As we’ve been discussing, DC’s knocking out their major Superman- and Batman-family collections early in 2027. Instead, headlining their lists through to the summer (for the mainstream universe at least) are DC’s new Next Level entries.
Conceivably this is purposeful on DC’s part to juice awareness of the Next Level titles, but neither do I believe there’s that much forethought into it, nor that Next Level’s rise and fall depends on its trades, nor even that the miniseries-forward Next Level is necessarily supposed to last that long.
Last month included Deathstroke and Lobo (also Batwoman; I keep forgetting that’s Next Level). Now, in the DC Comics January 2027 trade paperback and hardcover solicitations, we see Zatanna Vol. 1, and then The Deadman Vol. 1 and Fury of Firestorm Vol. 1 — two books, notably, that were started as miniseries but have been popular enough to be extended into longer miniseries. (Other conspiracy theory is that DC believes people are more likely to take a chance on minis than ongoings, so they launch these books as miniseries and then keep extending them until 10 years later, Firestorm just never ended!).
Other big one this month is certainly Absolute Catwoman: The Yarn — possibly bigger really than the Next Level books. And that is about it! I’m pleased and intrigued to see collections of the 2000s Brave and the Bold series continue, what will eventually get into the Milestone characters and then J. Michael Straczynski takes over with team-ups like Batman/Brother Power the Geek and Doom Patrol/Legion of Super-Heroes. DC Finest has a Legion: Great Darkness collection that’s no more complete than some others, and ostensibly a Dennis O’Neil/Denys Cowan Question but that also contains earlier Steve Ditko Charlton issues as well.
The big Supergirl: The New 52 collection delights me to no end because it wasn’t particularly well regarded at the time, but now, look, an oversized $30 collection. As I’ll mention below, I would really like to read the issues in the Flash by William Messner-Loebs omnibus, a real slice of uncollected 1980s DC post-Crisis lore, but I have no faith the omnibus will end up in trades so much as it will DC Finest volumes, if at all.
Let’s look at the full list.
Recent DC Comics Trade Solicitations
- • Absolute Catwoman: The Yarn HC
In hardcover and paperback in March. Previously said to collect Absolute Catwoman #1–6, the full miniseries, plus Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand.
- • Absolute Planetary (2027 Edition) HC
Said to be a new printing of the Absolute, though I think the previous Absolute was two volumes? Contents listed are Planetary #1–27, Planetary Preview, Planetary/The Authority: Ruling the World, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth, and Planetary/JLA: Terra Occulta. In a previous solicitation, Gen 13 #33, WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years, and Wildstorm Summer Special #1 were also listed as included.
- • Aquaman by Geoff Johns Book Two TP
Should collect the end of Geoff Johns' New 52 Aquaman run; the previous solicitation had this at issues #14–19, #21–25, #23.1, and #23.2, and Justice League #15–17 (the “Throne of Atlantis” crossover). I reviewed Aquaman Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis and Aquaman Vol. 4: Death of a King in 2014.
- • Batgirl of Burnside: The Complete Collection TP
Collects Batgirl #35–52, Batgirl Annual #3, Batgirl: Endgame #1, DC Sneak Peek: Batgirl#1, and a story from Secret Origins #10, by Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, Babs Tarr, and company. I reviewed these as Batgirl Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside, Batgirl Vol. 2: Family Business, and Batgirl Vol. 3: Mindfields.
- • Batman: Prodigal (2027 Edition) TP
Reprinting of what seems to be the expanded 2019 anniversary edition of Prodigal. Collects Batman #512–514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32–34, Detective Comics #679–681, and Robin #0 and #11–13.
- • Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 HC
Issues #12–24 of the Mark Waid run. I reviewed these as Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Vol. 3: Elementary, Vol. 4: Return to Kingdom Come and parts of Vol. 5: Secret Origins.
- • Bizarro: Year None HC
In March in hardcover and paperback, the four-issue miniseries by Kevin Smith, Eric Carrasco, and Nick Pitarra.
- • Brave and the Bold Vol. 4: Without Sin (2027 Edition) TP
Issues #17–22, following Mark Waid’s run. This is team-ups of Supergirl and Raven by Marv Wolfman, and Green Lantern Hal Jordan/Phantom Stranger and Green Lantern/Green Arrow by David Hine.
- • Catwoman: Lonely City: Absolute Edition HC
Collects the four-issue miniseries by Cliff Chiang. I have been meaning to read this one for a long time. Among listed extras are a clamshell case, postcards, and a souvenir keychain? I’m just thinking about when non-flat objects have been packaged with comics and how often that’s caused damage; I don’t think DC wants many returns on a $100 book.
- • DC Finest: Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga TP
Recent collections have included as much as Legion of Super-Heroes issues #284–296 and the Annual #1; this is said to be Legion #284–#300 (previous listings included #301–302 and #305–306), the annual, and also Legion appearances from DC Comics Presents #43 and #59, World’s Finest Comics #283–284, and Brave and the Bold #198 (Best of DC: Blue Ribbon Digest #24, which seemed to be an error, is no longer listed).
- • DC Finest: Superman Family: The Stray Superdog TP
Collecting issues from the 1970s: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #163; Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #136; and stories from Superman #271, #275, #279, #282, and #286–287; Action Comics #436, #438, #440–441, #461–462, #465, #467–468, #472, and #475; and Superman Family #164, #166–167, #169–170, #172–173, #175–176, #178–179, and #181–186.
- • DC Finest: The Question: Zen and Violence TP
Borrowing a name from a 2007 collection of the 1980s Dennis O’Neil/Denys Cowan series, this does collect their Question #1–15 (which would actually take us to the third collection of that series) but then also Blue Beetle #4–7 and some of the 1960s original Charlton comics, including Blue Beetle #1–5, Americomics Special #1, Mysterious Suspense #1, and The Charlton Bullseye #1 and #5. Previously listed but not anymore are entries from Who’s Who Update '87 #4 and Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19.
- • The Deadman Vol. 1 TP
Collects the first six-issue issues of the DC Next Level miniseries by W. Maxwell Prince and artist Martín Morazzo, in paperback in March. This was supposed to be just six issues by was extended to 12 in August.
- • Elseworlds Superman Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
Said to collect Superman: Last Stand on Krypton #1, Superman: Last Son of Earth #1–2, Superman: Red Son #1–3, Superman: A Nation Divided #1, Superman: True Brit #1, Son of Superman #1, Superman, Inc. #1, Superman: The Last Family of Krypton #1–3, The Superman Monster #1, Superman: War of the Worlds #1, Superboy’s Legion #1–2, Supergirl: Wings #1, and a story from DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1. As expected, Superman: Rebirth #1 and Superman (vol. 4) #1–6, which were listed earlier as being included, are no longer there.
- • The Flash by William Messner-Loebs and Greg Larocque Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
Would loooove to see these as trades. This one collects Flash #29–61, Adventures of Superman #463, Hawkworld Annual #1, DC Retroactive: Flash – The '80s #1, and stories from Flash Special #1 and Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2. Ends directly before Mark Waid’s run, with appearances by Dr. Alchemy, Gorilla Grodd, Kilg%re, Vandal Savage, Chunk, Elongated Man, and a “War of the Gods” tie-in.
- • The Fury of Firestorm TP
Coming in March in paperback. The original solicitation said this collected six issues by Jeff Lemire and Rafael De Latorre, but the mini was later extended to nine issues and then to 15, and now this current solicitation says nine issues. That’s a lot for a trade, so we’ll see what actually turns up.
- • Green Arrow: Year One – The Deluxe Edition (2027 Edition) HC
Deluxe printing of the six-issue miniseries by Andy Diggle and Jock. Jonathan Atkins guest-reviewed Green Arrow: Year One in 2008.
- • Green Lantern Rebirth: DC Compact Comics Edition TP
Compact collection of the six-issue Green Lantern: Rebirth, plus the first six issues of the Geoff Johns series, Green Lantern: No Fear.
- • Green Lantern: Blackest Night Compendium TP
Collects Blackest Night #0–8, Green Lantern #39–52, Green Lantern Corps #33–46, Blackest Night: JSA #1–3, Blackest Night: The Flash #1–3, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1–3, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1–3, Adventure Comics #7, The Atom and Hawkman #46, Green Arrow and Black Canary #30, Phantom Stranger #42, and Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1. This was my 2010 definitive Blackest Night reading order.
- • Green Lantern: Destiny TP
Third and final book in the young adult series by Minh Lê and Andie Tong, in April in paperback.
- • JLA: Tower of Babel Compact Comics Edition TP
In Compact format; collects Mark Waid’s “Tower of Babel” proper, JLA #43–46, and two stories from JLA Secret Files #3; no longer listed are Waid’s JLA fill-in issues, JLA #18–21 and #32–33.
- • Justice League: Heroes United: DC Compact Comics Adventures TP
Collects the first seven issues of the animated tie-in series, written by Adam Beechen with art by Carlo Barberi, Walden Wong, and more.
- • Justice League: The New 52 Book Four TP
Collects Justice League #35–52, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League #1, and the Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1. That’s most of the “Amazo Virus” story from Justice League Vol. 6: Injustice League and then Justice League Vol. 7: The Darkseid War, Part 1 and Vol. 8: The Darkseid War, Part 2. Omitted seem to be the specials collected in Justice League: The Darkseid War: Power of the Gods.
- • The Manifestations of Bobby Park TP
Black and white “manga style” young adult graphic novel by Jeremy Holt and Chong Hou, set in Central City.
- • The Nice House by the Sea Vol. 2 TP
Collects James Tynion’s Nice House by the Sea #7–12. I adored Nice House on the Lake – bring on the full 12-issue collection, please!
- • Supergirl: The New 52 Book One TP
Collects Supergirl #0–13, Superman #0 and #6, and Superboy #0 and #6. That’s the first two volumes, Supergirl Vol. 1: Last Daughter of Krypton and Supergirl Vol. 2: Girl in the World, plus the Superman: H’el on Earth crossover.
- • Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2 (2027 Edition) HC
Collecting Action Comics #308–340, #342, #344–350, #353–354, and #356–376.
- • Superman: Father of Tomorrow HC
The six-issue miniseries from Kenny Porter, who I mainly know from Superboy: Man of Tomorrow (title coincidence?), and Danny Earls. The synopsis sounds positively utopic, so I wonder what the actual conflict is (probably Luthor. Looks like it’s Luthor).
- • Superman: Man of Steel Compact Comics Edition TP
Compact collection of the seminal six-issue John Byrne miniseries.
- • Teen Titans Go!: Truth, Justice, Pizza: DC Compact Comics Adventures TP
Collects the first six issues of the 2004 animated tie-in series by J. Torres, with art by Todd Nauck among others.
- • Wonder Woman: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
From the 1970s, collecting Wonder Woman #204–227 (ending the “mod” era by Dennis O’Neil and beginning the run by Robert Kanigher); Justice League of America #128–129, #143, and #146; Secret Origins #3; Supergirl #9; Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #136; Freedom Fighters #4–5; The Brave and the Bold #131 and #140; Super-Team Family #14; Metal Men #56; and Super Friends #11.
- • Wonder Woman: Year One DC Compact Comics Edition TP
The Greg Rucka Rebirth stories: Wonder Woman #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and stories from Wonder Woman Annual #1. My belief is still that this makes more sense in total when combined with Rucka’s odd-numbered The Truth, but I can’t blame DC not being able to resist a “Year One.” I reviewed this as Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One in 2017.
- • Zatanna Vol. 1: The Greatest Tour TP
In February in paperback, collecting the first six issues of Jamal Campbell’s DC Next Level series. I’ve never really clicked with Zatanna, the character, but Campbell was nominated for an Eisner for his Zatanna miniseries. Since I'm keeping up with Next Level, this will probably be my opportunity to get current.
Start the Conversation
To post a comment, you may need to temporarily allow "cross-site tracking" in your browser of choice.