It’s finally here! Clocking in at nearly 15 pounds and with 720 pages, this is a whopper of a book, and it’d have to be, to contain as much of the rich history that is so integral to DC Comics.

As you know, in honor of DC Comics’ 75th anniversary, TASCHEN has produced the single most comprehensive book on DC Comics, in an XL edition that the Man of Steel himself might have trouble lifting. The book’s pages — which feature over 2,000 images, including covers, interiors, original illustrations, photos, film stills and more –are reproduced using the latest technology to bring DC’s iconic stories, characters and creators to life like they’ve never been seen before.

And if anyone’s well versed in the history of DC, it’s the book’s writer — Paul Levitz, former DC Comics Publisher and current LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES and ADVENTURE COMICS scribe. Paul’s in-depth essays trace the history of DC Comics, from its pulpy beginnings to the modern era.

The book also features massive fold-out timelines and an in-depth appendix that includes bios on artists, writers, editors, publishers and actors — what more info do you need? Not much, I’d hope. 75 YEARS OF DC COMICS: THE ART OF MODERN MYTHMAKING is on sale today.

The “Grounded” storyline continues right here as Superman visits Mt. Prospect – a suburb just southeast of Chicago. In this issue, Superman discovers that there is a darkness even more immense than outer space… One buried deep inside the human heart.

The first of the “Grounded” letter write-in destinations, this town was suggested by Annette Kowalczyk of Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Annette has lived in Mt. Prospect for 43 years, raising her three children (and now seven grandchildren) in the area. Thanks for being a Superman fan all these years!

Issue #705 is written by J. Michael Straczynski comes with some excellent art by Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer and Wellington Dias.

SUPERMAN #705 lands in comic stores today.

So much going on in this issue – and all of it makes it impossible to put down. Here’s a sampling: Hal Jordan on watch? The Flash and Green Lantern not seeing eye-to-eye? Oh, and did you really think you’d seen the last of him?

All that and a last page that’ll have you screaming for the next issue — can you say “That Just Happened”?

You’re still here? Get going! GREEN LANTERN #59 hits today.

Deadman heads to Gotham to finally purge himself of the troublesome White Lantern ring – but is that really what the White Ring wants? As Batman and Deadman cross paths, things take a deadly turn, and the series blazes into its second half in a very special story from Johns and Tomasi lushly illustrated in full by the BLACKEST NIGHT creative team of Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. Every issue of this book has been can’t-miss, but make a point to hit your store today, folks, because this one in particular will tug at your heart strings.

BRIGHTEST DAY #14 hits today.

Barry Allen is bound and brought before the Court of Temporal Justice for a crime he didn’t know he could commit – but is he guilty, or has one of the Renegades from the distant future gone rogue?

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Francis Manapul close out their first storyline on THE FLASH in spectacular style, and lift the curtain on a clue that will have fans talking for months. Do you wanna go faster? The ride’s about to kick into overdrive.

THE FLASH #6 hits today.

In addition to being a comic fan, I’m also a sports and music nerd. And like any fan, my imagination tends to wander. What if singer X played with guitarist Z? What if QB so-and-so had WR what’s-his-name to throw to? Would they have made one great, epic album? Would they have won the Super Bowl? The same kind of logic applies to comics. What if this writer worked with that artist on character X for an issue?

Well, I can check one of those fantasy team-ups off my list. This week, writer Grant Morrison — who has masterminded the adventures of Batman to unforeseen heights over the last few years — joins forces with superstar artist David Finch for BATMAN: THE RETURN.

The one-shot issue leads into Morrison’s ongoing BATMAN INCORPORATED series and gives fans a quick taste of what Finch has in store when he launches his own Batman title – December’s BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT – as an artist and writer. But it’s so much more than that.

In classic Morrison fashion, we’re presented with a collection of tantalizing clues, a mysterious new villain and the comfortable and flowing characterization that makes it seem much too easy. All expertly illustrated by one of the modern masters in Finch.

This is the first chapter of the next stage of the Batman books – a new status quo, a future in peril and your favorite characters presented through the mind-blowing imaginations of Grant Morrison and David Finch. Is more convincing needed?

Probably not. But here’s a first look anyway. BATMAN: THE RETURN hits tomorrow.

Sit tight folks, because it’s gonna be a BATMAN-centric day, and I don’t think you’d have it any other way.

First up we have BATMAN #704, which marks the return of writer/artist Tony Daniel. Tony returns full force, bringing to bear his impressive array of talents for one hell of an issue. The story, which features guest spots from Bruce Wayne, Catwoman and a new, mysterious villain and the return of a classic foe, is packed with action that evokes the best of Batman’s past in an energetic and in-your-face way.

So, without further adieu, here’s a first look at BATMAN #704, which hits tomorrow. Stay tuned right here for two more major Batman previews, as we kick off BATMAN IN NOVEMBER in style.

Good morning, Source crew. Before we dive into all the Batman goodness we have lined up for you today, let’s take a quick variant cover break and check out these two lovely pieces of artwork: The cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #15 by Kevin Maguire and a lovely SUPERBOY #2 variant by Guillem March. Enjoy!

From REBIRTH to SINESTRO CORPS to BLACKEST NIGHT, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner have stood by each other and fought together to save our universe. After all that, what could possibly tear them apart? We’ll find out in WAR OF THE GREEN LANTERNS starting in March’s WAR OF THE GREEN LANTERNS #1 and throughout the Green Lantern titles in March, April and May. Every Green Lantern is about to be tested — and tested against one another.

Doomsday is coming back.

A few of you drew this conclusion from last week’s tease, and we’ll confirm here that the Kryptonian killing machine will return to Earth early next year – and you don’t need me to tell you that’s never a good sign for the heroes of the DCU.

Doomsday will first make his presence known this January in STEEL #1 – but I can promise you, he won’t be the only hero facing Doomsday’s wrath for long. The story will continue with:

Part 2: OUTSIDERS #37
Part 3: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55
Part 4: SUPERBOY #6
Part 5:  … ????

“Doomsday is one of the most popular villains in Superman’s canon of foes,” says Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras, “He injects a feeling of dread and chaos into the DC Universe that few other characters can.”

In other news, one of the exciting pieces of news to come out of last week’s DC Digital Store launch is the launch of some amazing back list titles in digital format – including The Death and Return of Superman. And if you haven’t read those stories before, you might want to do it sooner rather than later. Y’know, just sayin’…