Saying today was busy would be an understatement, gang, but it was worth it. Tons of cool news to get you through the weekend. But why stop there? Click below and get the full list of BRIGHTEST DAY solicits hitting in May. We’ve saved a few surprises for you. Enjoy.

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Before we get down to business, let’s take a look at that amazing David Finch BRIGHTEST DAY cover one more time, shall we?

Let’s recap what we know about BRIGHTEST DAY, the twice-monthly epic heading your way in May: It’s written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi. It features covers by superstar artist David Finch. It follows up on the events of BLACKEST NIGHT, currently wreaking havoc on the DCU.

Now we can reveal the art team for the first two issues, hitting in May. And it doesn’t get bigger than this:

Ivan Reis.

Patrick Gleason.

Ardian Syaf.

Scott Clark.

Two superstar artists paired with two rising stars on the biggest book in the DCU. How can you say no?

Reis and Gleason are decorated veterans of the GREEN LANTERN titles and Reis will be hot off his work on BLACKEST NIGHT — how will he up his game for BRIGHTEST DAY? Wait until you see. Syaf, as mentioned earlier, will be pulling double-duty by handling the art chores on writer Tony Bedard’s first GREEN LANTERN CORPS arc and contributing here, and Clark’s work has been seen in the pages of the most recent issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE.

There you have it, folks. Keep checking back in the coming weeks for a first look at the art of BRIGHTEST DAY.

We figured you’d need a few hours to fully process how awesome that David Finch Aquaman image is. But it doesn’t end there. And we did promise you more news, right? Well, here we go.

As you know, BRIGHTEST DAY affects a number of titles, including GREEN LANTERN and GREEN LANTERN CORPS. And it’s no surprise that some of the changes affecting the post-BLACKEST NIGHT DCU will hit these titles.

So, say hello to the new GREEN LANTERN CORPS writer: Tony Bedard.

Bedard’s not a newbie to the DCU’s sci-fi side, having blazed an impressive trail of chaos and drama with his epic work on R.E.B.E.L.S. He should feel right at home overseeing the adventures of the no. 1 interstellar police force in the universe. And his deft handling of the R.E.B.E.L.S. BLACKEST NIGHT tie-ins show he’s no stranger to all things Oa. But don’t take my word for it. Tony?

“This is far and away the most exciting gig of my career. When they called to offer me the job and Geoff literally said, ‘Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps’ I felt like I’d put on a power ring. Now I just have to play up to Pete Tomasi’s impossibly high standards–!“

Oh, and who’ll be starring in GREEN LANTERN CORPS? Well, some names you might be familiar with: John Stewart, Kyle Rayner and Green Lantern Ganthet. Yup. You read that correctly.

On the art side, we have Source “Artist to Watch” Ardian Syaf taking point on Tony’s first arc. His detailed style and dynamic camera angles are reminiscent of some of the biggest names in the industry. In less than a year, Syaf has put together a remarkable resume, including BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN, PHANTOM STRANGER and an arc on SUPERMAN/BATMAN. Not too shabby, eh?

But before you hit the panic button, let me calm your fears about the super-talented team stepping away from GREEN LANTERN CORPS — they’re not going very far. This is where the drumroll starts in my head.

We’re proud to announce that, starting in a few short months, there’ll be a new ongoing GREEN LANTERN series joining the shelves: GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS, starring everyone’s favorite ring-wielding hot head, Guy Gardner — with regular appearances from Kilowog. And who better to handle Guy’s adventures than Peter Tomasi, who’s knocked it out of the park on a monthly basis with his sharp dialogue and plotting on GREEN LANTERN CORPS? Hard to argue with that, I think.

On art duties we have Fernando Pasarin, who, like Ardian, has built a solid list of credits here in the DCU in a very short amount of time — from JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA to THE OUTSIDERS. Pasarin’s modern and kinetic style make him a perfect candidate to chronicle the new, monthly Guy Gardner series. We’ll have some snazzy Pasarin art right here in no time.

But enough from me. What’s Pete got to say about it all?

“I’m really excited to be working on this new series, expanding the mythology and franchise of the Green Lantern Universe.”

Thanks, Pete! And, as for Mr. Gleason, well, like I said, it’s a busy day here at The Source…

Remember when we announced JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST, the new, twice-monthly series from writers Judd Winick and Keith Giffen? Well, we’ve got some more info on the book — including the all-star art team handling the visuals.

You’ve seen the cover. You’ve read the select interviews floating out there. And, I can imagine, you have some questions: What brings the old gang together? What do the likes of Winick and Giffen have in store? Not telling on either front. But I can tell you what artists will be bringing these stories to the page, two times a month. Deep breath. Go:

The first issue of the series will feature the artwork of Aaron Lopresti, who’s no stranger to DCU readers after his epic run on WONDER WOMAN with Gail Simone. We’ll be announcing more artists as we get closer to #1 hitting, so stay tuned.

But that’s not all — in addition to the lovely Tony Harris cover above (and future covers, as Tony will be handling those duties regularly), the first issue of GENERATION LOST will feature a variant cover by none other than Kevin Maguire, who’s got some experience drawing the heroes of the JLI.

Oh, and did I mention we’d have more news today? Because we will. Sit tight, folks. It’s gonna be a fun Friday.

The questions appear often and in variations: What is BRIGHTEST DAY? How does BLACKEST NIGHT end? And what’s next for the DCU?

Well, we won’t spoil it all for you here, but we can throw another major piece to the puzzle on the table, and that’s this amazing David Finch cover to BRIGHTEST DAY #2, featuring a certain King of the Seas. And we not only have art to show, but we caught up with BRIGHTEST DAY writer Geoff Johns to give us his thoughts. Take it away, Geoff:

“Brightest Day’ is about second chances. I think it’s been obvious from day one that there are major plans for the heroes and villains from Aquaman to take center stage in the DC Universe, among many others, post-Blackest Night. ‘Brightest Day’ is not a banner or a vague catch-all direction for the DC Universe, it is a story. Nor is ‘Brightest Day’ a sign that the DC Universe is going to be all about ‘light and brighty’ superheroes. Some second chances work out…some don’t.”

Check back tomorrow morning for more BRIGHTEST DAY news.

How often do you get to start on the ground floor of a great artistic career? Not very, I’d guess. This might be your chance. Yildiray’s done a number of assignments, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to say his work on LEGION is his breakout opportunity. And, if he keeps cranking out covers like the first issue’s, it’s all but a certainty. So, prepare to return to the future with Paul Levitz — a future visualized by a hugely-talented artist.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 hits in May.

You know the basics on the series: DCU: LEGACIES goes back to the roots of the DC Universe and tells the tale of ts heroes from the dawn of the masked men to more modern days. Written by industry veteran Len Wein and featuring the artistic talents of superstar artist Andy Kubert (inked by his legendary father, Joe Kubert) on the first issue, LEGACIES is a nod to the DCU’s rich and storied history presented to the modern reader.

And while we mentioned that J.G. Jones was handling cover duties, we didn’t get to show the piece. That’s changed. And not much can top a new piece of J.G. Jones art:

Bruce Wayne returns, Andy Clarke joins BATMAN AND ROBIN, the Riddler continues to muck up the works for Batman and much more in May. Click below for covers and solicit info for all the Bat-titles.

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You read that correctly. An interstellar conflict waged at superspeed.

Could this be in any way related to THE WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, which we announced not too long ago?

Same thing, folks, and it’s all hitting in May, courtesy of writers Sterling Gates and James Robinson.

An epic, defining battle for the Man of Steel unleashed in one month. Because super-beings that fly fast? Well, they fight pretty fast, too.

But let’s move past the high concept and dive into the nitty gritty, shall we? We pestered Superman Group Editor Matt Idelson on his day off to give us the goods, so take it away, Matt:

“The war between New Krypton and Earth has been the worst kept secret in comics the last several months. The number of mocking ‘Wouldn’t a world of supermen defeat Earth in five minutes?’ questions I’ve been assaulted with have undone years of therapy. Now, thank Freud, the time for secrets is over, as the two sides are finally going to war! And it’s going to last a lot longer than five minutes–100, to be exact, told in 25 minute increments. That doesn’t count the few minutes before the clock starts, in WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0, our contribution to this year’s FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. There, we’ll bring new readers up to speed on everything they really need to know, while hitting our regular loyalists with a tense tale the ending of which baps you between the eyes. Yay, war!

Jokes aside, this 100 minute thing made us realize that spreading the story over several months would kind of deaden the impact of the timeframe device, not to mention starting the war a month after #0. Besides, with five covers by Mr. Eddy Barrows, and Eddy being joined on this thing by the likes of Aaron Lopresti, Jamal Igle and Eduardo Pansica, why wait to put the issues out?”

But there’s more.

With Superman caught between the war-hungry factions of General Zod and General Lane, could any victory be much more than Pyrrhic? What side will Supergirl take, and could it find her at odds with her cousin? Where are the other “Supermen” of the DCU, like Steel and Superboy? Right in the thick of it, is the answer.

War is declared. Time is of the essence. May is going to be a game changer for Superman, and if you don’t believe me yet, maybe these stunning in-progress Eddy Barrows WAR OF THE SUPERMEN covers — along with the cover to #0 — will help sway you.

The headline’s self-explanatory, folks. And what better way to ease out of the work day than by having a list of cool books you’ll be able to get yours hands in later this year? Click below for a full listing of the DCU collections coming your way later this year.

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