September marks the conclusion of BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE — but what does that mean for the Dark Knight? We’re not telling, but click below for a few clues.

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All things BRIGHTEST DAY continue to chug along at a frenetic pace, and we’ve got a first look at what’s going down in the September-shipping batch of titles. Click below for more.

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On the cover to BRIGHTEST DAY #4? Yup. How is that possible, you ask? What’s going on with the Hawks? You’ll get a few ideas from the pages below, but you’ll have to wait until BRIGHTEST DAY #4 hits tomorrow for the full scoop, courtesy of Mr. Johns, Tomasi, Reis, Finch, Gleason, Clark and Syaf.

BRIGHTEST DAY #4 hits Wednesday.

In case you missed it – and really, how could you, with a week-long spotlight right here? – BATMAN #700 hit this week. And the issue featured an epic, time-twisting tale from writer Grant Morrison and artists Tony Daniel, Frank Quitely, Andy Kubert, Scott Kolins and David Finch.

And people took notice. The issue got attention from CNN.com (with comments from Grant and our very own Dan DiDio), an “A-“ review at EW.com’s SHELF LIFE blog, a preview and hat tip from Scott Thill over at WIRED’s UNDERWIRE blog and kudos from the folks at IGN and NEWSARAMA.

And right here on The Source, we had special visits from Grant, David Finch, Andy Kubert, Dustin Nguyen, Shane Davis and Philip Tan, each one celebrating the Dark Knight. And if that wasn’t enough, yours truly chimed in with comments on Batman, BATMAN: YEAR ONE and the sad tale of a certain Harvey Dent.

Pretty busy week, I’d say. And we’ve got two more epic anniversary issues to go. Stay tuned right here for more.

Talk about a stellar cast of guest-bloggers this week, huh? Grant Morrison, Andy Kubert, David Finch, Dustin Nguyen, Shane Davis…Can we keep going? Well, yes. We have one more – last, and certainly not least, we checked in with OUTSIDERS and BATMAN AND ROBIN artist Philip Tan to get a look at his contribution to the landmark 700th BATMAN issue. Take it away, Philip.

“It’s absolutely fulfilling a major goal in life for me to have worked on Batman. The scary cape, cowl and pointy ears, the crosshatching lines that form the images of his diverse rogues gallery, and graphite that shades out the dark spots of Gotham city on the artboard. I would commit unspeakable crimes to have another chance to be part of this again! Well, hopefully i can draw the Bat-books again, soon…minus the crime part. I cannot express more highly of the fun I had, working on a Batman book! Not to mention being a part of the great Batman creative team and editorial that provided unlimited support and patience!”

One of the key elements in BRIGHTEST DAY beyond returning characters like Aquaman and Martian Manhunter, is the introduction of entire new heroes, villains and worlds as well. Just as we’ve built a bigger universe of characters around Green Lantern with Atrocitus, Larfleeze and Indigo, we’re all busy at work turning our attention on adding heroes, villains and worlds within the rest of the DC Universe.

In the coming weeks in BRIGHTEST DAY, you’ll meet a new alien killer who will become J’onn J’onzz’s greatest enemy, a world where Hawkman and Hawkgirl will discover a great secret about their past, the mysterious and deadly Siren and a young hero who’s about to get world wide exposure this fall beyond comics – the all-new Aqualad.

When our YOUNG JUSTICE animated series for Cartoon Network was announced a few weeks ago (who ever thought we’d see an animated Miss Martian?! AW YEAH!) a lot of people asked who the new Aqualad was. And a lot of people thought they’d have to wait for the show to start. But you won’t.

Aqualad’s story actually begins in a few short weeks in BRIGHTEST DAY #4. I won’t tell you much yet, but I will tell you – he has no idea he’s about to become Aqualad. In fact, he lives in one of the driest places in America – Silver City, New Mexico.

Our goals with the DC Entertainment are to not only bring you BATMAN and SUPERMAN, but also introduce new characters in the comics and film, tv and animation simultaneously with our partners at Warner Brothers – in this case, the talented crew who’s heading up the YOUNG JUSTICE animated series, including Greg Weissman (who actually wrote CAPTAIN ATOM back in the day!).

This is the tip of the iceberg at what we’ve got brewing ahead at DCE. Next time, I’ll talk about my conversation with Mark Strong and Sinestro. Until then remember –

ALL WILL BE WELL,

Geoff

Going to be in or around Norman, Oklahoma tomorrow? Got a few hours free? Then why not swing by Speeding Bullet Comics? The Oklahoma store will be celebrating its 12th anniversary in a major way, by hosting the superstar writing team of the hit WAR OF THE SUPERMEN mini-series, James Robinson and Sterling Gates.

The duo will be meeting with fans to discuss the aftershocks of the War and signing books from 3-6pm on Saturday, June 12. Speeding Bullet Comics is located at 614 N Porter Ave., in Norman, Okla.

For more info on the event, visit the Speeding Bullet website.

It’s been a great week for BATMAN fans here at The Source, and we’ve got a few more things to toss your way before the week is over. How about comments from superstar artist Shane Davis, who’s the artist on the upcoming SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE original graphic novel? Take it away, Shane.

“Batman is one of the most generous character for a comic artist . When Mark Chiarello asked me to do a pin-up for the landmark issue I was floored to have the opportunity .When I sat down at my table to draw this piece I had this urge to draw batman in a different environment , that being light . Backed by Sandra Hope’s inks and barbara Ciardo’s colors, I had all the tool I need to pay great tribute to comics greatest character on his 700th issue. Here is to another 700 – and, fingers crossed, I’m there to help somewhere.”

The King of the Seas is back – but his fight for his life isn’t over.

When teenager Arthur Curry discovered that he was a creature of both land and sea – his father a human and his mother Atlantean – he took on the mantle of Aquaman, fighting bravely by the side of the Justice
League and facing off an impressive collection of enemies, including the deadly Black Manta. A mysterious man obsessed with the death of Atlantis and its King. Aquaman was royalty, heroism and intelligence
combined – a monarch, team leader and family man.

But even the greatest heroes fall. And Aquaman, like a number of deceased heroes and villains, rose from the grave as a horrific Black Lantern during the events of BLACKEST NIGHT. But, unlike most, he was one of the few given a second chance at life. A second chance that seems to bear a mysterious price.

Everything appeared perfect. Aquaman was reunited with his wife Mera. Like the others that returned, he was returned to the physical peak of his life. But this resurrection has brought as many question with it
as answers.

Why do his telepathic sea powers summon dead ocean creatures? What secret from his past will rise up to haunt his present? Who is the mysterious new Aqualad? And where will Black Manta strike next?

Aquaman was one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe. Today, the universe desperately needs him again. And you can bet, no matter what may be affecting the King of the Seas, Aquaman will rise up to face
what tries to drag him down. Whoever it may be…

When I sat down to jot down a few Batman ideas for this week, a few topics instantly rose to the top of the pile as being worthy of discussion – the character himself, my favorite Batman story and villains.

See, Batman has the best villains. I can see someone making a strong case for the Flash Rogues. Heck, I love those villains as much as the next guy. But when it comes to pure, bloody psychopaths, no collection of foes can top Batman’s.

But for the purposes of this piece, I forced myself to pick one. Joker’s too easy. Everyone points to him as the most menacing of Batman’s opponents. And, I can’t say it isn’t deserved. He’s a murderous clown with a genius-level intellect, no morals and the kind of erratic behavior that’d make a chaos demon blush. He’s the ultimate wild card – pun intended.

But for my money, the saddest and deadliest villain in the pantheon of Batman’s enemies has to be Two-Face. Not because he’s done more harm to the Dark Knight as a villain. No, that goes to the guy with the chalk-white face and red lips. I’d have to say Two-Face because he represents Batman’s own failures in a way that no other character, aside from Jason Todd, does.

Harvey Dent was a crusading district attorney who, paired with rising star cop Jim Gordon, were slowly cleaning up the streets of Gotham. With a little help from the mysterious new vigilante known as The Batman, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

But a splash of acid from a desperate gangster changed all that, and the respected and exuberant crusader was replaced by a scarred, unstable and deadly new villain.

The best villains are not only menacing, but tragic. The misspent genius of Lex Luthor. The gruff morality of Captain Cold. The fallen star that is Sinestro. You either find a kernel of good that is overwhelmed by an ocean of evil or still think back to what was or could have been. Think of the good they could have done.

In a lengthy career riddled with tragedy upon tragedy, Two-Face stands as a constant and loud reminder that Batman can’t be everywhere at once.