THIS JUST HAPPENED: BATGIRL revealed

Welcome to the first installment of "This Just Happened," a feature we'll throw out here on the blog semi-regularly. It's pretty self-explanatory. We'll spotlight a key scene or moment in a recent DCU book and with some level of spoiler warning, show some cool art from said book. So, let's get started, shall we?

BATGIRL #1 is out, and if you haven't picked up the issue yet, I'd suggest you head on over to your shop and experience the full issue for yourself, by the stellar team of Bryan Q. Miller and artist Lee Garbett. To say the speculation surrounding the identity of the new Batgirl has been crazy is an understatement, so it's definitely worth the read. Don't worry, I'll wait.

Back? Great. Wasn't this page cool?

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Who is BATGIRL?

Well, you'll have to wait until 8/19 for more clues. But, we do have a first look at interiors from the first issue, by writer Bryan Q. Miller and artist Lee Garbett, plus a variant cover by Cully Hamner. Nice way to start the week, huh?

Start your guessing!

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It’s the Teen Titans vs. the Fearsome Five – what more do you need?

Writer Bryan Q. Miller (Smallville), who’ll be kicking off the new BATGIRL series in no time, continues his jaunt through the Teen Titans world, as the team tries to rescue Wonder Girl from the new Fearsome Five, as the Calculator enacts his revenge on the team for not protecting his daughter. Plus, writer Sean McKeever and artist Yildiray Cinar continue to chronicle the solo adventures of everyone’s favorite one-eyed teen, Ravager, in the issue’s second feature. What more do you need? Preview pages? Sure. Scroll down.

TEEN TITANS #73 hits 7/29.

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Siglain on DETECTIVE COMICS, OUTSIDERS

Greetings, Source-erers,

Michael Siglain here. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m one of the editors here at DC. More specifically, I’m one of the Bat-editors, and am currently responsible for Detective Comics, Outsiders, Batgirl, Vigilante and Booster Gold, among other comic book greatness. I’m here today to give you a peek behind the editorial iron curtain, so get ready to feast your eyes...

First up, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the crew of Detective Comics. The lead story—by the brilliant team of Greg Rucka, J.H. Williams III, and Dave Stewart—tells the tale of Batwoman, while in the co-feature, Mr. Rucka teams up with artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner to answer The Question. As you may have heard, we’ve just sold out of Detective Comics #854 and are going back to press with a brand new cover.

But you might not have seen the uncolored version of our groovy second printing cover, so take a gander…

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Pretty, ain’t it? If any of you haven’t read this issue yet, run—don’t walk—to your local comic shop and reserve your copy now. And just wait until you read Detective Comics #855, which is in stores at the end of this month. Things go from bad to worse for our heroines, but the writing and the art only gets better and better. Trust me, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.

And speaking of cool bat-related books, here’s a page from Outsiders #21, which features an all-new story arc written by Wizard Top Ten Writer Peter Tomasi—seriously, he’s number seven with a bullet—of Nightwing and Green Lantern Corps fame, with art by the amazingly talented Fernando Pasarin—of Justice Society of America fame (he’s not on the Wizard list yet, but he’s number one on the list of Top Ten Artists Who Live in Spain and Currently Work for Mike Siglain). These fine folks have crafted a tale of terror that pits the Outsiders against some of Batman’s most dangerous and vile villains. In “The Hunting” Part I, Black Lightning and Owlman head north in an attempt to track down the murderous Mr. Freeze. Again, take a look:

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That’s all for now, gang. But check back soon for another update featuring the all-new Batgirl, the same ol’ Booster, the return of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, and a top secret, unbelievably creepy Sam Kieth project.

Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight…

M.

Some notes from the Bat-office

Hello there, Bat Nation! As BATMAN REBORN kicks into high gear, I just wanted to send a quick note to you all--a friendly reminder--to run (don’t walk!) to your local comic shop this coming Wednesday for two spectacular debuts!

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First up we have DETECTIVE COMICS STARRING BATWOMAN. Writer Greg Rucka and artist JH Williams III have been pouring their hearts and souls into this comic over the past several months--from the very first page you’ll see what we mean.  You won’t want to miss this first adventure, which unveils a new villain for Batwoman to face.

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And if one story isn’t enough for you, fret not--we have not one, but (count ‘em!) TWO stories in DETECTIVE COMICS each month. Following the lead feature is THE QUESTION, written by the very busy Greg Rucka and illustrated by Cully Hamner. Renee Montoya and her inquisitive alter ego take center stage each month in this second feature.

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Next up we have the series debut of GOTHAM CITY SIRENS, featuring Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn! This new series is written by a guy named Paul Dini--perhaps you’ve read his work in DETECTIVE or BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM. And this series is beautifully illustrated by Guillem March, whose work you may have seen in GOTHAM GAZETTE, or in last year’s BATMAN/DETECTIVE “Last Days of Gotham” two-part crossover.

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And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg…Phase Two of BATMAN REBORN kicks in later this year, with the return of two long-time favorites--the all-new BATGIRL series in August, and the all-new AZRAEL series in October!

Thanks for reading!

Notes from the Bat-Office...

In a few short days, the final chapter of BATTLE FOR THE COWL hits the stands and the entire world will learn the identity of the new Batman. It’s a journey long in the making and it’s hard to believe all the hard work from all of our creators is finally paying off on the printed page.

But we’re not wasting any time resting on our butts. Nope, we’re diving straight into the next exciting phase of the Dark Knight’s life, an era which reflects the new world order for Gotham City and its favorite protector--BATMAN REBORN.

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We kick things off in June, starting with a brand new monthly series by the most exciting creative tag-team in comics--BATMAN & ROBIN by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely. Trust us, this isn’t your parents’ Dynamic Duo--expect the unexpected (including the surprising return of several characters)!

Judd Winick returns to the Bat-family to write our flagship title, BATMAN--with art by two of the most amazing artists in comics--Ed Benes illustrates our first issue back and then the great Mark Bagley draws the first big storyarc!

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Over in DETECTIVE COMICS, we’re operating outside of the box with this title and allowing someone other than Batman star in the title for the first time in many years. Kate Kane--BATWOMAN--takes center stage in this long-running series, courtesy of the incomparable team of Greg Rucka and JH Williams.

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The very talented Paul Dini has signed on to pen not one, but two Batman series, both brand-new monthlies. GOTHAM CITY SIRENS follows the mis-adventures Gotham’s most lethal ladies--Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. With amazing art by newcomer Guillem March, this series is a can’t-miss. And over in BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM, a series devoted to all of the other heroes in Gotham, Paul is joined by long-time DETECTIVE COMICS partner Dustin Nguyen.

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RED ROBIN is another new title debuting in June (who’s behind that mask, you ask? We’re not telling!). Chris Yost writes this news series with artwork by Ramon Bachs.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg folks--Tony Daniel makes his triumphant return to the Bat-books in a short while, and later this year we have the series debut of both BATGIRL and AZRAEL!

More on BATGIRL -- but not everything

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Well, a little more, at least. We're not going to spoil the party right away and tell you who's behind the mask. Heck, it might be someone you've never met before. Or it might not.

But, we can give you the lowdown on who the creators on this new ongoing will be. First up, the series will be written by Bryan Q. Miller, who is no stranger to superheroics, having done some writing for a little show called "Smallville." Miller will also be penning a three-issue arc of TEEN TITANS, starting in July.

On art, we have Lee Garbett, who's been doing a bang-up job as the regular artist on THE OUTSIDERS. Just wait until you see his interpretation of Batgirl -- definitely a post for another day. He'll be teaming with inker Trevor Scott.

And, for those of you kind folks chiming in on the comments, the cover artist is none other than Phil Noto, who did up the shiny piece of art you see above.

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