This one’s been a long time in coming…
I think it’s fair to say that DC has done a tremendous job reprinting Batman’s Golden Age adventures and a serviceable job on the Bronze Age. Silver Age? Not so much.
You did have the two-volume Dynamic Duo Archives set but that was a long time ago, the Showcase books were in black and white, and any other reprints have been spread out through various volumes, such as Batman In the Fifties and Batman In the Sixties.
But something comprehensive like a Silver Age omnibus? Nada. Until now: Coming in July 2022 is Batman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1, featuring the earliest issues of the period that dates back to the mid-’50s — many of which have never before been reprinted.
Check out the official description, from a listing by Penguin Random House, which distributes DC in the book market:
BATMAN: THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1
Placeholder art
The iconic tales of Batman from the classic Silver Age collected for the first time in this incredible omnibus!
The Caped Crusader is known for protecting the streets of Gotham from the villains who wish to cause harm. Follow along on some of his most adventurous tales in Batman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 collecting Batman #101-116 and Detective Comics #233-257!
—
A few thoughts:
— The volume roughly covers mid-1956 to mid-1958, which means if sales keep the series going, it will take a few editions before we hit 1964 and the New Look. (That’s the stuff.)
— Even though there’s plenty of silliness, there are also some superb stories in this edition, perhaps most notably Detective Comics #235’s The First Batman, by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff. (That’s a story that’s been reprinted many times but it never gets old. Hell, so much of Grant Morrison’s epic run traces back to that very story.)
— The 728-page volume lists for $99.99 and is due July 5, 2022.
— Standard caveat: This has not been solicited by DC yet, so nothing is official until it’s official. Even then, things can change. Just keep coming to 13th Dimension for updates.
—
MORE
— 65 YEARS: Celebrating THE FLASH’s Anniversary — and the Birth of the SILVER AGE. Click here.
— 13 REASONS to Love DC COMICS in the SILVER AGE. Click here.
October 13, 2021
I actually stopped collecting the Batman Golden Age Omnibus’ because they got to the period of stories that were at best silly fun and at worst boring, childish fodder. This new series seems to pick up right at the height of the bad, so I’m out until it gets to 1964 and if it doesn’t make it there because people don’t support the series so be it. At $100 a volume its simply not worth it to get stories a seven year old would be embarrassed to be caught reading.
October 13, 2021
So, does this pick up where the 10th edition left off? I’m all for them printing the complete run from start to ‘80s Crisis. I’ve never paid more than $60 for the omnibus prints.
October 13, 2021
It picks up where a projected 10th volume of the Golden Age reprints would leave off (there are nine so far). However, that 10th volume has not yet been announced.
November 30, 2021
I can’t disagree more. These Batman stories reflect an important period in history, following two world wars, the realization of nuclear power (good and bad) and the beginning steps towards Space travel. My only concern with this announcement is no mention of Batman Golden Age Vol 10. I’d hate to think DC would skip a year and a half of Batman between the Golden and Silver Age.
October 13, 2021
Super excited for this! My first contact with this era was in Batman: From the 30s to the 70s, when I was about ten years old, and I loved it. The sci-fi, the Batman Family, the “imaginary stories” where Robin carries on the Batman tradition… can’t wait to see it all in color and beautifully restored.
October 13, 2021
YES! Me as well. Was about 7 when I got my copy of that collection. I recently purchased off eBay a second copy because it still had the great slip cover. The mostly black and white wasn’t something I was thrilled about but pretty much all volumes of reprints were in b/w. The pages of covers that kicked off a decade made me wish for those stories too. Those were always the glossy pages in full color.
December 3, 2021
I’d like to know when they’ll release the final Golden Age Omnibus
December 12, 2021
Looking forward to reading BATMAN #112.
First appearances of Signalman and Prof. Milo plus Prof Carter Nichols.
Sounds like Fun to me.
I believe Len Wein said this was the first Batman comic he read.
August 21, 2022
Delayed again until November 15,2022
September 30, 2022
Note that DC is messing things up with the cover/dust jacket design, big time. Compare existing silver/bronze age books with new ones like Wonder Woman or Batman, or House of Mystery/Secrets – don’t they realize that these are bought by collectors and not random people? :/