DC Comics teaser panel portends ... what?

It's the superhero mystery of the year, depicting a calamity of Old Testament proportions. What is happening in the teaser panel that DC Comics released late last month?

Some of DC's top heroes and heroines are standing on the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty, near the ragged, apparently lifeless bodies of a few other DC superheroes — the Blue Beetle, Jade, Maxwell Lord and possibly The Question may all be dead.

The teaser is accompanied by these words: "Let the battle cry be heard in the land, a shout of great destruction."

DC isn't commenting much on the image.

"It's not a teaser for World War 3" David Hyde, spokesman for DC Comics, said in an e-mail to the Deseret Morning News. "What's it teasing? We're not saying ... yet."

The "battle cry" line is from the Old Testament, Jeremiah 50:22, which states in the King James version: "A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction."

DC Comics has announced it has a "World War III" miniseries coming the third week in April, a story that grows out of its "52" series that will be winding down then.

There are also rumors of a "Countdown" sequel series to "52" that will numerically go down from 52 each year.

DC maintains this panel depicts events yet to happen and that it is indeed about the current DC universe, not some alternate work or timeline. It may depict a story that grows out of both "52" and "World War III."

In the mystery panel, Superman is obviously grieving, but over whom? Supergirl is nowhere to be seen and if the Man of Steel has broken down emotionally, what hope do the other heroes have?

Captain Marvel is also missing in the panel, and Batman is carrying a sword, a rather odd weapon for him to be holding, and his cape, utility belt and bat insignia are different from usual; he resembles a pirate more than anything.

Green Arrow is standing apart from Black Canary, meaning they might have parted ways.

Mister Miracle and Big Barda of the New Gods are also shown in the panel.

The rest of the Statue of Liberty is seen leaning in the background, smoking, while the rest of the New York City skyline on the left side appears OK.

DC's "World War III" spins off the "52" series, weekly issue No. 50, and will include four issues, all on sale April 18, for $2.50 each.

Some comic-book fans didn't feel DC's latest "Crisis" series delivered, and so the comic-book company might be gearing up for something big later this year.

Apparently, clues on the teaser panel will enlighten the sharpest readers as to what's coming. There may be a Legion flight ring on the panel somewhere and other clues — if you're observant enough.

A larger version of the teaser image can be viewed at comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9457 and other online sites.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com