 DC Comics held their major DC Universe-related panel of the Comic-Con weekend Saturday, and we're on hand for a full report.
Starting on an empty stage, moderator Dan DiDio told the audience not to fear, that he wasn't going to be doing the panel by himself. Theatrically starting with the female creators, DiDio called the creators up to the stage individually to thunderous applause.
Creators called up to the dais include Gail Simone, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Paul Dini, Bill Willingham, Judd Winick, Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, Kurt, Busiek, Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, Terry Dodson, Ivan Reis, and Paul Levitz.
DiDio began the panel by asking the panelists questions, telling the audience that he wanted the audience to pry five members of the new Justice League of America out of Meltzer by the end of the panel.
Immediately turning the panel over to audience questions, asked when DC would "fix" Cassandra Cain and Batgirl, given that her appearance in Robin runs against how she was portrayed in her former series, DiDio replied, “Follow along and see what happens.”
Asked about Nightwing's characterization in The Outsiders, series writer Judd Winick said that Nightwing acts the way he does in that book because he doesn't really like the other characters, but rather, sees them as means to an end.
As the creators ran down the lists of their current work, Paul Dini announced that he is working on a Black Canary/Zatanna hardcover graphic novel, with art by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.
Paul Levitz stood to make an announcement, and spoke about a new strategy for DC to move into direct-to-video animation.
Working with Warner Bros. Home Video and WB Animation, the company will launch a new line of direct-to-video DC animated movies that are being designed with DC Comics fans in mind, Levitz said.
He continued, saying that DC is looking to do a series of titles that will tell the character bits and stories that were important to fans, and will be working with the comic book creators on them. The first title will be the previously-leaked animated film version of Darwyn Cooke's The New Frontier. Cooke will work with Stan (JLU) Berkowitz on the film, with Cooke providing key art direction.
Another title in the series, Levitz continued, will be Superman/Doomsday, which will take the "essence" of the Superman/Doomsday story - and will be directed by Bruce Timm and written by Duane Capizzi, who's currently working on The Batman animated series.
The third title in the series will be an animated version of the classic story Teen Titans story “The Judas Contract”, written by Marv Wolfman. Tom DeStano (X-Men) will join Wolfman as co-writer and producer on the film.
"This is just the beginning," Levitz said. "We're sitting around and thinking of more...so send all your suggestions in."
"We're going to take the marquee-value characters that have love across the generations," Levitz said. "And use the stellar characters so that the parental generation will reach out and share it with their kids. We're looking at all the great stories, and cases where we can find the best stories of a long run."
Levitz also added that George Perez will be working on the animated Judas Contract as well, and that Bruce Timm will be overseeing all the animated films.
"We’re looking at more than the last five minutes of history," Levitz said in regards to what will differentiate this from movies such as Ultimate Avengers.
Getting back to comics, given that Geoff Johns is from Detroit, and Brad Meltzer and Winick went to University of Michigan, a fan asked if there was a chance of the Detroit JLA coming back, Johns said that was his favorite League growing up, but didn't get Vibe. Meltzer noted that he did make sure to include Vibe in JLofA #0.
Asked about the scheduling of Wonder Woman, Terry Dodson said that he and Allan Heinberg are producing the book as quickly as they can, and that Heinberg is putting everything into the story to make it the best Wonder Woman story possible.
Asked about an All-Star Wonder Woman title, DiDio asked if the audience would be interested in one, which was met by cheers. "Would you be interested in Adam Hughes on an All-Star Wonder Woman book?" More cheers from the audience. "Great idea - we'll bring it up,” DiDio said.
Clarifying when the Teen Titans East story arc will be coming out, Johns said that it will start in Teen Titans #42/
DiDio asked everyone on the panel to reveal one secret thing from all of their books.
Gail Simone: Might see Birds of Prey meet up with Secret Six.
Mark Waid: Might see Supergirl's return to Krypton.
Morrison: The secret origin of Bat-Mite.
Johns: Raven returns to Teen Titans.
Dini: Read Detective closely - hey may not be as stand-alone as you think.
Busiek: Lana Lang versus the Insect Queen.
Meltzer: In the JLA/JSA crossover, there's a third team.
Dodson: Neither Donna Troy or Diana Prince is Wonder Woman in issue #3.
Jamal Igle: Mikhail Arkadin is the Firestorm in issue #27
Willingham: Detective Chimp will prove Batman is the best human detective in the DCU, and Blue Devil gets a promotion and starts rhyming.
Bilson: A kid named Inertia is behind a lot of the problems.
Johns: Intertia will be in "Titans East" as well.
Asked if there will be any funny animals coming up in 52, Talky Tawny's appearance in Week 16 was again mentioned, and Morrison added that there will be some very unfunny animals coming up in 52.
In speaking about his Batman run and reasons why a reader should pick it up, Morrison said that he's going to be looking reasons why the characters like Batman.
"And Bruce Wayne naked."
Asked about a return of All-Star Squadron, Meltzer said, "All-Star Squadron could be the third team," referring to the third team in the upcoming JLA/JSA crossover.
DiDio said that DC is looking at turning the 80-page specials like Countdown and Brave New World into annual events.
After All-Star Superman was named by many of the creators on the stage as their favorite title, Morrison asked DiDio, "Can I have a raise now?"
"I just want the book, Grant," Didio said back chuckling.
“Any chance of seeing Krypto?” was the question from the audience. Both core Superman writers Busiek and Johns said they have definite plans for Krypto, but can't say where he is right now.
John Stewart will be appearing in Green Lantern.
From the audience: "Is Wonder Woman a virgin?"
"Terry? Brad? You know what? Next question…" DiDio said.
Polled as to what character they would choose to write if they could..?
Waid: Maybe an All-Star Flash ?
Morrison: Go back to Frankenstein
Winick: Barry Ween, and a Red Hood mini-series
Dini: Enemy Ace
Johns: Batman and Robin
Simone: Captain Marvel
Busiek: Kamandi
Meltzer: All Star Squadron, Teen Titans, Legion of Super-Heroes
Dodson: Batgirl
Jamal Igle: Superman
Willingham: Mr. Miracle – “I’d kill a yak to do it, and bought one in preparation"
Bilson: Sgt. Rock
[note: once again, the room is filled to capacity and fans are no longer allowed to enter the hall]
Asked about the art team on Detective, Dini said that JH Williams is taking time off to finish Seven Soldiers, which will allow Don Kramer to fill in for an issue or two, along with Joe Benitez. According to Dini, Williams is hoping to come back in about six issues.
Clarifying the direct-to-video animated movies, DiDio said that the animation will be similar to the art in the comics, rather than working existing stories into currently existing animated styles for the DC animated properties.
Asked about possible members for the Justice League, Meltzer confirmed that Ed Benes draws Vixen in next month’s issue #1.
Speaking about the members of the JLA that were shown in The All New Atom #1, Meltzer said that there was a reason as to why those characters were shown in that issue, but didn’t clarify what that reason was.
Again, polling the panelists, DiDio asked which character each creator would want to die or come back to life?
Winick: G'nort. I want him dead.
Johns: G'nort, I'll bring him back.
Dini: I'll kill him again.
Busiek: G’nort's puppies.
DC displayed the George Perez cover to Brave and the Bold #1, a November debuting ongoing series by Waid and Perez. Guess who the first story arcs stars..?
As for the current expected length of the All-Star Batman & Robin run by Frank Miller and Jim Lee, DiDio said, "I think we're looking at 12 issues.
”We're looking at them, but not getting them,” he added with some levity.
DiDio reiterated that there will be no collection(s) of 52 before the series is complete in order not to break the flow of the weekly series.
“Any chance of Elseworlds coming back?” asked an audience member? "Not at this time," DiDio replied.
The possibility of a Shadowpact/Teen Titans crossover, given the connection between Blue Devil and Kid Devil? Both Willingham and Johns said they've be up for it.
End of report...
Newsarama's Comic-Con International '06 Coverage is brought to you by Miramax Films’ RENAISSANCE. In theaters this fall.
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