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

Yesterday you picked up your first batch of #2s from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. And if you’ve already read all of them and can’t wait for next week’s releases, check out some exclusive previews that ran.

EW.COM continued their weekly previews of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with BATWOMAN #2, which received prominent placement on the site’s homepage.

GAWKER’s IO9 ran their exclusive first look at DEMON KNIGHTS #2 by Paul Cornell, Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert.

To be continued …

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

This Wednesday will bring the final week of first issues from DC Comics-The New 52. The press buzz hasn't quieted down yet!

CBS SUNDAY MORNING profiled DC Comics-The New 52 yesterday. Keep checking back to THE SOURCE, as we will post the video here once it becomes available for viewing online. We don’t want to spoil anything, but if you missed yesterday's segment, be sure to watch the entire video. It has a particularly cool ending.

PARADE MAGAZINE ran a piece on some of the changes to Superman in DC Comics-The New 52. “We take him back to a time when he had to struggle more, when he was more vulnerable,” Jim Lee said to them about the Man of Steel. Want more Superman? Head on over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES to check out their exclusive preview of SUPERMAN #1, which hits stores this week.

YAHOO’s ASSOCIATED CONTENT interviewed DETECTIVE COMICS writer and artist Tony S. Daniel. “I wanted to nail down a more vintage detective/crime story aspect to the storytelling, a film noir style to my stories,” Daniel told them of the series. “The style here is the bleak, pervasive menace to Gotham City in Batman's world.” DETECTIVE COMICS #2 hits stores next week.

GAWKER’S IO9 interviewed BATWOMAN creative team J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman about what to expect from the series. “We're trying to establish that Batwoman operates in more of a supernatural portion of Gotham,” Blackman teased. Her opponents and some of the storylines have a supernatural bent to them, which in my mind makes them feel very different than the other Bat-stories. We're combining horror with romance with vigilante action, but there's also that strong supernatural angle as well.”

And if you’re still not sure what titles to pick up this week, there's a number of high profile exclusive previews to check out. In an interview accompanying their exclusive preview of TEEN TITANS #1, Scott Lobdell tells USA TODAY that the first issue is "designed specifically so that as you're sitting down to read this book, you're learning about Kid Flash, Red Robin and Wonder Girl. Pretty much what you see on the paper is what we know about them and what they know about each other." THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX and IGN channeled their dark sides with their respective exclusive previews of I, VAMPIRE #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1. UGO has the exclusive first look at THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1, while MTV GEEK premiered their exclusive preview of THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1.

To be continued …

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

Look what just landed on our desks!

Yesterday marked the release of 12 more titles in DC Comics-The New 52. As press continues to roll in, check out some of the highlights from the past couple of days.

For the fourth week in a row, IFANBOY selected a title from DC Comics-The New 52 as its Pick of the Week. Their selection this week? WONDER WOMAN #1 by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. “In this issue, she’s a straight up action star, with the power of a god,” IFANBOY wrote of the Amazonian princess.

And speaking of WONDER WOMAN, the series’ critically acclaimed creative team was interviewed by MTV GEEK, IO9 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “There's a very clear sense that what's happening to these characters actually means something. Some of them are in real danger, and why are they in danger? Because they're up against something that is much more powerful and immoral than they are,” Azzarello said to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “ I always shy away from the word ‘evil,’ but let's just say there's some big evils in this book.”

UNDER THE RADAR chatted with Cliff Chiang, who will be part of a WONDER WOMAN release party at Bergen Street Comics in Brooklyn, New York this Saturday. “We're revamping the gods and their roles in the world. They're kind of conniving and scheming for power,” Chiang explained. “Wonder Woman is a pawn of theirs. Sometimes she upsets their plans and sometimes she unwittingly helps them achieve their goals. It's been great modernizing the gods and getting rid of togas and all the classical Greek architecture. The heart of all that mythology is great, but we don't want any of this to feel old. We want readers to see a very clear creative vision. We're not just rehashing.”

In anticipation of a couple local signings over the course of the next week, THE LOS ANGELES EXAMINER gave Los Angeles native Eric Wallace’s MISTER TERRIFIC a 5-star review, calling it a “strong debut issue.”

THE HUFFINGTON POST interviewed BATMAN and SWAMP THING writer Scott Snyder. “All of a sudden these murders begin that start to alert him to the fact that maybe he doesn't know the city as well as he thought,” Snyder said of the Dark Knight. “there's an enemy from old Gotham nursery rhymes. An ancient evil in Gotham that's been there for centuries. Because Gotham really 300 years old, no matter how long Bruce has been Batman, he's not as old as the city. So maybe the city belonged to another symbol, a rival symbol, long before it did the Bat, and maybe that sort of organization or that enemy just hasn't really been bothering with Batman until now.” Head on over to THE HUFFINGTON POST to read the full interview and check out their exclusive preview of SWAMP THING #2.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR highlighted their favorite titles released over the past two weeks from DC Comics-The New 52, which they dubbed an “impressive array of books.” Among their picks were BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATWOMAN, FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E., GREEN LANTERN, SUPERBOY, BATMAN, CATWOMAN, GREEN LANTERN CORPS and WONDER WOMAN.

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE interviewed DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras about DC Comics-The New 52. "I think the (52) first issues really are setting the groundwork, but we're building from there with every issue," Harras told them. "The goal is definitely to keep readers excited and really kind of getting back to that sense of 'What's gonna happen next?' ... We're really just building the base of excitement."

FORBES covered the impact of DC Comics-The New 52 thus far. “To quote one comic store owner, ‘The New 52 is the biggest game changer in comic books we’ve seen in 30 years,’” the piece read. “The anticipation of the new releases every week has been nothing short of mind-blowing. Comic shops can’t keep the titles in stock. Some are selling out within hours of being put on the shelf, if they even make it to the shelf.”

IGN continued their series of interviews with all of the creative teams behind DC Comics-The New 52. Check out what Geoff Johns (JUSTICE LEAGUE), Tony Bedard (BLUE BEETLE), Judd Winick (CATWOMAN), Peter Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS), and Eric Wallace (MISTER TERRIFIC) had to say about their respective series. “There's a reason these characters stick together,” Johns teased. “You'll see new villains. You'll find out why Aquaman and Green Arrow hate each other. It's actually a pretty good story behind that, and that will come to light. You'll see the never ending problems that exist on the team because of Batman and Green Lantern. You'll see why Wonder Woman is the best fighter among the team. You'll learn why Superman keeps his distance from everybody else. There's a really cool arc where Superman and his role on this team is a little bit different than before. I think that's on purpose; he's a little bit disconnected from them. You'll see why Flash refuses to call himself a vigilante.”

To be continued …

(EVERYBODY’S TALKIN’ ABOUT) DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, MONDAY EVENING (ET) EDITION

Earlier today, we announced that all the books in the first two weeks of release from DC Comics-The New 52. As we ready for the week two books to hit stores, here are some of the press highlights from the past few days.

USA TODAY ran an exclusive preview of FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. and interviewed the series’ writer, Jeff Lemire (who also writes ANIMAL MAN). "I want to get deeper into his origin and see what makes this monster basically want to protect humanity,” Lemire said of Frankenstein.

IFANBOY published their exclusive preview of GRIFTER #1. “It’s Grifter from day one, from square one,” series writer Nathan Edmonson teased to them. “It’s not a Grifter you’ve seen before. It’s not a story you’re familiar with.”

IGN debuted the first six pages of RED LANTERNS #1, by Peter Millian and Ed Benes.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES had the first look at BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 by Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray.

COMPLEX interviewed Scott Snyder about the two series he’s writing, BATMAN and SWAMP THING. “It’s a big epic, ambitious story about Bruce Wayne and the way he thinks of Gotham as his friend and this kind of ancient evil under Gotham that exists, or may exist, that he has somehow overlooked as Batman,” Snyder said of BATMAN. “So it has to do with the history of the Wayne family and the Grayson family, and there will be big revelations about this enemy from the past, and this enemy is going to bring all the weight of history against the Bat family and try to crush them.”

IO9 posted quick reviews of each of the first week’s worth of releases from DC Comics-The New 52. They also dubbed ANIMAL MAN as the best book thus far. “One of the reasons Animal Man #1 works so well is that Lemire plops the reader right down into his daily routine...and then drops the horror in the final act,” wrote Cyriaque Lamar. “Gold stars for the creative team.”

To be continued …

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

The Labor Day weekend didn’t slow down the publicity wave for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, including high profile exclusive previews:

USA TODAY has the exclusive first look at DETECTIVE COMICS #1 and an interview with writer/artist Tony S. Daniel who told the paper that “fresh, brand-new villains are the ones who will give Batman challenges he's never faced before.”

AIN’T IT COOL NEWS caught up with STORMWATCH writer Paul Cornell and featured a preview of the series’ first issue. Cornell offered a tease of what to expect from the series and hinted at the specific roles of the team’s members. “Sometimes he finds it best to be a hero, working with the Justice League,” he said of Martian Manhunter. “Sometimes he finds it best to be a warrior, working undercover with Stormwatch. There he can indulge his terrifying side.”

The recently launched CHAMPION! has the first look at BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT issue #1. “I thought there’s no better way to bring something grand scale to Batman than having a mass-level breakout at Arkham Asklym, everybody from high-level important villains to low-level guys that nobody has heard of,” said series writer and artist David Finch. “By the end of the issue, they’re swarming over Gotham City, and it hast to be dealt with, not just by Batman but by a lot of characters.”

CBR had the very first look at JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL issue #1.

IO9 previewed O.M.A.C. #1 and spoke with series writer Dan DiDio, who teased an upcoming crossover with O.M.A.C. and FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. “I've always been attracted to the eclectic parts of the DC Universe and so has Frankenstein writer Jeff Lemire, so it feels like a natural fit,” said DiDio. “So much of my story is built on the war of Brother Eye and O.M.A.C. versus Checkmate, and S.H.A.D.E. gets brought into the middle of it.”

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES’ Hero Complex debuted the first five pages of GREEN ARROW #1, written by L.A. based J.T. Krul. (The piece also included coverage of last week’s midnight event at comic book shop House of Secrets in Burbank for the official launch of DC Comics-The New 52.)

Meanwhile, SALON.COM interviewed DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and JUSTICE LEAGUE artist Jim Lee about DC Comics-The New 52 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #1.

Each week, IGN will be conducting interviews with the DC Comics-The New 52 creative teams. So far, they’ve posted interviews with DETECTIVE COMICS writer/co-artist Tony Daniel and with JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL creative team Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti. “We want to construct fun, entertaining stories that capitalize on bigger-than-life events with a strong mix of characters,” Jurgens said.

To be continued …

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

With the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, DC Comics-The New 52 officially kicked off. Coverage has been widespread today. Looking for a comprehensive overview? Look no further.

THE NEW YORK TIMES ran a major feature story on the launch of DC Comics-The New 52 on the front of the Arts section and on their homepage. “We’re not looking for a way of going back to what we did before,” DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras told them. “We like to say here, ‘No trap doors.’ This is what we are going to do.”

TODAY.COM interviewed DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio. (You might have seen the story on MSNBC, too.) “It’s all about getting comics into the hands of new readers,” Lee said. “We’re trying to introduce these characters to new audiences.”

Last night’s Midnight Madness event with JUSTICE LEAGUE creative team Geoff Johns and Jim Lee at Midtown Comics in New York City had an incredible turnout and was a huge success. MSNBC was on location taking photos of everything from fan costumes to BATMAN and SWAMP THING writer Scott Snyder mingling with fans to Geoff and Jim distributing pizza to those who waited in line for hours to get their hands on JUSTICE LEAGUE #1.

ABC NEWS interviewed Geoff and Jim, who discussed everything from new costumes to their collaborative process. “In the case of JUSTICE LEAGUE, we’re actually completely retelling and re-envisioning how they met and why they met and why they stayed together,” Geoff Johns explained. “The goal is to actually have more personality, more conflict, more tension. Everyone knows them as the super-friends, but we’re showing that they’re not actually friends – not yet.”

WIRED MAGAZINE posted a gallery of various JUSTICE LEAGUE character designs by Jim Lee. Take an exclusive look at Jim’s designs for Superman, The Flash and Aquaman and be sure to check out WIRED’s analysis of these characters’ fresh costumes and looks.

With so much excitement about the 52 titles being released, it’s hard to pick a favorite. “The best part is that for all of the different members of [the DC Comics team] that have read all of the books,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio told THE WASHINGTON POST, “I can’t find two people with the same Top-Five list. That’s what’s great for me.”

DiDio also caught up with THE VILLAGE VOICE. “We want to get back down to the core characters and rebuild the fiction around them,” he said of DC Comics-The New 52. “This isn't about rehashing stories, but providing things that new readers can relate to."

EBONY.COM looks at diversity in DC Comics-The New 52, including characters like Voodoo, Static Shock, Cyborg, Mister Terrific and Batwing. “When we go to conventions, we see people of all races and genders,” DiDio told them. “We want a real sense that these characters are participating in the same world that exists outside our window.”

DigiDay ran a piece about same-date digital publication. According to Hank Kanalz, SVP of Digital, “What we heard anecdotally is that people have been coming into comic book stores and buying more titles and asking about digital delivery.”

Io9 and MTV GEEK also shed some light on the heralding in of DC Comics-The New 52 with the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. MTV GEEK also announced a special Twitter competition in which you can win each #1 issue being released as part of DC Comics-The New 52. For information on how to enter the contest, click here.

Much, much more to come as major interviews are being conducted as I load this blog post.

Congratulations are in order to Geoff, Jim, Scott Williams and everyone else behind JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. The issue hasn’t even been out for a full day yet and is already sold out. Here's a first look at the cover of the second printing.

The first interview about today’s “Young Justice” announcements

Gawker’s iO9 has the exclusive first interview with Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio about the “Young Justice” titles that were announced this morning. “When we have a book about teenagers, we want it to feel like it's a book about teenagers,” said DiDio.

Head on over to iO9 for the full coverage, including details about how Jim Lee recruited artist Rob Liefeld for HAWK & DOVE.

FLASHPOINT MONDAY?

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Each week, THE SOURCE's ongoing FLASHPOINT FRIDAY feature is *the* destination for FLASHPOINT news. Continue to check out THE SOURCE every Friday throughout this summer.

And yet sometimes there's FLASHPOINT news on a Monday that won't hold til Friday. Today, for instance, we've got breaking news: FLASHPOINT issue one has already sold out.

Congrats to Geoff Johns, Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, Nick Napolitano, Adam Schlagman, Rex Ogle and Eddie Berganza.

If you haven't already picked up issue one and you're wondering what everyone is talking about, head on over to GAWKER's i09 interview with Geoff Johns that was posted over the weekend. Geoff discusses all things FLASHPOINT, including Cyborg's relevance to the series--and the modern world. "The truth is, we're all cyborgs with cell phones and online identities. He's a hero who plugged in 24/7 and constantly in touch with technology and information. He's a product of the day, he really is the twenty-first century everyman."

A few links of not for Thursday: BATMAN AND ROBIN #16’s big reveal

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If you’ve been following us on Twitter or Facebook, you’ve probably noticed that there’s been a huge outpouring of press in reaction to the shocking conclusion of BATMAN AND ROBIN #16. It all started early yesterday, as THE ASSOCIATED PRESS broke the news that (stop reading now if you haven’t picked up the issue) Bruce Wayne had been secretly funding Batman for years, and would expand his funding and launch BATMAN INCORPORATED in an interview with the man behind it all, writer Grant Morrison.

With that, we were off to the races. DC Comics Editor in Chief Bob Harras did a number of interviews, including chats with USA TODAY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, CNN’s MARQUEE BLOG, TIME TECHLAND, AOL COMICS ALLIANCE, THE L.A. TIMES' HERO COMPLEX, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, NEWSARAMA and IO9.

And in case you missed it, WIRED’s Scott Thill had an epic, engaging and all-around interesting interview with Morrison, which is a must-read for fans of the man’s work. Also, the issue's been getting raves -- with glowing reviews at POP MATTERS and IGN to kick things off.

Have you picked up your copy of BATMAN AND ROBIN v2: BATMAN VS. ROBIN yet?

A few links of note for Wednesday: SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE

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The press continues to roll in for SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, including major art debuts and commentary on IGN, MOVIEFONE, AOL COMICS ALLIANCE, TOPLESS ROBOT, YAHOO!’s OMG BLOG, LA TIMES HERO COMPLEX, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, io9, POP CANDY and WIRED, with reviews popping up at iFANBOY and NEWSARAMA.

And the book goes on sale in comic shops today. So take a moment and swing by your local shop and grab a copy while they last.

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