[Editor's note: Grant Morrison provided the below commentary for the bonus material in the new BATMAN AND ROBIN MUST DIE! Hardcover - for more behind-the-scenes material from Grant, Frank Quitely and Frazer Irving, be sure to check out the book, now in stores!]

Issue Fourteen

During “Batman R.I.P.” I felt we’d missed out on the potential of an infernal cover depicting Doctor Hurt wearing Thomas Wayne’s sinister, bat-like masquerade costume backlit by turbulent flames. The idea was finally used here, with the addition of a Batman who’s had bullet holes blasted into his back in a domino-spot pattern.

Which way will Superman fly in the 21st century? DC Entertainment's own superheroes Geoff Johns and Jim Lee tackle this and other comic book questions Saturday, June 11 at the Hero Complex Film Festival in Hollywood.

Superman has been a cultural icon for 73 years, capturing the hearts and imagination of the world through the pages of DC Comics. What does DC have in store for Superman and can this young, hot creative duo launch Clark Kent and his alter ego into the future?

In an exclusive on-stage conversation, legendary comic writer Geoff Johns and celebrated comic artist Jim Lee, will be interviewed by journalist Geoff Boucher, who is celebrating his 20th year at the Los Angeles Times and has become a high-profile figure in genre culture as the creator of the award-winning Hero Complex website.

Johns and Lee will be making comic book publishing news at the festival panel. Their appearance will be followed by a tribute to Richard Donner, screenings of both "Superman" and "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" and a Q&A with the famed filmmaker.

Single-day tickets are available for festival, which runs June 9-12 at the Chinese Six Theatre at famous cross-street of Hollywood and Highland. A limited number of discounted four-day passes are also available. Other special guests include Warren Beatty, Jon Favreau, Nicolas Meyer, Damon Lindleof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. More guests and programs will be announced soon

The tale of FRANKENSTEIN is unarguably timeless. So how does one take such a culturally recognized figure and alter him within the world of FLASHPOINT? Stepping up to the plate is fan-favorite creator Jeff Lemire, whose miniseries FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN & THE CREATURES OF THE UNNKNOWN sets the legendary monster in the heart of World War II. We chatted with Jeff about his spin on the character and his process as a writer:

THE SOURCE: FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN AND THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN uncovers the wierd war tales of the FLASHPOINT world. When Frankenstein awakens in issue one, his first words are "was... something... left... undone?" What is he referring to? Where has Frankenstein been?

JEFF LEMIRE: That was actually an homage to the Grant Morrison/Doug Mahnke 7 SOLDIERS mini-series. In that book, those were the first words the creature said as well, and it occurred to me that if Frankenstein woke up in 1942 or in 2003 like he did in that series, he'd have the same reaction...he’d sense a world in turmoil.

Without giving too much away Frankenstein was a secret adventurer and protector of humanity in the early part of the 20th century before being...um...put out of commission for a while.

Does the Frankenstein monster end up a war hero?

JEFF: He is THE war hero. Frankenstein is driven to root out evil at all costs and it leads him on a pretty MAJOR mission during World War II. One that not only changes the direction of the war, but also the history of the Flashpoint Universe's costumed heroes as well.

How does Project M impact the Second World War?

JEFF: Frankenstein and his team of Creature Commandos created by the mysterious Project M end up leading the charge in Europe. As a result, teams like the JSA and All-Star Squadron are not needed in the same way they were in the regular DC Universe. Thus their destinies are altered as well.

There's a common thread to your work for DC and Vertigo. SWEET TOOTH features hybrid human/animal creatures and SUPERBOY features the monthly adventures of a super clone. Now you're writing the adventures of monsters who are super soldiers. What draws you to stories about lab experiments and science fiction?

JEFF: I am actually a clone myself. I come from a long line of clones. My dad was a clone, my grandfather...in fact I've cloned myself a number of times. It's how I'm able to write two monthly books and write and draw another every month.

Seriously, though I love these characters who have nebulous origins and are born as outsiders...or born being inherently cut off from the rest of humanity, and as a result need to manufacture either own place in the world. It's a very unique point of view to write and for whatever reason, one I can relate to and one that continues to interest me creatively.

What makes this Frankenstein unique from other takes on the character?

JEFF: This Frankenstein is a total badass. An unstoppable, unkillable machine of destruction. But inside is the romantic heart of a poet.

THE SOURCE: In issue one of the WORLD OF FLASHPOINT, we see the impact of the war on real world locations including Paris and New York. Why focus on those cities?

REX OGLE: I came up with three visuals that I thought nailed the social climate of a world on the edge of a terrible war. I picked Paris, because I wanted to show some mass destruction on the frontlines, and it’s a place people are familiar with (from movies and TV, if not first hand). Same with NYC—it’s iconic.

Also, I thought if the world were ending, how would people act on these streets I call home?

Will the series also explore DC Universe cities like Gotham and Metropolis?

REX: Metropolis and Gotham both get a lot of love in PROJECT: SUPERMAN and BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE (respectively), so I aimed for a more global tour of the world. After all, it is called WORLD OF FLASHPOINT. But Traci 13 does touch down in Gotham and finds a very unexpected ally.

Issue 2 expands the scope of the series even further, as Traci 13 travels around the world to Africa, Asia, and North America and South America.

REX: Don’t forget Australia, Antartica, and Europe! Traci 13 travels to every continent. But it’s not about the locations so much as the people she meets along the way. Expect plenty of cameos.

What area of the world has been the most impacted by the war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman?

REX: The entire planet has been affected by the Amazon-Atlantean feud, though none quite as deeply as Europe.

What, if anything, can you tell us about the global council that makes up H.I.V.E.?

REX: Hmmm, there's a scientist, a dictator, a madman, and of course a very scary kid. Who doesn’t love a creepy kid?

I really scored some rad cameos, drawing deep from the massive well of DCU characters and put together people I thought might be brought together under these kinds of dire circumstances.

What made Traci 13 the right protagonist for this series?

REX: Here’s this young girl with an immense amount of power at her fingertips, but she doesn’t quite know how to use it in the beginning and it causes her to lose her family. I think anyone can relate to not being smart enough as a kid and making mistakes.

Also, her last name is “13”. I still think that’s cool.

Are any of the characters in THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT actually better off than the versions we have known in the DC Universe?

REX: Wow. Great question. (No comment.)

The action in THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT may well bring dire consequences to the world's population. Just how big of a threat is set in motion in the first issue?

REX: Hmmm. The stakes involved? About 118 million lives, including pretty much all of our fave heroes and villains. And to think, Traci is only 15 years old. NO pressure.

TOMAR-RE

REAL NAME: Tomar-Re

OCCUPATION: Green Lantern/Galactic Protector/Archivist

BASE OF OPERATIONS: Sector 2813

HOMEWORLD: Xudar

HEIGHT: 7’

WEIGHT: 220 lbs

EYES: Red

HAIR: N/A

FIRST APPEARANCE: Green Lantern vol. 2 #6 (May/June, 1961)

AKA: Green Lantern

BACKGROUND from the comic books:

Xudarians are a bird race who lack imperialistic tendencies. Though a tranquil and benevolent society, they will defend their planet when required. This peaceful Avian race focuses their efforts on the arts and sciences instead of war which is the reason for their highly advanced civilization.

Tomar-Re is one of the orange-skinned Xudarians and the Green Lantern of sector 2813. His nature to examine things has led him to thoroughly study the sacred Book of Oa. The immortal Guardians of the Universe have recognized this and appointed him archivist and protector of the Book.

Tomar-Re had developed a close friendship with the neighboring sector 2814's Green Lantern, Abin Sur. They constantly called upon each other for assistance in policing their turf. Yet to request help from Abin's replacement Hal Jordan, Tomar-Re remains undecided on the new Lantern.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Green Lantern ring allows for a protective shield and energy constructs.
• Constructs are scientific and based upon Tomar-Re's current studies. They tend to be unrecognizable to most.
• Immensely powerful beak that can be used as a weapon in battle.
• Fin running across his scalp.