It’s finally that time of year! Lace up your boots, snag a gingerbread cookie from the jar and slip on your mittens because the holidays are here again!

In case you’re still looking for some last minute gift ideas, AMAZON’s OMNIVORACIOUS BLOG has just published a great holiday gift guide for the superhero reader in your life.

Among their selections, you’ll find that they recommend that if you want to “go big” this year, DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 OMNIBUS is the way to go. “It’s the perfect gift if you are at all unsure of which superheroes he or she follows since this one collects them all,” they wrote of the collection that contains every first issue from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

But if you’re looking for something a little smaller, OMNIVORACIOUS also suggests picking up BATMAN: NOEL by Lee Bermejo. “The images are unbelievable,” they wrote. “Bermejo’s love for detail and attention to, well, everything from cityscapes to Batman’s boot treads is something to behold. It’s a fine addition to the usual holiday reads and will no doubt be a favorite over a glass of eggnog.”

To be continued …

Chanukah begins at sundown this evening – a time of day that speaks to Kate Kane and her heroic alter ego. From the critically acclaimed pairing of writer Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams III, BATWOMAN: ELEGY is the perfect gift for any comic book fan whose Festival of Lights isn’t complete without some darkness.

In addition to showcasing the crime-fighting exploits of Gotham City’s newest protector (and Jewish super heroine), BATWOMAN: ELEGY features lush storytelling and some of the most innovative illustration you’ll see anywhere in comics. Exploring the burgeoning career of Batwoman as she hones her skills against a demented cult, Rucka and Williams have created a classic story for the modern age – and set the stage for a new hero, whose adventures continue in Batwoman’s eponymous title for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

It’s a great gift for the holiday season, and one of the most artful illustrations of the heights that comic book craftsmanship can reach.

iFanboy has assembled a list of Top 5 New Comic Book Writers To Watch For In 2012 and 3 of them are writing for DC Comics!

The list includes:

Josh Williamson, who is currently writing UNCHARTED and will be taking over the reins of DC Comics-The New 52’s VOODOO.

Nathan Edmondson of GRIFTER.

And coming in at #1? Joshua Hale Fialkov of I,VAMPIRE.

In the first two issues of BATMAN: ODYSSEY vol. 2, Batman traveled to Gotham City’s underworld to save Talia al Ghul from the clutches of her kidnappers, The Sensei. Oh, and this secret underworld also just so happens to be where The League of Assassins has set up camp for years.

In issue #3, Robin is introduced to Deadman, who joins the fight against the flesh-hungry creatures that reside in the underworld. But will having a team of allies be enough to help Batman defeat The Sensei?

Written and penciled by Neal Adams and inked by Bill Sienkiewicz, BATMAN: ODYSSEY #3 flies into stores tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the next batch of fourth issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 hits stores. Previews of the various issues being released have been running for the past few days across the Internet and we’ve compiled them all here on THE SOURCE for your convenience.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY continued previewing DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on their homepage by debuting a sequence from JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 that shows off just how cool Aquaman is.

And if the preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 got you even more excited for this week’s Justice League family releases than you already were, check out POPMATTERS’ first look at CAPTAIN ATOM #4, WIRED’s UNDERWIRE’s preview of DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ sneak peek at WONDER WOMAN #4.

Yesterday, writer Scott Snyder told you that even if you haven’t been reading BATMAN, this week’s issue #4 is a great place to start. Head over to USA TODAY for an exclusive preview of the issue. “You get to delve into Bruce’s past and see some of the secret history, both between him and Gotham as a boy and also as a hero struggling with an enemy that he seems to have some sort of emotional conflict with that extends beyond just what he’s trying to achieve on a plot level,” Snyder told USA TODAY.

Speaking of bat-related previews, MAXIM previewed BIRDS OF PREY #4, IGN has a sneak peek at NIGHTWING #4, MTV GEEK has your first look at CATWOMAN #4 and IFANBOY debuted pages from RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4.

Meanwhile, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS previewed SUPERGIRL #4, GAWKER’s IO9 premiered a sequence from BLUE BEETLE #4, COMICVINE gave you a glance at LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #4 and NEWSARAMA has an exclusive sneak peek GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4.

To be continued …

Last week, we showed you an exclusive preview of BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #14.

In this special holiday issue, a rabbi explains the story of Chanukah to Batman and Ragman. To celebrate Chanukah kicking off at sundown today, enjoy another sneak peek at the issue below as we show how the rabbi’s retelling of the story is depicted in the issue.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #14 by Sholly Fisch, Rick Burchett and Dan Davis is available in stores now.

And from all of us here on THE SOURCE, Happy Chanukah!

One of my favorite perks about working in the comic book industry is seeing the process at which stories and art evolve. Being in the Publicity department, I get to look at black and white copies of the pencils and inks that artists do before they’re sent for coloring and ultimately to the printer to appear in the book form you’re used to picking up every Wednesday.

With the deluxe hardcover BATMAN: HUSH UNWRAPPED, fans are invited for the first time to step behind the curtain and see the creation of one of the most fan-beloved Dark Knight stories from recent years. See industry legend Jim Lee’s art in its original pencil form as it illustrates Jeph Loeb’s story, which finds Batman attempting to uncover the identity of a mysterious villain who is forming an army of allies out of the Dark Knight’s Rogues gallery.

BATMAN: HUSH UNWRAPPED is not just a treat for comic book fans but is also a must-have for industry and art enthusiasts as a whole. This holiday season, there’s no gift better to unwrap than BATMAN: HUSH UNWRAPPED.

And if you’re an art book lover and want to read BATMAN: HUSH in full color, check out the just back in print ABSOLUTE BATMAN: HUSH, which includes BATMAN #608-619, a 2-page origin of the Dark Knight, a sketchbook section and more.

 

BATMAN issue #4 hits stands this Wednesday and writer Scott Snyder wants everyone to know that even if you haven’t been reading BATMAN, now is a great time to jump in.

“First a word of thanks from team Batman. All of us have been overwhelmed by the response to the book so far, and we’re deeply grateful to all of you for all the support. One thing that’s been particularly exciting to all of us is seeing how many new fans are reading the book – I got an email asking about the live dinosaur in Bruce’s cave, which made my day. One of the reasons the new readership is so exciting to us is that we get to be the first people to introduce them to the great elements of the Bat-U – the cave, the batmobile, the grandfather clock, crime alley… And to introduce them to all the stories that came before and made us love Batman so much in the first place! So to that end, we promise to try hard to make each issue a good jumping on point for new readers. We want you to be able to pull your friends to Gotham, even if they missed issue 2 or 3.

Now, with BATMAN #4, we’ll finally learn why it is Bruce is so resistant to believing that the old legend about the Court of Owls could be true. We’ll dig deep into Bruce’s past to uncover his relationship to the Court, a group that claims to have been ruling Gotham City from the shadows since Colonial days. And as for what the Court has in store for Batman – well, you’ll just have to wait and see. But I’ll say that the horror they bring to bear against him constitutes one my favorite sequences out of anything I’ve ever written.”

-Scott Snyder

So, head over to USA TODAY for an exclusive first look at BATMAN #4 and start reading.

Aww yeah, babysitting!

When Bumblebee wants to earn her babysitting patch, Mrs. Atom offers to help. Together, they’ll watch the kids of the Justice League while their parents are off saving the world. But when all the kids get lost when they go on a field trip to Metropolis to buy ice cream, Bumblebee learns that getting her babysitting patch may be harder than it seemed.

TINY TITANS #47 comes from the Eisner Award-winning creative team of Art Baltazar and Franco. Look for the issue in stores on Wednesday.

The wait is over. From critically acclaimed writer Grant Morrison, the first season of BATMAN INCORPORATED concludes this Wednesday with a giant-sized one-shot – BATMAN INCORPORATED: LEVIATHAN STRIKES! In the thrilling climax, secrets are revealed – but more questions arise as Batman comes closer and closer to uncovering the truth behind the Leviathan’s identity.

“Quite simply one of the most beautifully drawn comic books of the year,” said Morrison. “Cameron Stewart, Chris Burnham, and color artist Nathan Fairbairn pull out all the stops for the long-awaited season finale of BATMAN, INCORPORATED with Batman and his allies trapped in a cold war brainwashing facility for the ultimate mind-bending battle against Leviathan and the diabolical Otto Netz, Masterspy. See the last hurrah of Stephanie Brown as Batgirl, in a sinister school for suicide spy girls! Find out what caused the Batman and Robin team to split! And witness the unmasking of Leviathan in a shocking final page twist that sets up 2012’s BATMAN: LEVIATHAN, the epic concluding act of a Batman story six years in the making! With guest appearances by Batwing, Red Robin, the Hood, the Outsiders and more!”

BATMAN INCORPORATED: LEVIATHAN STRIKES! is in stores December 21 – but we have an exclusive preview right here on THE SOURCE.