52 Titles. One Universe.

As we keep having more and more success with The New 52 (thanks to you readers!) we find that we're also having more and more fun. Getting up and running was tricky, but right now I'm reading scripts for issues #6 and 7 of most series and all I can think about is how amazing this is. We're at the point where we can start adding some new wrinkles for our characters and really drive home the sense that there are no limits with our comics. So far we've been talking a lot about 52 different books, but it's important to remember that all of these stories take place in the same universe. You're going to be seeing more of that continuity as we go along. But maybe not the way you'd expect. Let me explain ...

Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder dropped by my office the other day. Jeff--in case you didn't know--writes ANIMAL MAN, a truly awesome series (drawn by the amazingly talented Travel Foreman) that's taken comics by storm. Scott helms SWAMP THING, an equally awesome series drawn by the equally talented Yanick Paquette. They were in to present a story that involves both characters in an intertwined saga that will change the lives of Buddy Baker and Alec Holland forever. After the pitch, Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and I were quite simply blown away. I advise fans of phenomenal storytelling everywhere to check out these two titles--as seeds for this upcoming epic are already being sown organically throughout these two books from the Dark corner of our world.

Scott and Jeff certainly aren't the only creators exchanging ideas and cross-pollinating series. Another Scott-Lobdell, this time--and Fabian Nicieza are working on a storyline that will flow between TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST. It explores everything from the mystery of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E, the organization that developed Superboy as the ultimate weapon, to the tragedy of the mysterious Hypertaxis virus brought to our century from the future by the time-lost Legionnaires, to how both impact our newly formed group of young heroes.

And over in the BATMAN titles, the aforementioned and prolific Mr. Scott Snyder has crafted a tale involving the Court of Owls and its deadly Talon assassins that may soon impact the storylines in NIGHTWING, BATGIRL, BIRDS OF PREY and even RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS.

All these upcoming stories encapsulate the excitement our writers and artists are feeling, as they explore our characters and their natural connections. The key idea here is "natural connections." All these ideas are being generated by the excitement our talent and editors have for all these amazing characters sharing our universe. In short, we're building a new mythology with The New 52, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

Keep reading, folks--I guarantee, you too are going to be blown away!

-- Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief

In BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #3 (out tomorrow), Batman must battle both the physical and mental threats that the White Rabbit brings. MAXIM has your exclusive first look at the issue.

Tomorrow also marks the release of AQUAMAN #3. “In this week's issue, you'll actually see a character that was first mentioned in the back matter of JUSTICE LEAGUE #3 that plays a pretty important role,” series writer Geoff Johns revealed to IGN. “It's a new character but it's a character that has to do with Aquaman's past and ties into a bigger story that we're building. So all the clues are there for what we're doing next and the first big tease starts this week.”

Earlier this morning, writer Scott Lobdell told you three things you need to know about Bunker, the newest member of the Teen Titans. COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with Lobdell about the openly gay character. “I'd say that definitely the point of Bunker's embracing things is that he enjoys everything about life,” Lobdell said of the character. “He enjoys being alive, he enjoys his sexuality, and he enjoys that he's been gifted with these super powers. To some degree, I don't think we see a lot of characters enjoying their super powers the same way that you and I would. I think it's great to see the drama of characters burdened by that which separates them from society, but there's also the idea that many people solely enjoy and celebrate every day that which makes them different instead of being fearful or angsty or regretful.”

And while you’re at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, be sure to also check out their interview with Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti about THE RAY, which we previewed here on THE SOURCE yesterday. “We started thinking about Lucien as represented by light, and with that came the need to do something optimistic and bright, the kind of superhero who is modern and yet still retains some of the old school action hero comics,” Gray disclosed about series protagonist, Lucien Gates. “Much of the series is grounded in Lucien's life outside the costume and how it often serves as an escape. It’s like bungee jumping; people do that for the rush and the excitement. Sometimes, they do it to escape their personal lives.”

To be continued …

It’s hard to believe that DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 is already getting ready to kick off its fourth month. “There is no denying that the initiative actually got people excited about comics again, and sent them into the comics stores,” MTV GEEK wrote of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, which took the top spot on their list of “Best Geek Moments of 2011.”

But before we start getting ready for the fourth issues, we’ve still got a week’s worth of third issues coming at you this Wednesday. Check out some of the exclusive previews of this week’s books that recently ran.

USA TODAY interviewed BLACKHAWKS writer Mike Costa and previewed issue #3. “It's coming from a more evolutionary place where technology is changing the way we live our lives and eventually it's going to become so integrated with us as people,” Costa said of the series. “People feel like, well, we're grafted to our phones right now, but there'll come a day where we actually literally are, and the people who live in Bespoke have already taken that leap. The idea is that they got there first but we're all on our way there. They're trying to accelerate that process, and is that a good or bad thing?”

POPMATTERS has your first look at Jonah Hex's continuing adventures in Gotham City with their exclusive preview of ALL-STAR WESTERN #3.

As The Trench begin to reveal themselves, it’s up to Aquaman and Mera to figure out their intentions and deal with the situation. Head on over to IGN for your first glimpse at this week’s AQUAMAN #3.

Who is Helix? Find out in THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #3, previewed exclusively at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES.

It’s Voodoo vs. Green Lantern Kyle Rayner in VOODOO #3! The official Green Lantern page on Facebook has a sneak peek at the issue.

And for a special preview of BATMAN #4, check out below Mike Choi's awesome never-before-seen variant cover for the issue, which hits stores next month.

To be continued …

Some have said that three is the magic number. If that’s the case, November should be a fascinating month. Here at THE SOURCE, we’ll spotlighting key third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with an ongoing series of posts titled “3 Things You Didn’t Know About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.” Expect the unexpected–in threes.

People have been asking me why I’m so quiet when it comes to Birds of Prey. It’s true; I haven’t done many interviews. When friends stop me on the street and ask about the book, I usually scream “HOLY CAT WHAT IS THAT BEHIND YOU” and scramble in the opposite direction. Um, yeah… I’ve been a bit cagey when it comes to this comic. Thing is, while Birds of Prey is about the great characters… it’s also about the surprises, and I’m serious about not wanting to ruin any of the twists and turns that lie ahead.

But last week, when I visited the DC Comics HQ in New York City, my editor Bobbie Chase spiked my Diet Coke, and the last thing I saw was David Hyde filling a syringe with sodium pentothal. Hours later, on my train back to Philly, I realized they’d pried these three details out of me…

1. Batgirl is back on the team.

Sure, Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl) was reluctant at first. She didn’t necessarily want to be hanging out with a gang of outlaws (see next “Thing to Know #2”), and she has serious doubts about at least one member of team (see “Thing to Know #3”). But to Batgirl, friendship trumps everything, and you’ll see exactly how she finds her way to a permanent spot on the team in issues #4 and 5.

2. Black Canary, Starling and Katana can’t show their faces in public.

That’s because they’re outlaws to one degree or another. Dinah Lance (a.k.a. Black Canary) is wanted for murder. The rumor is she killed a dude with a single punch, but the truth is far darker and stranger than that…

Evelyn Crawford (a.k.a. Starling) is wanted by at least six different intelligence organizations for knowing too much about how the world really works. How did she land in this predicament? Well, wait until you meet her Uncle Earl—a former spy who raised her, and also tries to kill her every now and again. (He has Alzheimer’s.)

And finally, Tatsu Yamashiro (a.k.a. Katana) is wanted by Japan’s National Police Agency for her blood-splattered mission of vengeance against the Yakuza for killing her husband. Criminal profilers in her country think she’s insane because she believes the soul of her husband resides in her sword. Thing is, her own teammates aren’t so sure, either…

3. Poison Ivy has turned over a new leaf.

Okay, not really. Pam Isley (a.k.a. Ivy) is still very much a dedicated eco-terrorist, targeting the people and corporations that mess with Mother Earth. So why’s she hanging out with a bunch of do-gooders like Black Canary and Batgirl (who doesn’t like, trust, and really even tolerate Ivy)? Pretty soon—say, around issue #5—you’re going to see that Ivy has a little side deal going on. Her enhanced biosuit amplifies her metahuman powers to an insane degree, but also comes at a price. And wait until you see how she plans on paying the tab…

Hnnnnnuh? What just happened? Why am I on this moving train? Man, I hope I didn’t say too much back at the DC offices…

-- Duane Swierczynski (BIRDS OF PREY)