DC Comics All Access: Bob Harras
And so we come to Week Four–marking the end of September, the month that ushered in the debut of DC Comics-The New 52 and the unprecedented transformation of the entire DC Universe. It’s hard to believe we’re finally here because for us September started a long time ago. Let me explain:
It’s been quite a ride since the writers conference that initiated this evolution. It’s been a year of pitch meetings, story conferences and design sessions that often went far into the night. It’s been a year of hard work on everyone’s part and truth be told – it’s been a lot of fun.
One of my favorite aspects of this period was our weekly New 52 editorial meeting. Every Friday, all of us in DC Editorial—me, our Executive Editor Eddie Berganza, VP Art Direction & Design Mark Chiarello, Coordinating Editor Liz Gehrlein, Group Editors Matt Idelson and Mike Marts, Senior Editors Bobbie Chase and Joey Cavalieri, Editors Pat McCallum, Brian Cunningham and Rachel Gluckstern, Associate Editors Janelle Asselin, Harvey Richards, Rex Ogle, Wil Moss, Chris Conroy and Assistant Editors Sean Mackiewicz, Katie Kubert, Kate Stewart, Darren Shan and Rickey Purdin—would assemble in our conference room for a two-hour gathering (complete with pizza—any cholesterol concerns temporarily forgotten) not to discuss schedules, or production concerns (these we saved for other meetings)—but to share. Everyone came to that meeting with whatever new material had excited them: whether it was a new script, new art from one of the titles, new designs or new logo concepts. It allowed everybody to see what was being used to build The New 52. Pages would be passed around, discussions would ensue—but most of all, excitement would build.
As that excitement built I was constantly reminded that comics are unique. Unlike movies, or TV, or even video games, comics have no budgetary restraints. A writer and an artist working together as a team can move you from the banality of an office in a major American metropolis to the heart of a dying planet from one page to the next. They can bring characters you care passionately about to places that cannot possibly exist except in the realm of imagination…or in comics.
It is that blend of story and art—that sense of wonder—that you will see in such titles as AQUAMAN by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, or TEEN TITANS by Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth or THE FLASH by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. These are only three examples of the excitement we can finally share with you as part of the New 52.
September may be ending (longest September ever)—but for The New 52 and for DC Comics, trust me, things are only getting started…
See you in October,
Bob Harras – Editor in Chief
(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Tuesday Afternoon (ET) Edition
Tomorrow sees the release of the final first issues from DC Comics-The New 52 and coverage is a-buzzin’. Check out some of the press highlights from the past 24 hours.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL’S SPEAKEASY BLOG broke the news this afternoon that all 52 titles in DC Comics-The New 52 sold out in advance of publication and have gone back for additional printings. Be sure to check out their coverage for more details on specific sales numbers and for an exclusive first look at Greg Capullo’s variant cover for THE FLASH #2.
With AQUAMAN #1 hitting stores tomorrow, series writer Geoff Johns was interviewed by various outlets. "I think it's a great time to try Aquaman,” Johns told COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “It's a great challenge to see if we can make the character captivating for people. I just really find him interesting. What makes him cool is the challenge of making him cool, because he is Aquaman!"
“I think that he's the ultimate underdog to me. I think that's a good thing,” Johns said of his series’ protagonist to NEWSARAMA. “He's underestimated by everybody, except Mera. Balancing the perception of what Aquaman is, and trying to break that perception, is what the book's all about."
TRUE WEST has the exclusive preview of ALL-STAR WESTERN #1, by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Moritat, which sets Jonah Hex in 19th century Gotham City.
And if you want to travel to outer space, NEWSARAMA has your exclusive first look at GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS by Tony Bedard, Tyler Kirkham and Batt.
To be continued …
Inside the Numbers: All 52 first issues of DC Comics-The New 52 sell out and receive second printings!
It’s official! All 52 first issues of DC Entertainment’s historic publishing initiative DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 have sold out from Diamond Comic Distributors in advance of publication. And all 52 issues will receive second printings.
Here’s a further look inside the numbers for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52:
· ACTION and BATGIRL already have third printings and JUSTICE LEAGUE, the bestselling comic book to date for all of 2011, is in its fourth printing.
· AQUAMAN #1 is the eleventh title in DC Comics-The New 52 with sales of more than 100,000. The series joins the sales ranks of the previously announced titles ACTION COMICS, BATGIRL, BATMAN, BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, DETECTIVE COMICS, THE FLASH, GREEN LANTERN, JUSTICE LEAGUE and SUPERMAN.
· BATMAN # 1 joins JUSTICE LEAGUE # 1 and ACTION COMICS # 1 as the third title with sales exceeding 200,000 copies.
“We at DC Entertainment thank our creators, our retail partners, and our readers, and remind them all we’re just getting started,” said John Rood, DC Entertainment Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. “We’re thrilled to be making history, but we’re not standing around congratulating each other. We’re working behind the scenes to leverage our recent success into our long term vision for this company and its iconic characters and brands.”
“There’s never been anything like DC COMICS – THE NEW 52, as seen by our unprecedented sales and overwhelming fan enthusiasm," said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio. "All 52 first issues have now sold out in advance of publication and each one of the first issues has received a second printing. Backed by DC Entertainment's massive marketing campaign, dozens of retailer events, and hundreds of headlines from around the globe, this is a watershed moment for the comic book industry. It's the most significant publishing event in the last 25 years of this company’s long and storied history.”
(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Friday Evening (ET) Edition
CNN’s GEEK OUT ran an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated THE FLASH #1. They caught up with series co-writer and artist Francis Manapul to talk about the science behind The Flash. "We have a bit of a leeway in exploring ‘comic book science,’" Manapul told them. "What’s been really fun is finding real world scientific facts and pushing the ideas. When you read science journals where they’re theorizing, we’re able to ask, 'what if that wasn’t just a theory, but it was real?' With Barry being a scientist himself, there’s lots of ways we can explore that."
Meanwhile, KOTAKU has the exclusive preview of next week’s BLACKHAWKS #1 and TODAY.COM profiled Batwoman in a feature on gay characters in comic books.
To be continued …
JUSTICE LEAGUE Group Solicits
JUSTICE LEAGUE #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
The superstar team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee continue the origin of the Justice League as The World’s Greatest Heroes face the might of Apokolips – and find aid in an unlikely hero, as Cyborg is created!
Plus, Andy Kubert returns an amazing variant cover – his first new work after the smash-hit FLASHPOINT!
This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.
AQUAMAN #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
There are parts of the ocean even Aquaman should not enter. Now Aquaman and Mera must descend into uncharted territory: the smoky black crevice at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, home of the cannibalistic creatures known only as the Trench. One last secret behind these loathsome creatures will be revealed as “The Trench” thunders toward its bloodcurdling conclusion!
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #4
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
On their first mission, the team has been separated and defeated – or so it seems! But when a new, galactic threat shows its face, will our heroes be able to defeat it or will the whole world suffer destruction on a cosmic scale?
(Not final cover)
WONDER WOMAN #4
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Wonder Woman has left Paradise Island behind, but Hera is just arriving. Without the Amazons’ most powerful daughter to protect them, can they withstand the wrath of a God who once favored them? And why would Zola want Diana to march right back into the eye of the storm?
THE FLASH #4
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by ERIC BASALDUA
1:200 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Central City remains dark from the recent EMP blast, The Fastest Man Alive remains in hot pursuit of the one who set it off: Mob Rule! What does Mob Rule really want? Learn the rest of his origin right here!
CAPTAIN ATOM #4
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Before he received his godlike powers, Captain Atom was a military man – an Air Force pilot. Now, he’s being recruited again to serve his country as only he can. But will Captain Atom go along with his new role as a weapon of mass destruction?
THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #4
Written by GAIL SIMONE and ETHAN VAN SCIVER
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue, the spotlight turns toward the Middle East and sinister forces that wish to get their hands on their very own Nuclear Men! But what is the mysterious connection to Ronnie and Jason? Plus, as the action explodes into all-out meltdown, the boys will have to deal with a wounded friend before time runs out!
GREEN ARROW #4
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and DAN JURGENS
Art by DAN JURGENS and GEORGE PEREZ
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s a Tokyo showdown! At an international tech expo that caters to the likes of WayneTech and Queen Industries, party crasher Green Arrow finds himself in the sights of a mystery woman bent on taking down “evil” corporations – like the one Green Arrow owns!
(Cover #3 shown)
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Step right up, step right up! Watch as Deadman plays “20 Questions” with the enigmatic Son of the Morning on a roller coaster ride like no other! Plus: Ever wonder why good things happen to bad people? Why banks put Braille writing on drive-through ATMs? And just what exactly is the nature of your relationship with God? Then you must read DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4!
THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #4
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art and cover by PHILIP TAN
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The exciting conclusion to the Savage Hawkman’s first adventure is here! Hawkman battles his way through Dr. Kane’s compound, where the alien monstrosity known as Morphicius is sheltered. But in his quest for alien knowledge, Dr. Kane unknowingly jumpstarts what Morphicius refers to as the Black Plague. Can Hawkman contain this deadly outbreak, or will New York soon become infected with lethal, fast-spreading alien organisms?
MISTER TERRIFIC #4
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
An alien S.O.S. draws Mister Terrific into the ninth dimension. But what begins as scientific exploration quickly turns deadly when he is taken prisoner by the villainous Kryl. Now the world’s third-smartest man must engineer an extraterrestrial jailbreak! Easy, right? But even if he succeeds, how can Mister Terrific escape the inner demons that haunt him?
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
Announcing the DC Comics-The New 52 Art Tour
Artists and retailers team up to celebrate DC Comics-The New 52
This Fall, retailers across North America will be celebrating DC Comics-The New 52 with the DC Comics-The New 52 Art Tour!
Showcasing the creative process behind such titles as WONDER WOMAN, THE FLASH, ACTION COMICS, GREEN LANTERN, SWAMP THING and BATWOMAN retailers will be hosting events with DC Comics-The New 52 artists. Framed art will be on display to illustrate the artists’ process—from script, to pencils, to inks, to the final colored and lettered page. And in many instances, art from other DC Comics-The New 52 #1s will be on display in a gallery type atmosphere.
The talent will be on hand to discuss their work and sign copies of their DC Comics-The New 52 series. It’s an exclusive opportunity to meet the artists working on some of the most talked about comic books in ages.
So whether you’re a comic book fan or art aficionado, come out and celebrate art, superheroes and DC Comics-The New 52 at an event near you.
Saturday, September 24
Meet Cliff Chiang, artist on WONDER WOMAN
8:00-11:00pm
Bergen Street Comics
470 Bergen St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
This event will feature all of Cliff’s original art from WONDER WOMAN #1 on display.
Friday, September 30
Meet Francis Manapul, writer/artist on THE FLASH
7:00-11:00pm
Toronto Cartoonist Workshop
587A College Street (at Clinton)
Toronto, ON M6G 1B2
This event will feature all of Francis’ original art from Flash #1 on display.
Saturday, October 8
Meet Rags Morales, artist and Rick Bryant inker, on ACTION COMICS
3:00-5:00pm
Fat Jack’s Comicrypt
2006 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Wednesday, October 12
Meet Doug Mahnke, Artist on GREEN LANTERN
4:00-7:00pm
Source Comics
1601 West Larpentur Ave.
Falcon Heights, MN 55113
Look for November dates soon!
“OMG…WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO FLASH IN THE NEW 52?”
Let me say this up front: FLASH is the DC series I’ve always loved the most. I own more Flash comics than I can count, and have adored the character since I was a 4-year-old living in a tiny Queens apartment. So it’s an understatement to say that editing this series in DC Comics – The New 52 is a true privilege.
And what a series it is! The super-talented writer-artist team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato has me running giddy on a cosmic treadmill! FLASH remains a very fun series to read — it’s got drama, intrigue, tragedy, humor…everything you want out of your entertainment!
But it also has something else. It’s something we let slip at Comic Con, but many of you might not have heard it, so brace yourself for this SPOILER WARNING:
The Flash is a single man. He’s a bachelor who has never been married.
I’ll give you all a few seconds to take that in and digest it.
Yes, folks — in the post-FLASHPOINT world, Barry Allen has not only never dated Iris West, but he’s dating someone else entirely in issue #1! And that someone is…his longtime coworker Patty Spivot!
If that upsets you, sorry about that. But I make no apologies for opening up a traditional storytelling avenue with our hero’s romantic life, something that’s been shut closed for a very long time now. This is no indictment of marriage. I’m a married man and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But in the realm of fiction, I feel strongly that this change to Barry opens up fresh, new creative directions and exciting new storylines.
But don’t fret—Iris West remains an active supporting cast member. And a wonderfully entertaining one, at that! Who else could possibly hit up Barry for anonymous crime-story tips to fill her blog on the Central City Citizen’s website? No one but the go-getter Iris could consume so much caffeine and live to tell about it.
And who knows, maybe someday we’ll have the opportunity to see why Barry and Iris fell in love in the first place. Or maybe not! Stay tuned — I can assure you Barry’s love life will never, ever be boring!
The life and times of Barry Allen are as familiar today as they were yesterday, but his love life is one of the things that have been freshened up for 2011. New fans will fall in love with the fastest man alive for the first time, and I guarantee that longtime Flash fans will not only still recognize the world of Barry Allen, they will be hooked like they were the first time.
I should know, because one of those longtime fans is me!
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