The Best of 2011

The end of the year means a lot of things: traffic around Times Square, midnight kisses and the clinking of champagne flutes across the globe and gyms full of people looking to stick to their resolutions. But in the publishing industry, one thing that the end of the year also signifies is the publication of various “best of the year” lists.

USA TODAY just published their story on the best things to happen in the comic book industry in 2011. Best writer? Scott Snyder. Best superhero artist? J.H. Williams. Best artist return? Jim Lee. Best worst Super hero? Aquaman. It's all there--and more, with multiple name checks for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

THE VILLAGE VOICE included ANIMAL MAN and SPACEMAN on their list of the best comic books and graphic novels of the year while NPR's MONKEY SEE BLOG's list featured DEMON KNIGHTS, ANIMAL MAN, DAYTRIPPER, AQUAMAN and WONDER WOMAN.

Over on THE TORONTO STAR’s list of the top 10 graphic novels of the year, you’ll find DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 OMNIBUS and the deluxe edition of JOE THE BARBARIAN.

Meanwhile, IGN dubbed the launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 the “best moment of the year.” AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST was also named the “best miniseries,” SECRET SIX #36 won the award for “best single issue” and Scott Snyder was again crowned the “best writer.”

And while you’re at IGN, be sure to check out their list of the Best Vertigo and Icon comics books of 2011. AMERICAN VAMPIRE came in at #1 with THE UNWRITTEN, SWEET TOOTH, SCALPED, IZOMBIE, FABLES, and NORTHLANDERS all making the Top 10 list.

To be continued …

Previews of Wednesday’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 releases

Tomorrow, the next batch of fourth issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hits stores. Previews of the various issues being released have been running for the past few days across the Internet and we’ve compiled them all here on THE SOURCE for your convenience.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY continued previewing DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on their homepage by debuting a sequence from JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 that shows off just how cool Aquaman is.

And if the preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 got you even more excited for this week’s Justice League family releases than you already were, check out POPMATTERS’ first look at CAPTAIN ATOM #4, WIRED’s UNDERWIRE’s preview of DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ sneak peek at WONDER WOMAN #4.

Yesterday, writer Scott Snyder told you that even if you haven’t been reading BATMAN, this week’s issue #4 is a great place to start. Head over to USA TODAY for an exclusive preview of the issue. "You get to delve into Bruce's past and see some of the secret history, both between him and Gotham as a boy and also as a hero struggling with an enemy that he seems to have some sort of emotional conflict with that extends beyond just what he's trying to achieve on a plot level," Snyder told USA TODAY.

Speaking of bat-related previews, MAXIM previewed BIRDS OF PREY #4, IGN has a sneak peek at NIGHTWING #4, MTV GEEK has your first look at CATWOMAN #4 and IFANBOY debuted pages from RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4.

Meanwhile, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS previewed SUPERGIRL #4, GAWKER’s IO9 premiered a sequence from BLUE BEETLE #4, COMICVINE gave you a glance at LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #4 and NEWSARAMA has an exclusive sneak peek GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4.

To be continued …

Scott Snyder talks BATMAN and USA Today previews issue #4

BATMAN issue #4 hits stands this Wednesday and writer Scott Snyder wants everyone to know that even if you haven't been reading BATMAN, now is a great time to jump in.

"First a word of thanks from team Batman. All of us have been overwhelmed by the response to the book so far, and we're deeply grateful to all of you for all the support. One thing that's been particularly exciting to all of us is seeing how many new fans are reading the book - I got an email asking about the live dinosaur in Bruce's cave, which made my day. :) One of the reasons the new readership is so exciting to us is that we get to be the first people to introduce them to the great elements of the Bat-U - the cave, the batmobile, the grandfather clock, crime alley... And to introduce them to all the stories that came before and made us love Batman so much in the first place! So to that end, we promise to try hard to make each issue a good jumping on point for new readers. We want you to be able to pull your friends to Gotham, even if they missed issue 2 or 3.

Now, with BATMAN #4, we'll finally learn why it is Bruce is so resistant to believing that the old legend about the Court of Owls could be true. We'll dig deep into Bruce's past to uncover his relationship to the Court, a group that claims to have been ruling Gotham City from the shadows since Colonial days. And as for what the Court has in store for Batman - well, you'll just have to wait and see. But I'll say that the horror they bring to bear against him constitutes one my favorite sequences out of anything I've ever written."

-Scott Snyder

So, head over to USA TODAY for an exclusive first look at BATMAN #4 and start reading.

Previews of Wednesday’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Releases

Tomorrow, the next batch of fourth issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hits stores. Previews of the various issues being released have been running for the past few days across the Internet and we’ve compiled them all here on THE SOURCE for your convenience.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY continued their previews of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 by debuting an action-packed sequence from GREEN LANTERN #4.

USA TODAY ran an exclusive preview of BATGIRL #4 and interviewed series writer Gail Simone. “Where Batgirl struggles to do good with her survival experience, Mirror goes the other way and inflicts his pain on the rest of the world," Simone said of this issue’s final showdown between Batgirl and Mirror. “It's about identity and what we do with the lives we are given. That's a theme that runs throughout Barbara's adventures. You're given your fondest wish — what do you do with that gift?”

Need a little more bat to help you get through your Tuesday? COMIC BOOK RESOURCES previewed BATMAN AND ROBIN #4 and IFANBOY previewed BATWOMAN #4.

Or maybe you want something with a little more edge (see what I did there)? IGN has the first four pages of DEATHSTROKE #4, GAWKER’s IO9 has your first look at SUICIDE SQUAD #4 and MTV GEEK previewed GRIFTER #4.

If you’re looking for something slightly more on the dark side, MAXIM has an exclusive preview of DEMON KNIGHTS #4, BLOODY DISGUSTING has a first look at RESURRECTION MAN #4 and PASTE MAGAZINE debuted an interior sequence from FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #4. “Issue #4 wraps up all the plotlines from the first three issues and sets the next arc in motion,” series writer Jeff Lemire told PASTE. “It’s a big fun science-fiction adventure with lots of monsters killing other monsters. At the end it sets up Frank’s team, the Creature Commandos, with S.H.A.D.E., and we go with that for a few issues.”

Over at UGO, there’s an exclusive preview of SUPERBOY #4. TOR.COM has a look at MISTER TERRIFIC #4 and NEWSARAMA has your first sneak peek at LEGION LOST #4.

And just in case you’re still craving more of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 after all of that, take a sneak peek at BATMAN #5 below with Chris Burnham’s a-maze-ing variant cover.

To be continued …

Previews of Wednesday’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Releases

On Wednesday, we kick off the fourth issues of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. Previews of the various issues being released have been running for the past few days across the Internet and we’ve compiled them all here on THE SOURCE for your convenience.

USA TODAY interviewed BATWING writer Judd Winick to accompany their exclusive preview of issue #4. “It's almost as if he didn't have any choice," Winick explained of Batwing’s origins, which are revealed in this week’s issue. “Fate and destiny got together and you survived this horror, but now what are you going to do with it? There's this horrible thing that fuels you — how do you make it count?”

The Green is at war! But without Alec Holland on their side, do they stand a fighting chance? Find out in SWAMP THING #4, previewed exclusively at ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY.

Earlier today, we told you about the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 debut of Steel in ACTION COMICS #4. Now, head on over to MAXIM for a full preview of the issue.

AIN’T IT COOL NEWS chatted with DETECTIVE COMICS writer/artist Tony Daniel. “The Doll Maker is kind of like a twisted reflection of Batman, where his father was taken and he went the other route where in his own mind he wanted to do some good,” Daniel revealed to them. “They have two different philosophies, but there are some similarities in their scenario, but are in two completely opposite directions.” Read the full interview for an exclusive preview of issue #4.

It’s time for Buddy Baker to learn the truth about his daughter’s destiny in ANIMAL MAN #4. GAWKER’s IO9 has an exclusive preview of the highly-anticipated issue.

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE previewed STATIC SHOCK #4. “Villains are tougher, smarter, and meaner in New York, which will make Static strong," series editor Harvey Richards told them. "Heroes are only as good as their villains make them."

IGN debuted interior pages from GREEN ARROW #4, which finds Oliver Queen traveling to Japan to battle a mysterious woman named Blood Rose.

In HAWK AND DOVE #4, Dove must save the man she loves, Deadman. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

An unstoppable alien antibody is eating earth alive in STORMWATCH #4. COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has your exclusive preview of the issue.

Betrayal plagues Sgt. Rock and his men as they forge ahead into unknown enemy territory. COMICVINE has a sneak peek at MEN OF WAR #4.

While traveling back home, Kevin Kho accidentally disconnects from Brother Eye. Discover the consequences of Kevin’s freedom in O.M.A.C. #4, previewed exclusively at IFANBOY.

A new galactic threat makes its debut in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #4. Check out NEWSARAMA’s first look at the issue.

Are you a fan of Green Lantern on FACEBOOK? If not, head on over to ‘like’ the page and to see a preview of RED LANTERNS #4.

To be continued …

Holiday Gift Guide Round-Up

It’s time to make a list and check it twice because you don’t want to forget all the wonderful comic book fans in your life. To help you find some great ideas for presents, many outlets have begun publishing their annual Holiday Gift Guides.

Timed to Black Friday last week, THE NEW YORK TIMES and CNN GEEK OUT published their lists. THE NEW YORK TIMES highlighted BATMAN: NOEL, which also made CNN GEEK OUT’s list along with AMERICAN VAMPIRE, GREEN LANTERN CHRONICLES: VOL.1 and various DC Entertainment themed accessories and merchandise.

This morning, USA TODAY published their Holiday Gift Guide, which featured DC COMICS: THE NEW 52, 100 BULLETS: BOOK ONE, BATMAN: NOEL and A FLIGHT OF ANGELS.

So what are you waiting for? Start your shopping.

And from all of us here on THE SOURCE, Happy Holidays!

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Afternoon (ET) Edition

It’s hard to believe that DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 is already getting ready to kick off its fourth month. “There is no denying that the initiative actually got people excited about comics again, and sent them into the comics stores,” MTV GEEK wrote of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, which took the top spot on their list of “Best Geek Moments of 2011.”

But before we start getting ready for the fourth issues, we’ve still got a week’s worth of third issues coming at you this Wednesday. Check out some of the exclusive previews of this week’s books that recently ran.

USA TODAY interviewed BLACKHAWKS writer Mike Costa and previewed issue #3. “It's coming from a more evolutionary place where technology is changing the way we live our lives and eventually it's going to become so integrated with us as people,” Costa said of the series. “People feel like, well, we're grafted to our phones right now, but there'll come a day where we actually literally are, and the people who live in Bespoke have already taken that leap. The idea is that they got there first but we're all on our way there. They're trying to accelerate that process, and is that a good or bad thing?”

POPMATTERS has your first look at Jonah Hex's continuing adventures in Gotham City with their exclusive preview of ALL-STAR WESTERN #3.

As The Trench begin to reveal themselves, it’s up to Aquaman and Mera to figure out their intentions and deal with the situation. Head on over to IGN for your first glimpse at this week’s AQUAMAN #3.

Who is Helix? Find out in THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #3, previewed exclusively at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES.

It’s Voodoo vs. Green Lantern Kyle Rayner in VOODOO #3! The official Green Lantern page on Facebook has a sneak peek at the issue.

And for a special preview of BATMAN #4, check out below Mike Choi's awesome never-before-seen variant cover for the issue, which hits stores next month.

To be continued …

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Evening (ET) Edition

All afternoon, THE SOURCE has been rolling out your very first look at DC Comics in February 2012.

February still seems a long ways off. But this Wednesday? That's right around the corner and we've got a whole new batch of third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hitting stores. For ease of reading, we've compiled a comprehensive rundown. Tell your friends.

USA TODAY interviewed writer Brian Azzarello to accompany their exclusive preview of WONDER WOMAN #3, in which Diana’s new origins are revealed. "I can't wait to start really, really playing with the gods," Azzarello told them. "Look who she's immediately gaining as siblings — suddenly, the god of war is her half-brother … Now instead of protecting a mortal from the gods, she's also protecting her half-brother or sister."

POPMATTERS has your first look at I, VAMPIRE #3. “I, VAMPIRE is mythic in every way,” POPMATTERS wrote of the series. “It is the story of how the whole world is threatened by a love story that just darkens the character of each individual involved in that poisoned relationship. In some of the finest storytelling ever to grace the character of Andrew and his struggles with Mary, Josh Fialkov singularizes the character and the title among the recent crop of DC’s New 52. It is very much the evolution of the romantic vampire’s we’ve come to enjoy seeing on screen over recent years.”

MAXIM previewed DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #3. The issue by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang continues Deadman’s journey of self exploration as he attempts to gain answers on how to gain control of his “life.”

Now that he’s bonded with his armor, can Jaime Reyes learn how to control it? Find out in BLUE BEETLE #3 by Tony Bedard, Ig Guara, Ruy Jose and J.P. Mayer, previewed exclusively at MTV GEEK.

It’s time for a fourth team member in BIRDS OF PREY #3! Head on over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES for your exclusive preview.

With the Intruders neutralizing the ring powers of the Green Lantern Corps, it’ll be up to Guy Gardner and John Stewart to figure out how to stop this grave threat. Check out IFANBOY’s exclusive preview of GREEN LANTERN CORPS #3 by Peter J. Tomasi, Geraldo Borges and Scott Hanna.

IGN previewed Selina Kyle’s latest adventures in CATWOMAN #3. What trouble has the femme fatale got herself into this time? Find out when the issue by Judd Winick and Guillem March hits stores this week.

Following their exclusive preview of LEGION LOST #3 last week, TOR.COM has your first look at LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #3 by Paul Levitz and Francis Portela.

And that's not all. DISCOVER MAGAZINE highlighted the science in MISTER TERRIFIC in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

What else is going on the internet?

ADVERTISING AGE presented a 2011 Media Vanguard Award to the BURN NOTICE digital comic for “Most Innovating Broadcast Brand Extension.” (Congratulations to all those involved with the book!)

Meanwhile, BATMAN: NOEL writer and artist Lee Bermejo was interviewed by YAHOO! ASSOCIATED CONTENT. “I like a very ‘urban warfare’ look for my Batman,” Bermejo said of The Dark Knight’s costume design in the book. “I suppose it comes from my overall need to ground things in as much reality as possible. I like to approach all design from the inside out, trying to figure out what fabrics could be used to make the thing IF it were really being constructed. I wanted there to be a point to Batman having this more modern, utilitarian look. It fit in well with what I wanted to do in the story.”

“The idea for the project pretty much came when I had finished Joker,” Bermejo continued to THE MORTON REPORT. “And I had a blast drawing Joker. I really enjoyed it. But it was a really dark, brutal piece of work, and I kind of wanted to go in the other direction. To push myself creatively, but also to try something new.”

Finally, COMICVINE listed four reasons why Sinestro is the most powerful Green Lantern.

And speaking of Green Lantern, check out Francis Manapul’s breathtaking variant cover for next month’s issue #4. Amazing, right?

To be continued …

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Evening (PT) Edition

Ever since we launched DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, we’ve been trying to find the perfect outlet to post each exclusive preview. What better match, then, is there for BATMAN AND ROBIN than WIRED’s GEEKDAD? Head on over to their website to see an amazing 6-page sequence from issue #3, which is all about the tension between Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian.

USA TODAY previewed RESURRECTION MAN #3 and spoke with series writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. "His mortal soul is in jeopardy in a much greater way. The stakes are much higher than simply life or death," Abnett told them. “There are serious repercussions about heaven and hell and what these supernatural powers are interested in. That's really going to play out the next few issues where you've got forces both mortal and immortal fighting over him because he is so important."

LOS ANGELES TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX spoke with the acclaimed creative team behind WONDER WOMAN, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. “We’re striving for something that speaks to a certain timelessness but at the same time doesn’t get bogged down with older notions of the Greek gods,” Chiang said of the series. “We’ve done away with togas and sandals and stuff like that in order to make you look at them with new eyes. We want the characters to look and sound different, we want them to act different than you would expect … The fact that all of the Greek myths are really rooted in human behavior is great.”

IGN spoke with NIGHTWING writer Kyle Higgins about the Gotham hero. “He grew up a sidekick, studying under the best, then left to spread his proverbial ‘wings’ but ultimately came back to take his mentor's place,” Higgins said. “In a medium where change is hard to facilitate, Dick is a character that has grown and developed -- he's a character who is built on the very idea of change.” While you’re at IGN, be sure to check out their exclusive preview of SUICIDE SQUAD #3.

Curious what else is coming out this week? POPMATTERS previewed DEMON KNIGHTS #3, COMPLEX MAGAZINE previewed MISTER TERRIFIC #3 and DC Comics’ official Facebook page has your first sneak peek at this week’s GRIFTER #3.

To be continued …

Everybody's Talkin' About BATMAN: NOEL

With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving fast approaching, it’s time to start decking the halls and looking forward to the winter holidays. And who better to help ring in tidings of comfort and joy than…Batman? Yes, your read it right; the Dark Knight is starring in BATMAN: NOEL – a unique take on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol set in Gotham City, with the caped crusader filling Scrooge’s miserly boots. The book debuts in comic book stores today, and writer/artist Lee Bermejo has been making the rounds to talk about his work – and share some exclusive artwork from the book.

Bermejo spoke with USA TODAY, explaining the impetus for this idea and the parallel between Batman and Ebenezer Scrooge. "Very much like the character of Scrooge, as a younger man he was presented as a disturbed but bright fellow — he wasn't quite that bitter old man. That's very easily analogous to Batman's own history," Bermejo said.

And further discussing parallels between Batman and Scrooge, Bermejo talked to IGN about the characters’ shared place in the cultural heritage. “I'm a pretty firm believer in there being a few characters that, to me, don't really fall into pop culture anymore, at least in terms of my definition of pop culture. They've just been around too long at this point and popular too long. Also what's important to know is that they're just able to adapt and evolve. They're not necessarily indicative of their time. I think that makes them more literary figures than pop culture,” he said.

Check out both sites for the complete interviews, as well as exclusive artwork from BATMAN: NOEL. And if that’s not enough for you, COMPLEX MAGAZINE, WIRED and UGO all have their own exclusive preview pages from the book, as well.

BATMAN: NOEL goes on sale in comic book stores today, and in book stores November 8.

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