Writer Fabian Nicieza and artist J. Calafiore present a tale of a murdered priest. A desecrated grave marker. A kidnapped child. A secret key. A mystery whose solution could upset the world order. For Batman and Robin to stop the rampage of a zealot named Amon, the Sixth Sinner, they first have to halt a deadlier foe intent on making sure Amon succeeds. To end the killer’s mad scheme, Batman faces Azrael, Death’s Dark Knight. “The Eighth Deadly Sin” continues in DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11 and sets the stage for this month’s premiere issue of the AZRAEL ongoing series. Check out the first four pages below.

BATMAN ANNUAL #27 hits 10/7.

STREETS OF GOTHAM artist Dustin Nguyen gets downright pastoral on the variant cover to SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #10, from writers James Robinson and Greg Rucka with artist Pete Woods. Nothing I write here can really do it much justice, beyond saying it’s a fine piece of work. So why not scroll down and see for yourself?

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #10 hits in December.

The first issue of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank’s modern re-telling of Superman’s origin hit stores last week, and reception couldn’t be stronger. Gawker’s pop culture and sci-fi blog, IO9, had some kind words for the first issue of SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN, noting that “you might just find yourself wanting to believe a man could fly after all.”

Meanwhile, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ Doug Zawisza points out that “Johns and Frank are setting out to give us the absolute version of Superman’s origin. Once and for all.”

THE ONION AV CLUB has some nice things to say about the creative team, noting that “Johns has a gift for windswept, heartfelt Smallville stories, and his script is served well by Frank’s tendency to make characters look simultaneously heroic and neurotic.”

And last, but certainly not least, IGN notes that “Once again, Johns does a tremendous job of tinkering with a property in a way that simultaneously injects new life into it and reminds readers why they fell in love in the first place. Gary Frank’s artwork is as gorgeous and iconic as ever, and comes as further proof that he was born to draw Superman and his world.”

Things are changing over at Titans Tower, as writer Felicia D. Henderson, also a co-executive producer for the hit TV show ‘Fringe’, teams up with artist Joe Bennett and an all-star cast of Titans past and present to celebrate the 75th issue of the series, and to usher in a new and fresh take on DC’s premier teen team.

TEEN TITANS #75 hits 9/30.

It seems like we had some technical difficulties yesterday, so apologies for that. We know how tough it is to get through a Monday without your usual Source goodness. Moving on, though…

Not too long ago, we announced that rising star artist Francis Manapul would be teaming with writer Geoff Johns on a new FLASH ongoing series. But because I was foolishly traipsing around the Florida Keys, we didn’t show any art. Well, it’s high time we remedy that. As you can see above and below, Francis has a great handle on the Scarlet Speedster — and we’re only in the sketch stage. We’ll post more once we see them, but in the meantime, take a look at these lovely images. We also cornered Francis in to giving us a little background on his work. Take it away, Francis:

“These were done a while back near the end of my Legion run. I tried to make a go at the Flash and these were the sketches I did as a pitch to try and get the book. It was nixed as Geoff and I decided to do Adventure Comics (which I love and will miss very much). However the opportunity to get on the scarlett speedster arose and so here we are. I’ll actually be doing my own inks and watercolor on the new ongoing (much like Adventure Comics) so this is just a tease of sorts. Enjoy.”

Writer James Robinson teams up with artist Fernando Dagnino as tragedy strikes in the aftermath of “Codename: Patriot,” with Metropolis burying own of its own. With a man down, the Science Police are on their own when it comes to stopping a gang of Super-Villains from stealing a formerly common commodity that has suddenly risen in value. Intrigued? Well, good. Scroll down for a few pages from SUPERMAN #692, which hits 9/30.

You’ve been reading BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN, right? I would hope so. If you have, then you’ve noticed the powerful pencil work of one Ardian Syaf, a relative newcomer (and newly-exclusive DCU artist) who’s jumped into the deadl world of BLACKEST NIGHT feet first. The mini teams Syaf with writer Peter Tomasi, who’s no stranger to the Bat-universe, not to mention the world of Green Lantern. And with a collection of rogues as impressive as Batman’s, it’s no surprise that he has his fair share of baddies to bring back from the dead to sport those nasty Black Lantern rings.

So, fight your case of the Mondays with a nice piece of artwork from the third and final issue of BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN from Mr. Syaf, and stay tuned right here for more news about this up-and-coming talent.

NO.

In a very brief interlude with the mighty mite super-hero, the Atom, as he inexplicably jumped out of my phone, I was able to discuss the true nature of these creatures and assemble this list of why the Black Lanterns are not just the undead.

Zombies attack mindlessly.
Black Lanterns have all the characteristics of the living, just meaner.

Zombies growl and don’t speak.
Black Lanterns are nasty taunters.

Zombies want flesh, particular ones want brains.
Black Lanterns seek only our hearts feeding on emotion.

Zombies either shamble or run.
Black Lanterns can float.

Zombies wear the tattered remains of their clothes.
Black Lanterns accessorize their Black Rings with a dark version of their
clothes or costume.

Zombies can be stopped by chopping their heads off.
Black Lanterns reconstitute any limb that is severed.

Zombies have no purpose for rising from the grave.
Black Lanterns …. Do.

Well, we’re in week two of coverage of the WONDER WOMAN #600 campaign and, what do you know? We’ve already crossed the midway point. As of now, we have about 324 postcards sent in from fans asking for WONDER WOMAN’s numbering to be reverted to #600 at the appropriate time. Seems like the tide is turning, eh?

Because I like to pretend I’m an enterprising journalist of some kind, with Dan DiDio’s consent I swung by his office and took a few photos of the many postcards already decorating the adjoining walls. And while the picture quality isn’t great — thanks to my shaky hands and lack of skills — you can still get a sense of what we’re dealing with here.

So, keep ‘em coming, guys. If you want to see this happen, send your postcards to this address:

WONDER WOMAN #600
c/o Dan DiDio
1700 Broadway
New York, NY, 10019

And, of course, stay tuned to The Source for more updates and info.

What’s got the Clown Prince of Crime riled up? What are Catwoman and Poison Ivy trying to track down? What’s Harley doing on a date with Bruce Wayne? Uh, is that Bruce Wayne? These questions and a few more will be answered in GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #4, from the regular team of writer Paul Dini and artist Guillem March, which hits 9/30. What? Can’t wait? Well, we’ve got five pages with your name on it below.