BATMAN ANNUAL #1 INTRODUCES MR. FREEZE INTO DC COMICS: THE NEW 52

Coming this May, BATMAN ANNUAL #1 features the hotly anticipated introduction of Mr. Freeze into DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. But what is the icy villain’s role in the machinations of the sinister Court of Owls and their plot to control Gotham City? Is he friend or foe, ally or enemy?

“Mr. Freeze is a character full of pathos and tragedy and at the end of the day, he's one of Batman's deadliest,” said writer Scott Snyder. “So as you can imagine, I'm very excited to be able to do a story that establishes him in the new DCU, with rising stars James Tynion IV and Jay Fabok. This will be tale that really digs into Freeze's psyche, explaining his connection to the Court of Owls in the present, and exploring dark secrets about his past. Really thrilled to see what you guys think!”

Critically acclaimed for his work on the ongoing BATMAN series, Snyder will be joined by artist Jay Fabok for the oversized issue, with James Tynion IV co-writing.

Expanding the story of the “Night of the Owls” and introducing one of Batman’s classic rogues, BATMAN ANNUAL #1 is not to be missed. Check out Fabok’s cover right here on THE SOURCE.

TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 IS COMING IN MAY

Featuring a story too big for the regular monthly series, TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 launches the first set of giant-sized annuals from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. The story is written by Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS) and Tom Defalco (LEGION LOST), with art by TEEN TITANS’ regular illustrator, Brett Booth.

Coming this May, the expansive crossover story weaves through several ongoing series – including TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST – and pits the heroes against one another in a chamber of horrors far beneath the surface of Antarctica.

"You know how comics used to have cover copy that read 'This issue has it all!'... then you'd read the issue and, well, it had some but not all? Well this Annual really does have it all!” promises Lobdell. “We finally get to see the oft-mentioned Colony – where the N.O.W.H.E.R.E. leader named Harvest has been keeping the hundred or so teenagers (did I say hundred?!) for who-knows-how-long. We get to see the Teen Titans in pitched battle against the Legion Lost (You can understand why Red Robin is skeptical about a team of teenagers claiming to come from the 30th Century, and why Tyroc is scratching his head over the existence of a team that – according to the history progs – is still some eight years away from being formed!). Then there's the introduction of half the roster of the new RAVAGERS series! It has been eight issues since Red Robin threw down the gauntlet to Harvest, and now we're going to see if the Teen Titans have what it takes to shut down N.O.W.H.E.R.E. once and for all! Yes, there's a reason why this story could only take place in an annual – because there is just too much story to be contained in one of the monthly books!

"Do I sound excited?! It's only because I am! And if you think the story is fun – wait until you get a load of the artwork! Brett and Norm and Andrew are firing on all cylinders – and if this isn't the hottest looking Annual on sale this year, then I will eat my hat! (Of course, I'll have to buy one first. Who wears hats any more?!)

"And finally, I'd have to say we couldn't have gotten this Annual going – or the subsequent crossover – without the hard work and always insightful insights of Tom DeFalco, the writer of LEGION LOST. The man has more talent in his little finger than he has in, well, his whole thumb!

"We're both honored that we're being entrusted with the first chapter of a story that is going to give birth to the new RAVAGERS series by Howard Mackie and Ian Churchill, and not only because it is bound to be the most talked about new series of 2012! Its also because this is the best part of the DCNu, creators and characters coming together on myriad titles to create some really awesome comic stories!"

Check out TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1, and follow the story through SUPERBOY #9, LEGION LOST #9, TEEN TITANS #9 and THE RAVAGERS #1. It all starts this May, but in the meantime – check out the cover by Booth right here on THE SOURCE.

Renato Guedes tackles covers for ACTION, SUPERMAN and SUPERGIRL annuals

You may have noticed a trend here at The Source. We like to show cool art once it appears in our inbox. SUPERMAN Group Editor Matt Idelson and his assistant Wil Moss, coincidentally, like to forward us cool art. It works out nicely.

So, to close out this Monday, we've got three covers from SUPERMAN artist Renato Guedes. The covers, for ACTION COMICS ANNUAL, SUPERMAN ANNUAL and SUPERGIRL form a loose triptych image. What's better than a Guedes image? Well, three.

ACTION COMICS ANNUAL, which hits 6/17, features the origin of Nightwing and Flamebird, from writer Greg Rucka and Pere Pérez.

On 8/19, SUPERMAN ANNUAL #14, by James Robinson and Javier Pina, delves into the past of Daxam, the home planet of Mon-El, from its roots as a Kryptonian colony to it's Earth connections. Could the planet Mon-El always saw as peaceful be anything but?

And on 9/2 we have the SUPERGIRL ANNUAL, by Sterling Gates, Fernando Dagnino and Raul Fernandez, gives readers a look into the lives of the two ladies of the Superman family -- Supergirl and Superwoman. What's a day like for Supergirl in her secret identity? Also, what drove Superwoman to become the threat she is now?

Click below for some Guedes goodness.

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