“People are goin’ nuts. Wait ‘til they watch us kill him.”
– Rush in GREEN ARROW #1

If Jack Kirby were still alive, today would have been his 94th birthday. The King, as he is fondly referred to as, impacted the comic book industry in monumental ways.

To celebrate, we thought we’d catch up with some of the writers who are bringing new life to some of Jack’s classic characters in DC Comics-The New 52. With contemporary representations of characters such as OMAC and Etrigan the Demon, Kirby’s legacy lives on and is as strong as ever.

“There is no denying the genius of Jack Kirby and the effect he has had on comics through history. And to this day, many of his great creations still exist today and stand the test of time,” said O.M.A.C. writer Dan DiDio. “Of all the series Kirby created at DC Comics, OMAC is one of the ones nearest and dearest to my heart. The manic nature of the story telling and the wild futuristic setting are some of his best, and in working with Keith Giffen on the new OMAC series we hope to bring that same level of creative energy and excitement to our book.”

“Jack Kirby’s vast creative imagination stretched in all directions,” DEMON KNIGHTS writer Paul Cornell told us. “In The Demon he gave free rein to his gothic inclinations, that wonderful way he has with a gnarled tree branch at night. He made Etrigan angry with the world and his status in it, and let loose his wonderfully different way with words in the Demon’s rhymes. We’ve kept almost everything, to be honest. Well, we’ve given him some armor, and now he only rhymes sometimes, but this is still Kirby’s guy. You don’t meddle with that stuff.”

In case you missed it yesterday, check out the two exclusive teases we posted yesterday on THE SOURCE of O.M.A.C. #1 and DEMON KNIGHTS #1.

Happy birthday, Jack!

Acclaimed artist Jill Thompson is joining writer James Robinson for issue #8 of his upcoming 12-part THE SHADE miniseries, starring the former-villain-turned-reluctant-hero from Robinson’s STARMAN series. The special standalone issue — set in Paris in the early 1900s — is something Robinson wrote specifically for Thompson. And even though the issue’s still months away, we’ve got a first look at her work.

“James wanted to work with me, and I wanted to work with him. We ran into each other and he said that he had a specific project with me in mind – which is ultimately how this issue came about,” said Thompson.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Jill, after loving her work for so many years in Sandman and Invisibles, as well as her own creations such as Scary Godmother and Beasts of Burden,” said Robinson. “I feel fortunate to have her among the talented artists on this book and I love her wonderful interpretation of the Shade.”

THE SHADE miniseries starts in October, with #8 on sale next May. To tide you over until then, check out our first look at Thompson’s art from #8.

There’s been plenty of speculation about the Justice Society in The New 52 – and we can now confirm that they will, in fact, be back! As with everything else with DC Comics – The New 52, however, there’s a significant twist. What is it? We’re not saying. Just. Quite. Yet.

“It’s everything you want, but not what you expect,” promises Eddie Berganza, DC Comics Executive Editor.

Stay tuned to THE SOURCE as this develops, as they say.

“You’re just in time for your destiny.”
– Merlin in DEMON KNIGHTS #1

This Wednesday marks the release of the final issue of the bestselling FLASHPOINT mini-series. FLASHPOINT #5 brings an action-packed, jaw dropping and emotionally charged conclusion to this summer’s game-changing series. Take my word for it: you won’t be disappointed.

If you happen to be at Fan Expo Canada, stop by the Final Flashpoint Friday panel. I’ll be there with Brian Azzarello, Andy Kubert, Francis Manapul and James Robinson to talk about all things FLASHPOINT. See you in Toronto!

And I’d also like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of who have provided the series and all of its’ tie-ins with such overwhelming support. Everything you knew changed in a FLASH.

“What I want is your complete attention and for you to understand that your life is now mine.”
– Brother Eye in O.M.A.C. #1

Leading up to the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 next week, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and artist Jim Lee and Chief Creative Officer and writer Geoff Johns will appear on several morning radio shows on Friday, Aug. 26 and a few more on Tuesday, Aug. 30.  We’ve got a lot of big press features coming up in the days and weeks to come and we’ll keep you posted on all the news here on THE SOURCE.

Here’s a list of stations you can tune-in to get the inside scoop on DC Comics – The New 52:

AUGUST 26

WCUW-FM – WORCESTER, MASS

USA RADIO – NATIONAL

WUPE-FM – ALBANY, NY

KDKA-AM – PITTSBURGH, PA

WSYR-AM – SYRACUSE, NY

WQXA-FM – HARRISBURG, PA

WBAL-AM – BALTIMORE, MD

WMOS-FM – STONINGTON/NEW LONDON CT

WKXL-AM – CONCORD, NH

ART OF INTV – NATIONAL

WBWZ-FM – POUGHKEEPSIE, NY

CRN – NATIONAL

AUGUST 30

WOCM-FM – OCEAN CITY, MD

WELI-AM – HARTFORD, CT

“You are not the first doctor I’ve known that tried to play god.”
– Frankenstein in FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1

“He’s the worst kind of killer. One with no true pattern.”
- Batman in DETECTIVE COMICS #1