DC Universe Online for free and more free!!

The MMO, DC Universe Online will be free to play and free to download from October for PC and PS3! Personally, I have just been waiting for sufficient monthly funds to make themselves available. The great news is that now I don't have to! Congratulations DC Universe Online, you will be my first new game for my new PC.

This is what SONY has to say about the news:

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced a new free-to-play business model for its popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) game DC Universe Online (DCUO) — where players have the freedom to become legendary fighting alongside DC Comics icons like Superman, Batman and The Jokerin an ever-evolving online action adventure that has already logged more than 42 million hours of super-powered gameplay action by players since its launch earlier this year.


Beginning late October, players will be able to download and access DCUO for free on both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. As part of this transition, SOE is introducing three new access levels to the game: Free, Premium and Legendary. All three levels will provide access to open world gameplay and missions, general game updates and fixes to the game, with each level offering different game options and benefits.


"When we launched DC Universe Online, we introduced a very different brand of massive online game driven by fast action combat to PC and PS3™gamers and with that, we discovered a new type of online gamer," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. "We've listened to our community, and we've determined that the free-to-play model is the best fit for DC Universe Online."


Smedley added, "Our philosophy embraces learning from our experience and as a pioneer in the free-to-play space with proven successful games like Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures, we believe this new model will expand the DCUO experience and offer more options that cater to every type of player so they can play the game in a way that fits them."

All three levels provide access to the current game, but allow differing tiers of convenience and flexibility. The levels are:
•Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.
•Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.
•Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.

Source: Blog of Oa
DC Universe Online

Justice League titles solicitated for December

JUSTICE LEAGUE #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
The superstar team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee continue the origin of the Justice League as The World’s Greatest Heroes face the might of Apokolips – and find aid in an unlikely hero, as Cyborg is created!
Plus, Andy Kubert returns an amazing variant cover – his first new work after the smash-hit FLASHPOINT!
This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.






AQUAMAN #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
There are parts of the ocean even Aquaman should not enter. Now Aquaman and Mera must descend into uncharted territory: the smoky black crevice at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, home of the cannibalistic creatures known only as the Trench. One last secret behind these loathsome creatures will be revealed as “The Trench” thunders toward its bloodcurdling conclusion!

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #4
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
On their first mission, the team has been separated and defeated – or so it seems! But when a new, galactic threat shows its face, will our heroes be able to defeat it or will the whole world suffer destruction on a cosmic scale?






WONDER WOMAN #4
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Wonder Woman has left Paradise Island behind, but Hera is just arriving. Without the Amazons’ most powerful daughter to protect them, can they withstand the wrath of a God who once favored them? And why would Zola want Diana to march right back into the eye of the storm?







THE FLASH #4
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by ERIC BASALDUA
1:200 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Central City remains dark from the recent EMP blast, The Fastest Man Alive remains in hot pursuit of the one who set it off: Mob Rule! What does Mob Rule really want? Learn the rest of his origin right here!







CAPTAIN ATOM #4
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Before he received his godlike powers, Captain Atom was a military man – an Air Force pilot. Now, he’s being recruited again to serve his country as only he can. But will Captain Atom go along with his new role as a weapon of mass destruction?

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #4
Written by GAIL SIMONE and ETHAN VAN SCIVER
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue, the spotlight turns toward the Middle East and sinister forces that wish to get their hands on their very own Nuclear Men! But what is the mysterious connection to Ronnie and Jason? Plus, as the action explodes into all-out meltdown, the boys will have to deal with a wounded friend before time runs out!







GREEN ARROW #4
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and DAN JURGENS
Art by DAN JURGENS and GEORGE PEREZ
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s a Tokyo showdown! At an international tech expo that caters to the likes of WayneTech and Queen Industries, party crasher Green Arrow finds himself in the sights of a mystery woman bent on taking down “evil” corporations – like the one Green Arrow owns!







DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Step right up, step right up! Watch as Deadman plays “20 Questions” with the enigmatic Son of the Morning on a roller coaster ride like no other! Plus: Ever wonder why good things happen to bad people? Why banks put Braille writing on drive-through ATMs? And just what exactly is the nature of your relationship with God? Then you must read DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #4!







THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #4
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art and cover by PHILIP TAN
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The exciting conclusion to the Savage Hawkman’s first adventure is here! Hawkman battles his way through Dr. Kane’s compound, where the alien monstrosity known as Morphicius is sheltered. But in his quest for alien knowledge, Dr. Kane unknowingly jumpstarts what Morphicius refers to as the Black Plague. Can Hawkman contain this deadly outbreak, or will New York soon become infected with lethal, fast-spreading alien organisms?







MISTER TERRIFIC #4
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
An alien S.O.S. draws Mister Terrific into the ninth dimension. But what begins as scientific exploration quickly turns deadly when he is taken prisoner by the villainous Kryl. Now the world’s third-smartest man must engineer an extraterrestrial jailbreak! Easy, right? But even if he succeeds, how can Mister Terrific escape the inner demons that haunt him?

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

There is no way that I'll be buying a PlayStation Vita, or any other portable console for that matter, but this looks almost as good as Drake's Fortune. I'm very impressed with what they've achieved technologically and will be buying Golden Abyss when the inevitable PS3 release pops up on the PSN.

The Ray joining the DCnU in December

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray are writing the new four-issue mini-series starring an all new Ray.

The new Ray follows in the footsteps of Golden Age Lanford Terrill, his son Ray Terrill and Stan Silver.

Now, the latest identity of the Ray is: Lucien Gates. (“Much to the chagrin of [Lucien’s] girlfriend,” DC says.)

Previous Rays could absorb, store and process pure light in order to fly, create blasts of light, manipulate light and become near-impervious to harm.

Source: Washington Post

Scrapped Avengers movie tie-in game

This is footage from the canned Avengers video game that would tie-into next year's movie.

Judging by the first person perspective and the way that the hands move to perform tasks, I am presuming that this was being developed for the Xbox360's Kinect.

Perhaps this is why it was dropped as the studio wanted to launch multi-platform. Perhaps not. What I do know is it is a little odd that it be dropped when the game was so far into development.



Source: Bleeding Cool

Teen Titans' Bunker is out of the closet

The new Teen Titans character, Bunker, is the model of diversity. A gay teen from rural Mexico with super powers. This is exactly the right way to bring diversity to the DCU; new characters with interesting backgrounds.

Scott Lobdell on Bunker:

His real name is Miguel Jose Barragan.   He was raised in a very small Mexican village called El Chilar.  He was very loved by his family and the village as well -- and they were as accepting of his homosexuality as they were to his super powers when they first manifested.   To that end he grew up in an angst-free environment.   He was born out of the closet and so he has a very refreshing outlook on life.

Brett Booth explains the character in greater detail on his blog:

So Bunker has been out of both closets since the get go. Why the more flamboyant look? Well it's complicated. I've seen all the other gay superheroes out there, Ok maybe not all. They look just like regular heterosexuals, they act like regular heterosexuals, they just happen to have sex with people of their own gender, under the covers and in the dark. Sure you might get a kiss on a page, but that's all (an no we won't be doing any sex scenes in TT, get your minds OUT of the gutters;) 


We wanted to show an interesting character who's homosexuality is part of him, not something that's hidden. Sure they are gay people who you wouldn't know are gay right off the bat, but there are others who are a more flamboyant, and we thought it would be nice to actually see them portrayed in comics. Did we go over the top, I don't think so. I wanted you to know he might be gay as soon as you see him. Our TT is partly about diversity of ANY kind, its about all kinds of teens getting together to help each other. It is a very difficult line to walk, will he be as I've read in some of the comments 'fruity'? Not that I'm aware of. Will he be more effeminate than what we've seen before, the 'typical' gay male comic character, yes. Does it scare the shit out of me that I might inadvertently piss off the group I want to reflect in a positive way, you're damn straight (pun intended!)


The Pink shirt has been changed to blue, it's only pink because his costume is actually showing a bit, we didn't want too many different colors. But I think the blue works just as well. I would have used that image but I don't know if I got that change in my files... 


As for the children.. Most simply don't know or don't care. It's not like Migg's is going to be doing a one man gay pride parade. I don't t hink we even mention that he's gay, you see him, you know it, no need to harp on about it. He's just a happy fun loving guy! He won't be wearing anything that I haven't seen at Walmart. Well maybe Target;)

Source: Brett Booth's Demonpuppy's Wicked Awesome Art blog

Batman, Green Lantern and Superman titles solicited for December

Newsarama and CBR have revealed the first slew of DC Comic's December solicitations. I've handily collected thenm for you below.

SUPERMAN #4
Written by GEORGE PEREZ
Art by JESUS MERINO
Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Discover the origin of the new foes who have been making The Man of Steel’s life so painful and chaotic lately. What are their ties to the current ACTION COMICS epic? Plus, Lois Lane uncovers a tragic secret from Superman’s past!
** Not final cover. Previous interior art shown.





SUPERGIRL #4
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Trapped and powerless aboard a space station, Supergirl is at the mercy of an ingenious new foe who wants to learn everything there is to know about her. But Supergirl is more than just her powers, and she’ll soon show this foe – and all of Earth – what’s she truly capable of! Plus, more on the Girl of Steel’s mysterious origin!





SUPERBOY #4
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by SHANE DAVIS and JONATHAN GLAPION
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Superboy has learned the truth about what he really is...and he’s not taking it well. Alone in New York and surrounded by holiday cheer, it’s a struggle to keep his emotions and his powers in check...and he’s on a crash course with a dangerous pair of murderous young metahumans who are more like him than he might want to admit!
** Not final cover




ACTION COMICS #4
Written by GRANT MORRISON and JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by RAGS MORALES, GENE HA, RICK BRYANT and MATT CAMP
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:200 B&W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Is your mind prepared for an encounter with the deadly Terminauts? What awful master do they serve? What horrible fate awaits Superman and the city of Metropolis? The true scope of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales’ ACTION COMICS run begins to come into view, so get those sunglasses ready, ‘cause it is gonna be blinding!
And in a backup story from writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Matt Camp that spins out of ACTION COMICS #2, John Henry Irons takes his first steps toward becoming the hero known as Steel!






RED LANTERNS #4
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by ED BENES, DIEGO BERNARD and ROB HUNTER
Cover by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
A Red Lantern’s tale never has a happy ending, so brace yourself for the tragic tales of Skallox, Zillius Zox and Ratchet. Their violent destinies set the stage for their
new life as seekers of bloody vengeance!

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #4
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The Green Lanterns’ homeworld is under attack! Members of each of the Lantern Corps have laid siege to the powerful Guardians of the Universe to reclaim their stolen power rings, but only now has the Orange Lantern Larfleeze entered the fray...and he’s not alone. The secret behind the stolen rings will be revealed and the status of Kyle Rayner within the Green Lantern Corps will be changed – forever!






GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
John Stewart has gone from being a Green Lantern soldier to prisoner of war! And in the process, he learns who the Corps’ mysterious enemy truly is and what they really want. The truth will rock the Corps to its foundation!







GREEN LANTERN #4
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE and KEITH CHAMPAGNE
Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:200 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
They’ve pillaged and enslaved his homeworld. Now the fear-mongering Sinestro Corps must face newly reinstated Green Lantern Sinestro. Can the renegade GL liberate Korugar from the army he assembled?





BATMAN #4
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by MIKE CHOI
Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Shocking discoveries lead Batman deeper into the mystery of the Court of Owls and its secret and bloody ties to both Gotham City and the Wayne family. But an even deadlier threat awaits Batman: a trap set hundreds of years ago, far beneath his city. The war for Gotham’s soul begins here!






DETECTIVE COMICS #4
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Batman uncovers a deranged plot with far-reaching tentacles that touch some of the city’s most elite citizens, he finds himself facing off against his newest and most fearsome foes: Dollmaker and his twisted family of killers!





BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4
Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batman must race against time to save a friend’s life. But his mission may prove impossible as he reels under the weight of three hundred chemically enhanced super-criminals who stand against him. All clues point to one psychotic criminal, and all roads to a solution that will lead to one secret location... but will Batman arrive too late to stop the rage let loose on his city?







BATWING #4
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by CHRISCROSS
Cover by BEN OLIVER
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Massacre’s bloody reign of murder continues and more heroes fall, Batwing closes in on this mad villain. But with his memories stirring, Batwing’s dark past begins to emerge... At last, the truth of his past will come to light.







BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batman and Robin are at the mercy of NoBody as he forces them to embrace a new way to battle crime and injustice. But Batman has other ideas! Plus: Don’t miss the origin of NoBody!

BIRDS OF PREY #4
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by JESUS SAIZ
Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The only thing worse than a bomb on a speeding train is three bombs. Hidden inside the skulls of three different people. All on the same speeding train. And the Birds of Prey – Black Canary, Starling, Katana and Poison Ivy – know the names of only two of these walking bombs. Don’t miss the shocking revelation that will rewrite the rules of the team forever! Yes, we know it’s only issue #4! Guest starring Batgirl!







CATWOMAN #4
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Catwoman pays a call on Wayne Manor, but those who live there prefer that you call first. Then Selina Kyle says goodbye to an old friend, says hello to an older one, and resolves more firmly than ever to strike out on her own. Only one of those things almost gets her killed.

BATWOMAN #4
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Blood drenches the back alleys of Gotham City in Part four of “Hydrology” – and Batwoman’s life begins to burn!







BATGIRL #4
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batgirl’s secret past finally catches up to her as she races to a final confrontation with the deadly sociopath Mirror! All the answers start right here in this thrilling issue!







RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The man who has pursued Starfire all the way to the wilds of Colorado has only one thing on his mind: her slow and painful death. His name is Crux – and he’s done some dark and dangerous work on his DNA to reach his goal of ridding the Earth of every alien on the planet! And Kori’s about to learn that Red Hood and Roy Harper have their hands full with the ancient evil known as The Untitled!







NIGHTWING #4
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by TREVOR McCARTHY
Cover by EDDY BARROWS
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Haly’s continues to travel the east coast, Dick’s search for answers take him – and the circus – to Miami! But when a case from Gotham City brings Barbara Gordon to Florida, Nightwing and Batgirl must work together to bring a thief to justice. Be here as Nightwing and Batgirl tackle South Beach – and discover the true nature of the circus! The answers start this issue!

Green Lantern #4 cover

Review - Green Lantern #1

GREEN LANTERN #1

Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY; Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO; Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

Picking right up from where War of the Green Lanterns left off, Green Lantern #1 deals with uncertainty. As a result the book occasionally feels less grand than we have come to expect, but that doesn't mean that the book suffers for it. There isn't a lot of action, but the excellent character work means that you probably won't notice too much.

We follow Hal Jordan as he struggles to pick up his life on Earth after being cast out of the Green Lantern Corps. We learn that he hasn't been home for three months and as such has lost his job at the air force and is facing eviction from his apartment. Hal is struggling. So much of his identity has been 'Green lantern' that he doesn't know how to exist as just 'Hal Jordan' and this comes across brilliantly. Carol Ferris comes to his rescue and he even manages to bumble that up.

Sinestro reluctantly accepts the Green Lantern ring and travels to his native Korugar to find that his Sinestro Corps have enslaved the planet. It is made very clear that they have no loyality to him now that he wears a green ring rather than yellow. We see something from Sinestro that we don't see very often; a resignation that he will need help to oust them and liberate his planet.

Without spoiling anything, there is something up between Ganthet and the other Guardians of the Universe. This has been coming for a while (since Ganthet left them to found the Blue Lanterns and tension grew when he forged his own Green Lantern ring and became a Green Lantern). This doesn't take up a lot of page space, but the repercussions could be huge.

I had a tough time when deciding what score to give Green Lantern #1. I was very close to giving it 8/10, but felt that I needed to remove a star to reflect that the book isn't that easy for new readers to pick up. As a long time Green Lantern reader I understand who these characters are and their relationships, so when their dynamics are changed I can understand why and see that it is  a natural progression. However, I feel that someone completely new to the franchise would have had too much to digest without enough explanation. The score that I ultimately gave GL is still a good one (remember I take 5 as average, not 7 like some reviewers) and I do recommend it. However, new readers may want to do some background reading first.

My rating:

A solid start to Green lantern v5. Spot on characterisation, new dynamics and loads of potential being set up. Johns' handle on the Green Lantern universe is nothing sort of astounding; add this to your pull list.

Catwoman #4 cover

Who's getting a visit from Selina Kyle?*

*Rhetorical. It's fairly obvious.