Some have said that three is the magic number. If that’s the case, November should be a fascinating month. Here at THE SOURCE, we’ll spotlighting key third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with an ongoing series of posts titled “3 Things You Didn’t Know About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.” Expect the unexpected–in threes.

People have been asking me why I’m so quiet when it comes to Birds of Prey. It’s true; I haven’t done many interviews. When friends stop me on the street and ask about the book, I usually scream “HOLY CAT WHAT IS THAT BEHIND YOU” and scramble in the opposite direction. Um, yeah… I’ve been a bit cagey when it comes to this comic. Thing is, while Birds of Prey is about the great characters… it’s also about the surprises, and I’m serious about not wanting to ruin any of the twists and turns that lie ahead.

But last week, when I visited the DC Comics HQ in New York City, my editor Bobbie Chase spiked my Diet Coke, and the last thing I saw was David Hyde filling a syringe with sodium pentothal. Hours later, on my train back to Philly, I realized they’d pried these three details out of me…

1. Batgirl is back on the team.

Sure, Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl) was reluctant at first. She didn’t necessarily want to be hanging out with a gang of outlaws (see next “Thing to Know #2”), and she has serious doubts about at least one member of team (see “Thing to Know #3”). But to Batgirl, friendship trumps everything, and you’ll see exactly how she finds her way to a permanent spot on the team in issues #4 and 5.

2. Black Canary, Starling and Katana can’t show their faces in public.

That’s because they’re outlaws to one degree or another. Dinah Lance (a.k.a. Black Canary) is wanted for murder. The rumor is she killed a dude with a single punch, but the truth is far darker and stranger than that…

Evelyn Crawford (a.k.a. Starling) is wanted by at least six different intelligence organizations for knowing too much about how the world really works. How did she land in this predicament? Well, wait until you meet her Uncle Earl—a former spy who raised her, and also tries to kill her every now and again. (He has Alzheimer’s.)

And finally, Tatsu Yamashiro (a.k.a. Katana) is wanted by Japan’s National Police Agency for her blood-splattered mission of vengeance against the Yakuza for killing her husband. Criminal profilers in her country think she’s insane because she believes the soul of her husband resides in her sword. Thing is, her own teammates aren’t so sure, either…

3. Poison Ivy has turned over a new leaf.

Okay, not really. Pam Isley (a.k.a. Ivy) is still very much a dedicated eco-terrorist, targeting the people and corporations that mess with Mother Earth. So why’s she hanging out with a bunch of do-gooders like Black Canary and Batgirl (who doesn’t like, trust, and really even tolerate Ivy)? Pretty soon—say, around issue #5—you’re going to see that Ivy has a little side deal going on. Her enhanced biosuit amplifies her metahuman powers to an insane degree, but also comes at a price. And wait until you see how she plans on paying the tab…

Hnnnnnuh? What just happened? Why am I on this moving train? Man, I hope I didn’t say too much back at the DC offices…

– Duane Swierczynski (BIRDS OF PREY)

DETECTIVE COMICS #5 will feature a one-shot back-up story, highlighting an alternate, gutter-level view of the Penguin’s plot against Gotham. Written by Tony S. Daniel (writer/artist of DETECTIVE COMICS) and drawn by Szymon Kudranski, the eight-page story will offer another perspective on the unfolding events of the series, tying back to DETECTIVE COMICS’ primary arc – and will also feature a surprise guest appearance by another Gotham regular.

DETECTIVE COMICS #5 won’t hit shelves until January, but we’ve got a look at the back-up’s atmospheric first page right here on THE SOURCE.

DETECTIVE COMICS #1, by writer/artist Tony S. Daniel, will be going back to press for its fourth printing. This makes DETECTIVE COMICS the second title from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 to reach four printings, following JUSTICE LEAGUE.

Check out what the people saying about the series so far:

“Detective Comics is head-spinningly spectacular from top to bottom.” – MTV Geek
“Perfect.” – COMPLEX MAGAZINE
“A great Batman story with some truly killer art.” – IGN

So if you’re not reading already, you’ve got a chance to start from the beginning; DETECTIVE COMICS #1 will be back on shelves on 12/21. And if you’re among those who’ve already discovered the series, issue #4 hits stores on 12/7.

This week marked the release of the third issue of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s bestselling BATMAN series. Well, the critics have spoken and it looks like BATMAN #3 is a hit!

In addition to giving the book a perfect 5-star star review, IFANBOY has named it their “Pick of the Week.” “BATMAN #3 is expertly crafted … The Court of Owls have arrived. Batman’s rattled. I’m rattled. That’s a good thing,” they wrote of the book.

But IFANBOY wasn’t the only outlet to give BATMAN #3 a 5-star review. COMICVINE gave the book a perfect ranking as well. “It’s a great ride that you’re going to want to sit back and savor every tiny bit,” they said. “Reading this series just makes me happy to be a Batman fan.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES agree. “BATMAN after the relaunch has been a strong series, and this issue is no exception. It’s a good time to be a Batman fan.”

“Snyder and Capullo reach new heights of collaboration here,” wrote IGN in their review. “The final scene of BATMAN #3 is the best in the series to date, as we witness Batman uncovering the truth behind the Court of Owls and realizing that everything he thought he knew was wrong.”

“Snyder is crafting a mystery that calls the Dark Knight’s recent adversaries into question and reveals an ancient conspiracy that his family has faced for decades,” described COMPLEX MAGAZINE. “It’s gripping, unpredictable, intelligently plotted, and, most of all, incredibly illustrated thanks to Greg Capullo.”

So what can we expect in the next issue of this acclaimed series? We asked Scott Snyder to tease a little bit about what’s to come in issue #4.

“DC Nation! I just wanted to say how much it means to all of us – the kind things said about BATMAN,” Snyder exclusively told THE SOURCE. “Greg Capullo and I are having a blast with this story. Jon Glapion and FCO, too – and it’s one we both care a lot about. And as a thanks to everyone out there who picked us up, here’s a hint of what’s coming… Because next issue we’re finally going to learn Bruce’s reason for being so resistant to believing in the Court – a reason that dates all the way back to his childhood, and some of the blackest days of his young life. And The Court of Owls (if it exists?) will finally spring its most deadly trap on Batman – a trap buried deep beneath the city, in the darkest bedrock. Okay, to Gotham. And remember, The Court is always watching!”

BATMAN #4 flies into stores on December 21st. Check out your exclusive first look at the issue below.

OUT MAGAZINE previewed TEEN TITANS #3, which features the introduction of a new gay character, Bunker. “We wanted to show an interesting character who’s homosexuality is part of him, not something that’s hidden,” artist Brett Booth told them.

This week, SUPERMAN #3 joins the ranks of the other eight DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 books to have an exclusive preview featured on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s homepage.

As the mystery surrounding Madame Xanadu’s plan thickens, the Justice League Dark team continue to come together. For a sneak peek at what’s coming next week, head over to GAWKER’s IO9 for their exclusive preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3.

The colors and powers of the Green Lantern universe continue to meld together in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #3. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

Morphicius’ powers won’t stop growing and it’s up to Carter Hall to figure out how to stop him before he becomes invincible. Check out COMICVINE’s exclusive preview of THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #3.

Lots of exciting things happening over at POPMATTERS! “If you think about it, what worse horror is there, than having the person you love turn into a monster? And not losing the love?” I, VAMPIRE writer Joshua Hale Fialkov said in an exclusive interview. “And that to me is the drive of I, VAMPIRE. It’s the idea that he loves her beyond words. And he doesn’t love old her, her before the transformation. He loves her as a vampire. And that’s the real point. If Andrew were in love with this 500-year-old version of Mary that no longer existed, he would have just cut off her head a long time ago. But the fact is, he still feels the love and he still has this desire for her. And his hope, is not even to ‘cure’ her, it’s to ‘fix’ her.”

“My take on the character is, to Buddy Baker, his family always comes first,” Jeff Lemire told POPMATTERS about ANIMAL MAN. “There are really dark things trying to tear them apart. We’re going to see how far they can stretch before they break, and if they don’t break, they’re going to have to evolve into something new as a family to survive.”

And while you’re at POPMATTERS, be sure to read their profile of Superman in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with James Robinson, Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone about their upcoming collaboration, THE SHADE #4. “The whole thing is linked together, past and present, so that there is a story in the present, which concerns the Shade’s past and a family you didn’t realize that the Shade had,” Robinson revealed. “Each of the ‘Times Past’ issues play out that way. The first one jumps back into the 1940s, the second one is set in Paris in 1901 and the third one is in 1830s London for the Shade’s origin. Each time, you learn more about the family and more about what is going on. As I did with Darwyn’s story, I took great pains with each of the other ‘Times Past’ tales with Jill Thompson and Gene Ha, to make them stand alone, even though they’re a part of the bigger picture.”

NEWSARAMA spoke with Josh Williamson, who will be taking over as the writer of VOODOO in 2012. “I think people will be surprised by the direction we’re taking the character, how it works with what came before but also takes her into new dangerous territory,” Williamson said of his upcoming run.

Feeling festive? BATMAN ON FILM interviewed BATMAN: NOEL writer/artist Lee Bermejo about his creative process, how BATMAN: NOEL came into fruition and some teases at a project he’s contemplating set in what he calls, “the JOKER-verse,” that’ll be “a different take on a very classic character.”

If you’re still looking for some gift ideas, MTV GEEK just published a list of what they deem to be the 10 best Batman graphic novels. And if you like Batman-themed countdowns, NEWSARAMA has their list of the greatest villains Batman has ever faced.

To be continued …

Some have said that three is the magic number. If that’s the case, November should be a fascinating month. Here at THE SOURCE, we’ll spotlighting key third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with an ongoing series of posts titled “3 Things You Didn’t Know About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.” Expect the unexpected–in threes.

The cosmic forces of War and Peace have ignited a war on the streets of Washington D.C. and only two heroes stand a chance at stopping the chaos–Hawk and Dove! As conduits of unimaginable power, the two young warriors are the stars of their own series from writer Sterling Gates and legendary artist Rob Liefeld and surprising new elements have turned the U.S. Capitol upside down.

1. SECRETS BEYOND THE GRAVE ­
In the beginning, Hank Hall and his brother Don wore the mantles of Hawk and Dove, respectively, before Don died in action. Dawn Granger became the new Dove due to seemingly accidental circumstances. But it looks like Dawn has been hiding a serious piece of the story from Hank about her involvement with Don. But what could she possibly be concealing?

2. DIRTY DOPPLEGANGERS ­
Hawk and Dove believed they were the only avatars of War and Peace, but Condor and Swan, two of the most demented murderers the DCU has ever seen, have made an explosive debut and claim to be avatars, too! Condor and Swan also somehow have intimate information about the origins of the avatar powers–information which Hank and Dawn never knew existed!

3. ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST ­
Technological terrorist Alexander Quirk has built and deployed a platoon of undead soldiers he calls “Monsters of Mass Destruction” and unleashed them on the nation’s capitol. It’s all in an effort to overthrow what he sees as a corrupt regime holding sway over political power in America. You can’t beat zombies versus superheroes!

Don’t miss an issue of the high-flying, in-your-face action coming at you every month in the all-new, all-intense HAWK AND DOVE!

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and . . . Neil Gaiman?

That’s right. This Sunday, New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman will make a guest appearance as an animated version of himself on The Simpsons. Gaiman joins an elite list of literati to appear on the show including John Updike and Thomas Pynchon and comic book writers Dan Clowes, Alan Moore and Art Spiegelman. In the episode “The Book Job,” we’ll see some of Gaiman’s famous tomes including THE SANDMAN.

Check out the stills provided to us, courtesy of the kind folks at The Simpsons, and watch the episode this Sunday, November 20th at 8pm Eastern.

Looks like Neil is holding court at a bookstore.

Copyright and TM FOX Broadcasting Company

Oh no, Moe is about to stick Neil with a needle!

EXCLUSIVE IMAGE
Copyright and TM FOX Broadcasting Company

Last month marked the release of MY GREATEST ADVENTURE, a six-issue anthology-style miniseries that chronicles the separate adventures of Robot Man, Garbage Man and the alien Tanga.

“Beauty and the Bat” by Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan, picks up in Gotham City, where Garbage Man had just made his return and was seeking out his old friend, The Reverend. But will a visit from Gotham’s protector, The Dark Knight, jeopardize Garbage Man’s journey of self-discovery?

In “Uncanny Valley, Part 2,” writer Matt Kindt and artist Scott Kolins continue the tribulations of Robotman, who last we saw, was being devoured by a restaurant full of angry zombies. Can Robotman preserve what’s left of his humanity by stopping what’s causing these people to turn into zombies without hurting them? And when he’s attacked by a giant mechanical beast, will Robotman have met his match?

And the last issue of MY GREATEST ADVENTURE ended with Tanga being stuck in a state of paralysis while she was forced to watch innocent people get murdered. Now, in “Tanga: Unloved,” by Kevin Maguire, she must gain back control of her powers and body before stopping the cruelty unfolding before her eyes.

MY GREATEST ADVENTURE #2 is in stores today.

In 1968, an air force officer named Nathaniel Adams was convicted of the murder of General Lamar and died in prison. Now, with the case re-opened, it’ll be up to the Young Justice team to discover the truth behind Lamar’s murder and to clear Adams’ legacy. The only catch is that the real killer is targeting anyone involved in the case that might reveal what really happened … including the entire Young Justice team!

Can the Young Justice team survive the traps set for them and get to the bottom of Lamar’s murder before the killer strikes again? Find out in YOUNG JUSTICE #10 by Kevin Hopps, Greg Weisman, Christopher R. Jones and Dan Davis, in stores today.

Some have said that three is the magic number. If that’s the case, November should be a fascinating month. Here at THE SOURCE, we’ll spotlighting key third issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with an ongoing series of posts titled “3 Things You Didn’t Know About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.” Expect the unexpected–in threes.

I can’t speak for the rest of DC Nation, but I continue to be reenergized by the direction of GREEN LANTERN.

Who’d have thunk that it would take Sinestro, of all characters, to do it? The GL nemesis now wears a GL uniform again…and this turn of events has transformed the series into the unlikeliest of buddy books, teaming Sinestro with his former protégé Hal Jordan. Seeing the two go back and forth has made the series a true joy to work on, thanks to the creative team supreme of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke.

Naturally, I’m super-excited for the series’ future, and here are 3 things I can share:

1. THIS IS NOT THE SINESTRO YOU REMEMBER.
Sinestro has always been known as the dictatorial GL who fell from grace and returned as the Green Lantern Corps’s greatest nemesis. Now Sinestro wields a GL ring once more — under mysterious circumstances, no less — and what he plans to do with it will likely surprise you as much as it did me.

In our first arc, we reveal a tragic secret about Sinestro: He has a beating heart, a fact Sinestro locks tightly away from the entire universe…until it unlocks for a millisecond. Explaining more would say too much, but watch for it — it could make Sinestro your favorite character in DC – THE NEW 52.

Is Sinestro a hero or villain? The answer is…yes.

2. THE RINGS CARRY SECRETS.
Sinestro revealed to Hal in issue #3 that the ring allows its bearer to create a “stealth mode” costume in black. We learn another doozy in issue #5.

What else does Sinestro know about the ring that we don’t? Stay tuned.

3. THE CORPS’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED.
At least, that’s how the Guardians of the Universe feel. As revealed in issue #3, they’ve deemed the Green Lantern Corps a failure, just as they once did the robot Manhunters that the Corps replaced billions of years ago. What exactly are the Guardians up to? They’ve been chatting about creating a “Third Army” — and what that is will become clear as the series slowly builds towards its next massive crossover with the other GL series. And THAT, DC Nation, will be so hugely momentous, it will quake the DC cosmos to its very core!

In the meantime, enjoy GREEN LANTERN for the here and now — Sinestro and Hal Jordan getting to know each other again for the first time.