DC Comics And Vertigo Collected Edition Solicitations For December 2011

Having taken a look at December's titles from DC's New 52, Vertigo and DC Kids lines, it's time to check out what for many readers is the main event of any comic book shipping schedule: the collected editions, which compile and usually complete comics stories initially serialized monthly in 20-page pamphlet-style comics you totally can't put on a shelf. Below you will find the cover artwork and hype copy for new trade paperbacks, hardcovers and omnibuses coming from DC Comics this December and beyond, including an Absolute Edition of Batman: Dark Victory; new printings of Ed Brubaker and Cameron Stewart's Catwoman; the first of a series of hardcover volume collecting Warren Ellis' StormWatch; and the long awaited Flex Mentallo collection by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.

Additionally, we've included solicitations for new titles from the DC Comics Presents series, reprinting in single-issue form notable stories including more of John Ostrander and Timothy Truman's Superman story The Kents as well as Captain Atom by James Robinson & Greg Rucka and Cafu.T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS CHRONICLES VOL. 1 TP

Written by LARRY IVIE, WALLY WOOD and others • Art by WALLY WOOD, MIKE SEKOWSKY, GIL KANE, GEORGE TUSKA, REED CRANDALL and others Cover by WALLY WOOD • On sale JANUARY 4 • 248 pg, FC, $29.99 US

The first four issues of the sensational adventure comic originally published by Tower Comics are collected in this new series presenting the 1960s adventures of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents in chronological order for the very first time!

BATMAN BEYOND: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TP

Written by ADAM BEECHEN • Art by RYAN BENJAMIN, JOHN STANISCI, EDUARDO PANSICA and ABEL FERREIRA • Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

On sale JANUARY 25 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

In these new stories from issues #1-8 of the hit series, a super-powered criminal has gotten in way over his head – and the whole Justice League has come to Neo-Gotham to hunt him down!

ABSOLUTE BATMAN: DARK VICTORY

Written by JEPH LOEB

Art and cover by TIM SALE

On sale MAY 23 • 408 pg, 8.25" x 12.5", FC, $99.99 US

Presenting the classic tale of the Dark Knight from writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale for the first time in DC's upscale Absolute format!

Collecting BATMAN: DARK VICTORY #0-13, this epic continues the story of THE LONG HALLOWEEN. It is early in Batman's crimefighting career, when James Gordon, Harvey Dent, and the vigilante himself were all just beginning their roles as Gotham's protectors.

Once a town controlled by organized crime, Gotham City suddenly finds itself being run by lawless freaks, such as Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and the Joker. Witnessing his city's dark evolution, the Dark Knight completes his transformation into the city's greatest defender. He faces multiple threats, including the seeming return of a serial killer called Holiday. Batman's previous investigation of Holiday's killings revealed that more than one person was responsible for the murders. So the question remains: who is committing Holiday's crimes this time? And how many will die before Batman learns the truth?

BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE TP

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by CHRIS SPROUSE, FRAZER IRVING,

RYAN SOOK, YANICK PAQUETTE, LEE GARBETT, GEORGES JEANTY, KARL STORY and MICK GRAY

Cover by ANDY KUBERT

On sale JANUARY 4 • 232 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Grant Morrison's best-selling multipart Batman epic continues with this collection of the six-issue miniseries, now in trade paperback! Witness Bruce Wayne's adventures across time as he is swept through the time stream, from the ancient days that predate history itself through epics set in the times of pirates and the Old West, through his triumphant return to present day Gotham City!

CATWOMAN VOL. 1 TP

Written by ED BRUBAKER and DARWYN COOKE

Art by DARWYN COOKE, BRAD RADER, CAMERON STEWART, MICHAEL ALLRED and RICK BURCHETT

Cover by DARWYN COOKE

On sale JANUARY 25 • 336 pg, FC, $29.99 US

Don't miss this new collection of CATWOMAN: SELINA'S BIG SCORE, plus stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #759-762 and CATWOMAN #1-9, featuring the work of Ed Brubaker, Darwyn Cooke and more!

RESURRECTION MAN VOL. 1 TP

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by BUTCH GUICE, JOE PHILLIPS, TOM GRINDBERG, MIKE MCKONE and others

Cover by BUTCH GUICE

On sale JANUARY 11 • 336 pg, FC, $29.99 US

Issues #1-14 of the cult favorite series is collected at last!

Mitch Shelley can be killed, but every time he comes back, he has a different power – a new ability that sometimes is a blessing, sometimes a deadly curse.

His deaths and rebirths leave him disoriented, but with the help of a new friend, Mitch discovers bits of his past, although the origin of his powers remains a mystery. Meanwhile, Resurrection Man's creators have set the ruthless female assassins called the Body Doubles on his trail. Also pursuing Mitch is a sociopath named Hooker, a test survivor like Mitch with one big difference: Hooker's body is not repairing itself.

THE DC UNIVERSE BY ALAN MOORE HC

Written by ALAN MOORE

Art by Jim Aparo, Brian Bolland, Paris Cullins, George Freeman, Dave Gibbons, Klaus Janson, Kevin O'Neill, Joe Orlando, George Pérez, Kurt Schaffenberger, Curt Swan, Rick Veitch, Al Williamson, Bill Willingham, JIM BAIKIE and MICHAEL LOPEZ

Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 304 pg, FC, $39.99 US

The work of Alan Moore (WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN) during the 1980s is a benchmark for great stories with fresh approaches to iconic characters. Collected in this volume are all of Moore's Superman and Batman stories, including ACTION COMICS #583, BATMAN ANNUAL #11, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, DC COMICS PRESENTS #85, DETECTIVE COMICS #549-550, GREEN LANTERN #188, THE OMEGA MEN #26-27, SECRET ORIGINS #10, SUPERMAN #423, TALES OF THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS ANNUAL #2 & 3, SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11 and VIGILANTE #17-18, plus VOODOO #1-4, DEATHBLOW: BY BLOWS #1-3 and more!

THE FLASH: THE DASTARDLY DEATH OF THE ROGUES TP

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL and SCOTT KOLINS

Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale JANUARY 11 • 228 pg, FC, $14.99 US

The Fastest Man Alive must solve the murder of one of his greatest foes and protect his other foes from an elusive killer in this title collection THE FLASH #1-6 and THE FLASH SECRET FILES 2010!

Racing out of BLACKEST NIGHT, The Flash returns to his life in Central City – but when one of his Rogues Gallery of foes turns up murdered under mysterious circumstances, it's up to The Fastest Man Alive to solve this bizarre crime and protect those who are targeted by the killer.

SUPERMAN: THE REIGN OF DOOMSDAY HC

Written by PAUL CORNELL, DAMON LINDELOF, PAUL DINI, GEOFF JOHNS, DAVID GOYER, RICHARD DONNER, DEREK HOFFMAN and BRIAN STELFREEZE

Art by PETE WOODS, JESUS MERINO, KENNETH ROCAFORT, RAGS MORALES, DAN JURGENS, ARDIAN SYAF, GARY FRANK, JAMAL IGLE, RYAN SOOK, R.B. SAF, BRIAN STELFREEZE and MATT CAMP

Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 200 pg, FC, $22.99 US

Doomsday has returned in these tales from ACTION COMICS #900-904! The monster that once Superman's life in a battle that destroyed half of Metropolis is back for another round with the Man of Steel. Writer Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, KNIGHT AND SQUIRE) pens a tale that not only puts Superman in a fight for his life – but in a fight for the life of Superboy, Supergirl and all members of the Superman family.

SUPERMAN: WAR OF THE SUPERMEN TP

Written by JAMES ROBINSON and STERLING GATES • Art by EDDY BARROWS, AARON LOPRESTI and others • Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale JANUARY 18 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US

The final chapter in the critically acclaimed NEW KRYPTON storyline is collected in this hardcover featuring SUPERMAN: WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0-4 and a page from SUPERMAN #700!

STORMWATCH VOL. 1 HC

Written by WARREN ELLIS • Art by TOM RANEY, PETE WOODS, MICHAEL RYAN, JIM LEE, RANDY ELLIOT, SALEEM CRAWFORD and RICHARD BENNETT • Cover by TOM RANEY and RANDY ELLIOTT

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 296 pg, FC, $39.99 US

Don't miss this new collection of Warren Ellis's STORMWATCH epics from issues #37-47, as The Weatherman transforms the team into a proactive, take-no-prisoners strike force. Starring Jack Hawksmoor, Battalion, Jenny Sparks, Apollo, Midnighter, Rose Tattoo and more!

SECRET SIX: THE DARKEST HOUSE TP

Written by GAIL SIMONE and KEITH GIFFEN • Art by J. CALAFIORE, MATTHEW CLARK and RON RANDALL • Cover by DANIEL LUVISI

On sale JANUARY 18 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

Collected from issues #30-36 and DOOM PATROL #19! A member of the team is determined to bring back a loved one from the Gates of Hell, and Bane must face his inner demons!

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE SPECTRE TP

Written by GARDNER FOX, MICHAEL FLEISHER and others

Art by MURPHY ANDERSON, NEAL ADAMS, JIM APARO and others

Cover by APARO • On sale JANUARY 18 • 592 pg, B&W, $19.99 US

Don't miss these grim tales of vengeance from the pages of SHOWCASE #60, 61 and 64, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #72, 75, 116, 180 and 199, THE SPECTRE #1-10, ADVENTURE COMICS #431-440, DC COMICS PRESENTS #29 and GHOSTS #97-99.

SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY VOL. 1 TP

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by J.H. WILLIAMS III, SIMONE BIANCHI, CAMERON STEWART, FRAZER IRVING, RYAN SOOK and MICK GRAY

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale JANUARY 4 • 400 pg, FC, $29.99 US

Collecting Grant Morrison's magnum opus including SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY #0, THE GUARDIAN #1-4, KLARION #1-3, ZATANNA #1-3 and THE SHINING KNIGHT #1-3. Independently, each of these heroes is featured in a story arc that redefines their purpose in the DC Universe. But their stories also interweave with the other soldiers' tales and tell a grander story of a devastating global threat to mankind. These reluctant champions must arise and work together to save the world without ever meeting one another.

YOUNG JUSTICE VOL. 1 TP

Written by KEVIN HOPPS, GREG WEISMAN, ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO Art by MIKE NORTON, CHRISTOPHER JONES and DAN DAVIS

Cover by MIKE NORTON

On sale JANUARY 11 • 160 pg, FC, $12.99 US

In these stories from YOUNG JUSTICE #0-6, the team takes on The Joker, meets Snapper Carr and trades campfire tales of past battles alongside their crimefighter mentors.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE VOL. 3 HC

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE, SEAN MURPHY and DANIJEL ZEZELJ

Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 288 pg, FC, $24.99 US MATURE READERS

Two epic World War II tales in one massive volume! This gorgeous hardcover includes AMERICAN VAMPIRE #12-18 plus the acclaimed 5-issue miniseries SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST!

In the Pacific, Pearl's husband Henry joins a clandestine group on a secret mission to Japan to hunt a new breed of bloodsucker. Meanwhile, Skinner Sweet has plans of his own...

And in Euope, vampire hunters Felicia Book and Cash McCogan go behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Romania in search of a rumored vampire cure.

Blood and bullets abound in this new collection from the Eisner Award-winning series!

FLEX MENTALLO: MAN OF MUSCLE MYSTERY DELUXE EDITION HC

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art and cover by FRANK QUITELY

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 112 pg, FC, 7.0625" x 10.875", $22.99 US • MATURE READERS

Once he was Hero of the Beach...and of the Doom Patrol. Now Flex Mentallo, Man of Muscle Mystery, returns to investigate the sinister dealings of his former comrade, The Fact, and a mysterious rock star whose connection to Flex may hold the key to saving them both.

Don't miss this deluxe hardcover collecting the four-issue miniseries from the team behind ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, including a special sketch section and recolored art.

NOCHE ROJA TP

Written by SIMON OLIVER

Art by JASON LATOUR

Cover by LEE BERMEJO

On sale JANUARY 4 • 184 pg, B&W, $12.99 US MATURE READERS

In the tradition of Chinatown and L.A. Confidential, writer Simon Oliver explores a hidden world of corruption where money, sex, politics and crime all add up to the same thing.

In the desert just south of the border, young women are turning up murdered. No suspects. No clues. And authorities seem uninterested in uncovering any. When ex-private eye Jack Cohen is hired to find one missing girl, he is drawn back into the shadow world between North and South. And there, he must face the terrible tragedy in his past that he's been running from all these years.

Featuring the gritty, stylized artwork of Jason Latour, NOCHE ROJA is a gripping noir tale of how the insatiable craving for cheap consumer goods leads to the ultimate cheapening of life itself.

SWEET TOOTH VOL. 4: ENDANGERED SPECIES TP

Written by JEFF LEMIRE • Art by JEFF LEMIRE, MATT KINDT,

NATE POWELL and EMI LENOX • Cover by JEFF LEMIRE

On sale JANUARY 25 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS

In these stories from issues #18-25, Gus reluctantly joins Jepperd on a missing persons hunt as the tension between the two continues to grow. Meanwhile, Lucy and the girls meet the enigmatic Walter Fish.

THE UNWRITTEN VOL. 5: ON TO GENESIS TP

Written by MIKE CAREY • Art by PETER GROSS and VINCE LOCKE

Cover by YUKO SHIMIZU

On sale JANUARY 11 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US • MATURE READERS

In this new title collecting issues #24-30, Tom heads to New York, where the worldly goods of Wilson Taylor are being auctioned off – and the only thing more dangerous than the other bidders is the auctioneer. Then, Tom goes to extreme measures to learn about his father's activities in the Golden Age of comic books!

DC COMICS PRESENTS: THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2

Written by GEOFF JOHNS, RICHARD DONNER and MICHAEL SHOEMAKER

Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, GARY FRANK, CLAYTON HENRY, ERIC WIGHT, JOE PRADO and JON SIBAL

Cover by AARON LOPRESTI

On sale DECEMBER 28 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US MATURE READERS

Collecting Legion of Super-Heroes stories written by Geoff Johns! First, in the co-feature from ADVENTURE COMICS #0-4, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord, Sun Boy and Polar Boy team up to figure out what's up with a menace trying to destroy the universe, and Dawnstar is on the trail of the person who's been causing trouble for the Legion.

This issue also includes a SUPERMAN/LEGION tale from ACTION COMICS #864, the Legion's appearance from ACTION COMICS #900 and a story starring Mon El story from ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #10.

DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN: BLAZE OF GLORY #1

Written by WILL PFEIFER and ADAM BEECHEN • Art by CHRIS WESTON, STEVE SCOTT and NATHAN MASSENGILL • Cover by CHRIS WESTON

On sale DECEMBER 28 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

From BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #197-199 and 212, a criminal with something to prove stalks Batman, and a young man takes his date to a Gotham City rooftop to look for the Dark Knight.

DC COMICS PRESENTS THE KENTS #2

Written by JOHN OSTRANDER • Art by TIMOTHY TRUMAN and MICHAEL BAIR • Cover by TIMOTHY TRUMAN

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

In these tales from THE KENTS #5-8, the war is on, and Nathan Kent is scouting for General Lyons while his brother rides with Quantrill.

DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN: THE SECRET CITY #1

Written by DYLAN HORROCKS and J. TORRES • Art by RAMON BACHS, DAVID LOPEZ and others • Cover by TOM FOWLER

On sale DECEMBER 14 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

Batman and Oracle must solve a string of murders in a part of Gotham City no one knew existed, leading Oracle into a world of her greatest dreams – and nightmares. Plus: Batman tangles with Mr. Freeze! From LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT # 180-181 and 190-191.

DC COMICS PRESENTS CAPTAIN ATOM #1

Written by JAMES ROBINSON and GREG RUCKA

Art and cover by CAFU

On sale DECEMBER 7 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

In the popular co-feature from ACTION COMICS #879-889, Captain Atom's memory is falling apart right in the heat of battle! Can he get it together in time to face off again Major Disaster?

DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN: URBAN LEGEND #1

Written by BILL WILLINGHAM, DEVIN GRAYSON, A.J. LIEBERMAN and DYLAN HORROCKS

Art by TOM FOWLER, JEAN-JACQUE DZIALOWSKI, GREG SCOTT and RAMON BACHS

Cover by JORGE ZAFFINO

On sale DECEMBER 7 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

Collecting tales from BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #168, and 177-180. When Catwoman tries to crush a human slave trade run in Gotham City, it draws the attention of Batman. Plus: Batman tries to regain his lost memory in a story from FABLES creator Bill Willingham, and Fat and Little Boy, from BATMAN: BROKEN CITY, are back!

DC UNIVERSE: SECRET ORIGINS HC

Written by VARIOUS

Art by VARIOUS

Montage cover

On sale FEBRUARY 22 • 320 pg, FC, $39.99 US

The classic Silver Age titles are collected in hardcover for the first time, including SECRET ORIGINS #1, MORE SECRET ORIGINS #1, EVEN MORE SECRET ORIGINS #1 and WEIRD SECRET ORIGINS #1! Don't miss the origins of Wonder Woman, the Superman/Batman team, The Challengers of the Unknown, Martian Manhunter, the Justice League of America, Aquaman, The Flash, The Atom, Bizarro and more!