What's the hardest part about working on a big crossover event?

Jeff Lemire (Writer, FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN AND THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN): Doing these questionnaires.

Dan Jurgens (Writer, BOOSTER GOLD #45): Making everything as seamless as possible. When you have a number of books that fit into a particular universe there should be aspects of an undercurrent that are somewhat consistent throughout.

Mike Carlin (Writer, FLASHPOINT: THE CANTERBURY CRICKET): Trying to do something cool AND pertinent in a one-shot that plays off the main story but doesn’t blow any important elements of that story.

Scott Kolins (Writer/Artist, FLASHPOINT: CITIZEN COLD; Writer, FLASHPOINT: REVERSE FLASH): Letting go of some of the cool ideas I have. I’d need about 6 issues to tell it all.

Tony Bedard (Writer, FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN): Being the editor. It's not that bad if you're one of the writers, but the poor editors that have to keep track of all the moving parts -- they've got the hard job.

Peter Milligan (Writer, FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN): Not allowing one’s head to explode. In truth, FLASHPOINT is more liberating than constraining.

During the build up to the release of issue one of FLASHPOINT, we've been teasing our fans with leading questions. The first of those questions was, "whatever happened to the world's greatest superheroes?" How would you answer that question?

Sean Ryan (Writer, FLASHPOINT: GRODD OF WAR): It’s complicated.

Dan Abnett (Writer, FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES): They never happened.

Lowell Francis (Script, FLASHPOINT: PROJECT SUPERMAN): They fell like dominoes in another direction. (I hope that sounds as zen as it did in my head…)

Jimmy Palmiotti: War.

Jeff Lemire: Many of them never came to be, because Frankenstein finished the job for them in 1945.

Dan Jurgens: In some respects, that's what BOOSTER GOLD will be all about. As for how I'd answer it... There weren't any.

Adam Schlagman (Writer, FLASHPOINT: ABIN SUR; FLASHPOINT: HAL JORDAN): FLASHPOINT is a world where the Justice League never formed. And because of that, the world is a very harsh and dangerous place. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are vastly different individuals.

Rex Ogle (Writer, FLASHPOINT: THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT): I’m not spilling the beans on anything. What I will say is, the hero in my story is less renown than I think she deserves to be. She’s got this rich history with both Superman and the Teen Titans, and I was lucky enough to launch my comics career writing her. In FLASHPOINT, she’s not quite as sun-shiny as she in the DC Universe. She’s known great loss, and it has changed her.

Gene Ha (Artist, FLASHPOINT: PROJECT SUPERMAN): Geoff Johns put his hands around Superman's neck and said, "There's nothing wrong with you I can't fix. With my hands."

J.T. Krul (Writer, FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS): Nobody knows who the world's greatest superheroes are, because they don't really exist.

Scott Kolins: A whole lot of craziness that was never allowed before. The creative doors are wide-open!

It appears that in the world of FLASHPOINT something has happened to alter the destinies of the world's greatest superheroes. What pivotal moment in your own life would need to be changed in order to prevent you from becoming the person you are today?

Rex Ogle: Wow. I wasn’t prepared to get all personal and philosophical. Hehe. There have been so many moments in my life where things could have gone one way or the other. Some I got to choose, others not so much. But to tie it back to the story I’m writing, I lost several loved ones all in a row when I was young, and it gave me this unique perspective others my age just didn’t have. It pushed me to live my life to the fullest, not just for myself, but for those I had lost. That’s kind of what my hero does in her story. Well, that and try to save the lives of 112 million people.

Dan Jurgens: Strange as it sounds, if there had never been a Batman TV series, I don't think I ever would have bought a comic book. Which means I wouldn't be answering these questions right now!

Mike Carlin: If only I’d made that game-winning pass!

Adam Schlagman: If I was never CHOSEN to join the amazing family that’s been created at DC Comics, I would be an entirely different person.

Dan Abnett: A school friend giving me a pile of American comics to read when I was about nine.

Pornsak Pichetshote (Writer, FLASHPOINT: GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES):: The time I [censored] [censored] [censored] with a [censored] [censored] [censored] in [name withheld by request]’s [censored]/

Scott Snyder (Plot, FLASHPOINT: PROJECT SUPERMAN): Wow, that's tough. I think the beauty of Flashpoint is that in a lot of ways, it's a meditation on how these little differences in our actions - tiny choices - can cause drastic change. And yet the core of who we are - that stays the same.

Gene Ha: I had an older brother who was one of the toughest kids in school. If he hadn't been the Superman in my world, I hate to think how I would have turned out.

Jimmy Palmiotti: That's easy...when I turned 30 I walked out of my job and decided to make comics my life.

J.T. Krul: Just after college, I took a leap of faith and drove to LA without a friend, a job, or business contact whatsoever in the city. Everything I've built since that day, from work to family to friends, would not be part of my life had I not made that move. That and buying my first comic in a liquor store at age 10. Who says superheroes can't change people's lives?

Tony Bedard: If I'd never met my wife I'd still be a waiter in Atlanta. She's the one who got me to move to New York and follow my dreams.

Peter Milligan: I was on holiday years ago and one of my brothers and I were climbing around some steep cliff faces near where we were staying. We came out of some bushes and I lost my footing. I was falling towards the rocks and sea far, far below. My brother managed to catch me and I hauled myself back to safety. We were laughing the whole time but afterwords we realized how close I’d been to death or serious life-changing injury. I never did thank my brother. And I don’t intend to start now.

Who in the world of FLASHPOINT is your favorite character to work on? What surprise character will have fans talking?

Scott Snyder: I'm having a blast on Superman, and I think a lot of characters are going to have fans talking, but I love what's going to happen in the Bat-world.

Adam Schlagman: ABIN SUR – Sinestro is by far my favorite! He’s one of the greatest characters ever created. And Abin Sur will have people talking. He’s just so cool!

Jeff Lemire: Griffith, the werewolf Creature Commando has become my favorite. He has a surprisingly sweet personality and a big heart. I think fans will dig him.

Sean Ryan: GRODD.

Dan Jurgens: You're asking me about the last page of BOOSTER GOLD #44! Can't talk about that yet!

Dan Abnett: Lois. She’s a super hero without super powers.

Mike Carlin: I’m a Jinny Greenteeth fan!

Jimmy Palmiotti: Deathstroke is my world right now...along with a new character introduced in the series.

Lowell Francis: I’ve come to love the key new character we’ve come up with, but I think that’s all I can safely say about that…

Scott Kolins: I am having so much fun with Cold. Geoff and I have talked many times about how great it would be for Cold to have his own monthly series. Surprise character? Flash fans will be very interested in a mysterious masked character who plays a crucial part in the story.

J.T. Krul: Dick Grayson for sure. And I can't say the surprise character in my book, but you'll know it when you see it. Trust me.

Tony Bedard: He's such a cool alternate version of himself, but what may surprise readers is that in many ways this tyrant Aquaman illuminates the character of our Aquaman. In other words, this militant, murderous Aquaman will make you appreciate the real Aquaman all the more.

Peter Milligan: I don’t know if he’s a surprise, but Batman will probably get people talking. However the character I’m most into working on is the one I am indeed writing about: Shade The Changing Man, a character with whom I have an intimate relationship, a changing man and therefore a perfect vehicle for exploring the changing world of FLASHPOINT.

FLASHPOINT is an international adventure with a huge cast of characters and a lot of action, but it's also, at its heart, a collection of very personal stories. What can you say about the personal conflict that drives the series you are working on?

Dan Jurgens: Ours is a very personal story of loss. Everyone Booster loves is gone.

Mike Carlin: FLASHPOINT: CANTERBURY CRICKET #1 is about a good looking bad man who gets a chance to become a good man— in spite of what he looks like now!

Sean Ryan: Well, FLASHPOINT is a world with Flash. And since my one-shot is about one of Flash’s greatest villains, Grodd, the conflict is what does Grodd do without his archenemy. He gets everything he’s ever wanted, but there’s no more challenges in his life. He’s got everything he wants, but he’s miserable.

Adam Schlagman: ABIN SUR – Abin Sur is on a mission to protect all life in the universe, but how can he when hundreds of sectors have already fallen to the forces of chaos? Abin will need to overcome a terrible tragedy if he has any hope of saving the cosmos.

HAL JORDAN – Ace test pilot Hal Jordan has never been the responsible one, but in a time of crisis, he must become the hero and lead his squadron to victory

Jeff Lemire: My book is all about getting home. Its about four people who had really terrible things done to them, and all they want is to escape the madness of this world and find a quiet place where they can be at peace. But getting there will cost them all dearly.

Peter Milligan: Though Shade and Enchantress –(or rather, that witch’s alto ego June Moone ) are the ‘stars” of my story – are they in love? Are they both insane? Is one of them a killer? – it’s Amethyst who brings home the human, vulnerable aspect of the tale. At the heart of the story is Shade. He doesn’t want to be a leader of any team. He doubts he’s fit or sane enough. But only by calling this strange group together is he going to be free of the M-Vest, which is much more than just a vest….

Pornsak Pichetshote: What if deep down you knew that you were a better person than you are right now? And then you finally got a chance to prove it?

Rex Ogle: That’s easy. It’s about a girl and her father. They’ve shared a terrible loss, and while it drives her one way, it drives him to a far darker place. In the end, she wants to save him from himself. I think a lot of people can relate since not every person agrees with choices their parents make. I certainly don’t. I mean, my parents always get me socks for Christmas.

Lowell Francis: In our series we have the luxury of covering a wide sweep of years. That gives us the opportunity to really see how those personal conflicts evolve and change over time.

Scott Kolins: It doesn’t get more personal than CITIZEN COLD. Can a hero with a bad secret fall in love?

J.T. Krul: It's about family and loss and carrying on in a world wrought with incredible adversity. It's about people who keep on keeping on.

Scott Snyder: Our story is, in a lot of ways, about what makes Kal-El Superman. If his life had gone differently, would he still become one of earth's greatest heroes? Could he become its greatest villain? It's about the strength of the human character.

Tony Bedard: Aquaman was once going to marry Wonder Woman. Now he has a very personal score to settle with her. Any love he once felt for her has completely turned to hatred, and if he has to kill millions to get her, then so be it.

Why will fans be telling their friends to read the FLASHPOINT stories this summer?

Dan Abnett: Because they will not BELIEVE where the story will take them.

Mike Carlin: Because everything they know will be turned inside out!

Dan Jurgens: Because it MATTERS.

Scott Snyder: Because it's one of the best event stories I've ever read. I can't wait for people to see it.

Adam Schlagman: The entire series is incredible and though they can all be enjoyed separately, together they build an amazing cohesive universe with an ultimate epic tale.

Scott Kolins: Geoff Johns.

Rex Ogle: That one is easy. There’s not going to be anything like it. :-)

Pornsak Pichetshote: Geoff has come up with the coolest story involving the biggest characters in the DC UNIVERSE. It’s big and touching all at the same time.

Peter Milligan: FLASHPOINT will be one of those game-changing, epoch-defining events that people will talk about for years to come. Those who weren’t a part of it at the time will lie and say they were, and wish they had been. So why set yourself up to be a liar?

How often do you get asked questions you can't answer about the world of FLASHPOINT?

Dan Abnett: I can’t answer that question.

Jimmy Palmiotti : About once a day on Twitter, at every convention and once at the airport coming into the country by homeland security.

Peter Milligan: It comes up. But luckily I’ve been too busy to attend too many conventions recently, and it’s at conventions, on panels etc that these awkward questions usually arrive.

Tony Bedard: I live like a hermit, so I manage to avoid most questions.

Dan Jurgens: Too often! It'd be easier to wear a sign around my neck that says, "FLASHPOINT? Don't ask!"

Scott Snyder: Oh man, constantly.

Jeff Lemire: Not often, but that's only because I'm a recluse with little or no contact with the outside world. In fact the only person I've talked to in the last three months is my FRANKENSTEIN Heroclix figure, luckily he already knows the secrets of FLASHPOINT. He's also a great listener.

Rex Ogle: I keep a pretty low profile on the Internet so it’s not too difficult flying under the radar. But my friends are driving me nuts. Every ten minutes, they’re like, “What’s going on with FLASHPOINT? What

happened to the DC Universe? Is anybody going to die?” I just shake my head and change the subject to how much I miss new episodes of Buffy on TV.

What was the first question you asked Geoff and/or Eddie about FLASHPOINT?

Adam Schlagman: If Hal Jordan wasn’t Green Lantern, what happened during BLACKEST NIGHT?

Jeff Lemire: Can I write FLASHPOINT PROJECT: S.W.E.E.T. T.O.O.T.H.?

Dan Abnett: Are you seriously going to get away with something this amazing?

Dan Jurgens: C'mon. Seriously. What are we REALLY going to do?

Tony Bedard: It was, "Can I write the Aquaman series?" I have an irrational love of Aquaman, and everyone at DC knows it.

Peter Milligan: Can I do anything I like with this character?

Scott Kolins: When is it due?

Jimmy Palmiotti : Honestly, I asked them if they were sure they wanted me for this project...but as they both told me what they wanted me to do, I started to sport an evil smile. Anyone familiar with my other work will totally get it once they pick up the first issue.

Scott Snyder: "Is there someone doing a Flashpoint Superman story?" He's a character I love reading but isn't exactly my wheelhouse when it comes to writing. But here's this chance to do a different kind of story with Superman, one looks at the character from a brand new angle.

Mike Carlin: Would this be Golden Age Canterbury Cricket or Silver Age Canterbury Cricket?

One of the central conceits of the FLASHPOINT world is that we'll see the DC Universe in a way we've never seen it before. (Without ruining/spoiling major plot points that we should keep under wraps...) What in the mini-series you are working on is going to make fans sit back and say, "I've never seen that before?"

Tony Bedard: EMPEROR AQUAMAN presents a harder, crueler Aquaman than we've ever seen. How exactly he ended up like that is one of the great mysteries of the mini-series, but this is a guy who is ready to wipe out the surface world, which is a lot of fun to write because there's no pulling punches, no holding back.

Peter Milligan: For a start, I’m introducing a totally new character, called Mindwarp. A very different kind of character. And the story answers the question, what does the “M” stand for in Shade The Changing Man’s M-Vest—is it Meta, Madness…or Murderer?

Rex Ogle: In my mini-series WORLD OF FLASHPOINT, I have the unique opportunity to show a wider scope of the FP world. Originally, my 3-parter was going to be a series of vignettes, but I convinced Eddie and Geoff that it might be more fun for readers if it were a single story that tapped into all kinds of different pieces and parts of the FLASHPOINT universe. In the first issue alone, the reader will get to see a map of the FP world as well as get hints at the secret history that differentiates the FP universe from the DC Universe. In the second issue, which I’m writing now, I am stuffing it full of cameos. Some are pretty obvious, others you have to take a closer look at. But I can say easily that every character I write for FP, I tried to push the envelope at making them different.

Lowell Francis: If I said vampire monkeys, would that be good or bad?

Adam Schalgman: Abin Sur - The legendary Abin Sur in action. He never died and is busy saving the universe but the threats are more severe than ever before.

J.T. Krul: For me and for fans, we get to see what Dick Grayson would be like if his parents didn't die on that fateful day. One of the tragic figures in the Batman universe is actually doing okay.

Jimmy Palmiotti: Just about everything in this book is something you haven't seen before, including some really sick new characters. The excessive amount of death and destruction goes on will catch people off guard. It is a pirate themed book after all.

Sean Ryan: A baby antelope eating its own dead mother.

Mike Carlin: We don’t see flesh-eaters on the “good guy’s side” often.

Dan Jurgens: An 1950's era Norge refrigerator. Well, that and a new character who...oh, wait! I can't!

Scott Snyder: Well, it's public knowledge that our story is about something called “Project Superman,” and with the cover for issue 1 showing the rocket landing in Metropolis, and the cover for issue 2 showing a boy in a glass cylinder, suffice it to say, this is going to be a very very different Superman story. There'll be a lot you've never seen before - still, at its heart, it's a story about Kal-El, as Kal-El. The character we all know.

Dan Abnett: Diana as a full on Amazonian warrior, true to her heritage. That’s scary. And Lois Lane at her most resourceful and determined.

Jeff Lemire: Frankenstein vs. Hitler.

Scott Kolins: There’s bunch of stuff in my CITIZEN COLD 3-parter that’s has never been done for COLD or THE ROGUES. Can you imagine COLD being the hero of Central City? What kind of hero would he be? Plus there’s the whole IRIS angle - that’s new and soooo much fun.

FLASH QUESTION: Who killed the first Seven? And can Amethyst stop them from killing the new Secret Seven?

FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN #2

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by GEORGE PEREZ and SCOTT KOBLISH

Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

On sale JULY 6 • 2 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Excited about today’s earlier post, announcing BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM? Well, that’s not all, May’s going to be a major month for BATMAN – here’s your first look at May’s solicits, after the jump.

BATMAN INCORPORATED #7

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM

1:25 Variant cover by FRAZER IRVING

Man-of-Bats and his protégé, Red Raven, continue to aid the Dark Knight in tracking down a shadowy, sophisticated killer. Will these two members of The Club of Heroes become the newest additions to BATMAN INCORPORATED? Or will they die before they can even be offered the chance?

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4

Written by DAVID FINCH

Art by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS

Cover by DAVID FINCH

1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE

Etrigan the Demon’s loyalties are stretched to their breaking point, and when he chooses sides, an epic battle ensues with Batman! The victor can only be decided with the help of a new friend, but there’s no time to spare for infighting, because Gotham City is being overrun by a demon horde…

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information. This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.

Resolicit • On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DETECTIVE COMICS #877

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by JOCK

Batman plunges deeper into the mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young woman whose body was found in the belly of a killer whale. But his detective skills lead him into a deadly trap set in motion by some of the Gotham Underworld’s newest and most fearsome players. Don’t miss the finale of “Hungry City!”

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #710

Written by TONY DANIEL

Art by TONY DANIEL & RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY DANIEL

Two-Face is back! As an unknown villain targets Two-Face and other Gotham City crimelords for extermination, Batman discovers that Kitrina Falcone, a.k.a. “CATGIRL,” is next on the hit list! Can he save the junior mobster in time? And will helping Kitrina force Catwoman to get involved?

On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN & ROBIN #23

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

1:10 Variant cover by GENE HA

Jason Todd - Batman’s one-time sidekick, currently the anti-hero known as Red Hood - has been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum for the past several months. But after a period of good behavior, will a transfer to a lower-security prison mean reformation for Jason Todd . . . or is trouble waiting in the wings for Batman and Robin? Don’t miss “The Streets Run Red” part one of three!

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATWOMAN #2

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

1:10 Variant cover by AMY REEDER

Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City.

Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail.

Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up.

It’s all here for our heroine! Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios and overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new ongoing series intensifies in this exciting second installment of the 5-part “Hydrology” storyline!

Resolicit • On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

RED ROBIN #23

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art and cover by MARCUS TO and RAY MCCARTHY

The “7 Days of Death” begin with assassination attempts on Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox by the international assassin Scarab – but isn’t she in jail? To find the killer, Red Robin may have to spring the real Scarab from prison! Is this an assault on Wayne Enterprises, or do the first two days of death signal the start of a deeper conspiracy?

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #23

Written by PETER CALLOWAY

Art by ANDRES GUINALDO and LORENZO RUGGIERO

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

Breakout at Arkham! With Harley Quinn in danger, can Catwoman and Poison Ivy put aside their tumultuous history and work together to save Harley? Guest-starring The Joker, Clayface and Jeremiah Arkham!

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN BEYOND #5

Written by ADAM BEECHEN

Art by RYAN BENJAMIN and JOHN STANISCI

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

Rioting workers are threatening to close down Wayne-Powers Industries and send stock prices spiraling down the tubes! There’s only one thing Batman can do in this situation: Track down Paxton Powers, just released from prison, and see what he knows about it! “Industrial Revolution” begins here!

On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #40

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH

Cover by PHILIP TAN

Batman arrives in an attempt to unite Black Lightning’s team with Geo-Force’s for the final battle against Veritas. But as one teammate is lost and others leave, Batman must determine if it’s time to disband The Outsiders forever.

On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE • RATED T

BATGIRL #21

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER

Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

When the Grey Ghost puts himself in harm’s way to save Gotham City from the Reaper’s sound-wielding Harmony, it’s up to Batgirl to save the day. If Batgirl has her way, her first team-up with the Grey Ghost will be her last with the Grey Ghost – assuming they both make it out alive.

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BIRDS OF PREY #12

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

They’ve had the growing pains, the split-ups and the reunions. Now it’s time to see the Birds of Prey do the dirty jobs no one else can. When a mysterious yet familiar villain threatens to organize all East Coast criminal activity, from loan sharking to illegal arms trading, Oracle is forced to test the limits of the Batman Incorporated strategy, using her own operatives as pawns in a battle for the soul of Gotham City!

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DC COMICS PRESENTS: BATMAN – DARK KNIGHT, DARK CITY #1

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by KIERON DWYER, TOM MANDRAKE and DENNIS JANKE

Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA and GEORGE PRATT

In these thrilling tales from BATMAN #452-454, The Riddler goes on a crimepsree – but when he has the chance to kill Batman, he let The Dark Knight live. What strange game is The Riddler playing? Plus, in a story from DETECTIVE COMICS #633, Bruce Wayne returns to Wayne Manor to find no trace of the Batcave, and Alfred without any knowledge of his master’s crimefighting career. Has Bruce Wayne gone insane?

On sale MAY 18 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US