What better way to celebrate the summer than with a brand new set of special, oversized Annual issues of some of your favorite comics? This July, ANIMAL MAN, BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, THE FLASH, and SUPERMAN will be releasing their second Annual issues, and we’ve got your first looks at their solicitation info and covers right here on THE SOURCE!

ANIMAL MAN ANNUAL #2

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art and cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN

On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+

Still reeling from the shocking death of his son, Buddy Baker is taking his grief out on the world around him. But in this special story, learn how the bonds of family can be stronger than the forces of evil—even when that evil is a horde of massive, slavering spiders!

BATMAN ANNUAL #2

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by AARON LOPRESTI

Cover by JOCK

On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

A special ZERO YEAR tie-in! Bruce Wayne’s first year as the Dark Knight has just barely begun…and already dangerous elements are coalescing, leading Bruce toward his final destiny.

DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #2

Written by JOHN LAYMAN

Art by SCOT EATON and JAIME MENDOZA

Cover by ANDY CLARKE

On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

It’s a terrible, dangerous time to be a cop in Gotham City. At a time when police are being targeted for assassination, Gotham’s Finest also face a threat from within, as a shape-changing identity thief has infiltrated the GCPD and threatens to destroy it from within. Will he unravel the mystery behind this secretive killer before he loses any more of the few allies he has left on the force?

THE FLASH ANNUAL #2

Written by BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Backup story written by NICOLE DUBUC

Art by SAMI BASRI

Backup story art by CULLY HAMNER

Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

Find out how The Flash and Green Lantern first met when a case they teamed up together to solve years ago rears its head again in the present! It involves a foe neither of them can defeat on their own, and they might not have much luck together either! The outcome of this will affect The Flash for years to come… Plus, a backup story by Nicole Dubuc (the Young Justice cartoon)!

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL and FRANK HANNAH

Art by PASCALE ALIXE

Cover by ANDY KUBERT

On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

What repercussions lurk beneath the surface from Brainiac’s first attack—and how does it all set the stage for the battle of Metropolis? Plus, how can the Man of Steel fight something he can’t physically stop!

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read THE FLASH #18 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

“Gorilla Warfare” is over, and Barry Allen (a.k.a. The Flash) has defeated Grodd and his overwhelming gorilla army. But will the Scarlett Speedster be able to rebuild the Gem Cities by himself? Or will he need a little extra help?

In “The Heroes’ Journey,” from the creative team of writer Brian Buccellato and artist Marcio Takara, Barry must adjust to life as a suspended police scientist and a full time super hero.

Now that the gorillas are gone, Barry and the citizens of the Gem Cities must deal with the aftermath of the invasion. The Flash has been working overtime in order to bring things back to normal, but unfortunately being a hero doesn’t pay. To support himself, Barry continues working as a bartender at the Keystone Saloon, which happens to be the oldest bar in the city and a hangout for the Gem Cities’ resident bad guys.

While working the night shift, Barry finds The Trickster at the bar. They begin a friendly conversation, but before Barry can get any information out of him, the cops arrive! There is a warrant out for Axel Walker (a.k.a. The Trickster)’s arrest, and he’s wanted for robbery and murder!

Could Axel really be capable of murder? Barry doesn’t seem to think so, and he sneaks out of work to investigate the situation. But the not-so-dynamic duo of The Speed Force is already on the case!

You may recognize these inexperienced heroes as Albert and Gomez, two of the innocent bystanders that were trapped in The Speed Force along with Iris West. And it appears that they came out with powers!

Before the situation can get any worse, The Flash uses his super speed to capture The Trickster and turn him in to the police. But now he has to deal with shutting down this fledgling super hero operation before someone gets hurt.

The Flash summons all of the people who were trapped in The Speed Force in order to investigate their powers and encourage them to stop using them before someone gets hurt. Unfortunately, their meeting is interrupted by a news alert.

The Outlanders, who happen to be The Trickster’s new “crime” family, have declared his innocence and threatened to break him out of Iron Heights Penitentiary if he is not released!

Now, The Flash must prove Axel’s innocence before a potential political firestorm! With Patty’s help, Barry takes the case file and begins his own investigation. But nothing adds up, and he ventures to Iron Gate for some information not available in the file. He quickly questions The Trickster, and heads to the armory to test his trick bombs which are the only viable pieces of evidence available.

But the fully armed Outsiders arrive at Iron Heights before The Flash can test the bombs! Looks like he will have to stop his investigation and disarm an entire army instead.

The Flash attempts to leave the armory to save the day, but his powers and costume disappear in a flash of light, leaving a now helpless Barry Allen trapped in the armory. 

Will Barry figure a way out before it’s too late? And what happened to his powers?! Place your bets in the comments section below, and check out DIAL H #11 to see what happens next!

In the gallery above, take a look at the final page of “The Heroes’ Journey,” as Barry realizes his powers are gone. And be sure to pick up a copy of THE FLASH #18, in stores now!   

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Backup story written by MATT KINDT

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH

Backup story art by SCOTT CLARK

Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

1:100 B&W Variant cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale MAY 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

The League uncovers the leader of The Secret Society of Super-Villains—but can such a diverse group of heroes defeat the collective might of the Society? And in the backup story, Manhunter goes behind the scenes to learn more about the Secret Society!

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

GREEN ARROW #20

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art and cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO

1:25 B&W Variant cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO

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

Komodo and The Outsiders have destroyed Green Arrow’s life, but how far will Ollie fall before he’s forced to take desperate measures?

KATANA #4

Written by ANN NOCENTI

Art by ALEX SANCHEZ

Cover by JUAN JOSE RYP

1:25 B&W Variant cover by JUAN JOSE RYP

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

Devastated by the horrifying aftermath of last issue’s battle with Killer Croc, Katana struggles to set things right against impossible odds!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA’S VIBE #4

Written by STERLING GATES

Art by PETE WOODS and SEAN PARSONS

Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

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

Why is Vibe battling Batman? Our hero is in way over his head when he’s forced to turn against A.R.G.U.S.!

JUSTICE LEAGUE #20

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Backup story art by GARY FRANK

Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

1:100 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale MAY 15 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99

The PROLOGUE TO TRINITY WAR continues as a revelation about Batman could destroy Wonder Woman and Superman’s relationship! Plus, in the backup story, the penultimate chapter of the tale of Shazam finds Billy Batson learning the shocking secret of Black Adam!

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

AQUAMAN #20

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by PAUL PELLETIER and SEAN PARSONS

1:25 B&W Variant cover by PAUL PELLETIER and SEAN PARSONS

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

Aquaman’s right to the throne is put to the test when an Atlantean rises up to defend the city—an Atlantean who many others believe should be King…

THE FLASH #20

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

1:25 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

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

An all-new Flash epic begins here, and the stakes have never been higher as Barry races toward a confrontation with the Reverse Flash!

WONDER WOMAN #20

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO

Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG

1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG

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

Wonder Woman was certain there was one person in her life she could trust—but she thought wrong!

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #20

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art and cover by JOE BENNETT and MARC DEERING

On sale MAY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

Hawkman vs. Blockbuster round two! Hawkman transforms his Nth metal armor into a new berserker mode! Blockbuster’s true identity is revealed! Plus, don’t miss an appearance by the new JLA!

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN #20

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art and cover by DAN JURGENS and RAY McCARTHY

On sale MAY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

Overwhelmed and beaten by a crew of Super-Villains, Ronnie and Jason are about to find out how bad things can get when Firestorm is labeled a living weapon of mass destruction and slated for dissection!

EARTH 2 #12

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT

Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

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

The drums of war begin to sound as the heroes of Earth 2 rally behind Dr. Fate—and a threat from Apokolips becomes all too real!

EARTH 2 ANNUAL #1

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by YILDIRAY CINAR, CAFU and JULIUS GOPEZ

Cover by ANDY KUBERT

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

The new Batman of Earth 2 debuts as The Atom begins a mission to lead a new team of heroes—but are any of them prepared for the threat they’re about to face?

WORLDS’ FINEST #12

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE and GERALDO BORGES

Cover by RYAN SOOK

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

As Power Girl returns to her classic look, DeSaad wreaks havoc on her tech empire—and PG and Huntress find themselves hunted by the talented torturer from Apokolips.

Click here to see a gallery of covers for the above titles.

(EARTH 2 ANNUAL #1 cover by Andy Kubert)

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read THE FLASH #15 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

Earlier this week, we showed you an exclusive preview of THE FLASH #15 and mentioned that Barry Allen would have to go to extreme measures to defeat Grodd while the Gorillas take over the Gem Cities. Well if you picked up the issue when it hit stores this past Wednesday, you know exactly what we were talking about!

In the acclaimed series’ current arc, “Gorilla Warfare,” King Grodd and his gorilla army invade Central City in order to steal the Speed Force from The Flash. But when all of these gorillas are too much for Barry Allen to handle on his own, he finds unlikely allies to help him defend the city: the Rogues!

Leaving the Rogues to defend the city, The Flash battles Grodd, who is not only a giant talking gorilla with advanced technology and super strength – he has now also harnessed the Speed Force’s energy! Has The Flash finally met his match?

On the other side of town, Turbine promises Patty (the love of Barry Allen's life) that he will help her find Barry if she helps him find a certain someone first. Together, they visit Solovar, a time traveling gorilla, who promises to help save the city from Grodd’s reign. Meanwhile, the just released from jail Daniel West searches for his sister, Iris, in the midst of the battle. Little does he know, she’s trapped in the Speed Force.

Just as Grodd is about to end Barry’s life, Solovar and the humans arrive via teleportation, and he sacrifices himself to save the life of the fastest man alive. And as if that’s not enough shock for one day, Patty discovers that Barry is The Flash in that very same moment!

Flash forward to the events of this week’s issue, FLASH #15. Thanks to Turbine and Patty, Grodd has now lost the energy of the Speed Force. But the gorilla king is the least of their worries, as Barry still lies unconscious while the city falls to the power of Grodd’s merciless army.

There is only one thing that can save them all: Speed Mind. When Barry’s body lies paralyzed, his thoughts race forward revealing possible scenarios that all lead to the defeat of the humans and triumph of the gorillas.

In a true act of selflessness, Barry can only think of one solution that can save Central City and perhaps the world: He has to give himself over to Grodd!

Below, take a look at the final page of THE FLASH #15 as Barry Allen awakens and realizes the sacrifice he must make, and place your bets for what that means for the future of The Scarlet Speedster in the comments section below.

THE FLASH #15 is in stores now and comes to you from the creative team of Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, Marcus To, and Ryan Winn.