Here’s the awesome piece of Ivan Reis art we posted last week, this time without the text. We’re listening!

I eagerly anticipate the next issues of Green Lantern, Action, Detective and Brightest Day each month as much as the next guy, but I’ll take a few paragraphs here to talk about a book that’s quietly snuck its way to the top of my read pile each week it’s been released.

For the past nine issues of the series, David Hine and Moritat not only created a comic that captures the spirit (no pun intended) of what makes the The Spirit fun, but also a series that’s very accessible to comic fans who haven’t been lucky enough to read all of Will Eisner’s original Spirit (I’m about 1/3rd of my way into that epic undertaking myself, courtesy of a pile of The Spirit Archives volumes tracked down around the office.)

And if that weren’t enough, I’d be remiss not to talk about the great black & white co-features by guest creators that make up the back of each issue.

I mean, we had a Harlan Ellison and Kyle Baker co-feature story a few issues back. HARLAN ELLISON. Really, the talent they round up to do those second stories is pretty sick. Walt Simonson and Jordi Bernet. Joe Strnad and Richard Corben. Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. David Lapham and Michael WM. Kaluta. Marv Wolfman and Phil Winslade. Denny O’Neil and Bill Sienkiewicz. Michael Uslan, FJ DeSanto and Justiniano. This issue’s co-feature is by Paul Dini and Mike Ploog. That’s a group of creators that you’d be really hard-pressed to beat in just one year’s worth of a single monthly comic title.

Et tu? Are you reading The Spirit? Which co-feature’s been your favorite?

THE SPIRIT #9 is in stores today.

“This issue is all about doors opening and closing. For Deathstroke, his mission to free the Mad Hatter and rescue Wavelength (Allegra Garcia) was a success, but his team trusts him less now that ever before. This forces him to open a very big door, literally. And it’s one whose secret was first hinted at back in Titans #24. What’s behind this door shakes up the Titans in a very big way, especially where the Tattooed Man is concerned.

Another huge door is opened with the arrival of this issue’s guest-stars, the JLA, who are divided over what to do about Ryan Choi’s disappearance. But what they don’t realize is that the more they try to close the door on this mystery, the more they open another, more dangerous door that leads directly to Deathstroke and the Titans. And yes, when the two teams finally meet… it’s gonna get ugly.

Of course, what would a storyline called “Family Reunions” be without, well, a few reunions? Titans #30 has three critical ones, the biggest of which is between Roy Harper and Dick Grayson. These guys used to be teammates and the best of friends, but the fallout from Lian’s death has torn them apart. Fighting Clayface and the other Gotham Rogues provides and unorthodox, but perhaps final chance to re-open the door of friendship that used to connect them. Yes, Dick’s still hopeful he can bring Roy back from the brink! But as you might guess, it’s gonna be tough going, because Deathstroke needs Roy and he’s not letting him go without a fight – at least not until his master plan is complete. Fortunately for Slade, the ending of Titans #30 brings him one step closer to accomplishing it. “–Eric Wallace

We’re listening!

Since we launched our DC Digital Comics in June, we’ve been constantly soliciting your feedback as to what you want to see happen with our digital program. #1 on the list at all times is “I want comics on my Android device!”

Well, the fine folks at comiXology and we have been listening, and as of today, your request has been fulfilled. Now, your favorite digital comics are available in the comiXology Android App. A great feature of this service is convergence. If you’ve already purchased digital comics via the DC App or The DC Digital Comics Store, you can read those same comics on your Android enabled device! And, purchases made via the Android app instantly adds that comic to your comiXology-driven collection, so you can read them through any of their other supported platforms. Wherever, whenever.

Remember, we love feedback, so post below as well as on the message boards.

Speaking of two writers whose work appear quite often on this year’s best-of lists, Brian Truitt has recently spoken to Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison for USA Today.com.

For some interesting insight into the thought processes behind BATMAN INCORPORATED and BRIGHTEST DAY, check out the feature interviews with Grant and Geoff over at USA Today.

Here’s a couple of variant covers (and one non-variant) to end the day. We’ve got a double dose of BRIGHTEST DAY, with the covers to issues #17 and #18. Issue #17 is a non-variant by David Finch, and #18 is a variant by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. Next, Bill Sienkiewicz has an energetic, stylish cover for DCU: LEGACIES #9. And there’s an awesome David Mack variant cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53.

Enjoy.

I may or may not have seen the following notes on Eddie Berganza’s desk.

Story elements for BRIGHTEST DAY 16:

1 Part, Underwater adventure and intrigue;
1 Part, Science Fiction epic;
2 Parts, Family Tragedy;
4 Jaw dropping splash pages;
1 Young hero, claiming his birthright;
1 Dark twist;
1 Universe coming apart;
1 Morbid tease for next issue.

You know, when David and Austin asked me to write a blog post about my experience working on THE WIDENING GYRE with Kevin Smith, two things popped into my mind. The first was that Kevin was so excited about this project that he turned in all six scripts before the first issue was fully drawn. This allowed us to get the full scope of the story with all its twists and turns (by the time I put down the sixth script, I was just as excited about the story as he was). The second thing I remembered was…. A bit more off color. I thought I probably couldn’t write it in the blog, but then I thought, hey, I’m Co-Publisher, I can co-approve anything I want (not exactly true, but what the hell, I ran with it).

There are certain things you expect from a Kevin Smith script, deep characterization, smart dialogue and well, slightly off color humor. Needless to say with this project, he did not disappoint on any of these. It’s just that with the third one, we have to be a bit more “judicial” about what we can actually produce/publish.

It was in the book, during the scene where Aquaman turns up to help Batman after a couple of passing dolphins mistakenly identified Bruce’s amorous cries as calls for help. (Talk about lost in translation). As scripted, the exchange between Batman and Aquaman is possibly one of the funniest things I ever read, so naturally I knew there was no way it could ever see print. Of course this lead to one of my more interesting writer/ editor discussions on how to best describe Batman’s encounter in the course of the dialog. Almost as funny as the script, and as a result can’t see print either. Still, I think this scene ultimately worked great, as did so many things in that story.

So while you read part one, I anxiously await part two. I can only imagine what he has in store and can’t wait to read it. Every once and a while, after all, I get to be a fan too.

Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher, DC Comics

Seven, they say, is a magic number. And this morning, we can’t disagree.

Because DC and Vertigo have put on an impressive showing, combining to win seven, yes seven of IGN’s thirteen awards for the Best of 2010.

Here’s the rundown…

Best New Series: Vertigo’s AMERICAN VAMPIRE

Best Art Team: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon & Dave Stewart (DAYTRIPPER)

Best Series Revamp: ACTION COMICS

Best Moment of the Year: BATMAN & ROBIN 13

Best Story Arc: “Batman and Robin Must Die” from BATMAN AND ROBIN

Best Series: BATMAN & ROBIN

Best Writer: Grant Morrison.

Here’s IGN on Grant’s many accomplishments in 2010:

“The writer wrapped up his run on Batman and Robin in grand fashion. He brought Bruce Wayne back to the present where he belongs. He celebrated the legacy of Batman as a whole in Batman #700. And luckily, Morrison did find time to weave his own original stories with Joe the Barbarian. Any of these projects numbered among the most unique and memorable of the year. Taken together, it’s clear Morrison is still at the top of his game.”

Congratulations to everyone on IGN’s list.

Between Peacock in the pages of BATMAN and The Absence in the next issue of BATMAN AND ROBIN, our caped crusaders have their hands full with mysterious, dangerous women this month.

Paul Cornell, Scott McDaniel and Rob Hunter introduce us to The Absence, a psychopathic villain with an origin story gruesome enough that I couldn’t in good conscience post it here. (Hint: She wasn’t born with that hole in the middle of her forehead.)

If you’re not squeamish, you can check out what I’m talking about in BATMAN AND ROBIN #18, on sale Wednesday.