A few things about this issue: Readers will meet the greatest threat to face the Flash family in decades. A new hero will step into an old speedster’s boots. Barry Allen makes the ultimate sacrifice. Yep. You read that correctly. Courtesy of superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver. You’ve heard it said before, but this issue doesn’t dance around it — nothing will be the same.

FLASH: REBIRTH #5 hits 11/18.

J. Michael Straczynski wrote to remind me that this December is the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. (I say “remind me” as if I’d been in it!) He’s not bringing it up so I can futz with its Wikipedia entry. It’s because with the current issue of THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, he sends the Flash into the thick of it…to meet the Blackhawks, no less. We’ve done a few Flash stories but you’ve never read one like this! Barry Allen battles on the side of the Allied forces in World War II, in an adventure in which every incident is as unexpected as the premise!

Talking of “allied forces,” that sure describes BRAVE & BOLD. In the book’s grand tradition, JMS is lining up some inventive and even offbeat alliances to feature every issue. Seen the Batman/Dial H for Hero adventure? Everybody’s still buzzing about that one! Snag one if your local store has any left!

In the offing is a Batman/Brother Power the Geek team-up (Brother! Power! The! Geek!). Then, Doctor Fate and Green Lantern see whether or not magic can trump willpower. Jesus Saiz is drawing that one now even as I write this, and he’s having a blast doing it! He really knocked it out of the park on that “Dial H” issue, and he gets better every month!

If you love these Silver Age characters, JMS will remind you why you do! If you never did, or you’ve never heard of them, these new stories will show you why people still talk about them…and why they endure!

(Dude, the Geek abides!)

Your pal,
–Joey

WEDNESDAY COMICS, the groundbreaking weekly series featuring the all-star talents of Neil Gaiman, Joe Kubert, Lee Bermejo, Brian Azzarello, Kurt Busiek and many more, was a critical and commercial success across the board, featuring DC’s greatest characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern, in stories from the most talented creators in the industry. For 12 weeks, fans were treated to an historic and energized collection of newspaper strips compiled by editor Mark Chiarello that ranged from standard and captivating superhero drama to the surreal and innovative. But wait, there’s more?

Just announced at the Baltimore Retailer Summit, we’ve got the details on the WEDNESDAY COMICS collection, a topic that’s been hotly debated and prognosticated by fans since the inception of the series.

The hardcover collection of the series, which will retail at $49.99, will clock in at 11 x 17 inches, which will present the series in a deluxe, big-screen format befitting the series, which was originally printed on broadsheet newspaper pages.

So, there you have it. WEDNESDAY COMICS, presented in oversized and deluxe glory. Not too shabby, huh?

Way to go Long Beach! I just got back up to LA from the first Long Beach Comic Con and I had a blast. The show was great, the fans were great, the guest list was great and the weather was great.

Of course you’ve heard the big news out of the show was Dan DiDio and Philip Tan on Outsiders and Geoff Johns and Scott Kollins on the Wally West cofeature in The Flash. The DC Nation panel was full of all kinds of awesome as I was joined by Geoff, Philip, Pete Tomasi, JT Krul, Sterling Gates and Mr. Bob Wayne. We talked about the popularity of Red Lantern cats, our favorite superhero movies and the many ways we could kill Lady Blackhawk. The Long Beach fans were excellent and I look forward to coming back next year.

The only thing that went wrong at the show was that I forgot to take pictures of the panel. This daily blogging thing is new to me and I got distracted when they gave me a cordless microphone to run around the room with. I tried to make up for it with these pictures of Philip and Dustin Nguyen at their tables. I’ll try and do better this week.

See you tomorrow,

Ian Sattler, Senior Story Editor DCU

Ever wonder what a down-and-out street thug would do with super powers?

Or what J. Michael Straczynski would do at DC Comics?

DC’s longtime superhero mash-up series THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD welcomes a new pairing of heroic proportions. J. Michael Straczynski, writer and creator of the sci-fi hit, Babylon 5 and BAFTA-award nominated screenwriter of Changeling, joins forces with rising star illustrator Jesus Saiz (OMAC PROJECT, CHECKMATE) as the series’ dynamic new writer-artist team starting with issue #27, on sale September 16.

Featuring an all-star line-up of DC favorites including Batman and The Flash teaming up with heroes like Blackhawk and Dial H for Hero, each issue is an unpredictable adventure, exploring the many dimensions of heroism.

It’s timeless stories of action and sensation, with Straczynski adding a new depth of characterization to DC’s celebrated heroes with modern perspective and style, making THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD a definite source of excellent comic storytelling and a must-read series.

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #27 hits tomorrow. And we’ve got a slew of pages from the first issue.

What’s the best way to get over having to come back to work after a long weekend? Well, how about some cool news? I can’t really complain, as I’m sending this while heading south to the Florida Keys. But this news is big enough to interrupt my vacation — and it really should be shared now. Remember how we announced that after the completion of THE FLASH: REBIRTH and BLACKEST NIGHT, writer Geoff Johns would be writing a new ongoing FLASH series? One thing we didn’t mention was the name of his artistic collaborator. Johns will be teaming up with none other than superstar artist Francis Manapul to chronicle the adventures of the Scarlet Speedster next year.

The pair knocked it out of the park with their amazing work on ADVENTURE COMICS, so having Johns and Manapul continue their magic partnership with one of the DCU’s most iconic characters was definitely a no-brainer. They finish up their run on ADVENTURE COMICS with January¹s #6 to get ready for FLASH #1, which kicks off the high-octane and mysterious storyline “The Dastardly Death of the Rogues!” Stay tuned to The Source for news on the new creative team taking the reigns on ADVENTURE and a sneak preview of Francis’s art from FLASH. How’s that for a welcome to the working week?

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver continue to race toward the gripping conclusion of FLASH: REBIRTH with the fourth installment in the mini-series that returned Barry Allen to the DCU. Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster? You won’t find all the answers here, but we’ve got a few.

FLASH: REBIRTH #4 hits 8/26.

It’s Wednesday. We know that means new comics. More specifically, it means a new issue of WEDNESDAY COMICS. Check out the latest SUPERMAN strip installment over at USA TODAY before you head to the shop.

• Over at AIN’T IT COOL NEWS, “Ambush Bug” talks to BLACKEST NIGHT writer Geoff Johns about his plans for the summer event and beyond. A snippet:

BUG: I know BLACKEST NIGHT is just beginning, but do you have things planned out for what’s next?

GJ: I can’t say much, but I will be on GREEN LANTERN for a long time. I have no plans to leave the book. Next year, GREEN LANTERN is going to be my main focus for the entire year. I’m launching a FLASH monthly book soon and there’s going to be a KID FLASH monthly book by Sterling Gates. Those two books are going to work in unison and explore the Flash in very much the same way GREEN LANTERN and GREEN LANTERN CORPS are tied together right now. They’ll be their own separate books, but then they’ll come together. The idea, some of it comes from BLACKEST NIGHT and REBIRTH, but the idea is to explore what it means to be the Flash, what the Speed Force is, and all that and take it to a different level.

• And, speaking of Geoff, in case you missed it, IGN had a lengthy two-part interview with the writer to discuss the recently-unveiled cover to BLACKEST NIGHT #5, featuring Nekron.

• Over at NEWSARAMA, they’ve got a first look at THE RED CIRCLE: THE WEB.

• Also, the team at iFanboy continue to roll out content from San Diego. Worth a listen.

• THE NEW YORK TIMES talks to Chip Kidd about his work and love of comics, including a snazzy slideshow of his DC work.

You’ve heard the question, but have you gotten the answer? Who’s faster, Superman or the Flash? Place your bets, because the third issue of FLASH: REBIRTH brings in the verdict — in a way you’d never predict. Check out a few pages from writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver’s speedster opus, which hits 6/10.

This gloomy weather has us here at The Source feeling a tad under the weather, so apologies for using the “blogging will be light” cliché today. But, we do have a slew of places for you to visit as you wait for a full recovery.

• Geoff Johns spoke to Andrew Smith, from the SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE about FLASH: REBIRTH:

Why do it? Why bring back Barry Allen, after a heroic death and successful replacement?

Johns: I think that’s what the series is all about. The answers are all in there. But whenever I get on these characters, my goal has always been to kind of rebuild their world, their mythology, like with Green Lantern and JSA.

Barry Allen is, like Hal Jordan (in “Green Lantern”), sort of a centerpiece to the Flash. With Barry Allen, there’s something clear I want to do and I want him to do it. For me, he’s the character that’s going to facilitate the stories I want to tell.

Johns also spoke to IGN’s Dan Phillips about a wide array of topics, including BLACKEST NIGHT, FLASH: REBIRTH and the return of Superboy in the pages of ADVENTURE COMICS.

• IGN also has a few preview pages from the BATTLE FOR THE COWL coda, GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN ALIVE #1.

• Speaking of the Red Circle characters, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ Jeff Renaud spoke to writer J. Michael Straczynski about the four one-shots and his upcoming stint on THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD.

• Had a chance to check out pages from THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #1? Well, MYSPACE COMIC BOOKS has a lengthy preview.