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Art Baltazar and Franco Discuss the Launch of THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES

Yesterday’s installment of our “What’s New In The New 52” column gave you your first look at artist Ig Guara’s character designs for four of the key players who make up The Green Team.

Today, Eisner Award-winning co-writers Art Baltazar and Franco (SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES; TINY TITANS) revealed some more details about next month’s launch of THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES, an all-new ongoing series that centers around a group of teenagers with unlimited financial resources.

“For us, every book that we do is a new creative direction, so this is really nothing new to us,” Franco told COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “We were very excited to take the characters and make them different than what you have seen in 1970-something and put a new twist on them and really update them. We're huge, huge fans of the older TEEN TITANS stuff and we're trying to incorporate some of that team mentality into here, where you have it not gelling together at first, but they've all got the same kind of background and they're all intermingled as far as relationships, so it's an interesting dynamic. We're trying to take these characters and do things with them that you really haven't seen in comics or superhero comics before. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.”

As for how the rest of the rest of the DC Universe will react to the introduction of these teens?

“It's kind of hard to be a trillionaire kid and not show off that money power you know? So it'll definitely catch attention,” Art teased to NEWSARAMA.

To read more about THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES, visit COMIC BOOK RESOURCES and NEWSARAMA to check out their full interviews with Art and Franco. And in the gallery above, take a look at Amanda Conner’s cover for issue #1, Cliff Chiang's variant cover, as well as two pages of the inaugural issue’s interior art by Ig Guara.

THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES #1 lands in stores on May 22nd.

Tags:

The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires, art baltazar, franco, ig guara, amanda conner, cliff chiang

This Just Happened: A Family United

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read WONDER WOMAN #18 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

From the creative team of Eisner Award-winning writer Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS) and artists Cliff Chiang, Goran Sudzuka, Tony Akins, and Dan Green, WONDER WOMAN #18 continues the Amazonian’s latest adventures with an unforgettable supporting cast chocked full of gods and goddesses from classic Greek mythology.

Following the events of the last couple of issues, Wonder Woman and her new ally War have come to Demeter’s Realm to retrieve Zola’s baby. But this is not your average infant. According to fan-favorite character Orion, this is the same baby that is prophesized to begin the end of time. And he’s been sent to kill him/her!

But before Orion can get his hands on the infant and save the universe, Wonder Woman must rescue it from her brother Hermes. And he won’t give up the child without a fight! And while Wonder Woman may have had one of the greatest combat teachers in the world, she is no match for Hermes’ speed.

Just when it seems like Wonder Woman has met her match and her premature demise, someone comes to her rescue: Orion! Together, these unlikely allies defeat Hermes and venture to find Harvest, who is hiding the child. Little do they know: War has already taken the child as his own!

Betrayed by War, Wonder Woman and Orion return to Zola’s apartment to admit their failure and devise a plan for revenge. But when they arrive, there is a surprise waiting for them … Zola’s baby! And it’s a boy!

Will the return of Zola’s son mean even more problems for Wonder Woman? And how will she repay her debt to War for rescuing the child? Place your bets in the comments section below!

Above, take a look at the last page from “The Queen of Roots” as the child is surrounded by his new unconventional family. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of WONDER WOMAN #18, in stores now!

Tags:

wonder woman, brian azzarello, cliff chiang, goran sudzuka, tony akins, Dan Green

YALSA announces Great Graphic Novels of 2013

The Young Adult Library Services Association announced their annual "Great Graphic Novels for Teens" list.

Several DC Entertainment titles have been selected:

Wonder Woman: Blood

Batman: The Court of Owls

Batman: Noel

Joe the Barbarian

Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection
A Flight of Angels
Xombi

Additionally, A Flight of Angels was also selected by the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee as one of the Top Ten books.

The full list can be seen here.

The Top Ten list can be seen here.

Congratulations all!

NPR Names WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD on their List of "Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar in 2012"

Yesterday, we told you about how AQUAMAN, BATGIRL, and SWEET TOOTH were all spotlighted in THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Graphic Novel Holiday Gift Guide for 2012.

Well, as the year continues to wind down, we’re pleased to announce that another DCE title has made an additional best-of-2012 list. This morning, NPR published their list of “Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar in 2012,” and making the list was WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD by Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Tony Akins.

According to NPR, WONDER WOMAN is “easily the best series to emerge from DC's recent New 52 initiative … Azzarello breathes dark new life into Wonder Woman's world of petty, spiteful and manipulative Greek gods, and in the process transforms her from superhero to Classical hero. He is aided in this endeavor by artist Cliff Chiang, who has infused the book with a decidedly creepy note of Jungian horror, using bold, thick linework to depict a world of myth that's not remotely fantastical, but instead grimly, disquietingly real.”

Click here to check out NPR’s full list of “Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar in 2012.” Congratulations to all!

Tags:

wonder woman, brian azzarello, cliff chiang, tony akins, Best of 2012

AMAZON Releases Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2012 List

This week, the editors at AMAZON.COM released their picks for Best Books of the Year. And making their list of top Comics and Graphic Novels was SWAMP THING, VOL. 1: RAISE THEM BONES and WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD.

“SWAMP THING VOL. 1: RAISE THEM BONES is the first part of a story I've been dreaming about doing since I arrived at DC,” writer Scott Snyder told THE SOURCE upon the book’s release in August. “[Artist] Yanick Paquette has done the work of his life on this book, and I couldn't be prouder of him, or it. And Marco Rudy and Victor Ibanez, Val Staples and Nathan Fairbairn all brought the world of Swamp Thing to life in wonderfully nightmarish ways. So come to the swamp. The Green is waiting.”

And written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang with art by Tony Akins and Dan Green, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD gives the iconic character a new origin (Zeus is her father) and extends her family to include various Greek Gods. Since it’s debut, this acclaimed series has brought darker aspects to Diana’s stories by blending superhero, mythological and horror genres to create a fresh take on the story of the Amazon warrior.

Click here to read AMAZON’s full Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2012 list. Congratulations to all!

Tags:

swamp thing, wonder woman, scott snyder, yanick paquette, marco rudy, victor ibanez, Val Staples, nathan fairbairn, brian azzarello, cliff chiang, tony akins, Dan Green, Best of 2012

Exclusive First Look at the Variant Covers for ACTION COMICS #12

On August 1, ACTION COMICS #12 will fly into stores.

Here's an exclusive first look at the issue's variant cover by Cliff Chiang!

And the digital combo pack!

And the black and white variant edition!

Tags:

action comics, cliff chiang

5.2 Reasons Brian Azzarello is One of the Best Writers in Comics

Welcome DC Entertainment fans to a brand new weekly feature where we list off 5.2 Reasons of varying subjects of greatness from across our line of books, collectibles, and more!

Wednesday marked the launch of BEFORE WATCHMEN: COMEDIAN, and while old Eddie Blake might see the world as a dark and twisted place, we personally like to take a look at the positives—namely the existence of totally awesome comic creators like Comedian writer Brian Azzarello.

Already a huge fan of Azzarello, his involvement in Before Watchmen got us more pumped than Schwarzenegger—especially considering the characters he'd be working on. We took a look at the comic catalog to give you 5.2 Reasons Brian Azzarello is One of the Best Writers in Comics.

1. Wonder Woman
WONDER WOMAN #10 is out this week, but with the first issue alone, Azzarello solidified his spot in the pantheon of brilliant WW writers—embracing instead of shying away from the Amazon Princess's mythological roots. Coupled with the insanely gifted artist Cliff Chiang—who perfectly captures and balances Diana's might and beauty—Wonder Woman is like a gift from the gods.

2. 100 Bullets
Loaded with intrigue and blasting a non-stop barrage of action-filled slugs, Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso's 100 Bullets hits the mark as one of Vertigo's quintessential reads. Get the new Deluxe Edition trades or go digital with all 100 issues. And for more awesome collaborations from these two creators, check out BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE and SPACEMAN.

3. First Wave
Batman, Doc Savage, The Spirit—classic characters, all interacting and adventuring in the same world along with Black Canary, Rima the Jungle Girl and more. If you love pulp (the style of storytelling, not necessarily the stuff in juice, but sure, that, too) grab the softcover collection, which hit stores this week.

4. Joker
This comes as part of a one-two punch with the next entry, but whenever Azzarello teams with artist Lee Bermejo, the only joke is that this collaboration doesn't happen all the time. Insanely beautiful images pair with a darkly disturbing story that explores the criminal side of Gotham and features grisly realistic interpretations of Batman's famous foes.

5. Luthor
BATMAN/DEATHBLOW marked the first collaboration between Azzarello and Bermejo, but LUTHOR is the one that put the team on the veritable map. Originally a five-issue limited series, the graphic novel collection includes 10 new pages of material! The title takes a look at the inner workings and motivations behind humanity's self-proclaimed "savior."

5.1 He'll Be Teaming With Bermejo Once More On:

5.2 He May or May Not Be the God of War

Those are the reasons we're big fans of Brian Azzarello. What are yours? Feel free to sound off below, and we'll see you again in a week with another edition of 5.2 Reasons!

Tags:

5.2 Reasons, brian azzarello, Before Watchmen, wonder woman, 100 bullets, first wave, joker, luthor, Rorschach, Comedian, eduardo risso, lee bermejo, cliff chiang

WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD Spotlight – Day Five

As part of the groundbreaking DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, last September’s relaunch of WONDER WOMAN gave the iconic character a new origin (Zeus is her father) and extended her family to include various Greek Gods. Since it’s debut, the series has brought darker aspects to Diana’s stories by blending superhero, mythological and horror genres to create a fresh take on the story of the Amazon warrior. Collecting the premiere storyline of this acclaimed series, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD is available in comic book stores now and on Tuesday in book stores everywhere.

Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang with art by Tony Akins and Dan Green, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD also includes an exciting array of backup material including various character designs and cover sketches by Chiang. To celebrate the hardcover book’s release, we’ve been giving you a special behind-the-scenes tour of some of these supplemental materials every day this week right here on THE SOURCE. Today, check out some more of Chiang’s cover sketches and be sure to pick up your copy of WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD!

Tags:

wonder woman, brian azzarello, cliff chiang, tony akins, Dan Green

WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD Spotlight – Day Four

Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang with art by Tony Akins and Dan Green, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD also includes an exciting array of backup material including various character designs and cover sketches by Chiang. To celebrate the hardcover book’s release, we’ll be giving you a special behind-the-scenes tour of some of these supplemental materials every day this week right here on THE SOURCE. Today, check out some of Chiang’s cover sketches and be sure to pick up your copy of WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD!

Tags:

wonder woman, brian azzarello, cliff chiang, tony akins, Dan Green

WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD Spotlight – Day Three

As part of the groundbreaking DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, last September’s relaunch of WONDER WOMAN gave the iconic character a new origin (Zeus is her father) and extended her family to include various Greek Gods. Since it’s debut, the series has brought darker aspects to Diana’s stories by blending superhero, mythological and horror genres to create a fresh take on the story of the Amazon warrior. Collecting the premiere storyline of this acclaimed series, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD goes on sale in comic book stores today and in book stores everywhere on Tuesday.

Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang with art by Tony Akins and Dan Green, WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD also includes an exciting array of backup material including various character designs and cover sketches by Chiang. To celebrate the hardcover book’s release, we’ll be giving you a special behind-the-scenes tour of some of these supplemental materials every day this week right here on THE SOURCE. Today, check out some of Chiang’s designs for Strife, Hera, Hippolyta, the Amazons and the male and female centaurs, and be sure to pick up your copy of WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD!