Darthphere
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DC Nation Panel wrapped up.
DC Nation
Oh and also Get your mother****ing DC stamps
DC/CMX Panel
Mike Carey Vertigo Projects
Donner and Johns on Action Comics
Vital Vertigo
Wildstorm Horror Comics
Wildstorm Panel
JLA/JSA Panel
52 Panel
DC Universe Panel
Terra Gets her own mini
DC Big 3 Panel
Adam Hughes to write AND draw All-Star Wonder Woman
DC's Brave New World Panel
Levitz on DC Animation
Fables and Vertigo Panel
DC Nation
SDCC '06: DC NATION PANEL
Updated - Hosted by DCU Executive Editor Dan Didio, with 52 editor Stephen Wacker, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, and Jann Jones as panelists, DC kicked off its San Diego Comic-Con programming with its “DC Nation” panel, discussing the ongoing 52 series, and other changes that have come about as a result of Infinite Crisis. The panel was packed, with standing room only – not to mention a rising temperature throughout the panel.
Sticking to his approach with the “DC Nation” panels, Didio quickly turned to the audience over to questions from the audience, asked in a “quid pro quo” fashion, that is, the cost to ask a panelist a question was being asked a question by the panelist.
Highlights from the panel included:
Asked about “The 52” and if they are coming, or already are in the DCU One Year Later, Didio commented that readers have been reading about “the 52” all along, and left it at that.
Prompted by a question, Wacker said that Steel’s story in 52 is far from over, and Steel fans will love the rest of the series, as the character is, “the heart of the story.”
Didio noted that editorial at DC has been very careful not to show any of the main characters from 52 in any of the other DCU books set One Year Later, for the main reason of not spoiling the story – or the fate of the characters.
When a fan explained that his enjoyment of 52 was enhanced because he reads the series daily, taking a week to ready each issue, one day’s worth of story at a time, the panel applauded him, with Wacker saying that he was their biggest fan. Waid noted that at a meeting of the 52 writers held Wednesday, a discussion came up as to whether or not the “weeks” in the series line up Wednesday-Wednesday or Sunday-Sunday. The fan noted that as he read them, they line up Wednesday-Wednesday.
Asked about the consensus approach to writing the series, Rucka and Wacker explained that there were no out and out “vetos” of other writers’ work, due to the fact that the project is fully a collaborative endeavor, and by the time story elements reach the stage of inclusion into the story, they’ve been through the hands of all the writers, so there’s only very rarely a problem with approvals.
Given that readers have seen Robin and Wonder Girl struggling through the death of Superboy, an audience member asked when Superman’s reaction to Superboy’s death will be shown. While Didio said that he felt the upcoming team on Action Comics will touch upon Superman’s reaction to the death, Rucka noted that, even though Clark Kent has been shown in 52 in the weeks after Conner Kent’s death – apparently not in mourning, not every minute of every day has been shown. The writer explained that, given the larger picture, Clark has only been shown for maybe an hour of time in all of 52, saying that while Superman may be in mourning for Conner, it’s just not being shown in the scenes of 52.
Rucka said that he has spoken with Wacker about the possibility of Renee Montoya meeting up with her former partner, Crispus Allen, now the Spectre’s mortal host. The writer noted that he had no idea of where it would appear or how it would work.
“It would be a lot harder for them to meet now that she’s Supernova,” Wacker joked.
Speaking of the Spectre, Didio asked an audience member, dressed as the Spectre, why he chose to dress that way today, to which the Spectre replied (to the laughter of the room) that he was supposed to come as Mr. Terrific, but that costume cost too much.
Asked if in the DCU, Dead means Dead, specifically in regards to Superboy, Didio said that Conner Kent, Superboy is dead – as dead as Sue Dibny, Max Lord, or Ted Kord. Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Didio said that, as it stands, Superboy’s death mattered – allowing stories to be built upon it, and character development to come from it.
Listening to Didio, Rucka interjected, “That doesn’t mean that the Cult of Conner isn’t on to something…”
Following up with the second half of the two-part question about Superboys, Didio said that, in regards to Superboy Prime, and whether or not he would ever escape his prison, they had gone to a lot of trouble to create a powerful villain for the DCU, and that it wouldn’t make sense not to use him again.
When an audience member replied (when asked) that he’d like to see any characters created after 1980 die, Waid said, laughing, “Then month nine is the month for you.”
Speaking of Ralph Dibny’s journey in seeking the resurrection of his dead wife, Waid said that the trip and explorations will take Ralph through the more magical side of the DCU, which will ultimately show him the power – and the cost of magic.
Both Rucka and Waid agreed that working on 52 has changed how they approach their other writing assignments, with Rucka noting that he’s more likely to call Geoff Johns or Waid for occasional help rather than allow himself to sit and be stymied by a scene he was having trouble with. Waid joked that for him, he now writes five pages of Legion of Super-Heroes,” and when Wacker calls looking for the next five, Waid tells him that he thought Geoff was going to write those.
Talking about the “Big Three” of the DCU – Didio said that everything in the DCU works better when Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are working well as books, which has fueled much of the effort into getting the characters’ respective series the best they can be.
Asked when DC will be bringing back the “real” Aquaman, Didio fired back, “Who says he’s gone?”
Didio was seemingly taken off guard by a question from a younger audience member who wondered if DC was going to launch an All-Star Wonder Woman series. “Tell you what,” Didio said. “Let me talk it over with some guys, and I’ll get back to you on Saturday.”
Both Wacker and Waid said that there will be more Green Lantern coming up in 52, and, in regards to seeing the Corps in the series, Wacker joked, “If only we had a whole large segment of that story that took place in outer space…”
When an audience member dressed as Batman asked about the origin of Batman, Rucka said, “You know what, world’s greatest detective? Wait for clues…” adding that the answers will be coming.
Continuing around the questionees asking the questioners, Waid asked a female audience member dressed as Zatanna, “Llac em?”
Asked what DC is doing to bring in new readers, Didio’s answer was simple, “WE tell good stories,” which was his same answer to the question of how DC is looking to bring kids to comics. When confronted with the comment that the price of comics is keeping kids away from them, Didio agreed, saying that he knows that the cover price of comics has become a major issue for many readers in regards to collecting a series or even picking up an occasional issue of a new series.
Although, both Didio and Rucka countered the quesitoners’ suggestion that new readers need single-shot stories, polling the readers, and noting that many readers, as well as themselves, came to comics that were midstream in storylines, and because of the serial nature of the story, hooked them.
Moving to the lighting round of quick questions with quicker answers:
Is Ralph Dibny done with Gingold for good? “NO.” – Waid.
Favorite character in 52? “Grant Morrison.” Didio.
Will Harvey Dent encounter Renee Montoya in 52? “Undecided.” – Rucka.
Will DC’s war characters show up in 52? “Yes.” Wacker.
Will the comic book version of Superman have a baby? “Pass.” Rucka.
Has the current Superman ever been a costumed Superboy? “Not saying.” Didio.
Why is Nightwing competent in Outsiders, but incompetent in his own series? “It will be resolved.” Didio.
When will Seven Soldiers of Victory #1 come out? October.
Will DC release a hardcover collection of 52? “You wouldn’t be able to lift it.” Waid.
One more note of interest to 52 readers – during the Brian Bolland Spotlight panel following “DC Nation,” the acclaimed artist said that, in addition to the Joker origin story, he’s also illustrating a Zatanna origin story that will appear in the back of 52 in the coming months.
Oh and also Get your mother****ing DC stamps
DC/CMX Panel
Mike Carey Vertigo Projects
Donner and Johns on Action Comics
Vital Vertigo
Wildstorm Horror Comics
Wildstorm Panel
JLA/JSA Panel
52 Panel
DC Universe Panel
Terra Gets her own mini
DC Big 3 Panel
Adam Hughes to write AND draw All-Star Wonder Woman
DC's Brave New World Panel
Levitz on DC Animation
Fables and Vertigo Panel
