The fervors of July: DC Comics posts its solicitations for July, which include four new series, a few Humanoids releases and the end of Superman: Birthright. First, the number one's:

DC kicks off the month with DC Comics Presents: Batman #1, the first of eight weekly comics paying tribute to Julius Schwartz. That's followed by Mystery in Space #1, Green Lantern #1 and Hawkman #1, all with stories inspired by classic Schwartz-edited covers.

Bloodhound #1 looks to signal the return of the grim-and-gritty vigilante as an ex-cop imprisoned for killing his partner is enlisted to profile a super-powered serial killer. Dave Johnson's cover reminds me of some of those late-'60s Jim Steranko covers for Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD.

July also sees the launch of the 12-issue JLA spin-off, called Justice League: Elite. The team's going "deep under cover" to infiltrate a group of assassins. More grim, more gritty.

Tim Hunter returns with Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #1, written by Neil Gaiman and British TV writer Si Spencer.

Other books of note:

* Batman: Hush Vol. 1 collects the first half of the over-hyped series by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee
* Igor Baranko's The Horde is the first of the Humanoids releases, followed quickly by Metal Hurlant #12 and Townscapes
* Gotham Central #21 -- the return of Harvey Bullock
* The Legion #35 -- Gail Simone takes over as writer for four issues
* Batman #630 -- is it just me, or does Matt Wagner's cover art make Batman look like a 1950s pro wrestler?
* The Compleat Moonshadow -- the new printing collects the original run and the sequel
* Fables #27 -- I can't force myself to read this series, but I love me some James Jean cover art
* Sebastian O -- Grant Morrison's miniseries is collected and reprinted
* The Losers #14 -- just because
* Ex Machina #2 -- just look at that Tony Harris cover!
* Sleeper Season Two #2 -- just because