Avast ye bilge rats! Who says pirates no longer exist? Like a billowing sea breeze, Mercer County, New Jersey’s own SWASHBUCKLE is raising sails to pillage the continent this summer on the Panic Over North America Tour alongside Soilwork and Death Angel.  

Southern California’s Avenged Sevenfold have just unveiled the artwork for their upcoming album, Nightmare, which in-stores on July 27th. The band will also be releasing a special limited edition of their upcoming album on Warner Bros. Records. Nightmare was produced by Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem) and mixed by noted engineer Andy Wallace. Please see below for full track-listing.  

PLUS! WHY DOES AQUALAD REFUSE TO SWIM? WHAT’S MARK STRONG AS SINESTRO REALLY LIKE? AND TELL US WHAT HERO YOU’D LIKE TO SEE LEAP INTO LIVE ACTION!  

  In the second installment of writer Len Wein’s epic tale of the early days of the DC Universe, the exploits of the mystery men and other emerging heroes inspire the everyday populace to fight crime. Groups like the Justice Society of America encourage regular citizens to action: Meet the Newsboy Legion and more.  

Yanick Paquette steps into the artist’s chair and joins forces with writer Grant Morrison to tell a pirate’s tale – featuring our hero, a time-lost Bruce Wayne, struggling to find his way back home as some of his own friends struggle to prevent it from happening.  

Superman’s pal takes center stage when a new JIMMY OLSEN co-feature starts in September’s ACTION COMICS #893! Written by rising star Nick Spencer (of such buzzed-about Image mini-series as EXISTENCE 2.0, FORGETLESS and the upcoming MORNING GLORIES) and drawn by R.B. Silva (who’s drawing July’s SECRET SIX #23), this co-feature promises to be a whole lotta fun. We’ll let Nick tell you a little about his take on Jimmy:  

You’ve played the game, but why stop there? Today, we get to unveil the second wave of DC Direct’s hyper-detailed ARKHAM ASYLUM figures, based on the bestselling game, which pits the Dark Knight against his deadliest foes — on the frightening Arkham Island.  

September marks the conclusion of BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE — but what does that mean for the Dark Knight?  

SCIENCE DOG gets his first collection from Image Comics Half man, half dog and all hero, Science Dog gets his first collection in SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL #1, coming this September from Image Comics. He’s INVINCIBLE’S favorite comic book character. Soon, he’ll be yours as well!  

Image Comics reprints the first issue of classic series in IMAGE FIRSTS: WAVE TWO This Fall, Image Comics is re-presenting 10 first issues as an introduction to some of its most acclaimed titles. Each debut acts as a perfect primer to its corresponding ongoing series and collected editions. Starting September 1, 2010, and continuing through November, each reprinted first issue will be available for only $1.  

Here are some pictures I took at the HobbyStar Comicon this month: Sal Abbinanti - Really funny guy who seems to really enjoy talking and spending time with the people who attend the conventions.  

Sludge Metal legends CROWBAR have signed a worldwide deal with E1 Music. The band will be releasing a new full-length album later this fall. “CROWBAR is very excited to have landed this deal with E1 Music! We have always been very proud of what we do and the new record will not disappoint and of our die hard fans.” says front man and guitar player Kirk Windstein.