Slowly, slowly, DC’s Infinite Frontier train rolls along. Last month saw the solicitation of the Infinite Frontier collection itself; the DC Comics February 2022 hardcover and trade paperback solicitations have Robin Vol. 1: The Lazarus Tournament by Infinite Frontier’s Joshua Williamson, said to connect back to the main story at some point, plus the much-hyped Batman Vol. 5: Fear State, which sounds a lot like “Future State” even if it’s not entirely clear if they’re actually connected or not.
And that is … it for main continuity material for this month. I’m plenty excited for both of those books, but again, the Infinite Frontier saga is rolling out at a snail’s pace.
Four good reprints on the list in other news for this month — the second Legion of Super-Heroes: Five Years Later Omnibus, the first Question by Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan omnibus-type volume, New Teen Titans Vol. 13 (with some contents that make sense, finally!), and the second collection of the 1990s New Gods series. I’d like easier to digest formats on the first two, and none of it makes up for how soon the first collection of Superman: Son of Kal-El or Deathstroke, Inc. won’t be getting here, but they’ll look good on my shelf nonetheless.
Finally, we see the Static: Season One collection and also Milestones in History. It’s good to have any Milestone releases at all, but I have complicated feelings about these — not including the books in the main DCU (or even a specific alternate Earth) feels like doing the same thing over again, not to mention how temporary the “season” qualifier sounds … I’m going to need some convincing on these that DC’s heart is in the right place.
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Recent DC Comics Trade Solicitations |
Well, let’s take a look at the full list.
Collects all the issues from the Multiversity series (Multiversity #1, The Multiversity: The Society of Super-Heroes, The Multiversity: The Just, The Multiversity: Pax Americana, The Multiversity: Thunderworld Adventures, The Multiversity Guidebook, The Multiversity: Mastermen, The Multiversity: Ultra Comics, and The Multiversity #2), plus “director’s cut editions” and various extras.
In hardcover in March 2022. No issues listed now, as opposed to earlier solicitations of this book. If the earlier solicitations stand, then it'll be Batman #112–117, the “Fear State” event and also the end of James Tynion's run.
• The Batman's Grave Complete Collection
Paperback collection of the 12-issue miniseries, following the hardcover.
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, a hardcover omnibus instead of a one-off paperback.
In paperback in March, collecting Challenge of the Super Sons #1-7 by Peter Tomasi. Given that Jon Kent is in the news, and that he's the new Superman, I'd be interested to see DC let Peter Tomasi keep doing these as long as possible (even as Tomasi's about to write a tale of the grown-up Jon Kent and Damian. These are now, more so than ever, the adventures of Superman when he was a boy.
• 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. Having just read through all of DC's Hill House Comics horror titles, I rather wish this was not tied to The Conjuring, as it makes me much less likely to also pick it up, though it does sound interesting if someone were to tell me I could read it without needing any Conjuring knowledge.
Latest solicitation mentions Death: The High Cost of Living #1-3 and Death: The Time of Your Life #1-3, as well as “all of her other key appearances throughout the Sandman Universe.” Ordinarily that's 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; remains to be seen if anything else will be added.
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?)
New YA volume by Minh Le and Andie Tong with Green Lantern Tai Pham, teamed up with a new Kid Flash.
Paperback collection of the three-issue miniseries by Tom Taylor, following the hardcover.
• 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, the conclusion of the original Vertigo series.
• 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. I'm reminded that this is still the “Five Years Later” era, though I don’t tend to associate it with that since the bubblegum Chris Sprouse and company art is less “five years later-y” than the early gritty Keith Giffen material.
• Milestones in History
I have some mild trepidation here only because this wasn't really something I'd heard was in the planning (maybe you did) and because it doesn't feel like so DC's given its second shot at Milestone the push it's deserved — a total reboot, no crossovers, no interaction with the larger DC Universe, none of the things that DC usually does to sell a book it's getting behind. And now a Black History Month special — I'll read it, definitely, and it's better than nothing, but one wants to see DC standing behind Milestone every other month, too, not just when Milestone can give DC a boost.
• 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.
• New Gods Book Two: Advent of Darkness
Finishing out the 1990s New Gods series with issues #15-28. Look for Lar Gand of L.E.G.I.O.N. and the Forever People to appear.
After quite a while of the contents of this not being listed correctly (the contents listed were the same as New Teen Titans Vol. 12), this is now said to be issues #32-40 (second series), the Annual #3, and Infinity, Inc. #45. In addition to that crossover, this collection includes the first appearances of Danny Chase. This is essentially the first half of January 2021's New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 5, which collects up to issue #49.
• The Question by Dennis O'Neil and Denys Cowan 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.
In hardcover, collecting DC’s digital-first anthology series, with stories by Chris Cooper, Regine Sawyer, Camrus Johnson, and more.
• Robin Vol. 1: The Lazarus Tournament
In paperback, collecting issues #1-6 by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov. Previously omitted from the solicitations, I'm glad to see this now includes the prelude story from Batman #106 and Detective Comics #1034.
Meanwhile, in hardcover, here's issues #1-6 of the new Static series by Vita Ayala, including the Milestone Returns: Infinite Edition #0 comic.
• Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace Vol. 2
Second collection of the digital-first series, collecting issues #12-23.
Very light (especially since some of these are advanced solicits) month for me
ReplyDelete-Absolute Multiversity looks to have ~180 new pages compared to previous releases. I cannot wait if the solicited page count holds
-LoSH: 5YL scratches an itch. I'm still so entirely confused about not putting Levitz's run in omni format, but whatever. Will they follow this up w/concatenating the two Legionnaires tpbs for a post-ZH omni?
-Question is a maybe. I'd love to see v2 appear in some solicitations first before getting rid of my old trades for the omnis.
-Robin is a definite. I have high hopes for this title.
I'd feel better with a second volume of Question Omnibus on the books too. What makes you so eager for the Robin title?
DeleteWilliamson has been hit or miss (I really liked his start to JLO, nothing about his Flash run spoke to me), but from previews and solicits, I think he has the best voice/motivation for Damien since Tomasi and Gleason's run on B&R ended (I haven't read Glass's Teen Titans run, so maybe that one was okay). Plus, you know, fighting tournaments.
DeleteTrue, I'd forgotten about JLO's good beginnings. I haven't seen Williamson write any Damian yet, so I'll be curious how well the voice matches what we've seen before.
DeleteIt's odd that Batman Vol. 5: Fear State apparently won't include the Fear State Alpha and Omega bookend specials, even though Tynion wrote them. The upcoming Batman: Fear State Saga HC seems to be a better option, including not only Batman #112-117 and the bookends, but all of the Secret Files specials that Tynion wrote or co-wrote.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wonder if the Represent! collection will include the autobiographical story written and drawn by disgraced comicsgater colorist Gabe Eltaeb, originally published in issue #11 of the digital version. In hindsight, DC must really regret having published that one.
It is odd that Alpha and Omega aren't in there; hopefully that's just an oversight on the solicits.
DeleteYeah, I noticed that name was still in the Represent! solicits and wondered how DC would handle ...
I wish the Question series was released in new trade paper backs but at least the series is finally getting a new release.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one to double-dip but I imagine the way to get Question paperbacks is for the hardcover to sell really well.
DeleteBatman's Grave is in DC Connect as a hardcover with the hardcover price. Mistake, I assume?
ReplyDeleteNot sure; hardcover is already out and this is the solicit of the paperback to follow.
DeleteThanks as always for pulling this together for us. Not much here with DC's offerings that I really want. I have the Multiversity Deluxe Edition from a few years back and remember liking some of the stories but not all of them. Grant Morrison is a great writer, but he can be hit or miss for me at times. I'll probably just stick with the Deluxe Edition that I have.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, slim pickings. I'm looking forward to Robin as I really enjoy Joshua Williamsons writing (uneven though it may be at times). He seems to have a good understanding and respect of DC history and always tries to build on that with long term story arcs.
As for James Tynion and Fear State....I haven't really been enjoying the latter part of Tynion's run (though the artwork has been great). I'll get it - but not sure what to expect (other than perhaps new villains that Tynion seems fond of creating).
I've got all the paperbacks for the Question, so don't think I will upgrade (unless there is something new offered with the Omnibus).
Other than Robin, I'll get the Gotham Central omnibus as I missed out on that the first time around and would really love to dig into that series. Also, considering Legion Five Years Later....but I really preferred the first half of stories and felt that towards the latter part....it just kind of fell apart.
I do hear you though. Where is the Paul Levitz Legion Omnibus? Stellar from the beginning to the end of his run.
Got all those Question paperbacks? Lucky!
DeleteI have the singles of the original series too....really love that series - some of Denny O'Neil's best work....truly timeless....You are right, I never realized when I was getting those paperbacks that they would be so sought after!
DeleteRight off the Bat, I can see some real nice additions in the first Omnibus - the first annuals of Detective Comics, Green Arrow and the Question. I believe the Question is linked to all three Green Arrow Annuals, all of which are written by O'Neil.
DeleteGiven that the monthly series is 37 issues (including the Blackest Night crossover), the first volume collecting up to issue 27 leaves plenty of space in Vol 2 for the remaining Question Annual, the remaining two Green Arrow Annuals, the Quarterly series (most issues by O'Neil) as well as the Question Returns One Shot.
Man, DC seems to have zero interest in collecting from the Bronze Age. Talk about missing a golden opportunity. Thankfully Marvel isn’t. Their “Epic Collection” line is seriously raking in the coin.
ReplyDeleteSo true! Marvel's Epic line is so popular! I think all around Marvel's collection department and their release cycle is more solid than DCs at this point.
Delete