The “Darkness & Light” Art Exhibit Features An Awe-Inspiring Collection of Pop-Culture and Fine Art Interpretations Of the World’s Most Iconic Heroes as You’ve Never Seen Them Before

BURBANK, Calif. (May 23, 2012) – Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment yesterday premiered “Darkness & Light: Art Inspired by Heroes & Villains, Hope & Heroism,” a collection of original artwork inspired by the universe of DC Comics and its iconic characters, including JUSTICE LEAGUE super heroes Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, and re-imagined by exceptional contemporary artists from around the world.To celebrate the unveiling of this one-of-a-kind collection, DC Entertainment opened the doors to its new Burbank headquarters at The Pointe with an open house and private reception.

“We work with many of these amazing artists day-in and day-out. With this project, we gave them the free reign to interpret the universe of DC Comics super heroes as they see them in their medium of choice.  What we got back was a fascinating collection of visually stunning pieces, each offering a completely unique perspective on these universally recognized characters,” said Brian Deputy, Vice President of Creative Worldwide for Warner Bros. Consumer Products and curator of the “Darkness & Light” exhibit.

The collection, which includes more than 100 original works from artists spanning the globe and ranging in various forms, from graphic designers and painters to sculptors, will also raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign (www.WeCanBeHeroes.org).

The participating artists hail from around the globe – as well as within the halls of Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment – and bring their diverse backgrounds, unique artistic styles and perceptions of the universe of DC Comics to this collection.  Some key artists involved include Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Martin Ontiveros, Mike Palermo, Nathan Sawaya, Bwana Spoons and Amanda Visell.

The collection includes a piece by Martin Ontiveros called “Order/Chaos,” which depicts good and evil together, rendered in ink and paint on board; Kiyoshi Nakazawa combined various media in his dramatic interpretation of Batman in "A Great Sense of Humor;" working in steel, wood, paper, plaster and resin, Mike Palermo created "Man of Steel" that shows that there is a hero in everyone; Amanda Visell’s piece, “Wonder Woman,” uses paint on board to show this female super hero’s stoic but sexy power; and an oversized original work of art by legendary comics artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, which utilizes spray paint and acrylic on canvas to highlight the profile of Batman with a color scheme inspired by the colors of Africa – yellow, green, red and black.

“This distinctive collection unites the comic industry with contemporary artists, highlighting each artist’s individuality and style,” continued Deputy. “The creators each had a deep connection to the characters and worlds of DC Comics and this passion is brought to life and captured for all to see through this incredibly vivid collection.”

Up next, “Darkness & Light” will take to the road with a series of public exhibitions that will continue to benefit and raise awareness for WE CAN BE HEROES, including a showing in San Diego at the premier Michael J. Wolf gallery during Comic-Con International from July 13-15. Additional exhibition dates and locations to be announced this summer.

Original art by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee.

DC Entertainment Executives: EVP of Sales & Marketing John Rood, President Diane Nelson, Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and Co-Publisher Jim Lee attend the Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment 'Darkness & Light' art exhibit premiere and open house at DC Entertainment's new offices.

Curator Brian Deputy attends the Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment 'Darkness & Light' art exhibit premiere.

Original art by Amanda Vissell.

Original art by Nathan Mochizuki.

ACTION COMICS #12

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH

Art by RAGS MORALES, BRAD WALKER and RICK BRYANT

Backup story art by CAFU

Cover by RAGS MORALES

Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG

1:100 B&W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

On sale AUGUST 1 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• What is the horrific secret behind “THE FORGOTTEN SUPERMAN”?

• What happens when Superman is too late to save LOIS LANE?

• And what is the staggering new threat The Man of Steel is about to face?

• Plus in the backup, Perry White’s brush with death leads to startling consequences for Superman!

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

SUPERMAN #12

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by DAN JURGENS and JESUS MERINO

Cover by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND

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

• The entity that came from the bottom of the ocean in issue #9 is back – and it’s trying to create a dimensional gateway for his army!

• Earth is in peril, and Superman is the only one who can prevent mass death and destruction.

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1

Written by KEITH GIFFEN

Art by SCOTT KOLINS

Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

On sale AUGUST 29 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

• Abducted by a group of mysterious aliens, Superman is dragged to a remote alien galaxy to take part in THE GAMES, a world hopping game of cat-and-mouse where players are hunted for sport.

• Can even the help of a mysterious new GREEN LANTERN overcome the might of an alien empire?

SUPERBOY #12

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by STEVE LIGHTLE

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

• There’s a monster hiding in the shadows of New York after dark, and she’s set her sights on Superboy. But her interest in him is more complicated than it seems!

• Superboy’s just starting to figure out what it means to have friends – does he have the good judgment to pick the right ones? Or is he destined to run with the wrong crowd?

SUPERGIRL #12

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

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

• SUPERGIRL confronts SUPERMAN in his Fortress of Solitude about the Bottle City of Kandor.

• What mysterious connection does this have to a piece of Kryptonian debris that crashed with her ship?

Click here to see a gallery of all SUPERMAN group cover artwork.

(The cover for ACTION COMICS #12 by Rags Morales)

Let’s face it, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are the original cosplayers. So it’s fitting that they’ll soon be suiting up as two of the most universally recognized DC super heroes: Superman and Wonder Woman!

He may be made of plastic, but this summer Mr. Potato Head will be dressed as the Man of Steel, complete with his classic costume and cape. Meanwhile, Mrs. Potato Head pays homage to Wonder Woman, wearing her tiara, bracelets and lasso of truth. Each figure stands 6” tall, and is perfectly built for play or display…or both!

Enjoy this exclusive first look at Wonder Woman Mrs. Potato Head, presented below along with her super companion, and look for both Potato Head figures in specialty and collectible stores and websites this August!