Let me tell you a story about me working for 21 hours in a row on Saturday/Sunday. About carting people around from one house that had lost heat to another that still had it. About having 10 individuals under my care, without having sleep for about 30 hours. About all my Valentine’s Day plans being derailed by 16 inches of snow.
Actually, I guess that is sort of the whole story. It’s okay though. Everything worked out fine in the end. And today, I bring you…
CONVENTIONAL GOODNESS
Ooooo….conventional goodness. Conventions are getting like Summer Movie Season. It used to be that Summer Movie Season would not start until Memorial/Early June. Then, it was the second to last week in May. Now, movies coming out in early May (like X-Men 3) are considered summer movies. With comic conventions, it used to be that all the big announcements were made at San Diego. Then came Wizard Cons and they took some of it. This year, here it is in February and we already are getting big news. I’m not going to complain though. It means more for me to write about now. It could end up being a long summer drought for scoops though. We’ll see.
Anyway, here’s all the panels. The convention format remains the same with my stream of consciousness ramblings following each article. Enjoy!
George Constanza Must Be Jealous of These Guys
The final panel of WonderCon’s first day saw Dan Didio, Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, and editor Steve Wacker, or, as Didio introduced them, the architects of the DCU.
Readers should note – the panel was free-wheeling and humorous throughout, as questions were occasionally answered with jokes, semi-serious replies were given, and the panelists generally reflected the mood of the room. It was noted early on that this was also the first time the four writers of 52, along with the editor, Wacker, had been together on one panel.
Newsarama wants to know if architects use t-squares.
That bit where Morrison describes the DCU as a virtual reality with “real” people and characters in it. That’s crazy. And very cool. I’ve never thought of the DCU like that, but I think it is interesting that that is how he comes at it. Former Nexus Editor Ben Morse actually met Morrison in Wonder Con this year. Got to have food with him. Take a picture next to him. That’s cool. I’m not upset or anything.
Also great, in a less deep way, was Grant Morrison’s desires to have villains with top hats. Who can’t understand that?
So, it’s official. No one who “died” during Emerald Twilight really died. I’m not really sure how I feel about that. I mean, it makes Hal’s square jaw infallibility a little easier because you can’t add, “but you are also a murderer” to it. On the other hand, I liked the complexity that Hal having killed (even if he whacked out of his gourd at the time) lent to the character. Ahh, well, at some point you realize you aren’t the one writing the characters and accept that not everyone has the same vision that you do. Eventually, I’m sure, I’ll reach that point.
Ambush Bug is in. Congratulations, Tim Sheridan, your wish is granted.
Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol, back in. Well, if you read Teen Titans this week, you kind of already knew that. Still good news though.
But wait, Flex was in Teen Titans…oh right. Nevermind. Beast Boy’s flashback thingie. Forgot that.
Oh, come on Waid. Show Argus a little love? Just a little?
Since when was Linda Danvers’ Vigilante? Anyone?
On Friday at Wonder Con, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Steve Wacker, and Dan DiDio participated in a panel that revealed some details of 52.
The Pulse confirms that yes, t-squares are used.
Metal Men in the second issue of 52? Finally! I don’t even care about the Metal Men, but DC has been promising their return for about 3 years so it is nice to see some sort of glimpse of them.
Plans go into 2008? Dag…that’s impressive. Hopefully not too restrictive though. I’d hate to see creativity suffer in the name of maintaining order.
In an attempt to get everyone in fandom up to speed on the upcoming changes in the DC Universe, Dan Didio, Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, and Steve Wacker (editor of “52”) took audience questions at WonderCon Friday evening.
Comic Book Resources couldn’t care less about t-squares. They just want some of that cool blueprint paper.
Since when is Chase’s first name “Christine”? Isn’t it Cameron? Boo, Mr. Comic Book Resources Writer, boo. You’re lucky I don’t have Mathan go over there and set you straight. Cause he’d do it. He loves Chase something fierce.
Interesting. The other sits have Morrison saying that Seven Soldiers takes place after Crisis, but this guy has Morrison saying before. Who’s right, who’s wrong? My guess: people who know Chase’s real name are right. (Why am I such a jerk? Who knows.)
Release your Inner Freud
Sunday afternoon DC held their third major DC Universe panel of the WonderCon weekend, their Crisis Counseling: One Year Later panel, attended by he now familiar editors and creators from the weekend – including Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Steve Wacker,
Newsarama knows that it is always all your mother’s fault.
You know what, Waid’s right. I want my “God and the Justice League” comic like…yesterday. Make it so, DC, make it so.
So, from what I gather, Azrael is dead? Is that right?
A plan for Connor Hawke? Yes! Wait…does it involve him being killed?
And a plan for Black Alice? I can support that.
Dan DiDio, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Geoff Johns, and Steve Wacker talked a little about the Infinite Crisis and upcoming 52 in yesterday’s Wonder Con panel. Find out which characters play a role in the event.
The Pulse believes it has a lot more to do with faulty cognition.
I keep seeing “big plans for Nemesis” in these articles and it keeps not registering. Big plans for Nemesis, the master of disguise from Suicide Squad? Another character resurrection (I mean creatively, not in terms of being him back from his “death” which does not count as far as I am concerned) that I can get behind.
Ahh, and people still ask about Ronnie Raymond. Is he on his way to becoming the Hal Jordan of the 2010’s?
For the third time in three days at WonderCon, DC Comics presented “Infinite Crisis” and “52” creators Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns (with more than a little help form DC head honcho Dan Didio and editor Steve Wacker) on Sunday in order to prepare fans for what’s coming in the DC Universe in 2006.
Comic Book Resources just wants to analyze your dreams.
I just realized that the Wendy and Martin being referred to are the Wonder Twins. And by realized, I mean read close enough to get that they were. I never knew the Wonder Twins’ real names. I can’t decide if that is a really good thing or not.
Wacker’s right about Villains United. I liked the mini a lot, but boy, were its crossover/tie-in the biggest red sky books of the bunch.
The Best is Yet to Come…
The biggest news from the DCU panel today at Wonder Con is that Grant Morrison is taking over the writing on Batman after the James Robinson story ends.
And won’t that be fine at The Pulse
“In JSA, Paul Levitz is doing six issues and then “it looks pretty strong after that.” Geoff John isn’t leaving the title he has plans in place for them early next year.”
I’m…confused. Johns isn’t leaving the title now, despite what Didio said a few weeks ago? And Paul Levitz is looking to be writing more than 6 issues? Are we seeing the return of tag team writer approach to the JSA?
I like that Rucka goes through all the effort of being coy about Supergirl’s “identity” issues when we already know about the whole two Supergirl black kryptonite thing. Unless there is even more Supergirl doppelganger-ness to come? Cra-zy!
Hahaaaaaaaa, no dead Flash. Eat it world!
“There are no more plans for the Seven Soldiers after 52. Two of the Seven Soldiers will be in 52.
Morrison said he would however like to do a Frankenstein or Guardian ongoing series if possible.”
The first part is kind of sad, the second is hopeful. Still, it’d be a shame to have all those characters reinvigorated and then just not see them anymore. Hopefully an ambitious writer will tap them in some story in the near future.
At its Saturday morning WonderCon panel, members of DC Comics’ publishing and creative teams revealed that “The Best Is Yet to Come.” Panel participants maintained their vows of silence about certain secret developments that will occur post-“Identity Crisis,” but the unplanned revelation that Grant Morrison will be writing a substantial run of a Batman comic managed to slip from the mouth of senior VP/executive edtior Dan Didio.
Moderated by vice president of sales Bob Wayne, the panel included DiDio, Mark Waid, Paul Dini, Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Stuart Moore, Howard Chaykin and editor Steve Wacker. The event was kicked off by the presentation of the trailer for “Superman Returns.”
Comic Book Resources thinks they’ve seen the sun, but they ain’t seen it shine.
Rucka mentions the “superhero gap” in this panel and I always thought that it was an interesting idea. Why wouldn’t countries without superheroes become nervous and try to develop their own? It happens with weapons all the time, after all. However, I’ve only seen it done very well once, with The Ultimates 2. Hopefully, this can be interesting time #2.
One hundred pages squeezed down to a third of that? That could be really cool or a real mess. I’m hoping Morrison pulls it out, it would be a shame for Seven Soldier to fall apart just before the finish line.
On Saturday DC just began their DCU 2006: The Best is Yet to Come panel at WonderCon, and Newsarama was there.
Newsarama is going to drain that cup dry.
Grant Morrison on Batman! Hey, it’s no surprise, but it is nice to have it all confirmed. By the way, did I mention that Ben Morse met Grant Morrison? Did I mention how our friendship is now being curdled by envy? Oh, I did? Oh, good then.
Anyway, Grant on Batman is good news indeed. Especially for at least 15 issues and involving a Batman described as the “Neal Adams, hairy-chested, love-god” version. Good times.
No surprise that the IC #5 cover is incomplete. They’ve been doing that to us all along and that empty red space at the top is just begging to be filled in.
Alan Scott as the White King? That’s pretty damn cool. Amanda Waller as the White Queen? Neat. But would it be inappropriate for me also to add “ironic”. Yes, I suppose it would be. Consider it unadded.
A recap of DC Comics’ slide presentation during their Wondercon “DCU” Panel on Saturday, February 11, 2006:
Silver Bullet Comic Books just picked a plum
I dig the look of that Secret Six cover. Slick. Kind of like Nextwave’s covers, but serious.
Cliff Chiang getting work! With Will Pfeifer! Excellent!
So, so far, from that newest cover, we know that Beast Boy, Robin, and Wonder Girl will still be Titans. No clue about anyone else though.
Great looking covers from Bianchi and Quitely in the bunch as well.
Be Sure to Take Your Scopolamine Because You are About to Get a Case of the Dizzies
WonderCon 2006 began with a light programming schedule Friday afternoon, including a panel focusing on DC’s Vertigo imprint.
Newsarama has an inner ear infection
Lions of Baghdad is coming out in September. Nice. Been looking forward to that one.
All the Fables stuff sounds great because, well, it is Fables after all, isn’t it.
Ooh, new Sandman Mystery Theatre. But in modern times? Hmm…don’t know about that.
More Watkiss art in comics is always a good thing. But in a project with writer Bruce Jones at the helm? I’m just not sure if I can motivate myself to pick that up.
At Wonder Con, Executive Editor Karen Berger, Howard Chaykin, Joshua Dysart, David Tischman, and Steve Leialoha were on hand to talk about the Vertigo Universe in 2006.
The Pulse would prefer we call it “the spins”.
More Morrison Vertigo? I can live with that.
Grab Some Tools, It is Building Time!
WonderCon started DC’s final panel of the day/con, Wildstorm: Universe Building, 1/2 hour later than originally scheduled.
Among those on the panel were Wildstorm’s Scott Dunbier, the Skye Runner creative team of writer Allen Warner and artist Alé Garza, writer Grant Morrison and special surprise guest Jim Lee. Lee and Morrison could only stay for part of the panel, so they started talking about their upcoming Wildcats bi-monthly ongoing series launching in August.
Newsarama brought the hammers.
Hey, the Infidel is actually getting a story. Neat. I remember Busiek and Ross discussing the creative process of Infidel back in an old issue of Wizard (the most hated magazine…ever) and being excited to see him in an Astro City story. And now, look. Dreams really do come true.
DC Vice-President of Marketing John Cunningham, Editor Scott Dunbier, writers Allen Warner and Grant Morrison, artists Ale Garza and Jim Lee talked about some upcoming Wildstorm projects at Wonder Con. Some of the biggest announcements included Grant Morrison writing a pair of books: WildC.A.T.s with Jim Lee and The Authority with Gene Ha.
The Pulse brought the saws.
What exactly does a “genuine adult superhero book” (how Morrison describes his upcoming take on Wildcats) mean? What would it have to be like to fit that definition for you? Why not e-mail (parallax2@juno.com) or hit the message boards and let the world know? Or would you just assume never have a “genuine” adult book, period? Have your voice heard.
Sunday at WonderCon, Wildstorm editor Scott Dunbier, creators Ale Garza, Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, Allen Warner and others gave a preview for what’s to come from Wildstorm in 2006 and beyond.
Comic Book Resources bought a wrench set special for the occasion.
Heh…All-Star Batman & Robin is bimonthly. Funny one, Jim.
Morrison the Magical
52 Editor Steve Wacker moderated a panel showcasing comic creator Grant Morrison and we’ve got a few of the highlights.
Break the fifth wall at The Pulse
Morrison and J.H. Williams makes my heart damn near explode.
He was told to use a different character in place of Demon? So Klarion replaced Demon then, I assume? Imagine how different a Demon book would’ve been. I’m glad for Klarion, but I bet Morrison on a little Etrigan action would have been very cool.
Grant Morrison, author of “Seven Soldiers of Victory,” “All-star Superman,” “The Invisibles” and a host of other ground-breaking comics, fielded questions from an audience of admirers at WonderCon on Saturday afternoon. DC editor Steve Wacker made the introductions and kept the conversational ball rolling.
Embrace the metaphysical at Comic Book Resources
I love it when this article mentions Morrison as a “practicing magician” and means it in a religious sense, not in a “he works hard on doing that 4 Jack card trick”. Sure, it is a little odd to describe anyone as practicing magic as a religion, but what I really get a kick out of is the “practicing” part, as if to imply that there are followers of magic out there who are not practicing; who only show up to magic services for Christmas and Easter.
Yes, I’m easily amused.
That movie project sounds very cool. Too bad it sounds like it went in a different direction. However, let me take this moment to tell Grant that he can feel free to put it into a comic and I’ll pick it up. Or he can sell the script to me and I’ll get Tim Sheridan (writer and star of the powerful film “Macbeth” and recent Milo Award Winner) to direct and doing a polish on. What do you say, Grant? Are you ready for the big time?
Grant Morrison’s “Spotlight” panel at WonderCon on Saturday afternoon was as much about magic and the writer’s own unique view of the world than it was about comic books.
Moderated by DC editor Steve Wacker, the following recap is just a few, more comic book-related highlights from the panel. Look for a full transcript of the entire program later this week here at Newsarama…
Introduce mad ideas a mile a minute at Newsarama
We3 the movie? I’m excited. What makes me sad though is I can totally imagine myself pulling a Star Wars kid move and waiting all night to be first in line. I wouldn’t because, well, that’s ludicrous, but it is one of those movies that I’d want to be even more than the first to see.
Oh, the Morrison/Williams book will be along the lines of The Invisibles and The Filth. Hmm…maybe I won’t be picking that up. I’m not sure I’m smart enough for that sort of thing. My two degrees…I’m still not ready for that particular jelly.
Morrison is 46 years old?! Is that possible? Can he really only be three years younger than my father? Is Morrison even allowed to age? Is my father, for that matter? Who do I talk to about this?
Mill-ing About for Controversy
Comic creator Frank Miller greeted fans at Wonder Con and answered some questions about his work on Sin City, Daredevil, Batman, and more.
All-Star Batman or not, you have to go to The Pulse to see what Miller the Might (trademarked) has to say.
Holy Terror Batman just seems like Frank Miller looking for trouble, doesn’t it? I think that that’s kind of cool. The looking for trouble part, I mean, not the comic itself. The comic might be good too, but I hold off on predicting that for now.
If you want to drive yourself a little nutty, peek the talkback section that follows this article. Watch as one man wildly overreacts to the idea of comic book heroes as the modern day equivalent of Greek/Roman gods and heroes. It’s a good time.
Get on Your Highwaters!
There wasn’t much in the way of new news to be found at the Mark Waid “Spotlight” panel Saturday at WonderCon moderated by DC’s Stephen Wacker, but there certainly was lively spirit and an interesting Q&A. The panel was scheduled for 5pm, and hindered a bit by the sounds of Superman through one wall, and Ultimate Avengers through another. Turnout picked up as the Superman let out and the panel ended up being well attended.
“Waid” into a spotlight panel at Newsarama
I’m beginning to think that “The Brave and the Bold” is some sort of cursed project. I mean, look at it. Kevin Smith tried to start it up and failed. Now, granted, this is Kevin Smith we are talking about. It does take him quite some time to “start up” anything comic related. (By the way, am I the only one who thought that cranking out a few comics would be the perfect way to spend some time post-Jersey Girl failure for the Smith-meister?)
But look now. Reliable, trustworthy, always on time Waid and still the project just won’t come together? There’s some evil mojo there.
Anyway…get on Empire already, Waid. I demand it!
Chiang and Pfeifer: Mediums at Large
As announced yesterday at Wondercon, in San Francisco, DC Comics’ new “Crisis Aftermath: Spectre” mini-series will be illustrated by fan favorite Cliff Chiang (which was also reported last week in “Lying In The Gutters”), with writer Will Pfeifer onboard. This is first major Spectre project in some time and with the classic hero getting a facelift, expectations are high. CBR News caught up with Chiang to learn more about the series and how he became involved.
Watch Chiang breathe life into the dead at Comic Book Resources
Any book that gives Cliff Chiang more consistent work is a book that is a-ok with me. He has a great eye for panel layouts and I love his figure rendering. His idea of Spectre as a moving marble statue sounds cool (although I admit that I have little idea how it will work in practice); I always enjoying hearing how an artist decided to draw something or someone and having it be more than, “I thought it looked good,” or “I always just thought the blue version of the character was more dynamic.”
His having worked on Human Target certainly does not my opinion of Chiang either.
With the official official announcement of DC’s May-debuting three-issue Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre limited series (with art by Cliff Chiang) coming at this past weekend’s WonderCon in San Francisco, we once again spoke with series writer Will Pfiefer to talk about the character and the story surrounding the new version of the DC Comics’ mainstay.
Oh, and just so you know – there be spoilers ahead. So, in case you haven’t read Infinite Crisis #4 or the remaining issues of Gotham Central, and want to find things out in the books, rather than in an interview, turn back now.
Still here? Onward…
Pfeifer has a message for you from your deceased cat. Pick it up at Newsarama
I like the thematic link between Allen and the Spectre’s former host, Jim Corrigan (the first, non-corrupt/murderous Jim). I agree with what Didio said in another panel about how it did not make sense for Hal Jordan to become the Spectre.
My one concern here though is that a lot of the things I am reading sound very much like the “issues” that the Hal Jordan Spectre series tackled: the randomness of Spectre’s “justice”, how a decent man reconciles himself with being in the role, how he tries to change the Spectre from within, etc. I’m not saying it will go down the same road, but due to the criminal badness of that Spectre series, I am a touch gunshy.
MISC.
Variant Covers
SUPERGIRL #5, the final issue by the team of writer Jeph Loeb and artists Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund, will arrive in stores on February 22 with two bonuses: Extra story pages and two covers by Churchill and Michael Turner!
Watch the artists make like Phish at Newsarama
COMING ATTRACTIONS
MANHUNTER #19
See all that stuff I wrote up above. This specific issue brings a resolution to last month’s cliffhanger (STABBED!) and should, hopefully, give us a nice, cathartic smackdown between Kate and her crazed, dying Daddy Dearest. Plus: more Phobia.
BATMAN YEAR 100 #1
Paul Pope demands your attention. Paul Pope doing a futuristic Batman story basically comes to your house and drags you to your local comic shop to pick it up. You wouldn’t want to upset a Paul Pope future Batman story by not buying it, would you?
Nah, you wouldn’t.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
NIGHTWING #117
I thought that that was a very good end. I am sure that some Teen Titans fans from the old days will be aghast, but I am equally sure that one Danielle O’Brien (columnist, future Jamie Hatton spouse…the poor girl) squealed with delight. It all passed a bit quick for my tastes (there feels like there is a deleted scene between Dick and Batman’s heart to heart and his return to faith), but I imagine that had as much to do with OYL as Grayson’s plotting. In any case, I think it was the perfect OYL stopping point. Dick has his heart and conviction back and he’s made a huge leap forward personally. Should make for some very spicy OYL revelations.
You know, if he’s still alive.
TEEN TITANS #32
Wow…wow. A lot happened. You wouldn’t think that much could happen between the pages of Infinite Crisis, but it certainly did. Almost too much really. Good, but not great because I feel like not everything got a fair shake. For instance, months of foreshadowing about the “blue arrow” results in a two-page scene and it does not even work? Wha? Still, I appreciate Superboy’s (the non-hitting heads off lousy characters version) return to the fold and his realization that he need not close themselves off from his “family.” It was not entirely successful reading experience, but it had a lot going for it. Probably one of the better Teen Titans issues since before the Simone/Liefeld team-up.
Well, that’s it. There was just too damn much for anything but convention news this week. See you next time. Until then, keep in touch via e-mail at parallax2@juno.com or the message boards and let us know what piece from Wonder Con has got you most excited.
Un Gajje Thinks He Might be Hallucinating from Lack of Sleep
