DC 2011 Solicitations Hint at Morrison's Batman, Cornell's Superman

I think one sign of positive growth of trade paperbacks is that we're at the point now where graphic novel solicitations are nearly outpacing the monthly comic solicitations -- that is, we're getting word certainly before monthly storylines finish, and maybe even a bit before they start.

To wit, if you've been watching the time-travelling doings in the Batman titles, note Batman: Era of the Batman, coming in March from Grant Morrison and a host of artists; no doubt this continues the story that begins in Batman #700. (For more era-spanning Batman, see Adam Beechen's Batman Beyond: Future Evil.)

UPDATE: The title of Era of the Batman has now apparently been changed to Batman: Time and the Batman.

If Metropolis is more your speed, and you caught the preview of Paul Cornell's Action Comics over at The Source yesterday, then you may not be surprised to hear that storyline will be called Superman: The Black Ring, with art by Pete Woods.

Paul Dini and Stephanie Roux's new series makes its first magical appearance with Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic. More controversally is Eric Wallace's Titans: Villains for Hire (though I liked Final Crisis: Ink; whereas Superman and Batman are in hardcover, this is paperback.

Equally controversial is James Robinson's next Justice League collection,
Justice League of America: The Dark Times (this may be the new JLA/JSA crossover). I've got Cry for Justice sitting here and I'm just about to read it, and then I'll be very interested to talk it over.

Speaking of James Robinson, from what I understand volume six will be the last Starman Omnibus. Can the rumored Starman graphic novel be far behind?

As for me, with all this future-looking, I'm wondering how long until we see a trade solicitation for Flashpoint ...

Check back later today, when we'll have a new installment of our series "Ask Collected Editions." Don't miss it!

(Tip of the hat to Chris Hilker for his assistance!)