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.

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.

Not too long ago we teased a DAILY PLANET story about the entire RED CIRCLE event. Well, now we have a page spotlighting the mysterious HANGMAN. Who is he? What’s his deal? This page answers some questions and poses a few new ones. Click away.

You’ve seen the amazing designs. You’ve seen Jesus Saiz’s cover art. But there are more details to reveal, and more art to show. That’s what The Source is for, no?

This August, writer J. Michael Straczynski pairs with an all-star cast of artists to introduce a new wave of heroes into the DCU with four one-shots, each spotlighting one of the four. THE HANGMAN pairs JMS with artists Tom Derenick and comic legend Bill Sienkiewicz, while INFERNO features the gritty linework of Greg Scott. THE SHIELD showcases the work of former SUPERMAN and BATMAN artists Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens while THE WEB features the team of Roger Robinson and Hilary Barta. A pretty impressive lineup, huh? But that’s not all. We corralled Joey Cavalieri — and JMS — who along with assistant Chris Conroy is editing the RED CIRCLE books, to give us the lowdown on these reinterpreted characters and what their deal is. Take it away, Joey:

“Join the Red Circle: four books about four super heroes who are brand new to our universe. Everything goes in circles, and while these mighty crusaders have their roots in another time, J. Michael Straczynski has made sure that these guys’ colorful costumes aren’t empty suits. They’re fully rounded ndividuals, inhabited with the ethos of our modern era.

There’s the Hangman…a doctor who’s been spared the executioner’s noose (a circle of rope, get it?) only to be confronted with a choice that condemns him o roam around Earth forever, aiding everyone in his orbit.

And the Web, a man who’s had a life of ease and selfishness…but is forced to cast the resources of his, er, surroundings outward, to embrace and encircle everyone who needs his help!

Inferno has incendiary powers, but no memory other than a single name…which may not even be his. He must circle back and discover who he is, where he came from, and why everything around him goes to blazes…

The Shield is the spearhead of a program meant to encompass America’s borders, but quickly becomes a link in a bigger chain. That chain becomes a chain reaction. As J. Michael said in a note to me ‘n Dan: ‘This is where it gets really interesting. All four books are connected. One book sets up the next, then sets up the next, via interrelated actions. Each book slides off the next, showing the interconnectedness of the world, how fate can launch a bank shot from one person to the next. The Circle of Life, again reinforcing the Red Circle motif.’

Get the connection? We’ll show you how the circuit gets completed this summer. Circle your calendars: the Red Circle Revolution begins August 5th!”

It’s a week of rollouts here at The Source, and to close out our Red Circle character debuts, we’ve got the final cover by Jesus Saiz featuring the new look for THE WEB. Unlike THE HANGMAN and INFERNO, which went through a few changes in the design process, THE WEB was nailed pretty close the first go ’round. Sometimes things just fall into place, what can I say? So make with the click.

It’s been a Red Circle kind of week, huh? Well, we’re not only publishing The Shield and Inferno, friends, so why stop there? As some of you might recall, The Hangman is one of the key Red Circle heroes making his DCU debut in August. He’s also one of the characters superstar artist J.G. Jones took a pass at when asked to tinker with a few of the RC characters. So, to continue to show you an inside look at the creative process here at 1700 Broadway, I’ve included J.G.’s initial Hangman sketch and artist Jesus Saiz’s final cover.

Come back tomorrow for a peek at what The Web will look like come August. Yes, that’s a tease. Deal with it.