and I’d be eager to see it have future volumes, especially if the author intends to trace some of the twists and turns of Scott Free’s New Genesis origins.
• Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom
The six-issue miniseries by Brandon Easton and Fico Ossio, spinning out of Future State.
• New Gods Book Two: Advent of Darkness
Continuing to collect the 1990s New Gods series. The first volume collected issues #1-14, so this could finish it out with #15-28. Look for Lar Gand of L.E.G.I.O.N. and the Forever People to appear.
• Nice House on the Lake Vol. 1
James Tynion is making splashes in the creator-owned horror genre, and DC surely wants a piece of it (... wrote this and then the news came out). Collects issues #1-6 with his Detective Comics artist Alvaro Martinez.
By Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, this collects Nightwing #84-88 and the Nightwing 2021 annual. The solicitation says this ties in to Fear State; I know there’s a triptych cover involved though I don’t necessarily see “Fear State” in the issue solicitations so far.
This was previously announced in DC Comics Fall 2020 solicitations in March 2020, so not entirely surprising it never made it to print. Here it is again, due out in May 2022, collecting The Phantom Stranger #1-6 (1952), The Phantom Stranger #1-41 (1969), stories from Saga of the Swamp Thing #1-13, Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #18, Brave and the Bold #89, #98, and #145, Showcase #80, Justice League of America #103, House of Secrets #150, DC Super-Stars #18, and DC Comics Presents #25 and #72.
In hardcover, collecting DC’s digital-first anthology series, with stories by Chris Cooper and others.
In paperback, collecting issues #1-6 by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov.
Collects 14 chapters of the crossover between the animated series and the Justice League, by Marguerite Bennett and Aneke.
• Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes And Nocturnes (Mass Market Edition)
Issues #1-8, per usual, though the $50 price hardly seems right. I’m going to guess “mass market edition” means a TV-inspired cover, at least.
• Shazam!
In paperback in April, collecting the four-issue miniseries by Tim Sheridan, tying in to Teen Titans Academy.
YA graphic novel set between the previous and upcoming Shazam! movies, written and drawn by Yehudi Mercado.
Collects the last half of James Robinson's Starman, including All-Star Comics 80-Page Giant #1, Batman/Hellboy/Starman #1-2, JSA All-Stars #4, Starman #43-81, Starman #1 (1998) (not particularly sure what this is, maybe "The Mist"), Starman/Congorilla #1 (getting into Robinson's later Justice League days), Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0, and The Shade #1-12 (the New 52-era mini).
In hardcover, collecting issues #1-6 of the new Static series by Vita Ayala.
Second collection of the Infinite Frontier-era series, collecting issues #7-12 and the 2021 annual.
Paperback by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, following the hardcover.
In hardcover in April. collecting the three-issue miniseries by Brian Azzarello and Alex Maleev.
• Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
In paperback in July, this is the eight-issue miniseries by Tom King and Bilquis Evely.
In hardcover in July, collecting the first 12 chapters of the digital series by Robert Venditti and Wilfredo Torres.
• Superman: Action Comics Vol. 1: Warworld Rising
Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s first full Action Comics collection, coming in February in paperback. Collects Action Comics #1030–1035.
• Superman: Son of Kal-El Vol. 1
In paperback in May, the first six issues of the new series by Tom Taylor and John Timms.
• Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7
Includes Action Comics #125-143, Superman #55-65, and World’s Finest Comics #37-47.
• Tales From the DC Dark Multiverse II
In paperback, following the hardcover (which I just recently reviewed, this is the Dark Multiverse takes on Batman: Hush, Flashpoint, Wonder Woman: War of the Gods, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Dark Nights: Metal.
In paperback, coming in April, this is issues #1-17 of James Tynion’s first DC series. Though not a seminal work, it had a lot of ties to the DCU at the time, and I’m pleased for a chance to read the whole thing all together.
• Teen Titans Academy Vol. 1: X Marks His Spot
In paperback in July, following the hardcover due out in January, by Tim Sheridan and Rafa Sandoval, and collecting issue #1-5 and sundries.
In hardcover in July (in time for the paperback of Vol. 1), this is issues #6-12.
• Teen Titans by Geoff Johns Omnibus (2022 Edition)
New printing of the Geoff Johns run. Previously this was Teen Titans #1/2-26, 29-46 and 50, Legends of the DC Universe #2, Titans Secret Files #2, Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2003, Beast Boy #1-4, Teen Titans/Legion Of Super Heroes Special #1, Outsiders #24-25, Robin #147 (maybe also #146?), Infinite Crisis #5-6, and Teen Titans Annual #1.
• Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven
In hardcover by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo.
• The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mystery Vol. 2
Issues #7-12 by Sholly Fisch and company.
Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Ego and Other Tails, and Batman: Year One.
• The Batman's Grave: The Complete Collection
Paperback collection of the 12-issue miniseries, following the hardcover.
• The Flintstones: The Deluxe Edition
In hardcover in February, collecting Mark Russell and Steve Pugh's entire Flintstones run — Flintstones #1-12 and the Booster Gold/The Flintstones Special.
• The Fourth World by Jack Kirby Box Set
No word if this is series-specific paperbacks or something like the omnibuses, etc. I’m pretty sure Darkseid is in it.
• The Green Lantern Season Two Vol. 2
Paperback finale of the Grant Morrison series, following the hardcover. Collects issues #7-12.
Paperback, following the hardcover, of Batman #95-100, the tie-ins from Batgirl, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, Detective Comics, and the Joker War Zone special.
• The Question by Dennis O'Neil Omnibus Vol. 1
I'd as soon the paperbacks come around again, but this is better than nothing (and might signify new smaller collections to follow). Collects The Question #1-27, The Question Annual #1, Green Arrow Annual #1, and Detective Comics Annual #1. The series would go to issue #36 plus five "Quarterly" issues.
• The Sandman: The Deluxe Edition Book Five
Collects Sandman #70-75, Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1-4, Sandman: Endless Nights, Sandman: Dream Hunters 30th Anniversary Edition (prose version), and Dust Covers: The Collected Sandman Covers. Arrived in February in hardcover. I was hoping these would come out a little quicker since I'd decided these would finally be the volumes for my Sandman re-read before the Netflix series, but I think that's going to outpace these. And, Overture is nowhere to be found, meaning at least one more volume, though I wonder what else they might put in to fill out a sixth book.
• Time Warp: Doomsday Tales and Other Things
Time Warp was a DC sci-fi anthology series from the late 1970s. There were five issues published, plus stories that appeared instead in The Unexpected #195, and a Vertigo one-shot with a story by Damon Kindelof and Jeff Lemire. Solicitations make it sound like the hardcover includes all of these.
Time Warp was a DC sci-fi anthology series from the late 1970s. There were five issues published, plus stories that appeared instead in The Unexpected #195, and a Vertigo one-shot with a story by Damon Kindelof and Jeff Lemire. Solicitations make it sound like the hardcover includes all of these.
Continuing the long-awaited collection series, this is Who’s Who in the DC Universe #1-16 (what I believe is the 1990s "loose-leaf" version), Who’s Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes #1-7, and Who’s Who Update 1993 #1-2.
• Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace Vol. 2
Second collection of the digital-first series, collecting issues #12-23.
• Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend
YA graphic novel by Alys Arden and Jacquelin de Leon.
Dark Nights: Metal - I'm just waiting for the omnibus. I assume it'll be at least 2023 now. Blah.
ReplyDeleteBirds of Prey to finish Simone's run and the Brubaker Catwoman omnibus are obvious purchases for me. I'll get Taylor's Batman: Detective, too.
Is Generations anything? I don't even get where it fits in with anything going on now. I'll definitely get Infinite Frontier and Checkmate - IF because it seems like Williamson is in bonkers mode (I disliked his Superman/Batman first collection but that was tie-in related, but really wished he'd stuck with JL Odyssey).
Zdarsky's Last Ride looks fun. I'm a fan of his Spider-man and DD runs, to why not?
Legion omni, sure, why not. Still don't understand why Levitz's run is not of much interest to DC yet (yes, they are very slowly working up to HCs of the Great Darkness Saga, but at this pace we'll get to the uncollected portions of his run sometime in 2025 or 2026).
Midnighter, sure, why not. I enjoyed the series in floppy form.
Milestone Compendium is a purchase - always wanted to explore the imprint, now I have no excuse not to. Kinda hoping they'll solicit volume 2 before v1 is actually released, just so we know.
Question omni is a maybe - I'd love to know what's in volume 2 before I jump at this, though. I have the 6 tpbs and don't want to get rid of them without knowing I'm definitely getting the material again.
Obvious purchase of Supergirl by King. I'll get the main line Superman books for a bit, but I'm not sure I love the new direction from the solicits. I'd have bailed when Bendis left if there wasn't Grant Morrison goodness in there. Tom Taylor gives me optimism, though . . .
Yeah, Tom Taylor has been so good on so much lately (and wrote a good Jon Kent in DCeased) that I'm hopeful his Superman title will be the same.
DeleteSweet Jesus....
ReplyDelete1. Phantom Stanger Bronze Age Omnibus - YES PLEASE (I am the only person who loves Doctor 13 the Ghostbreaker so this has me so happy...)
2. Who's Who Omnibus Vol. 2. ALSO YES PLEASE.
3. Justice League New52 Omnibus? These New 52 omnibuses have been pretty great so far. I have the Swamp Thing Omnibus and I love it.
4. Absolute Doomsday Clock really needs to include DC Universe Rebirth and Batman/Flash: The Button. That isn't much to ask (4-5 extra issues really). I just hate it when the make absolute editions that don't offer anything new, just repackage previously collected material.
All in all, I am going to need a bigger shelf.
I"m a huge Phantom Stranger fan as well as Dr Thirteen. Hope we get more odd stuff like this.
DeleteHappy for you both for the Phantom Stranger omnibus. I hear what you're saying about Doomsday Clock, but I for one really wanted that book to stand on its own; the final this-event-and-that-event sequence really tied it to a point in time and soured it for me. I get the appeal of having Rebirth issues in there, but since the ties were never that strong, I'd as soon see Doomsday Clock stand on its own as much as possible.
DeletePHANTOM STRANGER and WHO'S WHO omnibuses and the second STARMAN COMPENDIUM are the only definites in this catalog. I'm waiting for DOOMSDAY CLOCK to be released as a deluxe edition, though I agree that there needs to be some kind of extras -- and the Rebirth special and "The Button" are obvious choices.
DeleteI'll get quite a bit of this, but one thing that stands out for me is that is seems to be taking longer for paperback editions to come out, following hardcovers. Kinda forcing me to buy the HCs because I really don't want to be nearly 2 years behind...
ReplyDeleteSuper excited for the Question, Phantom Stranger omnis.
I loved Time Warp as a kid, as this is where I discovered Steve Ditko! What I don't understand is why they didn't add the stories from Mystery in Space #111 - 117. Comics.org says that Time Warp was folded into Unexpected, but I specifically remember my Time warp subscription continuing with the new MiS when Time Warp was canceled. Same type of stories.
Overall excited for these!
So that is the FINAL Vertigo Hellblazer collection? That is a big deal. I've been collecting since volume 1 so many years ago. I can't believe they finished it out. End of an era!
ReplyDeleteIf I understand correctly, the issues in this Hellblazer collection were previously collected in 2013, though this one may have slightly more material. But agreed it's exciting either way.
DeleteHe's referring to the fact that there is now a consistent trade dress of 26 volumes of Hellblazer that collects the entire 1-300 series and some extras. Yes, most of that run had appeared in trade before (most of the Jenkins run hadn't) but to have them all in a Uniform Trade dress numbered 1 - 26? That's amazing and wonderful.
DeleteAgreed. And I look forward to reading them too.
DeleteIf the Who's Who Omnibus is selling well enough to justify a volume 2, then maybe (hopefully?) we'll get a Secret Origins Omnibus soon....
ReplyDeleteI know all the Who's Who material is out of date, but I've sure enjoyed going back and reading through those entries. Very nostalgic for me.
DeleteMy biggest takeaway from this catalog, other than how much DC's collected edition output is sadly decreasing (this Spring 2022 catalog actually covers the 6-month period from February until July, and yet it only includes 115 titles), is that DC appears to be phasing out thick trades collecting older material.
ReplyDeleteAll four TPB lines collecting Johns's longest DC runs have stalled, even though two of them (The Flash and Teen Titans) only needed one last volume, and there's still no Young Justice Book Six in sight to finish that series, nor a third volume of Superman: The City of Tomorrow. Sure, they're continuing Simone's BoP (although they'd better fix that content listing that's apparently skipping issues #92-103) and pre-Knightfall Detective Comics, finishing Evanier's New Gods and starting a new Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle line to coincide with the upcoming movie, but stuff we'd expect to see collected in thick trades is getting collected straight to omnibi instead.
I mean, if stuff they never finished collecting in paperback like Aquaman by PAD, post-Zero Hour Legion, Green Lantern by Marz and Banks, Azrael by O'Neil, Superboy by Kesel and Grummett and Dixon's Robin and BoP get the omnibus treatment, I won't complain, but I hope there really is a market for them.
Other than that, I'm glad to see 5YL Legion and Who's Who getting finished, and I'll be all over that Brubaker Catwoman omnibus, but I think they should add Denys Cowan's name to the title of the Question by Dennis O'Neil Omnibus Vol. 1. While there's definitely enough Question material by O'Neil for a second omnibus (issues #28-37, Annual #2, Green Arrow Annual #2-3, The Question Quarterly #1-3 and #5, Azrael Plus #1 and The Question Returns), it would be considerably shorter than the first one, and Cowan's name would give them and excuse to beef it up with The Question Quarterly #4 and The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #1-4.
Fantastic overview of collections series that still need completing.
DeleteIt is about bloody time DC collected the $?Denny O Neil Question run.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteThe catalog has added three more titles and moved the SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (TABLOID EDITION) from the Fall 2021 to Spring 2022 catalog.
ReplyDeleteI am still wanting a lot of pre-Crisis material to be collected: All-Star Squadron, Infinity, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Superman, Blackhawk (1982 series), Nemesis (from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD), the Bronze Age Legion in omnibuses (which I believe we will eventually get), Codename: Gravedigger, the Bronze Age Batman, maybe a separate STRANGE APPARITIONS deluxe edition too.
And I'd be all over a CRISIS ON MULTIPLE EARTHS omnibus series featuring the pre-Crisis multiverse stories (teams ups and solo) starting with FLASH #123 and ending with CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, and including the 1970s run of JSA stories in ALL-STAR COMICS and ADVENTURE COMICS and the Huntress solo stories from the pages of WONDER WOMAN, and maybe figure out how to incorporate ALL-STAR SQUADRON, Infinity, Inc. and Jonni Thunder, among other stories. Though the mapping might be horrendous to figure out.
Definitely some All-Star Squadron/Infinity, Inc./basically lots of Roy and Dann Thomas stuff that still needs to be collected.
Delete