So, everyone knows that DC has the BEST comic book covers in the business and it’s been that way for a long, long time. I mean, with a crew like Jim Lee, Adam Hughes, Lee Bermejo, Frank Quietly, Andy Kubert and ALL of our other great artists, how could we possibly make things better?  I’ll tell ya, by sending out a challenge to all of our monthly cover artists to go wild on their covers for the month of August.  WOW!  Just check out some of the results.  I’d say these guys kicked butt (again!).

This should keep you buzzing over the weekend, we hope. Firestorm, anyone?

And in case you’ve forgotten, this is the fourth such teaser ad we’ve shown here on The Source. Maybe the images below will help refresh your memory. BLACKEST NIGHT #1 hits 7/15.

Well, a little more, at least. We’re not going to spoil the party right away and tell you who’s behind the mask. Heck, it might be someone you’ve never met before. Or it might not.

But, we can give you the lowdown on who the creators on this new ongoing will be. First up, the series will be written by Bryan Q. Miller, who is no stranger to superheroics, having done some writing for a little show called “Smallville.” Miller will also be penning a three-issue arc of TEEN TITANS, starting in July.

On art, we have Lee Garbett, who’s been doing a bang-up job as the regular artist on THE OUTSIDERS. Just wait until you see his interpretation of Batgirl — definitely a post for another day. He’ll be teaming with inker Trevor Scott.

And, for those of you kind folks chiming in on the comments, the cover artist is none other than Phil Noto, who did up the shiny piece of art you see above.

Circle June 19-21 on your calendars, gang — DC NATION is making a stop at the Heroes Convention in Charlotte this year.

Sadly — or thankfully, for some — I won’t be there personally, but we’ll have an impressive lineup of creators holding court at Shelton Drum’s event, including Mark Bagley, Ivan Brandon, Bernard Chang, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Adam Hughes, Jamal Igle, Georges Jeanty, Dustin Nguyen, Steve Niles, Phil Noto, George Perez, Stephane Roux, Brian Stelfreeze, Jen Van Meter and a ton more. Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler will also be the ringmaster for any and all panels, so make a point to stop in to hear the latest bits of DCU info.

While you’re there, make a point to stop by the DC booth to say hi and pick up some free swag. Free stuff is cool. It makes people happy.

There’s really very little that needs to be said about WEDNESDAY COMICS that hasn’t been said already. DC Art Director Mark Chiarello has done an amazing job at collecting the best and brightest creators in the industry, and the art really speaks for itself. So why not show some more? Here’s another look at artist Lee Bermejo’s (working with writer John Arcudi) Superman story, which features a familiar face.

WEDNESDAY COMICS hits 7/8.

Did you really think we’d stop at only two?

In case you haven’t seen these on IGN yet, here’s an early peek at the first issue of BATMAN AND ROBIN, along with the cover to BATMAN AND ROBIN #3, from some guys named Morrison and Quitely. Nice way to kick off the day, I’d say.

Talk about a terrible way to wake up. Imagine opening your eyes and realizing you’re a prisoner of the Global Peace Agency, inside the walls of Electric City. That’s Nemesis’ new status quo, and it isn’t exactly a vacation. Trapped with members of the superhuman intelligence community and subjected to systematic torture, can Nemesis escape? Can he even find anyone he can trust? Probably not, but it’ll make for good reading. Here’s a preview of FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #1, which hits 5/13.

Aaaand, let the speculation begin in 5…4…3…2…1

What happens when two members of the Secret Six feel they should get a shot at replacing Batman? Even better, the team heads to Gotham with the semi-delusional Ragdoll determined to be the new Boy Wonder. Not surprisingly, people in Gotham City have other plans. Some of which you can see in this here preview, courtesy of writer Gail Simone and artist Nicola Scott.

SECRET SIX #9 hits 5/13.