OUT MAGAZINE previewed TEEN TITANS #3, which features the introduction of a new gay character, Bunker. “We wanted to show an interesting character who’s homosexuality is part of him, not something that’s hidden,” artist Brett Booth told them.

This week, SUPERMAN #3 joins the ranks of the other eight DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 books to have an exclusive preview featured on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s homepage.

As the mystery surrounding Madame Xanadu’s plan thickens, the Justice League Dark team continue to come together. For a sneak peek at what’s coming next week, head over to GAWKER’s IO9 for their exclusive preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3.

The colors and powers of the Green Lantern universe continue to meld together in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #3. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

Morphicius’ powers won’t stop growing and it’s up to Carter Hall to figure out how to stop him before he becomes invincible. Check out COMICVINE’s exclusive preview of THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #3.

Lots of exciting things happening over at POPMATTERS! “If you think about it, what worse horror is there, than having the person you love turn into a monster? And not losing the love?” I, VAMPIRE writer Joshua Hale Fialkov said in an exclusive interview. “And that to me is the drive of I, VAMPIRE. It’s the idea that he loves her beyond words. And he doesn’t love old her, her before the transformation. He loves her as a vampire. And that’s the real point. If Andrew were in love with this 500-year-old version of Mary that no longer existed, he would have just cut off her head a long time ago. But the fact is, he still feels the love and he still has this desire for her. And his hope, is not even to ‘cure’ her, it’s to ‘fix’ her.”

“My take on the character is, to Buddy Baker, his family always comes first,” Jeff Lemire told POPMATTERS about ANIMAL MAN. “There are really dark things trying to tear them apart. We’re going to see how far they can stretch before they break, and if they don’t break, they’re going to have to evolve into something new as a family to survive.”

And while you’re at POPMATTERS, be sure to read their profile of Superman in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with James Robinson, Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone about their upcoming collaboration, THE SHADE #4. “The whole thing is linked together, past and present, so that there is a story in the present, which concerns the Shade's past and a family you didn't realize that the Shade had,” Robinson revealed. “Each of the ‘Times Past’ issues play out that way. The first one jumps back into the 1940s, the second one is set in Paris in 1901 and the third one is in 1830s London for the Shade's origin. Each time, you learn more about the family and more about what is going on. As I did with Darwyn's story, I took great pains with each of the other ‘Times Past’ tales with Jill Thompson and Gene Ha, to make them stand alone, even though they're a part of the bigger picture.”

NEWSARAMA spoke with Josh Williamson, who will be taking over as the writer of VOODOO in 2012. “I think people will be surprised by the direction we’re taking the character, how it works with what came before but also takes her into new dangerous territory,” Williamson said of his upcoming run.

Feeling festive? BATMAN ON FILM interviewed BATMAN: NOEL writer/artist Lee Bermejo about his creative process, how BATMAN: NOEL came into fruition and some teases at a project he’s contemplating set in what he calls, “the JOKER-verse,” that’ll be “a different take on a very classic character.”

If you’re still looking for some gift ideas, MTV GEEK just published a list of what they deem to be the 10 best Batman graphic novels. And if you like Batman-themed countdowns, NEWSARAMA has their list of the greatest villains Batman has ever faced.

To be continued …

Acclaimed artist Jill Thompson is joining writer James Robinson for issue #8 of his upcoming 12-part THE SHADE miniseries, starring the former-villain-turned-reluctant-hero from Robinson’s STARMAN series. The special standalone issue — set in Paris in the early 1900s — is something Robinson wrote specifically for Thompson. And even though the issue’s still months away, we’ve got a first look at her work.

“James wanted to work with me, and I wanted to work with him. We ran into each other and he said that he had a specific project with me in mind – which is ultimately how this issue came about,” said Thompson.

“I'm thrilled to be working with Jill, after loving her work for so many years in Sandman and Invisibles, as well as her own creations such as Scary Godmother and Beasts of Burden,” said Robinson. “I feel fortunate to have her among the talented artists on this book and I love her wonderful interpretation of the Shade.”

THE SHADE miniseries starts in October, with #8 on sale next May. To tide you over until then, check out our first look at Thompson’s art from #8.

Throughout the course of San Diego Comic-Con, be sure to stop by the DC Entertainment booth to see some of your favorite artists doing drawing demonstrations on stage. Artists Jim Lee, Francis Manapul, Cully Hamner, David Finch, Mark Buckingham, Rafael Albuquerque, Chris Burnham, Nicola Scott, Bernard Chang, Jill Thompson, Art Baltazar and Franco will be inviting fans into their artistic processes as they show them how they draw all the art you see in comic books every Wednesday.

THURSDAY, JULY 21ST

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Bernard Chang

12:00-1:00 PM

Jim Lee

2:00-3:00 PM

Cully Hamner

4:00-5:00 PM

Francis Manapul

FRIDAY, JULY 22ND

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Nicola Scott

12:00-1:00 PM

David Finch

3:00-4:00 PM

Cully Hamner

SATURDAY, JULY 23RD

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Mark Buckingham

1:00-2:00 PM

Rafael Albuquerque

2:00-3:00 PM

Cully Hamner

SUNDAY, JULY 24TH

10:30-11:30 AM

Chris Burnham

11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Cully Hamner

12:30-1:30 PM

Jim Lee

1:30-2:30 PM

Art Baltazar & Franco

2:30-3:30 PM

Jill Thompson