When it comes to "highly anticipated titles" it really doesn't get any highly...ier than BATMAN: EARTH ONE, the original graphic novel by award-winning writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.

But with the title now out in comic shops and available for digital download, feel free to stop anticipating and instead put a pillow under your face. Because you'll want a cushion for when your jaw drops to the floor!

That horribly cheesy line aside, the beautifully illustrated, brilliantly written graphic novel truly is something worthy of its own BatCave-based trophy case. Why, you theoretically ask? Well, here are 5.2 Reasons Batman: Earth One Rocks!

1. Geoff Johns and Gary Frank
The collaborations between Johns and Frank are like that of Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro—whenever they're together, you know it's going to be good. Batman: Earth One aptly fits this analogy and reaches the comparative level of "Casino" and "Goodfellas."

2. Johns Finally Dons the Cape and Cowl
From the Flash and Green Lantern to Superman and even Aquaman (seriously, that feat seemed impossible), Johns manages to bring out the sheer awesomeness of any character. Yet, other than guest appearances and in team titles, he's never actually tackled the Dark Knight—until now.

3. "Why Do We Fall?"
Most of us are used to a Batman leaping across rooftops and kicking the crap out of about 20 thugs at once... while simultaneously making out with Catwoman. Earth One introduces us to a very different Dark Knight, one still early in his career and learning how to get back up again after he falls—literally in some cases.

4. Anything Can and Will Happen
Since we want to keep this spoiler free, we'll keep this one a little vague. But with a whole new world to play in free from the shackles of continuity, Johns and Frank craft a tale filled with great and unexpected twists and turns and that ends with one heck of a bang.

5. A Cinematic Experience
Between the pacing of the story, the clever characterizations, and the beautiful art, Earth One plays out like a Batman origin tale worthy to stand beside the likes of "Batman Begins."

5.1 Ends on a pretty big unanswered question—but one that leaves you salivating for more!

5.2 Alfred. Pennyworth.



Be sure to tell us below what YOU loved or are looking forward to about Batman: Earth One! And be sure to swing on by again next week for another installment of 5.2 Reasons!

On August 8th, BATMAN #12 will fly into stores.

As you may already know, joining writer Scott Snyder as guest artist for this issue is Becky Cloonan (DEMO; BEYOND THE FRINGE).

“The Bat-Office owes a huge thanks to Scott Snyder for hooking us up with Becky Cloonan,” BATMAN editor Mike Marts told THE SOURCE. “Becky’s an outstanding artist who has accomplished a lot of great projects in her career. We’re honored to have her illustrate BATMAN #12!”

Below, take a first sneak peek at Becky’s art for BATMAN #12 and be sure to pick up the issue when it goes on sale later this summer.

NOOK Comics^™ Introduces New Zoom View Feature:

 Zoomed in Panel-by-Panel Viewing Experience

 Debuting on DC Entertainment Graphic Novels

Burbank, CA and New York, New York – June 26, 2012 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced a partnership with DC Entertainment to bring its bestselling line-up of graphic novels featuring iconic DC Comics and Vertigo characters like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Sandman to the award-winning NOOK Tablet^™ and NOOK Color^™, as well as Android tablets via the NOOK for Android^™ app. The new partnership brings together DC Entertainment, the comic book industry’s most prolific digital trailblazer, and NOOK Comics, the leading provider of digital graphic novels and comics with more than 4,000 titles available.

With the addition of DC Entertainment content, Barnes & Noble is also introducing Zoom View, an all-new NOOK Comics feature designed for NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color. Zoom View allows readers to focus in on individual panels in graphic novels and comics, allowing them to fully enjoy the stunning artwork and compelling storytelling that brings this genre to life. Zoom View will be immediately available on all DC Entertainment titles. 

“Our goal is to reach the broadest possible audience and this new partnership with Barnes & Noble brings Batman, Superman and many other iconic DC Comics and Vertigo characters to the millions of NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color readers,” said Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Entertainment. “The new Zoom View feature makes our comics even easier to read, and emphasizes the graphic and artistic storytelling that is paramount to our art form.”

“Barnes & Noble is committed to offering NOOK customers a wide selection of digital graphic novels, and we’re excited to offer DC Entertainment’s fan-favorite collections on NOOK,” said Jim Hilt, Vice President, eBooks for Barnes & Noble. “The new Zoom View feature makes the reading experience even more interactive, and takes these graphic novels to a whole new level of entertainment.”

With more than 100 DC Entertainment graphic novels now available, the world’s greatest superheroes, their most acclaimed stories and most powerful graphic novels are on NOOK. More titles will be added every month and can be purchased at www.nook.com/dccomics, or directly on NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, and Android tablets via the NOOK for Android app. DC Entertainment’s graphic novels are also available in Barnes & Noble retail locations.

Key DC Entertainment titles that are available immediately include:

·         Graphic novel titles from DC COMICS – THE NEW 52, including Justice League, Vol. 1: Origin, Animal Man Vol. 1: The Hunt, Batman Vol. 1: The Court of Owls, Justice League International Vol. 1: The Signal Masters, Catwoman Vol. 1: The Game, Green Lantern Vol. 1: Sinestro, Stormwatch Vol. 1: The Dark Side, Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Midas Touch, Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood, and Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Faces of Death.

·         Other best-selling graphic novels including Watchmen, All Star Superman Vol. 1 and 2, Fables Vol. 1-15, The Sandman Vol. 1-10, Superman Earth One, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 1-2, V for Vendetta, Batman: Hush, and Batman: Year One, among many others. 

Zoom View requires an update to the current NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color software. The free software update, version 1.4.3, is available for download today at www.nook.com/support. A free over-the-air (OTA) update requiring no action from customers will begin rolling out to customers via Wi-Fi starting June 27.

With all NOOK products, customers can shop Barnes & Noble's expansive NOOK Store^™ of more than two million digital titles. In addition, Barnes & Noble offers always free in-store NOOK support for customers to set up and learn how to use their new device face-to-face with friendly neighborhood NOOKsellers^™.

They’re here to save the day…along with all of your important digital data!

Say hello to the newest members of the DC Comics X MIMOBOT USB Flash Drive collection: Superman, The Flash, Batman (“The Dark Knight Rises” Edition) and Bane (“The Dark Knight Rises” Edition). They join the previous waves of Batman and Green Lantern MIMOBOT flash drives in bringing you digital memory that’s every bit as powerful as it looks.

Superman, The Flash and Bane are making their MIMOBOT debuts, while Batman has received a new design that’s inspired by the Christopher Nolan-helmed trilogy of films. All of them are available in varieties that span from 2 GB all the way up to a super-powered 64 GB and come preloaded with bonus Mimory™ and mimoDesk™ suites of screensavers, avatars and wallpapers.

You can see all four of the new drives below. Superman, The Flash and Batman (“The Dark Knight Rises” Edition) are available now at www.mimoco.com and in select retailers nationwide, while Bane (“The Dark Knight Rises” Edition) will only be available in limited quantity at San Diego Comic-Con this year. Don’t miss out!