There’s a new Batman in Gotham, but does that mean Gotham City wants him around? As Two-Face and Penguin take measures to keep the new hero at bay, one of the villains makes a startling new discovery about Dick Grayson. This issue kicks off a four-issue arc from writer Judd Winick and artist Mark Bagley, and we have a few pages for your perusal.

BATMAN #688 hits on 7/8.

Plane ticket? Check. Hotel? Check. To-Do list? Enter The Source.

Because, believe it or not, San Diego Comic-Con is only a few short weeks away, we think it’d be downright cruel for us to not tell you what we’ve got planned at the show on the DCU front. So, without further ado, here’s our panel schedule:

THURSDAY, JULY 23
11:45-12:45 Superman: Two Worlds Room 6DE
2:15-3:15 Spotlight on Geoff Johns Room 6DE
5:00-6:00 JSA: The Great Society Room 5AB

FRIDAY, JULY 24
12:30-1:30 Batman: New Dynamic Room 6DE
3:00-4:00 DC Nation Room 6DE
4:30-5:30 Wednesday Comics Room 5AB

SATURDAY, JULY 25
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Francis Manapul Room 4
12:45-2:00 DCU Editorial Presentation Room 6B
2:15-3:15 Green Lantern: Blackest Night Room 6quad

SUNDAY, JULY 26
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Bill Willingham Room 2
2:00-3:00 Sunday Conversation with Dan DiDio Room 2

For the detailed panel descriptions, click on that handy “read more” link below.

Want the full list of what DC Comics has planned? Well, here you go.

Read the rest of this entry »

Since the DC offices — and, in turn, The Source — will be closed tomorrow celebrating the Fourth, we thought it’d be nice to end the week with a bit of cool news.

Well, here it is: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the heroes of the Justice League will join forces with Teshkeel Comics’ THE 99, the award-winning original superhero group based on Islamic culture and history.

THE 99 team, which debuted in June 2006, was recently identified by Forbes Magazine as one of the “Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe.” Not too shabby, huh? In THE 99 — created by Naif Al-Mutawa — are a team of superheroes, including Jabbar the Powerful and Noora the Light who must collect 99 gems encrypted with the wisdom and power of the ancient Dar Al-Hikma library of Baghdad, which are spread across the globe.

The mini-series will be penned by incoming AZRAEL scribe Fabian Nicieza, who’s no stranger to THE 99, having written the series previously. We’re saving the artistic announcement and official release date for another day, once we’re ready to show off some of the art. But can you blame us for spilling the news? We didn’t think so.

Want to learn more about The 99? Well, you’re in luck. THE 99 has a handy website with all the answers for any questions you might have.

Stay tuned to The Source for more information on the upcoming crossover.

You may have noticed a trend here at The Source. Sometimes, it’s just better to go straight to the, well, source when we want to shine a light on a given title. Today, I popped by Editor Rachel Gluckstern’s office to get the lowdown on JSA VS. KOBRA, which will have its second issue on stands shortly. Take it away, Rachel (and Eric and Don!):

JSA vs. Kobra #1 hit the stands last month to high critical acclaim and enthusiasm. And it’s just getting started! Check out what Eric Trautmann and Don Kramer had to say about this series and why you should be picking it up. Eric?

“Because Don and Michael are doing amazing work. Like my work, hate my work, whatever: it’s going to be a damn pretty book.”

Eric’s way too modest. C’mon, guy, anything else?

“Plus, people vomit snakes. It’s for the kids, really.”

And Don had this to add:

“We have poured everything into this book and think everyone will definitely be surprised with how intense it is.  Plus, it’s allowed me to do some of my best work I’ve ever done for DC!”

That is the truth!

JSA vs. Kobra #2 is on sale July 15th. You’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t get this one. It’s going to be big. Ask for it by name.”

Geoff Johns. Francis Manapul. Superboy. Adventure Comics. Enjoy.

The new Red Robin continues to scour the globe in search of clues that will help him determine the final fate of Bruce Wayne, in the pages of the new hit series from writer Chris Yost and artist Ramon Bachs. But Red Robin’s search might get a little complicated with the League of Assassins after him, don’t you think? What does Ra’s al Ghul want with Red Robin? Why are members of the League of Assassins being targeted for death? And what happened to the life Red Robin left behind? Spoiler guest-stars in the second chapter of the four-part “The Grail” story arc. Scroll down a bit for a few pages from the second issue.

RED ROBIN #2 hits on 7/8.