New Creator Line-up for 'Legends of the Dark Knight'

Hopefully you’ve already downloaded yesterday’s twisted LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT story “Adaptation” from Rafael Albuquerque (he’s both the writer and artist for this story), if not then hold everything and download the book now.  Albuquerque talked about his LOTDK chapter and other projects to CBR’s Robot6, check it out here.  

 

“Adaptation” is just the beginning – there's an exciting line up of new LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT digital-first chapters coming your way in 2013, here’s the latest schedule:

 

January 17 – LOTDK #33 “Adaptation” writing and artwork by Rafael Albuquerque

January 23 – LOTDK #34 “Return of Batman” part 1 written by Peter Milligan, artwork by Riccardo Burchiello

January 31 – LOTDK #35 “Return of Batman” part 2 written by Peter Milligan, artwork by Riccardo Burchiello

February 7 – LOTDK #36 “Return of Batman” part 3 written by Peter Milligan, artwork by Riccardo Burchiello

February 14 – LOTDK #37 “Return of Batman” part 4 written by Peter Milligan, artwork by Riccardo Burchiello

February 21 – LOTDK #38 “I Hate When He Does That” part 1 written by Joshua Williamson, artwork by Wes Craig

February 28 – LOTDK #39 “I Hate When He Does That” part 2 written by Joshua Williamson, artwork by Wes Craig

March 7– LOTDK #40 “I Hate When He Does That” part 3 written by Joshua Williamson, artwork by Wes Craig

 

Mark your calendar and download the latest chapters of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT today!


LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #33 "Adaptation"  by Rafael Alburquerque.

Preview Mondays: THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 and THE NEW DEADWARDIANS #6

For this week’s installment of Preview Mondays, we’re giving you exclusive first looks at THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 and THE NEW DEADWARDIANS #6.

 

Last week, we teased THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 right here on THE SOURCE. The Rogues have reassembled and are ready to take on The Flash in a free for-all brawl with double-crosses galore. But what unlikely alliances will be formed when the Rogues turn on one another? And don’t miss the climatic battle fought in the maze-like and chaotic Mirror World! THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 spans across 48 pages and comes to you from the creative team of Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, Wes Craig, Diogenes Neves, Scott Kolins, Marcus To, and Marcio Takara. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

 

Meanwhile in THE NEW DEADWARDIANS #6, Inspector Suttle circles in closer to the mystery surrounding “The Murder That Should Not Be.” Following the trail of the esoteric symbology that haunts the murder, Suttle finds himself back in Zone-B and in the company of an ornery poet named Salt. But what is Salt’s connection to the murder and what is he hiding? THE NEW DEADWARDIANS #6 is written by Dan Abnett and is illustrated by I.N.J. Culbard. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 Spotlight

This month, DC Comics will release its next batch of Annuals. These special oversized issues will not only build off of the events in their respective series, but will also greatly impact the expanding DC Universe. Every day this week on THE SOURCE, we’ll be putting individual spotlights on each of these Annual issues by talking to various writers, artists, and editors to give you special sneak peeks at what’s to come! Next up is THE FLASH ANNUAL #1.

 

"THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 is the culmination of the past six issues, as we finally get to see the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Rogues team up against the Flash,” co-writer Brian Buccellato revealed to THE SOURCE. “[Co-writer and artist] Francis Manapul and I are bridging the gap between the old ‘gun-toting’ Rogues that everyone remembers from previous continuity, and the new meta-powered incarnations. In the Annual, we finally reveal HOW the Rogues got their super powers and at what cost."
 
"We couldn’t be happier with the collection of talent we assembled to work from Francis’ layouts. Broken up into chapters, on art duties we have Marcus To, Diogenes Neves, Marcio Takara, Wes Craig, and FLASH legend Scott Kolins! We just had to offer Scott the Rogues ‘flashback chapter,’ and were delighted that he accepted. His take on ‘The Old Rogues’ is new and fresh, yet pays homage to the gang’s history. It might sound clichéd, but it’s truly everything we hoped for and more."
 
"While the Annual does answer a lot of questions and give context to Flash and his relationship with the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Rogues, it also propels the book into the next major story arc,” Buccellato continued. “We got the biggest thrill out of having Flash team up with someone unexpected in his fight versus the Rogues. I don’t want to spoil anything, but his uneasy partnership is with a former Rogue that was recently left out in the cold."

 

THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 speeds into stores on August 29.

 

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #6

Fans of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS have already seen guest artwork by the likes of artists such as Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway, Sam Kieth and Mike Choi. Joining writer Nick Spencer and artist Wes Craig this time around for the final issue of the series is original T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS artist CAFU in a sequence that continues a scene that began all the way back in the first issue of volume 1 of the series.

 

“One of my favorite aspects of this series is the use of classic comic artists to illustrate the flashbacks, and it's been a kick to see my work alongside some real legends over the course of our six issues,” series artist Wes Craig told THE SOURCE. “I think it was a great idea to use CAFU in that role for the finale to bring it all together, especially when you see how this last issue is tied in to the initial run that Nick and CAFU did.”

 

"First of all, I want to say that T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS is one of the books I'm most proud of, so when Nick and (editor) Wil Moss asked me and (colorist) Santiago Arcas to illustrate a part of the last issue, it felt like an honor,” CAFU said to THE SOURCE. “Also, this book was the first chance I had to work with characters I had designed myself, so I'm quite fond of them, and the truth is, I was starting to miss them already.

 

After having worked on GRIFTER and BLACKHAWKS (and in Santiago Arcas' case, RESURRECTION MAN) it was a lot of fun to be using the style we used a bit more than a year and a half ago (in fact, our idea was to try and do the pages as if time didn't pass and we had never stopped drawing T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS).

I'm very happy to have been a part of this book, and especially, to have been given the chance to say goodbye to my beloved Colleen Franklin. These characters deserved a grand finale and I think Nick has nailed it AGAIN. I hope you like it as much as I have!"

 

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS  #6, written by Nick Spencer and illustrated by Wes Craig, CAFU and BIT, is in stores today. And don’t miss the backup story about the Undersea Agent from writer Michael Uslan and artist Trevor McCarthy. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5

There may only be two issues of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS left but the action is just heating up!

 

Fans of the series have already seen guest artwork by the likes of artists such as Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway and Sam Kieth. Joining writer Nick Spencer and artist Wes Craig this time around for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5 is fan-favorite artist Michael Choi.

 

“This issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS kicks off with an important flashback, showing how Professor Jennings began his recruitment of Colleen to help him take on T.H.U.N.D.E.R.,” series editor Wil Moss told THE SOURCE. “For such a key, character-driven moment, we needed someone like Michael Choi, an artist who handles the subtle nuances of facial expressions beautifully. Check out this preview (colored by Michael as well!) to see what I mean, then make sure to pick up the issue to read the rest --- trust me, you don’t want to miss the ending of this issue!”

 

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5, which hits stores today, also serves as the first issue of the miniseries to feature the new Undersea Agent backup story that we told you about last month. Written by Michael Uslan and illustrated by Trevor McCarthy, this exciting new story stretches across the final two issues of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS.

 

Click here to see an exclusive preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5.

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #4

Fans of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS have already been treated to special artwork in the series by industry heavy-hitters Walter Simonson and Jerry Ordway. In issue #4, Sam Kieth (SANDMAN, ARKHAM ASYLUM: MADNESS) joins the ranks of these guest artists by contributing a stunning five-page sequence, previewed exclusively below. “It was weird to draw part of a story someone will finish because I haven’t seen their parts,” Kieth exclusively told THE SOURCE. “With any luck, [series artist] Wes Craig can repair the damage I’ve done in my first part.” So what is this sequence that Kieth illustrated? We asked series editor Wil Moss to shed some light. Take it away, Wil! “The man who created the devices that give the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents their powers, Professor Emil Jennings, has been dead since the ‘60s — but as readers found out last month in T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3, he’s actually alive and well, and has been working for the Subterraneans all this time!” teased Moss. “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #4 opens with a scene explaining how and why that’s possible, and to draw this sequence, we brought in guest artist Sam Kieth, whose one-of-a-kind art style serves as a clear indicator to readers that what they’re seeing in this sequence is basically an alternate view of how things went down; that what readers thought they knew was in fact wrong. So enjoy this preview of Sam’s art, then pick up the full issue (on sale today), written by Nick Spencer with art by regular series artist Wes Craig, as the battle between T.H.U.N.D.E.R. and the Subterraneans reaches a boiling point, costing one Agent their life ...” [gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

Exclusive first look at the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS back-up story

If you’ve been following T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, you’ve been reading the gripping story by Nick Spencer and have been seeing art by some of the industry’s top talent including Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway and Wes Craig. And if that’s not enough T.H.U.N.D.E.R. for you, the final two issues of this six-part miniseries will include a new backup story. Written by Michael Uslan (BATMAN: DETECTIVE NO. 27, THE SPIRIT) and illustrated by Trevor McCarthy (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM, NIGHTWING), the back-up story will focus on the Undersea Agent, a new member of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. organization. “First appearing in the Silver Age of comics with artwork by such legends as Gil Kane (GREEN LANTERN, THE ATOM) and Wally Wood (EC Comics to designing Daredevil's red costume to ALL-STAR COMICS), Undersea Agent makes his first splash in the 21st Century and he is NOT your father's Undersea Agent,” Uslan exclusively told THE SOURCE. “Some may call this a super-hero adventure, others may refer to it as a spy story, but, in fact, these are the opening chapters of nothing short of a tale of abject HORROR! With cursed power comes grave responsibility.” “Going into the story, my idea for Undersea Agent began in a very different place than Michael's,” McCarthy continued. “Based on what I learned about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, I had more of a classic 1960's archetypal character in mind, so I worked up those designs initially. But after having a very interesting phone conversation with Michael, my direction changed drastically. Michael envisioned this more along the lines of a horror comic, and that the transformation and look of the character need to be incredibly dramatic and horrific. That really got me interested! We batted around a few ideas and then I got to work. Michael suggested that since the human body is 2/3 water, what if that fact was represented more literally? As if the 2/3 water was redirected outwardly and all that remained was 1/3rd of flesh and bone? The end result is something I think is very unusual and certainly horrific – taking the flayed torso of a man and suspending it inside of a liquid humanoid form. In the end, it turned out to be a very complicated and color-heavy character, but it’s something that I'm really excited about!” Below, take an exclusive first look at Undersea Agent by checking out McCarthy’s character design and some interior art from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5, which hits stands on March 21st. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]

Nick Spencer on Walter Simonson and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3

The last issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS featured a sequence illustrated by fan-favorite artist Jerry Ordway. This time around, series artist Wes Craig is joined by industry legend Walter Simonson for issue #3.

“If it weren’t for Walter Simonson, I wouldn’t be writing (or maybe even still reading) comics -- and that’s no overstatement,” series writer Nick Spencer exclusively told THE SOURCE. “He’s been my favorite creator pretty much the entirety of my life, so please believe me when I say working with him on T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3 was the biggest honor of my career so far.”

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3 also features inks by Bob Wiacek and a cover by Dustin Nguyen. For a sneak peek at Simonson’s art, check out the first page of the below exclusive preview of the issue.

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Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #2

Last month, you were reintroduced to the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents with the first issue of a new six part miniseries, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 2.

Issue #2 (in stores today) continues the adventures of the death defying team as they face off against Demo and his monstrous underground army, The Subterraneans. To make matters worse for our heroes, their teammate Dynamo has been taken hostage and is about to be executed by Demo as a message to all of those who have doubted his power. Could this be the confrontation that kills the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents? Or will they live long enough only to succumb to the death promised by the source of their own powers?

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #2 is written by Nick Spencer and is co-illustrated by Wes Craig. The issue also features an exclusive 5-page sequence drawn by legendary artist Jerry Ordway, previewed exclusively here on THE SOURCE.

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Designing T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS Vol. 1: Spider

Yesterday, artist Wes Craig told you about how he redesigned the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS for the second volume of the series (the first issue of which is in stores now).

Beginning today, however, we’ll be counting down to next week’s wide bookstore release of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 1 (available now in comic book stores), a softcover collection of issues #1-10 of the series’ first volume. We’ll be doing so by revealing CAFU’s never-before-seen original character designs right here on THE SOURCE. First up? The soldiers of the organization known as Spider.

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