BATMAN #8

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Backup story written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Backup story art by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by JASON FABOK

1:200 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale APRIL 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

Broken and beaten, Bruce Wayne has retreated from Gotham City – the city of Owls – to Wayne Manor. But no place is safe, because the Court is about to strike at the heart of city, and nothing will ever be the same. Be there for the start of the battle for Gotham City’s soul…and the prelude to “The Night of the Owls.”

And in the first chapter of a new backup story, learn the secret history of The Court of Owls – as well as the secrets of Gotham City and the Wayne family!

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

DETECTIVE COMICS #8

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

Backup story art by SZYMON KUDRANSKI

1:25 B&W Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale APRIL 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend, investigative journalist Charlotte Rivers, tries to protect a long-hidden secret even when her own life hangs in the balance. The Scarecrow is after knowledge only she possesses, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it from her. Can Batman uncover Charlotte’s secret past in time to save her future? With the clock ticking and a dose of newly designed fear gas in the air, Batman must first fight his own nightmare as all of Gotham City turns against him.

Plus, don’t miss the start of a new backup story written by Tony S. Daniel and illustrated by Szymon Kudranski (PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE)!

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

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #8

Written by PAUL JENKINS

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

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

A series of disturbing events captivates Gotham City as citizens turn on each other all across town. But when toxicology reports turn up negative, it’s left to Batman to determine the source of the problem, bringing him into an encounter with Tweedledum and Tweedledee at an entrance to the mysterious “Wonderland.” With Jim Gordon occupied on a tragic, high-profile case, and madness beginning to take root across the city, can Batman find the source of it all before it’s too late?

BATWING #8

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Cover by KEN LASHLEY

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

Batwing vs. Massacre! The culmination of Massacre’s rampage and destruction of Africa’s first team of heroes, The Kingdom! The battle between Batwing and Massacre crashes Gotham City as Batman, Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing join the fight in a massive, action-packed rumble you won’t want to miss! And the shocking identity of Massacre is revealed at last!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #8

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

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

The “Born To Kill” saga concludes in a storm of fire and water, as Batman and Robin find themselves beaten and battered emotionally, as well as physically, as the fate of NoBody is revealed!

BIRDS OF PREY #8

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

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

Rumor has it that Dinah Lance – a.k.a. Black Canary – killed a man with her sonic scream, and she’s been running from the law ever since. But it wasn’t a mere punch that shattered the victim’s skull. Now, something far more dangerous than the law is hell-bent on taking down Black Canary: a cunning enemy who knows her every weakness, both physical and psychological. The only things standing between Dinah and certain death are her friends and teammates: Batgirl, Katana and Starling. But will they still want to protect her after they learn the truth about what she was up to for the past three years?

BATWOMAN #8

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

Art by AMY REEDER and ROB HUNTER

Cover by AMY REEDER

1:25 B&W Variant cover by AMY REEDER

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

Six lives moving through different points in time, all heading toward a crossroads.

Batwoman faces gnashing teeth, claws and otherworldly powers. But can she defeat the villains of Gotham Harbor?

Maro, an arcane wizard, harnesses violent magics to create the vile creature known as The Hook.

Kate Kane struggles with living multiple lives and how that affects her relationship with Maggie.

Detective Maggie Sawyer transports a double agent named Sune.

Jacob Kane still holds onto hope for a life that he so desperately needs in his.

DEO Agent Cameron Chase covertly aids Batwoman in abducting one of the villain Falchion’s inner circle.

The creative team’s unique take on spy stories continues!

BATGIRL #8

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

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

The metahuman thief and killer Grotesque has set his sights on the perfect woman to add to his collection: Batgirl! Also, we reveal the other traumatic incident in Barbara’s life – one you’ve never heard about before! It’s a Gordon family secret that has never been revealed! You must not miss this story!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #8

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

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

Suzie Su is back, and she’s betting a hospital full of hostages will get Red Hood’s attention! If that isn’t enough to keep him and the Outlaws busy, there’s someone waiting in the wings! It’s Tim Drake knocking on Red Hood’s door with a very special package for his estranged “brother.” Don’t miss Red Robin’s cameo this issue, as it ties directly into next month’s “Night of the Owls” Batman event!

NIGHTWING #8

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by EDDY BARROWS, RUY JOSE and EBER FERREIRA

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

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

A lead-in to next month’s thrilling “Night of the Owls” Batman event! With the Owls descending upon Gotham City, the fate of the city’s leader rests on the shoulders of Nightwing! But as our hero embarks on a mission to rescue Mayor Hady, just how do Cameron Kane and turn-ofthe-century Gotham City factor in? Plus: the untold story of William Cobb – the Talon who’s hunting Bruce Wayne!

CATWOMAN #8

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by ADRIANA MELO and MARIAH BENES

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

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

Catwoman has a new running buddy named Spark, and together, they’re taking Gotham City – literally! And when these two thieves team up, it’s twice the haul and twice the trouble. Electricity is in the air...

Tomorrow, the next batch of fourth issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hits stores. Previews of the various issues being released have been running for the past few days across the Internet and we’ve compiled them all here on THE SOURCE for your convenience.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY continued previewing DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on their homepage by debuting a sequence from JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 that shows off just how cool Aquaman is.

And if the preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 got you even more excited for this week’s Justice League family releases than you already were, check out POPMATTERS’ first look at CAPTAIN ATOM #4, WIRED’s UNDERWIRE’s preview of DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ sneak peek at WONDER WOMAN #4.

Yesterday, writer Scott Snyder told you that even if you haven’t been reading BATMAN, this week’s issue #4 is a great place to start. Head over to USA TODAY for an exclusive preview of the issue. "You get to delve into Bruce's past and see some of the secret history, both between him and Gotham as a boy and also as a hero struggling with an enemy that he seems to have some sort of emotional conflict with that extends beyond just what he's trying to achieve on a plot level," Snyder told USA TODAY.

Speaking of bat-related previews, MAXIM previewed BIRDS OF PREY #4, IGN has a sneak peek at NIGHTWING #4, MTV GEEK has your first look at CATWOMAN #4 and IFANBOY debuted pages from RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4.

Meanwhile, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS previewed SUPERGIRL #4, GAWKER’s IO9 premiered a sequence from BLUE BEETLE #4, COMICVINE gave you a glance at LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #4 and NEWSARAMA has an exclusive sneak peek GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4.

To be continued …

52 Titles. One Universe.

As we keep having more and more success with The New 52 (thanks to you readers!) we find that we're also having more and more fun. Getting up and running was tricky, but right now I'm reading scripts for issues #6 and 7 of most series and all I can think about is how amazing this is. We're at the point where we can start adding some new wrinkles for our characters and really drive home the sense that there are no limits with our comics. So far we've been talking a lot about 52 different books, but it's important to remember that all of these stories take place in the same universe. You're going to be seeing more of that continuity as we go along. But maybe not the way you'd expect. Let me explain ...

Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder dropped by my office the other day. Jeff--in case you didn't know--writes ANIMAL MAN, a truly awesome series (drawn by the amazingly talented Travel Foreman) that's taken comics by storm. Scott helms SWAMP THING, an equally awesome series drawn by the equally talented Yanick Paquette. They were in to present a story that involves both characters in an intertwined saga that will change the lives of Buddy Baker and Alec Holland forever. After the pitch, Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and I were quite simply blown away. I advise fans of phenomenal storytelling everywhere to check out these two titles--as seeds for this upcoming epic are already being sown organically throughout these two books from the Dark corner of our world.

Scott and Jeff certainly aren't the only creators exchanging ideas and cross-pollinating series. Another Scott-Lobdell, this time--and Fabian Nicieza are working on a storyline that will flow between TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST. It explores everything from the mystery of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E, the organization that developed Superboy as the ultimate weapon, to the tragedy of the mysterious Hypertaxis virus brought to our century from the future by the time-lost Legionnaires, to how both impact our newly formed group of young heroes.

And over in the BATMAN titles, the aforementioned and prolific Mr. Scott Snyder has crafted a tale involving the Court of Owls and its deadly Talon assassins that may soon impact the storylines in NIGHTWING, BATGIRL, BIRDS OF PREY and even RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS.

All these upcoming stories encapsulate the excitement our writers and artists are feeling, as they explore our characters and their natural connections. The key idea here is "natural connections." All these ideas are being generated by the excitement our talent and editors have for all these amazing characters sharing our universe. In short, we're building a new mythology with The New 52, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

Keep reading, folks--I guarantee, you too are going to be blown away!

-- Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief

BATMAN #6

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

1:200 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99 US

Trapped far beneath Gotham City and hunted by the Talon – the Court of Owls’ unstoppable killer – Batman lies bleeding and broken. With no way out and no one to help, is this the end for The Dark Knight?

DETECTIVE COMICS #6

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

1:25 Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman invades The Penguin’s floating casino as Bruce Wayne to uncover a brutal string of slayings – but he finds the chips stacked against him! With the Iceberg’s maiden voyage out of Gotham Harbor under way, the evening’s festivities threaten to throw Batman off the killer’s trail. And lurking among the rich and famous is a very ambitious outsider who’d like nothing more than to see Bruce Wayne lose everything, including his life. Murder, lies and betrayal are the name of this high-stakes game!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #6

Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale FEBRUARY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman’s darkest fears resurface in this stunning conclusion to the opening epic as the Dark Knight confronts the mastermind behind the toxin being injected into Gotham City’s criminals. But the conspiracy behind the toxin runs deeper than he could possibly have imagined. Time is running out – and the entire structure of Gotham City’s society is at risk, unless Batman can find a path to overcome the man who once broke his back: Bane!

BATWING #6

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by BEN OLIVER

Cover by JASON FABOK

On sale FEBRUARY 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The past looms large as Batwing’s early days as a crime fighter come to light, gaining the attention of Batman. In the present, the adventure comes full circle as Batwing faces off against Massacre in the shadows of the Pyramids of Egypt. The mystery of Massacre begins unfolding as the truth of Africa’s greatest Super Hero team, The Kingdom, unravels.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #6

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

As the bond between Batman and Robin deteriorates, Robin is forced by NoBody to make a life and death decision – and Batman’s hunt through Gotham City to find them reaches a soul-searing moment that will push Batman to the edge!

BIRDS OF PREY #6

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JAVIER PINA

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

You’ve never felt better. You’re eating right, sleeping soundly, kicking butt at work. But there’s one tiny problem. You’re being hunted through the streets of Gotham City by five women who seem dead-set on sticking you with syringes and even chopping your head off with a sword. But listen, buddy – you don’t understand. These women? The so-called Birds of Prey? They’re the only things standing between you and instant death, triggered by some creepy guy who’s been secretly controlling your mind for a year now…

BATWOMAN #6

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

Art by AMY REEDER and RICHARD FRIEND

Cover by AMY REEDER

1:25 Variant cover by AMY REEDER

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Artist Amy Reeder and inker Richard Friend join the Batwoman team with this new arc, as the epic “To Drown the World” begins!

Six lives, inextricably linked in the past and present, each on a collision course with the others: Batwoman, fighting for duty and vengeance against a threat of arcane power. Detective Maggie Sawyer, investigating a case that could end her career. DEO Agent Cameron Chase, commanding a vigilante she despises. Colonel Jacob Kane, clutching at a life that’s slipping away. Maro, a new villain corrupting Gotham City. And Kate Kane, wrestling with decisions that will test her loyalties.

BATGIRL #6

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

During the day, Barbara Gordon has to deal with the emotional fallout of the return of a key figure from her most painful memories, while at night, high above Gotham City’s streets, Batgirl and Batman face the deadly Gretel, a damaged woman with the lethal ability to control men’s minds!

It’s Batgirl’s first face-to-face with Batman since her rehabilitation – and he has a few choice words to say about her return to crime fighting!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #6

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

How did Jason Todd and Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran meet – and what has bonded them together in a way that neither could have imagined? At long last the story can be told! It’s a scorcher!

(Not final cover)

CATWOMAN #6

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T+

Catwoman is busted! She’s under arrest and in the custody of the Gotham City P.D. But it doesn’t look like she’s going to get her phone call, because the police aren’t looking for justice – they’re looking for what Catwoman stole from them. And she’s about to get an earful about her most complicated relationship: Batman.

NIGHTWING #6

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by EDDY BARROWS and PAULO SIQUERIA

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

After the huge reveal of last issue, Dick Grayson takes Haly’s Circus back to Gotham City in preparation for a large memorial show. But as Dick gets closer to the truth about his past, just how much is he really deciding for himself? And what does the Book of Names really mean? It all builds to a head here...just in time for a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor!