Ever wonder what a down-and-out street thug would do with super powers?

Or what J. Michael Straczynski would do at DC Comics?

DC’s longtime superhero mash-up series THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD welcomes a new pairing of heroic proportions. J. Michael Straczynski, writer and creator of the sci-fi hit, Babylon 5 and BAFTA-award nominated screenwriter of Changeling, joins forces with rising star illustrator Jesus Saiz (OMAC PROJECT, CHECKMATE) as the series’ dynamic new writer-artist team starting with issue #27, on sale September 16.

Featuring an all-star line-up of DC favorites including Batman and The Flash teaming up with heroes like Blackhawk and Dial H for Hero, each issue is an unpredictable adventure, exploring the many dimensions of heroism.

It’s timeless stories of action and sensation, with Straczynski adding a new depth of characterization to DC’s celebrated heroes with modern perspective and style, making THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD a definite source of excellent comic storytelling and a must-read series.

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #27 hits tomorrow. And we've got a slew of pages from the first issue.

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It's Wednesday. We know that means new comics. More specifically, it means a new issue of WEDNESDAY COMICS. Check out the latest SUPERMAN strip installment over at USA TODAY before you head to the shop.

• Over at AIN'T IT COOL NEWS, "Ambush Bug" talks to BLACKEST NIGHT writer Geoff Johns about his plans for the summer event and beyond. A snippet:

BUG: I know BLACKEST NIGHT is just beginning, but do you have things planned out for what’s next?

GJ: I can’t say much, but I will be on GREEN LANTERN for a long time. I have no plans to leave the book. Next year, GREEN LANTERN is going to be my main focus for the entire year. I’m launching a FLASH monthly book soon and there’s going to be a KID FLASH monthly book by Sterling Gates. Those two books are going to work in unison and explore the Flash in very much the same way GREEN LANTERN and GREEN LANTERN CORPS are tied together right now. They’ll be their own separate books, but then they’ll come together. The idea, some of it comes from BLACKEST NIGHT and REBIRTH, but the idea is to explore what it means to be the Flash, what the Speed Force is, and all that and take it to a different level.

• And, speaking of Geoff, in case you missed it, IGN had a lengthy two-part interview with the writer to discuss the recently-unveiled cover to BLACKEST NIGHT #5, featuring Nekron.

• Over at NEWSARAMA, they've got a first look at THE RED CIRCLE: THE WEB.

• Also, the team at iFanboy continue to roll out content from San Diego. Worth a listen.

• THE NEW YORK TIMES talks to Chip Kidd about his work and love of comics, including a snazzy slideshow of his DC work.

J. Michael Straczynski's re-imagination of the Red Circle heroes begins here, with JMS teaming up with artists Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz to introduce The Hangman to the DCU.

The Civil War was one of our nation's bloodiest conflicts, but one of the participants remains alive. Union doctor Robert Dickering found himself on the wrong side of the battle lines, and despite his heroic efforts to save a Confederate soldier, he also found himself on the wrong end of a noose. But when a shadowy power offers him a chance at immortality -- with the caveat that he must roam the Earth, saving the lives of wrongly-condemned innocents like himself -- Dickering agreed, and becomes the mysterious Hangman. But it doesn't stop there, friends. We've got a first look at the issue right here.

THE RED CIRCLE: THE HANGMAN #1 hits 8/5.

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We've seen a few pages of THE DAILY PLANET about the new crop of Red Circle heroes, but what happens when the hero takes the keyboard and starts talking? The Web has your answer, right here.