Today’s Designing the New DCU 52 panel at SDCC

During today’s Designing the New DCU 52 panel at SDCC, attendees were invited to see how characters are designed to how they end up looking in the final pages of a comic book. Below, take a look at the art we showed during this presentation for such titles as ALL-STAR WESTERN, ANIMAL MAN, BATGIRL, BIRDS OF PREY, THE FLASH, GREEN ARROW, THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN, I, VAMPIRE, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS, SUICIDE SQUAD, SUPERBOY, SUPERGIRL, SUPERMAN and TEEN TITANS.

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Today’s DC Comics-The New 52 panel at SDCC

You’ve already read the exciting news that broke during today’s DC Comics-The New 52 panel at San Diego Comic-Con about the release of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1 this November.

In case you weren’t able to make the panel, be sure to check out some of the new artwork that was shown. Below, you’ll see art from upcoming titles such as WONDER WOMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, STORMWATCH, GREEN ARROW, CAPTAIN ATOM and LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES.

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What Unites the World’s Greatest Super Heroes?

1) Alien menaces

2) Mysterious underwater creatures

3) Unexpected visitors from other worlds

4) An unsolved kidnapping

5) An international special forces team

6) All of the above

Think you know the answer? Find out this October when the second issues of the Justice League and Young Justice group titles in DC Comics’ The New 52 are published.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

1:25 Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:200 B&W variant cover by JIM LEE

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

What happens when the World’s Greatest Detective takes on the world’s most powerful alien? You’ll find out when Batman and Superman throw down. Batman will need all his intellect, cunning and physical prowess to take on The Man of Steel.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #2

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN

Cover by AARON LOPRESTI

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The United Nations’ new international team of heroes must learn to work together – and fast – if they’re going to discover the mystery behind the giant alien Signalmen who are appearing all over the globe. Can Booster Gold lead his team to victory, or will they fall?

AQUAMAN #2

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The red-hot creative team behind BLACKEST NIGHT and BRIGHTEST DAY reunite!

An entire town…devoured! As Aquaman and Mera discover the grisly truth behind a town’s disappearance, the Trench infestation spreads inland! Plus: Another gruesome Trench power revealed – and it’s not for the squeamish!

WONDER WOMAN #2

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO

Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Hera, Queen of the Gods, does not take her vengeance lightly – and if Wonder Woman is so foolish as to stand in the way of her whim, then Wonder Woman is her enemy. But it’s Hera’s daughter Diana should truly fear – the goddess of discord is coming to Paradise Island, and murder always follows in her wake!

THE FLASH #2

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

1:200 B&W variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Fastest Man Alive learns he can make his brain function even faster than before – but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price. Plus: The mystery behind Barry Allen’s friend Manuel Lago deepens as Barry investigates his kidnapping at the hands of Mob Rule!

CAPTAIN ATOM #2

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II

Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Losing control of his powers, unable to stop the sensory overload in his mind, Captain Atom wants nothing more than to find a quiet place to regroup. But how can he shut out the signals floating in the air – especially when they’re crying out for help?

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #2

Written by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and GAIL SIMONE

Art by YILDIRAY CINAR

Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Three innocent high school kids are caught in the crosshairs of an international special forces team with orders to murder them in cold blood...until two of those teenagers summon the terrifying, living nuclear monstrosity known as the Fury of Firestorm! Do not miss this disturbing look into the future of super powers in the DC Universe!

MISTER TERRIFIC #2

Written by ERIC WALLACE

Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA

Cover by J.G. JONES

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

An electrifying new villain joins the DCU! Meet Brainstorm, the man determined to bring Los Angeles to its knees – beginning with billionaire Michael Holt. But even if he can break this new enemy’s hold on an unsuspecting city, how can Mister Terrific defeat a foe even smarter than himself? Luckily, the last time he faced a problem he couldn’t solve, he perfected infinite fractal mechanics!

GREEN ARROW #2

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art by DAN JURGENS and GEORGE PEREZ

Cover by DAVE WILKINS

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Super Hero executions will now be televised! After taking down members of a “celebrity” gang – privileged, decadent teens who buy their powers and stage fights with unsuspecting victims – Green Arrow finds himself in the crosshairs of the entire team! It’s Ollie Queen vs. a dozen thrill killers while the world watches – live!

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #2

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art and cover by PHILIP TAN

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

When the alien creature known as Morphicius starts draining the life force from Carter Hall, a.k.a. Hawkman, he learns that there’s more to his new victim than meets the eye. The mysterious properties of the Nth Metal protect Hawkman – but in the process, they are also making Morphicius powerful! With innocent lives in the balance, can Hawkman turn the table on his enemy, or are Morphicius newfound powers too powerful to stop?

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #2

Written by PAUL JENKINS

Art by BERNARD CHANG

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Ever since he died and became Deadman, Boston Brand has served the deity known as Rama Kushna, inhabiting bodies to complete missions that she dictates. But for the first time, Deadman may have a clue how to gain some control over his “life.” But the cost may be the souls of the bodies he inhabits!

TEEN TITANS #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

A strange creature haunts the streets of Los Angeles... and because of this creature’s age, both Red Robin and N.O.W.H.E.R.E. are racing to find her – but neither side is prepared for the horror known as Bugg!

Meanwhile, Superboy is on a collision course with the team, and Kid Flash plots his escape from N.O.W.H.E.R.E. with the most unexpected of allies!

STATIC SHOCK #2

Written by SCOTT McDANIEL and JOHN ROZUM

Art by SCOTT McDANIEL and ANDY OWENS

Cover by CHRIS BRUNNER

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Static finds himself the target of dark forces as Virule and the Slate Gang unleash their deadly trap! Will Static’s debut end before it has even started?

BLUE BEETLE #2

Written by TONY BEDARD

Art by IG GUARA and RUY JOSE

Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and SAL REGLA

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Jaime Reyes was trying to save his best friend when an alien weapon attached itself to his spine. Now, if he wants to live to see tomorrow, Jaime must defeat a team of Super-Villains who want the weapon for more nefarious purposes.

HAWK AND DOVE #2

Written by STERLING GATES

Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Hawk and Dove continue their investigation of the enigmatic Alexander Quirk! Who is he? What does he want? A secret laboratory might hold the answers, but it might also spell the end for Hawk and Dove! To top things off, the monster watching our heroes from the shadows finally makes his move – and he’s got a terrifying new partner!

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art by FRANCIS PORTELA

Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Taken hostage on a hostile world, the Espionage Squad is outmatched by a rebel leader that only one Legionnaire could possibly stand against – but Legion leader Mon-El may be outgunned as well! And just what does Brainiac 5 see in Glorith’s magic that could be a game changer for the Legion?

LEGION LOST #2

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art and cover by PETE WOODS

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Trapped in time with two teammates already dead and unsure if they’re infected or can ever return home, the lost Legionnaires must confront the horrific reality about the pathogen released by the terrorist Alastor when they are forced to confront the very first Hypersapien!

Paul Levitz and Francis Portela on LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES

(The cover for LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 by Karl Kerschl)

Writer Paul Levitz and artist Francis Portela are no strangers to one another. The duo has worked together before on books such as ADVENTURE COMICS and LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES. This September, they reunite to give LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES a fresh, new look. They spoke to us about what they’re brewing up for the Legion and teased at what’s to come in the series:

THE SOURCE: What about DC’s new 52 titles excited you the most?

PAUL LEVITZ: The sheer scale of the project… larger than any launch I can recall in comics.

FRANCIS PORTELA: Day and date digital, by far and large!

How and why are you shaking up the series’ status quo?

PL: The Legion's membership mix changes a lot--between the characters departing for LOST, and incorporating some from the Academy, and a few changes that we won't reveal for a few issues. Hopefully the new mix will create new dramatic opportunities, and also let us emphasize some of the younger members.

FP: I think this is probably one of the books where the status quo is going to stay more or less the same, but my goal is to do the best possible job and let's see how things evolve from here!

What new characters will debut in the series?

PL: In the first issue you'll see Glorith, Chemical Kid and Dragonwing move over from the Legion academy, all only about a year old as characters...

FP: No new characters yet, but some Legion Academy members will graduate and become full members of the Legion. We'll also meet a new villain by the end of issue 1!

Will we see new character designs?

PL: Absolutely.

FP: Sure, some characters will have a new suit, but not all of them, some will keep their current look.

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had working on this character/book?

PL: How the lost got lost.

FP: Nothing in particular. Now, wait, there was one - being offered the gig!

What secret has been the hardest to keep?

FP: Nothing more, nothing less than not being able to tell my friends and colleagues what book I was working on.

What’s the unofficial tagline for this series, in your own words?

PL: “Welcome to the future.”

FP: “New blood for the Legion!"

What were your thoughts about the day-and-date digital announcement?

FP: As you can imagine reading my first answer, I thought that was the most important part of the relaunch announcement. It's big, it's a game changer, and I hope it benefits creators as much as it benefits DC!

Mike Grell to contribute guest art on T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents starting with #7

Comic legend Mike Grell has covered a wide range of the DC Universe during his remarkable career, from his early run on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to his long tenure as the ongoing writer of Green Arrow, and most famously as the creator of The Warlord.

What’s next up on his plate for DC? Drawing a sequence telling Iron Maiden’s backstory starting in issue 7 of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents!

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. editor Wil Moss explains Mike Grell’s contribution to the series:

We’re thrilled to have an artist as legendary and as talented as Mike Grell on board to help us kick off the second arc of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS with May’s #7, joining writer Nick Spencer and the regular art team of CAFU & Bit. Mike will be drawing a sequence starting in #7 that dives into the backstory of the classic TA foe The Iron Maiden, revealing the crucial role she played in the current team’s formation. Also starting in #7 is a sequence set even further in the past by the über-talented Nick Dragotta, channeling his inner Wally Wood. The secrets revealed in these two timelines will have shocking -- that’s right, shocking! -- consequences for the team in the present. So don’t miss it!

Check out a sneak peek at Grell’s art from the issue below! T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #7 is on sale in May.

grellthunder

A few blind items

How do I know that it's almost 5 o'clock on Friday? The big tip off is that fellow SOURCE blogger and all around good guy Austin Trunick already has his NFL game day face on. On Friday. For Sunday's games. Let's just say, Mr. Trunick takes his football very seriously.

So we're gonna have to wrap things up here this week on THE SOURCE before Austin actually puts on shoulder pads or something.

Let's end our Friday with three blind items...

* Which superhero team is losing their headquarters?

* What classic cult favorite DC horror series is getting the DC Comics Presents treatment next year

* Who is pulling the strings of the Legion of Super-Villains?

...And a look at this stunning cover to BATMAN INCORPORATED issue 5. Amazing.

See you all next week.

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Vote for the next leader of the Legion

Today is a special day for all DC readers!

Starting today, YOU can play a critical role in determining the future of LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES.

By going to LegionElection.com, you can vote for who should be the Legion leader!

LEGION’s esteemed writer Paul Levitz revives the traditional fan poll to elect the Legion’s leader—just as the Legionnaires themselves vote within the series. But it is the fan’s vote that counts, and not, say, Dawnstar’s (sorry, Dawny). Legion elections energize and empower readers in that they can directly participate in the direction of the series, and who knows, it might pique the interest of folks not yet reading the series. Where else can readers have direct interaction like this?

And the results can have some very interesting consequences. A reader poll throws us a potential creative curveball. I recall during the 1980s, the readership elected longtime Substitute Legionnaire Polar Boy—an unlikely turn of events, given the illusion that the Legionnaires themselves were voting. But Paul, who wrote the series at the time, just rolled with it and crafted some very clever and entertaining stories around it.

I’m pretty excited to see what this election brings. So go and vote now! Voting ends November 10, and the victor stands revealed in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #8, hitting stores December 22 (a holiday treat for certain!).

Click on the art below for a peek at how we set up the poll within LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #6, on sale today!

legion-6-p30

Throughout the course of its history, LEGION readers have always had a special connection with the series, and this is but one of the reasons why. If you’re not currently reading the series, perhaps use this opportunity to give it a try! It’s a rare comic book relationship that actually goes both ways.

LEVITZ & GIFFEN REUNITE ON LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES

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Okay, I’m just gonna geek out and shout it to the heavens:

PAUL LEVITZ AND KEITH GIFFEN ARE REUNITING ON THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES!!!

And I get to edit it! Whee!! You have to understand what this monumental development means to me personally.

Y’see, Paul and Keith transformed the Legion from an enduring DC franchise into one of the most popular and dynamic comic book series of the 1980s. With an entire 30th century future world at their command, they crafted the most innovative, break-the-mold superhero world anyone had ever read up to that point. Their names were spoken in the same breath as Frank Miller, Chris Claremont and Wolfman/Pérez.

For me and the many other fanboys of Generation X, Paul and Keith did the seemingly impossible: They made me a Legion fan. For life.

I admit, back in 1985, my 14-year-old self felt names like “Lightning Lad” and “Cosmic Boy” sounded really silly. No way I was going to invest in characters with those names, right?

Then I somehow stumbled upon TALES OF THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #326, which affordably reprinted Paul and Keith’s all-new LEGION series a year after their original release. This one reprinted issue #1. It must have been a slow week for me to even crack open the cover. It began with a collection of psychopaths called the Legion of Super-Villains who each took a blood oath to kill a Legionnaire. One of them tortured his own sister by jolting her with massive amounts of electricity. Another literally melted a lowly waitress alive with a molten kiss, just for the fun of it! Sick stuff. And yet, these Legionnaires refused to back off. I was really impressed. I wanted to know more about these guys, even if their names were “Saturn Girl” and “Ultra Boy.” They stopped being silly and became as serious as a heart attack.

Then Keith left the series shortly thereafter, and Paul flew solo for a long while. Then Keith came back to do the last year on that series with Paul—and I defy anyone to tell me issue #53’s “The Trial of Brainiac 5” isn’t awesome—and then Paul left the series for Keith to do solo.

That was 1989. The two never collaborated on the Legion again. That is, until this December, when they come together again on the oversized LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ANNUAL #1. It introduces an all-new, all-psycho Emerald Empress—and just hearing the twisted stuff they have in store fills this Legion fan with utter glee.

In fact, Keith just sent me his first pages, and they look gorgeous. He’s mixing Kirby with his ’90s Legion style and a modern sensibility. I look at the Xeroxes on my desk, and I know it’s REAL. It’s happening.

It reminded me why I’m a Legion fan in the first place.

P.S. You know what’s REALLY weird? This is Paul and Keith’s third “LEGION ANNUAL #1.” They did one in 1982, 1985 and now in 2010. Third time’s the charm, they say!

Prepare for an all-star celebration with SUPERMAN/BATMAN #75

Consider this an engraved invitation to a spectacular anniversary celebration, as writer Paul Levitz brings the World’s Finest face-to-face with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Lex Luthor has unleashed a threat so powerful it’s garnered the Legion’s attention in the distant future. But they can’t take him down without a trip to the past to recruit Batman and Superboy.

And there’s more – Joe Kelly and an A-list roster of writers and artists chronicle the history of the Man of Steel and Dark Knight in stories that jump from yesterday to the distant future. Adam Hughes writes and draws a tale starring Supergirl and Batgirl, J.T. Krul and Francis Manipul deliver a tale of Superboy and Red Robin seeking advice from their mentors, Ace and Krypto get leashed by Duncan Rouleau, David Finch writes and illustrates a story for the first time, and Joe Kelly, Steven T. Seagle, Billy Tucci and many more surprises help commemorate this anniversary extravaganza.

Here’s a look at the first story. SUPERMAN/BATMAN #75 hits 8/25.

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