This morning Verizon Wireless announced that they would be launching new rate plans on June 28, 2012. The rate plans are centered around everything shared, including data. A few changes have been made to the plans that differ from your standard wireless agreement. First of all you can share up to 10 devices, generally wireless has kept your “family plan” items limited to 5. Also you are able to share any type of device, this applies to a data card, tablet, basic phone, or a smart phone, with price adjustments as you tier up.

Here’s how it works, it confused me at first until I played with their rate plan calculator a few times.

First each device has a connect cost. A smart phone runs you $40.00, basic phone $30.00, a netbook, usb, or mifi is $20.00, and a tablet is $10.00. You can pile these in any pattern up to 10 devices. The connection fee gives you unlimited talk and text. The charge is per device, so 3 smart phones will equal $120.00 before data, 1 tablet and 2 smart phones would equal $90.00 etc.

You then pick a data plan to go along with your helpings, the data plan is an allotment of data shared between those devices. The choices available are

• 1 Gig Shared: $50.00
• 2 Gigs Shared: $60.00
• 4 Gigs Shared: $70.00
• 6 Gigs Shared: $80.00
• 8 Gigs Shared: $90.00
• 10 Gig Shared: $100.00

To compare what I have now I spend about $85.00 on my service. I have 2 gigs of data Unlimited Text, and 450 minutes that I never use. On their new set up, I would pay an additional $15.00 a month for the same set up, and be forced to have the option to share.

Family plans do become a touch cheaper, but even that comparison does increase the overall cost of their service. The new plans seem to focus on their stock holders for sure, I was hoping shared Data would help consumers reduce the cost of their family plans, and move more folks into smart phones, this still may do that, but currently all signs point to higher phone bills.

What do you folks think? Is it worth paying the extra? Will you be switching to the new set up or riding your old phone on the grandfathered waves of adventure?

This week on True Blood, Miss Mecha debates throwing things at her television to see if it will make Sookie any less stupid.

***This review contains SPOILERS. You have been warned!***

True Blood returned this week and after a long year of waiting I have to be honest and say that I was very disappointed with the premier. I re-watched last night’s episode and have come to the conclusion that the characters are actually getting dumber as time goes on. Admittedly, I definitely got a lot of satisfaction out of seeing Sookie shoot Debbie (because she was just going to be trouble forever and I doubt there was any hope for her) but it was so disappointing that she immediately regretted her actions and couldn’t seem to get over the fact that, in the heat of the moment, she made the choice that everyone around her has been making for seasons. It was only a matter of time before Sookie Stackhouse was forced to take a life or two considering all the shit that goes down in Bon Temps, and in this case it seemed perfectly reasonable to me that she shot Debbie.

I really wish Sookie would step it up. There’s a big part of me that wonders why she doesn’t hone in on her powers for the benefit of herself and those around her. She could be training herself to defend the ones she loves rather than constantly relying on Bill, Eric and/or Alcide to come save her every time shit hits the fan. The only time she really does anything effective is when literally everything else has failed and there’s nobody else to come to the rescue. While this is a useful plot device for the writers over at HBO, it makes for terrible character development.

And speaking of character development, does anyone else feel like we’re going nowhere as these characters continue to make poor decisions and end up used and abused? A part of me sort of wishes that Jason, Jessica, and the whole werewolf pack drama would just get written out of the show.

Jason Stackhouse makes another stupid decision and lets himself get glamoured…BORED!

Whenever the show jumps back to those side-plots I lose interest completely. And how the hell are so many main characters still alive? Just let some of them die already! It’s unbelievable that so many of them have survived the constant onslaught of extreme events. They didn’t kill Russell Edgington but buried him in concrete…can somebody tell my why Eric and Bill would have done that? It obviously would have been in their best interest to kill him…and now he’s escaped from the concrete to wreak more havoc on the world.

In my opinion, the most interesting plot point going on right now is the potential reveal that will happen with the Vampire Authority splitting into factions. This scenario is keeping me watching, but they really need to spend more time on it. I think we saw all of five minutes devoted to what could be at least half the episode and far too much of that time was spent with a completely unnecessary scene in which Eric bangs his vampire sister. (It’s not that I don’t like seeing Alexander Skarsgard naked…but this scene was so forced that it was pretty awkward in contrast to the rest of the episode).

As for the ending of the episode, did we really have to bring Tara back as a vampire? It would have had so much more of an impact if she was just dead and gone. Admittedly, I really hate her as a character and wanted her out shortly after season one ended (Alright: so I really hated her from moment one, but at least she served a purpose in the first season.).

Does everyone need to come back to Bon Temps through some form of supernatural BS? You can write supernatural elements into a show creatively or you can just throw a ton of weird shit at a wall and hope it’s all interesting to your audience – the latter of these is just overkill and it’s taking away from what could be crafted into far more interesting characters and creatures.

I conclude my review with this – for a season premier, this episode lacked a lot of the punch that prior seasons have brought to us. If you’re looking for something more interesting, I recently discovered this fun little tourism-style site devoted to the beloved, messed up town that is Bon Temps, Louisiana – http://www.welcometobontemps.com/

What did you think of this week’s episode?

To mark the first anniversary of “The New 52,” DC Comics will be putting out #0 issues for all of their titles. Some will be origin stories, and in cases where the origin has been told already they will fill in some of the blanks on the characters since their re-introduction last year. DC also announced that four new series will be starting up with these zero issues. They will be Talon, Sword of Sorcery, The Phantom Stranger, and Team 7.  Swankmotron also broke the news today that starting with the zero issue Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort will be taking over the Superman title. You can read his interview with Lobdell here.

TALON – Co-Writers: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV. Artist: Guillem March.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Meet Calvin Rose, the only Talon to ever escape the grasp of the Court of Owls. This former assassin of the Court is trying to live a normal life … but that’s impossible when he’s being hunted by his former masters!

SWORD OF SORCERY – Writer: Christy Marx. Artist: Aaron Lopresti.
Featuring the return of Amethyst, Amy Winston leads a strange life on the road with her mother and resents it. She’s about to learn it’s all been necessary when she discovers she’s the lost princess of Gemworld—and she’s being hunted by her murderous aunt. With a back-up story written by Tony Bedard with art by Jesus Saiz, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the monstrous warrior Beowulf is charged with finding and defeating the evil Grendel.

THE PHANTOM STRANGER – Writer: Dan DiDio. Artist: Brent Anderson.
Spinning out of his recent appearances in JUSTICE LEAGUE and DC’s Free Comic Book Day story, learn more about the true origin of The Phantom Stranger and his connection to the mysterious Pandora.

TEAM SEVEN – Writer: Justin Jordan. Artist: Jesus Merino.
Set in the early days of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, threads of the entire DC Universe collide. As Superman emerges, so does the world’s counter measures against him and his kind. Team 7 is comprised of Dinah Lance, Amanda Waller, Steve Trevor, John Lynch, Alex Fairchild, Cole Cash and Slade Wilson — and their story will change everything you know about DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

But to make way for those four series, four will be departing as DC wants to keep their line at 52 titles. I have now learned that the four books getting the axe are Justice League International, Voodoo, Resurrection Man, and Captain Atom. JLI’s last issue will be #12 which comes out in August and the rest will have their final issues in September with the zero issues.

And here are the solicits for all the zero issues out in September:

JUSTICE LEAGUE #0

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by GARY FRANK

Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:100 B&W Variant cover by GARY FRANK

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• Billy Batson takes center stage in this issue as he unleashes the awesome power of Shazam in a special origin story!

• Also featuring the not-to-be-missed origin of Pandora and the next seeds of TRINITY WAR!

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

AQUAMAN #0

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:25 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• It’s the first appearance of Atlantis – and Aquaman’s first encounter with Atlanteans!

• How will this story of Arthur’s past set the stage for his future? Find out here!

WONDER WOMAN #0

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO

Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG

1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A facet of the past is revealed – and a foe is introduced!

• How did Wonder Woman become a star pupil of Ares?

THE FLASH #0

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

1:25 B&W cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• At last, it’s the origin of The Flash!

• The loss of his mother put Barry Allen on the road to becoming a hero, but only when he gains his powers will he understand her most important lesson.

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #0

Plotted by ROB LIEFELD

Scripted by ROB LIEFELD and MARK POULTON

Art and cover by JOE BENNETT and ART THIBERT

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Discover Hawkman’s connection to Thanagar and why he came to Earth!

GREEN ARROW #0

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II and ROB HUNTER

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Oliver Queen is young, rich and reckless…what could possibly go wrong?

• Discover the events leading up to the birth of Green Arrow, and Ollie’s history with Roy Harper!

EARTH 2 #0

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by TOMAS GIORELLO

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:25 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• It’s the tragic origin of Earth 2’s greatest villain!

• Don’t miss Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman in action on Earth 2!

WORLDS’ FINEST #0

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art and cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE

1:25 B&W Variant cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• It’s the origin of Supergirl and Robin on Earth 2!

• How did their first mission on that world affect their situation as Power Girl and Huntress today?

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #0

Written by TONY BEDARD, JAMES ROBINSON, ROB LIEFELD and DAN DIDIO

Art by CAFU, MARAT MYCHAELS, TOM DERENICK, ERIC BATTLE and others

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 64 pg, FC, $5.99 US • RATED T

• Five all-new adventures featuring the Blackhawks’ Mother Machine, Hawk and Dove, Mister Terrific and O.M.A.C. in this super-sized issue!

• Featuring the beginning of storylines that will play out across the entire New 52!

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #0

Written by JOE HARRIS

Art and cover by YILDIRAY CINAR and MARLO ALQUIZA

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond try to return to civilian life after losing the power of the Firestorm Protocols…but when danger threatens them, will they be able to survive?

• Is this the end of Firestorm?

CAPTAIN ATOM #0

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art and cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

• Captain Nathaniel Adam volunteers for a dangerous experiment that will make him one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe!

• How much can man lose before he is no longer human?

TALON #0

Written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A new series featuring the Court of Owls’ unstoppable killing machine!

• Meet Calvin Rose, the only Talon ever to escape the grasp of the Court of Owls. This former assassin just wants to live a normal life…but that’s impossible, since he’s being hunted by his former masters!

BATMAN, INCORPORATED #0

Written by GRANT MORRISON and CHRIS BURNHAM

Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM

Variant cover by AARON KUDER

1:100 B&W Variant cover by CHRIS BURNHAM

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99

• Batman, Incorporated wants you!

• Batman has a war to fight, but first he must recruit an army to combat the menace of Leviathan.

• See how The Dark Knight assembled his lieutenants!

BATMAN #0

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Backup story written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Backup story art by ANDY CLARKE

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE

1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• Bruce Wayne has returned from his worldwide quest to take the law into his own hands!

• This issue reveals the early steps of building everything that surrounds Batman – the costume, the cave, the car, the gadgets!

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

DETECTIVE COMICS #0

Written by GREGG HURWITZ

Art by TONY DANIEL and RICHARD FRIEND

Backup story art by SZYMON KUDRANSKI

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL and RICHARD FRIEND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• Discover how young Bruce Wayne learned to wield the martial arts, and how a major villain was introduced into his life.

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #0

Written by GREGG HURWITZ

Art and cover by DAVID FINCH

1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Batman takes on the most important case of his career as a detective – who murdered his parents?

• Meet Joe Chill and explore the epic conspiracy to wipe out the Wayne family!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #0

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Damian’s complicated relationship with his mother, Talia al Ghul, takes center stage.

• Bred to kill and not to care, this is the birth of an assassin!

BATWOMAN #0

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

1:25 B&W Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• See how Kate Kane shed her life of excess and disgrace to become the costumed vigilante known as Batwoman!

• Has she truly put her demons to rest?

BATGIRL #0

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art and cover by ED BENES

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• How did Barbara first become Batgirl? What led to her to don the cape and cowl?

• Witness Barbara Gordon’s shocking injury and her inspiring drive to recover and walk again!

NIGHTWING #0

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by EDDY BARROWS, RUY JOSE and EBER FERREIRA

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• It’s the origin of Dick Grayson in The New 52!

• From orphan to super hero – it’s all here!

BATWING #0

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by MARCUS TO and RYAN WINN

Cover by MARCUS TO

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Batwing has been chosen as one of Batman’s main allies…but is he worthy?

• Guest-starring Batman!

BIRDS OF PREY #0

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR

Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The first meeting of Black Canary and Batgirl…is not at all what you expect!

• After Team 7, how did the Birds of Prey come to be?

CATWOMAN #0

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by RAFA SANDOVAL

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• The secret origin of Selina Kyle!

• Major shocks are in store for Catwoman this year – and this is just the beginning!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #0

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by DWAYNE TURNER

Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Learn how Jason Todd came back to life after being killed by The Joker.

• Do you really need another reason to check out this issue?

GREEN LANTERN #0

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY

1:25 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99 US

PROLOGUE TO THE THIRD ARMY!

• The introduction and origin of a surprising new Green Lantern!

• Where are Hal Jordan and Sinestro?

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #0

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

PROLOGUE TO THE THIRD ARMY!

• The New 52 origin of Guy Gardner!

• Guy’s past has a way of catching up with him, and this issue is no exception!

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #0

Written by TONY BEDARD

Art by AARON KUDER

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

1:25 B&W cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

PROLOGUE TO THE THIRD ARMY!

• A new team forms as Atrocitus, Larfleeze, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris, Saint Walker, Arkillo and Kyle Rayner prepare for war against the Guardians of the Universe!

RED LANTERNS #0

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

PROLOGUE TO THE THIRD ARMY!

• Don’t miss this secret chapter of the Red Lantern Corps, as the legacy of Atrocitus’s violent past unfolds!

• Witness a prophecy that threatens to change everything!

THE PHANTOM STRANGER #0

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art by BRENT ANDERSON and SCOTT HANNA

Cover by BRENT ANDERSON

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Learn what happened to The Phantom Stranger after the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY story!

• Who has been sacrificed? Who is guilty? Who can save us? And who…is The Phantom Stranger?

• Major players in The New 52 will be introduced in these pages!

SWORD OF SORCERY #0

Written by CHRISTY MARX

Backup story written by TONY BEDARD

Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN

Backup story art by JESUS SAIZ

Cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

• In this new series featuring the long-awaited return of AMETHYST, Amy Winston leads a strange life on the road with her mother. She’s about to learn why it’s all been necessary when she discovers she’s the lost princess of Gemworld — and has powerful enemies hunter her!

• AMETHYST is written by Christy Marx, best known for her work on animated TV series including G.I. Joe, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more, as well as the comics series Sisterhood of Steel.

• And in the backup story set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the monstrous warrior BEOWULF is charged with finding and defeating the evil Grendel.

DIAL H #0

Written by CHINA MIEVILLE

Art by RICCARDO BURCHIELLI

Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• One of the first users of the H Dial learns a horrible secret that spells certain doom for the future!

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #0

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by MIKEL JANIN

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Find out what young John Constantine was like in the early days of The New 52, and meet the villain who plans to kill him and the entire team!

ANIMAL MAN #0

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art and cover by STEVE PUGH

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• What is the secret history of Animal Man?

• Learn how Buddy got his powers!

• Plus: A terrible secret is revealed as “Rotworld” draws closer!

SWAMP THING #0

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by KANO

Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• The mysteries of Alec Holland and Anton Arcane revealed!

• Throughout history, Arcane has slaughtered the champions of the Red and the Green, and only Alec has escaped death – but for how much longer?

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #0

Written by MATT KINDT

Art and cover by ALBERTO PONTICELLI and WAYNE FAUCHER

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Frankenstein meets his maker…literally!

• Learn how Frankenstein was recruited by S.H.A.D.E.

• What does the future hold for S.H.A.D.E.?

I, VAMPIRE #0

Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO

Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• Witness how Andrew Bennett became a vampire!

• Who was the monster that attacked him? How did his powers develop? And why is he the only vampire able to control his terrible hunger for blood?

DEMON KNIGHTS #0

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Deep in the past of The New 52, Etrigan the Demon and Jason Blood struggle against Merlin and Lucifer!

• The horrible curse that unite them is revealed!

RESURRECTION MAN #0

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by JESUS SAIZ

Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+ • FINAL ISSUE

• Mitch Shelley discovers the truth of his existence, and even the ability to return from the dead won’t save him!

DEATHSTROKE #0

Written by ROB LIEFELD

Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• What horrors led Slade Wilson to become Deathstroke – the most dangerous killer in the world?

• More on the history of Team 7 and the first appearance of a fan-favorite character in The New 52!

GRIFTER #0

Plotted by ROB LIEFELD

Scripted by ROB LIEFELD and FRANK TIERI

Art by SCOTT CLARK and DAVE BEATY

Cover by ROB LIEFELD

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• What is the dark truth behind Grifter’s powers? Find out in this issue!

• Plus: More on the Daemonite threat, new characters are introduced, and tons of bullets fly!

TEAM 7 #0

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN

Art and cover by JESUS MERINO

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Threads of the entire DC Universe collide in this new series set in the early days of The New 52 from writer Justin Jordan (The Strange Talents of Luther Strode).

• As Superman emerges, so too does the world’s counter measures against him and his kind!

• Dinah Lance, Amanda Waller, Steve Trevor, John Lynch, Alex Fairchild, Cole Cash, Slade Wilson are Team 7 – and their story will change everything you know about The New 52!

STORMWATCH #0

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by IGNACIO CALERO and SEAN PARSONS

Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• The history of Stormwatch’s activities in The New 52 are revealed!

• A new villain arrives, and the safety of the team has never been more in doubt!

G.I. COMBAT #0

Written by JUSTIN GRAY, JIMMY PALMIOTTI and J.T. KRUL

Art by STAZ JOHNSON and ARIEL OLIVETTI

Cover by VIKTOR KALVACHEV

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

• What exactly was the Unknown Soldier before the experiments that changed him forever?

• The War that Time Forgot claims another casualty in the strangest origin story of them all!

SUICIDE SQUAD #0

Written by ADAM GLASS

Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO

Cover by KEN LASHLEY

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• What happened to Amanda Waller after the shocking destruction of Team 7? And how did it lead to the creation of the Suicide Squad?

VOODOO #0

Written by JOSH WILLIAMSON

Art by SAMI BASRI

Cover by PAULO SIQUEIRA

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+ • FINAL ISSUE

• The truth about Pris is revealed at last as she sets off on a mission for vengeance that can only end in genocide!

ALL-STAR WESTERN #0

Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI

Art by MORITAT

Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

• How did Hex get his scar?

• Jonah Hex’s early life is accounted for…and it’s plenty ugly!

BLUE BEETLE #0

Written by TONY BEDARD and KEITH GIFFEN

Art and cover by IG GUARA and J.P. MAYER

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Where was the Scarab before it merged with the current Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes?

THE RAVAGERS #0

Written by HOWARD MACKIE

Art and cover by IAN CHURCHILL and NORM RAPMUND

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Detailing the brutal abduction by N.O.W.H.E.R.E. of Beast Boy and Terra!

• Learn how the paths of these two heroes will affect the entire team!

TEEN TITANS #0

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Focusing on the origin of Tim Drake; how a would be Olympic star and computer genius went on to become Batman’s third Robin.

• Plus: The beginnings of Skitter and Bunker.

LEGION LOST #0

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art by PETE WOODS

Cover by ANDRES GUINALDO and MARK IRWIN

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Don’t miss Timber Wolf’s origin in this special issue!

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #0

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art by SCOTT KOLINS

Cover by STEVE LIGHTLE

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A new story entitled “Brainiac’s Original Sin” sheds light on one very important

Coluan child!

ACTION COMICS #0

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

Backup story art by CAFU

Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

1:100 B&W Variant cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• Don’t miss “The Boy Who Stole Superman’s Cape”

• Grant Morrison weaves the history of Clark Kent’s early days in Metropolis!

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

SUPERMAN #0

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale SEPTEMBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Welcome the new creative team of Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort as they take us back to the days when Jor-El learned the truth about Krypton’s imminent destruction!

• Plus: More on the introduction of the Eradicators!

SUPERBOY #0

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art and cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Mysteries are revealed as we learn Harvest’s reasons for creating Kryptonian clones!

• This bloody chapter of Superboy’s history ties directly into issue #1 of the series – and the future of the entire DC Universe!

SUPERGIRL #0

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• On the eve of Krypton’s destruction, who sent Supergirl from Krypton to Earth – and why? The answer is not what you think!

• Plus: Learn the answer to a mystery that’s been driving Supergirl mad for months: Who shot her father, Zor-El?!

This first appeared on The Huffington Post in an abridged format…

With the launch of “The New 52”, DC Comics has proven that they are willing to shake things up at a moment’s notice to create the best stories they possibly can. They’re trying everything they can in an effort to be the most dynamic comics publisher in the world.

Word came to me late last week that a brand new team will take over one of DC’s biggest characters, Superman. They announce officially tonight, but we have the scoop in advance.

Scott Lobdell will be taking over the writing duties and Kenneth Rocafort will take on the pencilling.

Lobdell is a veteran of the comics industry, well known for his work with the X-Men in the 90s, his work with the Hardy Boys graphic novels, and, more recently, writing multiple titles in DC’s New 52.

I got a chance to talk to Scott Lobdell about his upcoming run on Superman. For a guy who is a sometimes stand-up comic, the answers are equally hilarious and sometimes vague.

Bryan Young: So, are you guys on this title for the long haul?

Scott Lobdell: Well the last time I was on a flagship title I stayed on for about five years! So trust me when I say that I am totally committed to writing SUPERMAN for at least twice that long.

BY: It’s just that it seems like some of the New 52 creators have been playing musical chairs…

SL: That would certainly make it more fun if we all got our assignments through musical chairs! The thought of Dan Didio with his hand on the arm of the Victrola as we all danced around waiting to leap on a cover taped to a chair…!

But seriously, television series are launched all the time and either there are behind the scene changes or time slots moved or characters recast or shows are cancelled altogether. I think that DC, being at once nimble and determined to make adjustments throughout such a massive undertaking like the NEW 52, is a sign of the company’s strength and not a weakness.

BY: So you have long term plans for the book?

SL: I don’t work that way. Just like I could not have imagined a year ago that I’d be writing the world’s most famous super hero… I like the stories of the characters to mirror the same sense spontaneity and unpredictability that define us in “real life”.

Yes, I turned in a twenty-five page pitch for the series that examined every aspect of Superman, his friends, his enemies, and over a dozen story ideas… but I’ve found over the years that the series often takes on a life of its own once the characters and the conflicts and the interactions start to show up on the page.

Just imagine how boring it would be if you sat down and told me exactly how your life was going to play out every month for the next twelve months — who you were going to meet, what you were going to say, how they were going to act, what super powers you were going to use to defeat them? Then imagine the likelihood that your life would play out exactly the way you predicted it would over the course of the next twelve months.

BY: In an economy where readers are being forced to stretch their comic book dollar, how is your Superman going to distinguish himself from the other Superman books?

SL: Forced? I don’t like to think we’re forcing anyone to buy anything… I like to think we’re providing readers with an opportunity to share an epic story rooted in a character that — some seven decades later — stands head and shoulders above all the other super heroes that have come after him.

As far as comparing Superman to the other books, I would say apples and oranges — if those apples and oranges had a bright red “S” on their chests! Grant [Morrison] does that great retro-freshness he does and Geoff [Johns] gives us an unbridled action movie every month — I’m determined to give you a Superman that surprises you from issue to issue.

That’s not hyperbole, either, when I finished the plot for the first issue I gasped!

And then I gasped again when editorial approved it!

BY: Will you be carrying on the continuity, or pulling a new New 52 and tweaking things slightly?

SL: “Pulling a new New 52!? I love your questions, Bryan!

Let me say that there will be tweaking aplenty — but I think it is going to be in terms of tone and attitude and not in history or continuity. We have no plans to reveal Lois is Superman’s daughter from an alternate future or that Perry White is actually an amnesic Jonathon Kent who has been in witness protection.

But yes, you’ll see from the very first issue — in fact, even in the Annual and the Zero issue before it — a Superman that is going to feel very of the moment.

BY: What is your favorite thing about the Superman character and how do you guys hope to bring that to book?

SL: I like the sheer uniqueness of Superman. The fact he is stuck on a planet of six billion people — that he is the self appointed champion of those people — but that he will never be one of them? How awesome is that? If it were me I would probably take a deep breath and fly into space and find a planet where people were more like me (could you imagine what that would look like) — maybe a planet that wasn’t so reliant on what I did every day. But not Kal El. He’s there day in and day out putting his life on the line for a people that alternately put him on a pedestal or steer clear of the most famous alien on Earth.

Again, there are over six billion people on the plane, and only one Superman.

(And when you consider that the other two “supers’ are a girl who thinks you’ve gone totally native and a clone of you who was created to be the world’s greatest living weapon — he has more in common with the rest of us than he does with his own ‘family’.)

That said, too often SUPERMAN is seen by readers as “too perfect” — that he always makes the right choice. But the truth is, every choice has consequences and when all the choices you make are super choices you have super consequences.

The very first issue is going to see the results of several choices which are going to have ramifications for months to come!

BY: What villain are you itching to dust off and introduce to the new 52?

SL: All of them! Seriously, there are so many amazing characters in Superman’s rogue’s gallery and we’ve barely scratched the surface of them in the first ten months of the New 52!

That said, most of the tweaking you’ll see will probably be in those villains. We want to update them, but not in a “here, put on this quantum powered costume!” or “You would look scarier in leather” — but more in a way that “What does this particular villain represent to Superman? How would he or she be imagined if we created them today and not twenty or sixty years ago.”

The idea of an insane Superman should be the most horrifying thing anyone of us can imagine, for example, but when that person winds up being a cute and cuddly Bizarro, it takes the villain out of super villain.

We plan to change that.

When Superman puts on his cape it is only because it is a job for Superman. The days of bank robbers and men tossing toys at him are behind us!

BY: Do you have free reign to modify the mythos as you go? Or are you tied into what we currently know now about Superman in the new 52?

SL: I will have to let you know. So far I’ve pitched some really out there takes and stories and no one has asked to reel it in — so I’m note sure what my limits are!

Even when I was writing the pitch I would laugh at myself for pitching a particular idea — knowing full well they would never let me do this to Clark. But then they said “Congratulations” without ever adding a “…but, of course, we’re not going to let you do that, Scott!”

So, so far, I guess I have free reign… but maybe only because I haven’t come to the end of my leash!

BY: What comic books are you reading currently that people should check out?

SL: I am a huge fan of team books and I find that TEEN TITANS is maybe the newest and freshest take on teen super hero books on the market today. And RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS is every bit as amazing and anarchistic as the fans proclaim it is — I would place it in the top five of the industry’s best books!

In fact, I am willing to say publically that if you adore RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS (and, hey, who doesn’t?!)… you are going to love the little red boxers off of SUPERMAN!

(It’s important to note that Lobdell and Rocafort are the team behind Red Hood and the Outlaws.)

On that title, Lobdell saw some level of controversy for turning Starfire from a female role model into a sex object. Despite that change, the book is well-written and funny. It follows the exploits of Jason Todd (the Robin that died) and his band of misfits as they do “good” around the world. He’s also been writing Teen Titans, which is the only book that features Tim Drake (the third Robin and current Red Robin). He has completely different writing voices appropriate for each of the books, so him writing Superman will come with true surprises and shouldn’t be raising any red flags.

DC Comics will have more details later today about the book.

Bryan Young is the editor of the geek news site Big Shiny Robot! and the author of the brand new, critically acclaimed sci-fi novel Operation: Montauk.

If you’re like me, you like the art of Mark Dos Santos. His art is very clean and classic, but above all it’s well-colored and fun to look at.

He’s got a kickstarter going to raise money for an art book and I think you should all contribute. For $30 you can get a copy of the thing, which isn’t much. He’s more than halfway to his goal and he has 19 days left as I write this.

If you’re interested in contributing, feel free to do so over there.

After you’re done pre-purchasing your Mark Dos Santos book, hit up his website. He has all kinds of good looking art on display there.

A fellow named Jeff Broz shot an 8mm “documentary” back in the early 80s when he stumbled upon the Arizona sets of Return of the Jedi.

It’s amazing to think about how much access someone shooting through a chain link fence could get back then. I’m guessing something like this couldn’t happen today.

Broz captured some amazing money shots from the films from an entirely different perspective, from Luke fighting atop Jabba’s sail barge to Boba Fett on rigging sailing across from skiff-to-skiff.
The footage is all silent and 8mm, but entirely engaging.

Be sure to check out my new book, Operation: Montauk.

[source: Roqoo Depot]

It looks like Quentin Tarantino has done it again.

Will this see the resurgence of westerns as a popular medium for Hollywood storytelling?

Lord, I hope so. We need more westerns and this looks to be the perfect springboard. This feels equal parts Silverado, Outlaw Josey Wales, and Inglorious Basterds. I like that Tarantino has found the need to bring us period pieces. I really think it suits him well.

Django Unchained will be unleashed Christmas Day and is the only film I can imagine that will give The Hobbit a run for its money.

Most of you know Paul Kemp from his work in the Star Wars universe, but he’s an accomplished fantasy author as well (in addition to his insidious work as a lawyer.)

His new book “The Hammer and the Blade” is coming out from Angry Robot on June 26th and I couldn’t have been more surprised by it. I’m not a regular reader of sword and sorcery, but between his work in Star Wars and the author’s great Twitter persona, I knew I wanted to check it out.

I was not disappointed.

After I grew accustomed to the style of speech and prose (very flowery, but elegant indeed), I was drawn into a compelling adventure story with two characters that are so fun to be with it’s ridiculous. Kemp’s writing keeps you going and keeps the story snappy and to the point.

The book revolves around Egil and Nix, tomb raiders looking to retire to the life of tavern owners, but they just happened to kill the wrong demon on their last job. Little did they know that an evil sorceror’s life depended on that demon being alive to fulfill an unholy pact, and he’s going to have to hunt the pair down to make things right. But maybe Egil and Nix don’t want to help…?

It’s thrill a minute, funny, and thoroughly satisfying.

In honor of the release, I was able to ask Mr. Kemp some questions about the story and the book:

Big Shiny Robot!: What sort of writing do you prefer? Working in your own universe, or an established one like the Star Wars universe? What is the difference in the process, is editing and story approval more or less stringent in the Star Wars universe?

Paul S. Kemp: Overall, I prefer working in my own universe. There are essentially no meaningful constraints on your creativity and I can write a story that fits whatever tone I want it to fit. That said, I think I’ve been very lucky with my tie-in work, in that I’ve faced few constraints on my storytelling in either the Forgotten Realms or the Star Wars galaxy. There are some constraints, of course, some givens of the setting and a certain tone that you can make your own but don’t want to drift too far from, but they’ve been minor.

The approval process is, indeed, more stringent in the Star Wars universe. At least two editors (one for Del Rey and one for Lucasfilm) review outlines and manuscripts to ensure there are no conflicts with other stories, that the story fits the direction they want the line to go (though again, they’ve been very flexible with the stories I’ve pitched), etc.

BSR: Following your twitter feed, you and Nix might seem to be kindred spirits… How much of you do you see reflected in the character?

PK: Ha! I wish I was half as witty as Nix. Nix is the guy who always has the right verbal riposte at the right moment. I’m the guy who thinks up something clever an hour later. Good thing I’m a writer instead of a court jester.

I’ve said in other interviews that writing The Hammer and the Blade was the most fun I’ve ever had writing a novel (and I’ve had fun writing all of my books). A big part of that was Nix’s voice. He’s just a blast to write.

BSR!: Was it a conscious choice to never get inside Egil’s head? I found it fascinating that a book about a duo managed to stay in the head of only half of the duo the entire time without fail, but I never felt like I didn’t know what was going on with him….

PK: First, I’m glad you felt that way about Egil. That was my intent and I’m pleased it worked for you.

Second, it was a deliberate choice to stay out of his head. Partially that’s because Nix’s voice is so compelling and having a single POV character (from the protagonist’s side) is a common structure in classic sword and sorcery. But the main reason I stayed out of Egil’s head is that he’s a man with painful secrets in his past, and I don’t want to reveal those until the time is right. To write from Egil’s POV would have necessitated finessing that issue, and I didn’t want to do that.

BSR!: Can you tell us a little bit about Egil and Nix’s next adventure?

PK: Sure can! The next novel featuring the duo is entitled A Discourse in Steel, and will be published by Angry Robot in July 2013. I can’t say much about the subject matter just yet – only that it’ll be a fun ride.

BSR!: And the world you created here was so fully realized, will we be seeing more stories not involving Egil and Nix at any point?

PK: Interesting question and one I honestly haven’t considered. For the time being, I’m content to show the world through Egil and Nix’s eyes, but I guess you never know. Tangent: I’m delighted to hear you found the world evocative. That’s a tricky thing in sword and sorcery fiction. On the one hand, it shouldn’t be an encyclopedic reference book for a secondary world (we can leave that to epic fantasy). On the other hand, there still needs to be a strong sense of place. I’m glad to hear it worked for you.

BSR!: As I read the book, I had the voice of Colm Meaney reading it to me. Who do you hear when you’re reading this story over? Is it your voice? Is it the voice of the characters? Colm Meaney?

PK: Love that! I guess it reads to me in the voices of the characters: Nix a tenor whose tone goes from charming to viciously sarcastic at the flip of a gold royal. Egil a thoughtful, soft spoken man who can use his baritone as a weapon of intimidation when necessary.

BSR!: What’s next for you immediately?

PK: Oh, man, lots of stuff. I’ve got a hardcover Star Wars duology coming out from Del Rey (more details when I’m allowed to offer them), my next novel set in the Forgotten Realms, Godborn, which continues the story of Erevis Cale and crew, and, of course, A Discourse in Steel, which is Egil and Nix’s next caper.

BSR!: For readers of more discerning taste, what is your favorite cigar and whiskey or Scotch?

PK: My favorite cigar is a Dunhill Cabrera – smooth, moderate strength, almost oaky. A cheaper cigar that’s a good smoke for the price is any of the Te-Amo International Selections (they go about $5USD).

Favorite scotch is Ardbeg (when I want something seriously ballsy) or Taliskers (when I want something a bit smoother). Jamesons is a fine, relatively inexpensive blended whiskey, though, and will do in a pinch.

BSR!: And finally: What are you reading right now?

PK: I’m reading Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig, and The Weird anthology, edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer.

Enjoying both muchly.

The Hammer and the Blade comes out June 26th, you can preorder it on Amazon right now.

Hey everyone! I spent the day at E3 today and had an absolute blast picking up swag (shirts, beta codes, dog tags – lots of shiny!) and trying out new games. Of all the games I played this year on the show floor, I’m actually most excited about the long awaited release of Pikmin 3 (It’s been 10 years since the last Pikmin, and I’ll be posting my thoughts about the first look and initial gameplay soon).

I took tons of photos so that you can check out as much of E3 as possible right here on BSR. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to check out Zombietron’s excellent coverage of E3 by visiting our homepage.

BSR is wondering, what was your favorite E3 announcement this year?

This movie looks much better than I would have expected. And the fact that they got licensed characters from Pac-Man, Street Fighter II, and Nintendo make me very happy…

Seriously… That stuff with Zangief almost tore me to pieces with laughter.

And it stars John C. Reilly, making it almost impossible to go wrong.

This movie hits theatres in November.