DC Comics-The New 52

Critics and Scott Snyder Talk BATMAN

This week marked the release of the third issue of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s bestselling BATMAN series. Well, the critics have spoken and it looks like BATMAN #3 is a hit!

In addition to giving the book a perfect 5-star star review, IFANBOY has named it their “Pick of the Week.” “BATMAN #3 is expertly crafted … The Court of Owls have arrived. Batman’s rattled. I’m rattled. That’s a good thing,” they wrote of the book.

But IFANBOY wasn’t the only outlet to give BATMAN #3 a 5-star review. COMICVINE gave the book a perfect ranking as well. “It's a great ride that you're going to want to sit back and savor every tiny bit,” they said. “Reading this series just makes me happy to be a Batman fan.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES agree. “BATMAN after the relaunch has been a strong series, and this issue is no exception. It's a good time to be a Batman fan.”

“Snyder and Capullo reach new heights of collaboration here,” wrote IGN in their review. “The final scene of BATMAN #3 is the best in the series to date, as we witness Batman uncovering the truth behind the Court of Owls and realizing that everything he thought he knew was wrong.”

“Snyder is crafting a mystery that calls the Dark Knight's recent adversaries into question and reveals an ancient conspiracy that his family has faced for decades,” described COMPLEX MAGAZINE. “It’s gripping, unpredictable, intelligently plotted, and, most of all, incredibly illustrated thanks to Greg Capullo.”

So what can we expect in the next issue of this acclaimed series? We asked Scott Snyder to tease a little bit about what’s to come in issue #4.

“DC Nation! I just wanted to say how much it means to all of us - the kind things said about BATMAN,” Snyder exclusively told THE SOURCE. “Greg Capullo and I are having a blast with this story. Jon Glapion and FCO, too - and it's one we both care a lot about. And as a thanks to everyone out there who picked us up, here's a hint of what's coming... Because next issue we're finally going to learn Bruce's reason for being so resistant to believing in the Court - a reason that dates all the way back to his childhood, and some of the blackest days of his young life. And The Court of Owls (if it exists?) will finally spring its most deadly trap on Batman - a trap buried deep beneath the city, in the darkest bedrock. Okay, to Gotham. And remember, The Court is always watching!”

BATMAN #4 flies into stores on December 21st. Check out your exclusive first look at the issue below.

Tags:

Batman, comic book resources, Comicvine, Complex Magazine, DC Comics-The New 52, Greg Capullo, ifanboy, IGN, scott snyder

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Friday Morning (ET) Edition

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 …

3 Things you Didn't Know About Hawk and Dove

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.

The cosmic forces of War and Peace have ignited a war on the streets of Washington D.C. and only two heroes stand a chance at stopping the chaos--Hawk and Dove! As conduits of unimaginable power, the two young warriors are the stars of their own series from writer Sterling Gates and legendary artist Rob Liefeld and surprising new elements have turned the U.S. Capitol upside down.

1. SECRETS BEYOND THE GRAVE

In the beginning, Hank Hall and his brother Don wore the mantles of Hawk and Dove, respectively, before Don died in action. Dawn Granger became the new Dove due to seemingly accidental circumstances. But it looks like Dawn has been hiding a serious piece of the story from Hank about her involvement with Don. But what could she possibly be concealing?

2. DIRTY DOPPLEGANGERS 

Hawk and Dove believed they were the only avatars of War and Peace, but Condor and Swan, two of the most demented murderers the DCU has ever seen, have made an explosive debut and claim to be avatars, too! Condor and Swan also somehow have intimate information about the origins of the avatar powers--information which Hank and Dawn never knew existed!

3. ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST 

Technological terrorist Alexander Quirk has built and deployed a platoon of undead soldiers he calls "Monsters of Mass Destruction" and unleashed them on the nation's capitol. It's all in an effort to overthrow what he sees as a corrupt regime holding sway over political power in America. You can't beat zombies versus superheroes!

Don't miss an issue of the high-flying, in-your-face action coming at you every month in the all-new, all-intense HAWK AND DOVE!

Tags:

DC Comics-The New 52, hawk and dove, rachel gluckstern, Rob Liefeld, sterling gates

3 Things You Need to Know About GREEN LANTERN

I can’t speak for the rest of DC Nation, but I continue to be reenergized by the direction of GREEN LANTERN.

Who’d have thunk that it would take Sinestro, of all characters, to do it? The GL nemesis now wears a GL uniform again…and this turn of events has transformed the series into the unlikeliest of buddy books, teaming Sinestro with his former protégé Hal Jordan. Seeing the two go back and forth has made the series a true joy to work on, thanks to the creative team supreme of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke.

Naturally, I’m super-excited for the series’ future, and here are 3 things I can share:

1. THIS IS NOT THE SINESTRO YOU REMEMBER.

Sinestro has always been known as the dictatorial GL who fell from grace and returned as the Green Lantern Corps’s greatest nemesis. Now Sinestro wields a GL ring once more — under mysterious circumstances, no less — and what he plans to do with it will likely surprise you as much as it did me.

In our first arc, we reveal a tragic secret about Sinestro: He has a beating heart, a fact Sinestro locks tightly away from the entire universe…until it unlocks for a millisecond. Explaining more would say too much, but watch for it — it could make Sinestro your favorite character in DC – THE NEW 52.

Is Sinestro a hero or villain? The answer is…yes.

2. THE RINGS CARRY SECRETS.

Sinestro revealed to Hal in issue #3 that the ring allows its bearer to create a “stealth mode” costume in black. We learn another doozy in issue #5.

What else does Sinestro know about the ring that we don’t? Stay tuned.

3. THE CORPS’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

At least, that’s how the Guardians of the Universe feel. As revealed in issue #3, they’ve deemed the Green Lantern Corps a failure, just as they once did the robot Manhunters that the Corps replaced billions of years ago. What exactly are the Guardians up to? They’ve been chatting about creating a “Third Army” — and what that is will become clear as the series slowly builds towards its next massive crossover with the other GL series. And THAT, DC Nation, will be so hugely momentous, it will quake the DC cosmos to its very core!

In the meantime, enjoy GREEN LANTERN for the here and now — Sinestro and Hal Jordan getting to know each other again for the first time.

Tags:

brian cunningham, DC Comics-The New 52, doug mahnke, Geoff Johns, green lantern

THE REAL-WORLD SCIENCE BEHIND THE FLASH

The Flash is many things - the fastest man alive, a colorful protector of Central City, a hopeful hero in a world of shadow. But re-imagined as part of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, The Flash is now also scientifically sound. Sure, there's a bit of comic book license taken, but co-writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccallato are making an effort to root his science-fiction adventures firmly in scientific fact – and they are more than happy to talk about it.

They caught up with YAHOO! ASSOCIATED CONTENT for a three-part series on the subject of Flash’s real-world science – also touching on the need for optimism in the comic book medium. “A lot of the science we've used has not only helped move the story forward but it's also helped inspire certain things,” said Manapul. “We're not going to shoehorn something in just to fit it in or have our story hindered by it at the end of the day. It has to be something that helps move our story forward and get us to where we need to be. We've been lucky enough that many of the things we needed to find exist. That's what is more amazing about it. Some of the things we've introduced, as out of this world as they seem, are real. These scientific terms aren't just made up words. They're real.” Check out the whole series: Part 1 (Francis Manapul), Part 2 (Brian Buccellato) and Part 3 (Manapul on optimism in THE FLASH).

And the duo spoke with MTV GEEK, as well, where they discussed the potential for comic books to serve their readers as a jumping off point to learn new things. “I know when I was a kid, if I saw a word I didn’t understand I would look it up, and now I would know something new,” said Buccellato. “So for a kid to see a straight science term, and then want to know what it means, he can Google it – which is why we call it a Googlable series – and

learn something new. It just adds to the reading experience.”

Tags:

brian buccellato, DC Comics-The New 52, francis manapul, the flash

DC Comics All Access: Brian Cunningham

What's the most Goggle-able series in all of DC's NEW 52? Why, FLASH, of course!

Followers of the Fastest Man Alive already know it to be among the most entertaining and electrifying series we produce, and that the team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have crafted a Flash for the ages.

But FLASH readers are also pretty hip to the fact that the series dangles crazy-sounding comic-booky science terms every other page. Stuff like "the law of congestion." Or "augmented cognition." And, get this, "pig-extracted extracellular matrix." What's even more mind-bending is that all of this seemingly made-up comic-book science is ACTUALLY REAL.

Go ahead, Google it all. We'll wait right here.

See, Francis and Brian pride themselves on applying cutting-edge science and technology to a series that understandably must move much faster than every other comic book out there. When you read it, you'll not only get a humdinger of a tale, you'll learn a really cool thing or three.

FLASH #3 is out next week, so be sure to reserve your copy now. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is a series that we'll all look back on someday and say, "Man, that was some of the most fun comics I've ever read..."

And those will be memories you won't need to Google.

-- Brian Cunningham, Editor

Tags:

brian buccellato, brian cunningham, DC Comics-The New 52, francis manapul, the flash

Previews of tomorrow’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 releases

Over the past few days, we’ve been linking to all of the exclusive previews of the third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 that are going on sale tomorrow.

Below, take a look at all the previews that ran (sorted alphabetically and separated by cover), compiled here in one easy location for your convenience.

[gallery]

Tags:

Batman, birds of prey, Blue Beetles, captain atom, catwoman, DC Comics-The New 52, DC Universe Presents, green lantern corps, I Vampire, legion of super-heroes, nightwing, Red Hood and the Outlaws, supergirl, wonder woman

Announcing The Highly Anticipated WONDER WOMAN Hardcover!

WONDER WOMAN takes center stage again this Wednesday, with the much discussed issue #3 detailing her new origin and family heritage. USA TODAY spoke with writer Brian Azzarello about the storyline and ran an exclusive preview of the issue. And POP MATTERS also had the opportunity to interview Brian, so head on over to read their feature.

Now, for those of you who can't wait for the collection, here's the scoop. Collecting issues #1-6, the WONDER WOMAN Volume 1 hardcover (144 pages / $22.99) with art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins will be available May 2012!

So, get ready to pick up what is destined to be one of the most anticipated collections of the year!

Tags:

brian azzarello, cliff chiang, DC Comics-The New 52, tony akins, wonder woman

3 Things You Need to Know about the 9th Dimension (and MR. TERRIFIC)

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.

Sure, there are many things that travelers to the 9th Dimension should know before embarking on their journey. The first is, travel lightly. Because you’ll probably have to run for your life at some point. Yes, the first thing you should know about the 9th dimension is… that it can be a very dangerous place. Just how dangerous? Look at it this way…

In MISTER TERRIFIC #3, billionaire Michael Holt finally brings Brainstorm—the villain who knows the truth about Michael Holt’s wife, Paula—to justice. But closure comes at a high price and, unable to deal with Brainstorm’s shocking revelation, Mister Terrific loses his cool. Big time. It’s a state of events he’ll regret for years to come, one that sends him looking for solace and redemption in, you guessed, the 9th Dimension.

But there are cruel, terrifying beings waiting for Mister Terrific in the 9th Dimension. They are called THE KRYL and they have been watching Mister Terrific for a very long time. Why? Because they have been waiting for their chance to enlist him in a not-so-terrific cause. Which brings up the second thing you’ll need to know about the 9th dimension: it is in perpetual state of war and has been that way for centuries.

Thanks to the nasty folks designed and pictured above and below in some incredible artwork by the very terrific Gianluca Gugliotta, Mister Terrific’s life is about to get turned upside down.

The third and final thing you should know before traveling into the 9th dimension is that, unlike Los Angeles, there are no street signs (at least not in English). Which means when it comes to navigating dimensional space—or figuring out whom to trust inside an alien warship—you’ll be on your own. So you’d better have a good head on your shoulders, a modicum of super-intelligence, and the MacGuyver-esque ability to escape from almost any situation. Otherwise, you might end up dead at the hands of new, and very different, kind of alien foe.

So get ready, folks. The Kryl make their first appearance this month in MISTER TERRIFIC #3. Their story continues in issues #4 & #5 as Michael Holt embarks on his first “cosmic” adventure. It’s a story that takes this series in a different and surprising direction. Only who will survive the encounter – our hero or The mysterious Kryl?

Stay tuned.

-- Eric Wallace (MISTER TERRIFIC)

Tags:

DC Comics-The New 52, eric wallace, Mister Terrific

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Evening (ET) Edition

All afternoon, THE SOURCE has been rolling out your very first look at DC Comics in February 2012.

February still seems a long ways off. But this Wednesday? That's right around the corner and we've got a whole new batch of third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hitting stores. For ease of reading, we've compiled a comprehensive rundown. Tell your friends.

USA TODAY interviewed writer Brian Azzarello to accompany their exclusive preview of WONDER WOMAN #3, in which Diana’s new origins are revealed. "I can't wait to start really, really playing with the gods," Azzarello told them. "Look who she's immediately gaining as siblings — suddenly, the god of war is her half-brother … Now instead of protecting a mortal from the gods, she's also protecting her half-brother or sister."

POPMATTERS has your first look at I, VAMPIRE #3. “I, VAMPIRE is mythic in every way,” POPMATTERS wrote of the series. “It is the story of how the whole world is threatened by a love story that just darkens the character of each individual involved in that poisoned relationship. In some of the finest storytelling ever to grace the character of Andrew and his struggles with Mary, Josh Fialkov singularizes the character and the title among the recent crop of DC’s New 52. It is very much the evolution of the romantic vampire’s we’ve come to enjoy seeing on screen over recent years.”

MAXIM previewed DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #3. The issue by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang continues Deadman’s journey of self exploration as he attempts to gain answers on how to gain control of his “life.”

Now that he’s bonded with his armor, can Jaime Reyes learn how to control it? Find out in BLUE BEETLE #3 by Tony Bedard, Ig Guara, Ruy Jose and J.P. Mayer, previewed exclusively at MTV GEEK.

It’s time for a fourth team member in BIRDS OF PREY #3! Head on over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES for your exclusive preview.

With the Intruders neutralizing the ring powers of the Green Lantern Corps, it’ll be up to Guy Gardner and John Stewart to figure out how to stop this grave threat. Check out IFANBOY’s exclusive preview of GREEN LANTERN CORPS #3 by Peter J. Tomasi, Geraldo Borges and Scott Hanna.

IGN previewed Selina Kyle’s latest adventures in CATWOMAN #3. What trouble has the femme fatale got herself into this time? Find out when the issue by Judd Winick and Guillem March hits stores this week.

Following their exclusive preview of LEGION LOST #3 last week, TOR.COM has your first look at LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #3 by Paul Levitz and Francis Portela.

And that's not all. DISCOVER MAGAZINE highlighted the science in MISTER TERRIFIC in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

What else is going on the internet?

ADVERTISING AGE presented a 2011 Media Vanguard Award to the BURN NOTICE digital comic for “Most Innovating Broadcast Brand Extension.” (Congratulations to all those involved with the book!)

Meanwhile, BATMAN: NOEL writer and artist Lee Bermejo was interviewed by YAHOO! ASSOCIATED CONTENT. “I like a very ‘urban warfare’ look for my Batman,” Bermejo said of The Dark Knight’s costume design in the book. “I suppose it comes from my overall need to ground things in as much reality as possible. I like to approach all design from the inside out, trying to figure out what fabrics could be used to make the thing IF it were really being constructed. I wanted there to be a point to Batman having this more modern, utilitarian look. It fit in well with what I wanted to do in the story.”

“The idea for the project pretty much came when I had finished Joker,” Bermejo continued to THE MORTON REPORT. “And I had a blast drawing Joker. I really enjoyed it. But it was a really dark, brutal piece of work, and I kind of wanted to go in the other direction. To push myself creatively, but also to try something new.”

Finally, COMICVINE listed four reasons why Sinestro is the most powerful Green Lantern.

And speaking of Green Lantern, check out Francis Manapul’s breathtaking variant cover for next month’s issue #4. Amazing, right?

To be continued …