DC

Marc-Oliver can tell you how the actual sales levels of the DC relaunch are, but let's take a look at a slightly different metric: how do the relative popularity of the "New 52" compare to the way that retailers initially ordered them? With November's sales estimates, we see orders where the retailers had a chance to see how the #1's moved and potentially the #2's in some cases, before the cutoff dates for adjusting orders.

Scottish novelist/playwright Denise Mina has been chosen to adapt the Millennium Trilogy into comics, it was revealed in The Scotsman. Known as a purveyor of "Tartan Noir," Mina already has solid comics cred, having written a year's worth of HELLBLAZER and A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY for the Vertigo Crime line. The GN adaptations of Stieg Larsson's hugely successful books, starring investigator/hacker Lisbeth Salander, were announced back in October -- to be published by DC's Vertigo imprint -- but no further details have been released. The first book in the comics adaptation will be out in March -- each novel will be split into two GNs for a total of six books.

Ever since the New 52's flagship book -- Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's JUSTICE LEAGUE -- was announced people have been sniggeringly wondering when it would miss shipping because of Lee's lateness. Well, haters, they just aren't going to let that happen: Gene Ha has been announced for JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 -- as excellent a fill-in artist as you could find. Message: DC is serious about shipping on time.

DC has announced Night Force is returning as a 7-issue mini-series in March. This will be the third revival for the series, which retains its original writer: Marv Wolfman. Night Force originally dates back to 1982, when Wolfman and Gene Colan reunited after their long run on Tomb of Dracula. The first run lasted 14 issues. The second series went for 12 issues from 1996-97, with a variety of artists like Brent Anderson and Matt Smith joining Wolfman.

DC sure is coming on steady with these writer changes. On Wednesday, you had Paul Cornell off Stormwatch (though DC really only announced Paul Jenkins writing a 2-parter, Cornell was the one announcing he was off). On Tuesday, you had Joe Harris replacing Gail Simone as Firestorm co-writer. On Monday, you had Tom DeFalco replacing Fabian Niceiza on Legion Lost. Are we seeing a pattern pattern here?

When DC announced the 52 relaunch, there were a handful of titles I was concerned about: Xombi, Legion of Super-Heroes, Jonah Hex and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. As it turns out, the only one I got burned on was the criminally under-appreciated Xombi. Last week, the new volume of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents came out. The first question is: "Did the last series count or is this a total reboot?"

Oh that old New 52 gang...the memories. But it's breaking up so fast. Over on Twitter writer Paul Cornell confirmed that he was off STORMWATCH with issue #6, but

I'll be staying on Demon Knights and Saucer Country, but #6 is my last issue of Stormwatch. Thanks, everyone, and good luck to Paul Jenkins.

The new STORMWATCH writer is Paul Jenkins, but he's only been confirmed for two issues.

With rising excitement for next year's THE DARK KNIGHT RISES trilogy-ending Batman adventure, WB has announced that the full six-minute prologue to the film will be shown in 42 IMAX theaters in the US and the UK starting Friday, December 16. The footage is expected to be shown with MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL. Although going to see a Tom Cruise film may sound like an onerous proposition, it's also the first live Action film directed by Brad Bird -- who made THE INCREDIBLES and THE IRON GIANT -- so hey, this may be an enjoyable field trip after all. In a statement, director Christopher Nolan said, "Our experience on 'The Dark Knight' shooting and projecting IMAX 15 perf 65mm/70mm film was inspiring. The immersive quality of the image goes beyond any other filmmaking tool available, and in revisiting Gotham, we were determined to shoot even more of the movie in this unique format. Giving the fans an early look at an IMAX sequence is a great way to draw attention to what I believe will be an incredible way to experience our story when it comes out next summer." The prologue is expected to feature the bad guy Bane, played by Tom Hardy. Win, win, win!

The season of writer changes continues at DC. It's been rumored for weeks that Gail Simone left her co-writing duties on Firestorm. Today, DC confirms Simone's departure and names Joe Harris her replacement. Issue 7 will be his first.

By Todd Allen What is it about the Legion of Super-Heroes that pulls in ex-Marvel editor-in-chiefs.  Roy Thomas wrote it.  Gerry Conway wrote it.  Jim...

The new 52 Universe is getting even more diverse with the return of Steel, who returns in ACTION #4 by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales. In addition to teaming with Superman in the main story, the "John Henry Irons" of the DCU will get his very own 8-page back-up by Sholly Fisch and Brad Walker. And he'll be back for another back-up in ACTION #7. Created as one of the "variant Supermen" during the Death of Superman story, Steel had a pretty good comics run in the '90s, getting up to issue #52 of his very own series -- until he had the misfortune to star in a movie. With Steel by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, the film is considered one of the very worst superhero movies of all time. Since then he's appeared as a back-up character here, there, and everywhere. Despite the cinematic setback, Steel has always been a pretty cool character, so it's about time he returned.

YouTube has a new promotion for its new streaming service where you can watch recent movies for 99 cents -- among them GREEN LANTERN. If you've been waiting for a budget-conscious way to watch Hal Jordan save the universe from an angry cloud, this is your chance. You can also watch Harry Potter, Conan and that movie where Ton Hanks lives out his biker fantasy by riding a scooter with Julia Roberts on the back.