Late Bronze Age Batman, Charlton Blue Beetle, and MORE!
DC Comics has added four new DC Finest paperback titles to its ever-growing line-up, with more certainly to come.
They include Batman, Charlton (!) Blue Beetle, the Justice League and an intriguing Crisis on Infinite Earths collection.
Dig these descriptions, from Penguin Random House, which handles DC in the book market:
DC FINEST: BATMAN — RED SKIES
By Doug Moench, Gene Colan, Tom Mandrake
From deadly new villains to apocalyptic skies—Batman’s greatest challenges await in this definitive DC Finest collection!
From the dark alleys of Gotham to the red skies of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Finest: Batman: Red Skies presents some of the most compelling stories in the Dark Knight’s history. This collection spans the debut of Black Mask, Hugo Strange’s master plans, and Batman’s high-stakes confrontations with Two-Face, Catwoman, and the False Face Society. Through it all, Batman must navigate the line between his personal losses and his unyielding commitment to justice.
This collection showcases the depth and evolution of Batman’s character during a pivotal era in his history. Brimming with action, mystery, and unforgettable storytelling, Red Skies is a cornerstone of the DC Finest series, celebrating the timeless appeal of the Dark Knight.
DC Finest continues, a major publishing initiative presenting comprehensive collections of the most in-demand and celebrated periods in DC Comics history, spanning genres, characters, and eras!
This volume collects stories from Secret Origins #6, Batman Annual #10, Batman #386-400, and Detective Comics #553-567.
On sale Sept. 2, 2025 | 656 Pages | $39.99 US
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DC FINEST: BLUE BEETLE — BLUE BEETLE CHALLENGES THE RED KNIGHT
By Joe Gill, Steve Ditko, Bill Fraccio
The legacy of Blue Beetle begins here in this thrilling collection of his earliest adventures!
Unleashing the inventive and action-packed tales that made Blue Beetle a fan favorite!
Dive into the pages where it all began for the Blue Beetle! This thrilling DC Finest collection captures his debut in Captain Atom #83-86 and a range of gripping adventures from his solo Charlton Comics runs. Full of inventive gadgets, daring battles, and high-stakes action, these stories lay the foundation for Blue Beetle’s enduring legacy in the superhero world.
DC Finest continues, a major publishing initiative presenting comprehensive collections of the most in-demand and celebrated periods in DC Comics history, spanning genres, characters, and eras!
This volume collects stories from Captain Atom (1965) #83-86; Blue Beetle (1964) #1-5; Blue Beetle (1965) #1-5, #50-54, Charlton Bullseye #1.
On sale Aug. 12, 2025 | 368 Pages | $39.99 US
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DC FINEST: EVENTS — CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS PART ONE
By Marv Wolfman and George Perez
The ultimate battle for the multiverse begins in DC Finest: Events: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One
The multiverse is on the brink of collapse, and only the greatest heroes can stand against the darkness consuming reality. This volume collects the first wave of stories that set the stage for the Crisis on Infinite Earths. From Swamp Thing’s battle to fix his gravest mistake to Batman and Catwoman’s deadly struggles under red skies, these stories delve into the heart of DC’s characters as they fight for survival.
With heroes like Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern, and the Justice Society of America uniting to combat a cosmic threat, this collection captures the monumental stakes and emotional depth that define Crisis on Infinite Earths.
DC Finest continues, a major publishing initiative presenting comprehensive collections of the most in-demand and celebrated periods in DC Comics history, spanning genres, characters, and eras! This volume collects stories from Swamp Thing #39; Batman #389-391; Detective Comics #555-558; Justice League of America #244; Green Lantern #194; Wonder Woman #327; DC Comics Presents #78; Infinity, Inc. #18-19; The Fury of Firestorm #41; All-Star Squadron #50-52; Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-4; The Losers Special #1.
On sale Oct. 21, 2025 | 560 Pages | $39.99 US
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DC FINEST: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE RETURN
By Gerry Conway, Luke McDonnell, Bill Wray
DC Finest continues a major publishing initiative presenting comprehensive collections of the most in-demand and celebrated periods in DC Comics history, spanning genres, characters, and eras! With chronologically organized stories and timeline-stamped spines, these books are perfect additions to the shelves of collectors of any kind!
Encompassing Gerry Conway’s epic run on Justice League of America through the 1980s, DC Finest: Justice League: The Return weaves a story of the Justice League facing off against some of the greatest foes, including Amazo and the Brotherhood of Evil! Featuring stories starring Steel, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, Elongated Man, and Vixen!
Collects Justice League of America #241-261; Infinity, Inc. #19; Justice League of America Annual #3.
On sale Aug. 5, 2025 | 584 Pages | $39.99 US
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A few thoughts:
— If you think DC’s leaning a bit too much on the ’80s here, wait. These four just popped up and I expect more titles to emerge soon. Overall, the line features a broad range from the Golden, Silver, Bronze and Modern Ages.
— That’s a sweet gift to Charlton fans right there. Pairing it with the upcoming Peacemaker edition, I figure we’ll see a Captain Atom volume at some point.
— The Crisis volume is interesting. Not just a reprint of the 12-issue event, but a merger with the tie-in issues. I don’t believe DC has done that before.
— Standard caveat: These have not been formally solicited by DC yet, so anything can change.
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MORE
— The TOP 13 DC FINEST Books We’re Most Looking Forward To. Click here.
— EXCLUSIVE — SILVER AGE CLASSICS Lead DC’s SIX Facsimile Editions in MAY. Click here.
March 15, 2025
I’m grateful all this stuff is coming out, but it seems like I already own 90% of it via omnis,trades and archives.
I’ll pick up JL Detroit (less cumbersome than my Omni), Batman Red Skies, and Crisis (already own a fan made bound edition of the crossovers).
Blue Beetle I already have the Charlton Archive.
I’m REALLY looking forward to the Sci Fi Gorilla volume. Hopefully Krypto, Ace the Bat Hound and Rex the wonder Dog will follow. Or Haunted Tank or Sea Devils
March 15, 2025
Crisis issues #1-4? So we should expect 2 more DC collections. Are the side series spanning the 12 total issues or just 1-4 of series?
March 15, 2025
Seriously they aren’t using the Ditko Blue Beetle on the cover!!!!
March 15, 2025
If only they had given us Ditko Beetle and as facsimiles. I’d be all over those for sure.
March 15, 2025
DC really should do what Marvel is doing with their similar sized Epic Collections: good sized trade paperbacks of *complete* runs of various series.
DC has SO MUCH MATERIAL that’s never been reprinted… (1970s: Flash, Green Lantern, post-Kirby Kamandi, JLA, All Star Squadron, Teen Titans, and various runs of Superman and Batman Family titles…etc etc).
The recent Green Lantern/Green Arrow Omnibus is a perfect example of collecting many great 1970s issues never before reprinted, but in an unwieldy giant book that’s a pain in the butt to read because of it’s crazy size…
March 16, 2025
All Star Squadron would be nice for sure. At least Warlord is FINALLY coming out in an Omni
March 16, 2025
P
March 16, 2025
Hopefully we’ll finally get an All Star Squadron collection
March 16, 2025
An All-Star Squadron DC Finest collection series for me too! Looking forward to the Blue Beetle release among these, Crisis and post-Crisis stuff though, not at all.
March 16, 2025
Agree. 100%. I loved All-Star Squadron in its day but I didn’t appreciate it like I should have. I was still missing the modern day Earth-2 JSA. Had I understood how Crisis was going to mess up so much of what I loved about DC, I would have savored it even more. I know my run isn’t complete.