One of the very first ideas I had when we started building the new Captain Atom book was to have a team-up of sorts. I’ve said time and again that the genesis for the tone and theme of this book revolves around Captain Atom’s sense of isolation. Given his powers and the very nature of his new form, Captain Atom is virtually an alien on the planet he used to call home. He’s the stranger in the strange land. Ironic, since someone like Superman is an actual alien, yet manages to fit into the world. He’s got family, friends, and even a normal job. All things that continue to elude Captain Atom.

It’s hard for Captain Atom to really connect with anyone else, due to the way he sees the world. It’s all broken down before him – a patchwork of molecules and atoms – It’s like Neo seeing the Matrix. How can you focus on the physical image before you when you see all the layers underneath – all the bits and pieces making up the whole?

That’s where the Flash comes in. Like Captain Atom, he’s also detached from those around him due to the very nature of his powers – the speed at which he experiences the world. Sure, he can slow down, take pause and be part of the world – but his tendency is to go faster. Thus placing himself in a world all his own.

After talking with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato about their vision of the Flash (a great book, by the way!), Freddie Williams and I set about to bring the Fastest Man Alive into Captain Atom’s world. From a visual standpoint, it simply stunning. Freddie’s Flash is almost an homage to what Francis is doing in his book, and the colors by Jose Villarrubia make both heroes stand out from the rest of the world around them. They are bright, shining stars; and the blues and purples of Captain Atom create a dichotomy of power and status against the reds and yellows of the Flash. They aren’t fighting one another in a physical sense, but the effects of their presence and abilities seem to almost challenge one another. Which one will be the dominant force? This visual component actually highlights a thematic element of the book as the two heroes try to one-up each other while intervening during a violent struggle between rebels and military soldiers in the Middle East.

I’m extremely proud of the way Captain Atom is coming together, and thrilled by the contributions of the entire team. From Freddie and Jose, to Rob Leigh on letters. Our excellent editors – Rachel Gluckstern and Rickey Purdin. And not to mention the continuously killer covers by Stanley Lau.

– J.T. Krul (CAPTAIN ATOM)

(An exclusive image from the upcoming GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES).

GREEN LANTERN will be seen in an entirely new way when the GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES one-hour special powers up Cartoon Network this Friday, November 11 at 7/6c.  Featuring stunning, stylized CG animation,  GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES is set at the farthest reaches of deep space and finds Hal Jordan on the Guardian Frontier, where he must face down an invasion by the Red Lantern Corps.  Friday’s sneak peak at the new series proceeds its debut as part of the new DC Nation programming block launching soon on Cartoon Network.

A comic book based on the news series will also debut this month, GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES issue #0 will hit shelves on Nov. 30, with additional issues coming in 2012, coinciding with the DC NATION launch. The new comic book is co-written by Art Baltazar & Franco, with illustrations by Dario Brizuela and coloring by Gabe Eltaeb.

Watch video from the series, and meet the Lanterns here. And don’t forget to tune in Friday night!

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.

Strap on your protective goggles and dive for the nearest bunker, cause we’re going DEFCON and sharing secret info about the DCU’s powerhouse Nuclear Men! Writers Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver have built a rich new mythology around what Firestorm can be to today’s readers, so forget what you think you know and check out three things you didn’t know about the Nuclear Men below!

1. AN ARMY OF FIRESTORMS ­ High school students Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond aren’t the ONLY Firestorms in the world. Thanks to a cutting-edge scientific discovery, the means to become a Nuclear Man have been provided to countries across the globe. That puts the number of Firestorms has skyrocketed–and an all-new Nuclear Race has JUST begun.

2. SOMEONE’S SELLING SUPERHUMANS ­ Beyond the officially sanctioned Firestorms, a number of dangerous rogue Firestorms have been spotted all over the world. Armed with god-like abilities in most cases and a thirst of destruction, these rogues have been outfitted with illegally acquired abilities from a mysterious source. Who–or WHAT–that source is remains to be seen.

3. THE FURY BENEATH THE SURFACE ­ Besides the familiar transmutation powers, some surprising new twists to the Firestorm arsenal begin making their debut as soon as December’s issue #4! The biggest change has been the reveal of Fury, a towering beast of a being created when Ronnie and Jason argue in close proximity. The two teens literally combine to form Fury’s monstrous figure, but the secret behind exactly WHAT he is will have to remain for now.

There you have it–everything you knew about Firestorm has evolved, and it’s a whole new ballgame. Stay tuned as the mysteries continue unraveling monthly in the pages of THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN!

A spotlight series starring a different hero in each story arc, DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS will be getting a new creative team with issue 6 – co-writers Dan DiDio and Jerry Ordway, with Ordway providing art. After the conclusion of the current, paranormal narrative starring DEADMAN, DiDio and Ordway will explore a science-fiction setting with a new take on CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN – created by the legendary Jack Kirby.

DiDio is no stranger to adapting Kirby’s work for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, having written the critically acclaimed sleeper hit O.M.A.C., which is drawn with a distinct Kirby-flair by Keith Giffen.

(Ryan Sook’s cover to DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #6)

For the eighth consecutive week, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ran an exclusive preview from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on their homepage. This time around? EW follows their exclusive previews of ACTION COMICS and SUPERBOY with the first look at SUPERGIRL #3.

Want more previews? COMICVINE has your first look at RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #3.

What else is going on? Well, AMAZON.COM named BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR and DAYTRIPPER to their list of Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2011.

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE reviewed BATMAN: NOEL, writing that “Batman at the center of a classic Christmas story is simply terrific.”

Meanwhile, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES interviewed T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS writer Nick Spencer. “The technology and its creation through the years is a major part of this story,” Spencer said about T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS Vol. 2, which premieres in stores later this month. “In the first issue, we start seeing what some of these things are, and Daniel in particular has a very big role to play in this story. All of those threads we set up, in the first issue especially, are all things that will be wrapped up here.”

To be continued …

Working in a vacuum for the last six months since I started working at DC, I looked forward to the September launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 with a mix of excitement and nervousness. How would readers respond to some of the more pivotal changes to their favorite characters, and this massive DC undertaking? And while working on these beloved characters and having a huge amount of fun shaping them into what they’ve become – in my case BATGIRL, GRIFTER, NIGHTWING, RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS and TEEN TITANS – all of us in the editorial department have cringed and laughed over the speculation from the comics community at large.

Well, that general cry of “What the hell are they doing over at DC?” was answered two months ago at the launch, and here in month three I’m happy to report we’ve gotten into a nice groove with all the books – grooving on the excitement generated by new and old readers alike. There’s an amazing new energy emanating from the editorial offices. We’re talking about the books together, admiring what’s being done better and what’s being done BEST.

Just out of this week from my office are two books I’m particularly proud of – BATGIRL #3 and GRIFTER #3. Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf have crafted a wonderfully personal story in BATGIRL, giving you a hint of Batgirl’s past and her continuing struggles as a recovering paraplegic. And in GRIFTER, Nathan Edmondson and CAFU are creating a whole new world for the Grifter, filled with aliens and humans who all want the same thing: to get him, alive or dead. Including his own family, in this case. I hope the spotlights above and below will tempt you to pick up both books, if you haven’t planned to already.

– Bobbie Chase, Senior Editor

SWAMP THING #2 by Scott Snyder and artist Yanick Paquette is the first of second issues of DC Comics-The New 52 to go back for a second printing!

AIN’T IT COOL NEWS raves about SWAMP THING saying, “Right now everything here is fantastic. . . . Tone is key with this subject matter and Snyder has really brought it with ‘The Rot. . . . At the end of the day, it’s just good comics, and good horror comics at that.”

So, pick up SWAMP THING and start reading. Issue #2 will be back in stores on 12/7.

Artist John Paul Leon will be making a one-issue cameo appearance on the creative team of ANIMAL MAN, joining Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman and Jeff Huet for issue #6.

Since the series’ debut in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, references have been made to Buddy Baker¹s brief foray into the movie business ­ and the sixth issue will finally reveal his starring role. Foreman will remain as artist for the
issue’s story elements, with Leon providing guest cinematography for the “film” itself.

Check out the cover for ANIMAL MAN #6 right here on THE SOURCE.

In 2011, DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 launched some of the most discussed comic books in recent memory – and in 2012, those talked about issues will be collected into some of the most anticipated books of the year. And right here on THE SOURCE, we’ve got an early look at what 2012 will bring.

Coming in May 2012:

JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Collects: JUSTICE LEAGUE #1-6
$24.99 US, 176 pg

ANIMAL MAN VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Travel Foreman, Jeff Huet and John Paul Leon
Collects: ANIMAL MAN #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

BATMAN VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion
Collects: BATMAN #1-7
$24.99 US, 176 pg

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan and Marco Castiello
Collects: JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

GREEN LANTERN VOL. 1: SINESTRO REBIRTH HC
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
Collects: GREEN LANTERN #1-7
$24.99 US, 176 pg

CATWOMAN VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Guillem March
Collects: CATWOMAN #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

STORMWATCH VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artists: Miguel Sepulveda and Al Barrionuevo
Collects: STORMWATCH #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

GREEN ARROW VOL. 1 TP
Writers: J.T. Krul, Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens
Artists: Dan Jurgens, George Pérez, Ignacio Calero and Ray McCarthy
Collects: GREEN ARROW #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

Coming in June 2012:

BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Tony S. Daniel
Artists: Tony S. Daniel, Ryan Winn and Sandu Florea
Collects: DETECTIVE COMICS #1-7
$24.99 US, 176 pg

RED LANTERNS VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artists: Ed Benes, Rob Hunter and Diego Bernard
Collects: RED LANTERNS #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

BATWOMAN VOL. 1: HYDROLOGY HC
Writers: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Artist: J.H. Williams III
Collects: BATWOMAN #0-5
$22.99 US, 144 pg

MISTER TERRIFIC VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Eric Wallace
Artists: Giancarlo Gugliotta, Wayne Faucher, Scott Clark, Dave Beaty and Oliver Nome
Collects: MISTER TERRIFIC #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Alberto Ponticelli
Collects: FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

STATIC SHOCK VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Scott McDaniel and John Rozum
Artists: Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens
Collects: STATIC SHOCK #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artists: Francis Portela, Walter Simonson and Dan Green
Collects: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

Coming in July 2012:

BATMAN AND ROBIN VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray
Collects: BATMAN AND ROBIN #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Adam Glass
Artists: Marco Rudy and Federico Dallocchio
Collects: SUICIDE SQUAD #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

BATGIRL VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Gail Simone
Artists: Ardian Syaf and Vicente Sifuentes
Collects: BATGIRL #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

DEMON KNIGHTS VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artists: Diogenes Neves, Oclair Albert and Mike Choi
Collects: DEMON KNIGHTS #1-7
$14.99 US, 168 pg

BATWING VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Ben Oliver and ChrisCross
Collects: BATWING #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

MEN OF WAR VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Ivan Brandon, Jonathan Vankin, B. Clay Moore, Matt Kindt and John Arcudi
Artists: Tom Derenick, Phil Winslade, Paul McCaffrey, Patrick Scherbeger, Dan Green and Richard Corben
Collects: MEN OF WAR #1-6
$16.99 US, 192 pg

GRIFTER VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Artists: Cafu, Jason Gorder, Scott Clark and Dave Beaty
Collects: GRIFTER #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

Coming in August 2012:

ACTION COMICS VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Rags Morales, Rick Bryant, Brent Anderson, Gene Ha, Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang
Collects: ACTION COMICS #1-8
$24.99 US, 200 pg

SUPERBOY VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: R.B. Silva and Rob Lean
Collects: SUPERBOY #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

DEATHSTROKE VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artists: Joe Bennett and Art Thibert
Collects: DEATHSTROKE #1-8
$16.99 US, 176 pg

O.M.A.C. VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen
Artists: Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish
Collects: O.M.A.C. #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Paul Jenkins and David Finch
Artists: David Finch and Richard Friend
Collects: BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

HAWK AND DOVE VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Sterling Gates and Rob Liefeld
Artist: Rob Liefeld
Collects: HAWK AND DOVE #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

SWAMP THING VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Yanick Paquette, Victor Ibanez and Marco Rudy
Collects: SWAMP THING #1-8
$16.99 US, 192 pg

RESURRECTION MAN VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Artists: Fernando Dagnino and Fernando Blanco
Collects: RESURRECTION MAN #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

Coming in September 2012:

AQUAMAN VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
Collects: AQUAMAN #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

TEEN TITANS VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund
Collects: TEEN TITANS #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artists: Jesus Saiz and Javier Pina
Collects: BIRDS OF PREY #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver
Artist: Yildiray Cinar and Norm Rapmund
Collects: THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

GREEN LANTERN CORPS VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna and Geraldo Borges
Collects: GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

LEGION LOST VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Pete Woods
Collects: LEGION LOST #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

VOODOO VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Ron Marz
Artists: Sami Basri and Hendry Prasetya
Collects: VOODOO #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

Coming in October 2012:

I, VAMPIRE VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialokov
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Collects: I, VAMPIRE #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK VOL. 1: IN THE DARK TP
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Mikel Janin
Collects: JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

NIGHTWING VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artists: Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer, Paulo Siqueria and Trevor McCarthy
Collects: NIGHTWING #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artists: Tyler Kirkham, Harvey Talibao and Batt
Collects: GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1-7
$22.99 US, 160 pg

SUPERGIRL VOL. 1: LAST DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON TP
Writer: Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Collects: SUPERGIRL #1-7
$14.99 US, 144 pg

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Tony S. Daniel and James Bonney
Artist: Philip Tan
Collects: THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1-6
$14.99 US, 144 pg

ALL-STAR WESTERN VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
Artists: Moritat, Jordi Bernet and Phil Winslade
Collects: ALL-STAR WESTERN #1-6
$16.99 US, 192 pg

Coming in November 2012:

THE FLASH VOL. 1 HC
Writers: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Artist: Francis Manapul
Collects: THE FLASH #1-7
$22.99 US, 168 pg

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Kenneth Rocafort
Collects: RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

SUPERMAN VOL. 1 HC
Writer: George Perez
Artists: George Perez, Jesus Merino, Nicola Scott and Trevor Scott
Collects: SUPERMAN #1-6
$22.99 US, 144 pg

BLUE BEETLE VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artists: Ig Guara and J.P. Mayer
Collects: BLUE BEETLE #1-7
$22.99 US, 160 pg

BLACKHAWKS VOL. 1 TP
Writer: Mike Costa
Artists: Ken Lashley, Graham Nolan, Norm Rapmund, Alessandro Vitti, Cafu and Bit
Collects: BLACKHAWKS #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

CAPTAIN ATOM VOL. 1 TP
Writer: J.T. Krull
Artist: Freddie Williams II
Collects: CAPTAIN ATOM #1-7
$14.99 US, 160 pg

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Paul Jenkins, Dan DiDio and Jerry Ordway
Artists: Bernard Chang and Jerry Ordway
Collects: DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1-8
$16.99 US, 176 pg