As with last month, what I’m seeing in the DC Comics January 2024 trade paperback and hardcover solicitations is not only all the “old faithful” regular series collections, but also DC bucking up a few reprints with unexpected extras. Now, this is neither a New Titans: Titans Hunt collection nor an Armageddon 2001 omnibus nor full-fledged collections of the Superman Triangle Titles — rather, DC’s still playing it safe with the old hits, but some of those old hits have new material in them.
Following from news of last month’s comprehensive Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 2, this month we see a Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Omnibus, JLA Book One, Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3, and the Batman Beyond: Animated Series Classics Compendium. Some of that has been collected before, but all of them seem to have some semblance of previously uncollected material in them, which is exactly what I like to see.
And then of course we have the final two Knight Terrors collections (and yes, Knight Terrors: Knocturnal Creatures does have the missing Joker issues in it). Add to that a slew of regular series collections — Green Arrow, Justice Society, Batman Inc., Brave and the Bold, Superboy, Unstoppable Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn Vol. 5, Batman/Superman, and Cyborg — and you’ve got the makings of a good month (Dawn of DC seems to be in swing for the collections!).
Season three of Batman: The Adventures Continue and The Kingdom: 25th Anniversary collection, too!
So let’s dig in to the full list …
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Recent DC Comics Trade Solicitations |
• Absolute Batman and Son by Grant Morrison HC
Collects Batman #655–658, #663–669, #672–675, and Batman Incorporated (second series) #5, being the Batman and Son and Black Glove storylines (also collected in one single Batman and Son volume), plus a future Damian flash-forward issue. There is an Absolute Batman: Incorporated; there is not an Absolute Batman: RIP. Sure would look good next to this …
• Absolute Final Crisis (2024 Edition) HC
New printing of the Absolute by Grant Morrison, J.G. Jones, and company. My thoughts on Final Crisis still stand.
• Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story TP
DC YA book written by Dreamer herself, Nicole Maines. Pretty cool to see DC building their own interconnected YA universe, with characters appearing from Jadzia Axelrod’s Galaxy: The Prettiest Star.
• Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Book One TP
An “oversize” paperback according to DC’s description, this is listed as Batman & Robin #20–22 and Batman & Robin #0–14 (New 52), ending just before Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family.
• Batman Beyond: The Animated Series Classics Compendium – 25th Anniversary TP
Collects the first six-issue Batman Beyond miniseries by Hilary Bader and Rick Burchett, all 24 issues of the second Batman Beyond — most of which has never been collected before — and Superman Adventures #64.
• Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Joker Incorporated HC
In March, the second collection of the Ed Brisson series, in hardcover.
Paperback edition of Chip Zdarsky’s first Batman arc, following the hardcover. This is issues #125–130.
• Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three TP
Hey there, Zach! I’m interested to hear what Alan Burnett and Paul Dini’s vision for the “finale” of Batman: The Animated Series looks like and how it lands. In paperback in February.
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1: The Winning Card TP
The first installment of the upcoming Batman anthology series, in hardcover in April. The newest solicitation looks like this will be Tom King and Mitch Gerads story only, saving the other features for later; said to be issues #1–2, #5, and #9.
• Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Volume Three TP
Webtoons collection arriving in March; said to be “episodes 52–72” of “season two” of the series.
• Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Vol. 3: Elementary HC
Issues #12–17 of the Mark Waid/Dan Mora series, in hardcover in March. Now that I’ve been spoiled to where Waid is going with this, I should have seen it coming (and I’m excited!).
Hardback edition of the upcoming Cyborg series by Morgan Hampton, set to release in April. This is issues #1–6 and a story from DC Power: A Celebration; I have to say the claim of giving Cyborg “the Teen Titans animated series-inspired Dawn of DC epic he deserves” makes me pause.
• Green Arrow Vol. 1: Reunion TP
Joshua Williamson’s Green Arrow miniseries has been extended from six to 12 issues; the first volume (issues #1–6) arrives in paperback (not hardcover!) in March.
• Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Omnibus HC
Talk about a comprehensive collection! If it involved Green Lantern and/or Green Arrow in the 1970s (or refers back to that point), it seems to be in here.
First up is the “classic” Green Lantern/Green Arrow “Hard-Traveling Heroes” run of Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams' issues #76–87, #89, and the backups from Flash #217–219. We’ve also got O’Neil’s Green Lantern backups from Flash (with Dick Giordano and Mike Grell, among others), issues #226–228, #230–231, #233–234 (though not Green Lantern’s team-up with Flash in #235 by Cary Bates), #237–238, and supposedly #240–246, though I don’t believe #244 has Green Lantern in it. Then there’s O’Neil and Grell’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow #90–106 (the “Space-Traveling Heroes” era), and O’Neil’s stories all the way through to Green Lantern taking solo billing again with #123.
But — still more — also a smattering of other related issues, including stories from World’s Finest Comics #201, #210, and #255, Brave and the Bold #100, DC Special Series #1, DC Super-Stars #17, and Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1. Nice to see DC bringing all of this together in one place.
• Harley Quinn Vol. 3: Verdict TP
Paperback edition of Harley Quinn Vol. 3: Verdict by Stephanie Phillips. Issues #13–17, my favorite of the run so far.
• Harley Quinn Vol. 5: Who Killed Harley Quinn? HC
In hardcover in March, issues #21–27, marking the end of Stephanie Phillips' run.
Collecting the renowned Grant Morrison series, now with the sundry miniseries and specials (the way it should be!). This is JLA #1–9, JLA Secret Files & Origins #1, JLA/WildC.A.T.s #1, JLA: Tomorrow Woman #1, JLA 80-Page Giant #1, JLA Annual #1 (“Pulp Heroes,” from 1997), JLA: Paradise Lost #1–3, and the JLA Gallery.
• Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3 HC
If only, y’know? This seems a remarkably comprehensive end to the Justice League International omnibus collections, including Justice League America #51–60, Secret Origins #33–35, Justice League America Annual #5 and Justice League Europe Annual #2 (“Armageddon 2001”), Green Lantern #18, Justice League Quarterly #2–5, JLA 80-Page Giant #1, Formerly Known as the Justice League #1–6, JLA: Classified #4–9, Justice League Europe #26–36, DC Retroactive: JLA - The '90s #1, and Justice League International Special #2. Now bring on the cut-down paperbacks.
• Justice League: The New 52 Book One TP
Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League in a new set of collections.
• Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The New Golden Age HC
First volume of the latest JSA series from Geoff Johns and Mikel Janin, in hardcover in February. Collects issues #1–6.
• The Kingdom: The 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC
The often-overlooked sequel to Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Ariel Olivetti. While not widely praised, I personally remember enjoying it. It also introduced Hypertime, a sensible continuity paradigm for DC. Coming in February, and indeed this release makes a lot more sense now. Collecting New Year’s Evil: Gog #1, The Kingdom #1-2, The Kingdom: Son of the Bat #1, The Kingdom: Nightstar #1, The Kingdom: Offspring #1, The Kingdom: Kid Flash #1, and The Kingdom: Planet Krypton #1.
• Knight Terrors: Knocturnal Creatures HC
On February 27 in hardcover, collecting Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #1–2, Knight Terrors: Poison Ivy #1–2, Knight Terrors: Punchline #1–2, Knight Terrors: Zatanna #1–2, and the previously unlisted Knight Terrors: The Joker #1–2, meaning yes, all the “Knight Terrors” miniseries will be collected.
• Knight Terrors: Terror Titans HC
On March 5, in hardcover, collecting Knight Terrors: Titans #1–2, Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1–2, Knight Terrors: Black Adam #1–2, Knight Terrors: Angel Breaker #1–2, and Knight Terrors: Ravager #1–2.
• The Little Endless Storybook Box Set HC
Jill Thompson’s Sandman-themed The Little Endless Storybook and Delirium’s Party: A Little Endless Storybook, in hardcover.
• Red Hood: Outlaws Volume One TP
The premiere collection of the Webtoon series, featuring Red Hood Jason Todd, Artemis, and Bizarro, in February.
• The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country – The Glass House HC
The latest six-issue miniseries under the Nightmare Country umbrella, by James Tynion.
• Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow TP
Coming in March in paperback, the six-issue miniseries by Kenny Porter.
• Superman: Action Comics Vol. 1: Rise of Metallo TP
Issues #1051–1056 by Philip Kennedy Johnson, in paperback in March. The backups by Dan Jurgens are collected elsewhere this month.
• Superman: Emperor Joker: The Deluxe Edition HC
One among many good events from the Jeph Loeb Superman era, and certainly deserving of this deluxe edition. Collects Superman #160–161, Adventures of Superman #582–583, Action Comics #769–770, Superman: The Man of Steel #104–105, and Superman: Emperor Joker #1. It would be even better if DC could ever see clear to include the powerful epilogue from Action Comics #784.
• Superman: Lois and Clark: Doom Rising TP
The backup tales by Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks from the Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special and Action Comics #1051–1057, in paperback in February. It’s interesting to wonder whether the inclusion of new “young Jon Kent” content is a way to acknowledge the character’s two distinct groups of fans.
• Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
Includes issues #241–265 of Action Comics and #122–137 of Superman from the 1950s, along with a new introduction by Karl Kesel.
• Teen Titans: Year One (2024 Edition) TP
New collection of the six-issue miniseries by Amy Wolfram and illustrated by Karl Kerschl. We’re swimming in Teen Titans origins these days, with another on the stands from Mark Waid.
Dennis Culver and Chris Burnham’s first collection, spinning out of Lazarus Planet, in hardcover this April.
In March, collecting the Webtoon series.
• WildC.A.T.s Vol. 2: Bloodshed for a Better Tomorrow HC
Matthew Rosenberg’s second collection, in hardcover this March, collecting issues #7–12.
A prediction: Absolute RIP will come soon-ish and include Batman 700-702 and Return of Bruce Wayne 1-6. It would be the first chronological collection of Bruce's journey - RIP into The Missing Chapters into RoBW (with 700 as an endcap/coda story). It'd also get all of Morrison's run in Absolute format and serve as a great companion piece to Absolute Final Crisis
ReplyDeleteI'll be getting Brave and the Bold, Green Lantern by Williamson, Action Comics, Superboy, and Lois and Clark for sure.
Big maybes on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, the new JLA collections (I have the original tpbs and skipped the omni - this format and level of completeness is alluring if I thought DC would follow through), and Emperor Joker
It would seem rather silly for DC to leave just part of Grant Morrison's Batman saga uncollected in the same format as the rest.
DeleteI like how the JLI vol 3 will lead right into the Superman and the Justice League paperbacks (which lead into the Death of Superman)
ReplyDeleteYes! I have a soft spot for that whole post-JLI, pre-JLA League era, from Superman as leader to Wonder Woman as leader, through Zero Hour into the ties to "Challenge of Artemis," "Way of the Warrior," and Underworld Unleashed ... though I imagine DC collecting Justice League Europe in the new Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3 is about as far as DC wants to push things with one problematic creator.
DeleteFYI, it looks like in the official solicit that the Justice Society of America hardcover also includes the New Golden Age special, and issues #1-7 -- not just issues #1-6 as you describe above!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right, particularly as pertains to the New Golden Age special, though I'm not seeing the updated listing myself. Where did you spot it?
DeleteIn the Newsarama solicitations.
DeleteThe Justice Society of America is back, and the New Golden Age begins! The world’s first and greatest superheroes return…or do they? A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But when the Huntress and the JSA team up with Stargirl and the lost children, how will they handle coming face-to-face with sidekicks they didn’t realize existed?! Can the two groups come together and find their rhythm, or will it be curtains for both? What happens here has massive ramifications for the next stage of the New Golden Age! Comics legend Geoff Johns returns to DC’s original superhero team in this new series. Collects The New Golden Age #1 and Justice Society of America #1-7.
As a religious solicitations watcher, I have to admit that I only skim the trade listings because these posts are so much more insightful and exciting.
ReplyDeleteCase in point, the Batman Beyond Compendium (thank you, DC editors!). The phrase "and Superman Adventures #64" brings joy to this continuity wonk's heart. Such an easy omission, but a completionist's dream. Dibs on this review? (And, of course, Season Three of The Adventures Continue, which has been... weird!)
Such a bummer you've been spoiled on World's Finest -- but it does make sense of why, of all books, The Kingdom is getting the deluxe treatment.
I have to think that listing for JLA Book One is incomplete. At 600 pages, the listed content looks a little slim. And if one is looking for a definitive collection of this era, I'd hope that "A Midsummer's Nightmare" gets included. Aside from being a three-issue mini by Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza, it's ostensibly the tee-up event that leads the Big Seven to retake the Justice League mantle. (Points, though, for including Tomorrow Woman #1! Now when are we getting a full "GirlFrenzy" collection?)
You've got dibs on the Batman Beyond review, of course!
DeleteI hope you're right about JLA Book One. Now that you mention it, it really wouldn't be complete without Midsummer's Nightmare.
JLA Year One is in the PRH catalog for June, so Midsummer's Nightmare would be incredibly orphaned if it didn't appear here (that is, there'd be no other good place to put it)
DeleteJLA: Year One would be an interesting place to put Midsummer's Nightmare, but I agree with Morrison's JLA would be optimal.
DeleteHi! The format of a few collections seem to be in flux. There are contradictions regarding: Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1: The Winning Card TP, Cyborg: Homecoming TP and Unstoppable Doom Patrol TP.
ReplyDeleteI just don't know. You'd think a Tom King/Mitch Gerads Batman story would be hardcover, but both the solicitations and a retailer say paperback. For a book coming out in five months, we may not know for sure until it gets closer.
DeleteThe Newsarama solicits I mentioned above for Justice Society, has all of these as softcover, with prices to match.
DeleteAbsolute Batman & Son gives me hope we may one day see an "Absolute Green Lantern: Prelude to Blackest Night" (collecting Rage of the Red Lanterns, Sins of the Star Sapphire, Agent Orange, and Titans #15).
ReplyDeleteHmm. I hope so, though I'd put a harder bet on a book containing just Geoff Johns' sundry shades of Green Lantern stories than something with tie-ins like the Titans issue.
DeleteTruth is, I just love that one issue of Titans because it is so often overlooked. It was the last book to carry the "Prelude" banner, but it was also released the same day as Blackest Night #1, so no one remembers it. Either way, I don't see how you could package "Prelude to Blackest Night" materials without including the Sins of Star Sapphire storyline from Peter Tomasi's Green Lantern Corps run.
DeleteOh, yeah, forgot that some of what you mentioned was Tomasi. Still kind of leaning toward just GL stories (by Johns _or_ Tomasi), but I do like hearing about favorite overlooked issues (especially as relates to crossovers!).
DeleteI think remember reading a solicitation for a "Secret Six by Gail Simone Omnibus" at some point in time. I hope that is still happening.
ReplyDeleteFor June 2024, supposedly. Not canceled yet!
DeleteDoes the Batman Beyond compendium include the Return of the Joker tie-in comic?
ReplyDeleteI would not bet money on the compendium including "Return of the Joker" (though its omission would be a real shame! But then I was pleasantly surprised when the Batman Adventures Omnibus included "Mask of the Phantasm." We'll see...
Delete