Attention STARMAN fans! After much anticipation, writer James Robinson (EARTH 2) has returned to the world of his acclaimed STARMAN series with an epic 12-issue miniseries starring the enigmatic antihero known as the Shade.

THE SHADE, a new paperback collected edition that compiles the entire miniseries, invites readers to venture back into the shadowy world of the Shade and uncover the back story of this immortal master of dark, which has remained a mystery … until now.

Recently, writer James Robinson chatted with POPMATTERS about THE SHADE and his overall thoughts on the character. 

“When it comes to the Shade and class,” Robinson told POPMATTERS, “that was really one of the things that I enjoyed about him. It’s not as if he is an upper-class villain who’s above everything. But it’s something that’s really happened to him over his transformation. The character that he was when he was Richard Swift was an importer’s agent. He was basically a middle class guy. And by killing Richard Swift so to speak, he basically created this new character that could create his own class, and a new persona … one of the things I liked about the Shade—he’s this character that’s not completely true to who he was, but he’s having a lot of fun being this new creation that became the reality for him when he became the Shade, 10 years after the events that take place in issue 12 of the mini-series you’ve just read.”

Head on over to POPMATTERS to read their full interview with Robinson and to see an exclusive preview of THE SHADE, which goes on sale in comic book stores tomorrow and in book stores everywhere next Tuesday.

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read EARTH 2 #8 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

Last month, writer James Robinson told you a little bit about EARTH 2 #8 and teased the issue’s significance for the series. Then, you got your first look at Fury, Steppenwolf’s female champion. But what is the mystery behind her origin?

After his failed invasion of the planet that lead to the death of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, Steppenwolf has gone into hiding on Earth. While in hiding, he seeks refuge in Dherain, a country ruled by King Marov. But little does Steppenwolf know, Marov plans on turning him in for a profit.

Luckily, Steppenwolf brought Fury along for protection. But who is she? Where did she come from? As Fury easily defeats all of Marov’s guards, Steppenwolf reveals she is not from Apokolips … but from Earth!

Taken, from her mother and trained to be his champion, Fury is a master in the ways of Apokolips combat and is from the finest warrior bloodline in the world. Steppenwolf claims that her mother was the greatest of all the Amazonians, so Fury can only be one person: the daughter of Wonder Woman!

Together, Steppenwolf and Fury create an unstoppable force capable of conquering the entire country of Dherain and slaughtering King Marov. But weeks later, as he sits on his new throne, Steppenwolf realizes what he truly wants. Not just one country, but the entire world! But will Fury be the one to help the man who murdered her mother achieve this goal of global domination?

Below, take a look at Steppenwolf’s reveal of Fury’s true identity. Will the daughter of one of Earth’s greatest heroes become its greatest villain? Place your bets in the comments section below and keep reading EARTH 2 to see what happens next!

EARTH 2 #8, in stores now, is written by James Robinson and illustrated by Yildiray Cinar, Ryan Winn and Ruy Jose.

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read EARTH 2 #5 yet and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoiler alerts ahead!).

Earlier this week, we showed you an exclusive preview of EARTH 2 #5. In this preview, we teased that Alan Scott, a.k.a The Green Lantern, is faced with a heart-wrenching choice that will affect the entire Earth. But what is it?

In order to defeat Grundy, Alan Scott figures out that he must infiltrate the greater power to which Grundy is a servant: The Grey. The same way he can connect to the Earth’s energy, Alan must connect to the Grey in order to take down Grundy and put a stop to him once and for all. In order to do so, he’ll have to leave his physical body behind to connect with the internal matrix within the world where The Grey resides. Thus, his body is left vulnerable to attack and in need of protection by Hawkgirl, The Flash and The Atom.

Yet when Alan begins his journey, he quickly learns that Grundy’s mission of destruction cannot be derailed. His quest also informs him that The Grey sent Grundy to destroy the planet so that it has a chance to be reborn and punish the life forms that have abused it. As if that’s not enough, The Grey has decided to recruit a new soldier: The Green Lantern himself.

While Alan rejects their initial offer, it doesn’t take long for The Grey to figure out how to lure the Jade Warrior onto their side – his heart. EARTH 2 fans remember the tragic fate that befell Alan’s lover, Sam, at the end of issue #2. And as Alan goes deeper and deeper into The Grey, he is reunited with Sam for the first time since his death.

Below, see Alan and Sam together in The Grey, while Hawkgirl, The Flash and The Atom attempt to protect his physical body from an attack by the resurrected Grundy. Share your predictions in the comments section below about what Alan will do next! Will he give into his heart’s desires or will this new hero be able to say goodbye to the love of his life in order to save the planet?

EARTH 2 #5, in stores now, is written by James Robinson and illustrated by Nicola Scott and Trevor Scott.

Since its launch in May, the all-new ongoing series EARTH 2 has started to build and expand upon its universe with lots of new and exciting elements: new characters, origins, settings, costumes, powers, etc. And for two special upcoming issues, add guest artist to that list.

Illustrating EARTH 2 #7-8 will be fan-favorite artist Yildiray Cinar (THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN; TEEN TITANS), who will also be making his debut collaboration with series writer James Robinson.

"I've been reading this book as a fan since issue #1 and feel so honored to be able to be part (in some way) of the restructuring of the new Earth 2!” Cinar told THE SOURCE. “Besides that, this is going to be my first collaboration with James Robinson, so needless to say ... there are good times ahead!" 

For an exclusive first look at Cinar’s art on EARTH 2, check out the pencils for the cover he drew for issue #8, featuring Steppenwolf (last seen in EARTH 2 #1) and the last Amazon on Earth 2. Sound off in the comments section below to guess who she is!