Lots of fun stuff going on around the web, so let’s hop to it, shall we?

• The gang at MTV SPLASH PAGE have an interview with BATGIRL writer Bryan Q. Miller discussing the first few issues of the series, with preview pages from BATGIRL #4. Worth a read.

• IGN previews pages from GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42. Stay tuned for more on that issue and #43 later today right here on The Source.

• NEWSARAMA’s got their latest installment of 10 Questions Plus One Answer with our very own Dan DiDio, and Dan gives some interesting teases about what’s in store for some key characters in 2010.

• And, in case you missed it, culture and entertainment site POP MATTERS has a lengthy and engaging essay on writer Grant Morrison’s run on BATMAN AND ROBIN. Perfect lunch break reading material.

Happy Friday, Source gang. It’s been a long week, so why not take a few minutes from your busy day and unwind with a few interesting interviews and reviews?

• NEWSARAMA’s Chris Arrant talks shop with DETECTIVE COMICS writer Greg Rucka about all things Batwoman in this all-encompassing and insightful read.

• IGN’s Dan Phillips talks up JMS and artist Jesus Saiz’s second issue of THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, noting that “JMS and Saiz have crafted two timeless, poignant, entertaining and very moving adventure stories that make profound statements on DC heroes of both the iconic and obscure varieties. This is the type of superhero series I always yearned for but never thought enough of to demand.”

• AIN’T IT COOL NEWS reviews the latest issue of writer Chris Yost and artist Ramon Bachs’ RED ROBIN series.

• And last, but certainly not least, CBR’s Doug Zawisza talks up the final issue of the BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN mini-series, calling artist Eddy Barrows’ art “ raw and gritty, perfect for the battle between reanimated corpses and our heroes.”

• Over the weekend, the 2009 Harvey Award winners were announced at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Congrats to all the winners, with a special pat on the back for Grant Morrison, who won for Best Writer for his work on ALL STAR SUPERMAN, which also won as Best Continuing or Limited Series.

• The team at IGN continues their BLACKEST NIGHT coverage, with a preview of the final issue of BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN.

• Speaking of BLACKEST NIGHT, NEWSARAMA’s Vaneta Rogers sits down to chat with BLACKEST NIGHT artist Ivan Reis about his work on the series.

• And, in case you missed it over the weekend, at the DC NATION panel in Baltimore it was announced that Matthew Sturges will be stepping in as the new regular writer on THE WEB, replacing Angela Robinson after a one-issue cameo by Marc Guggenheim. Check back Friday for more on the new team.

But that’s not all the news we have percolating in Baltimore, folks. Check back here around 9pm EST tonight for some major news that’ll make coming to work tomorrow that much easier.

Monday’s winding down, and while there are still four more work days looming, let’s take a glance at some of the notable bits in the press from the last few days:

• Over at EW.com’s shiny new book blog, SHELF LIFE, Ken Tucker talks up the first issue of BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN, calling the issue this week’s “smartest, grisliest mainstream comic book.”

• AIN’T IT COOL NEWS reviews the first issue of ADVENTURE COMICS, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul, succinctly summing up the issue: “This is the good stuff.”

• Speaking of ADVENTURE COMICS #1, THE ONION AV CLUB reviews the issue, along with the first issue of DOOM PATROL. Both debut issues nabbed a “B+” rating.

• NEWSARAMA’s posted their latest 20 Questions and 1 Answer with Dan DiDio, which is well worth reading if you’re looking for a few newsbits. Two words for you: BATMAN BEYOND?

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.

In addition to the previously mentioned Fallon bit, the San Diego coverage is slowly rolling in, and we’ve got the first bunch of cool links for you here. Because that’s what we do, no?

• Newsarama’s Vaneta Rogers talked to DC President and Publisher Paul Levitz and SVP of Sales and Marketing Steve Rotterdam about DC’s presence on Google.com last week. She also chatted up writer Matt Sturges about the newly-announced JSA ALL STARS series.

• IO9’s Graeme MacMillan covered a lot of ground in this must-read interview with our very own Dan DiDio.

• G4 anchor and star of BOOSTER GOLD #23’s cover, Blair Butler talked to Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler to get the lowdown on all things DCU and also got a very special souvenir from Paul Levitz.

We’ll post more as the hits continue to appear, including Dan on a yacht. Stay tuned.

By now, you’ve heard the news — Matt Brady, editor of long-running comic news site NEWSARAMA stepped down today, taking with him two decades of experience covering the industry.

It’s with mixed feelings that I type this, because this isn’t just another blog post for me, personally. I seriously doubt I’d have much of a place in the comic book industry if not for Matt, who, along with NEWSARAMA founder Mike Doran took a chance on a pesky college kid who was willing to write for peanuts (i.e. “free”). The comic book industry is a small place, and I’m proud to count Matt among my friends.

But despite my constant remarks to the contrary, this isn’t about me. Over the years, NEWSARAMA has built a reputation based on intelligent and balanced reportage, keen industry insight and a funny, self-deprecating tone that really comes directly from Matt. The site has always been at the forefront of covering all things relating to comics and will certainly continue to do so, and that’s a testament to Matt’s frightening work ethic and ability to build lasting relationships.

So, consider this a tip of the hat to you, Matt. Don’t get a big head over it.

In a little under a week, the comic book industry will converge for San Diego Comic-Con, arguably the largest pop culture event of the year. And one comic book series will be the talk of the show: BLACKEST NIGHT, by New York Times-bestselling writer Geoff Johns and superstar artist Ivan Reis.

Five years in the making, this blockbuster summer event is equal parts chilling zombie horror show and gut-wrenching and gripping personal drama, involving the most famous comic book heroes ever known.

Johns and Reis team up to not only raise the dead in a frightening and surprising way, but to also bring new meaning and definition to the concept in comics, in a story that will both shock and engage you amidst a War of Light between the various Lantern Corps representing the entire emotional spectrum.

As the BLACKEST NIGHT spreads, the dead shall rise. Are you ready?

And, as if you’d need any more convincing, a few press hits have already landed, on this day of BLACKEST NIGHT. USA WEEKEND spoke to Johns today, as did THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. If you head over to IGN, they’ve got a complete guide to the series, while NEWSARAMA outlines the 10 things you need to know about BLACKEST NIGHT. If that’s not enough, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES also talks to Johns aas part of their regular “Geoff Johns Prime” feature.

So, you saw the news, right? Yup, starting 7/8, USA TODAY will be syndicating the SUPERMAN strip from WEDNESDAY COMICS by writer John Arcudi and artist Lee Bermejo. Cool, huh? We think so.

Special thanks to io9, THE BEAT, BLOG@NEWSARAMA and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ ROBOT SIX for picking up and spreading the news.

And, in our continued efforts to make every day feel as fun as Wednesday, here’s a page from the SGT. ROCK WEDNESDAY COMICS strip, with words by Adam Kubert and artwork from living legend Joe Kubert.

Over at AOL/Asylum’s COMICS ALLIANCE site, our own Dan DiDio takes a moment to chat with CA’s Laura Hudson about how the Batman universe will be shaping up post-BATTLE FOR THE COWL.

ComicsAlliance: What’s been the reaction to the recent revelation that Dick Grayson, the original Robin, is now the new Batman?

Dan DiDio: We had a lot of speculation about who was going to be the new Batman, and one of the things that I found most surprising was that most people were trying to guess in a different direction. But from our standpoint, we were always pretty locked in on the fact that Dick Grayson was going to be the new Batman… the legacy aspect plays into everything that makes DC great, where we have so many characters that have moved from one generation to another. People have become very invested in [Dick Grayson] character over the years, and interested to see how he accepts the mantle.

• THE NASHUA TELEGRAPH had kind words for the FINAL CRISIS hardcover.

• Speaking of Grant Morrison and Batman, the writer talks to NEWSARAMA’s Zack Smith about BATMAN AND ROBIN and his plans for the Caped Crusader.

• And, speaking of BATMAN AND ROBIN, IGN has a nice review of the first issue, where they call the book “an outrageously fun start for this new series. “