Fans of STARMAN are familiar with the concept of a “Times Past” issue. In THE SHADE #4, in stores on Wednesday, writer James Robinson revisits this format to reveal an untold chapter of The Shade’s history. The year is 1944. The Shade’s criminal career has just kicked off and he must save an industrialist who is being targeted for assassination. But when he seeks help, The Shade learns that people are not always who they appear to be. And that includes physically.

Making this issue extra special is the art team of Darwyn Cooke (NEW FRONTIER/CATWOMAN), J. Bone and Dave Stewart, who were enlisted by James to tell a story as only they could.

“It's a thrill to work with Darwyn and J. Bone on the first ‘Times Past’ single-issue story within the overall 12-issue Shade series,” James Robinson exclusively told THE SOURCE. “After the wonderful work done by Cully Hamner, it's exciting to see another interpretation of DC's Master of Shadows, with Darwyn and J. Bone bringing their own unique vision to one of the Shade's 1940s adventures. I'm also thrilled by the final piece of this visual puzzle, this being the color by Dave Stewart who's brought a subdued yet sublime palette to the tale. I hope everyone enjoys this adventure of saboteurs and mystery men where we learn a little more about the Shade's mysterious past.”

"We are beyond excited that Darwyn Cooke -- one of the top artists working in the industry today -- made time to pencil this issue,” said series editor Wil Moss. “He brought along his former SPIRIT collaborators J. Bone and Dave Stewart and the three of them created 22 pages of gorgeous, lush imagery, taking James Robinson's already excellent script to a whole other level."

THE SHADE #4 features an extraordinary cover by STARMAN alum Tony Harris and lands in stores tomorrow.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

James Robinson and JT Krul will contribute individual stand alone stories in MEN OF WAR issue #7. We caught up with Robinson and Krul to get the inside scoop on their contributions.

Is it true that you’ll be writing MEN OF WAR #7?

JR: Absolutely. It's been a fun coming up with a story for the book. Lots of research.

JTK: Indeed. One of the coolest aspects of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 is that there is such a wide variety of books, crossing over different genres. And MEN OF WAR is a great chance to explore war stories for our times. So, when Joey Cavalieri called me about the opportunity, I was on board right away.

What can you tell us about your story in this stand alone issue?

JR: I can't speak for the other writer on the book, but for me, I've created a new DC war character I hope readers respond to. A British soldier in the S.A.S. in Afghanistan who takes one last mission upon himself before returning to England.

JTK: I'm telling a contemporary story about an American soldier serving in Iraq that finds himself fighting for his life along side his fellow soldiers after their helicopter is shot down. But, it's got another component to it that digs deeper into the life of a soldier and the struggle to navigate through obstacles both on and off the battlefield.

I've had the chance to meet and talk with many members of the Armed Forces over the years (a lot of them comic fans). I am always impressed with their easy-going, low key nature. You'd never know that they live and work in hostile environments. It's so above and beyond anything we as civilians experience. So, I wanted to tell a story about their resilience, but also confront some of the challenges they face in terms of living with that experience - the isolation it can bring when returning to family and friends.

Pick up MEN OF WAR #7 in March!

(The cover to MEN OF WAR #7 by Viktor Kalvachev)

OUT MAGAZINE previewed TEEN TITANS #3, which features the introduction of a new gay character, Bunker. “We wanted to show an interesting character who’s homosexuality is part of him, not something that’s hidden,” artist Brett Booth told them.

This week, SUPERMAN #3 joins the ranks of the other eight DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 books to have an exclusive preview featured on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s homepage.

As the mystery surrounding Madame Xanadu’s plan thickens, the Justice League Dark team continue to come together. For a sneak peek at what’s coming next week, head over to GAWKER’s IO9 for their exclusive preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3.

The colors and powers of the Green Lantern universe continue to meld together in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #3. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

Morphicius’ powers won’t stop growing and it’s up to Carter Hall to figure out how to stop him before he becomes invincible. Check out COMICVINE’s exclusive preview of THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #3.

Lots of exciting things happening over at POPMATTERS! “If you think about it, what worse horror is there, than having the person you love turn into a monster? And not losing the love?” I, VAMPIRE writer Joshua Hale Fialkov said in an exclusive interview. “And that to me is the drive of I, VAMPIRE. It’s the idea that he loves her beyond words. And he doesn’t love old her, her before the transformation. He loves her as a vampire. And that’s the real point. If Andrew were in love with this 500-year-old version of Mary that no longer existed, he would have just cut off her head a long time ago. But the fact is, he still feels the love and he still has this desire for her. And his hope, is not even to ‘cure’ her, it’s to ‘fix’ her.”

“My take on the character is, to Buddy Baker, his family always comes first,” Jeff Lemire told POPMATTERS about ANIMAL MAN. “There are really dark things trying to tear them apart. We’re going to see how far they can stretch before they break, and if they don’t break, they’re going to have to evolve into something new as a family to survive.”

And while you’re at POPMATTERS, be sure to read their profile of Superman in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with James Robinson, Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone about their upcoming collaboration, THE SHADE #4. “The whole thing is linked together, past and present, so that there is a story in the present, which concerns the Shade's past and a family you didn't realize that the Shade had,” Robinson revealed. “Each of the ‘Times Past’ issues play out that way. The first one jumps back into the 1940s, the second one is set in Paris in 1901 and the third one is in 1830s London for the Shade's origin. Each time, you learn more about the family and more about what is going on. As I did with Darwyn's story, I took great pains with each of the other ‘Times Past’ tales with Jill Thompson and Gene Ha, to make them stand alone, even though they're a part of the bigger picture.”

NEWSARAMA spoke with Josh Williamson, who will be taking over as the writer of VOODOO in 2012. “I think people will be surprised by the direction we’re taking the character, how it works with what came before but also takes her into new dangerous territory,” Williamson said of his upcoming run.

Feeling festive? BATMAN ON FILM interviewed BATMAN: NOEL writer/artist Lee Bermejo about his creative process, how BATMAN: NOEL came into fruition and some teases at a project he’s contemplating set in what he calls, “the JOKER-verse,” that’ll be “a different take on a very classic character.”

If you’re still looking for some gift ideas, MTV GEEK just published a list of what they deem to be the 10 best Batman graphic novels. And if you like Batman-themed countdowns, NEWSARAMA has their list of the greatest villains Batman has ever faced.

To be continued …

Fan-favorite artist Nicola Scott will be joining the SUPERMAN creative team,providing art for issues 3, 5 and 6. Jesus Merino remains the series’ ongoing artist, illustrating issue 4 and returning for the issue 7 debut of new writers Dan Jurgens and Keith Giffen - which Jurgens will be drawing.

Scott is under exclusive contract with DC Entertainment, and those familiar with her career will know her previous work with DC Comics’ BIRDS OF PREY and SECRET SIX. Most recently, she was announced as the penciller who (with writer James Robinson) would be bringing JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA to DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, and nothing’s changed there; she is still going to be illustrating those Earth 2 adventures when the JSA is ready to make their debut.

In the meantime, check out some of Scott’s SUPERMAN work right here on THE SOURCE – where Scott gets the chance to draw the Man of Tomorrow in both his past and our present.

SUPERMAN #3 goes on sale November 23.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="4"]