Begin Note:

Welcome to one of the most exciting times in DC's history. 2005 is going to go down in the record books as our year, and we're glad you're here to celebrate it with us.

First and foremost, we have extraordinary events going on in the core titles that make up the DC universe. Beginning this spring with COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS, continuing in DC SPECIAL: THE RETURN OF DONNA TROY, and shaking up the whole line as the year goes on, this will be a year of changes and cataclysmic stories that fans will be debating for decades to come. The writers, artists and editors of DC are determined to do work that will define this generation of super-hero comics as CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS did the '80s, or the original, classic CRISIS ON EARTH-ONE/EARTH-TWO did for the '60s.

Then, because the universe isn't large enough to contain all our creativity, we have projects starring our all-star characters by all-star talent that tell quintessential tales of the heroes with a creative freedom to mix and match elements from how they've been developed over the issues. Leading off is ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER, uniting legendary creators Frank Miller and Jim Lee on the character who's been one of the peak moments in both their careers, and then we follow with ALL STAR SUPERMAN by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, and JUSTICE by Alex Ross, Doug Braithwaite and Jim Krueger.

And beyond the printed page altogether, this summer's BATMAN BEGINS will reclaim the title of fans' favorite comic book movie for DC with thrills from the new Batmobile racing through Gotham to the most faithful and insightful look at Batman's origins ever. Combined with the stunning efforts bringing sister imprint Vertigo's CONSTANTINE and V FOR VENDETTA to film, it'll be clear that we're back — and we're staying on the silver screen with a steady stream of surprising and great DC-based films.

Not to mention the small screen, where SMALLVILLE, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, TEEN TITANS and THE BATMAN are being joined by KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG, with even more DC projects are in development for the near future. We've been the unchallenged leading comics company on TV since George Reeves put on his Superman suit, and we're going to keep building on that fine heritage.

To put our pride where our pitch is, we've decided this is the moment to do something we've debated for the last few years and introduce a new DC logo. The symbol that graces DC SPECIAL will be spinning onto the whole line in June, and as fast as we can, onto all our films, TV shows, video games, licensed products and the DC DIRECT line as well. Look for the launch of the film version on BATMAN BEGINS, and keep your eyes peeled to play art detective as you watch.

It seems like it was only a moment ago (could it really be over 25 years?) when legendary designer Milton Glaser's DC logo went up in the corner of our comics, just as my first LEGION story was being published. It went on the famed DOLLAR COMICS, DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, WATCHMEN and on to IDENTITY CRISIS, with literally thousands of issues between. It marked years in which we expanded the creative reach of comics, changed how talented people could be rewarded and recognized for their efforts in comics, and had some great times that we shared with our readers. I'm confident that when we look back on the era of this new DC symbol, lovingly created by designer Josh Beatman of Brainchild Studio under the care of our design wizards Richard Bruning and Georg Brewer, it'll have just as awesome a run.

Stick with us. The best really is yet to come.

Paul Levitz
President & Publisher