BATMAN #4

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by MIKE CHOI

1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Shocking discoveries lead Batman deeper into the mystery of the Court of Owls and its secret and bloody ties to both Gotham City and the Wayne family. But an even deadlier threat awaits Batman: a trap set hundreds of years ago, far beneath his city. The war for Gotham’s soul begins here!

DETECTIVE COMICS #4

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA

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

As Batman uncovers a deranged plot with far-reaching tentacles that touch some of the city’s most elite citizens, he finds himself facing off against his newest and most fearsome foes: Dollmaker and his twisted family of killers!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4

Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

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

Batman must race against time to save a friend’s life. But his mission may prove impossible as he reels under the weight of three hundred chemically enhanced super-criminals who stand against him. All clues point to one psychotic criminal, and all roads to a solution that will lead to one secret location... but will Batman arrive too late to stop the rage let loose on his city?

BATWING #4

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by CHRISCROSS

Cover by BEN OLIVER

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

As Massacre’s bloody reign of murder continues and more heroes fall, Batwing closes in on this mad villain. But with his memories stirring, Batwing’s dark past begins to emerge... At last, the truth of his past will come to light.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #4

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

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

Batman and Robin are at the mercy of NoBody as he forces them to embrace a new way to battle crime and injustice. But Batman has other ideas! Plus: Don’t miss the origin of NoBody!

BIRDS OF PREY #4

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by JESUS SAIZ

Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The only thing worse than a bomb on a speeding train is three bombs. Hidden inside the skulls of three different people. All on the same speeding train. And the Birds of Prey – Black Canary, Starling, Katana and Poison Ivy – know the names of only two of these walking bombs. Don’t miss the shocking revelation that will rewrite the rules of the team forever! Yes, we know it’s only issue #4! Guest starring Batgirl!

CATWOMAN #4

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Catwoman pays a call on Wayne Manor, but those who live there prefer that you call first. Then Selina Kyle says goodbye to an old friend, says hello to an older one, and resolves more firmly than ever to strike out on her own. Only one of those things almost gets her killed.

BATWOMAN #4

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

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

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

Blood drenches the back alleys of Gotham City in Part four of “Hydrology” – and Batwoman’s life begins to burn!

BATGIRL #4

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

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

Batgirl’s secret past finally catches up to her as she races to a final confrontation with the deadly sociopath Mirror! All the answers start right here in this thrilling issue!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The man who has pursued Starfire all the way to the wilds of Colorado has only one thing on his mind: her slow and painful death. His name is Crux – and he’s done some dark and dangerous work on his DNA to reach his goal of ridding the Earth of every alien on the planet! And Kori’s about to learn that Red Hood and Roy Harper have their hands full with the ancient evil known as The Untitled!

NIGHTWING #4

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by TREVOR McCARTHY

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

As Haly’s continues to travel the east coast, Dick’s search for answers take him – and the circus – to Miami! But when a case from Gotham City brings Barbara Gordon to Florida, Nightwing and Batgirl must work together to bring a thief to justice. Be here as Nightwing and Batgirl tackle South Beach – and discover the true nature of the circus! The answers start this issue!

(The cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 by Jim Lee and Scott Williams)

Earlier today, Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, officially announced that JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee and Scott Williams, is the bestselling comic book for the month of August—and to date, all of 2011.

That's the headline—and it's a good one—but, for those interested, here's a further look inside the numbers for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52:

· With a first printing exceeding 200,000 copies, JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 was the highest first printing of any DC Comics' title since 2006's JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 1 by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer Brad Meltzer, Ed Benes and Sandra Hope.

· The 200,000 first printing figure includes the digital combo pack and all variant editions, but not digital sales. The first printing was sold out at Diamond within hours of going on sale. The second printing of JUSTICE LEAGUE also sold out in less than 24 hours and the issue is now in its third printing.

· The DC Comics App peaked at # 4 on iTunes for Top Grossing I-Pad Apps. during the first week of The New 52.

· JUSTICE LEAGUE is one of ten titles so far from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with print runs of more than 100,000 (ACTION COMICS, BATGIRL, BATMAN, BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, DETECTIVE COMICS, FLASH, GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN).

· All 13 of the Week 2 titles from DC Comics: The New 52 have sold out from Diamond and are going back to press—ACTION COMICS, ANIMAL MAN, BATGIRL, BATWING, DETECTIVE COMICS, GREEN ARROW, HAWK & DOVE, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, MEN OF WAR, OMAC, STATIC SHOCK, STORMWATCH and SWAMP THING.

· With its second printing, ACTION COMICS, joins JUSTICE LEAGUE as the second title to date from DC Comics-The New 52 with more than 200,000 copies in print.

· All 13 of the Week 3 titles from DC Comics: The New 52 have sold out from Diamond in advance of publication and are going back to press, including BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATWOMAN, DEATHSTROKE, DEMON KNIGHTS, FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E., GREEN LANTERN, GRIFTER, LEGION LOST, MISTER TERRIFIC, RED LANTERNS, RESURRECTION MAN, SUICIDE SQUAD and SUPERBOY.

DC Comics

This has been such a monumental week for DC Comics. What we launched with (the already sold out!) JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 was absolutely amazing. And what’s more exciting still is that it was just a first taste of what’s to come.

Next week marks the release of a slew of incredible series. With ACTION COMICS, writer Grant Morrison and artist Rags Morales’ new interpretation of Superman will seriously blow people away. It really sets the tone for a contemporary Man of Tomorrow. And the dynamic is totally different.

But that’s not all. Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman’s ANIMAL MAN is a remarkable book that I could not be more excited about.

Gail Simone will be reintroducing Barbara Gordon in the role of BATGIRL with her signature dark, twisted, and brilliant storytelling, accompanied by Ardian Syaf’s breathtaking artwork.

Judd Winick and Ben Oliver's debut collaboration, BATWING, will astound you.

Tony Daniel’s art and story in DETECTIVE COMICS will really surprise people.

GREEN ARROW is a fascinating new take on Oliver Queen and his mission to change the world one arrow at a time.

Rob Liefeld could not be more excited to be returning to HAWK AND DOVE – and his enthusiasm really shows in the final product.

In JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti have created a team of super heroes led by Booster Gold whose adventures will be spanning the globe.

MEN OF WAR is a truly different and fresh take on a war book, especially considering the context of it being set against the backdrop of the DC Universe.

O.M.A.C. is a non-stop action-packed series that I can best describe as big and loud fun.

In STATIC SHOCK, Static comes to Manhattan and his life changes forever in unforeseeable ways.

Paul Cornell’s STORMWATCH is stuffed with surprises and new characters that will take the series into very exciting (and completely unexpected!) places. Not to mention, Miguel Sepulveda’s artwork is beyond stunning.

And in SWAMP THING, the Plant Elemental will finally return to its own series. Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette have created an extraordinary series and have really made Swamp Thing their own. You won’t want to miss it.

And that’s just week one.

This afternoon, we’re going to take a look at what the comic book trade press is saying about JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 and The New 52 – including their interviews with some of the talented people behind the launch.

* ICV2 featured a three-part piece on The New 52 – featuring interviews with DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, conducted in advance of San Diego Comic-Con. Said DiDio: “Our numbers are up in the mass market over-all in conjunction with graphic novel sales.” Check them out here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three.

* COMIC BOOK RESOURCES showcased a Comic-Con video interview with BATWING and CATWOMAN writer Judd Winick, who discusses his extensive research for the BATWING book and the timeless appeal of CATWOMAN. Also featured is an interview with writer Paul Jenkins about redefining Deadman in DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS.

* Newsarama offered a comprehensive primer on The New 52 as whole, and also served up some interviews with the writers behind the various series – including writer J.T. Krul (Captain Atom) and Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS).

* Over at iFanboy, Ron Richards and Conor Kilpatrick each listed their top five (and bonus five) picks for the most anticipated New 52 titles – with JUSTICE LEAGUE topping both lists.

* Comic Vine offered their own perspectives and interpretations of the new Batgirl pages that debuted in the NY Post, while writer Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY) provided some insider insights on the launch.

* ComicBook.com listed the five things they love most about The New 52 – including greater ethnic diversity, more women, day-and-date digital releases and DC’s confidence in the launch.

* DreadCentral.com picked up The Source’s preview of The New 52’s ANIMAL MAN, with extensive art. Also included was a full breakdown of New 52 titles that may be of interest to horror fans.

There’s more rolling in by the minute, and we’re expecting even more once JUSTICE LEAGUE hits the shelves. Stay tuned.