This weeks sees the highly anticipated release of Batman: Earth One, an original graphic novel retelling the Batman legend in a contemporary setting. The collaboration between New York Times bestselling author Geoff Johns and critically acclaimed artist Gary Frank, Batman: Earth One also marks the first original graphic novel for Johns – who is best known for his work on fan favorite ongoing series for DC Comics. Together, Johns and Frank have put together some of our absolute favorite runs, from Action Comics to Superman: Secret Origin. And here they give Batman the same treatment that J. Michael Straczynski gave Superman in the Superman: Earth One HC, which came out several months ago and was very well received.

BATMAN EARTH ONE HC

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank, Jonathan Sibal 

From Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, the acclaimed team behind Superman: Secret Origin and the Shazam! stories in Justice League! In the tradition of Superman: Earth One, this spectacular original graphic novel gives new insight into Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman and his first year as The Dark Knight.

DC Comics’ Batman Earth One HC comes out on Wednesday!

So far, Before Watchmen has been one of the most interesting events in 2012. Controversial, certainly, but also very good! Two of the #1 issues last month — Silk Spectre and Minutemen — were in our Top Twenty! And this week sees the beginning of the fifth series: Ozymandias. This one, featuring the story’s original baddie, is being written by series editor (and original Watchmen editor) Len Wein. Just don’t call it a reboot!

“To me, a reboot is what DC is essentially doing with the New 52, which is changing costumes, origins, relationships, essentially looking at old characters through new eyes,” Wein said recently. “What we’re doing is filling in a lot of the blank spaces in a story that has already, to some degree, been told. There were still a lot of gaps in the histories of Watchmen‘s characters, and events only mentioned in passing or touched on briefly in the original story. We’re filling in those gaps in the most creative and inventive ways we can.”

BEFORE WATCHMEN OZYMANDIAS #1 (OF 6)

Written by Len Wein
Art by Jae Lee, John Higgins

"I have goals to achieve. Dreams to make come true." Plus, a new Crimson Corsair backup feature from writer Len Wein and artist John Higgins!

DC Comics’ Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1 comes out this Wednesday!

At the end of last month’s issue of Earth 2 (which was voted as one of the best comics of the month), Alan Scott and his boyfriend appeared to be lost in a train explosion. But savvier readers among you noticed that in the midst of that explosion was a hint of green! Yes, it’s surely the debut of Earth 2′s Green Lantern. And it looks like this month’s Earth 2 explores the alternate DC Universe’s GL even more.

EARTH 2 #3

Written by James Robinson
Art by Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott

The all-new origin of ALAN SCOTT GREEN LANTERN – unlike any GL origin that’s come before! The debut of the all-new HAWKGIRL! And Jay Garrick, THE FLASH, meets his first Super Hero!

In that same spirit, also look for World’s Finest #3, as Huntress and Power Girl begin trying to track the "invader" who came through the Boom Tube from Earth 2 with them.

From the Vertigo camp, look for Fairest #5 and Sweet Tooth #35. The former has been a wonderful addition to the Fables pantheon, with some of the most beautiful artwork in comics right now, and we look forward to seeing where ti goes. Meanwhile, the latter promises to answer many of the big questions of the series. Specifically, what caused the plague??

Finally, there’s Action Comics #11. Not sure what to expect from this one because if you’ll recall the back-up story to issue #10, which was a eulogy for one Clark Kent, said, "These events take place after the events of Action Comics #11." So I guess  we’ll see what happens!

ACTION COMICS #11

Written by Grant Morrison, Sholly Fisch
Art by Rick Bryant & Various

Superman’s NEW secret identity revealed! LOIS LANE continues her investigation into the mystery of Earth’s FIRST Superman! Plus: An all-new back-up story!

Click here for a complete list of titles coming out this week!

In 2007, writer Jeph Loeb and artist Simone Bianchi teamed up for the memorable “Evolution” saga in the pages of Wolverine, in the process revealing secrets of Logan’s past, introducing the enigmatic Romulus and, most significantly, having the feral mutant dispatch his deadliest and most hated foe, Sabretooth, in permanent fashion. Now, Sabretooth has found his way back to the land of the living, and along with Wolverine, Loeb and Bianchi wait to complete their story.

It’s the beginning of "Sabretooth Reborn" and looks like it will make for a fantastic read!

WOLVERINE #310
MARVEL COMICS

Written by Jeph Loeb
Art by Simone Bianchi

The long-awaited sequel to EVOLUTION! How did Sabretooth survive his beheading all those years ago?

Marvel Comics’ Wolverine #310 comes out this Wednesday!

The big book this week for marvel is clearly Avengers vs. X-Men #7 (of 12)! As we’ve seen, Cyclops and the other Phoenix-empowered X-Men have taken it upon themselves to make all the improvements to the world that they think need to be made. And they have demonstrated that they have the power to do it! Obviously, Steve Rogers and the Avengers are a little concerned.

AVENGERS VS X-MEN #7 (OF 12)

Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Olivier Coipel

Cyclops changes the game with these three words: "No More Avengers!"

Also AVX-related, we’re set to get Uncanny X-Men #15! I thought the last issue, which was all about Mister Sinister, was one of the best comics I’d read in a long while, even if it was only tangentially related to Avengers vs. X-Men (maybe). In this issue, it looks like the X-Men are gonna make their move against Sinister!

Also look for Amazing Spider-Man #689. The story with Curt Connors continues, this time including Morbius the Living Vampire! If you’re pumped about the Spider-Man movie — which comes out tomorrow! — and want to read a Lizard story, you should definitely be checking this one out.

Finally, there’s Fury MAX #4 from Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. I don’t exactly recall that the last story arc came to a definitive ending (though I guess you could call it that), but at any rate this looks like it will be a great place to get on board.

FURY MAX #4

Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Goran Parlov

Great jumping on point as the next chapter begins here. It’s 1961 and Fury gets a new assignment: The Assassination of Fidel Castro!

Click here for a complete list of titles coming out this week!