The weekend’s no longer a distant mirage. It’s right around the corner. So why not spend some time with not only Etrigan the Demon, but Aquaman? Oh, and this beautifully-drawn cover is from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #32, which hits in February from J. Michael Straczynski and artist Jesus Saiz.

Next to the job interview, the next most-stressful thing when it comes to work is your first day. Am I right? Well, imagine if your gig didn’t involve sitting at a desk, but jumping around on the rooftops of Gotham’s seedier neighborhoods? Welcome to Stephanie Brown’s new role as Batgirl. And, as she’ll soon learn, it takes a lot more to wear the mantle of the Bat than she originally thought. From the regular team of writer Bryan Q. Miller and artist Lee Garbett comes a tale of learning the ropes and frat parties. I kid you not.

BATGIRL #4 hits today.

You’ve seen the cover to OUTSIDERS #27, but what else does artist Philip Tan have in store for the team with writer Dan DiDio? Well, we don’t know all the answers, but we have some, courtesy of this week’s DC NATION column, which you can find in every DCU comic this week.

Interesting fact about Lt. Joe Higgins, a.k.a. the Shield: he does not consider himself a hero, let alone a super one. For Lt. Higgins, the experimental warsuit he wears saved his life and enables him to continue doing his duty. It’s his honor to serve his country and uphold its ideals, and even if the style of his uniform has changed, his commitment to it has never wavered. Higgins doesn’t think of himself as a hero, he thinks of himself as a solider of the United States Armed Forces, now and until the day he lays down his arms.

Today, Lt. Joe Higgins will complete his first mission, aided by former Marine Lance Corporal David Reid now known as Magog. For both of them, their commitment to upholding the virtues of their country is paramount, and their sense of duty remains strong, just like their real-life brothers and sisters in arms. So before heading off to your comics store, join all of us
here at DC in thanking the true heroes today for their service and sacrifice. To all members of the U.S. Military, past and present, we salute you.

Stephanie Brown – you might recognize her from such “hits” as:

1. Becoming Spoiler to literally rebel against her father (Cluemaster).

2. Dating Tim (Wayne) when he was still Tim (Drake)… actually, when he was Alvin Draper.  But she only knew him as Robin at the time.  But later she found out Robin was really Tim (Drake) who was pretending to be Alvin Draper.

3. Becoming Robin when Tim (Drake) stepped away from the job.

4. On-purpose-accidentally starting a gigantic Gang War that resulted in her…

5. Dying (kind of).

6. While very much not dead, wearing a goat skull as a helmet in Africa.  It might have been a caribou skull.  Luckily it wasn’t a crocodile skull – that’s when I disconnect as a reader.  There’s no way Stephanie could have taken down a crocodile.  Maybe she got the caribou skull after a crocodile ate a caribou…

7. Working against Tim (Drake) to make him a better fighter, at the behest of Batman (Bruce).

Not a stunning resumé, to be sure… but she’s doing her best to change all of that.  ‘Cause that’s what Stephanie Brown does.  In the face of insurmountable odds and reason, she just keeps going… and going… and going…Stephanie’s found new meaning in her life by adopting the mantle of “Batgirl” from Cassandra Cain.  She’s found new purpose in her life by attending Gotham U.  She refuses to be defined by the mistakes she’s made in the past.  Stephanie Brown’s looking forward, not backward.

Hell, she even made Babs smile – which Babs hadn’t really done since the Birds dissolved.  She’s gotten Babs’ blessing, and more importantly, has the Barbara Gordon as a mentor and ally.

A year from now, her greatest hits should look a bit different, but it all starts with:
1.   “I’m BATGIRL!”

Everybody’s gotta start somewhere.  And Stephanie’s future starts now. 

And she gets a sweet ride in Issue #7!

• Over at EW.com’s SHELF LIFE blog, writer Ken Tucker puts the spotlight on the BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL. Not only does Ken call the book “the best comic book team-up of the week,” but he also gives props to writer Brian Azzarello and artist Phil Noto by tabbing the issue “a swift, clever murder mystery wrapped in an adventure tale.” High praise indeed.

• Additionally, both CRAVE ONLINE and THE OKLAHOMA GAZETTE had kind words for Scott Ian and artist Sam Kieth’s LOBO: HIGHWAY TO HELL #1.

Batman wearing that mask can’t be good, can it? And what is the Penguin up to? No more clues here, folks. But enjoy the lovely work of Mr. Daniel.

The headline says it all. RED ROBIN writer Chris Yost was kind enough to pop by The Source and give us the reasons why you guys should save a spot for the latest issue of the series tomorrow. Take it away, Chris:

10. Superstar artist Marcus To joins the team with this issue!

9. Marcus To’s rendition of Red Robin leading a gang of ninjas into battle.

8. Marcus To’s rendition of ninjas dying horrible deaths at the hands of Recluse, a member of the Council of Spiders (the same people that are hunting the League of Assassins for sport).

7. Marcus To’s rendition of Vicki Vale, who’s got some questions for Bruce Wayne/Hush. Which is going to mean trouble for Tim Drake.

6. The flashbacks are almost over. But this issue’s flashback is particularly sexy. And drawn by Marcus To!

5. BLACKEST NIGHT CROSSOVER!! Well, kind of. Tim mentions his little adventure in BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN, but most importantly Marcus To draws him mentioning it.

4. Editor Mike Marts put a hundred dollar bill in one of the copies!

3. Marcus To’s rendition of Tam Fox, daughter of Wayne Enterprises’ CEO Lucius Fox, getting into even MORE trouble.

2. Marcus To’s rendition of Tim Drake being awesome in general as he takes charge of the League of Assassins.

1. The writing. PSYCH! It’s Marcus To. (But hopefully the writing’s okay)

What would drive a Lantern to abandon the ways of willpower for pure rage? We’re not sure, but we’re curious to find out. So, we asked GREEN LANTERN CORPS Editor Adam Schlagman to give us some info. And he was kind enough to throw in some art. So, take it away, Adam:

What could turn the most bad ass Green Lantern into a crimson spewing red one? Find out in Green Lantern Corps #42 (on-sale November 11th) as Guy Gardner experiences a tragedy so utterly terrible that he loses complete control in Green Lantern Corps #43 (December on-sale) leading to his selection by a red ring of rage. Welcome to the Red Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner!

In the meantime, wet your appetite with this awesome design by Green Lantern Corps artist Pat Gleason then pick up Green Lantern Corps #42 on Wednesday to witness the shocking ending that only writer Peter J. Tomasi could tell.

Pandemonium breaks out at the inaugural ceremony of the new Arkham Asylum. Will the combined forces of Oracle, Huntress and Catwoman be enough help for Batman? Plus, the debuts of both the Gotham Shield Committee and Black Mask’s Ministry of Death in writer/artist Tony Daniel’s second issue. What more do you want? How about some pages? We can accommodate that, sure.

BATMAN #693 hits 11/11.