Here’s the situation: There’s a cabal of aliens hiding in plain site on Earth, and they’re set on smuggling weapons off the planet to fuel an interplanetary conflict. Who’s around to save the day? Green Lantern. Good, right? And Plastic Man. Hm. Good luck, GL.

This special one-shot, featuring an untold tale of the DCU comes to us this December from writer Marv Wolfman and longtime ASTRO CITY artist Brent Anderson. We’ve got a first look at Anderson’s cover below.

Writer Paul Levitz and artist Yildiray Cinar present a team mired in tension, as resentment for Earth-Man come to a boil. Plus, what happened to the twin children of Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad? Plus, an all-new Green Lantern is revealed.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #5 hits 9/22.

Artist Yanick Paquette is no stranger to the adventures and wild worlds created by the comics mastermind that is Grant Morrison, and BATMAN INCORPORATED will be no exception.

If you had any doubts, though, Paquette’s cover to BATMAN INCORPORATED #2 should put them to rest. Swing back Friday for a full look at the Batman books in December.

Well, in this case it’s more like “Look! Sitting here on my desk!” but you get the point. One of the funny things about working in the DCU editorial offices is that I am constantly looking at stuff that I can’t talk about with the fans. Having to wait until we’re ready to announce something can be torture. For example, I really wish I could tell you about the new character that we’re about to debut in TEEN TITANS but I can’t. Or I wish I could tell you what’s happening in the Bat-books in 2012 (that’s not a typo) but I can’t spill the beans. So it’s a good day when something comes across my desk that’s not out yet, but that I can show you.

Here for your DC Nation viewing pleasure is the advance press copy of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski & Shane Davis. This, boys and girls, is one freaking outstanding graphic novel and a heck of a way to begin the Earth One line of titles. I’ve literally read it three times. From story to art to packaging, everything about SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE is super excellent. It’s also good to let you know that the book is done and ready to hit stores soon. You NEED to pick this up.

Well, that’s it for now. I’ll be back soon with some other stuff that I found in my office, and maybe one day I’ll reveal the deadly secret of the things I found from when Pete Tomasi had my office.

Writer Brian Azzarello and artist Rags Morales present the next chapter in the FIRST WAVE saga, as Doc Savage and The Spirit have followed the Blackhawks to Hidalgo. But the Red Hand stands between them and the murderous Anton Colossi – who’s busy breaking bread with his dear friend Bruce Wayne, i.e. The Batman. And when Doc’s newfound fortune is stolen as quickly as it was discovered, it’ll take another uneasy truce between The Avenger and Doc’s crew of compatriots to track it down.

FIRST WAVE #4 hits 9/29.

Someone close to Karen Starr has figured out that she’s the one and only Power Girl, and an unusual alliance is born as clues about who ruined Power Girl’s company and ruined her life come to light.

POWER GIRL #16, from writer Judd Winick and artis Sami Basri, hits 9/22.

Ice is not to be messed with. For real.

If you’ve been reading JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST, you know the character’s been going through her share of soul-searching. But how does one character go from pensive, shy flower to elemental badass? Let’s ask JL: GL editor Brian Cunningham.

“For those of us that read the Super Friends series in the 1970s where Ice was originally introduced as Ice Maiden, we all know how absurd her origin was. With Gen Lost #12, writer Judd Winick provides Ice with a credible and tragic origin that does not negate what we already know. And the consequences of this new origin are pretty explosive, as Aaron Lopresti’s amazing art shows.”

Does it ever. Thanks, Brian!

This week, we’ve got a look at Neal Adams’ BATMAN: ODYSSEY #4 sketch variant, Ryan Sook’s BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #5 cover, David Finch’s lovely Firestorm-focused BRIGHTEST DAY #11 and Shane Davis’ epic BRUCE WAYNE – THE ROAD HOME covers. We teased the pencils, but now you can see all the covers in their full, colored glory. Click away, folks!

Writer Paul Dini and artist Chad Hardin present a tale of family in the fifth issue of the series. Zatanna and her cousin Zachary might have their differences – and get on each other’s nerves with regularity – but if they don’t stick together, they’ll be down for the count against some of Hell’s Finest. And they’re betting the house on Zatanna’s soul. And if you know anything about Vegas, you know odds are they house wins.

ZATANNA #5 hits Wednesday.

The headline very capably sums up what we’ve got here, so I won’t slow your scrolling time too much – suffice to say, this is a lovely piece of art by one of the most exciting artists out there now. Can Finch draw Batman or what?