The most talked about prequel miniseries in the comic industry are about to be collected in 4 deluxe hardcover editions. Wrapped in covers designed by Chip Kidd, award winning book jacket designer (Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park, Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho and much much more) and writer (Batman Death By Design, The Cheese Monkeys), they will arrive this summer.

Having previously designed a variant cover for BEFORE WATCHMEN: RORSCHACH issue #3, we asked Chip Kidd about what it means to him to design these, destined to be, historic covers. Here’s what he had to say, "To design these covers is both a privilege and an honor. And a challenge!,” said Kidd. “The 'Before Watchmen' creative team did a truly impressive job, and I will try to do justice to them. So to speak."

Well, we can’t wait to see them and we hope you’re just as excited as we are. So stay tuned for their future reveal.

And look for BEFORE WATCHMEN: MINUTEMEN/SILK SPECTRE and BEFORE WATCHMEN: OZYMANDIAS/CRIMSON CORSAIRJune 26^th in comic stores and July 2^nd everywhere books are sold and BEFORE WATCHMEN: NITE OWL/DR. MANHATTAN and BEFORE WATCHMEN: COMEDIAN/RORSCHACH July 10^th in comic stores and July 16th everywhere books are sold.

Don’t miss the conclusion of one of the most thrilling books of all time!

COMPLEX says, “If you’ve read the book and seen the movies, then you might as well go all in and check out Vertigo’s take on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It’s the story you remember, with a modern comic flare that gives a visual life to these characters.”

Adapted by Scottish crime novelist Denise Mina with art by Leonardo Manco and Andrea Mutti, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO Vol. 2 arrives May 1, 2013.

Cover by Lee Bermejo

Welcome DC Entertainment fans to a brand new weekly feature where we list off 5.2 Reasons of varying subjects of greatness from across our line of books, collectibles, and more!
 
Wednesday marked the launch of BEFORE WATCHMEN: COMEDIAN, and while old Eddie Blake might see the world as a dark and twisted place, we personally like to take a look at the positives—namely the existence of totally awesome comic creators like Comedian writer Brian Azzarello.
 
Already a huge fan of Azzarello, his involvement in Before Watchmen got us more pumped than Schwarzenegger—especially considering the characters he'd be working on. We took a look at the comic catalog to give you 5.2 Reasons Brian Azzarello is One of the Best Writers in Comics.

1. Wonder Woman
WONDER WOMAN #10 is out this week, but with the first issue alone, Azzarello solidified his spot in the pantheon of brilliant WW writers—embracing instead of shying away from the Amazon Princess's mythological roots. Coupled with the insanely gifted artist Cliff Chiang—who perfectly captures and balances Diana's might and beauty—Wonder Woman is like a gift from the gods.
 
2. 100 Bullets
Loaded with intrigue and blasting a non-stop barrage of action-filled slugs, Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso's 100 Bullets hits the mark as one of Vertigo's quintessential reads. Get the new Deluxe Edition trades or go digital with all 100 issues. And for more awesome collaborations from these two creators, check out BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE and SPACEMAN.
 
3. First Wave
Batman, Doc Savage, The Spirit—classic characters, all interacting and adventuring in the same world along with Black Canary, Rima the Jungle Girl and more. If you love pulp (the style of storytelling, not necessarily the stuff in juice, but sure, that, too) grab the softcover collection, which hit stores this week.
 
4. Joker
This comes as part of a one-two punch with the next entry, but whenever Azzarello teams with artist Lee Bermejo, the only joke is that this collaboration doesn't happen all the time. Insanely beautiful images pair with a darkly disturbing story that explores the criminal side of Gotham and features grisly realistic interpretations of Batman's famous foes.
 
5. Luthor
BATMAN/DEATHBLOW marked the first collaboration between Azzarello and Bermejo, but LUTHOR is the one that put the team on the veritable map. Originally a five-issue limited series, the graphic novel collection includes 10 new pages of material! The title takes a look at the inner workings and motivations behind humanity's self-proclaimed "savior."

5.1 He'll Be Teaming With Bermejo Once More On:

5.2 He May or May Not Be the God of War

Those are the reasons we're big fans of Brian Azzarello. What are yours? Feel free to sound off below, and we'll see you again in a week with another edition of 5.2 Reasons!