Lovely covers by amazing artists. Simple enough, right?
So, here, for your end-of-day clicking are the variant covers for ZATANNA #2 by Brian Bolland, GREEN ARROW #2 by Ethan Van Sciver, JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #4 by Tony Harris and THE FLASH #3 by Greg Horn.
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You saw what’s coming up with BRIGHTEST DAY earlier today, but what does the month of August have in store for the Dark Knight? Click below to find out.
BATMAN #702
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by TONY DANIEL
Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel continue their captivating untold tale of Bruce Wayne and his adventures between BATMAN R.I.P. and FINAL CRISIS! Discover the shocking secrets that point toward THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE that we couldn’t show you until now!
On sale AUGUST 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN AND ROBIN #15
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by FRAZER IRVING
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
1:25 variant cover by FRAZER IRVING
In the final chapter of “Batman Must Die,” all is lost and everything has gone to pieces! Is Dick Grayson alive? Will Damian make a pact with the devil? And what will happen after the final confrontation with Dr. Hurt?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #5
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by RYAN SOOK
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 variant cover by RYAN SOOK
Grant Morrison is joined by all-star artist Ryan Sook in the penultimate issue of THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! In this story, Bruce Wayne finds himself in the hard-boiled streets of Gotham City’s past. Will his adventure as a private investigator help him take one step closer to the present day?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 11 • 5 of 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
DETECTIVE COMICS #868
Written by DAVID HINE
Art by SCOTT MCDANIEL & ANDY OWENS Cover by PETER NGUYEN
A warped variation of the Joker drug has caused those who use it to suffer mental breakdowns and embrace anarchy and chaos. With riots cropping up throughout Gotham City, the citizens find themselves divided into two gangs: one led by a Batman impostor whose mission is to bring law and order back to the streets, and the other led by a Joker impostor whose purpose is to punish the innocent and set Gotham ablaze. And in the middle of it all is The Dark Knight – but can Batman stop an entire city?
On sale AUGUST 25 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
BATMAN: ODYSSEY #2
Written by NEAL ADAMS
Art by NEAL ADAMS
1:25 Sketch variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
Neal Adams’s ODYSSEY ramps up as The Caped Crusader slowly but surely loses control. A dark presence lurking in the background begins pulling Bruce’s strings...who is responsible? This second chapter is a tour de force of action as the greatest crime fighter on earth displays his vicious combat skills. What else can you expect? Adams’s art at its best!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 4 • 2 of 6 • 40pg, fc, $3.99
BATMAN BEYOND #3
Written by ADAM BEECHEN
Art by RYAN BENJAMIN & JOHN STANISCI
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Batman’s investigation into the murders of Dark Knight villains past and present leads him to old associates of Bruce Wayne...some of whom aren’t so happy to see him. While the mysterious killer picks his next target, the rift between Terry and Bruce widens.
On sale AUGUST 18 • 3 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
RED HOOD: LOST DAYS #3
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by PABLO RAIMONDI
Cover by BILLY TUCCI
Learn the secrets of Jason’s Todd hidden past! Jason’s out in the world and living in secret. Now he’s looking for new training, new skills, new teachers and a new identity. But what he finds on this path will challenge both his body and soul. The road to revenge becomes darker as his road to becoming Red Hood becomes clearer…
On sale AUGUST 4 • 3 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #15
Written by PAUL DINI
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
As Catwoman deals with the aftermath of battling her sister, Poison Ivy’s career at Gotham City’s S.T.A.R. Labs takes an unexpected turn!
On sale AUGUST 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #15
Written by PAUL DINI
Co-feature written by IVAN BRANDON
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN & DEREK FRIDOLFS
Co-feature art by RAMON BACHS & JOHN LUCAS
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Tommy Elliot’s life-and-death experience in the present sheds light on some interesting secrets about Thomas and Martha Wayne in the past. What is the mysterious connection? Guest-starring Catwoman!
And in the new Two-Face co-feature, Harvey Dent faces off against the Falcone family. Will any of them survive the encounter?
On sale AUGUST 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
RED ROBIN #15
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY
With Tim Drake targeted for assassination, will Red Robin have to eliminate his secret identity? Or is it all part of an elaborate ruse to draw out the lethal Egyptian assassin known as Scarab and get Vicki Vale off his trail?
On sale AUGUST 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATGIRL #13
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
Clayface infiltrates Gotham City Bank & Trust looking to make a sizable withdrawal. There’s just one problem: waiting in line at the bank is Stephanie Brown – Batgirl! But when Clayface begins morphing into different people, Batgirl must hold the entire bank hostage until she can uncover and stop him!
On sale AUGUST 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
AZRAEL #11
Written by DAVID HINE
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
“The Killer of Saints” part 2 of 4! Is the Turin Shroud genuine or a hoax? Azrael learns the shocking truth behind the rumors and lies. Meanwhile, the mysterious killer continues to perform his deadly miracles, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.
On sale AUGUST 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
OUTSIDERS #32
Written by DAN DIDIO
Art by PHILIP TAN & JONATHAN GLAPION
cover by PHILIP TAN
With the team split in two and wanted for acts of war, The Outsiders find themselves fighting with one another in order to survive. While Geo-Force, Katana and the Eradicator build a new team in Markovia, Black Lightning, Owlman and Metamorpho find themselves at the home of an old friend who just happens to want Metamorpho dead! Plus, The Creeper faces off against a creature of the night!
On sale AUGUST 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #47
Written by KEVIN VANHOOK
Art and cover by TOM MANDRAKE
Batman and Superman travel to an uncharted island in the Caribbean in an attempt to stop the evil Professor Combs from performing a Voodoo ritual that will turn the living into the undead. But when vampires and werewolves get involved, The Dark Knight will find himself six feet under and buried alive!
On sale AUGUST 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
The Mistress of Magic steps into her own ongoing series from writer Paul Dini and artist Stephane Roux, and none too soon. Zatanna Zatara has long made her home in San Francisco, but right under her nose a sinister threat has developed – a crime boss who dominates the criminal underworld with the dark powers of the magical underworld/ The terrifying Brother Night is making his play for San Fran, and the police force – including hunky detective Dale Colton – turn to Zee for help. But Brother Night is a whole new kind of criminal and if Zatanna thinks she can backwards-talk him down, then she's in over her head.
The first issue hits in May, but we’ve got a look at some black and white pages – Roux’s first interior work – right here to prep you for the series to come.
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ANNATAZ SI GNIMOC! Luap Inid dna Enahpets Xuor --dedia yb Lrak Yrots-- era gnikrow rehtegot ot evig eht naicigam reh nwo ylhtnom gniogno seires! Ev’yeht neeb gnikrow no reh koob rednu eht radar rof etiuq emos emit won, tub ti si ynallif ydaer rof nehw Yam sllor dnuora! A taerg esirprus rof eht elddim fo gnirps!
Luap sah decudortni a dnarb wen lacitsym nialliv rof Attanaz to tnorfnoc…na yldlrowrehto ecanem deman Rehtorb Thgin! Sih srewop era elbadimrof deedni!
Eht tsrif eussi si a lausiv aznagavartxe, deppot ffo yb a tnairav revoc yb Nairb Dnallob!
Dna knaht Dog s’ti lausiv, esuaceb gnidaerfoorp S’annataz slleps sah nevird em enasni! Eht kcehclleps si on pleh! Osla, knaht Dog rof sdrow ekil “radar” taht era eht emas drawkcab dna drawrof!
--Yeoj Ireilavac
Don’t have the magic skills to decipher Joey’s mystical message? Click below – after you marvel at that cover.
ZATANNA IS COMING! Paul Dini and Stephane Roux – aided by Karl Story – are working together to give the magician her own monthly ongoing series. They’ve been working on her book under the radar for quite some time now, but it is finally ready for when May rolls around. A great surprise for the middle of spring!
Paul has introduced a brand new mystical villain for Zattana to confront…an otherwordly menace named Brother Night! His powers are formidable indeed!
And thank god It’s visual, because proofreading Zatanna’s spells has driven me insane! The spellcheck is on help! Also, thank god for words like “radar” that are the same backwards and forward!
-- Joey Cavalieri
It's Batman, Robin and Abuse struggling against the deadly clutches of Mr. Zsasz. With the lives of kidnapped children at stake, it's up to Gotham City's finest heroes to save the day, with a little help from writer Paul Dini and artist Dustin Nguyen.
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #10 hits today.
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The Riddler continues leading the Gotham City Sirens into a labyrinth of puzzling predicaments. Is Edward Nigma friend or foe? Whatever the case may be, the girls are going to get their revenge, thanks to the deft handiwork of writer Paul Dini and artist Guillem March.
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #9 hits Wednesday.
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One of the many things I've learned while blogging here at THE SOURCE is knowing when to step aside and let the creative minds behind our books do the talking. This is one of those times.
Starting in May, the DCU will feature a new ongoing series, from writer Paul Dini and artist Stephane Roux: ZATANNA. Hinted at and much-discussed over the last few months, we're happy to finally lift the curtain. And we've got some words from Dini. Take it away, Paul:
Outside of her star turn in 7 SOLDIERS OF VICTORY, her ongoing supporting role in JLA and guest appearances elsewhere, Zatanna doesn't come with a lot of backstory. That's both a blessing and a challenge for me as a writer. I don't have to adhere to 70 years of continuity, but that doesn't give me a lot of history to draw from, either. That said, I've been having a lot of fun populating her world with new characters, friends and allies as well as an entirely new mystical rogues gallery. I'm out to create some really unique and creepy villains, ones that aggressively prey on humankind the way gangsters in a crime book would victimize innocent people. As Zatanna herself says in the first issue, there's little in the way of human punishment that can be enforced on evil mystics. There are few laws they are compelled to obey, no jails to hold them, and no way ordinary people can defend themselves from their attacks. Zatanna has taken it upon herself to operate as both peacekeeper and avenger between those two worlds.
Though a lot about Zatanna's world is new, it is still firmly rooted in the DC Universe. She's still a JLA member, and that will play into her stories now and then. Also, I plan to explore her somewhat dicey relationship with her younger cousin, Zachary Zatara. I saw a good chance to inject some family discord there, so when I was developing the book, I ran some ideas by Geoff Johns. He created Zach, so I wanted to get his okay before I shook things up. Luckily Geoff was cool with what I wanted to do, so readers can expect to see Zach becoming a permanent part of Zee's world.
But there's more. Take a look at some of these jaw-droppingly amazing Roux interiors:
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Wait, there's more. Mr. Roux had more than art to share, so we got his thoughts as well:
"What can I say about being attached to the project? I'm a fan of the character AND a longer-time fan of the writer. Paul's delivering very exciting scripts, pushing the character in directions that make it so much fun for me to draw. I'm dealing with various dimensions, litterally. You'll be scared, you'll be excited, you'll enjoy the fights she's going through. And because it's Paul, because it's Zatanna, I simply can't afford to deliver average art. Not to mention Karl Story's sure helping me make art look great. Hope the effort shows, hope you like it."
The first time we did this, it went over so well, it made perfect sense to extend the invite to Dustin to discuss the process behind another BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM cover. So, take it away, Dustin:
1- Thumb #2 of the 5 approved involved showcasing Robin as well. Robin has always been tough for me, every time i drew Tim Drake, he was too young, but now- Damien is young, so this works well for me. This one was very Toppi inspired as well and a bit more experimental than i normally do, but i felt the grit was important.
2- Knowing i will soak this paper up a bit, i also opted to go with the 300lb hotpress, it's smooth enough for the quill and can take a beating from my pencils. The rough basically lays down the more simple elements, making way for placement of logo, bar code, etc. In next stage,i do add on quiet a bit and change many things when i start to finalize for painting.
3- unlike going in digitally for coloring like in the previous cover, i lay down paint before i go in with inks. This is done mostly because watercolor usually paints itself and painting first helps me decide where to laydown holding lines and any rendering i'd like to add. this also helps keep the ink from getting faded or bleeding when washes are layered down. Sometimes, i do reverse the process to get fades and certain effects, but in this cover i wanted more textures in the colors while having crisp black lines.
4- finally, the inks are put down using a variety of quills and brushes, scanned in and then adjusted to bring in the right amount of saturation and hues.
Very cool. Thanks again, Dustin!
Not long ago, we checked in with GOTHAM CITY SIRENS artist Guillem March to get some insight into his creative process when it comes to creating cover artwork for the series. The post worked so well, we thought it'd be cool to check in with another Bat-artist. This time, we got some notes from none other than Dustin Nguyen, artist on BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM. Take it away, Dustin:
1- for this one( thumb # 1), i was approved for 2 of my 5 sketches turned in, so was able to work on them both at the same time. This was especially fun because they both allowed me the use of heavy blacks and playing with ink and quill a bit, really playing up my love for Sergio Toppi's work.
2- after figuring out logo placement and making sure the image would work nicely once at comic book size, i start to layout in pencil on 300lb hotpress watercolor stock. at this point, i wasn't sure how much ink and water i wanted to put on it. so 300lb is a nice safe paper.
3- i move into inking the piece with quills and brush and a soft graywash for atmosphere.
4- Finally- from the original thumb, i felt this piece would be strongest with bold crisp colors, so i opted to go with photoshop to add the colors rather than watercolor itself. The choices of classic blue and yellow is from my love of the way Batman looked in the 80's comics i grew up on, not to mention Dark Knight Returns.
Why stop with BRIGHTEST DAY, right? Click below for a look at all the Batman-related titles shipping in April, including BATMAN AND ROBIN, STREETS OF GOTHAM, BATGIRL and OUTSIDERS.
BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM — MADNESS HC
Advance-solicited • On sale June 23 • 112 pg, FC, $19.99 US
Written by SAM KIETH • Art and cover by SAM KIETH
An original Batman graphic novel set in Arkham Asylum from Sam Kieth, creator of THE MAXX!
It is the most feared house in all of Gotham City. It contains the worst that the city has to offer. It is the place The Dark Knight’s most dangerous and psychotic foes call home. Writer/artist Sam Kieth, creator of THE MAXX and artist of the acclaimed miniseries LOBO: HIGHWAY TO HELL, invites you to spend 24 hours in Arkham Asylum – the most unsettling house in the DC Universe.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #11
On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by ANDY CLARKE & SCOTT HANNA
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE
“Batman vs. Robin” part 2 of 3! The Dynamic Duo fight it out in the ultimate duel to the finish. Meanwhile, Robin’s mother, Talia al Ghul, sends an old adversary of Dick Grayson’s to complete the job that her son may not be able to stomach!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE #6
On sale APRIL 28 • 6 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by KEVIN SMITH
Art by WALTER FLANAGAN
Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
1:25 Variant cover by GENE HA
Kevin Smith and Walt Flanagan’s Batman tale comes to its startling end! Thanks to Silver St. Cloud, Bruce is trying to learn how to trust people. But Batman is an integral part of who he is, so how can he really trust anyone? Batman even has a run-in with Catwoman because of his relationship with Silver. And when he decides to put all of his trust into someone, will he be rewarded...or punished?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
BATMAN #698
On sale APRIL 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by TONY DANIEL
Art by GUILLEM MARCH
Cover by TONY DANIEL
Only two months until BATMAN #700! As the landmark issue nears, Dick Grayson’s life as The Dark Knight heats up in a big way. With Black Mask out of the way for good, the Falcone crime family attempts to fill that void – with no regard for the safety of Gotham City’s citizens! And what’s going on with the Riddler?
DETECTIVE COMICS #864
On sale APRIL 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by DAVID HINE
Co-feature written by GREG RUCKA
Art by JEREMY HAUN
Co-feature art by CULLY HAMNER
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
The inmates of Arkham Asylum have taken over DETECTIVE COMICS in “Beneath the Mask” Part 1 of 2! It’s Black Mask verses Jeremiah Arkham for control of the asylum. But what of the enigmatic Three Beauties, and how does Batman fit into the mad plan? Everything that was set up and teased in BATTLE FOR THE COWL: ARKHAM ASYLUM and ARKHAM REBORN is at last revealed, but the answers to the mysteries just might drive everyone – including Batman – mad!
Then, in the co-feature, the spotlight is shone on Renee’s personal life. But just who knows about her secret identity, and what will they do with that information? That is the question...
BATGIRL #9
On sale APRIL 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by LEE GARBETT & TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
The conclusion to “Batgirl Rising” begins here with part one of the four-part “Flood” storyline! A string of bizarre, technology-based “suicides” gets the attention of both Batgirl and Oracle, but for very different reasons. And the two heroes will soon realize that they’re the real targets of a nefarious madman Hell-bent on revenge…
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #11
On sale APRIL 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by PAUL DINI
Co-feature written by MARC ANDREYKO
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN & DEREK FRIDOLFS
Co-feature art by JEREMY HAUN
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Batman, Robin and Abuse join forces to combat the frightening strength of Victor Zsasz’s army! Can Batman and his allies save Gotham City’s kidnapped children? And what happens when Abuse spirals out of control?
Meanwhile, in the Manhunter co-feature, the odds are stacked against Kate as she goes up against a new adversary in the courtroom. Her increased frustration with the proceedings gets taken out on every thug in Gotham – but is Manhunter making too many enemies for her own good?
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #11
On sale APRIL 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by PAUL DINI
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
As Gotham City swirls in a maelstrom of evil and villainy, three of the most unlikely candidates – Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn – step forward to bring some light to the situation. But will their efforts enough to stem the tide of madness and mayhem?
OUTSIDERS #29
On sale APRIL 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by DAN DIDIO
Art by DON KRAMER & MICHAEL BABINSKI
Cover by PHILIP TAN & JONATHAN GLAPION
When Looker returns, her bloodlust is strong – and so is the vampire-hunter hoping to drive a stake in her heart. Her only hope for survival is The Outsiders, who are still stranded in Markovia and struggling to determine whose side they’re really on…
RED ROBIN #11
On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY
“Collision” races to its conclusion as Ra’s al Ghul’s endgame for Red Robin begins. The Men of Death are on the move in Gotham City, and Red Robin, Batgirl and Prudence set out to stop them from killing everyone Bruce Wayne ever cared about. But before he can take on Ra’s, Red Robin has to get past Gotham City’s own protectors...
AZRAEL #7
On sale APRIL 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA • Art by RAMON BACHS & JOHN STANISCI
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
His sanity starting to crack, Azrael tracks down Hide ‘n’ Seek, a pair of kidnappers whose actions bring back some very painful, fractured memories for Michael Lane. Can a psychiatrist assigned by the GCPD help Lane keep it together before Azrael goes berserk?
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #43
On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by SAM KIETH • Art and cover by SAM KIETH
The “Ghosts” storyline comes to a thrilling close! Batman and Callie continue battling their internal ghosts and the external foe who is preying on them. But when they realize they can’t even trust the police, what can they do? Can Batman survive another loss?
