With the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, DC Comics-The New 52 officially kicked off. Coverage has been widespread today. Looking for a comprehensive overview? Look no further.

THE NEW YORK TIMES ran a major feature story on the launch of DC Comics-The New 52 on the front of the Arts section and on their homepage. “We’re not looking for a way of going back to what we did before,” DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras told them. “We like to say here, ‘No trap doors.’ This is what we are going to do.”

TODAY.COM interviewed DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio. (You might have seen the story on MSNBC, too.) “It’s all about getting comics into the hands of new readers,” Lee said. “We’re trying to introduce these characters to new audiences.”

Last night’s Midnight Madness event with JUSTICE LEAGUE creative team Geoff Johns and Jim Lee at Midtown Comics in New York City had an incredible turnout and was a huge success. MSNBC was on location taking photos of everything from fan costumes to BATMAN and SWAMP THING writer Scott Snyder mingling with fans to Geoff and Jim distributing pizza to those who waited in line for hours to get their hands on JUSTICE LEAGUE #1.

ABC NEWS interviewed Geoff and Jim, who discussed everything from new costumes to their collaborative process. “In the case of JUSTICE LEAGUE, we’re actually completely retelling and re-envisioning how they met and why they met and why they stayed together,” Geoff Johns explained. “The goal is to actually have more personality, more conflict, more tension. Everyone knows them as the super-friends, but we’re showing that they’re not actually friends – not yet.”

WIRED MAGAZINE posted a gallery of various JUSTICE LEAGUE character designs by Jim Lee. Take an exclusive look at Jim’s designs for Superman, The Flash and Aquaman and be sure to check out WIRED’s analysis of these characters’ fresh costumes and looks.

With so much excitement about the 52 titles being released, it’s hard to pick a favorite. “The best part is that for all of the different members of [the DC Comics team] that have read all of the books,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio told THE WASHINGTON POST, “I can’t find two people with the same Top-Five list. That’s what’s great for me.”

DiDio also caught up with THE VILLAGE VOICE. “We want to get back down to the core characters and rebuild the fiction around them,” he said of DC Comics-The New 52. “This isn't about rehashing stories, but providing things that new readers can relate to."

EBONY.COM looks at diversity in DC Comics-The New 52, including characters like Voodoo, Static Shock, Cyborg, Mister Terrific and Batwing. “When we go to conventions, we see people of all races and genders,” DiDio told them. “We want a real sense that these characters are participating in the same world that exists outside our window.”

DigiDay ran a piece about same-date digital publication. According to Hank Kanalz, SVP of Digital, “What we heard anecdotally is that people have been coming into comic book stores and buying more titles and asking about digital delivery.”

Io9 and MTV GEEK also shed some light on the heralding in of DC Comics-The New 52 with the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. MTV GEEK also announced a special Twitter competition in which you can win each #1 issue being released as part of DC Comics-The New 52. For information on how to enter the contest, click here.

Much, much more to come as major interviews are being conducted as I load this blog post.

Congratulations are in order to Geoff, Jim, Scott Williams and everyone else behind JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. The issue hasn’t even been out for a full day yet and is already sold out. Here's a first look at the cover of the second printing.

When I put in place the new DC Entertainment executive team in February of last year, I asked them to think big and be bold – to adopt a “no fear” attitude toward the business we love. We set out to reinvigorate interest in comics, bring in new readers and make our characters and stories more accessible to the widest possible audience, all while respecting the core fans who are the foundation of our company. That’s exactly what the DC Entertainment team has done with the unprecedented roll-out of DC Comics – The New 52 and the launch of same day digital comics. I couldn’t be more proud of the team or the results.

Today’s release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 from Geoff and Jim kicks-off The New 52 and marks the culmination of a lot of hard work from all of our teams in New York and Burbank. We’re very excited to share of our efforts with you and I hope you join us in celebrating DC Comics – The New 52. Stay tuned; we have a lot more in store for you throughout September and beyond.

"Some people don't like having their secrets exposed."

– Clark Kent in ACTION COMICS #1

This afternoon, we’re going to take a look at what the comic book trade press is saying about JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 and The New 52 – including their interviews with some of the talented people behind the launch.

* ICV2 featured a three-part piece on The New 52 – featuring interviews with DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, conducted in advance of San Diego Comic-Con. Said DiDio: “Our numbers are up in the mass market over-all in conjunction with graphic novel sales.” Check them out here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three.

* COMIC BOOK RESOURCES showcased a Comic-Con video interview with BATWING and CATWOMAN writer Judd Winick, who discusses his extensive research for the BATWING book and the timeless appeal of CATWOMAN. Also featured is an interview with writer Paul Jenkins about redefining Deadman in DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS.

* Newsarama offered a comprehensive primer on The New 52 as whole, and also served up some interviews with the writers behind the various series – including writer J.T. Krul (Captain Atom) and Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS).

* Over at iFanboy, Ron Richards and Conor Kilpatrick each listed their top five (and bonus five) picks for the most anticipated New 52 titles – with JUSTICE LEAGUE topping both lists.

* Comic Vine offered their own perspectives and interpretations of the new Batgirl pages that debuted in the NY Post, while writer Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY) provided some insider insights on the launch.

* ComicBook.com listed the five things they love most about The New 52 – including greater ethnic diversity, more women, day-and-date digital releases and DC’s confidence in the launch.

* DreadCentral.com picked up The Source’s preview of The New 52’s ANIMAL MAN, with extensive art. Also included was a full breakdown of New 52 titles that may be of interest to horror fans.

There’s more rolling in by the minute, and we’re expecting even more once JUSTICE LEAGUE hits the shelves. Stay tuned.

While I was checking in for my flight yesterday from Los Angeles to New York I thought to myself, “Don’t check your bag.” I mean, it was pretty light and who checks their bag for a three-day trip? But I decided to anyway, almost embarrassed to tell the clerk who gave me a look as if to say, “You’re checking this?” I fumbled together a few words, thanking her and headed to the gate.

When the flight arrived at New York I was greeted by an airline worker who informed me my bag had been lost. But I didn’t panic (thankfully my notebooks and laptop full of the next several scripts of JUSTICE LEAGUE, GREEN LANTERN and AQUAMAN were in my backpack which was with me – the latest work being an outline on the second year of Justice League). My bag wasn’t that important. Being in New York was.

I’m in Manhattan to join everyone else tonight at midnight to celebrate the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 at Midtown Comics. A very different JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 than I would’ve ever imagined writing.

I’m known for stories that build off the rich continuity that DC has. So when the idea of an entire line-wide relaunch was discussed, I knew it would stir controversy, which I’ve never been a big fan of. I knew it would change characters I was already comfortable with. And I knew I would have to completely re-think how I was going to approach everything I was writing. But I also knew it was a chance for every writer and artist to turn their focus on the one other thing that makes DC great: its characters.

This is new. And new is scary. For all of us. We’re entering into uncharted waters.

But we have Aquaman to brave those waters.

And Batman. And Superman. And Frankenstein, Justice League Dark, Grifter, Swamp Thing, Batgirl, the Flash, Suicide Squad, Action Comics, Batman & Robin and many, many more.

It’s a challenge and a thrill to work on a relaunch for JUSTICE LEAGUE that explores these characters in a different way, spin GREEN LANTERN into a new direction starring its greatest villain Sinestro as the ring bearer and finally tackling AQUAMAN to answer that question no one knew needed answering: Who Sank Atlantis?

My bag showed up at 4 a.m. this morning. I think it’s because I believe in a better tomorrow.

I learned that from Superman.

Geoff