Duane Swierczynski

Exclusive Preview of BIRDS OF PREY #13

In Yokohama, Japan, one thousand feet below sea level, a bomb is set to detonate in 24 hours. Meanwhile, in Gotham City, a team of ninja assassins attacks Katanna, stealing her sword and leaving her for dead. But does their desire for her sword confirm Katanna’s beliefs that it contains the soul of her dead husband? The ninjas will have to work fast to find out, as they’re not the only ones willing to shed some blood to be in possession of the weapon. And in order to get the sword back, the Birds of Prey will have to travel to Yokohama to track it down … with only 12 hours left until detonation.

BIRDS OF PREY #13, in stores tomorrow, is written by Duane Swierczynski and illustrated by Romano Molenaar and Vicente Cifuentes. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

Tags:

birds of prey, Duane Swierczynski, Romano Molenaar, Vicente Cifuentes

Preview Mondays: BIRDS OF PREY #9 and SAUCER COUNTRY #3

For this week’s installment of Preview Mondays, we’re giving you exclusive first looks at BIRDS OF PREY #9 and SAUCER COUNTRY #3.

The epic crossover event, “Night of the Owls,” continues as the Birds of Prey must help combat one of the gravest threats to ever hit Gotham City: the Court of Owls. But what connections does the Talon assigned to take down the team have to them? From acclaimed crime writer Duane Swierczynski, BIRDS OF PREY #9 also marks the debut issue of new ongoing series artist Travel Foreman (ANIMAL MAN). Click here for an exclusive preview of the issue.

Last we saw New Mexico Governor Arcadia Alvarado, she confided in trusted members of her team that she believes she was abducted by aliens. In SAUCER COUNTRY #3, Arcadia discovers she’s not the only one who believes the planet is in danger of an extraterrestrial invasion. But how long can she keep her secret when more and more related cases begin to come to light? SAUCER COUNTRY #3 is written by Paul Cornell and illustrated by Ryan Kelly. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

Tags:

Preview Mondays, birds of prey, saucer country, Duane Swierczynski, travel foreman, paul cornell, ryan kelly

3 Things to Know About the Birds of Prey

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)

Tags:

birds of prey, DC Comics-The New 52, Duane Swierczynski

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

(DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio catches up with his old friend, Solomon Grundy at New York Comic Con)

Everyone from Solomon Grundy to DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio was at New York Comic Con this past weekend. In case you’ve been unplugged from the Internet all day, there are ton of recaps from the convention.

MTV GEEK chatted with the rock star creative team of JUSTICE LEAGUE, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. “It’s really about how you tell the stories,” said Lee of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. “It’s interesting – there was a lot of skepticism going into September but then once the books came out, the whole nature of the dialogue changed from ‘I hate what you’re changing’ to ‘I love what you’ve changed. I love the new directions.’”

“I think we’ve turned a lot of the skeptics around,” continued Johns. “I think there’s a lot of people that have turned around and said, ‘wow, this is really exciting,’ and are on board.”

DAILYMOTION spoke with DC Entertainment Co-Publisher writer Dan DiDio on the NYCC floor. “What I love about what we’re doing right now is that it’s not just about superheroes,” DiDio said of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. “We’ve got Westerns, we’ve got science fiction, we’ve got horror – so we’ve got such a wide array and I think that shows diversity and the strength of DC and I think this is what makes the company great.”

KOTAKU reported on the statues on display in the DC Entertainment booth at New York Comic Con. Check out their coverage to see your favorite heroes and villains as well as MAD Magazine’s take on some of the most iconic DC characters.

Following New York Comic Con, lots of outlets ran their exclusive previews of the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles being released this Wednesday. Here’s a rundown:

USA TODAY ran their exclusive preview of BIRDS OF PREY #2. "Yes, she's been a bad guy, but every villain has a great motivation,” said series writer Duane Swierczynski when asked about Poison Ivy. “They see themselves as the good guy in their own stories, and she's doing what she's doing for a good reason. It may sound strange but you can be there for your friends and still be a not-so-great person."

MAXIM has your first sneak peek at WONDER WOMAN #2. “Already one of the best-reviewed books of the new 52, Azzarello's take on Wonder Woman is doing, er, wonders for the character,” MAXIM wrote in the introduction of their exclusive preview. “Showcasing her bad-ass warrior side as well as a sense of humor … Azzarello is also rebuilding the mythology of Wonder Woman, simplifying it and making it more accessible to new readers while explaining her powers and attitude.”

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE debuted the first five pages of SUPERGIRL #2. "She has the same core basics: flight, strength, invulnerability, heat vision, x-ray vision," series co-writer Mike Johnson told TV GUIDE MAGAZINE of Kara. "And then we're going to reveal a new power in issue 3 that is unique to her and also a result of her new origin story."

BLASTR previewed not just one but two titles with a science fiction flavor coming out this week! Head on over to their site for your first look at BLUE BEETLE #2 and CAPTAIN ATOM #2.

POPMATTERS has your first look at RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has an exclusive preview of CATWOMAN #2.

And be sure to head on over to DC Comics’ official Facebook page to read an exclusive preview of LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2--and scroll through our photo galleries from each day of New York Comic Con.

Got more time to surf the web? Check out THE LOS ANGELES EXAMINER's, er, terrific review of MISTER TERRIFIC #2, written by L.A. local Eric Wallace and illustrated by Gianluca Gugliotta. “Wallace keeps the action coming and provides new and inventive ways for the hero to travel and solve the mysteries of Brainstorm,” wrote THE EXAMINER. “Gugliotta’s art also keeps to the tone of the story. This is pulse pounding adventure with a scientific background.”

To be continued …

(DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and JUSTICE LEAGUE artist Jim Lee signing at the DC Entertainment booth at New York Comic Con)

BIRDS OF PREY #4 to feature Batgirl – and a status quo-altering revelation

DC Comics - The New 52 and acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski introduced a bold new take on the BIRDS OF PREY team dynamic – and in the fourth issue, a shocking revelation is going to upset the status quo all over again. Featuring a special guest appearance by Batgirl, the explosive issue's going to rewrite the rules - so don't get too comfortable, because anything can happen.

“One of my favorite thrillers is Ira Levin's A KISS BEFORE DYING, because right in the middle of the novel...well, the cliche phrase would be, 'Levin pulls the rug right out from under you,’ but that doesn't do his legendary plot twist justice,” said Swierczynski. “Forget the rug being pulled out from under you... when you reach that point in KISS, it's as if someone's rolled up that rug and proceeded to use it to beat the living crap out of you. That's what I'm shooting for with this first arc of BIRDS OF PREY. I won't tell you where it is (other than somewhere in issue #4) But If I'm doing my job, you'll be relaxing, enjoying your comic, and then...”

BIRDS OF PREY #4 goes on sale December 21, but we've got a first look at the cover by David Finch and Richard Friend.

Tags:

birds of prey, david finch, DC Comics-The New 52, Duane Swierczynski, richard friend

(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Tuesday Afternoon (ET) Edition

With the second full week of releases of DC Comics-The New 52 coming out tomorrow, more and more previews continue to roll out.

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE has the first exclusive look at SUICIDE SQUAD #1. “Espionage is not pretty, it's not martinis and tuxedos, it's usually down and dirty,” series writer Adam Glass (Supernatural) told them.

COMICS ALLIANCE debuted a 5-page sequence from BIRDS OF PREY #1 by Duane Swierczynski and Jesus Saiz (and in case you missed it last week, be sure to read Editor Janelle Asselin’s blog post on what to expect from the series).

NEWSARAMA has the exclusive preview of DEATHSTROKE #1 by Kyle Higgins, Joe Bennett and Art Thibert.

IGN continued their series of interviews with the writers and artists of all the books in DC Comics-The New 52. “Slade is a strategist—he's two, sometimes three steps ahead in a fight,” Kyle Higgins said when asked about DEATHSTROKE.

“The first thing we do is show that Batwoman just wants to be the good soldier of Gotham,” described BATWOMAN writer/artist J.H. Williams III told IGN. “She’s going after crimes and villains that really don't connect to her personal story, but they quickly become personal for her mission.”

“One of the primary aspects of his character that makes him so appealing and compelling is that he makes mistakes - big, huge messes in his life, and yet he keeps going on,” GREEN ARROW writer J.T. Krul said about the series’ protagonist to IGN. “He doesn't make excuses for himself; he doesn't pass the buck - Oliver Queen freely and wholeheartedly puts the blame on his shoulders and carries the weight day in and day out.”

NEWSARAMA also debuted the cover to DETECTIVE COMICS #4. Meanwhile, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has the first look at the cover for ACTION COMICS #4 and WORD BALLOON premiered the cover to GREEN LANTERN #4.

To be continued …

From The Editor’s Desk: Janelle Asselin on BIRDS OF PREY

Like most DC editors, I’m not just an editor - I’m also a fan. And the book that made me a DC fan was BIRDS OF PREY. I’ve read a lot of DC books over the years, but BIRDS is the book that really hooked me. So when we were originally told that DC was bringing back BIRDS OF PREY in 2010, I may have knocked a few people over in claiming editorial rights to the book. I thought I was excited then.

It’s nothing to how excited I am right now.

The new BIRDS OF PREY is thrilling, fun, and beautiful. Writer Duane Swierczynski has crafted a story that takes off from issue one and does not let you stop for breath. It’s a new take on the characters and the team, so both new and old fans will come into the book on equal footing. But the spirit of BIRDS OF PREY - the spirit of doing good against all odds and the spirit of unlikely friendships - that remains in full force.

This spirit of friendship is most evident between Black Canary and our new character, Starling. Black Canary is, for the most part, the same incredible character she’s always been. As we move forward with the series, readers will discover that Black Canary in world of the New 52 has moved to the fringes of the super-heroic world but refuses to give up trying to save the world in her own way. Her good friend Starling has been by her side since college and they make a fun duo. For anyone who’s ever had that awesome BFF that’s nothing like you but seems to understand you anyway - you’ll immediately recognize and love the dynamic between Black Canary and Starling. Katana joins the team thanks to a nudge from another of Black Canary’s old friends - and while she isn’t exactly what Canary and Starling expect, well, she delights in bustin’ evil heads the same way they do.

But how does that spirit of friendship work with Poison Ivy, you ask?

For that you’ll have to wait and see - we have to keep some aces up our sleeves, you know! I will say that Duane’s done a great job of making her part of the team in a way that’s true to the spirit of all of the characters.

All of that being said, I’d be seriously remiss to not talk about artist Jesus Saiz’s contribution to the book. Holy cow, it’s so pretty. The thing I love about Jesus’s art is that he draws women realistically. The BIRDS are sexy, don’t get me wrong. But they’re a realistic kind of sexy that is a visual representation of the dedication the whole team has to making these characters real - not just eye candy. Each character has an individual style and flair that Jesus takes pains to show in his art. From the classic, traditional style of Black Canary to the rockabilly flair of Starling to the modern-samurai-chic of Katana to the sexy organic dress of Poison Ivy, each lady looks different and matches their personality externally. Jesus did endless designs and sketches to make sure we had each character right before we started on the book. And beyond the look of the characters, Jesus’s storytelling is dynamic and eloquent.

I could not be more proud of the work the whole BIRDS OF PREY team has done to put together our portion of the New 52. We look forward to having you along for the ride.

Tags:

birds of prey, black canary, DC Comics-The New 52, Duane Swierczynski, janelle asselin, jesus saiz, Katana, poison ivy, Starling

With all these new villains, Arkham Asylum is going to need a new wing

This October, Gotham City will be overrun by new villains. In DETECTIVE COMICS, Batman will face the Gotham Ripper. In BATGIRL, Barbara Gordon will take on Mirror. Mysterious villains will be terrorizing Gotham in BATMAN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, BATWOMAN and NIGHTWING. And around the globe, evil takes new forms in BATWING and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS. Can the Bat family defeat all these foes or is the fate of Gotham – and the world at large – permanently doomed?

BATMAN #2

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by JIM LEE

1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Bruce Wayne is back in the cowl, hunting a new and deadly killer in Gotham City – a killer with a vendetta against Bruce Wayne! But who is this mysterious killer in an owl skull mask? And is he the key to unlocking one of Gotham’s oldest and most terrifying secrets? Be there for their first brutal encounter!

BATWING #2

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

He is called Massacre, and he brings death. What does the soldier in service of Batman Incorporated do when he’s met his match? When he’s been brought so low and been wounded so badly? What does he do when lost Super Heroes begin turning up as victims? Batwing fights back!

DETECTIVE COMICS #2

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #2

Written by DAVID FINCH and PAUL JENKINS

Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND with JAY FABOK

Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Something sinister surges through Arkham Asylum, and Batman finds himself bombarded by his greatest foes in this second sensational issue from superstar creator David Finch!

Bigger, meaner, and more powerful than ever before, the inmates of Arkham Asylum run rampant as the entire Bat Family struggles to keep the walls from falling down, unleashing Gotham City’s worst criminals on the unsuspecting population. And you won’t believe the jaw-dropping final page! Just keep repeating, “It’s only a comic book. It’s only a comic book...”

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

Cover by PATRICK GLEASON

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

Batman’s fears about Robin’s tendency to dish out more pain than necessary are growing! And who is the man named NoBody, visiting Gotham City to say hello to his old friend Bruce Wayne and find out where he went wrong in his battle against crime.

BATGIRL #2

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

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

The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random, and an explosive confrontation between Batgirl and Mirror leads Babs to question wearing the cape and cowl at all!

The riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

BATWOMAN #2

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

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

Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City! Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail. Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up!

Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios? And overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new series intensifies in this exciting second issue!

NIGHTWING #2

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

When a mysterious assassin targets Dick Grayson, Nightwing must work fast to uncover the killer’s plot before he strikes again. But as Haley’s Circus continues to perform in Gotham City, Dick finds himself torn between two lives: His old one as a circus performer and his new one as a Super Hero. And they may be more connected than he ever realized!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT and BLOND

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Red Hood is already globe-trotting in an effort to find the ancient assassins behind the slaughter of those who taught him some of his darkest skills... and if Roy and Kori are going to be of any help, well, they’ll just have to tag along – whether Jason wants them to or not!

BIRDS OF PREY #2

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

An explosion in a secure Gotham City airport terminal hurls Black Canary and Starling headlong into a nightmare involving stolen pharmaceuticals, terrorists for hire and killers in stealth suits who can appear – and disappear – at will. When Canary calls in backup, Starling’s not so sure a vengeful samurai who talks to her dead husband in a sword is the best choice.

CATWOMAN #2

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

She’s a thief who lives to steal just for the thrill of breaking the law. He’s The Dark Knight, obsessively driven to battle evil with every ounce of his strength. They should keep each other at arm’s length, but...they just can’t seem to help themselves! Don’t miss this issue – things are gonna get messy!

September's BATMAN Solicits

BATMAN #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Be here for the start of a new era for The Dark Knight from writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and artist Greg Capullo (Spawn)! A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew.

DETECTIVE COMICS #1

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/ artist Tony S. Daniel!

A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf – leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

BATWING #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1

Written by DAVID FINCH

Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

Cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Dark Knight struggles against a deadly – yet strangely familiar – foe in this phenomenal debut issue from superstar writer/artist David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, ACTION COMICS)!

As a mysterious figure slinks through the halls of Arkham Asylum, Batman must fight his way through a gauntlet of psychos, and Bruce Wayne faces the unexpected legal ramifications of Batman Incorporated!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together!

As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...

BATGIRL #1

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Yes, it’s really happening!

Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl – and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!

BATWOMAN #1

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

At last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!

In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government

NIGHTWING #1

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Dick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES

OF GOTHAM)! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City – bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!

CATWOMAN #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in this new series from writer Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) and artist Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS)!

BIRDS OF PREY #1

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

One is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit. The other is on the run because she knows too much. They are Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawford – a.k.a. Black Canary and Starling – and together, as Gotham City’s covert ops team, they’re taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. But now they’ve attracted the attention of a grizzled newspaper reporter who wants to expose them, as well as a creepy, chameleon-like strike team that’s out to kill them.

Don’t miss the start of this hard-hitting new series from mystery novelist/comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Expiration Date, Cable).

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

No sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again.

As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!