Questions About The Dark

We’re just one month after the announcement of the books in the “Dark” group of DC Comics--The New 52. There's a lot of mystery surrounding these titles and the solicitations for the second issues offer another round of questions to keep fans guessing: Can the Justice League Dark turn against one of their own? Was Alec Holland wrong about Swamp Thing’s origins? What is the S.O.M.B.I.E. appearing in FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.? Will Mitch Shelly, a.k.a. Resurrection Man, find the answers he’s looking for about his past? Find out all of these and more when the below books hit shelves this October.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by MIKEL JANIN

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Madame Xanadu continues guiding the world’s darkest heroes in their struggle against evil. But will John Constantine, Zatanna, Shade the Changing Man and the others be able to join forces in time to defeat the dangerous Enchantress before she destroys the world as we know it?

SWAMP THING #2

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Alec Holland thought he knew the history of the Swamp Thing – but he was wrong. The creature’s roots run deeper than he knows, and the Parliament of Trees intends to make him understand the responsibility he wants so desperately to avoid! With this issue, the mythology of the Swamp Thing branches out in ways you never saw coming – don’t miss it!

ANIMAL MAN #2

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art and cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Maxine’s new abilities continue to terrify Ellen and Buddy Baker, and things take a turn for the worse as Buddy begins a startling transformation of his own that will lead him on a journey into the heart of The Red. Meanwhile, The Hunters Three arrive on Earth and set their sights on the Baker family. The Hunt is on as DC’s most surprising new series continues to take ANIMAL MAN in shocking new directions.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #2

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI

Cover by J.G. JONES

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

It’s all-out war as Frankenstein and his new field team, The Creature Commandos, uncover an age-old conspiracy at the heart of Bone Lake – one that will see them suit up as the world’s first “Necronauts,” traveling between worlds and through “dead space,” toward the mysterious Monster Planet. Meanwhile, the horrifying origins of the Commandos are revealed – and the S.O.M.B.I.E. makes its first appearance!

RESURRECTION MAN #2

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Mitch Shelley’s past remains a mystery. So when he goes looking for answers, will he find them? Not likely, when he has to contend with the bounty hunter femme fatales known as The Body Doubles.

I, VAMPIRE #2

Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO

Cover by JENNY FRISON

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

True love becomes divine hatred between the Queen of Blood and Andrew, as her vampires begin their attacks across the country. Their past behind them, they find themselves ready to battle to the death... If those feelings really are all gone. Surrounded by swarms of bloodthirsty vamps, Andrew must confront his immortal beloved in a blood-soaked battle he can’t win.

DEMON KNIGHTS #2

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The siege that will reverberate through history to the present-day DCU begins as the Demon Etrigan and his unlikely lover, Madame Xanadu, face the Horde! What five (mostly) noble souls would be crazy enough to join them? The cover gives but a hint, and the point could well be moot by the time this issue’s done. For the Horde is armed with the magic of Mordru – including some decidedly different dragons!

“Resurrecting Kills!”

LogoMitch Shelly is back from the dead. And every time he is resurrected, he acquires a new skill set of powers. But it won’t be long until people start to notice and attempt to stop him from rising again. RESURRECTION MAN is written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, features art by Fernando Dagnino, and is colored by Santiago Arcas.

Can’t wait until September 14th to learn more about the book? Don’t worry. We spoke with much of the creative team about what we can expect from the series come this fall. Check out what they had to say.

THE SOURCE: What about DC's new 52 titles excites you the most?

DAN ABNETT: The balance between re-invention and familiarity.

FERNANDO DAGNINO: Being involved in the new DC Universe is definitely very exciting by itself. I consider the wider scope of themes, genres and characters featured in these 52 new titles to be key to attracting more readers.

SANTIAGO ARCAS: I'm attracted to the JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK concept. I hope it becomes a long-lived series.

How and why are you shaking up the series' status quo?

DA: We’re streamlining and making it faster paced. Basically, we’re keeping the mood and the very cool elements of Resurrection Man, but we’ve got a bigger budget to play with.

FD: Well, having Resurrection Man back from the grave is no big deal … but putting him back into business will surely be.

What new characters will debut in the series?

DA: Oh, there’s a really cool one in particular, but I refuse to give it away.

Will we see new character designs?

DA: Yes. Oh, yes.

FD: Sure, our goal is to give this series a new stylistic ride without losing Jackson Guice’s outstanding artistic depiction of the original books. But we’re setting the characters and locations in a more contemporary style.

SA: Oh yes, you certainly will.

What's the first line of dialogue in the first issue?

DA: “Coming back this time tastes of metal.”

What's the biggest surprise you've had working on this character/book?

DA: How much more pro-active Resurrection Man can be without actually putting on a costume and becoming a cape.

FD: I was not acquainted with the original series before and getting to know the book’s first run was a very pleasant surprise. But what I really liked was that the wide range of stories that unfolded in the series involve weird science fiction, magical entities, superhero action, ironic humour, police investigations and a whole set of supporting everyday characters that tell the story and contribute to depict a unique atmosphere.

SA: Fernando Dagnino's extraordinary work. I had never seen him using this style … and WOW!

What secret has been the hardest to keep?

DA: The one I’m not telling you.

SA: I'm good at keeping secrets.

What’s the unofficial tagline for this series, in your own words?

DA: He’s back. For the first time.

FD: Resurrecting Kills!

SA: A corpse who reinvents him/itself.

What were your thoughts about the day-and-date digital announcement?

DA: It’s an amazing idea and I hope it delivers everything it promises.

FD: I better start working!

SA: I hope people get used to paying to download comic books. I think trades could become the basis of the business and I hope digital makes people buy the hardcovers and trades after reading the monthlies in digital format.

FLASHPOINT FRIDAY: Lois' Mission Revealed

flashpoint-logo_whiteWith preparations for a massive world war underway, reporter Lois Lane finds herself to be among the sole survivors of one of Emperor Aquaman’s city-demolishing attacks. As a result, she’s forced into an Amazonian holding camp on New Themyscira to train to fight against the Atlanteans. But a concealed device from a fallen ally reveals that Lois’ fate may not be on the battlefield after all …

“Lois is a great character – one of the rare iconic characters in comics who have no powers. This series makes her the eyes on the ground in the middle of war between SUPER superpowers,” writer Dan Abnett told us. “Should a reporter cross the line and get involved the story? And if they do, can they make a real difference when the other players are demi-god superheroes?”

Head over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES to view exclusive preview pages. LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1 is written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and features art by Eddie Nunez and Don Ho.

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FLASHPOINT TUESDAY: The Arrangement

Two ancient and fabled civilizations: the Amazons and the Atlanteans. Two restless souls: the Atlantean King Arthur and Princess Diana of the Island of Themyscira.

FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, penciler Scott Clark and inker Dave Beaty tells the story of the arranged marriage of Arthur and Diana. It's a tragic tale of betrayal and violence. Issue one is on sale tomorrow. Hey now, who doesn't love a royal wedding?

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September's THE DARK Solicits

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JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by MIKEL JANIN

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The witch known as The Enchantress has gone mad, unleashing forces that not even the combined powers of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg can stop. And if those heroes can’t handle the job, who will stand against this mystical madness?

Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna and John Constantine may be our only hope – but how can we put our trust in beings whose very presence makes ordinary people break out in a cold sweat?

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SWAMP THING #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

One of the world’s most iconic characters has returned to the heart of the DC Universe, and every step he takes will shake the foundations of the Earth!

Alec Holland has his life back…but the Green has plans for it. A monstrous evil is rising in the desert, and it’ll take a monster of another kind to defend life as we know it!

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ANIMAL MAN #1

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN and DAN GREEN

Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (The Immortal Iron Fist).

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FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI

Cover by J.G. JONES

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

It’s Frankenstein as you’ve never seen him before, in a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER)!

Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he’s vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on this mission?

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I, VAMPIRE #1

Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO

Cover by JENNY FRISON

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

For hundreds of years, vampire Andrew Stanton kept mankind safe from the horrors of the supernatural world, thanks to a truce he made with his ex-lover Mary, the Queen of the Damned. But now that truce has reached a bloody end and Andrew must do everything in his power to stop Mary and her dark forces from going on a killing spree – and she plans to start with the heroes of the DCU!

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RESURRECTION MAN #1

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

It’s the return of Mitch Shelly – and he’s still dead.

Resurrection Man can’t stay dead for long, though – and with each rebirth comes new and unexpected powers. But his many returns have not gone unnoticed, and forces are gathering to learn what’s so special about him – and to see which of them will finally stop Resurrection Man dead.

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DEMON KNIGHTS #1

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Set in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe, a barbarian horde is massing to crush civilization. It’s fallen to Madame Xanadu and Jason Blood, the man with a monster inside him, to stand in their way – though the demon Etrigan has no interest in protecting anyone or anything other than himself! It’ll take more than their own power to stop an army fueled by bloodlust and dark sorcery, and some very surprising heroes – and villains – will have no choice but to join the fray!

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VOODOO #1

Written by RON MARZ

Art and cover by SAMI BASRI

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Who is Voodoo? Is she hero, villain – or both? Learn the truth about Priscilla Kitaen as she leaves a trail of violence across America. Discover the new DCU through her eyes, because the things she sees are not always what they seem…

DC Embraces Its Dark Side

DC Embraces Its Dark Side

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DC Comics embraces its dark side. On the 40th anniversary of the character’s creation, the New York Times bestselling writer of AMERICAN VAMPIRE, Scott Snyder, teams up with Yannick Paquette (BATMAN, INCORPORATED) to bring horror back to the DC Universe in SWAMP THING #1. For years, one man served against his will as the avatar of nature. And while he may have been freed of the monster, he's about to learn the monster will never truly let go of him.

The World’s Greatest Supernatural Heroes

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John Constantine, Deadman, Shade the Changing Man and Madame Xanadu are Justice League Dark, a band of supernatural heroes united to stop the dark things the rest of the DCU does not see in JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1, by Peter Milligan and artist Mikel Janin.

Acclaimed Creators with New Takes on Cult Heroes

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Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in ANIMAL MAN #1, the start of a dramatic new series by acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire and artists Travel Foreman and Dan Green.

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Set in the Middle Ages, the Demon leads an unlikely team to defend civilization and preserve the last vestiges of Camelot against the tide of history. Critically-acclaimed writer Paul Cornell and artists Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert combine sorcery, swords and superheroes in DEMON KNIGHTS #1.

Tomorrow’s Cult Classics

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Frankenstein and his network of strange beings work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive. It’s the breakout hero of Seven Soldiers as you’ve never seen him before in FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1, the first issue of a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, The Nobody) and artist Alberto Ponticelli.

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A cult favorite character returns in a new series written by his classic creative team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Joining them is JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST artist Fernando Dagnino. RESURRECTION MAN #1 is the story of a hero who wakes up with new powers each time he’s killed.

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Vampires threaten to bring ruin to the DC Universe in I, VAMPIRE #1 by rising star Josh Fialkov and artist Andrea Sorrentino. Tortured by his centuries-old love for the Queen of the Damnned, Andrew Bennett must save humanity from the violent uprising of his fellow vampires, even if it means exterminating his own kind.

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Priscilla Kitaen has just found out she’s a monster. A half-alien hybrid, the woman known as Voodoo must confront the secrets of her past to make sense of the nightmare her life has suddenly become. VOODOO #1 will be written by Ron Marz with art by Sami Basri.

FLASHPOINT FRIDAY: The Resistance has found Britain's last great hope

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FLASH FACT: The Resistance has found Britain's last great hope, the enigmatic and immensely powerful Brittania. It's time to take back England!

FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #3

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by EDDIE NUNEZ

Cover by EDDIE NUNEZ and SANDRA HOPE

On sale AUGUST 24 * 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * RATED T

FLASHPOINT FRIDAY: The secrets behind Queen Hippolyta's death and the start of the world war are revealed

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FLASH FACT: The secrets behind Queen Hippolyta's death and the start of the world war are revealed.

FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #3

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art and cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVE BEATY

On sale AUGUST 17 * 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * RATED T

FLASHPOINT FRIDAY: From The Editor’s Desk: Eddie Berganza on EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 Cover

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Earlier today, I gave you a step-by-step visual rundown of how a script page turns into a final piece of art. Now I want to show you two more process pieces by breaking out a couple covers. Let’s start with the cover to FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 – the same issue I gave you a sneak peek of this morning.

Covers tend to be tricky because not only does the artist need to capture the essence and themes of the whole book, but they also have to be careful not to reveal any spoilers. For these reasons, FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 is the perfect example of a successful cover. Looking at it, you certainly don’t get the impression that Aquaman is, to put it lightly, the nicest guy. He’s a warrior – one with attitude. He towers over a scene of destruction with his trident glimmering and ready for battle. So while the cover does not reveal any plot-specific spoilers, the overall feel of the book is made very evident upon first glance at it.

1. It all starts with a rough sketch based on brainstorming ideas about what the cover could look like.

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2. Next, penciller Ardian Syaf takes this sketch and provides more detail and context.

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3. Vicente Cifuentes then expertly layers on his inks.

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4. And to conclude the process, Kyle Ritter fills in the inks with eye-popping colors.

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Pretty cool stuff, right?

Tons and tons of work goes into this process. This is world-building one page at a time. Head on over to Comic Book Resources for two exclusive interviews with FLASHPOINT creators Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and Scott Snyder & Lowell Francis for a more in depth breakdown of these processes (and for some sneak peeks at the FLASHPOINT titles they’re working on).

Infinite 52 Pick-Up Digital Sale Happening Now

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This week, for the first time ever, the entire 52 series and entire INFINITE CRISIS series have been made available digitally. And yes, that does include all the spin-off and aftermath miniseries. This means books by renowned authors such as Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, and fan-favorite artists like Jim Lee, Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Ivan Reis, and Andy Lanning.

To celebrate, we’re conducting a special sale in our digital store on all of these titles. For 52 hours, each one of these digital comics will be priced at only 99 cents! This is the perfect opportunity for old fans looking to reconnect with the books of the past and for new fans to read these critically acclaimed titles that changed the DC Universe forever.

Check out the full list of available titles below. The sale ends at 4:01 am (EST) this Sunday.

o COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS #1

o DAY OF VENGEANCE #’s 1-6

o VILLAINS UNITED #’s 1-6

o RANN-THANAGAR WAR #’s1-6

o THE OMAC PROJECT #’s1-6

o SUPERMAN #219

o ACTION COMICS #829

o ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #642

o WONDER WOMAN #219

o INFINITE CRISIS #’s 1-7

o DAY OF VENGEANCE SPECIAL

o VILLAINS UNITED SPECIAL

o RANN-THANAGAR WAR SPECIAL

o THE OMAC PROJECT SPECIAL

o 52 #’s1-52

o 52: WORLD WAR III #1-4

o 52 AFTERMATH: THE FOUR HORSEMEN #1-6

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