Happy Monday, all. I could go into a long description about how much fun this issue of ACTION COMICS is, or how nice Eddy Barrows’ art is, but I think the pages speak for themselves.

Two words: Enter: Ursa!

Over at THE NEW YORK TIMES ArtsBeat blog, you can find the latest Graphic Books Best Seller list for the week of 3/28, which includes a number of DCU titles. Here’s what made the list from our end:

Graphic Books Best Seller (Hardcover)

6 BATMAN: R.I.P., by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. (DC Comics, $24.99.) Thomas Wayne, the father of the caped crusader, is cast in a sinister light.
7 BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. (DC Comics, $17.99.) This critically acclaimed story from 1988 offers a possible origin for the Joker.
8 JOKER, by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. (DC Comics, $19.99.) The Joker, newly released from Arkham Asylum, deals with the rivals who have carved into his territory.

Graphic Books Best Seller (Paperback)

2 BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, by Frank Miller. (DC Comics, $14.99.) Another classic from 1986: The caped crusader comes out of retirement to save Gotham City from a depraved street gang that are more monsters than man.
8 TINY TITANS VOL. 01, by Art Baltazar and Franco. (DC Comics, $12.99.) This children-friendly take on the Teen Titans includes adventures in the classroom and on the playground.

We came, we saw…we blogged? Well, it was an abbreviated week for us, but I’d like to think we came out swinging. Here’s a handy recap of what you may have missed or what you may want to click on again.

For starters, the blog launched. Yay for that. More importantly, it launched with cool stuff — two never-before-seen BLACKEST NIGHT teaser ads, a FLASH: REBIRTH #1 preview and a sneak peek at Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams DETECTIVE COMICS run really helped kick things into high gear. And did you see the covers to BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS? Nice, huh?

We also unveiled previews for SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #2, TITANS #12, the first issue of WARLORD and SOLOMON GRUNDY #2.

Batman Group Editor Michael Marts stopped by to give us a candid and somewhat jarring look at a day in the life of a DCU editor. Short version: They are busy. And, oh, those co-features you’ve been hearing about? We stumbled upon some art for RAVAGER.

So, a slow week all around. Check back next week for some more BLACKEST NIGHT goodness and lots more.

We already broke the news about the new co-features hitting in select DC ongoing titles starting in June. We’ve also talked a bit about some of the creators working on the titles. But we’ve shown very little in terms of art. Until now.

Here’s a first look at artist Yildiray Cinar’s rendition of everyone’s favorite Deathstroke offspring, RAVAGER, which will be featured in TEEN TITANS #72, hitting in June, with words from former TEEN TITANS writer Sean McKeever. Don’t let your jaw hit the floor too hard.

Well, Jericho’s gone nuts. And, as usual, it’s up to his former friends in TITANS to clean up the mess. Featuring the artwork of Angel Unzueta and words by Sean McKeever, this issue kicks off a crossover with TEEN TITANS and VIGILANTE. I’m also guessing that having “death” in the name of the crossover does not bode well for our dear Titans.

A few points of interest to click on as you settle in for the last day of the work week:

Comic Book Resources and IGN both talk to writer Geoff Johns about FLASH: REBIRTH #1, which hit this week and features artwork from Ethan Van Sciver.

On taking on the huge task of reintegrating Barry Allen into the DCU, Johns tells CBR:

CBR: When it was revealed that Barry Allen was coming back from the dead, it almost broke the internet. Even mainstream media was running the story. Do you consider it an honor to be responsible for his return?

Yes, and it’s a challenge. A lot of readers come with pre-conceived notions and, obviously, this is the most controversial return since Bucky Barnes. But I love The Flash, I love his villains, I love every character behind the lightning so getting back to Flash and the Flash universe and diving back in, I did without hesitation when I finally found the story and the direction.

And over at IGN, he explains why Barry Allen matters:

IGN Comics: For those who never really went back and read all the comics of the Barry Allen Flash era, can you explain what you believe makes him so different than Jay, Wally and Bart?

Johns: Jay Garrick for me is kind of like the father figure. He’s everybody’s dad in JSA, and I’ve always played him as a father figure that you could talk to. He’s the guy who is really supportive and would reach out and help you. Wally West is the sidekick made good. He’s grown up and now has his own family. He’s kind of come full circle from a kid to now raising kids himself – and kids that he can’t necessarily relate to. With Bart it was one thing, because he was this kid who was a little bit unwieldy but still had super speed. So on one hand Wally could relate to Bart and could see this impulsive kid and what made him this way, and what super speed could do to you when you’re young.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Computer’s on, the day begins… 45 emails overnight, argh. Start with the easy ones first. No, wait—Executive Editor Dan DiDio is pulling the Bat Group down into his office for an urgent meeting. Topic: BATGIRL.

Just emerged from Dan’s office. Decided the fate of several characters. As usual, we created more questions then we set out to answer, but hey—that’s the fun part of the job. I’m surprised we ended up where we did, but WOW. Can’t wait to actually start on the title.

Back to the emails… confirmation that BATTLE FOR THE COWL #2 made it safely to the printer. Phew. That’s a relief. We just made it in time. Tony Daniel drew twelve pages in five days! Issue looks great…  Jeremy Haun completed his final page of BATTLE FOR THE COWL: ARKHAM ASYLUM—and he saved the best page for last—readers will think of the LOST map when they see this page…  Heard from that New York Times best-selling fantasy author I’ve been speaking to. She wanted to check in on the artwork of the hardcover we’re doing… Oh yeah—also received new artwork from Frank Quitely on BATMAN & ROBIN #2. Truly amazing artwork.

Got through emails… on to the phone calls. Andy Kubert to run over DETECTIVE #853 balloon placements. Pete Tomasi to talk about the OUTSIDERS roster issues. Tony Daniel to discuss plot notes on BFTC #3 and his AMAZING cover to BATMAN #688… DCU Publicity Manager Alex Segura and Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler stop in for meeting with IGN.com to discuss “the wall”… have Neil Gaiman’s lettering corrections come in yet? Must check with Janelle.

Have to push back color deadlines for SGT. ROCK #5 and ARKHAM ASYLUM… more BATGIRL discussions… have I eaten lunch yet?

Received RED ROBIN cover sketches from Francis Manapul—three great designs to choose from…should we have the camera looking down at the grave or up from inside it? Also received final colors on Freddie Williams RED ROBIN cover… talked to Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen about cover to STREETS OF GOTHAM #3—too risky to put Tommy Elliot on the cover?

Ate lunch, finally… Email from Grant Morrison, checking to make sure correct tombstone reference was used… plot discussions, more plot discussions, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Misfit…

Just realized three phone calls will have to wait till tomorrow… Frazer Irving’s final colors on AZRAEL #2 just came in…breathtaking. Script in from Fabian Nicieza, script in from David Hine…do quick balloon placements on both and send down to lettering.

Wait—is the day over? Still so much to do… ah, tomorrow’s another day.

Did you think we’d stop with the BLACKEST NIGHT teasing? Well, no. Check out the triptych cover to BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #1-3. Try not to drool too much over Ed Benes’ handiwork.

Well, that was fast. No pun intended.

After a day on the stands, the first issue of writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver’s FLASH: REBIRTH mini-series has sold out. But no worries, you still will be able to find a copy if you’ve been lax in your LCS visits. There are probably a few copies still in stores, and the second printing — which sports a new Van Sciver cover — hits on 4/29. Check it:

As the headline so capably notes, NEWSARAMA just posted preview pages from next week’s issue of BOOSTER GOLD. Picking up after the “Reality Lost” arc, the issue focuses on the price you pay when you mess with time travel. And just because we’re in a giving mood today, here’s an extra piece of writer/artist Dan Jurgens’ artwork from the issue. Enjoy.