USA TODAY has the exclusive first interviews about the decision to launch 52 first issues over a five week period, the designing of more than 50 new costumes and what it all means for the World's Greatest Superheroes.
This year, change is in the air at DC Comics.
On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will launch a historic renumbering of the entire DC Universe line of comic books with 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1 will launch day-and-date digital publishing for all these ongoing titles, making DC Comics the first of the two major American publishers to release all of its superhero comic book titles digitally the same day as in print.
DC Comics will only publish two comic books on August 31st: the final issue of this summer's comic book mini-series FLASHPOINT and the first issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE by Johns and Lee, two of the most distinguished and popular contemporary comic book creators, who will be collaborating for the first time. Together they will offer a contemporary take on the origin of the comic book industry's premier superhero team.
In the hours, days and weeks to come, we'll have more news about the other titles. Tomorrow, we’ll hear from Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee about this momentous occasion. Keep checking THE SOURCE for updates about the other first issues.
This year, make history with us.
Which way will Superman fly in the 21st century? DC Entertainment's own superheroes Geoff Johns and Jim Lee tackle this and other comic book questions Saturday, June 11 at the Hero Complex Film Festival in Hollywood.
Superman has been a cultural icon for 73 years, capturing the hearts and imagination of the world through the pages of DC Comics. What does DC have in store for Superman and can this young, hot creative duo launch Clark Kent and his alter ego into the future?
In an exclusive on-stage conversation, legendary comic writer Geoff Johns and celebrated comic artist Jim Lee, will be interviewed by journalist Geoff Boucher, who is celebrating his 20th year at the Los Angeles Times and has become a high-profile figure in genre culture as the creator of the award-winning Hero Complex website.
Johns and Lee will be making comic book publishing news at the festival panel. Their appearance will be followed by a tribute to Richard Donner, screenings of both "Superman" and "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" and a Q&A with the famed filmmaker.
Single-day tickets are available for festival, which runs June 9-12 at the Chinese Six Theatre at famous cross-street of Hollywood and Highland. A limited number of discounted four-day passes are also available. Other special guests include Warren Beatty, Jon Favreau, Nicolas Meyer, Damon Lindleof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. More guests and programs will be announced soon
This week, for the first time ever, the entire 52 series and entire INFINITE CRISIS series have been made available digitally. And yes, that does include all the spin-off and aftermath miniseries. This means books by renowned authors such as Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, and fan-favorite artists like Jim Lee, Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Ivan Reis, and Andy Lanning.
To celebrate, we’re conducting a special sale in our digital store on all of these titles. For 52 hours, each one of these digital comics will be priced at only 99 cents! This is the perfect opportunity for old fans looking to reconnect with the books of the past and for new fans to read these critically acclaimed titles that changed the DC Universe forever.
Check out the full list of available titles below. The sale ends at 4:01 am (EST) this Sunday.
o COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS #1
o DAY OF VENGEANCE #’s 1-6
o VILLAINS UNITED #’s 1-6
o RANN-THANAGAR WAR #’s1-6
o THE OMAC PROJECT #’s1-6
o SUPERMAN #219
o ACTION COMICS #829
o ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #642
o WONDER WOMAN #219
o INFINITE CRISIS #’s 1-7
o DAY OF VENGEANCE SPECIAL
o VILLAINS UNITED SPECIAL
o RANN-THANAGAR WAR SPECIAL
o THE OMAC PROJECT SPECIAL
o 52 #’s1-52
o 52: WORLD WAR III #1-4
o 52 AFTERMATH: THE FOUR HORSEMEN #1-6
First up, who is Element Woman?
Character design by Jim Lee
New York Times bestselling novelist Neil Gaiman and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee’s illustrated poem “100 Words” is available today for the first time digitally. This seven page poem can be purchased for .99 cents through the DC app and DCcomics.com storefront. All of DC Comics’ proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
“From The Sandman and Black Orchid to Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, Neil Gaiman has provided some of the most memorable stories of the comic book industry,” said Jim Lee. “This was a unique opportunity for the two of us to collaborate together and I’m thrilled that the story is now available for even more fans in this format.”
This project was originally published as part of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund 2010 annual comic book and was, until now, only available as a limited edition print on neverwear.net.
“The project began when I was asked to write a hundred word poem about death. And I did. I tried to make it honest and, given the word limit, simple and true,” said Neil Gaiman.
“Jim Lee took my poem and illustrated it, in a beautiful pencil style, turned it into a comic, as a limited edition print that was published by Neverwear for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and it made people happy. It made me especially happy, as I've been a fan of Jim's since Chris Claremont showed me some advanced pages by a talented newcomer, somewhere back in the dawn of time, and we've been trying (and failing) to work together ever since.
Most people haven't seen “100 Words.” I love that there's now an opportunity for everybody to see what Jim and I did, all up close and digital. And I'm thrilled that DC Comics is publishing it for such a good cause.”
The first issue of DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS, the official comic book tie-in to the hit massive multiplayer online action game, hits comic shops and the DC Digital Online Store today. Picking up where the game's trailer left off, the villainous Lex Luthor's made a deal with the evil alien Brainiac that's given him the means of finally killing Superman - but he's doomed all of humanity in the process.
DC Comics Co-Publisher, legendary comic book artist and DC Universe Online Executive Creative Director Jim Lee had this to say about the new bi-weekly Legends comic book series:
"With DC Universe Online, we've managed to create a version of the DC Universe that fully captures the superhero experience, and lends itself to a virtually endless number of possible storylines and scenarios for each individual player. The Legends comic is another way for us to keep expanding the borders of that world, and attract new comic readers who'd like to dive even further into the DC Universe as they're playing the game."
Check out a preview of the first issue we posted here. Digital comics readers will get a special digital variant covers on their first six issues, all featuring art from Blur Studios - the same studio behind the thrilling DC Universe Online cinematic trailer!
Check out Blur's digital variant to issue one below!
First Ever DC Comics and Hero Initiative Collaboration: Justice League of America #50 A collection of 100 Covers from Top artists around the world!
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 1, 2011) – The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, most proudly announces their new partnership in the Justice League Of America #50 project with DC Comics. This is the first collaboration with DC comics ever and Hero is chomping at the bit to pull the collection together. The call has gone out and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. DC has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of Justice League Of America #50 to Hero, and work is being created by well-known stars such as Jim Lee, Alex Ross, George Perez, Jason Bone, Jim Valentino, and many many more.
"It's an honor to participate, not only because this is the first time DC Comics is collaborating with Hero Initiative, but because Hero Initiative is such an important organization to our community" said Jim Lee, artist and Co-Publisher of DC Comics.
“We're thrilled to be working in new ways with DC Comics, and showcasing some of the greatest artists and greatest characters in the world," said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. "And of course, sales of the covers and the collected book will go toward helping many other comic creators in need."
All 100 original Justice League Of America covers will be published in a book slated for release in 2011, and a public viewing of all covers will be scheduled as well.
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About Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.
Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.
2010 was a huge year for DC. Just take a look at all of our titles on NPR’s Monkey See blog’s and Entertainment Weekly’s Shelf Life blog’s “Best of 2010” lists: DC’s BATWOMAN: ELEGY, ABSOLUTE ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WEDNESDAY COMICS, ACTION COMICS, and Vertigo’s REVOLVER, STUCK RUBBER BABY, and HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS OR LESS.
Well, we’re not going to slow down. 2011 is going to be even bigger.
Co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan Didio recently spoke with Newsarama and Comic Book Resources about the many highlights of the past year and what we all can look forward to in the next.
Thanks!
As 2010 comes to a close, we want to recognize and thank you, the fans, for the passion and excitement that you have for the creators we work with and the characters whose adventures we publish. You motivate us to work harder and to publish better books. It’s simple. We could not do this without you.
We’re tremendously excited for DC and Vertigo have in store for next year and you’ll be reading about new projects, surprising twists and developments on THE SOURCE and GRAPHIC CONTENT in the New Year. Stay tuned!
We are tremendously excited for the New Year and for the new opportunities that come with it.
Happy holidays to you and yours,
Dan & Jim
