Matt Wagner’s ‘Demon’ And Brian K. Vaughan’s ‘Swamp Thing’ Among DC Collections For Winter 2013

Having taken a look at December's periodical releases from DC Comics' New 52, Vertigo and DC Entertainment/DC Digital 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. Each release will go on sale in bookstores as well as finer comics shops, where you can also pre-order your selections to ensure you’ll get copies before they sell out.

BATWING VOL. 3: ENEMY OF THE STATE TP
Written by JUDD WINICK and FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by MARCUS TO, FABRIZIO FIORENTINO and others
Cover by SIMON BISLEY
On sale JANUARY 22 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Batwing has never been under more fire than in these stories from issues #13-18. First, David must fight one of the most crooked cop forces on the continent. Then, Batwing tries to take down the deadly Father Lost and the Sky Pirate, who put David’s allies in danger.

BATMAN: BATMAN AND SON TP NEW EDITION
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by ANDY KUBERT, J.H. WILLIAMS III, JOHN VAN FLEET, TONY S. DANIEL, RYAN BENJAMIN and others
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale JANUARY 29 • 384 pg, FC, $19.99 US
These tales from BATMAN #655-658, 663-669 and 672-675 introduce Damian Wayne! Plus, Batman and a group of global heroes face a killer on a mysterious island, and Batman relives an adventure in the life of young Bruce Wayne: the hunt for his parents’ killer.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT VOL. 2: CYCLE OF VIOLENCE TP
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art by DAVID FINCH, RICHARD FRIEND and others
Cover by DAVID FINCH
On sale JANUARY 15 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In this second New 52 volume, The Scarecrow has returned! The villainous genius has always preyed on the worst fears of his victims, but now he’s refined his fear toxin to greater effectiveness—and deadlier consequences. As The Scarecrow’s origin is revealed, Batman must find out not only how to defeat this dangerous psychopath, but how to conquer his own worst fears. This volume collects from BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #10-15 and #0.

GREEN LANTERN: WRATH OF THE FIRST LANTERN HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, PETER
J. TOMASI, PETER MILLIGAN and TONY BEDARD
Art by DOUG MAHNKE, DAN JURGENS, PHIL JIMENEZ, SZYMON KUDRANSKI, ARDIAN SYAF, FERNANDO PASARIN, CHRISCROSS, AARON KUDER, HENDRY PRASETYO, JIM CALAFIORE, JAVIER PULIDO, MIGUEL SEPULVEDA, WILL CONRAD and others
Cover by GARY FRANK
On sale FEBRUARY 19 • 416 pg, FC, $29.99 US
The Wrath of the First Lantern is here as the Green Lanterns battle the Guardians of Oa and the Third Army—but who will win, and at what cost? And as the First Lantern moves on the brightest of the Corps for his reality altering experiments, we learn the shocking fate of Hal and Sinestro in this must-read crossover event! This new hardcover collects GREEN LANTERN #17-20, GREEN LANTERN CORPS #17-20, RED LANTERNS #17-20 and GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #17-20.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS VOL. 2 — BEYOND HOPE TP
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by TYLER KIRKHAM, TOMAS
GIORELLO, MARCIO TAKARA and others
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale JANUARY 29 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In this title collecting GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #8-12 and BLUE BEETLE #9, Odym, the homeworld of the Blue Lanterns, is being attacked by alien conquerors known as The Reach. But faced with betrayal by one of their own, the New Guardians’ uneasy alliance teeters on the edge of destruction.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK VOL. 3: THE DEATH OF MAGIC TP
Written by JEFF LEMIRE and RAY FAWKES
Art by MIKEL JANIN, GRAHAM NOLAN and VICTOR DRUJINIU
Cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale JANUARY 29 • 192 pg, FC, $16.99 US
Transported to another dimension by the Books of Magic, Tim Hunter and Zatanna awake in a world where magic once ruled until mad scientists forced all magical creatures into exile. And while they explore this strange world, the remaining members of JLD follow them and find that the rules of magic here are very different and very deadly. Collecting issues #14-19 of the hit series!

DEMON KNIGHTS VOL. 3: THE GATHERING STORM TP
Written by PAUL CORNELL and ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
On sale JANUARY 15 • 256 pg, FC, $19.99 US
Betrayed by Etrigan and trapped in Hell, the Demon Knights must find a way to escape the clutches of Lucifer in these stories from issues #13-23. But to make their escape, someone must make the ultimate sacrifice.

THE FLASH VOL. 3: GORILLA WARFARE HC
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, MARCUS TO, MARCIO TAKARA and others
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
RESOLICIT • On sale FEBRUARY 12 • 176 pg, FC, $24.99 US
When Grodd and his army descend on Central City, The Flash will have to contend with a threat that’s murderous, ruthless and without principle. The Flash will need the help of the Rogues if he wants to keep himself and Central City alive. This new hardcover collects THE FLASH #13-19.
Retailers: This title is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.

SUPERMAN VOL. 2: SECRETS AND LIES TP
Written by DAN JURGENS, KEITH GIFFEN, SCOTT LOBDELL and FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by DAN JURGENS, JESUS MERINO, KENNETH ROCAFORT, PASCAL ALIXE and others
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale JANUARY 8 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US
Tucked away high in the Himalayas, a long dormant evil has made these snowy mountaintops its home. Helspont, a descendant of the ancient alien race of Daemonites, has enlisted an army of robots to learn all there is to know about the Kryptonian menace standing between him and dominion over the Earth. Can Helspont gain control over Superman and use him to execute his invasion plan? Collects SUPERMAN #7-12 and SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1.

KATANA VOL. 1: SOULTAKER TP
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by ALEX SANCHEZ, CLIFF RICHARDS, ART THIBERT and others
Cover by DAVID FINCH
On sale JANUARY 22 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In these stories from KATANA #1-6 and JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #23.1: THE CREEPER, the former assassin and new Justice Leaguer embarks on a quest to restore the Outsiders to their former glory! Will she succeed, or will she be overcome by the power of her sword, the Soultaker?

SUPERBOY VOL. 3: LOST TP
Written by TOM DeFALCO and SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by R.B. SILVA, ROB LEAN, ROGER ROBINSON, IBAN COELLO, DIOGENES NEVES and others
Cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 200 pg, FC, $16.99 US
As Superman attempts to help Superboy understand and control his powers, they are set upon by another Kryptonian refugee by the name of H’el! This volume guest-stars the Teen Titans and more! Collects SUPERBOY #13-19 and SUPERBOY ANNUAL #1.

GREEN LANTERN: SECTOR 2814 VOL. 3 TP
Written by STEVE ENGLEHART
Art by JOE STATON and others
Cover by WALTER SIMONSON
On sale JANUARY 15 • 200 pg, FC, $16.99 US
In this new collection of GREEN LANTERN #194-200, John Stewart clashes with Guy Gardner to see who will be the Green Lantern of Earth. And while Stewart battles Harbinger during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Gardner recruits enemies of the Green Lantern Corps to stand against an evil that could destroy the entire universe—including The Shark, Hector Hammond, Sonar, Goldface and more!

BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED VOL. 2 TP
Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ, MIKE S. MILLER, DARICK ROBERTSON and others
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 168 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In these stories inspired by the best-selling videogame Batman: Arkham City, Dr. Hugo Strange has gained control of Arkham Asylum. Now, Gotham City has become a massive prison ruled by criminals. These stories from issues #6-10 feature Catwoman, Two-Face, Penguin, Killer Croc, Deadshot and The Mad Hatter.

BATMAN ‘66: THE TV STORIES TP
Written by BILL FINGER, GARDNER FOX,
JOHN BROOME and others
Art by BOB KANE, DICK SPRANG, SHELDON
MOLDOFF, CARMINE INFANTINO and others
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
On sale JANUARY 8 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US
For the first time, DC Comics collects Batman stories originally published between 1948 and 1966 that were adapted into specific episodes of the classic Batman TV series! Starring The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler and Mr. Freeze (here called “Mr. Zero”), and featuring the debut of Batgirl, these stories have never been collected together before. Collected from BATMAN #53, 73, 121, 140, 169 and 171, and DETECTIVE COMICS #230, 346 and 359.

THE DEMON: FROM THE DARKNESS TP
Written by MATT WAGNER
Art by MATT WAGNER and ART NICHOLS
Cover by MATT WAGNER
On sale JANUARY 15• 128 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Jason Blood travels to Cornwall to find the spirit of Merlin and lift the curse that binds him to Etrigan, The Demon. But unraveling a centuries old curse is anything but easy, and Blood learns more about his mystical alter ego than he could have imagined. Collects the 4-issue miniseries from 1987 and issue #22 of The Demon’s monthly series.

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL VOL. 8 TP
Written by PAUL KUPPERBERG, JOHN BYRNE and ROGER STERN
Art by JOHN BYRNE, TY TEMPLETON, GEORGE PEREZ, MIKE MIGNOLA, JERRY ORDWAY and others
Cover by JOHN BYRNE
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 240 pg, FC, $16.99 US
Superman’s 1980s adventures continue with the introduction of Checkmate, plus appearances by Wonder Woman, Man-Bat and others. Collects ACTION COMICS #598-600, SUPERMAN #16-18 and ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #439-440.

ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN/BATMAN VOL. 2 HC
Written by JEPH LOEB, SAM LOEB and others
Art by CARLOS PACHECO, JESUS MERINO, IAN CHURCHILL, ED McGUINNESS, DEXTER
VINES, TIM SALE, PAT LEE and others
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
Advance solicit • On sale April 23 • 336 pg, FC, 8.25” x 12.5”, $99.99 US
The World’s Finest join forces in this reality bending tale from SUPERMAN/BATMAN #14-26. Superman and Batman rule the Earth with an iron fist, with humanity bending to their will. Before long, the World’s Finest Duo is sent careening through a series of bizarre alternate Earths to face an assortment of classic DC characters including Darkseid, Lex Luthor, Superwoman, Kamandi, Sgt. Rock, Haunted Tank, and many more. Includes the star-studded issue #25, which features the work of Geoff Johns, Brian K. Vaughan, Brad Meltzer, Joss Whedon, Jim Lee, Arthur Adams, John Cassaday, Joe Madureira and others!

VERTIGO ESSENTIALS: 100 BULLETS #1
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by EDUARDO RISSO
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 64 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
The issue that kicked off the Eisner Award-winning series is back in this promotionally priced reprint! Everyone talks about “getting away with murder,” but what would you do if you were given irrefutable proof of the identity of the one that “done you wrong,” the opportunity to kill them and the means to get away with it, scot-free?

VERTIGO ESSENTIALS: AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER and STEPHEN KING
Art and cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 64 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
Witness the birth of a new species of vampire in this reprint of the debut issue of this hit series! When notorious outlaw Skinner Sweet is attacked by a member of the undead, the first American vampire is born: powered by the sun, stronger, fiercer, and meaner than anything that came before.

DC COMICS ESSENTIALS: WATCHMEN #1
Written by ALAN MOORE
Art and cover by DAVE GIBBONS
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 64 pg, FC, $1.00 US
The unforgettable debut chapter that began the best-selling and most talked-about graphic novel of all time is back in a new, promotionally priced reprint! The saga of The Minutemen begins with a bang as the Comedian is brutally murdered—but who could have killed him?

DC COMICS ESSENTIALS: ACTION COMICS #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT
Cover by RAGS MORALES
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 64 pg, FC, $1.00 US • RATED T
The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you’ve ever read! Don’t miss this promotionally priced reprint of this cornerstone issue!

SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES VOL. 2 TP
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
On sale JANUARY 29 • 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US
Superman! Superboy! Supergirl! Krypto the Superdog! The entire Superman family is here in this title collecting issues #7-12 of the all ages series. The heroes of Metropolis face such foes as Zod, Brainiac, and Toyman!

HELLBLAZER VOL. 7: TAINTED LOVE TP
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Art by STEVE DILLON
Cover by FRANCISCO FRANCAVILLA
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 320 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS
John Constantine celebrates his fortieth birthday alongside his friends Swamp Thing and Zatanna but soon finds himself at his lowest point ever. Drunk and homeless, John must pull himself together if he is going to survive against the King of the Vampires. Collecting HELLBLAZER #62-71, HELLBLAZER SPECIAL #1 and a story from VERTIGO JAM #1.

ANIMAL MAN VOL. 5: THE MEANING OF FLESH TP
Written by PETER MILLIGAN and TOM VEITCH
Art by CHAS TRUOG, MARK FARMER and STEVE DILLON
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
On sale JANUARY 22 • 352 pg, FC, $24.99 US • MATURE READERS
In these tales from ANIMAL MAN #27-37, Buddy Baker is desperate to reconnect with his family, but after he begins to explore the effects of his power to replicate the abilities of animals, will this former Super Hero ever be able to live a normal life?

FABLES DELUXE EDITION BOOK EIGHT HC
Written by BILL WILLINGHAM
Art by MARK BUCKINGHAM,
STEVE LEIALOHA and ANDREW PEPOY
Cover by JAMES JEAN
RESOLICIT • On sale FEBRUARY 5 • 232 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 10.875”,
$29.99 US MATURE READERS
In these tales from FABLES #60-63 and 65-69, Flycatcher is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. Introduction by Taran Killam (Saturday Night Live) and Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother).
Retailers: This title is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.

THE INVISIBLES DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE HC
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by STEVE YEOWELL, JILL THOMPSON, JOHN RIDGWAY, STEVE PARKHOUSE and others
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
On sale FEBRUARY 12 • 328 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 10.875” , $29.99 US • MATURE READERS
These stories from THE INVISIBLES #1-12 introduce the team’s latest recruit: a teenage lout from the streets of London. Can Dane survive a mind-altering training course?

PREACHER BOOK THREE TP
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Art by STEVE DILLON and STEVE PUGH
Cover by GLENN FABRY
On sale JANUARY 22 • 352 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS
Collects PREACHER #27-33, SAINT OF KILLERS #1-4 and PREACHER SPECIAL: CASSIDY—BLOOD AND WHISKEY! During some down time, Jesse Custer faces an enemy from the past who seeks vengeance for his father’s death. Also includes a story spotlighting the Saint of Killers and a stand-alone tale starring Cassidy, the vampire.

TERRA OBSCURA: S.M.A.S.H. OF TWO WORLDS TP
Written by ALAN MOORE and PETER HOGAN
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE and KARL STORY
On sale JANUARY 8 • 336 pg, FC, $24.99 US
On a planet known as Terra Obscura, Tom Strong’s heroic allies battle the forces of S.M.A.S.H. But after being out of action for decades and in suspended animation, can these heroes adjust to a strange world and its modern technology? Collects both 6-issue miniseries.

SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K. VAUGHAN VOL. 1 TP
Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
Art by ROGER PETERSEN and others
Cover by PHIL HALE
On sale JANUARY 8 • 240 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS
In these stories from 2000’s SWAMP THING #1-10 and VERTIGO WINTER’S EDGE #3 , Tefé Holland, daughter of Swamp Thing and Abigail Arcane, must learn to control her powers and use them for good!

EX MACHINA BOOK ONE TP
Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
Art by TONY HARRIS, TOM FEISTER
and KARL STORY
Cover by TONY HARRIS
RESOLICIT • On sale JANUARY 15 • 272 pg, FC, $19.99 US
MATURE READERS
EX MACHINA stars Mitchell Hundred, who becomes America’s first super hero after a strange accident gives him super powers—but the adventure really begins when Mitchell runs for mayor of New York City. This title collects EX MACHINA #1-11, plus bonus features.
Retailers: This title is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.

THE UNWRITTEN VOL. 8: ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD TP
Written by MIKE CAREY
Art by PETER GROSS and DEAN ORMSTON
Cover by YUKO SHIMIZU
On sale JANUARY 29 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS
In these tales from THE UNWRITTEN #42-49, Tommy Taylor ventures into the land of the dead to find and rescue Lizzie. The journey through Hades pits Tommy against all kinds of enemies of undead, but none of these encounters prepare him for his meeting with the king—or for the responsibilities he has to take on for some very familiar damned souls.

GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES VOL. 2 TP
Written by ART BALTAZAR, FRANCO and IVAN COHEN
Art by DARIO BRIZUELA and LUCIANO VECCHIO
Animation art cover
On sale JANUARY 8 • 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US
In this second GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES collection, featuring issues #6-11, Hal Jordan leads his team into battle against Atrocitus and a horde of other Red Lanterns!