BIRDS OF PREY #4 to feature Batgirl – and a status quo-altering revelation

DC Comics - The New 52 and acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski introduced a bold new take on the BIRDS OF PREY team dynamic – and in the fourth issue, a shocking revelation is going to upset the status quo all over again. Featuring a special guest appearance by Batgirl, the explosive issue's going to rewrite the rules - so don't get too comfortable, because anything can happen.

“One of my favorite thrillers is Ira Levin's A KISS BEFORE DYING, because right in the middle of the novel...well, the cliche phrase would be, 'Levin pulls the rug right out from under you,’ but that doesn't do his legendary plot twist justice,” said Swierczynski. “Forget the rug being pulled out from under you... when you reach that point in KISS, it's as if someone's rolled up that rug and proceeded to use it to beat the living crap out of you. That's what I'm shooting for with this first arc of BIRDS OF PREY. I won't tell you where it is (other than somewhere in issue #4) But If I'm doing my job, you'll be relaxing, enjoying your comic, and then...”

BIRDS OF PREY #4 goes on sale December 21, but we've got a first look at the cover by David Finch and Richard Friend.

With all these new villains, Arkham Asylum is going to need a new wing

This October, Gotham City will be overrun by new villains. In DETECTIVE COMICS, Batman will face the Gotham Ripper. In BATGIRL, Barbara Gordon will take on Mirror. Mysterious villains will be terrorizing Gotham in BATMAN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, BATWOMAN and NIGHTWING. And around the globe, evil takes new forms in BATWING and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS. Can the Bat family defeat all these foes or is the fate of Gotham – and the world at large – permanently doomed?

BATMAN #2

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by JIM LEE

1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Bruce Wayne is back in the cowl, hunting a new and deadly killer in Gotham City – a killer with a vendetta against Bruce Wayne! But who is this mysterious killer in an owl skull mask? And is he the key to unlocking one of Gotham’s oldest and most terrifying secrets? Be there for their first brutal encounter!

BATWING #2

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

He is called Massacre, and he brings death. What does the soldier in service of Batman Incorporated do when he’s met his match? When he’s been brought so low and been wounded so badly? What does he do when lost Super Heroes begin turning up as victims? Batwing fights back!

DETECTIVE COMICS #2

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #2

Written by DAVID FINCH and PAUL JENKINS

Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND with JAY FABOK

Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Something sinister surges through Arkham Asylum, and Batman finds himself bombarded by his greatest foes in this second sensational issue from superstar creator David Finch!

Bigger, meaner, and more powerful than ever before, the inmates of Arkham Asylum run rampant as the entire Bat Family struggles to keep the walls from falling down, unleashing Gotham City’s worst criminals on the unsuspecting population. And you won’t believe the jaw-dropping final page! Just keep repeating, “It’s only a comic book. It’s only a comic book...”

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

Cover by PATRICK GLEASON

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Batman’s fears about Robin’s tendency to dish out more pain than necessary are growing! And who is the man named NoBody, visiting Gotham City to say hello to his old friend Bruce Wayne and find out where he went wrong in his battle against crime.

BATGIRL #2

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random, and an explosive confrontation between Batgirl and Mirror leads Babs to question wearing the cape and cowl at all!

The riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

BATWOMAN #2

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City! Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail. Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up!

Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios? And overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new series intensifies in this exciting second issue!

NIGHTWING #2

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

When a mysterious assassin targets Dick Grayson, Nightwing must work fast to uncover the killer’s plot before he strikes again. But as Haley’s Circus continues to perform in Gotham City, Dick finds himself torn between two lives: His old one as a circus performer and his new one as a Super Hero. And they may be more connected than he ever realized!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT and BLOND

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Red Hood is already globe-trotting in an effort to find the ancient assassins behind the slaughter of those who taught him some of his darkest skills... and if Roy and Kori are going to be of any help, well, they’ll just have to tag along – whether Jason wants them to or not!

BIRDS OF PREY #2

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

An explosion in a secure Gotham City airport terminal hurls Black Canary and Starling headlong into a nightmare involving stolen pharmaceuticals, terrorists for hire and killers in stealth suits who can appear – and disappear – at will. When Canary calls in backup, Starling’s not so sure a vengeful samurai who talks to her dead husband in a sword is the best choice.

CATWOMAN #2

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

She’s a thief who lives to steal just for the thrill of breaking the law. He’s The Dark Knight, obsessively driven to battle evil with every ounce of his strength. They should keep each other at arm’s length, but...they just can’t seem to help themselves! Don’t miss this issue – things are gonna get messy!

The Conclusion to “Golden Dawn”

As time runs out for Batman to rescue Dawn Golden from deep beneath Gotham City, the city above is at the mercy of the Demon possessing Ragman. And when The Penguin kidnaps innocent civilians and Commissioner Gordon begins to lose hope, will Batman’s efforts be enough to save the city from its demons?

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #3 is written and pencilled by David Finch, inked by Scott Williams and Richard Friend and hits stores on Wednesday.

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September's BATMAN Solicits

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BATMAN #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Be here for the start of a new era for The Dark Knight from writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and artist Greg Capullo (Spawn)! A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew.

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DETECTIVE COMICS #1

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/ artist Tony S. Daniel!

A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf – leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

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BATWING #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!

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BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1

Written by DAVID FINCH

Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

Cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Dark Knight struggles against a deadly – yet strangely familiar – foe in this phenomenal debut issue from superstar writer/artist David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, ACTION COMICS)!

As a mysterious figure slinks through the halls of Arkham Asylum, Batman must fight his way through a gauntlet of psychos, and Bruce Wayne faces the unexpected legal ramifications of Batman Incorporated!

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BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together!

As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...

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BATGIRL #1

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Yes, it’s really happening!

Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl – and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!

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BATWOMAN #1

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

At last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!

In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government

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NIGHTWING #1

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Dick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES

OF GOTHAM)! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City – bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!

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CATWOMAN #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in this new series from writer Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) and artist Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS)!

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BIRDS OF PREY #1

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

One is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit. The other is on the run because she knows too much. They are Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawford – a.k.a. Black Canary and Starling – and together, as Gotham City’s covert ops team, they’re taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. But now they’ve attracted the attention of a grizzled newspaper reporter who wants to expose them, as well as a creepy, chameleon-like strike team that’s out to kill them.

Don’t miss the start of this hard-hitting new series from mystery novelist/comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Expiration Date, Cable).

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RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

No sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again.

As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!

SUPERMAN Solicits for May

After all the excitement for REIGN OF DOOMSDAY we received after sharing Kenneth Rocafort’s awesome cover to ACTION COMICS #901, we know you’re anxious for more. Click below for this month’s Superman solicits:

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ACTION COMICS #901

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art and Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

1:10 Variant cover by DAN JURGENS

We can’t tell you much about this issue without ruining some of ACTION COMICS #900’s surprises, but suffice it to say, Doomsday’s back – and you’ve never seen him like this before! Doomsday’s first appearance brought about the “Reign of the Supermen,” where four characters – Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, and Eradicator – came onto the scene to try to fill Superman’s shoes. Now, with “Reign of Doomsday,” it looks like Superman might need to fill their shoes!

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

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SUPERMAN #711

Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & CHRIS ROBERSON

Art by EDDY BARROWS & J.P. MAYER

Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

1:10 Variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON

Superman meets Sin City as the “Grounded” storyline takes The Man of Steel to Las Vegas! But waiting there for Superman is an out-of-control Livewire, who has become more powerful and erratic than ever. Can Superman (with the help of Jimmy Olsen) shut her down before she shuts all of Vegas down, and more important, is Superman somehow responsible for her condition?

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

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SUPERBOY #7

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by MARCO RUDY

Cover by KARL KERSCHL

Ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Well, have you ever woken up to discover that you’ve given in to your evil side and taken over your hometown? Superboy has. And as much as he wishes it were just a dream, the stakes are all too real! Guest-starring Lex Luthor, Tim Drake, and introducing “The New Titans!”

On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

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SUPERGIRL #64

Written by JAMES PEATY

Art by BERNARD CHANG

Cover by AMY REEDER and RICHARD FRIEND

It’s the brutal conclusion of “Good-Looking Corpse”! The true identity of the villainous Alex has been revealed, and he’s taken over the minds of Miss Martian, Robin and Blue Beetle. His first order? Destroy Supergirl by any means necessary!

On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

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DC COMICS PRESENTS: SON OF SUPERMAN #1

Written by HOWARD CHAYKIN and DAVID TISCHMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III and MICK GRAY

Reprinting a classic Superman tale featuring the art of J.H. Williams III!

Fifteen years after the disappearance of Superman, a teenage Jon Kent awakens one day to learn that not only is he the son of the Man of Steel, but he has suddenly inherited his powers. Looking to follow in his father’s footsteps, Jon joins a rebel organization that fights against the now completely corrupt U.S. government and their plan for total economic segregation. But by becoming an enemy of the state, the son of Superman instantly becomes a target of the government-run Justice League. Now in order to live up to the legacy of his father, Jon must defeat corrupted and deviant versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and The Flash.

On sale MAY 4 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

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