It’s that time again – where we preview a few key variants for your viewing pleasure. What do we have this time? How about T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1, by Darwyn Cooke? A SUPERMAN #705 cover by BATMAN INCORPORATED artist Yanick Paquette? And, to close out, we’ve got another lovely JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST variant by Cliff Chiang (#13, to be exact) and GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #4 by Felipe Massafera. Click below for more. Enjoy!

The Dynamic Duo and Dr. Hurt collide for a final confrontation that serves as the culmination to the latest chapter of mastermind Grant Morrison’s epic and multi-layered Batman saga. Will Dick Grayson succeed where Bruce Wayne failed? Will Damian return to the dark side and betray his friends? How does the Joker fit in? Morrison and artist Frazer Irving tell the tale in BATMAN AND ROBIN #15, and it’s a doozy, folks.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #15 hits tomorrow.

TITANS’ “Family Reunions” storyline kicked off last week in #28. The issue gives us a peek into Deathstroke’s ultimate plan for the team, as well as revelations about the promise he made to each member. But what’s it like writing Slade and the gang? TITANS writer Eric Wallace has his answer:

“For my approach, I let Slade’s own wants and desires shape him, which in turn shapes what I write. Everything Deathstroke does relates to the big thing he wants, i.e. his mission. We’ve already gotten a few clues as to what that is, but it’s still a mystery. That’s going to change over the next few issues as we peel back the layers and finally reveal what Slade is really up to. The first of these new clues turns up big time in, of all places, Arkham Asylum in TITANS #28. Again, no spoilers here — but let’s just say a certain Arkham inmate has a crucial role to play in Slade’s ultimate plan.

In regards to writing for this particular group of characters, these initial TITANS storylines are all about family. So, honestly, parenthood is a big inspiration for writing Slade (and the others). Slade is a dysfunctional father to these “children” (Osiris, Mark, Cinder, Cheshire, and Arsenal). So I often find myself drawing on the lessons of childhood and parenthood when shaping how and why the characters act or react in a particular situation. And what kind of dad is Slade? Well, there are many kinds of fathers out there. A father can be good, bad, selfish, honest, dangerous, self-destructive, loving, homicidal, stressed out, kind, gentle, or pure evil. Slade is all of these and more. It’s what makes him, and all fathers, human. Throw in extreme, intense, or “grand guignol” situations (stories with high stakes, over-the-top violence, but grounded in real emotions) and you have the ingredients for good stories.”

For several months now, Commissioner Jim Gordon has known he’s been working alongside a “different” Batman. But with Bruce Wayne now returned, what will that mean for the future of Gotham City and their own crime fighting chemistry?

BRUCE WAYNE – THE ROAD HOME: COMMISSIONER GORDON, from writer Adam Beechen and artist Szymon Kudranski, hits Wednesday.

Can the Girl of Steel defeat a threat that’s already knocked out an entire planet of Bizarros? What about BizarroGirl? Can Supergirl trust her twisted opposite number to help? My guess is “no.” But writer Sterling Gates and artist Bernard Chang might have other ideas.

SUPERGIRL #57 hits Wednesday.

It’s not a stretch to say that a lot of work goes into getting what you hold in your hands when you have a finished comic book or graphic novel. From script to pencils to inks to colors to the final printed or digital copy you hold in your hands, the creative process is a wonder for an outsider to see.

That brings us to PROCESS PIECE, which will be a regular feature here on The Source. What we hope to do is bring you, the reader, into the room – from script to final lettering – so you can get a sense of what’s going on with not only your favorite characters, but your favorite creators.

We begin with SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, from writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis. The sequence we’ve selected to run’s a jaw-dropper, as we see Clark Kent don the Superman duds for the first time. Click below to dive in and read the entire post. See you there.

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Things continue to heat up on the BRIGHTEST DAY side of things, as the Hawks cross paths with the Star Sapphires, Max Lord’s plans continue to come together and “New Guardians” concludes. But don’t take my word for it. Click below for the full scoop on what’s coming down the pike in January.

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It’s that time again, where we peek ahead to three months from now to tease what’s coming up in the Batman books. You’ve read about BATMAN: EUROPA and the BATMAN BEYOND ongoing series already, but we’ve got a few surprises in store, including an amazing David Finch Batman image, more info on “The Black Mirror” and more.

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This coming January, you’ll notice something unique about the cover treatments for DCU titles hitting that month.

Here, let me show you a few.

But it’s not just about iconic poses. As you can see, each title gets a unique and yet familiar logo treatment that brings the focus on the characters and stars of their respective books. New year. New beginnings. New focus.

This January will see a handful of one-shots spotlighting some of the key players in the DCU by an A-list assortment of creators, including James Robinson, Eric Wallace, J.T. Krul and more. Here’s the breakdown:

STARMAN /CONGORILLA #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by BRETT BOOTH
Cover by GENE HA

In this tie-in to the “JLA Omega” storyline, the new blue and gold team of Congorilla and Mikaal Tomas work to unlock the secrets behind the toxic Omega Man’s dark energy, which encases Washington D.C. To do this they must embark on a quest to find the Fountain of Youth, encountering diverse heroes from the DCU along the way including Animal Man, Sirocco and a certain wonder dog named Rex. And all the while, Mikaal and Congorilla must outrun and outwit a cadre of terrorist assassins from Gorilla City. This is a breakneck chase through the DCU, but with a serious end-goal – saving the lives of their fellow members of the JLA!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

SHAZAM! #1
Script by ERIC WALLACE
Art by CLIFF RICHARDS
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG

Blaze, the current ruler of Hell, has an offer for Mary and Billy Batson that may be too good to pass up! Left powerless, will the two former heroes have the strength to deny the devil? Can Freddy Freeman save them? And how does the Titan Osiris fit into it all? Find out here, in this one-shot special written by Eric Wallace (TITANS) with art by Cliff Richards (THE ROAD HOME: BATMAN & ROBIN #1)!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

STEEL #1
Written by STEVE LYONS
Art by SEAN CHEN
Cover by ALEX GARNER

John Henry Irons is a normal human being who managed to overcome all odds and become a hero who Superman considers a peer and colleague. What kind of determination drives a man to reach such heights? Find out here as a battered and bruised Steel defiantly stands as the only thing between Metallo and the destruction of Metropolis! Doctor Who novelist Steve Lyons and artist Sean Chen (ACTION COMICS, SALVATION RUN) deliver a story that shows why Steel is a true DC Universe icon!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

WONDER GIRL #1
Written by JT KRUL
Art by ADRIANA MELO & MARIAH BENES
Cover by NICOLA SCOTT & DOUG HAZLEWOOD

Spinning out of the pages of TEEN TITANS comes this spotlight on Cassie Sandsmark, the wonderful Wonder Girl! Even though not every moment of Wonder Girl’s life is spent being a Titan, strange adventures still follow her everywhere. In this issue, she’ll cross paths with the odd new hero known as Solstice!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

We checked in with Co-Publisher Dan DiDio for his thoughts on the January theme. Take it away Dan:

“This January, we’re putting the focus squarely on the characters and iconic heroes of the DCU,” said DCU Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Not only will we tell new stories some of the more-deserving with special one-shots, but we’ll be giving every title in the line a unique treatment that puts the spotlight on the heroes and villains that populate the DC Universe.”

We’re excited and honored to break the news today that ongoing GREEN ARROW and TEEN TITANS writer J.T. Krul has signed an exclusive deal with DC Comics.

The move probably strikes some as a no-brainer. J.T.’s solid run of work on GREEN ARROW with artist Diogenes Neves, his upcoming tenure on TEEN TITANS with superstar Nicola Scott and his writing on titles like BLACKEST NIGHT: TEEN TITANS has cemented his reputation as a guy that knows the DCU and its characters – and can write their stories with flair and consistency. Not an easy feat. I look forward to reading GREEN ARROW every time it’s in my weekly stack of books.

Oh, and speaking personally for a second – as I’m prone to here – J.T.’s not only an ace writer, but one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Make a point to say hi to him at the next show you attend and keep an eye out for him, as his star is quickly rising.

What’s next? Two ongoings not enough for you? Well, this is a definite “stay tuned” moment. But we’ve got a look at three upcoming variants for TEEN TITANS by artists Karl Kerschl, Frank Quitely and Adam Hughes to help you deal with your overflowing curiosity. But before we go unveiling more art, let’s check in with the man himself. Take it away, J.T.:

“To say I am thrilled about the exclusive at DC would be a gross understatement. I’ve loved each and every project I’ve worked on so far and am excited to know that I’ll be writing for them, and specifically for Green Arrow and Teen Titans, for the long haul. The company is jam-packed with amazing people all working to put out the best books possible each and every month, and I couldn’t be happier about joining the team – officially.”