The legendary, Eisner Award-winning series BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE returns in a brand-new six-issue miniseries featuring tales of The Dark Knight by some of comics' greatest writers and artists! This first issue kicks off with stories by Chip Kidd and Michael Cho, Neal Adams, Joe Quinones and Maris Wicks, John Arcudi and Sean Murphy, and Howard Mackie and Chris Samnee!

Written by: Chip Kidd, Neal Adams, Joseph A Quinones Jr., Maris Wicks, John Arcudi, Howard Mackie
Art by: Michael Cho, Neal Adams, Joseph A Quinones Jr., Sean Murphy, Chris Samnee
Page Count: 48
U.S. Price: $4.99
Sale Date: Sept. 4th, 2013

The photos up above show the regular comic book cover (the 1st one) and the other special variant covers (The 4th one that is totally blank is specially designed so you can get a sketch done on it by a Comic Book Artist at Comic Book Convention. Also, the one with a “photo cover” showing a Batman: Black and White Statue, it’s the one created by Sean Murphy) . Yes, DC Comics has really gone all the way on this new series!

Then, down below, is an example of some of the interior art. The 1st photo of the inside art gives you an idea of what Chip Kidd’s story is gonna look like (Yes, Chip wrote another Batman story and this one includes Robin too!!). The artwork has a very cool retro vintage-style. Plus, I’m really digging the second one showing “Batman Zombie” by Neal Adams! Actually, ALL the art and writing in this thing is super great! You’re gonna love it!! So, please be sure to pick-up your copy today.

Cartoonist Melanie Gillman just created this hilarious comic strip that shares a major fact of life for Creative People. It’s funny… because it’s true.

Here’s a random re-posting of super-awesomeness we found on the Interwebs, enjoy! Check out the Author Neil Gaiman as he appeared on an episode of The Simpsons, ha! Then, poor Comic Sans gets NO respect. Plus, here’s an Motivational Poster we all need on our wall.

Rebecca Gross, a writer for NEA ARTS (The Official Magazine for the National Endowment of The Arts) just posted a really great interview with the Cartoonist & Graphic Novelist, Daniel Clowes. The article is pretty interesting as Clowes talks a lot about style & technique and, it also contains a ton of wonderful eye candy for your eyeballs as well. To read about Daniel Clowes’ recent work, just CLICK HERE!

Installation view, Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago showing June 29-October 13, 2013. Photo by Nathan Keay, MCA Chicago

Debbie Millman is the president of the design division at Sterling Brands. She is also President Emeritus of AIGA, a contributing editor to Print Magazine, and chair of the School of Visual Arts’ master’s program in Branding. In 2005, she began hosting the podcast show, DESIGN MATTERS.

In a previous "Design Matters" broadcast, Debbie interviewed the World-Class Art Director Peter Mendelsund. He is an associate art director at Knopf, as well as an art director at Pantheon Books. he is also a guiding force behind some of today’s most recognizable book covers: the Stieg Larsson books, the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of War and Peace and Laurie Sheck’s A Monster’s Notes, to name just a few. Also, he has a new book about his life in graphic design coming out in April, 2014 (link down below, published by PowerHouse Books) titled, “COVER“.

To HEAR MORE TALKS with today’s most innovative thinkers and designers just click here, DESIGN MATTERS.

Here is their discussion down below, enjoy:

Here’s a quick post to share this example of some cool graphic design created by Chip Kidd. He recently redesigned the PANTHEON GRAPHIC NOVELS Logo for a trade show banner they needed for the recent 2013 San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) and we have to admit that it looks pretty damn good!

(CBR) DC Comics provided the website, Comic Book Resources, with an exclusive first look at Phil Noto’s variant cover for BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE #1, which hits store shelves on September 4th, 2013. The revival of the original 1996 limited series features stories from a cornucopia of creators bringing their unique take on the Dark Knight. The debut issue of the new miniseries features work from Chip Kidd, Neal Adams, Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, John Arcudi, Howard Mackie, Sean Murphy, Michael Cho and Chris Samnee.

The first issue was solicited with a black and white variant cover by Marc Silvestri, but DC has shifted Slivestri’s cover to be the main image, while Noto’s image will serve as the variant.

Check out Phil Noto’s take on Batman up above!

Here’s a cool piece of Graphic Art History! Dave Taylor, the Artist who drew Chip Kidd’s first DC Comics’ Graphic Novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN, created this Promo Poster for the book which never got made. It was actually more like a prototype showing what the book COULD look like. Of course it has his “raw graphite pencil sketch” look, which did make it into the book and was also a great style for the story. So, that’s cool! Hey DC Comics, if you’re reading this you need to make this a poster for sale!!

You can see more of Dave Taylor’s ART if you CLICK HERE!

Just a quick post to share the incredibly freakin’ AWESOME example of the retro-style artwork of Ryan Heshka. Here, he captures the concept of Batman in the late 1930′s to early 40′s. It’s beautiful. If you want to enjoy more Golden Age-inspired graphics then we suggest visiting his WEBSITE.

How did Theodor Seuss Geisel create The Lorax? Well, that question can be answered by visiting THE LORAX Art Museum exhibit in Omaha, Nebraska that opens next week. While there, Dr. Seuss' fans will see the birth of this beloved Children’s picture book.

This special program will feature doodles, crayon drawings, and ink pieces that inspired the book. It will be on view at Omaha's Joslyn Art Museum from August 10th until November 3rd, 2013.

Here's a little bit more about the exhibit:

Published in 1971, before protecting the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss spoke through his character, the Lorax, who 'spoke for the trees,' warning against mindless progress and the danger it poses to the planet ... The color sketches and line art on view at the Joslyn Art Museum, along with the typewritten story Geisel affixed to the pages, provide a fascinating look at the early development of a Dr. Seuss classic.

For more information about both the exhibit and Joslyn Art Museum, please CLICK HERE!