And, if we know, you’ll soon find out. Usually.

But before we go ahead and give you the news, we want to remind you that superstar artist Cameron Stewart is locked and loaded as the artist on BATMAN AND ROBIN for three issues, the first one of which hits next month. We’ve been super-careful about showing any art until the perfect time – now.

Can’t wait? I know. It’s tough. But you’re welcome to revisit these images as often as you like, ok?

As some of you loyal SOURCE-ers know, this week is all about announcements, pointing to the big stuff happening in the DCU in 2010. It’s hard to argue that there’s a bigger title than BATMAN AND ROBIN, which has been rocking the new Dark Knight’s universe with regularity. So, who’s the next artist that’ll pair with the hyper-talented Grant Morrison?

None other than Andy Clarke, coming off a spectacular stint on R.E.B.E.L.S. with writer Tony Bedard. What’s the arc about? Who does Andy get to draw? Too early to say, folks. But we did snag some of Batman Group Editor Michael Marts’ time to give us his two cents. Take it away, Mike:

“After Andy’s recent work on R.E.B.E.L.S. And BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL, we were dying to get him on to one of the main BATMAN titles. And this storyarc of BATMAN & ROBIN is the perfect fit for him—Grant Morrison actually tailored the script toward Andy’s artistic strengths.”

And to hear more about the move from Mr. Marts and Andy himself, stroll over to AOL’s COMICS ALLIANCE blog.

The World’s Greatest Detective is facing his toughest mystery.

Lost in the timestream, believed to be dead by his friends and enemies alike, Bruce Wayne must use every bit of intelligence, every ounce of strength and training he’s acquired over the years to find his way back to the city, and adopted family of vigilantes, he’d left behind.

Blasted by the mysterious and powerful Omega Effect in the pages of FINAL CRISIS during a deadly battle with the malevolent New God Darkseid, Bruce Wayne must battle back through the waves of time to reclaim what was his – his city, his life…his cowl?

From the kinetic and awe-inspiring imagination of writer Grant Morrison and an all-star cast of artists, including Chris Sprouse, who’ll handle art chores on the first issue, BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1 (of 6) hits in April and will prove to be Bruce Wayne’s defining moment as a hero, and his toughest challenge yet.

But enough from me – what do the players have to say about this breaking news? Well, suffice to say, Morrison is calling the mini-series: “The latest chapter in the long-running, ‘definitive’ Batman epic.”

And how ’bout those amazing Andy Kubert design sketches?

For a bit more, swing by USA TODAY.com, where John Geddes sits down with Morrison to get more insight on where Bruce Wayne – and the entire Bat-universe – is heading.

The headline says it all. Take it away, Dan:

The results are in!

The response to our call for Wonder Woman postcards was spectacular, and we got the message loud and clear. We asked for 600 and by the Oct 31st cut off, we had an overwhelming 712 postcards (nearly 800 by the time of this writing), so as a man of my word, starting in June 2010, DC’s Wonder Woman series will celebrate its 600th issue and continue on from there. And we promise that Diana’s anniversary issue will be one to remember! There are some big plans in place and big changes in store for our favorite amazon warrior, so keep an eye on The Source in the new year, because we will be breaking the news here first!

To be continued….

DD

–

But that’s not all. We’ll be announcing some major news in relation to Wonder Woman early in 2010, including the roster of all-star artists contributing to the 600th issue. Until then, though, we’ll leave you with the issue’s cover, by none other than George Perez, who‘s no stranger to the Amazon Princess.

And stay tuned to The Source this week, as we continue to roll out our major plans for the coming year.

Superman has left Earth in the hands of Nightwing, Flamebird, Mon-El and the Guardian.

The tensions between Earth and New Krypton are slowly rising. The winds of war are stirring.

As our very own Dan DiDio has teased numerous times, 2010 is going to be a huge year for Superman. But just what is going on has not been revealed.

Until now. Welcome to the WAR OF THE SUPERMEN.

This lovely piece of J.G. Jones artwork is the cover to WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0, which will hit stands 5/1/10, as the DCU FREE COMIC BOOK DAY title, and will kick off an event that is sure to change Superman’s status quo.

What more can we say? Not a lot — we can tell you writer James Robinson and artist Eddy Barrows will be taking point on the issue — but we did manage to rope SUPERMAN Group Editor Matt Idelson for a quick tease about what’s to come. Take it away, Matt:

“WAR OF THE SUPERMEN is the culmination of literally years of stories in the Super-books, all building to a destructive conflict which can have no victors. This Free Comic Book Day #0 issue is going to show the readers that no cows are sacred, and that they don’t want to miss this event.”

Not sated? Of course not. Then swing over to TIME’s TECHLAND blog for a few more nuggets of info.

Slow news day, huh? Why not cap it off with a first look at Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway’s ADVENTURE COMICS #5, which hits this week?

That major publishing event we mentioned earlier today? Well, here it is.

Original stories featuring Batman and Superman in graphic novel form from the biggest creators out there. But these aren’t one-offs. We’re talking ongoing series of OGNs in a new continuity, on a new Earth.

Sound appealing?

Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE and BATMAN: EARTH ONE, two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.

Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth’s greatest adopted son, as he grows from boy to Superman in SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis.

Watch from the darkest corners of Crime Alley as a young boy is struck by unbelievable tragedy that will forge the greatest crime-fighter to ever stalk the rooftops of Gotham City in BATMAN: EARTH ONE, by writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.

What does JMS have to say? Well, here’s a snippet from his first interview on the subject:

“What I’m trying to do is to dig in to the character and look at him through modern eyes. If you were to create the Superman story today, for the first time, but keep intact all that works, what would it look like?”

“It is monumental for us as comic readers to see Superman birthed for the first time,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to realize that you’re the artist that gets to draw it, better yet having the luxury to do it in an original graphic novel. This is going to be epic!”

What about Geoff Johns? Well, we happen to have a bit from his first interview as well:

“BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story.”

Want more? Sure you do. Why not check out the interviews AIN’T IT COOL NEWS just posted with the previously mentioned Johns and Straczynski?

Since we’re all about the holiday spirit here on The Source, we thought, what better way to give our readers a helping oh holiday cheer than by carving out an entire week of major announcements?

That’s right – all this week, every day (sometimes more than once a day), we’ll be posting major news about the DCU’s plans for the coming years. We have events. We have publishing initiatives. We have exciting new creators…and we have a few surprises.

It’s going to be a fun ride, so strap in, bookmark the page, add the RSS feed or make this a destination for your web-surfing routine, because if you want to have any idea about what’s coming up in the next year involving Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the entire DCU, The Source is where it’s at. I’m trying really hard not to make Beck reference. Well, there you go.

And, if you’ll allow me a brief, selfish moment of reflection here, I’d like to note one of the inherent challenges that comes with manning a company blog. While we love teasing, breaking news and sharing the inside scoop with our readers, the fun is the comics themselves – these amazing adventures involving colorful characters that we all connect to in some way. So, it’s sometimes tricky to dance between the raindrops and not give too much away, because the last thing we want to do is spoil the experience – if anything, it’s all about enhancing it, and getting you guys excited for what’s to come.

So, that’s the plan. We’ve got a ton of major news to break, new books to unveil and a major publishing event that’ll show you just how big this week’s gonna be.

When, you ask?

Oh, in about 15 minutes…

We pride ourselves on being able to answer your questions about upcoming storylines and such, and we’re able to do that here. Many of you have been wondering what the plan is for ADVENTURE COMICS immediately after writer Geoff Johns and artist Francis Manapul swing over to Central City to take over FLASH. Well, we’ll tell you! Or, better said, ADVENTURE COMICS Assistant Editor Wil Moss will tell you. Take it away, Wil:

ADVENTURE COMICS #8 is the start of a four-issue arc connecting ADVENTURE to the next big Superman story – “Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes.” James Robinson & Julian Lopez will provide a 10-page story about the Legion members who are in the 21st Century; Sterling Gates & Clayton Henry will provide a 10-pager about the Legion in the 31st Century; and Eric Trautmann & DC newcomer Pier Gallo (wait till you see this guy’s stuff!) will provide a 10-pager about General Lane’s Human Defense Corps.

The Superman writers have crafted a really fun and epic story in “Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes” (which will run in ADVENTURE, SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL and a tittle-to-be-named-later in March). Featuring Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, Mon-El and the Legion of Super-Heroes, it not only brings to a head all the Legion subplots that DC has been laying down since the JLA/JSA “Lightning Saga” story, but also sets the stage for this summer’s blockbuster Superman event!

Thanks, Wil. And, as promised, here’s the cover to ADVENTURE COMICS #8 by Francis Manapul with colors by Brian Buccellato – the sketches, the inks and the colors.

In case you missed it, JONAH HEX hit its 50th issue today. To celebrate, we showed off some pages along with comments from writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. There were also previews on NEWSARAMA and Time’s TECHLAND. And at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, Jeffrey Renaud talks to the creative team.