(Original concept art by Jim Lee)

Deep inside the DC offices is a wall that played a very important part in the launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. Actually it’s in Coordinating Editor Liz Gehrlein’s office, conveniently located right next to mine.

On that wall, Liz has collected a page from each of the first issues that debuted in September. Although those fifty-two pages are all very different, showcasing the fantastic range of characters and styles in the DCU, they all have one thing in common: the appearance of a lone, mysterious hooded figure. That’s right – if you look carefully through each title from last month, you will spot her … sometimes hovering in the background … other times lurking close by.

One of the coolest things for me about The New 52 was that it gave us the ability to work very far in advance. We knew exactly what we wanted to do in terms of connecting FLASHPOINT to our new universe. Geoff Johns had an amazing backstory for the mysterious woman who appears at the end of FLASHPOINT #5. We had a plan for where we thought she’d go next, but since we had enough time to really think, Jim Lee, Geoff and I figured out that it was possible to expand this character’s next appearance into ALL of the #1 issues – a daunting task to be sure, but a one-time opportunity to do something like this and really drive home how important this character is. To keep track of this plan, we created the wall in Liz’s office and put up each page as it was completed.

You’ll soon see the next step in this character’s evolution in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE, and in the months to come you will see more events ripple across titles as we continue to weave the DC Universe together and tell even more amazing stories.

In other words, Liz is going to need another wall.

-- Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief

You surf the web enough, you start seeing patterns.

The number 52, for instance, seems to be very popular right now. Drill down further and new trends start to emerge. Critics like ANIMAL MAN and THE FLASH. Websites likes a good holiday story, particularly a week out from Halloween. Ready?

FLASH FACT: critics really do like THE FLASH. Just check out POPMATTERS' advance 10 out 10 stars rave review of THE FLASH #2, which hits stores tomorrow. “Francis Manapul writer-artist behind the New 52 Flash and co-writer Brian Buccellato, simply streak ahead of any previous limitations in storytelling. What Manapul and Buccellato have produced with the Flash is a rich, textured drama that hinges on both the emotional core and hard scifi,” they wrote. “Manapul and Buccellato conduct readers to a wonderland of augmented cognition and rapid cell development. But the real joy is linking beyond the ideas the writers express, and finding science theories for ourselves like the neuroscience of prediction and quantum entanglement and bringing these to bear on our reading of the book … The Flash is simply comics at its finest.”

Want to hear more about THE FLASH? Head on over to NEWSARAMA, for Vaneta Rogers' interview with the creative team. "What's interesting about Barry Allen's perception among fans is that a lot of people think he's 'old-school.'"said series co-writer and artist Francis Manapul. "But in reality, the only thing old-school about him is his idealism. His optimism. Right? So he's this very black and white type of hero, and he's been thrust into this world that's gray." THE FLASH co-writer Buccellato suggests, "We went through a period where the anti-hero and tortured hero were prevalent, and it's because they were unique at the time that they captured the imagination of readers. But now, I think people see a noble hero as something special. We want somebody who will do the right things because they're the right things, and maybe we don't need to know that deep down he's tortured."

Meanwhile, with Halloween around the corner, GAWKER’s IO9 interviewed I, VAMPIRE writer Joshua Hale Fialkov to help get you in a horror state of mind. “I went back to Bram Stoker. I'm using Dracula but with a slightly more superhero twist,” Fialkov revealed when asked about what type of powers the vampires in his title possess. “They can turn into bats, wolves, and a hybrid monster (to give them that great visual punch). They have the Stoker set. They can walk in the sunlight, but they can't use their powers. To kill them, you must chop off their head and stake them in the heart. They can turn to mist. They're super-strong, but not Superman. The basic idea is that they're an upgraded version of us.”

AIN'T IT COOL NEWS interviewed DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and JUSTICE LEAGUE artist Jim Lee about DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. “Brian and Cliff have come up with ways of introducing centaurs into WONDER WOMAN that is very creepy, and it's exciting to see a realistic, modernist take on ancient Greek mythology, and used in a way to make it kind of...you know, the same way we've seen different updatings of classic mythology, like Frankenstein, vampires, werewolves, he's kind of doing that with Greek mythology, so it's exciting to see.”

Meanwhile, CBR spoke directly with the WONDER WOMAN creative team, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. “Greek mythology is something that is unique to the character of Wonder Woman. Let's play it up. Why shouldn't it be played up?” Azzarello said. “The other thing is, now, we've given her a family -- a big, horrible family -- and the story possibilities are endless. The gods act horribly to each other, they act horribly to humans. But at the same time, they're not entirely unsympathetic, either. They are all coming from a place you understand. That's kind of the universal quality of mythology, that it's all about human nature. The other thing is, Wonder Woman's never had a Gotham City. Now, her family is going to be her Gotham City.”

While you're at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, be sure to check out their exclusive first look at tomorrow’s TEEN TITANS #2.

Once Halloween is in the rear view mirror a week from today, we can all get ready for the winter holidays. Writer/artist Lee Bermejo helps sets the stage with an interview with NEWSARAMA about BATMAN: NOEL. “There are characters who fit in with the roles that those ghosts play in Dickens,” says Bermejo. “The ‘Ghost of Christmas Past’ is a sequence with Catwoman. The ‘Ghost of Christmas Present ’ is a sequence with Superman, and the ‘Ghost of Christmas Future’ is Joker. The roles these characters play at that moment in the story help serve the same purpose that the ghosts serve in A Christmas Carol.”

To be continued …

(Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1)

The 23^rd century and the 30^th century collide in all-new series from IDW and DC Entertainment

Debut issue in stores today

IDW Publishing and DC Entertainment proudly announced the launch of STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1, kicking off a six-issue monthly crossover adventure with the original Starship Enterprise and DC Comics’ Super Heroes. The Starship Enterprise has traveled across time and space on its five-year mission, but it is entering the DC Comics universe for the first time starting this week. STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES is also the first collaboration between IDW and DC Comics’ Super Heroes.

STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES tells the tale of the original crew of the Starship Enterprise, who beam down to a planet only to discover that the planet isn’t their intended destination, or even in the right universe. At the same time, a group of “Great Darkness Saga” Legionnaires inside a time sphere find themselves cast into the 23^rd century, but it’s not the 23^rd century as they know it, either. STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES is a galaxy-spanning adventure that draws both teams together to face a menace that includes Khunds, Klingons, Borg, and other threats that aren’t quite as they should be. The egalitarian United Planets in one universe and a United Federation of Planets in another is now the Imperial Planets of Terra, a dark empire focused on war and conquest, and that’s just the beginning for this special series.

“Nothing like kicking off our first foray into DC Comics’ Super Heroes with a story that spans dimensions and centuries,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief and the lead editor on this crossover. “As a huge fan of both of these teams and the eras we’re playing with here, as well as an admirer of the talents involved with this tale, I couldn’t be happier.”

Weaving these disparate universes and characters into a dark, foreboding and mysterious saga is Eisner-nominated writer Chris Roberson (iZombie, Superman), with art by Jeffrey and Philip Moy, both of whom have tackled the Legion and Star Trek in other forms. Phil Jimenez, will provide covers for the entire series, while each issue will also feature variant covers from classic Legion of Superheroes artists such as Keith Giffen, Steve Lightle, and Mike Grell, as well as IDW mainstay and Best Artist Eisner-nominee Gabriel Rodriguez (LOCKE & KEY) and others.

“It’s great to be working with IDW on this ground-breaking new comic series that combines two beloved franchises, especially considering the history Star Trek comic books have both with DC Comics and my previous imprint, WildStorm,” stated Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Entertainment.

The STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES series also offers a note of nostalgia for DC Comics and Star Trek, as that publisher produced the popular sci-fi comics under both the DC Comics banner in the ’80s and the WildStorm banner in the ’90s. Now, under IDW’s auspices, both the 23^rd and the 30^th centuries might never be the same after this new series is complete.

“Chris Roberson, who’s incredibly knowledgeable about both series, managed to not only weave both teams together into a clever story, but he also found a way to tie both universes together through a shared villain that fans will never expect to see,” added Ryall. “And the Moys bring a sense of dynamism and energy to not only the characters we know but also in the designs for some special merged-universe characters, too. Add to that the chance to work with guys I greatly admire on the series’ covers and you’ve really got the makings of something special here. I’m really happy that DC has been such a welcoming partner on the exciting things we’re going to do here.”

Star Trek is licensed by CBS Consumer Products.

STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1 (of 6, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) is now available in comic stores. Diamond order code AUG11 0312.

STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #2 (of 6, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in comic stores on November 19, 2011. Diamond order code SEP11 0293.

STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1 (of 6, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in comic stores in December 2011. Diamond order code OCT11 0363.

(The cover to the third printing of ANIMAL MAN #1)

Some books are so good you want to talk about them with your family, your co-workers, your Twitter followers, your Facebook friends and, well, just about the whole wide world. You want to yell from your rooftop "Read this book!"

ANIMAL MAN, the acclaimed series from writer Jeff Lemire and artist Travel Foreman, is stirring up that kind of passion from critics and fans alike. In fact, there's so much excitement that ANIMAL MAN # 1 is the latest DC COMICS - THE NEW 52 title to go back to press for a new printing.

Here's what writer Jeff Lemire had to say about the third printing and the series' early success:

"I can't express how happy I am with the success of Animal Man, its a book I care deeply about. Travel Foreman, Lovern Kindzierski and I are pouring our hearts into each issue and it's a real thrill to see so many people responding. Scott Snyder and I just got back from New York where we had a series of meetings with editor Joey Cavalieri, Group Editor Matt Idelson as well as Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza. We laid out our ambitious plans for both Animal Man and Swamp Thing, and I think I can safely say that no one will be able to guess what's coming next. We have a huge story planned that's filled with adventure, horror and drama. The Baker family is in for quite a ride, and I hope all the fans and readers will stick around to see what we have planned!"

As you may have seen, ANIMAL MAN has inspired a massive amount of attention:

“Travel Foreman's art is innovative and excellently creepy when it needs to be, and will hopefully get a lot of eyes as Lemire's everyman hero makes his mark in the new DC Universe.” – USA Today

“A profound meditation on consumer culture and the economy of disposability.” – PopMatters

“Animal Man has the sensational Jeff Lemire at the helm.” – Entertainment Weekly

“A strange, dark fantasy book with unpredictable plots and fantastic art.” – Complex Magazine

“Haunting…Travel Foreman provides sleek, meticulous art that grounds the book in reality, and he uses inventive page layouts during the scenes in the Baker home to create visual excitement where the situations are less fantastic…Animal Man is just a cool, odd character, grounded in the real world but still very much a superhero.” – The Onion AV Club

“I don’t want to overhype it, but if you don’t love it from the very first page, you’re not human.” – MTV Geek

“The best thing to come out of the DC relaunch. Absolutely knocked it out of the park…Gold stars for the creative team.” – io9

“Visceral and intriguing.” – SFX

“This book sets the benchmark.” – Comic Book Resources

“A great introduction to Animal Man for new readers, while also giving long-time fans something fresh to be excited about.” – IGN

“Amazing.” – Ain’t It Cool News

“Well-crafted and bold.” – iFanboy, Pick of the Week

“Animal Man is one you can’t pass up.” – Bloody Disgusting, Pick of the Week

With Halloween, just around the corner, we can't imagine a better gift for #AllHallowsRead then ANIMAL MAN. Help spread the word. And for an exclusive preview of issue #3, head on over to USA TODAY's POP CANDY.

Need a quick break from playing BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY? Then check out these exclusive previews of two of next week’s most eagerly awaited issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX previewed AQUAMAN #2, alongside Geoff Boucher's celebration of the character's birthday.

Meanwhile, CRAVE ONLINE has your first look at JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2.

To be continued...