This looks like it might be an event that will “explain” and connect all the DCU including Elseworlds for the last 27 years and into the near future.
(That seems to be some sort of bugaboo that editorial has, that everything be connected and “make sense”.) It will probably be an event book touted as the thing that will solve all the continuity problems forever even as it gets you ready for the next cataclysmic hullabaloo (just as this entry of yours asks for) that will make the DCU even more isolationist than ever before.

At least Batmans not wearing his 1930’s era overunderwear and tights.

I really don’t want to defend this drawing, but I do get that backward head. Although, at first I thought it was a bad drawing of dead Superboy, and it didn’t make sense to me until someone else id’d him as Max Lord. So where is Dead Superboy in that picture?

Hey, Edward: “- NBC’s “Heroes” looks like it may have superheroes more angsty and more humorless than they are and they don’t know if they can take the competition.” And yet, it is still more fun and interesting! Weird, huh?

Yeah, I knew it was intentional, but it looks as if they originally drew it face up, then decided at the last minute to change the orientation.

- They just figured out Hawkman’s continuity and now he’s gone from the DCU.

- Al Gore says global warming will kill us all.

- Jeff Smith’s Shazam comic looks so damn good in comparison to what they have to offer.

- They are upset over the constant repeats of “Legion of Superheroes” on KidsWB! And also over the general lack of Triplicate Girl, even though she’s in the opening credits.

- Their big guest spot in Garth Ennis’ “The Boys” is shot now that the book is leaving DC.

- NBC’s “Heroes” looks like it may have superheroes more angsty and more humorless than they are and they don’t know if they can take the competition.

- Not enough people plugging National Gorilla Suit Day

- Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) still says global warming is a hoax.

- Superman is upset over the box office of his latest movie. Everybody else thinks he’s being a princess about it, but you know how needy Clark can get. He gets a hangnail and EVERYBODY’S gotta come running.

- They can’t figure out who the new Ronin is in New New Avengers.

- The HDTV in the Justice League satellite is on the fritz and Geek Squad isn’t answering their calls.

- They realize they must kneel before Dave Campbell’s Strong, Healthy Teeth.

- “When is Brad Meltzer going to do something really cool in JLA??!?”

- None of them understand any of this damn global warming crap, even after watching “Happy Feet.”

- They’re afraid Darwyn Cooke may be right.

I could be wrong about some of that.

The DCU isn’t ALL fictional citites. The DCU’s got a New York City, as well as a Gotham and a Metropolis and whatever else.

Still, as I said over at COMICON PULSE, I find my tastes for seeing New York’s buildings and monuments lying in rubble is a little less than it was when I was younger. It’s an exciting image and I’m sure whatever event it ties to will be great comics, but then again, I find myself kinda wanting to see a story someday where our heroes, for example, prevent the Statue of Liberty from going ka-blooey instead of just standing around its wreckage…

And yet, looking at this image of things to come, I just feel exhausted. I know that zero conflict = zero story, but couldn’t DC spend a couple of years with a wee bit of light-heartedness? Wsa anyone else shocked by the brutal gutting of a female characetr in the last issue of GL Corps? Made Sue Dibney look bright and shiny by coparison. Meanwhile, Cooke’s Spirit, Dini’s Batman, Morrison’s Superman, the Johns/Donner Superman, and Johns’ Green Lantern are all fun, witty, and approachable to non-nerds, the kind of comics we used to call “high-octane” without resorting to cheap shock tactics. And the characters in those books have adevntures that do not involve constantly weeping or gnashing their teeth or being raped or raping or twisting heads off, or whatever. So obviosuly DC knows how to create engaging comics, without all the darkness, when it chooses to do so.

Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis and 52 have all been well and good, and advanced the mega-plots, and added new menace to the DCU, and just told a damn good yarn, pure and simple. All of Didio’s stated goals with those projects have been met, i think. But I am ready for some FUN back in my funnybooks.

Or the poorly drawn dead person at the forefront? Is that his head that’s twisted, or his torso?

This image totally lacks depth and perspective. There’s no continuity, and it appears as if each character has been lifted and placed haphazardly about the background.

Anyone else see these problems?

Amen, brother. Amen.

* Or that brain guy from the fatal five. Or a giant monkey. Regardless, I’m sure someone or something is raped. Christ, DC comics are just fucking awful since that Dr. Phil look-a-like took over……..

And why is Batman wearing pants? Well, cause he doesn’t want to distract from Dinah’s package, of course!

Wolverine killed Northstar three times in as many weeks, albeit in three different realities.

Looks to me like Flash just heard the back of his tights splitting . . .

Which are, it should be noted, Barry Allen’s tights.

Looks like Kyle’s about to do the ol’ yawn and put your arm around Donna’s shoulder. And with Jade dead on the ground, that’s a whole level of skeevy.

What, no dead Booster? Booooo… ster.