“The Culling” crossover event is coming this May – but what is The Culling? What is N.O.W.H.E.R.E., and how will it threaten the heroes and would-be heroes of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52? You’ll find out in next month’s crossover, but in the meantime – stay tuned to THE SOURCE all this week for Culling insights from the creators.

Today, LEGION LOST writer Tom DeFalco discusses the collaborative creative process, and the challenges and joys of creating a new villain:

“When Scott Lobdell, Howard Mackie and I first began to discuss the crossover that ultimately became ‘The Culling,’ we had one goal—we wanted to tell an exciting story that actually meant something to TEEN TITANS, RAVAGERS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST,” said Tom DeFalco, writer of LEGION LOST. “Since every great story needs a great villain, we set about constructing one that would be powerful enough to take on all three teams. We wanted this villain to be a major player. An A-list villain who could proudly join the likes of Darkseid, Luthor, the Joker and so many great DC villains. A living powerhouse who could eventually challenge Superman and the Justice League! The more we worked on him, the more we also saw how we could intimately connect him to the origins of our three, wildly diverse teams. Yes, our journey discovered hidden links between the TEEN TITANS, RAVAGERS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST!  We writers learned things about our characters and their relationships that surprised us and will, hopefully, thrill our readers. ‘The Culling’ is going to be one wild ride!”

(Art by Pete Woods for LEGION LOST #9)

Featuring a story too big for the regular monthly series, TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 launches the first set of giant-sized annuals from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. The story is written by Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS) and Tom Defalco (LEGION LOST), with art by TEEN TITANS’ regular illustrator, Brett Booth.

Coming this May, the expansive crossover story weaves through several ongoing series – including TEEN TITANS, SUPERBOY and LEGION LOST – and pits the heroes against one another in a chamber of horrors far beneath the surface of Antarctica.

"You know how comics used to have cover copy that read 'This issue has it all!'... then you'd read the issue and, well, it had some but not all? Well this Annual really does have it all!” promises Lobdell. “We finally get to see the oft-mentioned Colony – where the N.O.W.H.E.R.E. leader named Harvest has been keeping the hundred or so teenagers (did I say hundred?!) for who-knows-how-long. We get to see the Teen Titans in pitched battle against the Legion Lost (You can understand why Red Robin is skeptical about a team of teenagers claiming to come from the 30th Century, and why Tyroc is scratching his head over the existence of a team that – according to the history progs – is still some eight years away from being formed!). Then there's the introduction of half the roster of the new RAVAGERS series! It has been eight issues since Red Robin threw down the gauntlet to Harvest, and now we're going to see if the Teen Titans have what it takes to shut down N.O.W.H.E.R.E. once and for all! Yes, there's a reason why this story could only take place in an annual – because there is just too much story to be contained in one of the monthly books!

"Do I sound excited?! It's only because I am! And if you think the story is fun – wait until you get a load of the artwork! Brett and Norm and Andrew are firing on all cylinders – and if this isn't the hottest looking Annual on sale this year, then I will eat my hat! (Of course, I'll have to buy one first. Who wears hats any more?!)

"And finally, I'd have to say we couldn't have gotten this Annual going – or the subsequent crossover – without the hard work and always insightful insights of Tom DeFalco, the writer of LEGION LOST. The man has more talent in his little finger than he has in, well, his whole thumb!

"We're both honored that we're being entrusted with the first chapter of a story that is going to give birth to the new RAVAGERS series by Howard Mackie and Ian Churchill, and not only because it is bound to be the most talked about new series of 2012! Its also because this is the best part of the DCNu, creators and characters coming together on myriad titles to create some really awesome comic stories!"

Check out TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1, and follow the story through SUPERBOY #9, LEGION LOST #9, TEEN TITANS #9 and THE RAVAGERS #1. It all starts this May, but in the meantime – check out the cover by Booth right here on THE SOURCE.