Day-and-date multiformat is the best way to combat piracy, I would say.

as opposed to having to work within decades of schizophrenic canon every word and every panel?

Geoff Johns promised USA Today "a focus on the interpersonal relationships within DC's trademark superteam." "What's the human aspect behind all these costumes?" he tells the publication. "That's what I wanted to explore."

On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will make publishing history again with their first-ever comic book combo pack. Each issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE, by New York Times bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee, will be available in a convenient combo pack including a print edition and digital version of the comic book.

Those who want a physical copy of JUSTICE LEAGUE to read and collect, as well as the ability to download it onto their favorite device for easy transport, get ready. Each print edition of the comic book and an individual code for digital download will be wrapped in a poly bag and available for $4.99. Separately, the standard version will retail for $3.99 and the digital version will retail for $3.99.

“As we continue to expand our readership and make our titles more accessible to readers everywhere, we’re excited to provide our comic shop retail partners and their consumers with multiple formats of JUSTICE LEAGUE in one convenient place,” said John Rood, EVP Sales, Marketing and Business Development.

Not only will Johns and Lee be collaborating for the first time, but their contemporary take on the origin of the comic book industry’s premier superhero team will be available in DC Comics’ historic first comic book combo pack.

Both digital and print editions of DC’s comics will have parity pricing for the first four weeks of release; thereafter, the digital titles drop in price down to our standard 1.99 digital price point. Oversized issues, including JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, will start at $3.99 and drop to $2.99 after four weeks.

And by the way, let me just reiterate this point: this is the launch of the New DCU. It is not a “reboot.” I think you will soon discover why that is.

Superman and Wonder Woman are irreparably broken, Batman's not much better, the Flash and Green Lantern have also run out of interesting things to do or say and the B-List of the DC Universe is alternately quirky and annoying.

the Superman I've been wanting for a long while- a character based on the first volume or two of the Action Comics Archives

Interestingly, I read a suggestion somewhere on Twitter Rumour Mill that the Superman costume redesign is (partially) motivated by ongoing legal conflict with the Siegel family. Wandering into the realms of pure speculation: Perhaps the logic is that, if DC are publishing a character who acts more like the Siegel & Shuster Superman, they have to make him look different to avoid some qualification for derivativeness?

can you tell me you need your comics more than you need orgasms

Keep in mind that if there really was a problem with an issue because it opened with a kitten-rescuing scene, it would be easier, less controversial and more cost-effective to redraw the scene than to turf the whole issue.

And it's not as if the folks at DC don't know that. Redrawing scenes is not a bizarre or unusual idea.

Turfing an issue over a scene with a kitten, though? It takes a special kind of dopiness for someone who knows much about comics production to buy that explanation -- or try to sell it.

Particularly in the same breath as they try to sell the idea that DC was so embarrassed at the thought of something as corny as Superman saving a kitten that they replaced it ... with a sentimental story about Krypto the Superdog.

I'm not going to discuss why the issue was replaced, but I can tell you that it had nothing to do with any kittens.

I sympathize with Chris Roberson (hey, I've been there), but glad my story finally saw print. I expect his will, too, in time.