DC Finest trade paperbacks

Last updated
The first DC Finest release: Batman Year One & Two BatmanFinest.jpg
The first DC Finest release: Batman Year One & Two

DC Finest is a line of full-color trade paperbacks from DC Comics. Announced at 2024's ComicsPRO Comics Conference, [1] their stated intention is to be "affordably priced, large-size paperback collections" providing "a new line of comprehensive collections of the most in-demand periods, genres, and characters from across DC history". [2]

Contents

This is similar to Marvel's Epic Collection, which launched in 2013.

As well as covering DC's major heroes, and offering a line devoted to company-wide events, the books will allow fans to "curate collections of their favorite tales from specific genres, which may include science fiction, romance, war, westerns, horror, and other genres; many of these volumes will feature material reprinted for the first time." [3]

Ten books were announced for release in November and December of 2024, with a further 18 for the first six months of 2025.

List of volumes

Aquaman

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
King of Atlantis1956–1962Aquaman stories from: Jack Miller, Robert Bernstein Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy 6247 Jan 2025 978-1779529893

Batgirl

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Nobody Dies Tonight2000–2002
  • Batgirl (vol. 1) #8–27
  • Superboy (vol. 4) #85
Kelley Puckett, Joe Kelly Damion Scott 5528 Apr 2025 978-1799501046

Batman

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Year One & Two1986–1987
  • Batman #401–412, Annual #11
  • Detective Comics #568–579
Frank Miller, Mike Barr David Mazzucchelli, Alan Davis 5925 Nov 2024 978-1779528353
The Killing Joke and Other Stories1987–1988 Alan Moore, Mike Barr Brian Bolland 60020 May 2025 978-1799501459

Catwoman

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Life Lines1988–1994
  • Catwoman stories from Action Comics #611–614
  • Catwoman (vol. 1) #1–4, (vol. 2) #1–12, Annual #1
  • Batman: Catwoman Defiant #1
  • Showcase '93 #1–4
Mindy Newell, Jo Duffy J.J. Birch, Jim Balent 60017 Dec 2024 978-1779528469
Vengeance and Vindication1994–1996
  • Catwoman #0, 13–32, Annual #2–3
Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Jo DuffyJim Balent62410 Jun 2025 978-1799501756

Doom Patrol

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The World's Strangest Heroes1963–1966 Arnold Drake Bruno Premiani, Bob Brown 62411 Feb 2025 978-1799500353

Events

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Zero Hour: Part One1994
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4–3, and more
    • Superman #93
    • The Flash #94
    • L.E.G.I.O.N. #70
    • Green Lantern #55
    • Superman: The Man of Steel #37
    • Team Titans #24
    • The Darkstars #24
    • Valor #23
    • Batman #511
    • Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31
    • Detective Comics #678
    • Legionnaires #18
    • Hawkman #13
    • Showcase '94 #8–9
    • Steel #8
    • Superboy #8
    • Outsiders #11
Dan Jurgens Jerry Ordway 49610 Dec 2024 978-1779528506
Zero Hour: Part Two1994
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #2–0, and more
    • The Flash #0
    • Green Arrow #90
    • Adventures of Superman #516
    • Justice League America #92
    • Action Comics #703
    • Justice League International #68
    • Legion of Super-Heroes #61
    • Green Lantern #0
    • Superman: The Man of Steel #0
    • Guy Gardner: Warrior #24
    • Justice League Task Force #16
    • Catwoman #14
    • Robin #10
    • Showcase '94 #10
    • Damage #0, 6
    • Anima #7
5586 May 2025 978-1799501305

The Flash

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Human Thunderbolt1956–1961
  • Showcase #4, 8, 13–14
  • The Flash #105–123
Robert Kanigher, John Broome Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert 63226 Nov 2024 978-1779528360

Green Arrow

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Longbow Hunters1987–1988
  • Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters #1–3
  • Green Arrow (vol. 2) #1–8, Annual #1
  • Detective Comics Annual #1
  • The Question #17–18, Annual #1
Mike Grell Ed Hannigan, Dick Giordano 54421 Jan 2025 978-1779529916

Green Lantern

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Defeat of Green Lantern1963–1965
  • Green Lantern (vol. 2) #19–39
  • The Flash #143
  • The Brave and the Bold #59
John Broome, Gardner Fox Gil Kane, Joe Giella 6003 Dec 2024 978-1779528483

Harley Quinn

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Birth of the Mirth1993–2001
Harley Quinn (vol. 1) #1–8, and more
Paul Dini, Karl Kesel Bruce Timm 62418 Feb 2025 978-1799500483

Justice League of America

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Bridge Between Earths1966–1969
  • Justice League of America #45–72
Gardner Fox Mike Sekowsky, Sid Greene, Dick Dillin 61619 Nov 2024 978-1779528377

Justice Society of America

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
For America and Democracy1940–1942Gardner Fox Sheldon Mayer, Jack Burnley 6323 Dec 2024 978-1779528476
The Plunder of the Psycho-Pirate1942–1945
  • All-Star Comics #13–24
Joe Gallagher, Stan Aschmeier6008 Jul 2025 978-1799502074

Legion of Super-Heroes

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Zap Goes the Legion1968–1974
  • Action Comics #378–387, 389–392
  • Adventure Comics #374–380, 403
  • Superboy #172–173, 176, 183–184, 188, 190–191, 193, 195, 197–203
Jim Shooter, Cary Bates Win Mortimer, Dave Cockrum 58410 Dec 2024 978-1779528490

Metamorpho

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Element Man1965–1972
  • Justice League of America (vol. 1) #42
  • The Brave and the Bold #57–58, 66, 68, 88, 101
  • Metamorpho #1–17
Bob Haney Ramona Fradon, Sal Trapani, Joe Orlando, Mike Sekowsky, Jim Aparo 60017 Jun 2025 978-1799501848

Peacemaker

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Kill For Peace1966–1993
The Peacemaker (Charlton Comics) #1–5, and more
    • Peacemaker (DC Comics) #1–4
    • Fightin' Five #40–41
    • Suicide Squad (vol. 1) #27–30
    • Checkmate #16–26, 28, 32–33
    • Eclipso #11–13
    • The Vigilante #36–38, 41–43
Joe Gill, Paul Kupperberg Pat Boyette 6401 Apr 2025 978-1799500988

Plastic Man

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Origin of Plastic Man1941–1944
  • Plastic Man stories from Police Comics #1–36
  • Plastic Man (vol. 1) #1–2
Jack Cole Jack Cole5844 Mar 2025 978-1799500650

Science Fiction

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Gorilla World1953–1954Gorilla-themed stories from: John Broome, Gardner Fox Murphy Anderson 63215 Jul 2025 978-1799502159

Suicide Squad

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Trial by Fire1986–1988
  • Suicide Squad (vol. 1) #1–10
  • Secret Origins #14
  • Detective Comics #582
  • The Fury of Firestorm #62–64, Annual #5
  • Legends #1–6
  • Millennium #4
John Ostrander, Len Wein Luke McDonnell 56011 Mar 2025 978-1799500759

Superboy

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Super-Dog from Krypton1954–1955
  • Adventure Comics #199–216
  • Superboy (vol. 1) #33–43
Otto Binder John Sikela, Curt Swan 60013 May 2025 978-1799501367

Supergirl

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Girl of Steel1959–1962Supergirl stories from:
  • Action Comics #252–288
  • Adventure Comics #278
  • Superman #139–140, 144
  • Superboy #80
  • Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #14, 20
  • Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #40, 46, 51, 57
Otto Binder, Jerry Siegel Jim Mooney 60014 Jan 2025 978-1779529909

Superman

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The First Superhero1938–1940
  • Superman stories from Action Comics #1–25
  • New York World's Fair Comics #1
  • Superman (vol. 1) #1–5
Jerry Siegel Joe Shuster 5845 Nov 2024 978-1779528339
Kryptonite Nevermore 1970–1971
  • Action Comics #393–406
  • Superman #233–238, 240–246
Dennis O'Neil Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson5723 Jun 2025 978-1799501657

Superman Family

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Giant Turtle Man1960–1961
  • Action Comics #266, 277
  • Superman #142–143, 147
  • Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #19–28
  • Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #47–56
Robert Bernstein, Jerry SiegelCurt Swan, Kurt Schaffenberger 66415 Apr 2025 978-1799501107

Team-Ups

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
Chase to the End of Time1978–1979Bob Haney, Martin Pasko Jim Aparo56018 Mar 2025 978-1799500827

Teen Titans

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Judas Contract 1983–1984
  • Action Comics #546
  • World's Finest Comics #300
  • The New Teen Titans #33–40; Annual #2
  • Tales of the Teen Titans #41–47; Annual #3
  • The Vigilante #3
  • TBA
Marv Wolfman George Pérez 5604 Feb 2025 978-1799500254

Wonder Woman

SubtitleYears coveredIssues collectedWritersArtistsPagesPub. dateISBN
The Legend of Wonder Woman1983–1986 Dan Mishkin, Kurt Busiek Don Heck, Trina Robbins 6321 Jul 2025 978-1799502012
Origins & Omens2007–2009
  • Outsiders: Five of a Kind - Wonder Woman/Grace #1
  • The Brave and the Bold (vol. 3) #7
  • Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #14–35
Gail Simone Terry Dodson, Aaron Lopresti, Bernard Chang 58412 Nov 2024 978-1779528346

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Comics</span> American comic book publisher

DC Comics, Inc. is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book series first published in 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CrossGen</span> American comic book publisher

Cross Generation Comics or CrossGen was an American comic book publisher and entertainment company that operated from 1998 to 2004. The company's assets were acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2004, and designated to Disney Publishing Worldwide. In July 2010, Disney re-established the brand through Marvel Comics, who announced plans to revive CrossGen titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Age of Comic Books</span> Mid-1980s to present era of American superhero comic books

The Modern Age of Comic Books is a period in the history of American superhero comic books which began in 1985 and continues through the present day. During approximately the first 15 years of this period, many comic book characters were redesigned, creators gained prominence in the industry, independent comics flourished, and larger publishing houses became more commercialized.

<i>Alien Legion</i> Science fiction comic book series

Alien Legion is an American science fiction comic-book series, with several associated titles, created by Carl Potts, Alan Zelenetz, and Frank Cirocco for Marvel Comics' Epic Comics imprint in 1983. It features a military unit, Force Nomad, similar to the French Foreign Legion.

In comics in the United States, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually presenting either a complete miniseries, a story arc from a single title, or a series of stories with an arc or common theme.

DC Archive Editions is a line of hardcovers that was published from 1989–2014, reprinting early, often rare comic book series, titles, and stories. They include more than 160 Golden Age and Silver Age comic properties currently owned by DC Comics, regardless of whether DC Comics was the original publisher. The series first published Superman Archives Vol. 1 in 1989. Most of the restoration work to make the pages suitable for quality printing has been done by Rick Keene, who has restored more than 2,500 pages.

<i>DC vs. Marvel</i> Comic book miniseries crossover

DC vs. Marvel is a comic book miniseries intercompany crossover published by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from February to May 1996. Each company would publish two issues of the miniseries, thus the title difference between issues #1 and 4 as DC vs. Marvel Comics from DC and issues #2–3 from Marvel as Marvel Comics vs. DC. The miniseries was written by Ron Marz and Peter David, with art by Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Slott</span> American comic book writer

Dan Slott is an American comic book writer, known for his work on Marvel Comics books such as The Amazing Spider-Man, as well as She-Hulk, Silver Surfer, The Superior Spider-Man, Tony Stark: Iron Man, The Mighty Avengers, and Fantastic Four. His work for DC Comics includes the books Arkham Asylum: Living Hell and Batman Adventures.

Marvel Masterworks is an American collection of hardcover and trade paperback comic book reprints published by Marvel Comics, with the main goal of republishing classic Marvel Comics storylines in a hardcover, premium edition, often with restored artwork and better graphical quality when compared to other Marvel collected editions. The collection started in 1987, with volumes reprinting the issues of The Amazing Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, and The Avengers. The Masterworks line has expanded from such reprints of the 1960s period that fans and historians call the Silver Age of Comic Books to include the 1930s–1940s Golden Age; comics of Marvel's 1950s pre-Code forerunner, Atlas Comics; and even some reprints from the 1970s period called the Bronze Age of Comic Books.

Essential Marvel was a line published by Marvel Comics from 1996–2013 that reprinted vintage comic book material in paperback format. Each black-and-white volume reprints approximately 20–30 issues of a classic Marvel title. Each Essential contains between 450 and 650 pages, printed on coarse, matte-quality paper.

The "DC Explosion" and "DC Implosion" were two events in 1978 – the first an official marketing campaign, the second a sardonic reference to it – in which American comics company DC Comics expanded their roster of publications, then abruptly cut it back. The DC Explosion was part of an ongoing initiative at DC to regain market share by increasing the number of titles they published, while also increasing page counts and cover prices. The so-called "DC Implosion" was the result of the publisher experiencing losses that year due to a confluence of factors, and cancelling a large number of ongoing and planned series in response. The cancellations included long-running series such as Our Fighting Forces, Showcase, and House of Secrets; new series introduced as part of the expansion such as Firestorm and Steel: The Indestructible Man; and announced series such as The Vixen which would have been the company's first title starring an African American woman. Former flagship series Detective Comics was also considered for cancellation. Some of the material already produced for these cancelled series was used in other publications. Several of the completed stories were "published" in small quantities as two issues of Cancelled Comics Cavalcade, whose title was a reference to DC's Golden-Age Comic Cavalcade series.

An omnibus edition or omnibus is a book containing multiple creative works by the same or, more rarely, different authors. Commonly two or more of the works have been previously published as books, but a collection of shorter works, or shorter works collected with one previous book, may also be known as an omnibus.

<i>Marvel Omnibus</i> Marvel Comics hardcover reprint collection

Marvel Omnibus is a line of large format, high quality, full color, hardcover graphic novel omnibuses published by Marvel Comics. They often contain complete runs, either by collecting multiple consecutive issues, or by focusing on the works of a particular writer or artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvel Epic Collection</span> Marvel Comics paperbacks that reprint entire runs

The Epic Collection is an ongoing line of color trade paperbacks that republish Marvel comics in a uniform trade dress. Announced in April 2013, their stated intention was to collect entire runs of characters or titles as "big fat collections with the best price we can maintain", in similar manner to the discontinued black-and-white Essential Marvel.

Marvel Premiere Classic was a series of hardcover comic book collected editions, that reproduced Marvel Comics storylines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Compact Comics</span> A list of DCs Compact Comics books

DC Compact Comics is a line of full-color paperbacks from DC Comics. Announced in November 2023, ahead of a June 2024 launch, they were described as "perfect for readers of prose and manga looking to pick up a new-reader-friendly storyline in a self-contained full color graphic novel".

Marvel Complete Collections, Marvel Ultimate Collections, and Marvel Complete Epics are large full-color trade paperback collections of previously published Marvel comics, typically containing 300–500 pages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daredevil collected editions</span> A list of Daredevil comics collated into collected editions

The Marvel Comics character Daredevil first appeared in 1964 in Daredevil #1, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Bill Everett.

Marvel Premier Collection is a line of full-color paperbacks, produced by Marvel Comics, that was announced at the 2024 New York Comic Con.

The Marvel Comics oversized hardcover format launched in 2002, reproducing full-colour comics in books approximately 11in x 7.5in in size. This was roughly an inch taller and wider than the original comic book.

References

  1. "DC Finest: DC Announces New Line of Paperback Collections". Comicbook.com. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. Rich Johnston (22 February 2024). "DC Comics Creates Its Own Version Of Marvel's Epic Line, DC Finest". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. "DC Announces Absolute Power, DC Finest Line of Graphic Collections". 2024-02-22.