October 2011 to be the "Month of the Mini-Series"?

Yesterday and today, DC began announcing their October 2011 solicits. They announced the ongoing series for Bat-family characters yesterday, and started with some "Dark" series and "the Edge" titles today. The obvious series that were announced last month (Batman, Batman and Robin, Red Hood and the Outlaws, StormWatch, Justice League Dark, and so on) were solicited with their second issues this morning. But then yesterday, DC announced two Bat-themed mini-series titles being started this October; The Huntress & Penguin: Pain and Prejudice.

The Huntress will be written by Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes) and pencils by Marcus To. Looking at the cover, alone, makes me see that her costume hasn't really changed. I mean, at least from how it was in Hush. I haven't really read any stories with her besides that.

Here's the solicit's info about the first issue:
"THE HUNTRESS #1
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by MARCUS TO and JOHN DELL
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 1 of 6, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Look out! By the end of this hot new miniseries, the Huntress will have the largest price on her head in DC Universe history.
What will the Huntress do that warrants such a death mark? And who puts it there? The jaw-dropping events will be revealed as the Huntress heads home to Italy and embarks on a mission that defines her life. Don’t miss out, because this story will tie in to upcoming events in BIRDS OF PREY!"

Maybe once Huntress re-enters the whole Birds of Prey dynamic, I might start reading that series, too? Depending on how I like the mini. The only difference in her outfit that I can notice is that she has that new armor-look that just about every character has now. I hope that if Huntress is actually returning to Birds of Prey, then maybe Gail Simone will, too? And if Helena does return to the Birds, then I really hope she makes fun of Dinah's new outfit. "My god, Dinah. What the hell are you wearing?"

DC also announced the Penguin mini yesterday, too. Penguin: Pain and Prejudice will be written by Gregg Hurwitz and pencils by Szymon Kudranski (I already don't like this artist; his name is a pain in the ass to spell).
I never really did like the Penguin in much. I probably won't be reading it, but who knows.

Here is the official description:
"PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE #1
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art and cover by SZYMON KUDRANSKI
On sale OCTOBER 5 * 1 of 5, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * RATED T
In this exciting new miniseries from novelist Gregg Hurwitz (You're Next) and rising star artist Szymon Kudranksi (Spawn), the painful and dark past of one of Batman's most devious foes is examined. How did young Oswald Cobblepot go from being the apple of his mother's eye to the leader of underworld gangs and adversary of The Caped Crusader? Find out in PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE!"

It looks like it could end up being okay, but whatever. I'll read the reviews.

But the biggest new so-far coming out in October is probably The Shade. Fans have been waiting for James Robinson's Shade series to come out ever since his acclaimed Starman story.

The series features the character named "Shade" and will be a 12-issue mini-series, unlike the other two mini's which were 6- and 5-issue mini's, respectively.

Here's the official description:
"THE SHADE #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by CULLY HAMNER
Cover by TONY HARRIS
1:10 Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER
On sale OCTOBER 12 * 1 of 12, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * RATED T+
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. See the Previews order form for more information.
James Robinson returns to the world of his acclaimed STARMAN series with a new 12-issue series starring the antihero known as The Shade! An attack at the Starman museum kicks off a globe-hopping, centuries spanning quest that will irrevocably change The Shade's life, and ultimately shed light on his true origin! Artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner (RED) kicks off the series, and upcoming issues will feature art by such luminaries as Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, Jill Thompson, Frazer Irving and Gene Ha!"

So there's where at least Robinson is going to be for at least a year. This series actually looks pretty interesting so I'll probably pick it up. So that bumps my list of "Probable Comics to Buy in October" list up to 22...assuming that none of the ongoing series that I want are completely terrible (which I'm sure at least one will be).

So is October 2011 going to be considered the "Month of the Mini's"? I hope some more interesting ones come out (Can anyone say Booster Gold and Power Girl? Or at least one of them on their own?).

Thanks for reading, guys. Check in later for (hopefully) more information.