There isn’t much I can say about this cover — aside from the fact that Batman and Batwoman are both on it — but who needs my commentary when you have art this lovely by Mr. J.H. Williams? Nobody, I say.

It’s been a long week, Source gang, so we’ll try to keep this simple. The DCU titles make a regular habit of having some cool and different variant covers, so why not show off a few here from time to time. Makes sense, no? Here goes.

DETECTIVE COMICS #859 variant by JOCK.

And a lovely variant by SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN artist Gary Frank, for the third issue of the series.

Want more? Sure, we all do. How about the variant cover to WORLD’S FINEST #2? That’s doable. All you need to do is sign up for DC MOBILE NATION by texting ‘DC NATION’ to 62407. And, voila, pictures.

The shocking and tragic origin of Batwoman starts here, in a haunting, evocative issue penned by writer Greg Rucka with art from the masterful J.H. Williams III. With “Go,” Rucka and Williams reveal the true story behind the kidnapping of Kate Kane and her family by terrorists and how these events tragically alter Kate — and her family’s life — forever. All this and the mystery behind the villainous Alice revealed.

Check out a few pages below, plus a peek at THE QUESTION co-feature, as Renee’s search for a missing girl comes to a bittersweet end, leaving more questions behind. Well, if Renee survives the night.
DETECTIVE COMICS #858 hits 10/28.

As promised, we’ve got a look at the Batwoman feature from DETECTIVE COMICS #857, as Batwoman faces off against Alice in an attempt to stop the villainess from unleashing a toxic death cloud over all of Gotham. But Alice has more up her sleeve than just poison, and Batwoman’s life will never ever be the same again. What more do you need? Oh, right. Artwork. Well, here you go. From the team of Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, DETECTIVE COMICS #857 hits 9/23.

We wander the DCU editorial offices pretty regularly, just to get a sense of what’s coming up in the book. More often than not, an editor will swing by with a great idea and the bulk of my job is to just nod and say “Sure! Send it over!” This was one such instance. So, without further ado, I present DETECTIVE COMICS editor Michael Siglain, who is fittingly talking about DETECTIVE COMICS. Take it away, Mike:

Want a sneak peek at the latest unbelievably awesome issue of Detective Comics from writer Greg Rucka and artist JH Williams III? Well, check out these pages!

In the fourth issue, Batwoman confronts the maniacal and evil Alice in an attempt to save the life of Colonel Kane (who just so happens to be Batwoman’s father), and the lives of everyone in Gotham City, from a lethal chemical weapons attack. Things have the potential for going very, very wrong for Batwoman—and Gotham. I’m talking cyanide-in-the-bloodstream wrong, so don’t miss this issue! (Incidentally, these are pages two and three of Detective Comics #857, which hits the stores at the end of this month.)

But we’re in a generous mood around the offices today, so how about some more beautiful pages from JH Williams III? In Detective Comics #858, which is out next month, we see a flashback of Colonel Kane under fire. Now, since we’re flashing back to an earlier time, your normal artist might just make the panel borders round, or ask for the panels to be colored in a sepia tone, but not the mighty JH Williams III! No, instead of those conventional tricks-of-the-trade, Mr. Williams decided to change his entire art style for the sequence!

Take a look:

Pretty cool, right? Just wait until you read what Greg, JH, letterer Todd Klein, and colorist Dave Stewart have in store. If you thought Elegy was amazing (and it was!), then be sure to check out Detective Comics each and every month. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams continue to put the pressure on Gotham’s newest hero with the third part of ‘Elegy,” as Batwoman unites with an unlikely ally to momentarily defeat the fairytale villain known as Alice. But when Kate is forced to attend another high society event, she soon learns that her worlds are crashing together. Want more? Check out a few pages below. And then, head on over to your local shop. Simple, right?

DETECTIVE COMICS #856 hits today.

How great was the first Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III issue of DETECTIVE COMICS? Wonderful characterization, beautiful, mind-blowing art and a frightening new villain in Gotham. Well, there’s more.

In the second part of “Elegy,” Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice, who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as fodder – including Kate. But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucinatory nightmare that brings the past crashing into the present, with hints of a threat that could bring a deadly conclusion to the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham. So…yeah. Not very low stakes at all.

So, while I try to get used to all this west coast madness, why not enjoy a few pages from the next issue, which hits 7/29?

Greetings, Source-erers,

Michael Siglain here. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m one of the editors here at DC. More specifically, I’m one of the Bat-editors, and am currently responsible for Detective Comics, Outsiders, Batgirl, Vigilante and Booster Gold, among other comic book greatness. I’m here today to give you a peek behind the editorial iron curtain, so get ready to feast your eyes…

First up, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the crew of Detective Comics. The lead story—by the brilliant team of Greg Rucka, J.H. Williams III, and Dave Stewart—tells the tale of Batwoman, while in the co-feature, Mr. Rucka teams up with artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner to answer The Question. As you may have heard, we’ve just sold out of Detective Comics #854 and are going back to press with a brand new cover.

But you might not have seen the uncolored version of our groovy second printing cover, so take a gander…

Pretty, ain’t it? If any of you haven’t read this issue yet, run—don’t walk—to your local comic shop and reserve your copy now. And just wait until you read Detective Comics #855, which is in stores at the end of this month. Things go from bad to worse for our heroines, but the writing and the art only gets better and better. Trust me, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.

And speaking of cool bat-related books, here’s a page from Outsiders #21, which features an all-new story arc written by Wizard Top Ten Writer Peter Tomasi—seriously, he’s number seven with a bullet—of Nightwing and Green Lantern Corps fame, with art by the amazingly talented Fernando Pasarin—of Justice Society of America fame (he’s not on the Wizard list yet, but he’s number one on the list of Top Ten Artists Who Live in Spain and Currently Work for Mike Siglain). These fine folks have crafted a tale of terror that pits the Outsiders against some of Batman’s most dangerous and vile villains. In “The Hunting” Part I, Black Lightning and Owlman head north in an attempt to track down the murderous Mr. Freeze. Again, take a look:

That’s all for now, gang. But check back soon for another update featuring the all-new Batgirl, the same ol’ Booster, the return of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, and a top secret, unbelievably creepy Sam Kieth project.

Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight…

M.

Seems like people like Gotham’s newest citizen, huh?

DETECTIVE COMICS #854, by writer Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams III, has sold and is going back to press for a new, second printing. As most of you know, DETECTIVE COMICS also features a snazzy co-feature by Rucka, with art by Cully Hamner.

And though you probably don’t need any added incentive to check out the book, we’ve still got the mind-blowing new printing cover by Mr. Williams and Dave Stewart right here. Enjoy.

Hello there, Bat Nation! As BATMAN REBORN kicks into high gear, I just wanted to send a quick note to you all–a friendly reminder–to run (don’t walk!) to your local comic shop this coming Wednesday for two spectacular debuts!

First up we have DETECTIVE COMICS STARRING BATWOMAN. Writer Greg Rucka and artist JH Williams III have been pouring their hearts and souls into this comic over the past several months–from the very first page you’ll see what we mean.  You won’t want to miss this first adventure, which unveils a new villain for Batwoman to face.

And if one story isn’t enough for you, fret not–we have not one, but (count ‘em!) TWO stories in DETECTIVE COMICS each month. Following the lead feature is THE QUESTION, written by the very busy Greg Rucka and illustrated by Cully Hamner. Renee Montoya and her inquisitive alter ego take center stage each month in this second feature.

Next up we have the series debut of GOTHAM CITY SIRENS, featuring Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn! This new series is written by a guy named Paul Dini–perhaps you’ve read his work in DETECTIVE or BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM. And this series is beautifully illustrated by Guillem March, whose work you may have seen in GOTHAM GAZETTE, or in last year’s BATMAN/DETECTIVE “Last Days of Gotham” two-part crossover.

And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg…Phase Two of BATMAN REBORN kicks in later this year, with the return of two long-time favorites–the all-new BATGIRL series in August, and the all-new AZRAEL series in October!

Thanks for reading!