This week, the comic book world was set ablaze with the launch of FOREVER EVIL. As highly anticipated as they are treacherous, the events of this miniseries promise to reshape the scope and characters of the DC Universe forever.

Fans who have already picked up issue #1 know that the status quo of a world where the Justice League are presumed dead is totally unlike anything we’ve seen in The New 52 so far. Following the shocking events of the first issue (for a spoiler-ific recap, check out our “This Just Happened” column!), what will the Crime Syndicate’s ruthless plans to take over Earth cause them to do next?

“One of the things that's at the root of it is that they're our world's greatest heroes, but turned inside out. We wanted to present them and explore them in ways that would completely contrast like, say, Green Lantern and Power Ring. What are the differences and what are the similarities? The Crime Syndicate is a great way to explore our heroes through a different lens and say, ‘This is how our world could have been,’” writer Geoff Johns explained to IGN. “Throughout the series, in both FOREVER EVIL and the JUSTICE LEAGUE books as well, we'll get to see how the Syndicate formed and why they're here and what they want. And in contrast to the question of how Ultraman and Superman are different – how are they similar? So it's not just a matter of good and evil. It's much more complicated than that. And you're going to see why the laws of nature and the laws of humanity and laws of life are different in this other world that has led to this dark, twisted Justice League.”

As for how artist David Finch approached redesigning the Crime Syndicate for The New 52?

“Honestly, what appealed to me with this project, and what appealed to me with JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, was working with Geoff Johns. That was what I wanted out of it, first and foremost. Being able to draw a whole book full of villains and something as dark as this that goes to the places it does was a huge bonus, obviously. And drawing the Crime Syndicate was a really nice treat. I'm a big fan of Frank Quitely's version that he did a number of years ago ,” Finch told IGN.

“I think some of the original costumes from years ago are pretty cool, so I wanted to take some elements from both of those, and talking to Geoff especially about who the characters were. No writer I've ever worked with has been more succinct about getting down to what the character's aspect is, and I think that really affected the look of the characters for me.”

In the gallery above, take an exclusive first look at some of Finch’s interior art for FOREVER EVIL #2. What is the next step in the Crime Syndicate’s plan for global domination? What have they done with Nightwing? And do the Teen Titans stand a chance against this group of super-villains who have seemingly eradicated their predecessors?

Find out when FOREVER EVIL #2 arrives in stores on October 2nd.