DC’s next new publishing initiative is about to get underway for us trade-waiters — well, if “about to” is February 2025, but no matter. The DC Comics December 2024 trade paperback and hardcover solicitations see the arrival of the three Absolute Power collections — three is markedly conservative as far as DC events go, but we know there will be no small amount of regular titles that also have Absolute Power tie-in issues.
Among regular series collections, I’ve got my eye on Chip Zdarsky’s Batman Vol. 4, Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3, Red Hood: The Hill, Shazam! Vol. 2, World’s Finest Vol. 5, Green Lantern: War Journal Vol. 2, and Justice Society of America Vol. 2. That’s not a bad haul overall.
Among “specialty” books, I’m sure to check out Juni Ba’s The Boy Wonder; Mystik U is also a blast from the recent past that might bear reading. We haven’t talked much here about the new listings of DC Finest books, but I notice both DC Finest: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters and DC Finest: Teen Titans: The Judas Contract have issues you won’t find anywhere else, increasing my interest in these “eras” volumes. Of corse, the Forever Evil Omnibus is here too if you need to do some heavy lifting.
The full list? Why, I’m glad you asked!
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Recent DC Comics Trade Solicitations |
- • Absolute Power HC
Solicited before the series has even completed, which, if you’ve been reading trades as long as I have, you’d know was unheard of once upon a time. Collects Absolute Power #1–4 and Absolute Power: Ground Zero, in hardcover on Feb. 4, 2025. Looking less and less like we’ll get that Dawn of DC Primer story included, and also I’m not sure which book has Absolute Power: Super Son in it.
- • Absolute Power Origins TP
Collects the three-issue miniseries by John Ridley and Alitha Martinez, also on Feb. 4, 2025, in paperback.
- • Absolute Power: Task Force VII TP
Also on Feb. 4, 2025, in paperback, collecting the seven-issue miniseries.
- • Absolute Superman: Red Son HC
Mark Millar’s three-issue miniseries, in Absolute format.
- • Batman '89: Echoes TP
The second Batman '89 miniseries, in paperback by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, coming in February.
- • Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Book Two TP
Collects Batman and Robin (vol. 2) #15–28 and Batman and Robin Annual #1–2. This takes us from Death of the Family through Damian Wayne’s "death" and the Two-Face focused Batman and Robin Vol. 5: The Big Burn.
- • Batman and Robin Vol. 2 TP
The second volume by Joshua Williamson, coming in paperback at the beginning of February.
- • Batman by James Tynion IV Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
Grok that snazzy new cover by Jorge Jimenez. This collects Batman #86–105, Batman Annual #5, Batman 2021 Annual #1, Batman: The Joker War Zone #1, Batman: Secret Files #3, Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1, Punchline #1, The Joker #1–4, and stories from Batman #85, Batman #107–111, Infinite Frontier #0, The Joker: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and The Joker #14. That takes us from Dark Designs to Joker War to Cowardly Lot, ahead of the Fear State crossover; I’m wondering if the Joker material is actually Punchline stories set around Batman events or what that is.
- • Batman Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
Collects Batman #501–508, Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #59–61, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #19–28, Catwoman #6–7, Detective Comics #667–675, Justice League Task Force #5–6, Robin #1–2 and 7, and Showcase '94 #7, being the “Crusade” and “Search” storylines.
- • Batman Vol. 4: Dark Prisons HC
The next volume by Chip Zdarsky, arriving in hardcover in March 2025.
- • Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles (2025 Edition) TP
Reprints issues #25–32 by Tom King and Mikel Janin. I reviewed War of Jokes and Riddles in 2017.
- • Batman/Superman: World's Finest Vol. 5: Secret Origins HC
In hardcover in February, collecting Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #18–19 and #25 and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2024 Annual #1. That issue #25 is oversized, though this still seems a little thin to me; I wonder how much of 176 pages is a variant cover gallery.
- • Batwoman: Elegy: DC Compact Comics Edition TP
Detective Comics #854–860 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams, in the smaller size and at a $9.99 price point.
- • The Boy Wonder HC
In hardcover in February, by Juni Ba.
- • Brave and the Bold Vol. 2: The Book of Destiny TP
Issues #7–12 by Mark Waid, reprinting the collection originally released in 2009.
- • DC Finest: Doom Patrol: The World's Strangest Heroes TP
1960s adventures of the Doom Patrol by Arnold Drake and Bob Haney, including My Greatest Adventure #80–85, Doom Patrol #86–102, Brave and the Bold #65, Challengers of the Unknown #48, and Teen Titans #6. Do the Bronze Age pre-Morrison material and I’m in.
- • DC Finest: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters TP
Collects Mike Grell and company’s Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters #1–3, Green Arrow #1–8, Green Arrow Annual #1, Detective Comics Annual #1, Question #17–18, and Question Annual #1, published from August 1987 to October 1988. Indeed that’s more issues than are in the recent Grell trades, including that three-part annuals crossover; you love to see more stuff collected, though the double-dipping stings.
- • DC Finest: Harley Quinn: Birth of the Mirth TP
Collects Batman Adventures #12 and Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1, and then what seem to be relatively sequential appearances of Harley in the comics from “No Man’s Land” through to her first series: Batman: Harley Quinn #1, Harley Quinn #1–8, Action Comics #765, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #126, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #60, Batman #570 and #573–574, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #93, Detective Comics #737 and #740–741, Catwoman #82–84 and #89, and a story from Batman: Gotham Knights #14.
- • DC Finest: Teen Titans: The Judas Contract TP
Another that expands a bit what’s been collected before, this is New Teen Titans #33–40, New Teen Titans Annual #2, Tales of the Teen Titans #41–47, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3, Vigilante #3, Batman and the Outsiders #5, Action Comics #546, and World’s Finest Comics #300. That’s a fairly broad recounting of most of Terra’s appearances from July 1983 to March 1984, culminating after “Judas Contract” proper.
- • DCeased: DC Compact Comics Edition TP
Compact collection of Tom Taylor’s original six-issue miniseries, give or take DCeased: A Good Day to Die.
- • Far Sector: The Deluxe Edition HC
Glad to see the N.K. Jemisin/Jamal Campbell 12-issue miniseries book getting another nod (I reviewed Far Sector in 2021), and the inclusion of a story from DC Power 2024, with new introductions and so on. (The earlier solicitation also listed stories from Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, DC Pride #1, and DC Power: A Celebration #1, but something’s better than nothing).
- • The Flash by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar: The Deluxe Edition HC
Deluxe collection of Flash #130–141, Green Lantern #96, and Green Arrow #130 by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar, plus stories from Flash 80-Page Giant #1 (“Your Life Is My Business” by Millar) and Secret Origins #50 (“Flash of Two Worlds” by Morrison). Most of this was previously released as a hardcover and also as two paperbacks: Flash: Emergency Stop and Flash: The Human Race.
- • Forever Evil Omnibus HC
I did enjoy this DC event, though as I said regarding the DC Comics Spring 2025 solicitations, a theme here feels like we’re omnibusing things maybe no one’s asking for while leaving less collected things still uncollected. Also, notably, this new solicitation lists the contents as just Forever Evil #1–7, Forever Evil Aftermath: Batman vs. Bane #1, Forever Evil Director’s Cut #1, Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. #1–6, Forever Evil: Arkham War #1–6, Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1–6, Justice League #24–29, Justice League of America #8–14, Nightwing #30, and Suicide Squad #24–30. That omits Justice League Dark #24–29, Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #12–17, Constantine #9–12, Trinity of Sin: Pandora #4–9, listed previously, which constitute the loosely related Justice League Dark crossover Forever Evil: Blight — I’m not surprised, because though they shared a name, the two crossovers didn’t have much to do with one another. I reviewed Forever Evil in 2014.
- • Green Lantern: War Journal Vol. 2: The Builder TP
Second and final collection by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, in paperback in January 2025, collecting issues #7–12 and the epilogue from Green Lantern #15.
- • Harley Quinn's Bud and Lou: Trouble Times Two TP
Ben Hed teams Bud and Lou with the Super-Pets in all-ages graphic novel.
- • Icon vs. Hardware TP
The five-issue miniseries, in paperback following the hardcover, by Reginald Hudlin, Leon Chills, Denys Cowan, and more.
- • John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America TP
Collects the 11-issue miniseries by Si Spurrier and Aaron Campbell.
- • Justice Society of America Vol. 2 HC
In hardcover in February by Geoff Johns, Mikel Janin, and company, collecting issues #6–12; the final collection of the new Johns run.
- • The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1: The Absolute Edition HC
If I’m not mistaken, this is just the first miniseries by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, with extras.
- • Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga Deluxe Edition HC
Collects Legion of Super-Heroes (Vol. 2) #284–296 and the first annual. I reviewed the deluxe Great Darkness Saga in 2012.
- • Milestone Compendium Four TP
Continuing the classic Milestone compendiums, this is Blood Syndicate #28–32, Hardware #29–38, Icon #28–37, Static#26–31, Xombi #12–21, Shadow Cabinet#14–17, My Name is Holocaust #1–5, and The Long Hot Summer #1–3. This is just a little short of the end of most of these series, so maybe one more book? In paperback in February.
- • Mystik U: Freshman Year Enchantments TP
Collects Alisa Kwitney and Mike Norton’s three-issue miniseries from 2017. Starring Zatanna and company, there was some question at the time whether this would be the new, young status quo of the magic users in the DCU, but it never quite seemed to catch on; good and interesting to see DC repurposing this for a YA audience.
- • Prez by Mark Russell and Ben Caldwell: The Deluxe Edition HC
Deluxe of the recent Prez: Setting a Dangerous President collection, which included Mark Russell’s Prez #1–6, a story from the Catwoman: Election Night special, and a new story. I reviewed the original collection, Prez Vol. 1: Corndog-in-Chief, in 2016. Notably this includes an afterword by the not-often-heard-from DC EIC Marie Javins.
- • Red Hood: The Hill TP
In paperback, collecting issues #0–6 by Shawn Martinbrough, which includes the Red Hood:Outlaw issues #51–52, previously uncollected. I’d be curious to know what strange alchemy led to Martinbrough continuing his Red Hood story some three years after DC canceled that title.
- • Shazam! Vol. 2 TP
In paperback in February, Mark Waid’s final volume on the title, issues #7–12.
- • Static: Season One: DC Compact Comics Edition TP
The six-issue “Milestone Returns” miniseries by Vita Ayala, Reginald Hudlin, Nikolas Draper-Ivey, Chriscross, and Denys Cowan, in Compact size.
- • Static: Shadows of Dakota TP
Paperback, following the hardcover, of the six-issue miniseries by Vita Ayala and Nikolas Draper-Ivey.
- • Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3: Revenge of the Demon TP
In paperback in February.
- • Superman: Birthright: DC Compact Comics Edition TP
The 12-issue miniseries by Mark Waid with Leinil Francis Yu and Gerry Alanguilan, in Compact format. Did I … did I never review Birthright, even in retrospect?
Absolute Power, B&R by Williamson, GL:WJ, Action Comics (the PKJ finale two-fer), Milestone v4 (hopefully that wraps up in Feb 2026), and probably Far Sector (I've read it already, but I'd like a shelf-copy). Very solid month for me
ReplyDeleteIt did seem a refreshingly good month of "regular" books, likely a sign of the new year getting underway.
DeleteMixed bag on the DC Finest for me. The Green Arrow line might be worth replacing my Grell trades (the glue there is starting to crack), but the Teen Titans run doesn't have enough new content for me. But that all-in Harley Quinn trade is fascinating -- glad to see the DCAU getting its due, though if ever a character demanded it, it's this one.
ReplyDeleteIcon vs Hardware has the stealth subtitle "Worlds Collide, Act One" -- which should send a frisson of delight to readers of a certain inclination. (I presume the forthcoming "Shadow Cabinet" is Act Two.) So I'm glad to see a fourth compendium on its way. Should include Hardware 39-50, Icon 38-42, Static 32-45, Shadow Cabinet 18, Kobalt 15-16, and Heroes 1-6. That puts us around 40 issues; if it could include Rebirth of the Cool and/or Wise Son, that would be gravy.
To that point, it's interesting to see the Static reboot getting a Compact Edition. The art really sings on that book, but I would say that the original Static has aged pretty well, too.
I hate to admit I don't read as much Milestone as I'd like, in part because it's another clearly expansive universe to keep track of. Following that "Worlds Collide" mention toward what's always seemed it's natural conclusion, I'm just waiting for DC to give me a reason to delve into Milestone due to an eventual intersection. I'd gladly take the bait.
DeleteJust want to let you know that you listed "Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles" as a hardcover whereas Amazon has it as a trade paperback, and "Batman '89: Echoes" is listed here as a TP then directly below, you mention it'll be in hardcover format. Thanks as always for the solicitations.
ReplyDeleteGood catches, both. Echoes was my mistake; War of Jokes and Riddles seems to be a solicitation error, but it does seem to actually be paperback. Thanks for the updates!
DeleteYou're very welcome. Keep up the great work.
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