“The Culling” crossover event is coming this May – but what is The Culling? What is N.O.W.H.E.R.E., and how will it threaten the heroes and would-be heroes of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52? You’ll find out in next month’s crossover, but in the meantime – stay tuned to THE SOURCE all this week for Culling insights from the creators.

Today, LEGION LOST editor Brian Cunningham gives his TOP 5 REASONS TO READ ‘THE CULLING’:

Everyone knows the month of May gives us springtime and flowers aplenty. But, hey, if you dig plenty of “pushing up daisies,” then you’ll LOVE May’s “The Culling,” a crossover running through TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST. If you want your fix of carnage and death miles below the Earth’s surface, then that’s where you’ll find it!

In addition to that, here are my Top 5 reasons to read it:

5. IT’S EPIC!
“The Culling” introduces the comic book epic to DC’s New 52, plain and simple. The all-star cast of characters is ginormous, the stakes are even higher and the caliber of talent working on it is tremendous. The story single-handedly ties together most of all three series’ plots so far, and also propels them into their collective futures. The theme of “The Culling” makes a statement on where all these super-teens are going.

These writers — Scott Lobdell, Tom DeFalco and Howard Mackie — have tons of experience in crafting epics. You’ve probably read most of them. The pedigree is gold standard.

4. TEEN TITANS & LEGION…FRENEMIES?
Friends or enemies, the Titans and Legion learn quickly they need to unite in order to survive. But that doesn’t mean they gotta like it!

In “The Culling,” the Titans and the Lost Legionnaires learn that they each have something in common, and that something is a new heavyweight villain named Harvest. Harvest has invested considerable time and effort into corralling both the Titans and these Legionnaires together. Turns out, Harvest somehow knew these Legionnaires would be coming back in time to 2012 and factored them into his über-plan in a huge way.

“How’s that possible?” you ask? To say any more would be telling!

3. THE CONSEQUENCES CHANGE THE GAME
Coming out of the climax of “The Culling,” LEGION LOST #10 will make fans either extremely happy or extremely sad, depending on how they look at it. Either way, it will spark debate with such zeal that it may result in some fist fights! But I urge our passionate audience to use non-violent methods to air out their disagreements.

2. YOU ONLY THINK YOU KNOW TOM DEFALCO
For my part in “The Culling,” I have the joy of working with Tom DeFalco, which has been one of the most fun experiences in my entire career. And I say that with no hyperbole. Tom’s a pro’s pro — I’m continually amazed at how versatile he is at contemporizing his work for today’s audience. If you think you’ve seen all Tom is capable of, you’d be very wrong, and his work on LEGION LOST has been proof of it.

1. JUST BUY IT ALREADY!!
If you like exciting, electric storytelling in your comics, then you’ll get hooked on “The Culling.” And I guarantee that you’ll be picking up TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY, LEGION LOST and — coming out of it — THE RAVAGERS every month following it.

The story delivers. I hope you’ll pick it up and let us know that you agree!