Brian Wood heads back to college this month

But before we get to that, let’s talk DMZ with series writer, Brian Wood. “We just passed the five year mark on the series, a milestone in itself, and we're going full speed into the final year of the series. You'll see, at long last, the resolution to the war that's plagued the world of DMZ for so many years, and well as the story of Matty, Matty + Zee, and the supporting characters (something we've begun in the "Collective Punishment" arc). "FREE STATES RISING," the current storyline, will take us through to #64, and it kicks off not only the final battle for Manhattan, but explains exactly why the Free States Army has been so quiet in recent times. DMZ's been an incredible series to write, and it's nothing without the superhuman efforts of artist Riccardo Burchielli, all the guests artists we've had over the years, John Paul Leon, and editors Will Dennis, Mark Doyle, Casey Seijas, and of course Karen Berger. At 72 issues, DMZ will stand as one of Vertigo's longest-running series.”

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Exclusive reveal of cover #64 by J.P. Leon:
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Now, onto everyone's favorite cold weather series NORTHLANDERS. “This is a busy time for the series," says Wood. "Next issue will conclude the story Becky Cloonan is drawing, "The Girl In The Ice," then Simon Gane comes in to draw "The Siege Of Paris," followed by Matthew Woodson on "The Hunt." Matthew's an illustrator with almost superhuman talent - google him - and his story will be a high point in the series. Beyond that, I have notes for a short story called "Thor's Daughter" that'll continue NORTHLANDERS' run of powerful one-shot stories. This is the book I increasingly feel I was born to write, and is so completely tied into my identity as a creator. And based solely on the incredible range and diversity of the artists we've had on the series, there is nothing else like it out there.”

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Exclusive first look inside #37 with art by Simon Gane (Dark Rain: A New Orleans Story):

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So, what’s this about heading back to college? As second semester begins, so does THE NEW YORK FIVE. This four issue miniseries is not only a unique peek inside college life in New York City, but it’s stunning to look at as well. Brian, take it away.“Artist Ryan Kelly and I are good friends and even better collaborators - with Local, then The New York Four, and runs on both DMZ and NORTHLANDERS. THE NEW YORK FIVE is both a sequel to The New York Four and its own thing, and at 32 pages of story (in each 32 page issue), it’s a satisfying chunk.”

Oh, and did I mention it’s stunning? Take a look inside at Riley and the gang:

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Felicia Day gives accolades to DMZ

Over at COMICS ALLIANCE Felicia Day, actress and creator of the web series The Guild, references DMZ in an interview where she talks about the comics that first made her understand the beauty of the medium.

Here’s what Felicia had to say, "I had to read a lot of [graphic novels] before I started this comic to make sure I understood how characters come to life in this format versus the other formats I work with. It wasn't clicking until I finally read [Joss Whedon's] "Fray" and [Brian Wood's] "DMZ." Those were the two comics that really clicked, and I realized, oh, this is how it's done. It can be incredibly exciting -- you can't wait to turn the page and see what happens next, and the characters are alive."

Check out the full interview here.

Thanks Felicia!

From the Editor’s Desk: Mark Doyle on the cover of DMZ #49

"This issue changes everything..."

"After this nothing will be the same..."

"Everything you thought you knew about the DMZ changes now..."

You hear these kind of buzz statements all the time. But seriously? We mean it this time. It's not just buzz. I remember when Brian first pitched this idea to us a year ago. He said, "okay, this story arc 'Hearts and Minds' is going to put Matty through the ringer and just when he hits rock bottom we're going to drop a bomb on him..."

I didn't realize he meant literally. Check out that cover.

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Big scary mushroom clouds are never a good thing.

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This changes everything, folks. The next few years in the DMZ nothing will be the same and it all starts today with issue #49.

DMZ hits #50?

On Wednesday, we teased a few images from a project Jim Lee, Rebekah Isaacs, Fabio Moon, Ryan Kelly, John Paul Leon, Lee Bermejo, Philip Bond, Eduardo Risso and Dave Gibbons are all working on for Vertigo in 2010. Well, if they piqued your interest, you’ll be happy to know, (if you haven't guessed already or were sly like CBR/ROBOT 6), they’re from DMZ #50. That’s right, I said 50. Can you believe it? In February we'll be celebrating this milestone with an amazing issue which includes 5 self contained stories and 5, what I'll call, character studies.

Here are a couple more sneak peeks. Enjoy!

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DMZ: Hearts and Minds part 2

All is not quiet in the DMZ. The world struggles to come to grips with Parco Delgado's nuclear revelation, and while he's shooting hoops and avoiding the press, Matty is out there forging new alliances and advancing his own agenda. With spy planes flying overhead and rumors of search-and-destroy teams being deployed, how long can any of this last? Not even the city's own new media outlet, Radio Free DMZ, has the answers.

Check out a few pages from this exciting new issue #46:

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