It’s almost Friday. Half the week is over. But we’ve still got two more days before the weekend is upon us. And we’ve got a few heavy hitters. Specifically, BATMAN #694 from writer/artist Tony Daniel, a lovely J.H. Williams DETECTIVE COMICS #860 cover and last, but certainly not least, Andy Kubert’s magnificent cover to the minty-fresh BATMAN 80-PAGE GIANT. Feast your eyes, folks. All three hit in December.

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!

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.

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!

Well, here’s a new image for you, the cover to DETECTIVE COMICS #857, hitting in September. The first issue featuring Batwoman, #854, hits 6/24.

Here’s hoping everyone had a relaxing weekend. In case you weren’t chained in front of your computer, here are a few of the things you may have missed while enjoying two days or rest.

• AIN’T IT COOL NEWS unveiled an exclusive first look at BATMAN AND ROBIN #1, by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Keep your eyes peeled for a few more sneak peeks at the first issue in the coming days.

• Pete Tomasi talks to NEWSARAMA about the road to BLACKEST NIGHT. The site also talks to writer Keith Giffen about the newly-announced MAGOG series, and to the supremely talented J.H. Williams about Batwoman’s upcoming stint in DETECTIVE COMICS.

• COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ Jeff Renaud chats up artist Mark Bagley to discuss the conclusion of TRINITY, while the folks io9 explain why TRINITY is a ‘metaphysical epic done right.

• Remember that time back in March, where BATMAN Group Editor Michael Marts talked to IGN about his very neat photo board, featuring key characters heading into BATTLE FOR THE COWL? Well, now that the major event is over, the board has changed, which means Marts once again drops hints as to where your favorite characters are going, in a chat with IGN’s Dan Phillips.

• And last, but certainly not least, THE NEW YORK TIMES unveiled their Graphic Novel Bestseller list for the week of May 23. Of note: SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, BATMAN R.I.P., JOKER and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS all made the list.

Here at The Source, one of our goals is to bring you, the reader, behind the scenes and straight into the creative process. With that in mind, here’s a glimpse at the preliminary designs for Batwoman, from the desk of the amazingly talented J.H. Williams. Now, we’ve seen our share of interior sneak peeks for Batwoman’s upcoming stint in DETECTIVE COMICS, but this is a first look at the steps taken to bring Batwoman to the finished page. We dare you not to click.

DETECTIVE COMICS #854, from Williams and writer Greg Rucka, hits in June. Oh, and here’s the cover for July’s DETECTIVE #855…

This June, the Bat-books will experience a bit of a face lift. In addition to having a new Batman roaming the Gotham rooftops, DETECTIVE COMICS #854 will also feature a new protagonist. Specifically, Kathy Kane — Batwoman. Now, we’ve seen a few images and a preview of the first issue, but that surely can’t be enough, can it? Check out some more amazing interiors from artist J.H. Williams, who’s teaming with writer Greg Rucka on the series.