Who's Who in the DCU

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Don’t panic, but I’m not Mathan. I wish I was, but I can never be. Sorry.

That’s right! And don’t you forget it. You even daydream about being me and you better snap out of it and apologize, immediately.

This week, I’m answering the questions (I’m Tim, by the way) and Mathan’s providing the pithy commentary. Why? Because experimentation keeps relationships fresh, darn it.

But before we get to the questions, let me check in with my support team.

Mathan, the new TV season is a few weeks in now. Any shows catching your interest so far?

So far I’m loving Pushing Daisies, Life, Reaper and Carpoolers. Cane, Private Practice and Journeyman are solid distractions. But I’m still completely enamored with Weeds, Mad Men and Brotherhood and Dexter. I love those four and watch them anytime I can. They’re probably the best four programs on television.

Links

Broken Dial

Beyond the Threshold

The DVD Lounge

Inside Fights

Machine Gun Funk

Moodspins

Not a True Ending

Popcorn Junkies

Primetime Pulse

Retro Grading

Tailgate Crashers

Our DC Boards is the place to be. The atmosphere is thick with Titans talk and someone desperately trying to resurrect Hawk and Dove’s career. Trust me, it is a good time.

Any links from you this week, Mathan?

Since it’s right around the corner I think everyone should check out the website for National Novel Writing Month.

What I Read This Week (on the DC side of things)

All New Atom #16– Roger Stern produces a decent fill-in here, but the town just didn’t seem as wacky without Simone at the helm, even with dangerous, dangerous hippies all around

Yeah, who’d have thought that an issue preaching the evils of hippies would feel so wrong? Yet that’s exactly how this issue played out.

Detective Comics #837– Always love the Edward Nigma, PI stories, even when they crossover with Countdown. Wasn’t it nice to have a Dini penned ‘Tec story? It seems so long since the last one.

I give Dini props for managing to write a Countdown tie in and manage to keep the Countdown suck off of the book.

Green Lantern Corps #16– The Corps issues have been the less enjoyable installments of the Sinestro Corps story and this one holds with that pattern. It’s decent, but it continues to feature a lot of nameless (to me, anyway) GLs being mowed down. The Corps taking to killing so quickly was all sorts of disconcerting though.

Exactly! I was frightened at how the bloodlust appeared. They were all “yeeeeehaaaaw, we can kill!” But I just chalked it up to them seeing their fellow GL’s slaughtered.

Infinity, Inc #2– After issue #1’s intriguing start, this issue just spun its wheels for 22 pages. Kid Empty is an awful villain with a contrived look, in case you were wondering.

Yeah, I wasn’t super impressed. But that next issue box slayed me.

Metal Men #3– Increasingly confusing with each installment, but still fun.

But it’s confusing like Guy Ritchie flick; I don’t quite understand what’s being said or what’s happening, but I’m enjoying the ride.

Cyborg Superman– As a history lesson, it was an interesting enough, but no real surprises here. This attempt at insight just proves everything you already thought about the character.

Too true. It felt like when you were in school and a teacher was going over a book you’d already read; there was a pinch of what you didn’t know, but it was mostly rehash.

Scalped #10– I love this arc with its varying perspectives on roughly the same moment in time at the reservation. Very strong ending to this installment which focuses on the young Poor Bear and his quest to get the hell out of Dodge.

Yup, this is the arc that made me a fan of the title. I actually care about the characters now.

Wait, that’s it? No The Vinyl Underground? No Nightwing or Supergirl? No Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society? Wow. Just wow.

I don’t read Supergirl because, well, I don’t like the character. I don’t read Nightwing because I do like the character and can’t stand to see him like this. Vinyl Underground, unfortunately, was sold out. And The Search for Ray Palmer? Well, I think you know my answer to that.

This Week’s Batch of Bizarro Questions

1.) Time travel seems like a big deal in the DCU. What’s the best DC time travel story ever?

2.) It seems like everyone’s joined the JLA at some point, but that’s not really true. Who’s someone you’d like to see join who’s never really been a JLA-er?

3.) I’ve heard people talk about Vertigo and DC and how they can’t share characters. I don’t get it. What’s going on there?

4.) Who’s this Dan Didio character people keep talking about?

And from me;

Uno – I was incarcerated for jaywalking for five years, but I’m finally getting back into comics. My favorite characters were Superboy, Impulse and Captain Boomerang. I guess they’re all dead. What happened?

Dos – I keep hearing about a female Robin? I guess there’s some controversy there, what’s up with that?

Tres – What’s the deal with Ray Palmer? Why are people searching for him?

Catorce Quatro – I don’t “get” Lobo. Can you please recommend something featuring Lobo that’s worth my time?

And now I begin my tour of duty.

That Bootleg Guy wonders if Superman and Wonder Woman have earned their keep.

Superman is obviously one of the more polarizing characters in the DCU. I understand what he means in a historic context, but, at this point, does DC keep his title afloat simply because of that context or does the title still sell enough copies to justify its continued existence? (While we’re at it…same question for Wonder Woman.)

Bootleg Guy, I get where you are coming from on this one. Some might read some people’s (like, say, mine) commentaries on Superman and his books and think, “Huh, guess the Last Son of Krypton is played out.” And that might get some, like yourself, to thinking, “does Big Blue still have viability and/or the sales numbers to back up his iconic status?”

Oddly enough, the answer to the question is, yes, yes he does. The Man from Tomorrow, despite having a reputation for dullness, more than holds up his end of the sales bargain. Currently, he supports two titles (not counting Superman/Batman) that are consistently selling between 55,000 and 65,000 copies when they are released. This is at a time when superhero critic darling titles like Manhunter and Blue Beetle (which are both AWESOME) are struggling to hit 20,000. So while I might question how DC sometimes uses his creative viability, the Man of Steel clearly has the sales to back up his rep.

Wonder Woman, on the other hand, is a nice illustration of what you are driving at. Currently, the title sells in the neighborhood of 60K. Or at least it did when Piccoult had just started on the book. Unless I miss my guess, I’m betting the book has gone down a bit since then, but even considering that, I bet it still charts at around 50K. So, good, right?

Well, sure. Except consider this. When it was relaunched at #1 during June of last year, it sold 132,000 plus. By the time #2 hit stands, close to 40,000 readers had jumped ship. And that was only two months later, so lateness was not as big an issue as it came to be. Delays in general no doubt hurt the book, but an overall loss of 70,000 plus is disheartening, any way you slice.

But, those numbers were artificially inflated, etc, etc, right? Well, consider Wonder Woman sales figures for March of the year 2001-2005. The highest number of issues sold in those months over that five year stretch was just over 30,000. The average was around 27,500. Compare that either Superman title where the lowest was just over 33K, the average for Action Comics was more than 41,000 and the average for Superman was over 60,000 and you start to see how Wonder Woman hurts.

So yes, Wonder Woman continued rack presence (pun not intended) has a lot to due with her iconic status and not necessarily her sales clout. However, I’d pose the question as to whether that is a problem or not. Yes, if it meant a book like Manhunter or Blue Beetle got cancelled while WW would continue on ad infinitum, it might upset me. However, it doesn’t really work like that. Thus, why shouldn’t DC continue to publish the ongoing adventures of the world’s most recognizable and oldest female superhero? The only thing I’d ask is for her to maybe have some better stories to live through in those books.

That is, in actuality, what I’d argue is more the problem with Wondy. The defining run on her title occurred 20 years ago. The Rucka’s run was critically strong for most of the time, but was derailed by crossover fever. Jimenez’s take on the character was reverent but inert. John Byrne killed her and brought her back as a god of truth and it came out not nearly as cool as it sounds. Messner-Loeb stripped her of her role and handed it to a thinner, but still statuesque redhead and it was…fine. Eric Luke told one story I really enjoyed, but I think about 70 people read the title during his run.

And so on and so on. Creatively, more often than not, Diana has gotten the short end of the stick. That, not sales, is what hurts her viability most.

Mathan, for your money, do Supes and Wondy continue to justify their existence?

I really want to say that they do. I mean Superman is a pretty big pull in terms of creative talent. I’m sure that every writer wants to tell their “Superman” story and every artist wants to put their spin on his costume. So Superman, just on the basis of big name talent is going to earn those numbers.

Wonder Woman is a harder sell, creatively. I doubt that every writer or artist wants to put their stamp on Wonder Woman. Without that talent, her sales aren’t going to be as consistent.

But in terms of merchandising and public recognition they more than justify their existence. If Wonder Woman makes it to the big screen can you imagine the influx of x chromosomes into comic shops? So yeah, they do pull their weight.

Julian L. Smith always cheats

The guy with “Foul Play” on his sleeve that seemed to be a Mr. Teriffic nemesis. Who is he?

He’d be Mr. Terrible, (not to be confused with Mr. Horrific, the name of the current JSA: Classified arc starring Mr. Terrific), a creation of Gail Simone who debuted during the Villains United miniseries that led into Infinite Crisis. Much like Mr. Terrific (good ol’ MT to his friends) Mr. Terrible cannot help but live up to his name. While MT is great at everything, Mr. Terrible can’t do anything right, even be evil. For instance, he attempts to throw knives at Catman’s heart and only manages to hit Catman’s leg.

Yes, I was just telling them that, Terrible. Please let me take care of this!

To date, the line above is one of the few (possibly the only) he’s had, and as far as I know, he’s never met or locked horns with seemingly natural enemy. But soon?

Fingers crossed.

Can you wait for the big Mr. Terrific/Mr. Terrible dust-up, Math-man?

Eh, a “dust-up” would be ok, but I think it’d be rather brief. I’d much rather have a team-up or a sitcom. I mean Terribly Terrific (or Terrifically Terrible) would be a surefire hit. If they have to team up to solve a case or a flashback tale where they’re college roommates would to big numbers. Probably.

The Shade confuses the difference between “need” and “want”

Richard Dragon. I need info on this guy

No, Shade, you really don’t. You may WANT it (and, after re-reading the recent Richard Dragon series, I’m not even sure you really want it, even) but you certainly do not NEED Richard Dragon related information.

But you did ask, so…here’s what you seek.

Richard Dragon is one of the best, if not the best, martial artist heroes in the DCU. Connor Hawke may or may not be his equal. That’s right Cassandra Cain fans, sit and stew with that for a little while. She’s third, at best.

Anyway, Dragon actually began his life in a different medium. His first appearance was in a novel (it’s like a comic with just words) written by Dennis O’Neil, better known to comic fans as Denny. Soon after the novel, O’Neil brought his character into comics, giving him his own book, Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter. This comic, of course, inspired the seminal hit Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting. (This is a lie.)

Origin wise, Dragon is your basic ne’er do well converted to goodness by the power of martial arts. Living his life as a thief, Dragon was beaten up by the future Bronze Tiger, Ben Turner, while trying to steal an item from the dojo where Turner studied. Rather than toss him in the clink the sensei saw something in Dragon and the sensei snagged him as a student.

From there it was off to the races. Dragon eventually became the go-to guy for martial arts and spiritual healing. He trained and refocused heroes like The Question, Huntress, Oracle, and Renee Montoya.

However, sadly, what he’s most recently known as is a guy who can morph from an older
(for comics, anyway) looking fella with a beard and a penchant for zen-like focus to a clean shaven 20-something with a ginormous chip on his shoulder. He has the skill to be written by one of my favorite creative teams, Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel, and still be nigh-unreadable. In fairness to Dixon, he outright stated that the series would ignore Dragon’s previous life. In fairness to the world, that’s still no excuse to produce a fairly lousy comic.

Mathan, how could it have all gone so wrong for Richard Dragon when everything seemed so promising?

I really think it was a matter of too much too soon. I mean having that much success at such a young age is bound to muck things up. Plus all of the publicity and the ever present paparazzi really made it hard for her. And really no one was looking out for her best interests. But I’ve got no doubt in mind that Britney Spears will bounce back and right the ship.

Oh, wait, we were talking about Richard Dragon? I’m going to say it was a lack of editorial vision that ruined things for him. But another 15 years behind the scenes should be long enough for everyone to forget about his horrible solo outing.

The Shade is looking out for the downtrodden

In your opinion which DC character continually gets screwed with by DC?

Before I answer, I just want to clarify something. “Screwed” carries with it the connotation of malice and the character I’m about to name, in my opinion, is not the victim of that. He is the victim of people seemingly just not knowing what the heck to do with him. Thus, in the past 25 or so years, I’d say the character most often screwed by DC is…

Aquaman. No question.

During the 80’s, Aquaman’s title was cancelled for a time and he was made the head of the Justice League. Great, right? Except it was the Detroit era Justice League. No one deserves that albatross around their neck.

Still, Aquaman managed to gain some ground in the late 80’s with the miniseries that put him in blue camo. People seemed to like it and a follow-up was planned. But never delivered. Way to capitalize, DC.

Shortly after that, Aquaman’s origin was greatly altered. No longer the son of a lighthouse keeper who coupled with a female undersea dweller, he was now a feral child who lived on his own in the ocean until he was discovered by a lighthouse keeper. Thus, Aquaman was no longer partially human, he was just the adopted child of a human (who would, eventually, disappear).

Then, it is on to the 90’s. Peter David took a crack at him in The Atlantis Chronicles, took some time off for another series to go belly up, and then came back with Time and Tide. From there, David picked up the title and completely revitalized the character. This was Aquaman’s fifth shot at an ongoing.

Coming off Peter David’s work on the title and nice turns in both Morrison’s JLA and Waid’s JLA: Year One, Aquaman was in something of a renaissance. But, no worries, friends, DC managed to derail that train. First, there was cancellation. Then, it was a new title, complete with the old look and water hand. Things were…not good.

But then came Sub Diego. Things were looking up. Of course, DC then moved Pfeifer off the title, seemingly for greener fields, and the book dipped once more. Infinite Crisis and OYL took the Aquaman we know off the board and replaced him with Busiek’s underwater Conan. That still hasn’t caught on, even with a new creative team, and there are signs that it is soon to guy, such as Meltzer having J’onn and Aquaman narrate the last issue of his JLA run. The Aquaman in question sure does seem to know a lot about the JLA, which indicates he’s not the current incarnation. But if that’s the case, when did “our” Aquaman come back? Ahh, questions abound.

The more recent champ though is Nightwing. Poor fella has been handed raw deals since Infinite Crisis.

Who’s your pick for the most put upon in the DCU, Mathan?

I’ll go a different route. I’m going to say Superman.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved what DC did with Supes when they handed him over to John Byrne. But after that it really seems like DC’s made some questionable decisions.

Look at how DC had Clark and Lois got hitched, bowing to pressure from Time Warner. Marriage is never a good decision for an icon.

Then DC killed him and made an event out of it. (And of course this death set the dominoes in motion for more heroic deaths that led us to the place where all death is viewed as a stunt.)

Of course in 1998 DC rejected a proposal by Mark Waid, Tom Peyer, Grant Morrison and Mark Millar that probably would have revolutionized the character.

Since then it seems like DC’s done everything they can to return Kal-El to his Silver Age roots and undo everything John Byrne did. This includes multiple hued Kryptonite, a plethora of surviving Kryprtonians and even a square Bizarro world. Essentially everything that either made Superman unique or turned people off of the character.

Way to treat an icon DC.

Legion knows what we like

If you need only one question to fill your column I’m guessing this would be it. So tell me, who the hell is Gunfire?

Who is Gunfire? Who. Is. Gunfire?! Oh, Legion, I hope you’re sitting right now because you’re about to experience life, truly, for the first time and that can make a person dizzy. Be prepared for food tasting better, colors becoming more vivid, the beauty of music finally being completely and totally revealed to. In short, your life can be divided up into two eras, BIKAG (Before I Knew About Gunfire) and AIKAG (After I Knew About Gunfire).

Simply put, Gunfire is genius given (drawn) human form.

In his non-mystical/muse-like identity, Gunfire is known as Andrew Van Horn, one of DC’s New Bloods. He survived an alien attack only to discover that he now possessed the power to make anything a weapon by charging it up on an atomic level. He can either use it as a firearm (hence, the name) or an explosive. He also was the heir to a corporation that was formerly used to equip terrorists, but, under Andrew’s hands, was looking to be more eco-friendly and less terror-friendly.

But words, they fail us. Because, truly, Gunfire cannot be summarized, cannot be described. He can only be experienced.

So, Mr. Erhardt, what was your first time like? And by first time, I, of course, mean the first time you ever touched a Gunfire comic.

Well my first time is something I’d rather keep private. Instead I’ll share with you the time that Gunfire saved my life.

I was still living in Baltimore and it was a rainy fall night. I was walking to the bus stop after work when I was accosted by a ruffian who demanded my wallet. I froze. It was long enough for someone in the building above to toss something out of their window and knock the thug unconscious.

That “thing” was an extremely rare edition of Absolute Gunfire. I picked up the tome and read the good word about Gunfire and his good works. From that moment on I’ve accepted Gunfire as my Lord and Savior.

True story.

Julian L. Smith is tech savvy

Cyborg was considered for the newest JLA. Each JLA usually has their tech-guy, which is why Steel worked so well in Grant Morrison’s JLA. Who is the new resident tech-guy?

Well, Julian, if that is your real name, I think it’s obvious that the JLA’s tech member is…umm…huh. What kind of engineer is Black Lightning again? Maybe him?

On the other hand, Red Tornado is a robot. So, he’s got to have some tech knowledge right? I mean, he’s born to it, like Cape Codders and croquet.

Zing!

Perhaps not the best of fits there either, I suspect. Thus, the answer is suddenly clear. And that answer is…Batman! Of course! He is, after all, Batman. He’s got a sci-fi closet for goodness sake. Being tech-guy is something he can do with both hands tied behind his back.

Mathan, care to bail me out here with a sensible answer?

Um, I don’t think they have a “tech guy.” Y’see if you have a “tech guy” you leave yourself vulnerable, because if that guy is incapacitated you’re out of luck. But if you spread that tech knowledge out among three or four people like say, John Stewart, Batman, Red Tornado and oh let’s say Geo Force, then you’ve always got someone with some sort of tech ability on the team. And you split the team up and have a tech person on every squad.

Man, I sure hope that bought that. Wait, is this thing on? Geez!

Kirk hits a hot button

I also wanted to field your thoughts on replacement comics for those authors and artists who tend to run late. Since we as fans are still obviously buying the late comics, offering no reason for DC or Marvel to hold artists and writers accountable, which do you prefer – a situation like Batman where the comic comes out a few weeks late but remains consistent or one like Action Comics where the late periods are filled with fill-in issues unrelated to the main story. (You don’t have to take in to account the quality of the Action Comics fill-ins – it’s more of a “would you rather have more story but not all of it great or less story with all of it being great”?)

Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to choose? Sadly, we do, and anyways, I’m thinking such one sentence answers are not really in the spirit of your question.

Anyway, I might not be the best person to quiz on this because late comics generally don’t bother me. First, every week comics come out and I enjoy most of the ones I buy (and at least half of the ones I read) so I’m distracted by that. Second, I tend to have many other things occupying my headspace with worry so late comics don’t register. Don’t get me wrong, if you brought up Phil Hester’s The Atheist I would say something like, “Yeah, that does suck. It’s been, what, like a year or more since the last issue?” But generally speaking, I wouldn’t think of it on my own. Thus, I tend to be more of “go ahead guys, take a few extra weeks, don’t worry about it” sort of person.

I’m also not a huge fan of the Action Comics model because it interrupts a story already in progress with a (typically) unrelated tale. Fill-ins can produce some great stories and I know some of my favorite one-off issues are the results of fill-in work. But quality does little to diminish my annoyance when a fill-in issue comes between parts 3 and 4 of a 6 part arc. It is far more frustrating to me to have a monthly book that is interrupting its own story with fill-ins than to have a bi-monthly (or less often) book that keeps the story progressing forward.

My “best case” model would be the one Detective Comics seems to be using and has been since Dini became the writer for it. Chunks of Dini written issues are interrupted by one or two-issue fill-in arcs, keeping the book monthly without interrupting a multi-part arc. Of course, in my best case model, the quality of those fill-ins would be higher and would occur less frequently, but what can you do?

Any opinion on this matter, O Guru of Who’s Who?

Yeah, I’m pretty much with you. I buy enough comics that a late book isn’t going to ruin my day, much less my month.

Fell is a great book, but the fact that it’s on a sporadic shipping schedule just makes the next issue that much sweeter. 100 Bullets doesn’t always come out monthly, but it always deliver. But those are creator-owned titles.

I kind of have a problem with late books when they’re mainstream titles. I don’t understand how Green Arrow: Year One can jump from bi-weekly to monthly. Or how I can still be waiting for The Authority #3. In a world where Catwoman’s art team can meet monthly deadlines, and do a Batman annual, I don’t get how other creative teams can have lags between issues.

I’m also irked by having fill-ins mid arc like Action Comics is doing. DC gets points for managing to keep a weekly comic on schedule, but loses those points for not managing to get creative teams to adhere to a monthly schedule.

DC managed to get Jim Lee to pull off two year long runs with no major missteps. Why are creative teams so hard to control now?

My “best case” would see DC only publishing a multi issue arc if a) everything was in the can or b) the creative team had proved themselves reliable. Dini’s Detective is only preferable because he’s pretty much writing single issue tales (except for the Joker two-parter) and because Bats lends himself to single issue tales. If the team is less than reliable, put them on an All-Star or Confidential title.

Luthen’s too damn lazy

You’ve both probably already answered this before, but I’m just too damn lazy to search the archives. So… if you could have one superpower, what would you have? As for myself, I’d rather have the brilliance of Braniac or Lex Luthor. Brains always defeats brawn (unless you’re a villain for some reason).

Well, I have to say that I’m pretty damn smart without superpowers (and humble, too!) so there’s no need to choose brains in my case. Thus, for me, it is super speed, all the way. Get places faster, finish tasks quicker, have more free time. More free time equals a happier Tim. So, super speed it is.

Mathan, you’re not one of those flight fellas, are you?

No, I’m a speedster, which is why I hate you so much right now.

Magic alien rings aren’t really a “superpower” so now I’ve really got to think. Invisiblity would probably mean I’d have to be naked al the time, not that I’ve got a problem with that, it’s more an exposure to the elements type issue.

Vision based powers are largely pointless. Flight would be cool for impressing the ladies, but would attract too much attention. I also tend to think that I’m plenty smart, so it’d probably be my third choice (after super speed.)

I’m going with mental powers. Given that I live in Vegas having either telepathy or telekinesis would prove very useful given all of the gambling establishments at my disposal. And it’d really be just a matter of losing just enough to keep people unaware of something fishy going on.

That’s right, I’d be a super villain. Mwaaaahaaaaaaa!

Luthen pleads for sympathy for the devil

Don’t you think Lex has gotten a bad rap? He’s just looking out for our best interests. You know how those damned aliens and super-powered freaks like to act all superior. Sure, Lex might have done some bad things, but it was all for a good reason, more or less.

I could’ve swore that Mathan and I have answered this question before, but I’ve been known to be wrong, so I’ll answer it here, for possibly the second time.

Lex has the capacity within to do and be good. He can be a great boon to society and humanity. However, he is paranoid and arrogant beyond all measure. Yes, he claims to do everything in the name of “normal” people; claims to want to protect them from Superman and other aliens. But really, it is about a wounded ego that comes from no longer being top dog. The idea that Lex would be a great humanitarian if it wasn’t for those damnable larger than life heroes, while an interesting one, simply does not fly (if you forgive the pun).

He’s not trying to protect us from being second class citizens, he’s just trying to establish his role as the first class citizen.

Which is not to say I don’t love the guy. I do. I just love him for who he is, not who he could be.

Mathan, don’t you feel that is truly the way to love someone?

It’s the only way to love someone. I really hope so, because if some girl falls for me because of my potential rather than my reality she’s in for some major disappointment.

Luthen is speaking our language

Speaking of Lex, do you two prefer the “mad scientist” Lex or the “evil businessman” Lex? I personally can’t stand the idea of a mad scientist, and I despise the Battlesuit. Maybe it’s just me, but having a non-powered, intelligent (not insane) villain is the perfect foil for a Man of Steel. I just wish Lex would get a little respect (like he did in Lex Luthor: Man of Steel).

Sir, you’re certainly come to the right place with that question. Believe you me, you are amongst friends.

Not to speak for Mathan or anything, but we TOTALLY prefer businessman Lex. I was so thrilled back in the day (before Infinite Crisis) when I heard rumors of their being two Lexes, one battle suited, one just business suited, because I thought that the battle suit one must be the fraud and soon businessman Lex will be back and all will be right with the world.

I was such a fool.

Right or wrong, the battle suit makes Lex into just another silly supervillain. I love silly supervillains, but that’s not Lex. He loves the sheen of respectability, loves being able to say he’s doing it for the people. This whole, “let’s make the world safe for corruption” thing is just…bad.

God. Now I’m all depressed.

Do you have any healing words for me, my partner in crime?

Comics are cyclical. The time will come when you’ll see Lex in a business suit again. Granted it’ll be when you’re reading holo-comics to your grandkids, but it’ll be within your lifetime.

With all this Lex talk, I simply can’t go any further. I do believe that I have caught the vapors. E-mail Mathan your questions or drop them at our thread Before we bid you adieu, consider this question in the week ahead:

Which do you prefer: fill-ins in the midst of arcs or months without issues?

And that’s it. Say good bye Mathan.

What?! I was just getting warmed up! I was about to unleash my “A” material. Man! Oh well. I’m over it. Laters.

And we are ghost!

“One anchor turns and faces the other/ Says it’s time that I made you my lover”