SUPERMAN Group Solicits

ACTION COMICS #8

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT

Cover by RAGS MORALES

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

1:200 B&W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

On sale APRIL 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

It’s the epic 30-page conclusion of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales’ majestic opening storyline! $3.99 gets you front row seats to the ascension of the DC Universe’s first Super Hero as The Man of Steel goes toe to tentacle with the all-new Brainiac for the final fate of Metropolis!

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

SUPERMAN #8

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and DAN JURGENS

Art by DAN JURGENS and JESUS MERINO

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:25 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Superman, agent of the Daemonites?! How has Helspont bent The Man of Steel to his will?

(Not final cover)

SUPERBOY #8

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by SHANE DAVIS

On sale APRIL 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Well, that rescue mission didn’t go exactly as planned…and things have only gotten worse for Superboy, as N.O.W.H.E.R.E.’s plans for him and the Teen Titans take a deadly turn! If he wants to keep his head, he’s gonna have to take down another dangerous young metahuman for them: the bruiser once known as Grunge!

SUPERGIRL #8

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art by GEORGE PEREZ and BOB WIACEK

Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

On sale APRIL 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

As the NYPD hunt her down, Supergirl takes refuge with a new friend named Siobhan. While Supergirl may have temporarily escaped her troubles, Siobhan’s are just about to catch up with her: the curse of the Silver Banshee has risen, and this time it’s brought its family with it…

Don’t miss this special issue featuring artwork by comics legend George Pérez!

JUSTICE LEAGUE Group Solicits

JUSTICE LEAGUE #8

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by CARLOS D’ANDA

Backup story art by GARY FRANK

Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

1:25 Variant cover by MIKE CHOI

1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE

On sale APRIL 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

In the five years that the Justice League has been a team, Green Arrow has never once been a member. And he intends to rectify that right here, right now! One member against his candidacy: Aquaman!

Plus, in "The Curse of Shazam" part 2, Billy arrives in his new foster home just as an ancient evil is uncovered halfway across the world.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #8

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN

Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale APRIL 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The plan was for the JLI was to be installed as Earth’s official protective team. But once Breakdown attacked, that all came to a swift and sudden end. Now, as the pall of death and injury hang over the team, all that matters is survival. Featuring the introduction of a surprise new team member!

(Previous interior art shown)

AQUAMAN #8

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:25 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Part 2 of “The Other League”! As a deadly hunter continues his murderous quest for the Atlantean trident, an unknown chapter of Aquaman’s life is revealed! Before he was a part of the Justice League, Aquaman was Arthur, the man from Atlantis, and leader of a mysterious team of adventurers. Armed with weapons forged in Aquaman’s past, these men and women were on their way to becoming the most powerful people on Earth – until it all came crashing down.

WONDER WOMAN #8

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO and CLIFF CHIANG

Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG

1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG

On sale APRIL 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

To march on Hell itself, you’re going to need some sensational weapons – and Wonder Woman intends to call in a few family favors to get them! Armor of Hephaestus? Check. The pistols of Eros? Check! But will any of it be enough to wrest an innocent soul from the grasp of Hades? And what does Hermes know that Diana doesn’t…yet?

THE FLASH #8

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

1:200 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Flash gets pulled into the Speed Force that gives him his super-speed powers…and he learns he’s not alone in there! Introducing Turbine, a prisoner of the Speed Force who just wants out – even if it means trading places with The Flash!

CAPTAIN ATOM #8

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II

Cover by MIKE CHOI

On sale APRIL 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Ever since a tragic accident turned him into the überpowerful Captain Atom, Nathaniel Adam has wanted nothing more than to connect and relate to the people around him again. But coming face-to-face with a future version of himself is not what he had in mind! What is the meaning for this strange encounter? What impending doom is the future Captain Atom trying to avoid? And what exactly is the timestream?!

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #8

Written by JOE HARRIS and ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Jason Rusch rockets to Europe to thwart the next Rogue attack, only to find that other Firestorms have beaten him to it! Introducing the all-new Firehawk, France’s own atomic defender, and Hurricane, Great Britain’s officially sanctioned Nuclear Man! Meanwhile, out of the ashes of last issue’s shocking climax, Ronnie Raymond and the Russian Firestorm, Pozhar, begin a long, mutual descent toward the dark underbelly of the Firestorm Protocols. New cowriter Joe Harris (Ghost Projekt) continues this acclaimed series with superstar artist Ethan Van Sciver, who provides another stunning issue of full interior art!

GREEN ARROW #8

Written by ANN NOCENTI

Art by HARVEY TOLIBAO

Cover by HOWARD PORTER

On sale APRIL 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Part two of a three-part story introducing new creative team of Ann Nocenti and Harvey Tolibao!

Green Arrow faces off against the enraged father of three beautiful sisters, which might not seem so unusual for Ollie until you add in the part about being trapped in a frozen tundra with a horde of bloodthirsty, mutating animals. Things aren’t what they seem as Green Arrow must race to uncover the truth about this “family” before he becomes a monster snack – or a frozen corpse!

MISTER TERRIFIC #8

Written by ERIC WALLACE

Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA and WAYNE FAUCHER

Cover by J.G. JONES

On sale APRIL 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

Guest-starring The Blackhawks! It’s Mister Terrific vs. the technological monstrosity called Digitus – and to destroy his greatest foe yet, Michael may be forced to destroy Holt Industries! But as one enemy is defeated, another rises from a shocking source: the U.S. Government! Also, betrayal rocks Mister Terrific’s life when he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, the mysterious Karen Starr, may be more than she seems.

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #8

Written by DAN DIDIO and JERRY ORDWAY

Art by JERRY ORDWAY

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale APRIL 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

As more and more of the Challengers of the Unknown are killed in action, the remaining few must press ahead on their quest! They have to uncover the secret behind the talismans they’ve been collecting before Ace and the spirits from the Well of Souls can finish the job that started with the plane crash!

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #8

Written by TONY S. DANIEL and JAMES BONNY

Art and cover by PHILIP TAN

On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Hawkman has a violent encounter with a past adversary: the beautiful alien shapeshifter Askana, who once tried to kill him! But this time she needs his help, claiming that agents from her homeworld have tracked her to Earth to terminate her. How can Hawkman trust her – or help her?

ROB LIEFELD JOINS THREE ONGOING SERIES

This May, writer/artist Rob Liefeld will take on an expanded role in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. He will be joining three titles – DEATHSTROKE, GRIFTER and THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN – beginning with their ninth issues.

One of the key artists who helped to the define a generation of comic books, Liefeld is perhaps best known for helping to found Image Comics – along with Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, Whilce Portacio, Jim Valentino and Marc Silvestri. Most recently, he was the writer and artist for HAWK AND DOVE in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

“It’s great to have Rob contributing to DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 in such a major way,” said Eddie Berganza, DC Entertainment Executive Editor. “Rob’s always been seen as edgy, both within the comic book industry and by his fans. That’s a great vibe to bring to these particular books. We really want to push boundaries, and Rob’s the guy to do it.”

Liefeld will be writing and illustrating DEATHSTROKE, a perfect pairing of the edgy industry bad boy and the baddest bounty hunter on Earth. Raising the ante on the action for Slade Wilson, Liefeld kicks off his run in issue 9 by pitting Wilson against fan-favorite mercenary Lobo – who will be making his first appearance in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. But Lobo is just the beginning, and Liefeld shared some of his plans for the series.

“Deathstroke is tasked with the greatest challenge of his life, taking on the most dangerous prey in the galaxy…LOBO!” said Liefeld. “The galactic criminal has escaped from his terrestrial prison where he has been housed for years. He is free and ready to settle the score! And what is the secret of the OMEGAs and what role will they play in the deadly showdown?”

Liefeld will be plotting THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN, catapulting the story into the intergalactic arena and pitting the Thanagarian warrior against alien foes in extreme gladiatorial combat. HAWKMAN fans can look forward to a cosmic mystery with plenty of action. Liefeld shared a hint of what’s to come.

“He wields the powerful Nth metal and, as Carter Hall is about to find out, it is a weapon coveted by the deadliest players in a game that plays across the ages,” said Liefeld. “New enemies and allies emerge as Carter Hall travels across the globe in pursuit of the answers to his heritage and the Thanagarian connection.”

Liefeld will also be plotting GRIFTER. He shared his plans to tighten the screws on Cole Cash, expanding on the cosmic consequences of his battle against the Daemonites. Liefeld even hinted at the possible inclusion of a fan-favorite WildStorm character, newly re-imagined and re-introduced as part of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

“Grifter has been targeted for extermination! The time is now for Grifter to embrace his destiny and lead the insurgence against the impending Daemonite threat,” said Liefeld. “He has spent his life running from his true destiny, but he must embrace his role in the coming conflict or worlds will fall. Familiar faces emerge warning Grifter that nothing can prepare him for what is coming. His true destiny is revealed and a reluctant hero emerges to lead a strike force of human allies that will deliver the ultimate DEATHBLOW to the impending invasion.”

Liefeld will be joining DEATHSTROKE, GRIFTER and THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN with their ninth issues is May, but we’ve got a first look at the cover to DEATHSTROKE #9 right here on THE SOURCE.

Everybody’s Talking About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Second Wave Friday Afternoon (ET) Edition

Yesterday's announcement of the Second Wave of DC Comics' The New 52 has everybody talkin', all over again.

For your ease of reading, here's a quick run down of some of the most noteworthy coverage. Ready?

Head on over to THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, IGN, GAWKER’s IO9, MTVGEEK, FLAVORWIRE, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, COMICVINE, NEWSARAMA, COMICS ALLIANCE, IFANBOY and COMICBOOK.COM.

What's DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras have to say about the Second wave?

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES and NEWSARAMA have the scoop.

Meanwhile, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES also ran the first full length interview with China Miéville about DIAL H and talked with Batman Editor Mike Marts about BATMAN INCORPORATED. And NEWSARAMA spoke with Paul Levitz about WORLDS’ FINEST and EARTH 2.

To be continued...

Frankenstein guest-stars in MEN OF WAR #8

At the helm of the final issue of MEN OF WAR are white hot writers Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Sweet Tooth) and Matt Kindt (Revolver) with art by Tom Derenick.

In this action packed issue, Frankenstein walks through a rain of bombs over 1941 London before being dragged to the depths of the Pacific Ocean and onto the shores of Japan. Will he make it there in one piece so he can team up with GI Robot to defeat the Axis weapon that threatens to turn the tide of the war? Frank’s success will hinge on the help of a four-armed super-spy assassin working in the shadows.

(Cover by Victor Kalvachev)

We asked Jeff and Matt about working on this issue and here’s what they had to say:

"I first met Matt Kindt at the MoCCA festival in New York in 2005. He was selling copies of Super Spy and I was selling my first graphic novel, Lost Dogs. We hit it off right away and since then Matt has become one of my closest friends.

Coincidentally, Bob Harras told me I was going to be writing the Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE series, for the New 52, at last year's Emerald City Con in Seattle. I was sharing a hotel room with Matt that weekend and we spent the rest of the show talking about ideas for the book. Before long it turned into a full-on brainstorming session with Matt and a lot of the ideas from that weekend went into the first 5 or 6 issues of Frank. So Matt has been a secret contributor to the series since it launched in September.

So, when Joey Cavalieri asked me to write this special "Frankenstein in World War II" issue of Men of War, I immediately asked if Matt could co-write it with me. It was an incredibly fun experience. We just kept trying to top each other in terms of the crazy Ideas we could squeeze into the book, and I think fans are going to have as much fun reading it as we had writing it!" – Jeff Lemire

“It was fitting that Jeff and I worked on Frankenstein's secret World War II history together. We both dug up the craziest ideas we could think of -- literally I think we tried to top each other with some outrageous imagery and story ideas. We stitched it all together and then Tom applied the electricity (art) to bring this monster to life. Tom seriously drew what is my favorite double-page spread of all time in this issue. You'll know it when you see it. I have to say working with Jeff on this has easily been the most fun I've had doing comics so far...and I've had a lot of fun. And like all unholy unions I think the sum is even crazier than the parts!" - Matt Kindt

This 40-page event full of espionage and monster mayhem is not to be missed!

Back to Press for First Issues of ACTION COMICS, BATMAN and DETECTIVE COMICS

Earlier this morning, we announced the “Second Wave” of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. And earlier this week, USA TODAY revealed that JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 was the bestselling comic book of 2011. But this afternoon, we’ve got more exciting DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 news for you.

If you haven’t read ACTION COMICS #1, BATMAN #1 or DETECTIVE COMICS #1 yet, now’s your chance because all three titles are heading back to press for yet another printing!

For those counting, this will be the fifth printing of DETECTIVE COMICS #1, the fourth printing of ACTION COMICS #1 and the third printing of BATMAN #1.

USA TODAY on DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “SECOND WAVE”

The news is out: DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 will begin releasing its “Second Wave” of titles beginning this May, with the addition of six new series. USA TODAY broke the story in this morning's newspaper, including interviews with DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras, BATMAN INCORPORATED writer Grant Morrison and DIAL H writer China Miéville.

In USA TODAY's exclusive announcement, Harras said, "The New 52 was about showing the new world. Now we're just expanding on that world and furthering the story.”

Want more details? Then definitely check out USA TODAY's article "Seven things to know about DC Comics' new wave of books" where there's more details, more quotes and more insight on the six titles.

DC COMICS IN 2012 – INTRODUCING THE “SECOND WAVE” OF DC COMICS-THE NEW 52

In May of 2012, DC Comics will release a “Second Wave” of titles as part of its historic DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 initiative. Six new, ongoing series will build on the shared universe and bold concepts introduced in September 2011 with the renumbering of DC Comics’ entire line of comic books.

Featuring a variety of different genres and storytelling sensibilities, the titles in the “Second Wave” will be helmed by some of the most legendary writers and artists in the comic book industry, and will also feature the first ongoing comic book series written by acclaimed novelist China Miéville.

“The excitement of the initial launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “Second Wave” includes:

  • BATMAN INCORPORATED – Writer: Grant Morrison. Artist: Chris Burnham. The acclaimed ongoing writer of ACTION COMICS, Grant Morrison, presents a fresh take on BATMAN INCORPORATED, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally in preparation for a major international threat.
  • EARTH 2 – Writer: James Robinson. Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society combats threats that will set them on a collision course with other worlds.
  • WORLDS' FINEST – Writer: Paul Levitz. Artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. Stranded on our world from a parallel reality, Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back to Earth 2. Perez and Maguire will be the artists on alternating story arcs.
  • DIAL H – Writer: China Miéville. Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first ongoing series from acclaimed novelist China Miéville, this is a bold new take on a cult classic concept about the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero.
  • G.I. COMBAT – Writer: J.T. Krul. Artist: Ariel Olivetti. Featuring the return of a classic DC Comics series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT, along with rotating back-up stories and creative teams – including THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Dan Panosian; and THE HAUNTED TANK, with writer John Arcudi and artist Scott Kolins.
  • THE RAVAGERS – Writer: Howard Mackie. Artist: Ian Churchill. Spinning off from TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, this series finds four superpowered teens on the run and fighting against the organization that wants to turn them into supervillains.

The six new series will replace BLACKHAWKS, HAWK AND DOVE, MEN OF WAR, MISTER TERRIFIC, O.M.A.C. and STATIC SHOCK, all of which will conclude with their eighth issues in April.

“Many of the characters from our canceled books will appear in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles, and in some very surprising ways,” said Harras. “We’re developing stories that reach from cultures around the globe to parallel worlds. We’re just getting started.”

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(BATMAN INCORPORATED art by Chris Burnham; Cover for DIAL H #1 by Brian Bolland)

DC Comics All Access: Pat McCallum

I'm on a Suicide mission.

No, wait, that sounds way too dramatic. The truth is I'm holding a donut, checking e-mail and I work in comics. It's March 2011, and I'm in the opening stages of putting together a new SUICIDE SQUAD monthly series as part of The New 52.

I've just hung up the phone with the series writer Adam Glass - his SQUAD pitch is fantastic. His two big guns: Deadshot (classic SQUAD character, no problem getting that approved), and ... Harley Quinn. Hmmm. It's an intriguing idea. Harley's a great character, she's a fresh face on the roster and she - as a Batman villain - brings star power to the team. Most important, Adam's got a take on the character that pushes her in a new direction. Trick is she's outside the SUICIDE SQUAD stable of characters. Unlike Deadshot, Harley's under the BATMAN umbrella. I gotta work this through with BATMAN Group Editor Mike Marts.

Mike's crazy busy prepping all (!) the Bat books that launched as part of The New 52, but he makes the time. We talk it through and he digs it. Greenlit.

We're rolling.

Plots get approved, scripts get written, and we're almost ready to start drawing. The last piece of the puzzle comes in the form of an e-mail attachment: DC Co-Publisher and guy-who-is-crazy-good-with-a-pencil Jim Lee steps in with a new look for Harley. With all character designs in place, pages for the series begin pouring in.

That launched SUICIDE SQUAD #1 and it's all been building up to SUICIDE SQUAD #6 and #7: The Hunt for Harley Quinn. Harley searching for the missing (dead?) Joker, her new origin revealed, the Squad relentlessly chasing their AWOL member through Gotham City ... by story's end, dirty secrets are exposed, characters die, and we make the team rue the day the Squad writer requested Harley for the team.

Place your bets: SUICIDE SQUAD #6 & 7, Harley Quinn vs. the Suicide Squad!

- Pat McCallum

Pat McCallum is the editor on SUICIDE SQUAD and a bunch of other stuff. He enjoys donuts.

Tomorrow’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Releases

Earlier today, we linked to all of the exclusive previews of the fifth 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.

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