Newsarama has a preview of DC’s August Solicitations, including Flash: Rebirth #5. Update: Full solicitations are up!

The Flash: Rebirth #5

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver

The greatest threat to face the Flash Family in decades stands revealed! A new hero will step into an old speedster’s boots! And Barry Allen will make the ultimate sacrifice: his life! Oh yeah, you read that right, but you’ll never believe just what it means! They always say nothing will ever be the same, but trust us, this one will rewrite the history books!

This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver).

On sale August 26 • 5 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Wednesday Comics, team books and more after the cut.

Wednesday Comics #5-8

Wednesday Comics, DC’s spectacular 12-issue weekly series, continues to offer a comics experience unlike any other this August. In its second month, don’t miss the action in these continuing features:

• The Metal Men encounter a deadly guest-villain in a story written by Dan DiDio with art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez.
• The Flash battles Gorilla Grodd and tries to date Iris West in a story written by Karl Kerschl (Teen Titans Year One, The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive) and Brenden Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl.
• Supergirl attempts to deal with Streaky and Krypto gone bad in a story written by Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex) with art by Amanda Conner (Power Girl).
• Green Lantern must help a fellow test pilot whose space mission has transformed him into a monster in a story written by Kurt Busiek (Trinity, Astro City) with art by Joe Quiñones (Teen Titans Go!).
• Superman questions his heroic mission while on a trip to Smallville in a story written by John Arcudi (The Mask) with art by Lee Bermejo (Joker).
• Adam Strange takes a truly twisted journey into space in a story by writer/artist Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100).
• Wonder Woman is lost in a dream world in search of her lost tiara, bracelets and magic lasso in a story written and illustrated by Ben Caldwell (Dare Detectives).
• The Teen Titans are attacked by Trident in a story written by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway.
  Plus:
• Batman, Wednesday Comics’ weekly cover feature, by the Eisner Award-winning 100 Bullets team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso.
• Metamorpho, written by New York Times best-selling writer Neil Gaiman with art by Eisner Award-winner Michael Allred (Madman).
• The Demon and Catwoman, written by Walter Simonson (Thor, Manhunter) with art by famed DC cover artist Brian Stelfreeze.
• Deadman, written by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck, art by Dave Bullock.
• Kamandi, written by Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Green Lantern Corps) with art by Ryan Sook (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell).
• Hawkman, written and illustrated by Kyle Baker (Plastic Man, Special Forces).
• Sgt. Rock, written by Adam Kubert (Superman: Last Son), illustrated by legendary comics artist Joe Kubert.

Wednesday Comics will arrive in stores folded twice to 7” x 10”.

• Issue #5 on sale August 5
• Issue #6 on sale August 12
• Issue #7 on sale August 19
• Issue #8 on sale August 26

5-8 of 12 • 7” x 10”, 16 pg, FC, $3.99 US.

Team Books and Events

Blackest Night #2

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Mauro Cacioli
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis

The event of the summer continues! The dead rise across the DC Universe, bringing terror and darkness with them. What are the Black Lanterns? What do they want? Will Earth’s greatest heroes survive long enough to find out – or will they join the Black Lantern Corps?

This issue will ship with three covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Mauro Cascioli). For every 200 copies of the Standard Edition, retailers may order one copy of the Sketch Variant Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis).

On sale August 12 • 2 of 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Notes: A 1-in-200 variant? Are you serious?

Blackest Night: Titans #1

Written by J.T. Krul
Art and cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Variant cover by Brian Haberlin

Black Lantern Titans are descending together onto Titans Island! Will the Titans be prepared to fight off their deceased allies? And how can Beast Boy not lose his heart to Black Lantern Terra?

Explore the effect Blackest Night has on the greater DC Universe in this 3-issue miniseries from writer J.T. Krul (JSA Classified, Fathom) and superstar artist Ed Benes (Justice League of America)!

This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Brian Haberlin).

On sale August 26 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Notes: Both Wally West and Bart Allen are likely to be involved here, and there’s no shortage of dead Titans. Also, that cover? Eeeew.

Justice Society of America #30

Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art and cover by Jesus Merino

“Bad Seed” part 2 of 5! The JSA feels the strain when battling a monstrous collection of villains who’ve mounted an all-out war on the team to collect a bounty placed on the head of everyone in the group except Stargirl! Tensions flare, and the group is forced to make a compromise in order to chase their fleeing enemies or return to the mansion to find out why Mister Terrific’s communications have suddenly stopped! And Dr. Fate returns to the team in this second issue from the new creative team of writers Bill Willingham (Fables) and Matthew Sturges (Blue Beetle) and artist Jesus Merino (Superman Annual)!

On sale August 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

JSA vs. Kobra: Engines of Faith #3

Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Don Kramer & Michael Babinski
Cover by Gene Ha

The JSA follow the trail of Kobra into Opal City! But the stars of this shining metropolis have been darkened by a deed so vile, it’s a new low for the global terrorist. Meanwhile, Kobra warriors have been turning up dead. Is Jason Burr a lone serpent now, or is there a greater plan at work?

On sale August 12 • 3 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Titans #16

Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Angel Unzueta & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Angel Unzueta

Why has Starfire been acting odd the past few issues? Turns out the warrior woman has major rage issues coming out of her recent breakup with Dick Grayson, the events of Final Crisis and more. Her super-powerful emotions could very well rip the team apart!

On sale August 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Notes: Angel Unzueta did the art for Geoff Johns’ first Flash arc, “Wonderland,” and Wayne Faucher inked a long run on Impulse.

Guest Spots

Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape #4

Written by Ivan Brandon
Art by Marco Rudy
Cover by Scott Hampton

The drugs are wearing off, and Nemesis can finally clear his head enough to make sense of life in Electric City as a “guest” of the Global Peace Agency. So what could be worse than having to experience Electric City under the influence of tranquilizers and truth serums? How about living there with a clear understanding of what’s really going to happen when they’re done with you…

On sale August 12 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Note: I have no idea whether any Flashes appear in this, but that sure looks like the Cosmic Treadmill on the cover.

Superman/Batman #63

Written by Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque

It’s the start of an all-new arc bringing an old foe back from the dead who endangers the loved ones of both Superman and Batman! With Lois Lane and Alfred Pennyworth kidnapped, the secrets of the World’s Finest heroes are an open book for one villain to exploit.

On sale August 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Notes: Again, not clear whether there are any Flashes, but that’s Gorilla Grodd on the cover.

The Last Days of Animal Man #4

Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Chris Batista & Dave Meikis
Cover by Brian Bolland

Regrets…he’s had a few! Buddy Baker can’t bear to live with the regret that comes of his infidelity with Starfire…but Prismatik and Bloodrage will be happy to take the burden of life off his hands! They’ve launched a full-on assault against the League of Titans’ headquarters, and Buddy and Starfire are the only heroes who stand in their way!

On sale August 26 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Note: This series takes place 15 years in the future. Prismatik is the daughter of the second Mirror Master.

Super Friends #18

Written by Sholly Fisch
Art and cover by J. Bone

Meet the Bizarro Super Friends! This am not the solicit for the next boring issue of SUPER FRIENDS! We hate the Super Friends and no want you to steal this right now!

On sale August 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

Tiny Titans #19

Written by Art Baltazar & Franco
Art and cover by Art Baltazar

Love is in the air…and in Titans Treehouse! Plasmus and Bumblebee are hanging out more, and the other Titans are starting to notice. And Robin just wants to write his school report, but for some reason the girls won’t leave him alone. Plus, the return of the Titans Ape Club! Eek!

On sale August 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

September and Later

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds HC

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by George Pérez & Scott Koblish
Cover by George Pérez

Superstar writer Geoff Johns and legendary artist George Pérez deliver the Crisis of the 31st century as the Legion of Super-Heroes reaches out for help against a powerful foe they can’t beat alone. From the moment Superman landed on Earth until the end of time, the Time Trapper has sought to erase Superman’s impact on the universe. But the Legion of Super-Heroes have always been there to stop the relentless villain. Now, one Legion isn’t enough as the Time Trapper taps a twisted mirror image of The Boy of Steel from a parallel Earth long dead: Superboy-Prime! Who will answer the Legion’s call for help?

With ties to Infinite Crisis, Final Crisis and the history of the DCU, this tremendous hardcover collects the entire 5-issue miniseries and is not to be missed!

Advance-solicited; on sale October 21 • 168 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Notes: Not to mention the return of Bart Allen as Kid Flash…

The Flash Chronicles Vol.1 TP

Written by Robert Kanigher and John Broome
Art by Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert, Frank Giacoia and Joe Giella
Cover by Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert

The stories that introduced Barry Allen as the new Flash in the late 1950s are collected chronologically in trade paperback for the first time, with tales from Showcase #4, 8, 13 and 14 and The Flash #105 & 106.

Advance-solicited; on sale September 23 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US.

Notes: So now we know that they’re not just reissuing the Flash Archives in paperback — The Flash Archives v.1 adds four more stories, running through Flash v.1 #108. (They usually had two stories per issue back then.)

Justice League of America: When Worlds Collide HC

Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes, Shane Davis, Sandra Hope, Jose Luis, JP Mayer, Rob Hunter, Norm Rapmund and Drew Geraci
Cover by Ed Benes

The heroes of Milestone Comics return to battle the Justice League in this title collecting Justice League of America #27, 28 and 30-34.

The hero called Doctor Light is missing, and her former Justice League teammates intend to find the man responsible and make him pay. But before they do that, they’ll have to get past his Shadow Cabinet of powerful superbeings who have sworn to save humanity from itself. Milestone Comics characters Icon and Hardware make their first modern DC Universe appearances here — and it’s not clear whose side they’re on!

Advance-solicited; on sale October 14 • 176 pg, FC, $24.99 US

Tangent: Superman’s Reign Vol. 2 TP

Written by Dan Jurgens and Ron Marz
Art by Wes Craig, Carlos Magno and others
Cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

In this concluding volume of Tangent: Superman’s Reign, the heroes from Tangent Earth and the DC Earth collide — and only one universe can survive! Collecting Tangent: Superman’s Reign #7-12.

Advance-solicited; on sale September 9 • 144 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Titans: Lockdown TP

Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter, Julian Lopez, J. Calafiore and others
Cover by Howard Porter

There’s a traitor in the Titans’ midst! Now, the Titans headquarters is under lockdown until the team can discover who betrayed them. Will they have the strength to take down one of their own? And will they want to? Collecting Titans #7-11!

Advance-solicited; on sale September 9 • 128 pg, FC, $14.99 US

Statues

The Flash vs. Gorilla Grodd Mini Statue

Designed by Michael Turner
Sculpted by Tim Bruckner and Tony Cipriano

A classic DC Direct statue gets miniaturized!

The dynamic, modern version of The Flash stands victorious over the evil Gorilla Grodd in this 1:2 scale mini statue, which features all the sculptural details and intricate painting fans of DC Direct have come to expect.

This limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 6.75” high x 4.375” wide x 7” deep, is packaged in a 4-color box and is manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale January 13, 2010 * Statue * $79.99 US

Heroes of the DC Universe: The Flash Bust

Designed by Gary Frank
Sculpted by Jean St. Jean

After offering his realistic, detailed style on the covers of the Superman monthly series, artist Gary Frank turns his talents to interpreting the men of the DC Universe in the second series of DC Direct’s HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE busts line!

First up is Barry Allen as The Flash, as the Scarlet Speedster channels the Speed Force.

This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain bust measures approximately 5” high x 3.5” wide x 5” deep and is packaged in a 4-color box. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale January 27, 2010 * Bust * $70 US

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