Changes to the Firestorm creative team matrix

Just as the nature of the Firestorm protocol is enhanced by the different personalities that fuel its matrix, THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN will explore new story possibilities with new combinations of its creative team. Beginning with issue #7, Joe Harris will be joining Ethan Van Sciver as co-writer.

Harris is perhaps best known for his work on GHOST PROJEKT, and he has also written some one-shots for DC Comics – including a Scarecrow story for THE JOKER ASYLUM and BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL: MAN-BAT.

Along with the addition of Harris to the matrix, issue #7 will also find Van Sciver providing both interior and cover art. Yildiray Cinar will remain as the series’ ongoing artist, returning for issue #9 after Van Sciver’s two-part arc as artist.

FIRESTORM’s co-plotter for the first six issues, Gail Simone will remain entrenched in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, focusing her attention on the Gotham City exploits of BATGIRL.

“The secrets are out, the weapons are amassing, and Ronnie and Jason have barely begun to understand the depths in which they’re swimming,” said series editor Rachel Gluckstern. “Once they were normal teens, now they wield incredible powers – and have caused incredible disasters. And it’s only going to get worse. Ethan Van Sciver and Joe Harris are kicking down the doors in this new chapter of THE FURY OF FIRESTORM, taking our heroes into the global arena of politics and power. We’re going to learn the truth about Professor Stein and all the plans he set in place, which are now spiraling out of control. Join us for the thrilling new story — THE FIRESTORM PROTOCOLS!”

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DC Comics All Access: Bob Harras

52 Titles. One Universe.

As we keep having more and more success with The New 52 (thanks to you readers!) we find that we're also having more and more fun. Getting up and running was tricky, but right now I'm reading scripts for issues #6 and 7 of most series and all I can think about is how amazing this is. We're at the point where we can start adding some new wrinkles for our characters and really drive home the sense that there are no limits with our comics. So far we've been talking a lot about 52 different books, but it's important to remember that all of these stories take place in the same universe. You're going to be seeing more of that continuity as we go along. But maybe not the way you'd expect. Let me explain ...

Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder dropped by my office the other day. Jeff--in case you didn't know--writes ANIMAL MAN, a truly awesome series (drawn by the amazingly talented Travel Foreman) that's taken comics by storm. Scott helms SWAMP THING, an equally awesome series drawn by the equally talented Yanick Paquette. They were in to present a story that involves both characters in an intertwined saga that will change the lives of Buddy Baker and Alec Holland forever. After the pitch, Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and I were quite simply blown away. I advise fans of phenomenal storytelling everywhere to check out these two titles--as seeds for this upcoming epic are already being sown organically throughout these two books from the Dark corner of our world.

Scott and Jeff certainly aren't the only creators exchanging ideas and cross-pollinating series. Another Scott-Lobdell, this time--and Fabian Nicieza are working on a storyline that will flow between TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST. It explores everything from the mystery of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E, the organization that developed Superboy as the ultimate weapon, to the tragedy of the mysterious Hypertaxis virus brought to our century from the future by the time-lost Legionnaires, to how both impact our newly formed group of young heroes.

And over in the BATMAN titles, the aforementioned and prolific Mr. Scott Snyder has crafted a tale involving the Court of Owls and its deadly Talon assassins that may soon impact the storylines in NIGHTWING, BATGIRL, BIRDS OF PREY and even RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS.

All these upcoming stories encapsulate the excitement our writers and artists are feeling, as they explore our characters and their natural connections. The key idea here is "natural connections." All these ideas are being generated by the excitement our talent and editors have for all these amazing characters sharing our universe. In short, we're building a new mythology with The New 52, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

Keep reading, folks--I guarantee, you too are going to be blown away!

-- Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief

BATMAN Group Solicits

BATMAN #6

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

1:200 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99 US

Trapped far beneath Gotham City and hunted by the Talon – the Court of Owls’ unstoppable killer – Batman lies bleeding and broken. With no way out and no one to help, is this the end for The Dark Knight?

DETECTIVE COMICS #6

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

1:25 Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman invades The Penguin’s floating casino as Bruce Wayne to uncover a brutal string of slayings – but he finds the chips stacked against him! With the Iceberg’s maiden voyage out of Gotham Harbor under way, the evening’s festivities threaten to throw Batman off the killer’s trail. And lurking among the rich and famous is a very ambitious outsider who’d like nothing more than to see Bruce Wayne lose everything, including his life. Murder, lies and betrayal are the name of this high-stakes game!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #6

Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale FEBRUARY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman’s darkest fears resurface in this stunning conclusion to the opening epic as the Dark Knight confronts the mastermind behind the toxin being injected into Gotham City’s criminals. But the conspiracy behind the toxin runs deeper than he could possibly have imagined. Time is running out – and the entire structure of Gotham City’s society is at risk, unless Batman can find a path to overcome the man who once broke his back: Bane!

BATWING #6

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by BEN OLIVER

Cover by JASON FABOK

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The past looms large as Batwing’s early days as a crime fighter come to light, gaining the attention of Batman. In the present, the adventure comes full circle as Batwing faces off against Massacre in the shadows of the Pyramids of Egypt. The mystery of Massacre begins unfolding as the truth of Africa’s greatest Super Hero team, The Kingdom, unravels.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #6

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

As the bond between Batman and Robin deteriorates, Robin is forced by NoBody to make a life and death decision – and Batman’s hunt through Gotham City to find them reaches a soul-searing moment that will push Batman to the edge!

BIRDS OF PREY #6

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JAVIER PINA

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

You’ve never felt better. You’re eating right, sleeping soundly, kicking butt at work. But there’s one tiny problem. You’re being hunted through the streets of Gotham City by five women who seem dead-set on sticking you with syringes and even chopping your head off with a sword. But listen, buddy – you don’t understand. These women? The so-called Birds of Prey? They’re the only things standing between you and instant death, triggered by some creepy guy who’s been secretly controlling your mind for a year now…

BATWOMAN #6

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art by AMY REEDER and RICHARD FRIEND

Cover by AMY REEDER

1:25 Variant cover by AMY REEDER

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Artist Amy Reeder and inker Richard Friend join the Batwoman team with this new arc, as the epic “To Drown the World” begins!

Six lives, inextricably linked in the past and present, each on a collision course with the others: Batwoman, fighting for duty and vengeance against a threat of arcane power. Detective Maggie Sawyer, investigating a case that could end her career. DEO Agent Cameron Chase, commanding a vigilante she despises. Colonel Jacob Kane, clutching at a life that’s slipping away. Maro, a new villain corrupting Gotham City. And Kate Kane, wrestling with decisions that will test her loyalties.

BATGIRL #6

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

During the day, Barbara Gordon has to deal with the emotional fallout of the return of a key figure from her most painful memories, while at night, high above Gotham City’s streets, Batgirl and Batman face the deadly Gretel, a damaged woman with the lethal ability to control men’s minds!

It’s Batgirl’s first face-to-face with Batman since her rehabilitation – and he has a few choice words to say about her return to crime fighting!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #6

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

How did Jason Todd and Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran meet – and what has bonded them together in a way that neither could have imagined? At long last the story can be told! It’s a scorcher!

(Not final cover)

CATWOMAN #6

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T+

Catwoman is busted! She’s under arrest and in the custody of the Gotham City P.D. But it doesn’t look like she’s going to get her phone call, because the police aren’t looking for justice – they’re looking for what Catwoman stole from them. And she’s about to get an earful about her most complicated relationship: Batman.

NIGHTWING #6

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by EDDY BARROWS and PAULO SIQUERIA

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

After the huge reveal of last issue, Dick Grayson takes Haly’s Circus back to Gotham City in preparation for a large memorial show. But as Dick gets closer to the truth about his past, just how much is he really deciding for himself? And what does the Book of Names really mean? It all builds to a head here...just in time for a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor!

DC All Access: Bobbie Chase

Working in a vacuum for the last six months since I started working at DC, I looked forward to the September launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with a mix of excitement and nervousness. How would readers respond to some of the more pivotal changes to their favorite characters, and this massive DC undertaking? And while working on these beloved characters and having a huge amount of fun shaping them into what they've become - in my case BATGIRL, GRIFTER, NIGHTWING, RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS and TEEN TITANS - all of us in the editorial department have cringed and laughed over the speculation from the comics community at large.

Well, that general cry of "What the hell are they doing over at DC?" was answered two months ago at the launch, and here in month three I'm happy to report we've gotten into a nice groove with all the books - grooving on the excitement generated by new and old readers alike. There's an amazing new energy emanating from the editorial offices. We're talking about the books together, admiring what's being done better and what's being done BEST.

Just out of this week from my office are two books I'm particularly proud of - BATGIRL #3 and GRIFTER #3. Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf have crafted a wonderfully personal story in BATGIRL, giving you a hint of Batgirl's past and her continuing struggles as a recovering paraplegic. And in GRIFTER, Nathan Edmondson and CAFU are creating a whole new world for the Grifter, filled with aliens and humans who all want the same thing: to get him, alive or dead. Including his own family, in this case. I hope the spotlights above and below will tempt you to pick up both books, if you haven't planned to already.

-- Bobbie Chase, Senior Editor

Previews of tomorrow’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 releases

Over the past few days, we’ve been linking to all of the exclusive previews of the third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 that are going on sale tomorrow.

Below, take a look at all the previews that ran (sorted alphabetically and separated by cover), compiled here in one easy location for your convenience.

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Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Friday Afternoon (ET) Edition

It's almost the weekend, but that's not stopping people from writing and talking about DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

CNN’s GEEK OUT interviewed ACTION COMICS writer Grant Morrison. “Superman is very much a physical character,” responded Morrison when asked about the differences between writing Superman and Batman. “The confrontations are very direct - he fights giant robots and monsters and things, so the kind of symbolism the two of them work on are very different.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has your exclusive first look at next week’s BATGIRL #3 by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes.

Meanwhile, the ASSOCIATED PRESS quotes John Rood, DC Entertainment's Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development for a story about the commercial success of DC Comics-The NEW 52. "We like what 'DC Comics — The New 52' is doing to bring new attention to comics and to comic shop retailers. And we like hearing that other publishers are being helped too. . . The market-share battle is not the one we care to win... We are battling to deliver great stories and characters, and to support comic shops so that they're the ones who win every month."

Have a great weekend, everyone. We'll have much, much more next week.

As always, to be continued …

BATMAN Group Solicits

BATMAN #5

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO • Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT

1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale JANUARY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99 US

Deep beneath Gotham City lies the Court of Owls’ deadliest trap – and Batman has fallen right into it! Can he escape, or will he perish in a maze of nightmare? Enter the labyrinth, Batman – if you dare!

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.

DETECTIVE COMICS #5

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

1:25 Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale JANUARY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

There’s been a seriers of assassinations in the criminal underworld – and The Penguin is among Batman’s first suspects! But when seemingly ordinary women become part of the killings, Batman discovers a common denominator that leads him on the trail of a vicious killer who is spiraling down a path of destruction. Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend, investigative reporter Charlotte Rivers, ends up on the killer’s hit list. And with her missing, can Batman uncover the layers of lies and deception within the underworld in time to save her?

(Not final cover)

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #5

Written by PAUL JENKINS

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale JANUARY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

When a madman attacks Batman with a new and powerful fear toxin, The Dark Knight visits the coldest and most distant part of his soul. And as his deepest fears resurface, he must rely on old friends to help quell the terrible effects, and to remind him of his true mission as a hero. But what Batman discovers hidden in a moment of courage may change his life forever... for a dark figure from his past has returned – the one adversary The Dark Knight truly fears.

BATWING #5

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by BEN OLIVER

Cover by KEN LASHLEY

On sale JANUARY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The mystery of the Kingdom, Africa’s first and last Super Hero team, continues. When their former headquarters is opened to the public, its American benefactor, Bruce Wayne, is on hand. Will the villainous Massacre, who’s been murdering the lost heroes, stop by for the grand opening? If he does, it will be up to Batman and Batwing to stop him. It’s a battle of the bats!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #5

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale JANUARY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

There’s a devil on Robin’s shoulder – and his name is Nobody! Batman and Robin’s relationship gets pushed to the breaking point as Nobody insinuates himself into Damian’s life and tries to make him see that Bruce’s plan to battle crime is hopeless – and only by teaming up and tapping into Damian’s killer instinct can they ever hope to rid Gotham City of its evil roots.

BIRDS OF PREY #5

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by JESUS SAIZ and JAVIER PINA

Cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale JANUARY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

After [REDACTED] in issue #4, the team agrees to take 24 hours to take stock of what just happened. But there’s no such thing as R&R for the Birds of Prey, as Black Canary realizes that Gotham City is still in grave danger. And the key to unmasking the villain known as “Choke” may lie in the mystery of a man who one day just walked out on his family and life…and into a world of mind-control and murder.

BATWOMAN #5

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

1:25 Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale JANUARY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

“Hydrology,” the first arc of the critically acclaimed new BATWOMAN series, reaches its powerful conclusion! After the horrors Batwoman has faced, she has a final showdown with The Weeping Woman – a specter with the power to dredge up Kate’s deepest pain. Can she finally forgive herself so she can dispel this evil? And how will she respond when Chase and the DEO tighten their grip, forcing Kate to make an impossible decision?

BATGIRL #5

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale JANUARY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Still reeling from the shocking return of a major figure with secrets from her past, Batgirl goes on the hunt for the terrifying killer Gretel, whose eerie and violent power over the men of Gotham City leaves no one safe – not even guest star Bruce Wayne!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #5

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale JANUARY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

With Jason going one-on-one with the ancient evil known as the Untitled and Koriand’r barely able to crawl to his side, it’s up to Roy to stand alone against the monstrous threat known as Crux!

CATWOMAN #5

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale JANUARY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Catwoman is flying solo and finding plenty of turbulence! She has her paws full when a simple smash and grab turns into a hit and pummeled, as she faces an adversary who is more than a match for Selina. She calls herself Reach, and she doesn’t pull any punches. Can our favorite Feline Fatale land on her feet?

NIGHTWING #5

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by EDDY BARROWS and PAULO SIQUERIA

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale JANUARY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

With winter closing in, Haly’s Circus hits New Orleans! But as Dick Grayson gets closer in his search for answers about the mystery of the circus, it’s not just the temperature that heats up. And just how does a voodoo ritual gone bad factor in? Find out as Nightwing takes the Big Easy!

Previews of tomorrow’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 releases

Over the past few days, we’ve been linking to all of the exclusive previews of the second issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 that are going on sale tomorrow.

Below, take a look at all the previews that ran (sorted alphabetically and separated by cover), compiled here in one easy location for your convenience.

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We’re Having a Batgirl Party!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already October. And if you’re anything like me, October only means one thing: Halloween. But Halloween is more than just trying to pull scary pranks or get free candy from your neighbors – it’s also about getting dressed up and having fun with your family and friends.

In issue #45 of the Eisner Award winning series (for Best Publication for Kids), TINY TITANS, the girls decide to have a Batgirl themed party. So what does that mean? Everyone comes to the Batcave dressed up as Batgirl, of course! Too bad nobody told Robin, leaving him feeling like the odd man out. And when an epic soccer match between Coach Lobo’s Secret Six team and Coach Huntress’ Birds of Prey team begins, a secret weapon will be unleashed that’ll leave everyone scratching their heads.

TINY TITANS #45 is by Art Baltazar and Franco and hits stores on Wednesday.

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(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Wednesday Afternoon (ET) Edition

Today, the final batch of first issues from DC Comics-The New 52 went on sale. Among these books was AQUAMAN #1.

“Everybody around has at least heard of Aquaman, and they've probably heard all the jokes — the same jokes Aquaman's heard — and they have their opinion on Aquaman,” writer Geoff Johns told USA TODAY. “Whether it's good or bad, that's what the book's all about.”

“We tackle what people think Aquaman is already right off the bat,” Johns said to CNN’s GEEK OUT. “He is very much a character that is an underdog in the world of super heroes.”

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY has the exclusive preview of BATGIRL #2 by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes featured on their homepage.

The second part of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX interview with BATMAN writer Scott Snyder has gone live. “It really goes after his confidence as a protector and legend of Gotham,” Snyder said of The Dark Knight in his series. “Along with it, there’ll be a lot of revelations about the Wayne family, about the Grayson family too, and it will all tie into NIGHTWING. The epic storyline will be 11 issues long, really about a war for Gotham’s soul between the Bat and this other organization, with some shocking new enemies for him built out of this mythology we’re going to develop.”

With the first day of October being this weekend, Halloween is quickly approaching. To kick off our preparations, FEAR.NET interviewed writers Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire about their horror series, SWAMP THING, ANIMAL MAN and FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. “The Red and the Green are so closely linked,” teased Lemire about an upcoming crossover between ANIMAL MAN and SWAMP THING. “So in many ways, both of our stories, even though they're kind of separate for the first ten issues or so, are actually kind of part of a bigger story. That will come together at the end of the first year and then spin off into something new with both books linked again. We're super excited about that.”

And speaking of titles in the Dark family? BLOODY DISGUSTING has selected JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 as their “Graphic Content Pick of the Week.”

To be continued …

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