DC Trade Solicitations for May 2013 - Crisis on Multiple Earths, Brubaker Catwoman, Archie Goodwin, and Before Watchmen

A little delay on this recap of DC Comics's May 2013 trade paperback and collections solicitations, mainly because for dedicated Collected Editions readers, a lot of these books you already knew about. Couple of headlines to take a look at, however:

* Crisis On Multiple Earths Vol. 6 TP

This was announced, then cancelled with the promise of a resolicitation, but for those who've followed the long saga of the Crisis on Multiple Earths books, I don't blame you for feeling disheartened. Well, the good news is that this is back on DC's schedule, and now All-Star Squadron #14-15, which originally wasn't set to appear in this book, has been added in. So now the contents are Justice League #195-197, #207-209, and the All-Star Squadron issues; common wisdom is that Justice League #219-220 and #231-232 are still left to round out a Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 7, though that's slim for a full trade and given two years since the last Crisis book, who knows when we might see another one.

* Catwoman Vol. 2: No Easy Way Down TP

As I mentioned before, this book collects through the already-collected Catwoman: Wild Ride. I'd mostly be interested in this series if it starts collecting the uncollected issues Ed Brubaker did with Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti.

* Batgirl/Robin Year One TP

Collecting the two Chuck Dixon miniseries. I'm a little fuzzy on how well Dixon's Nightwing: Year One story -- within the pages of Nightwing, not standalone -- dovetailed into these, but I kind of wish DC had gone for the trifecta.

* Harley Quinn: Night and Day TP

If you happen to organize a DC Comics Trade Paperback Timeline (newly updated with all the DC New 52 Vol. 1s), you'll be interested in this collection mainly because it includes another "Our Worlds at War" crossover book that you can add to the reading order.

* Tales of Batman: Archie Goodwin HC

This book is worthwhile at least simply to have a hardcover collection of Archie Goodwin's "Manhunter" saga (previously released with what DC used to generously call their "Prestige Format" binding), plus Goodwin's last Batman story co-written with James Robinson.

* Superman Family Adventures Vol. 1 TP

I have loved flipping through Baltazar and Franco's books in my local comics shop; I'm very curious what their "mainstream" Green Team book is going to be like.

* Before Watchmen: Comedian/Rorschach Deluxe Edition HC
* Before Watchmen: Minutemen/Silk Spectre Deluxe Edition HC
* Before Watchmen: Nite Owl/Dr. Manhattan Deluxe Edition HC
* Before Watchmen: Ozymandias/Crimson Corsair Deluxe Edition HC

I am not, not, not, not, not buying these. There will be bigger omnibus editions, or an Absolute edition, or something. This is entirely the first salvo in the negotiation and I'm not falling for it. (Your results may vary.)

* Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 2: Cycle of Violence HC
* Deathstroke Vol. 2: Lobo Hunt TP
* The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men Vol. 2: The Firestorm Protocols TP
* Green Lantern Corps Vol. 2: Alpha War HC
* Green Lantern: New Guardians Vol. 2: Beyond Hope HC
* Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol. 2: The Starfire TP
* Resurrection Man Vol. 2: A Matter of Death and Life TP
* Teen Titans Vol. 2: The Culling TP

Various and sundry from the New 52 offerings. I get that the Deathstroke book is written and drawn by Rob Liefeld, I get that the quality is going to be suspect, but there's something about a trade of Deathstroke hunting Lobo that puts a smile on my face. Also I rather can't believe New Guardians might be the Green Lantern book I'm most looking forward to. Also that Resurrection Man cover is just plain creepy.

What's on your to-buy list for the month of May?