We’re still playing catch-up with the solicitations — just about — so please bear with us. The May 2012 solicitations from DC Comics mark a change in format. DC use to use full text blurbs, but now they’ve switched to a simpler bullet list format. These posit key questions about each issue and highlight character or creative team changes. It certainly makes the solicitations easier to scan through.

May is a big month for DC as the second wave of the New 52 launches — the replacement titles for those cancelled with issue #8. The biggest and most interesting of these is Earth 2 #1. This is written by former Justice League of America writer James Robinson and features the return of DC’s second universe. Justice League and Justice League Dark kick-off  their second arcs. Justice League International crosses over with Firestorm and OMAC.

What I found interesting was just how many parallel universes DC will be/are publishing. Just in these JLA solicitations we have Earth 2 (Robinson’s new JSA), Earth 12 (Batman Beyond anthology), Earth 16 (Young Justice tie-in),  and Earth-52 (or whatever the hell they call the New 52 Earth). In the full solicitations there are also tie-in titles to Smallville and Batman: Arkham Asylum and the first part of the Earth-1 Batman’s OGN series. That makes seven regular universes before we even count those that Grant Morrison is featuring in Action Comics. Personally I love the Multiverse, so its more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.

Justice League (vol. 2) #9

• Credits: Writer: Geoff Johns; Penciller: Jim Lee; Cover Penciller: Jim Lee; Inker: Scott Williams; Cover Inker: Scott Williams; Colourist: Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis, and Gabe Eltaeb; Cover Colourist: Alex Sinclair; Letterer: Pat Brosseau; Variant Cover Artist: Carlos D'anda; Variant Cover Colourist: Gabe Eltaeb; Assistant Editor: Darren Shan; Editor: Brian Cunningham
• Solicitation copy:“THE VILLAIN’S JOURNEY” begins here! Part one of a story introducing an all-new major nemesis for the Justice League by GEOFF JOHNS and JIM LEE! • In part three of the SHAZAM! backup story, Billy Batson attempts to get used to his new life, new school and new family as Sivana unleashes an ancient evil imprisoned long ago.
• Published:16 May 2012
• Length:40 pages
• Cost:$3.99

Justice League Dark #9

• Credits: Writer: Jeff Lemire; Artist: Mikel Janin; Colourist: Ulises Arreola; Letterer: Rob Leigh; Cover Artist: Ryan Sook; Associate Editor: Chris Conroy; Editor: Matt Idelson
• Solicitation copy:New series writer JEFF LEMIRE introduces a new team roster and a new mission! Featuring JOHN CONSTANTINE, ZATANNA, DEADMAN, BLACK ORCHID and more! Constantine and the team must steal a map to the source of all magic out of the clutches of FELIX FAUST! The first of a four-part story that will have lasting implications for the entire DC Universe.
• Published:23 May 2012
• Length:32 pages
• Cost:$2.99

Justice League International (vol. 3) #9

• Credits: Writer: Dan Jurgens; Penciller: Aaron Lopresti; Inker: Matt Ryan; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colourist: Hi-Fi; Cover Penciller: David Finch; Cover Inker: Richard Friend; Cover Colourist: Jeromy Cox; Assitant Editor: Darren Shan; Associate Editor: Brian Smith; Editor: Mike Marts
• Solicitation copy:It's the JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL against O.M.A.C in a fight to the finish! Special crossover with this month's FIRESTORM #9!
• Published:2 May 2012
• Length:32 pages
• Cost:$2.99

Batman Beyond Unlimited #4

• Credits: Writer: J.T. Krul, Adam Beechen, Derek Fridolfs, and Dustin Nguyen; Artist: Howard Porter, Livesay, Norm Breyfogle, Dustin Nguyen, and Derek Fridolfs; Cover Artist: Dustin Nguyen
• Solicitation copy:• Batman Beyond! • Justice League Beyond! • Superman Beyond! • Need we say more?
• Published:30 May 2012
• Length:48 pages
• Cost:$3.99

Earth 2 #1

• Credits: Writer: James Robinson; Artist: Nicola Scott and Trevor Scott; Cover Artist: Greg Capullo; Variant Cover Artist: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
• Solicitation copy:• First issue of an ongoing series from writer JAMES ROBINSON and artist NICOLA SCOTT! • Who are the heroes of EARTH 2 – and what befell them? • Starring ALAN SCOTT, JAY GARRICK and many others! • You may think you know Earth 2…but this is DC Comics – The New 52, where anything can happen! • Don’t miss the extra-sized debut issue!
• Published:2 May 2012
• Length:40 pages
• Cost:$3.99

Young Justice (vol. 2) #16

• Credits: Writer: Kevin Hopps and Greg Weisman; Artist: Christopher Jones; Cover Artist: Christopher Jones; Colourist: Zac Atkinson; Cover Colourist: Zac Atkinson; Letterer: Dezi Sienty; Assistant Editor: Sarah Gaydos; Editor: Jim Chadwick
• Solicitation copy:Robin, Kid Flash and Artemis fight crime with their adult counterparts! Guest starring Batman, The Flash and Green Arrow! First part of a new storyline.
• Published:30 May 2012
• Length:28 pages
• Cost:$2.99