BRIGHTEST DAY #19 ended with Black Manta striking a very deadly blow during the first battle of the much anticipated Aquawar. The action picks up in issue 20, with a battle of father against son and the emergence of a new hero. Ivan Reis and Joe Prado deliver epic action throughout this issue, including an amazing two-page spread that ends this preview.

What say you, Aquaman fans? Have you recovered from last issue’s cliffhanger yet?

DC Universe Online Legends #5 cover

DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS, the bi-weekly comic book series that expands on the story of the hit MMO game, is underway – and already features a wide cast of DCU heroes and villains, from Blue Beetle and Dr. Fate to Solomon Grundy and Mister Freeze. Head over to IGN for an exclusive look inside issue #2, on stands today and in our digital store!

And, no DCUO post would be complete without mentioning the amazing new cinematic trailer ‘Fractured Future’ that was debuted last week by Sony Online Entertainment. Like Blur’s last masterful piece of DCUO animation? (I have a hunch you did.) Check out their new one here!

Writer/artist Tony Daniel begins BATMAN #707 with Dick Grayson in a perilous situation. Yes, it’s an underwater death trap with Batman, Luki Lo, Lucius Fox and Lucius’ daughter Tamara plunging deeper and deeper into the water, possibly headed to their untimely deaths.

For some reason, I’ve always been partial to the idea of an underwater death trap. Why? I do not know.

But I’m also partial to the idea of traps that send our heroes deep into the far reaches of outer space. Or a trap with a laser juuuuuuust a few inches away from our hero. That’s a classic, obviously. How about an elaborate and deadly trap at an amusement park? If the Joker’s involved, you bet.

What about you SOURCE readers? What are some of your favorite death traps from the pages of DC comics?

Tony Bedard’s and Tyler Kirkham’s “WEAPONER” arc comes to its dramatic conclusion in GREEN LANTERN CORPS #57. The battle is heating up between the Sinestro Corps and the Green Lantern Corps-backed Weaponer and his Qwardians, but the truce is still in effect. Neither Corps can use power rings on the other. How can the Green Lanterns help the Qwardians with their hands tied?

One word. Firestorm.

Krona’s back! Hal Jordan’s old enemy is a formidable foe, even with the Flash and a full spectrum of Lanterns at his side – find out whether they’ll be enough to stop him in GREEN LANTERN #62, on sale today.

The Javits Center in New York City was bustling this week with some of the coolest and most unusual collectible action figures and statues at TOY FAIR.

Among them, DC Direct displayed some the newest and most dynamic superhero statues. I saw Wonder Woman in her new costume, the DCU Online MMO figures, FLASHPOINT figures from the art of Andy Kubert, Harley Quinn from the new ARKHAM CITY series, the latest BATMAN BLACK and WHITE from the art of Cliff Chiang and, of course, the GREEN LANTERN statues and movie replicas.

Here’s a look at how things looked in the booth. Don’t you want a room filled with these?

The “Rise of Eclipso” begins next week! While searching for closure on Diablo Island, Bruce Gordan again becomes the unwilling host of Eclipso. Now with Bruce but a powerless voice inside his head, Eclipso begins his mysterious scheme by assembling all the shadow-powered villains in the world.

Find out who the Lord of Darkness has in mind (including someone you wouldn’t suspect) in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54, on sale tomorrow. Check out a preview of the issue below!

Courtney Simmons Named SVP – Publicity, DC Entertainment at Warner Bros.

(February 15, 2010) — Courtney Simmons has been named Senior Vice President of Publicity for DC Entertainment at Warner Bros. Simmons will be based in Burbank and report to John Rood, EVP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development.

In her new role, Simmons will oversee and manage media relations and internal communications for DC Entertainment (DCE) and its executives and be responsible for developing and leading the PR strategy for DC Comics’ portfolio of characters across all media platforms– including key franchises such as Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash – as well as Vertigo Publishing and MAD Magazine. In addition, she will oversee the New York-based DC Entertainment publicity team.

“Courtney is a well-respected and dynamic media relations executive with a proven track record of extraordinary accomplishment in interactive entertainment and consumer publicity,” said Rood. “This is an exciting time at the company as we continue to integrate the DC Comics business, brand and characters throughout Warner Bros. including feature films, video games, television and consumer products. Courtney will work in tandem with our WB colleagues in coordinating communications and publicity across the company and we are thrilled to have her join our senior management team.”

Prior to joining DCE, Simmons was VP of Communications for Disney Interactive Media Group where she oversaw corporate communications, media relations and publicity activities for the interactive entertainment division of The Walt Disney Company. She also served as a communications executive for Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) where she was part of the original PR team that announced the new DC Universe Online video game.

Before SOE she ran media relations and government affairs for The LEGO Group at the LEGOLAND California theme park. Simmons also served as the head of public relations for The Six Flags Theme Park where she led strategic communications and publicity efforts for the Los Angeles-based park.

A longtime advocate for encouraging women toward career paths in the creative and applied arts Simmons was instrumental in creating the G.I.R.L. Scholarship Program that awards college scholarships to women who are looking for careers in the development and production of interactive media. Simmons sits on the Advisory Board of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games at the Strong Museum of Play in New York and was named Top 10 Most Influential Women of MMOs by Beckett Massive Online Gamer in 2009.

She resides in Studio City, CA with her family.

Superstar artist Gary Frank pays tribute to the Blue Beetles of the past on the variant cover of DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #10:

The Joker invades Mike Norton’s cover to YOUNG JUSTICE #2, the comic tie-in to the hit new show on Cartoon Network:

Cult artist Brendan McCarthy brings his signature psychedelia to the variant cover of XOMBI #1:

Super villains are appearing out of thin air, ambushing the DC Universe’s young heroes. There’s a new smart phone app that let’s users photograph and track superheroes.

Could there be a connection?

Kara takes a page out of Lois Lane’s book and begins to investigate in SUPERGIRL #61, by James Peaty and series regular Bernard Chang, on sale February 16.