USA TODAY Reveals SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, Free Comic Book Day details, and more!

Back in October, we announced that writer Scott Snyder and artist Jim Lee would be teaming up to bring you a new Superman title that promises to elevate the already high-flying hero to new heights and force him to face off against foes familiar and new, as only two of the top industry talents can.

 

Yesterday, USA TODAY exclusively announced that the series, which lands in stores this June, will be titled SUPERMAN UNCHAINED.

 

“We're all fans and we've all known this character for a long time," Jim Lee told USA TODAY about the challenge of tackling the iconic Man of Steel. “You have to fight your natural tendency to do what you know or what you've always thought the character to be.”

 

Along with Snyder, Lee hopes that the series will show readers “really how this small little figure, this human-shaped character, can literally move mountains.” But the title is not the only news we have to share about this exciting new series!

 

USA TODAY also announced that SUPERMAN UNCHAINED will feature a back-up story written by Snyder and illustrated by Dustin Nguyen. They also revealed that fans will get their first look at this eagerly-anticipated series when a sneak peek of it will be featured in this year’s annual Free Comic Book Day issue.

 

Head on over to USA TODAY to read their full coverage, including interviews with the SUPERMAN UNCHAINED creative team of Jim Lee and Scott Snyder, as well as with Greg Pak and Jae Lee, the creative team of the recently announced new series, BATMAN/SUPERMAN (which will also be launching in June).

 

(The cover for SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1 by Jim Lee and Scott Williams)

DC Comics All Access: Ian Sattler Talks WonderCon

March 16-18, 2012

WonderCon 2012!

 

Get your bags packed because DC Entertainment is heading to WonderCon! This year we'll be attending the show from March 16-18 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

 

A lot of amazing stuff has been happening with us and we can't wait to share the details. If you want the latest on BEFORE WATCHMEN, DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, the DC Nation animation block and Vertigo, come hang out with us at WonderCon! Don't worry if you can't make it - all the goings-on will be covered on our website and blogs, so be sure you check in for updates.

 

If you are going to be at the show, we're booth #501 and the following guests will be in attendance:

 

Sergio Aragones, Brian Buccellato, Mike Choi, Shane Davis, Alex Garner, Mick Gray, Viktor Kalvachev, Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen, Norm Rapmund, Scott Snyder, Ryan Sook (Friday and Saturday only), J. Michael Straczynski, Len Wein, Scott Williams, Marv Wolfman and many more ...

 

See you in Anaheim!

 

- Ian Sattler, DC Entertainment

Inside the numbers: JUSTICE LEAGUE # 1 is officially the best-selling comic book of 2011

(The cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 by Jim Lee and Scott Williams)

Earlier today, Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, officially announced that JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee and Scott Williams, is the bestselling comic book for the month of August—and to date, all of 2011.

That's the headline—and it's a good one—but, for those interested, here's a further look inside the numbers for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52:

· With a first printing exceeding 200,000 copies, JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 was the highest first printing of any DC Comics' title since 2006's JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 1 by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer Brad Meltzer, Ed Benes and Sandra Hope.

· The 200,000 first printing figure includes the digital combo pack and all variant editions, but not digital sales. The first printing was sold out at Diamond within hours of going on sale. The second printing of JUSTICE LEAGUE also sold out in less than 24 hours and the issue is now in its third printing.

· The DC Comics App peaked at # 4 on iTunes for Top Grossing I-Pad Apps. during the first week of The New 52.

· JUSTICE LEAGUE is one of ten titles so far from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with print runs of more than 100,000 (ACTION COMICS, BATGIRL, BATMAN, BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, DETECTIVE COMICS, FLASH, GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN).

· All 13 of the Week 2 titles from DC Comics: The New 52 have sold out from Diamond and are going back to press—ACTION COMICS, ANIMAL MAN, BATGIRL, BATWING, DETECTIVE COMICS, GREEN ARROW, HAWK & DOVE, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, MEN OF WAR, OMAC, STATIC SHOCK, STORMWATCH and SWAMP THING.

· With its second printing, ACTION COMICS, joins JUSTICE LEAGUE as the second title to date from DC Comics-The New 52 with more than 200,000 copies in print.

· All 13 of the Week 3 titles from DC Comics: The New 52 have sold out from Diamond in advance of publication and are going back to press, including BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATWOMAN, DEATHSTROKE, DEMON KNIGHTS, FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E., GREEN LANTERN, GRIFTER, LEGION LOST, MISTER TERRIFIC, RED LANTERNS, RESURRECTION MAN, SUICIDE SQUAD and SUPERBOY.

 

 

DC Comics

(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Wednesday Afternoon (ET) Edition

With the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, DC Comics-The New 52 officially kicked off. Coverage has been widespread today. Looking for a comprehensive overview? Look no further.

THE NEW YORK TIMES ran a major feature story on the launch of DC Comics-The New 52 on the front of the Arts section and on their homepage. “We’re not looking for a way of going back to what we did before,” DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras told them. “We like to say here, ‘No trap doors.’ This is what we are going to do.”

TODAY.COM interviewed DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio. (You might have seen the story on MSNBC, too.) “It’s all about getting comics into the hands of new readers,” Lee said. “We’re trying to introduce these characters to new audiences.”

Last night’s Midnight Madness event with JUSTICE LEAGUE creative team Geoff Johns and Jim Lee at Midtown Comics in New York City had an incredible turnout and was a huge success. MSNBC was on location taking photos of everything from fan costumes to BATMAN and SWAMP THING writer Scott Snyder mingling with fans to Geoff and Jim distributing pizza to those who waited in line for hours to get their hands on JUSTICE LEAGUE #1.

ABC NEWS interviewed Geoff and Jim, who discussed everything from new costumes to their collaborative process. “In the case of JUSTICE LEAGUE, we’re actually completely retelling and re-envisioning how they met and why they met and why they stayed together,” Geoff Johns explained. “The goal is to actually have more personality, more conflict, more tension. Everyone knows them as the super-friends, but we’re showing that they’re not actually friends – not yet.”

WIRED MAGAZINE posted a gallery of various JUSTICE LEAGUE character designs by Jim Lee. Take an exclusive look at Jim’s designs for Superman, The Flash and Aquaman and be sure to check out WIRED’s analysis of these characters’ fresh costumes and looks.

With so much excitement about the 52 titles being released, it’s hard to pick a favorite. “The best part is that for all of the different members of [the DC Comics team] that have read all of the books,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio told THE WASHINGTON POST, “I can’t find two people with the same Top-Five list. That’s what’s great for me.”

DiDio also caught up with THE VILLAGE VOICE. “We want to get back down to the core characters and rebuild the fiction around them,” he said of DC Comics-The New 52. “This isn't about rehashing stories, but providing things that new readers can relate to."

EBONY.COM looks at diversity in DC Comics-The New 52, including characters like Voodoo, Static Shock, Cyborg, Mister Terrific and Batwing. “When we go to conventions, we see people of all races and genders,” DiDio told them. “We want a real sense that these characters are participating in the same world that exists outside our window.”

DigiDay ran a piece about same-date digital publication. According to Hank Kanalz, SVP of Digital, “What we heard anecdotally is that people have been coming into comic book stores and buying more titles and asking about digital delivery.”

Io9 and MTV GEEK also shed some light on the heralding in of DC Comics-The New 52 with the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. MTV GEEK also announced a special Twitter competition in which you can win each #1 issue being released as part of DC Comics-The New 52. For information on how to enter the contest, click here.

Much, much more to come as major interviews are being conducted as I load this blog post.

Congratulations are in order to Geoff, Jim, Scott Williams and everyone else behind JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. The issue hasn’t even been out for a full day yet and is already sold out. Here's a first look at the cover of the second printing.

Exclusive First Look at JUSTICE LEAGUE #3

Last week on THE SOURCE, we unveiled the covers and teased the stories of many of our November titles. Today, take an exclusive first look at the solicitation information and the cover for JUSTICE LEAGUE #3.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #3

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

1:25 Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE

On sale NOVEMBER 16 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

The superstar team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee continue to make history as they unleash the amazing Amazon, Wonder Woman, who joins the battle against a bizarre threat! And the not-yet World’s Greatest Heroes need all the help they can get!

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

Combo pack edition variant cover for JUSTICE LEAGUE #1

One of the many exciting parts of DC Comics-The New 52 is that all titles will be released both in comic book stores and digitally at the same time. As part of this day-and-date plan, JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 will also be available in a combo back edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue upon purchase. Below, take a look at the cover for this special edition.

Standard final version of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 cover revealed

It’s already August which means that we’re less than a handful of weeks away from the launch of DC Comics-The New 52 with Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, in stores August 31st.

Throughout the day today, we’ll be debuting four different versions of the cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 on THE SOURCE, ranging from an array of variants to the digital combo pack edition.

Below, check out the final standard cover by Jim Lee and Scott Williams.

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!

The Conclusion to “Golden Dawn”

As time runs out for Batman to rescue Dawn Golden from deep beneath Gotham City, the city above is at the mercy of the Demon possessing Ragman. And when The Penguin kidnaps innocent civilians and Commissioner Gordon begins to lose hope, will Batman’s efforts be enough to save the city from its demons?

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #3 is written and pencilled by David Finch, inked by Scott Williams and Richard Friend and hits stores on Wednesday.

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