One of the most iconic characters in the DC Comics line-up and among the most popular series in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, THE FLASH will soon have his hands full with the return of his classic rogues gallery – reuniting under the leadership of Captain Cold in THE FLASH #7.

Captain Cold has been glimpsed and teased in the pages of THE FLASH thus far, but in issue 7 he’ll be back with a vengeance – and we all know that revenge is a dish best served cold.

He’ll be cooling off in a cell in Iron Heights Prison for now, but in the meantime you can feast your ice – er, eyes – on our first look at his redesign for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

On Wednesday, we kick off the fourth issues of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. 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.

USA TODAY interviewed BATWING writer Judd Winick to accompany their exclusive preview of issue #4. “It’s almost as if he didn’t have any choice,” Winick explained of Batwing’s origins, which are revealed in this week’s issue. “Fate and destiny got together and you survived this horror, but now what are you going to do with it? There’s this horrible thing that fuels you — how do you make it count?”

The Green is at war! But without Alec Holland on their side, do they stand a fighting chance? Find out in SWAMP THING #4, previewed exclusively at ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY.

Earlier today, we told you about the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 debut of Steel in ACTION COMICS #4. Now, head on over to MAXIM for a full preview of the issue.

AIN’T IT COOL NEWS chatted with DETECTIVE COMICS writer/artist Tony Daniel. “The Doll Maker is kind of like a twisted reflection of Batman, where his father was taken and he went the other route where in his own mind he wanted to do some good,” Daniel revealed to them. “They have two different philosophies, but there are some similarities in their scenario, but are in two completely opposite directions.” Read the full interview for an exclusive preview of issue #4.

It’s time for Buddy Baker to learn the truth about his daughter’s destiny in ANIMAL MAN #4. GAWKER’s IO9 has an exclusive preview of the highly-anticipated issue.

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE previewed STATIC SHOCK #4. “Villains are tougher, smarter, and meaner in New York, which will make Static strong,” series editor Harvey Richards told them. “Heroes are only as good as their villains make them.”

IGN debuted interior pages from GREEN ARROW #4, which finds Oliver Queen traveling to Japan to battle a mysterious woman named Blood Rose.

In HAWK AND DOVE #4, Dove must save the man she loves, Deadman. MTV GEEK has your first look at the issue.

An unstoppable alien antibody is eating earth alive in STORMWATCH #4. COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has your exclusive preview of the issue.

Betrayal plagues Sgt. Rock and his men as they forge ahead into unknown enemy territory. COMICVINE has a sneak peek at MEN OF WAR #4.

While traveling back home, Kevin Kho accidentally disconnects from Brother Eye. Discover the consequences of Kevin’s freedom in O.M.A.C. #4, previewed exclusively at IFANBOY.

A new galactic threat makes its debut in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #4. Check out NEWSARAMA’s first look at the issue.

Are you a fan of Green Lantern on FACEBOOK? If not, head on over to ‘like’ the page and to see a preview of RED LANTERNS #4.

To be continued …

Have a Simpsons fan in your life? One who just saw the “The Book Job” episode in which NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Neil Gaiman made a guest appearance along with some of his famous tomes including THE SANDMAN? Maybe he or she wants to know more about Mr. Gaiman’s creative process–and the legendary SANDMAN books?

Then consider picking up THE ANNOTATED SANDMAN for that special person.

This gorgeous volume is not only a nice looking coffee table book, it’s extremely informative and one that is to be read and savored from cover to cover.

Edited, and with an introduction and notes by Leslie S. Klinger, the expert researcher and editor behind the Edgar Award-winning New Annotated Sherlock Holmes and the critically acclaimed New Annotated Dracula. THE ANNOTATED SANDMAN is a panel-by-panel journey through every issue of Neil Gaiman’s best-selling series THE SANDMAN. Collecting issues #1-#20, this volume provides commentary, historical and contemporary references, hidden meanings, fascinating details about THE SANDMAN’s hundreds of unforgettable characters and much more, presented side-by-side with the series’ art and text.

(And while you’re at it, pick one up for yourself too!)

Hello, DC Nation!

No doubt you’ve already heard that issue #6 of LEGION LOST will be Fabian Nicieza’s last as writer.

His schedule just couldn’t keep up with a monthly series right now. It’s a bummer because Fabian and I had discussed some really cool ideas for the series, but I understood his reasons, and we parted on a positive note with hopes that someday we can reteam on something else down the road.

So I needed to hire a new writer, someone I felt could take the groundwork laid by Fabian and strive for even greater heights. No small task!

In discussions with my fellow editors, one name came up that intrigued the heck out of me: Tom DeFalco.

A master storyteller, not to mention Marvel Comics’ former Editor-in-Chief, Tom seemed the ideal candidate. He understands how to build characters from the inside out and make us care about them. He makes the fantastic feel gigantic and yet at the same time all too human and flawed. He puts his characters through the wringer, crafting entertaining tales that compel us to keep reading.

Lord knows, I’m a sucker for anything Tom writes. He hooked an 11-year-old me with a doomed romance between two a.i. robot characters — let me say that again: robots! — and I think I’ve read practically everything else he’s written ever since.

So Tom came into my office with his infectious enthusiasm, and we just talked about LEGION LOST for over an hour. I really loved what I heard. And then we got on the phone with series artist Pete Woods, and the ideas kept flowing. Carrying over subplots that Fabian had been developing, Tom’s inclinations felt so completely fresh that we were sold instantly. Here’s a taste:

A crossover with TEEN TITANS involving the organization known as N.O.W.H.E.R.E. — with a revelation that will change the entire course of LEGION LOST!

A Timber Wolf romance that could rip the team apart!

A power struggle for leadership!

Tyroc has a deadly secret…and the team isn’t happy when they learn it!

And a traitor lurks in their midst!

I gotta say, I didn’t think it possible, but Tom has me even more excited for the series’ future! I really hope you’ll join us to see his ideas come to fruition.

(The cover to LEGION LOST #5)

Last week, we showed you CAFU’s character designs for Spider and Menthor. In anticipation of tomorrow’s wide bookstore release of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 1, we’ll continue to unveil never-before-seen designs for the characters in the fan-beloved series. Up next? Lightning.

One of the most prominent and popular African-American super heroes, STEEL will be making his debut into the world of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on December 7.

Equal parts Superman and folk legend John Henry (to whom the name of his alter ego, John Henry Irons, is an homage), Steel will appear in ACTION COMICS #4 – written by critically acclaimed, bestselling author Grant Morrison and illustrated by Rags Morales.

When Terminauts threaten to lay waste to Metropolis in search of Superman, it falls to Steel to come to the aid of the beleaguered hero – and the Man of Steel will sure need the help of this steel-drivin’ man. But their team-up isn’t all we’ll get from Steel in this issue. ACTION COMICS #4 also features a special backup story written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Brad Walker. The eight-page story continues the action of ACTION, showcasing a heavy metal battle between Steel and Metal-zero.

Debuting in ACTION COMICS #4, Steel will return for ACTION COMICS #7, where he will star in another backup by Fisch and Walker.

“Tor lorek san, bor nakka mur,
Natromo faan tornek wot ur.
Ter Lantern ker lo Abin Sur,
Taan lek lek nok–Formorrow Sur!”
-Oath of the Indigo Tribe

Not much is known about the mysterious Indigo Tribe; even their oath is all but impenetrable to anyone not of their numbers. But the upcoming storyline of GREEN LANTERN will explore their secrets, revealing shocking truths that will shake the foundations of the entire Lantern universe.

Wielding the light of Compassion, the reclusive Indigo Tribe will be the focus of an ongoing story which begins with GREEN LANTERN #7 – written by fan-favorite, critically acclaimed author Geoff Johns and illustrated by artists Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.

In “The Secret of the Indigo Tribe,” the uneasy alliance of Hal Jordan and Sinestro continues, as they are taken to the Indigo homeworld to uncover the truths behind a heinous crime. But what crime could keep this unlikely duo together, driving them to investigate a corps ostensibly dedicated to the spread of goodwill throughout the galaxy? And what dark secrets will Hal and Sinestro discover out in the unknown reaches of deep space?

(Inks for the cover of GREEN LANTERN #7)

If you live in or around Los Angeles, be sure to stop by Meltdown Comics tomorrow (Dec. 3) at 6pm for your chance to bid on Hero Initiative’s Justice League of America 100 Project, featuring exclusive, one-of-a-kind covers.  The covers feature art from Mark Bagley, Alan Davis, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, George Pérez, Frank Quitely, John Romita Sr., Alex Ross, and more – you can check out the full gallery of covers here.  The Meltdown Comics event is the first of three Hero Initiative auctions offering custom JLA covers and each event will auction off one-third of the total covers. The second event will be held at Tate’s Comics in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 20-22 and the third event will take place at Orlando MegaCon on Feb. 17-19.  For more information about this great cause and the auction events, visit the Hero Initiative website.

Every year the comic book industry celebrates Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday of May. It’s a fantastic day for professionals, creators, retailers and fans to come together to celebrate our passion and enthusiasm for comic books out into the world at large.

In 2011, DC COMICS—THE NEW 52 took the industry by storm! Now get an exclusive look at what’s happening in 2012.

Written and illustrated by the today’s top creators, DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 FCBD EDITION will give you a first look at the hottest new comics of 2012.

And just to whet your appetite, check out Jim Lee, Adam Hughes and Andy Kubert’s official cover for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 FCBD EDITION.

Continuing our countdown until Tuesday’s wide bookstore release of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. #1, today we’ll be revealing CAFU’s original character designs for Menthor. The twist? We’re not only going to be showing you his design for Menthor himself, but for the many awesome designs CAFU came up with for Menthor’s helmet before settling on its final look.