Interesting fact about Lt. Joe Higgins, a.k.a. the Shield: he does not consider himself a hero, let alone a super one. For Lt. Higgins, the experimental warsuit he wears saved his life and enables him to continue doing his duty. It’s his honor to serve his country and uphold its ideals, and even if the style of his uniform has changed, his commitment to it has never wavered. Higgins doesn’t think of himself as a hero, he thinks of himself as a solider of the United States Armed Forces, now and until the day he lays down his arms.

Today, Lt. Joe Higgins will complete his first mission, aided by former Marine Lance Corporal David Reid now known as Magog. For both of them, their commitment to upholding the virtues of their country is paramount, and their sense of duty remains strong, just like their real-life brothers and sisters in arms. So before heading off to your comics store, join all of us
here at DC in thanking the true heroes today for their service and sacrifice. To all members of the U.S. Military, past and present, we salute you.

• 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.

Last week, we showed off some of the pages from the first issue of THE SHIELD, and now we have a look at THE WEB #1, featuring the main WEB feature, written by Angela Robinson with art by Roger Robinson and Hilary Barta. The issue also has a HANGMAN co-feature, from writer John Rozum and the REIGN IN HELL art team of Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Spinning out of August’s “Red Circle” one-shots from writer J. Michael Stracynski comes this new ongoing series starring selfish rich-boy hero the Web, a man who has only recently come to understand the burden of true heroism. He’s fighting crime on his own terms, and for his first mission he’s hunting down the men responsible for killing his own brother. Talk about kicking things off on a personal note.

Plus, the Hangman stars in his own co-feature with a touch of urban noir, as the hooded vigilante haunts the streets of San Francisco and struggles to discover the true meaning of his supernatural powers. What? Words aren’t enough? Well, we have some pictures below. Surely that’ll entice you, no?

THE WEB #1 hits 9/23.

Spinning out directly from last month’s “Red Circle” event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski, we’ve got a first look at THE SHIELD #1, the debut issue of the new ongoing series chronicling the patriotic hero’s exploits. Along for the ride is an INFERNO co-feature. The main story, written by Eric Trautmann with art by Marco Rudy takes Lt. Joe Higgins — a.k.a. the Shield — into the hot spots across the globe where civilians fear to tread. His first mission finds him in Bialya, the nation destroyed by Black Adam in the pages of 52. There’s something lurking in the mountains beyond militia activity, and it’s up to the Shield to investigate.

Meanwhile, in the INFERNO co-feature by writer Brandon Jerwa and artist Greg Scott, we meet Inferno — but who is he? And why are the Dark Men after him?

THE SHIELD #1 hits 9/9.

Well, it’s Friday, and I’ve managed to finagle the day off. But fear not — we’ve got our regularly scheduled “From the Editors” post right here. This time, it’s Editor Rachel Gluckstern giving us more info on the upcoming THE SHIELD ongoing series. Take it away, Rachel:

With the Red Circle event now underway, I just have to share some art from the amazing team on the monthly Shield book. From Francis Manapul’s amazing cover to the dream art team of Marco Rudy and Mick Gray, everyone’s pulled out all the stops to live up to Eric Trautmann’s impressive first script.

The Shield #1 goes on sale 9/9, leading the way for the Red Circle monthlies and featuring Inferno by Brandon Jerwa and Greg Scott. But how can you resist such a perfect team of talent and characters? Look for the Shield #1 in September!

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.

On 9/2, writer Eric Trautmann and artist Marco Rudy team up for THE SHIELD, a new ongoing series spinning out of The Red Circle one-shot and featuring an INFERNO co-feature.

We’re still closely guarding a first look at a full-on preview, but The Source is all about teasing stuff, no? So here’s a first look at a lovely spread from the main story, by Mr. Rudy. Pretty neat, huh?

J. Michael Straczynski’s re-imagination of the Red Circle heroes begins here, with JMS teaming up with artists Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz to introduce The Hangman to the DCU.

The Civil War was one of our nation’s bloodiest conflicts, but one of the participants remains alive. Union doctor Robert Dickering found himself on the wrong side of the battle lines, and despite his heroic efforts to save a Confederate soldier, he also found himself on the wrong end of a noose. But when a shadowy power offers him a chance at immortality — with the caveat that he must roam the Earth, saving the lives of wrongly-condemned innocents like himself — Dickering agreed, and becomes the mysterious Hangman. But it doesn’t stop there, friends. We’ve got a first look at the issue right here.

THE RED CIRCLE: THE HANGMAN #1 hits 8/5.

We’ve covered the RED CIRCLE characters from pretty much every angle here on The Source, and we’ve got a few things to toss your way on this lovely Friday afternoon. Below, you’ll see the cover to THE SHIELD #2, by Francis Manapul and the cover to THE WEB #2, by FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE cover artist Stanley Lau. Nice, eh?

Did you think we’d leave out  THE SHIELD? Of course not. But who is the flag-waving hero? What’s his story? You might find something out by clicking below. “Might” being the key word here.