This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed WATCHMEN universe. As highly anticipated as they are controversial, the seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original WATCHMEN, the bestselling graphic novel of all time. BEFORE WATCHMEN will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Stepping up to the challenge is a group of the comic book industry’s most iconoclastic writers and artists – including Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS), Lee Bermejo (JOKER), Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL), Darwyn Cooke (JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER), John Higgins (WATCHMEN), Adam Hughes (CATWOMAN), J.G. Jones (FINAL CRISIS), Andy Kubert (FLASHPOINT), Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK), Jae Lee (BATMAN: JEKYLL AND HYDE), J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE) and Len Wein (SWAMP THING).

BEFORE WATCHMEN includes:

• RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

• MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

• COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

• DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

• NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

• OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

• SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins.

“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.

“Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction,” said DiDio and Lee. “Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”

Written and illustrated by Eisner Award-winner Darwyn Cooke, NEW FRONTIER is a story that has become a modern classic, in addition to featuring fantastic art and design elements. Odds are that any comic book lover is already well familiar with Cooke’s iconic retelling of the dawn of the Silver Age, but ABSOLUTE DC: NEW FRONTIER uniquely expands the experience via a gorgeous, oversized hardcover format. It’s a perfect holiday gift for any fan, and an ideal way to revisit a modern masterpiece.

ABSOLUTE DC: NEW FRONTIER explores the landmark story by way of comprehensive annotations and notes, exploring the creative process behind bringing the fantastic NEW FRONTIER to life. Including the references, influences and inspirations that led to Cooke’s iconic work, the Absolute edition also includes design notes, unpublished sequences and characters sketches – along with a look at some of the ways that NEW FRONTIER has since become embedded in popular culture.

So return to a time of heroes – and re-experience Cooke’s fantastic narrative from a new perspective.

OUT MAGAZINE previewed TEEN TITANS #3, which features the introduction of a new gay character, Bunker. “We wanted to show an interesting character who’s homosexuality is part of him, not something that’s hidden,” artist Brett Booth told them.

This week, SUPERMAN #3 joins the ranks of the other eight DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 books to have an exclusive preview featured on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s homepage.

As the mystery surrounding Madame Xanadu’s plan thickens, the Justice League Dark team continue to come together. For a sneak peek at what’s coming next week, head over to GAWKER’s IO9 for their exclusive preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3.

The colors and powers of the Green Lantern universe continue to meld together in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #3. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

Morphicius’ powers won’t stop growing and it’s up to Carter Hall to figure out how to stop him before he becomes invincible. Check out COMICVINE’s exclusive preview of THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #3.

Lots of exciting things happening over at POPMATTERS! “If you think about it, what worse horror is there, than having the person you love turn into a monster? And not losing the love?” I, VAMPIRE writer Joshua Hale Fialkov said in an exclusive interview. “And that to me is the drive of I, VAMPIRE. It’s the idea that he loves her beyond words. And he doesn’t love old her, her before the transformation. He loves her as a vampire. And that’s the real point. If Andrew were in love with this 500-year-old version of Mary that no longer existed, he would have just cut off her head a long time ago. But the fact is, he still feels the love and he still has this desire for her. And his hope, is not even to ‘cure’ her, it’s to ‘fix’ her.”

“My take on the character is, to Buddy Baker, his family always comes first,” Jeff Lemire told POPMATTERS about ANIMAL MAN. “There are really dark things trying to tear them apart. We’re going to see how far they can stretch before they break, and if they don’t break, they’re going to have to evolve into something new as a family to survive.”

And while you’re at POPMATTERS, be sure to read their profile of Superman in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with James Robinson, Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone about their upcoming collaboration, THE SHADE #4. “The whole thing is linked together, past and present, so that there is a story in the present, which concerns the Shade's past and a family you didn't realize that the Shade had,” Robinson revealed. “Each of the ‘Times Past’ issues play out that way. The first one jumps back into the 1940s, the second one is set in Paris in 1901 and the third one is in 1830s London for the Shade's origin. Each time, you learn more about the family and more about what is going on. As I did with Darwyn's story, I took great pains with each of the other ‘Times Past’ tales with Jill Thompson and Gene Ha, to make them stand alone, even though they're a part of the bigger picture.”

NEWSARAMA spoke with Josh Williamson, who will be taking over as the writer of VOODOO in 2012. “I think people will be surprised by the direction we’re taking the character, how it works with what came before but also takes her into new dangerous territory,” Williamson said of his upcoming run.

Feeling festive? BATMAN ON FILM interviewed BATMAN: NOEL writer/artist Lee Bermejo about his creative process, how BATMAN: NOEL came into fruition and some teases at a project he’s contemplating set in what he calls, “the JOKER-verse,” that’ll be “a different take on a very classic character.”

If you’re still looking for some gift ideas, MTV GEEK just published a list of what they deem to be the 10 best Batman graphic novels. And if you like Batman-themed countdowns, NEWSARAMA has their list of the greatest villains Batman has ever faced.

To be continued …

This morning, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES announced THE SHADE #1. Below, check out the solicitation information for this book and be sure to head over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES to see Tony Harris’ cover art.

THE SHADE #1

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by CULLY HAMNER

Cover by TONY HARRIS

1:10 Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 1 of 12, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

James Robinson returns to the world of his acclaimed STARMAN series with a new 12-issue series starring the antihero known as The Shade! An attack at the Starman museum kicks off a globe-hopping, centuries spanning quest that will irrevocably change The Shade’s life, and ultimately shed light on his true origin! Artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner (RED) kicks off the series, and upcoming issues will feature art by such luminaries as Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, Jill Thompson, Frazer Irving and Gene Ha!