The relaunch of the DC Universe has been THE topic for the past few weeks. It’s looking like it will easily be the biggest comics event of the year and seems like it could go down in history as one of a kind. The sheer scale of launching 52 new #1 issues in a single month is almost beyond measure, and even we have devoted numerous Looking Forward posts to showing you all the new series!

But this Wednesday, we’ll finally get our first glimpse of the flagship title — Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League — plus much more in the DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 #1, a FREE preview book that ships this week! There’s also a handy checklist of all the new #1 issues on the back! (Click on the image below for a close-up.)

DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 #1

Featuring a six-page preview of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League #1, the cover art for all of the books, never-before-seen sketches, and insights from creative teams, DC Comics – The New 52 #1 is a complete and comprehensive guide to all of the books being published this September as part of DC Comics – The New 52.

DC Comics’ The New 52 #1 Preview Book comes in on Wednesday!

It’s been a little while since we were taken down the dark road known as Shadowland, a road that saw Matt Murdock possessed, setting up shop in Hell’s Kitchen and using the Hand as his enforcers. But this Wednesday we put all that behind us and witness the rebirth of the true Man Without Fear in the pages of Daredevil #1! It’s a new day and, in the expert hands of writer Mark Waid, it’s must-reading.

DAREDEVIL #1

Written by Mark Waid
Penciled by Paolo Manuel Rivera and Marcos Martin

Thus summer, the devil is reborn. Renewed. Resurrected. With new enemies, new friends… and that same old "grinnin’ in the face of hell" attitude, The Man Without Fear is back in a double-sized first issue and leading with his face! Mark Waid joins neo-legendary artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin for a new spin on Daredevil that will leave you gasping for air. Having turned his world upside over the past several years, Matt Murdock realizes that justice may not be blind to his past and villains may not be the only ones looking for answers. Bring it on. If Matt Murdock could see what he was doing… he’d be terrified.

Marvel Comics’ Daredevil #1 comes in on Wednesday.

While Flashpoint is busy examining an altered reality, DC is offering another line of titles that will examine the past: DC RETROACTIVE! Starting this Wednesday, and going through July and August, the DC Retroactive titles will reunite classic writers and artists with classic characters Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Justice League of America, returning to the interpretations they are best known for.

Each of these series will have three one-shots over the next few months that pay homage respectively to the‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, and it all begins on Wednesday with DC Retroactive: Batman – The 70s #1, The Flash – The 70s #1 and Wonder Woman – The 70s #1!

DC RETROACTIVE: BATMAN – THE ‘70s #1

From artist Tom Mandrake and classic writer Len Wein comes a new story that sets Batman in the heart of the ‘70s, a decade that transitioned him from TV’s campy Caped Crusader into today’s Dark Knight Detective.

DC RETROACTIVE: WONDER WOMAN – THE ‘70s #1

Joining legendary scribe Dennis O’Neil is fan-favorite artist J. Bone, tackling the Amazon Princess in her “white costume” phase. With Paradise Island on the verge of destruction, it’ll be up to Wonder Woman to complete three treacherous tasks to save her homeland.

DC RETROACTIVE: THE FLASH – THE ‘70s #1

Artist Benito Gallego teams up with writer Cary Bates to tell the tale of an evil attack from one of The Flash’s greatest nemeses, Gorilla Grodd. With a plan so twisted and evil launched against him, Barry must not only work to preserve his legacy, but his relationship with his wife, Iris.

DC Comics’ Retroactive titles come in on Wednesday!