MARV WOLFMAN TALKS ANIMATED "JUDAS CONTRACT"

[MattBrady]

<img src=http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/judas.jpg align=right border=0>The hearts of DC fanboys when aflutter Saturday at <I>Comic-Con</I> when DC Publisher and President Paul Levitz <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/dcu.html>announced</a> at DC’s <b>One Year Greater</b> panel that DC, Warner Bros. Animation, and Warner Home Video are looking to enter the direct-to-video marketplace with three upcoming animated movies based on popular comic book storylines – <I>Superman/Doomsday</I>, Darwyn Cooke’s <I>The New Frontier</I>, and <I>New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract</I>, all overseen by Bruce Timm.

And while DC and Warner have gotten props from fans in the past with animated adaptations that strongly appealed to their sensibilities - <I>Batman: The Animated Series</I>, <I>Justice League Unlimited</I> - and they also done direct-to-video features - these new projects are intended to be even more faithful adaptations of the original stories - from animation styles inspired by the comics’ artwork, to the original comic book creators being involved in the films’ production.

Marv Wolfman is one such creator. He’s been brought on to co-write (along with producer Tom DeSanto) the animated film version of his <I>own</I> classic, landmark <b>New Teen Titans</b> story, “The Judas Contract”

Originally published during the height of the <b>New Teen Titans</b> popularity [1982-’84] and co-plotted and drawn by George Perez, “The Judas Contract” is the story of the infiltation of the Teen Titans by the new ”hero” Terra [Terra Markov], who was in reality a secret operative of now-classic Titans foe Deathstroke the Terminator, planted within the team to help destroy them from within.

Groundbreaking for its complex plot and Terra’s shocking betrayal (which was neber really betrayal, but her intentions all along) and her ultimate death, among other noteworhty Titans’ historical events during the course of the storyline was Dick Grayson giving up his Robin identity and adopting his current Nightwing persona.

While just in the very early stages of production, Newsarama caught up with Wolfman after the announcement of the animated film to get a few of the writer’s early thoughts…

“<b>The Judas Contract</b> movie will be closer to the original comic than even the show [<I>Teen Titans</I>] was, and the show was very faithful to the spirit of the original,” Wolfman told Newsarama, asked how the movie will be different from DC animation series in the past. “I loved what they did but I'm hoping we can be more adult in the handling of this story.

”Whereas the <i>Titans</I> cartoon show was obviously aimed for kids, this is not being aimed at the youngest kids as it will contain mature content. It will be closer to the original comic but hopefully even stronger as we'll have actors, which means we'll be able to do some more subtle material. In comics you have to make readers read the dialogue as you want them to, but of course that's impossible. Here we can have those little verbal moments where a simple ‘grunt’ or ‘sigh’ or sound can replace paragraphs of prose. Because it's a different medium, we alter the way we tell our stories, playing to this medium's strengths as George and I tried to do with the original, playing to the strength of comics.”

“And yes,” Wolfman added, “Tom [DeSanto] and I intend for the ‘nightgown and cigarette" scene to be there.”

Asked to why he feels “The Judas Contract” was chosen to be of this first three films, when DC has decades of stories to choose from, Wolfman said because he feels it’s “the quintessential <b>Titans</b> story”.

”It's a very powerful emotional story that affects the very core of the Titans. Also, at the time it was revolutionary. George [Perez] and I knew we had a really good story here but I think it's safe to say we didn't quite realize how evolutionary or remembered it would be.

Again, touching on how this project will be different from DC animated adaptations of the past, the writer said this new initiative allows him and DeSanto to assume their audience already know who the Titans are, rather than having to spend time establishing the Titans’ world before starting the plot…

”So we don't have to recap all the origins, although some we will - but because of how they affect the storyline,” he said.

And as to <I>how</I> faithful an adaptation of the original story it will be?

”There will be changes to fit not only the time/length of the movie but to make this a relatively stand-alone feature, although it does set up possibilities for sequels. There are plot changes, but none that I can see that change the story in any significant way. This is and always will be a story about a young girl who betrays the Titans. It's a story of the heroes growing up and changing; Kid Flash and Robin leaving the group, the debut of Nightwing, etc.

”The original “Judas Contract” is large and sprawling if you take into account the majority of plot twists and lead ups to the final conflict. In all ways it began with the very first issue of <b>Titans</b> (with the Ravager) and ended sometime after issue #50 with the final confrontation between Changeling and Deathstroke. That's almost five years of stories. To do the full “Judas Contract” would take a four hour-plus movie and we have 70-something minutes. I don't want to give away any details on what changes will be made, however, as a.) we are early in the process and don't have a final treatment, and b.) what we've proposed are not changes that affect in any way what the story is actually about. Action details can be changed. How characters get into and out of scenes can always be altered, but that story wasn't about the fights, it was about the characters.

”By the way, I am being purposely vague because we only handed in the first draft of the treatment and have yet to get notes from Warners. There are still a lot of miles to travel before we get to the script stages, and even after that, to the script the director will work from. But I can promise that Tom and I and Warners - in all our preliminary talks - want to preserve the Terra story. For me it's personal. For them in many ways it's the story that got them into reading comics. Which, though makes me feel very old every time I'm told that, is also wonderfully gratifying to hear.”

Putting him on the spot, we asked Wolfman if he thinks the story hold up after more than two decades?

”I actually do, more than any of Titans major storyline,” he said. “I read it before Tom and I began the treatment and I think it holds up surprisingly well as a story. I cringe at some of my dialogue, but then I always do. But the story remains powerful.”

Wolfman confirmed with us [as did Levitz on Saturday] that George Perez will be involved in the production, but they haven’t worked out in exactly what capacity yet.

”I hope it will be in designs and hopefully more,” he said, as the plan <I>is</I> for the animators to give the film a look reminiscent of the original comic book artwork.

“The Terra storyline was something very special for George and me,” Wolfman began, sharing with us some final thoughts (for now). “We knew what we had when we began it, although we were constantly surprised - and remain so today - at how many people loved Tara Markov despite everything we had her do.

”Even after the more kid-friendly Cartoon Network version I got hundreds of emails from little girls begging me to bring Terra back and to make her good. George and I somehow captured lightning in a bottle with it - and we don't want to mess with that. Because we are so early in the process I can't say what will stay and what will go, but I promise the changes won't affect the story of Terra as George and I told it.”

For more on this story, see <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/Levitz_Animated.html> our interview with Paul Levitz</a>

[Kolimar]

I have such high hopes for this I'm all :) :) :) :D ;)

[Ace]

I actually found the Teen Titans animated take on the story to be pretty groan worthy. I know you couldn't have a chain smoking Terra running around cursing up a storm, but I still feel like the whole oomph of the original story is the realization(that you see through Gar's eyes) that Terra simply isn't going to redeem herself. Of cousre, it was also hampered by the fact that Slade was absolutely one-dimensional in the cartoon and in the comic, it's his regret, desperation and frustration that helps to give mood to the entire story, climaxing in his talk with Gar which is probably my favorite moment in titans history.

i have a lot more faith in this.. It was probably the best news to come out of the SDCC

[Kolimar]

“And yes,” Wolfman added, “Tom [DeSanto] and I intend for the ‘nightgown and cigarette" scene to be there.”

Yesss :D :D

[holtom2000]

while they're at it, they can make a perez-inspired justice league cartoons - starting with the Secret Orgin of the Red Tornado and the JLA/JSA versus the Secret Society. Love to see classic Firestorm and Red Tornado animated perez style.. and flash telling ronnie to grow up!

[DrCool976]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Anyway, this was an awesome storyline so I am looking forward to it.

[martinp]

I am excited about new takes on these classic comic scripts. 'Specially in animation form. Doesn't it give a younger audience an introduction to past events with updated characters. Maybe if interested, the youth will then want to learn more by reading some of the old and current books. It is like Shakespeare. How many of his classics (considered by many to be the greatest scripts ever written) have been updated over and over again with new characters and new titles. Think about "10 Things I Hate About You", (based on The Taming of the Shrew) or "Ran" (based on King Lear), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Even "Forbidden Planet" was based on The Tempist. Okay, so most people might think me trying to make a connection to Shakespeare is a stretch, but you get the idea. The basis of a good story can usually create a good script.

http://www.vistacomics.com/vbanner.jpg (http://www.vistacomics.com)

[Spaz_Monkey]

I look forward to this more than anything DC has announced in quite a while. Wolfman is right; this story does hold up. I just read it again a few weeks back, and it's as powerful now as it was then.
And yes, it is about betrayal. The Titans trusted Terra, they gave her access to all of their secrets, including their real names. Had she been able to add 2 + 2, she would have realized that Robin is to Dick Grayson as Batman is to Bruce Wayne. The fact that she didn't do anything with the information she was handed says more about her as a 1-dimensional, evil little b___h than anything else (not a slight against Wolfman, but a condemnation against Tara Markov). She sacrificed years of potential knowledge to gain a few moments of havoc, leading to her death.
It is a story of Love, hate, freindship, acceptance, denial, loss, and death with no redemption. A true classic through and through.

Got-damn, I can't wait to see this animated!

[Zhen Dil Oloth]

Crossing my fingers hoping this will be good.

We shall see.

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

Ah, but was Ultimate Avengers any good?

Exactly...

[SeamusMcClernan]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Which idea would that be?

[Nukeboy]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Anyway, this was an awesome storyline so I am looking forward to it.


Why do you say this is a rip off from Marvel? :confused:

[Derek Ruiz]

Will DeathStroke be called DeathStroke and not Slade?

[SeamusMcClernan]

"Mystery of the Batwoman" was D2V three years ago!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346578/

[Uncle Jawa]

I still think this is a bit redundant after the TEEN TITANS animated series (by the way, what is up with everyone referring to the animated series lately as "Teen Titans Go", such as in this article? That's the name of the comic book series based upon the cartoon, not the actual cartoon). I felt they did a fine job in bringing it to life, even without every single little detail. It still got to the heart of the matter. However, with Bruce Timm involved, I can't deny that I'm looking forward to it. I may be looking forward to NEW FRONTIER and SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY more so, but nonetheless I'm still interested in seeing it.

[DrCool976]

Which idea would that be?

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.

[chap22]

man, i'm trying not to get TOO geeked about this...but i just can't help it. sign me up!:D

[Goodhomerjay]

I hope Slade will appear and that he will be called Deathstroke. He has to be. Just "Slade" doesn't really cut it as a super-villain name for me. Not that it's bad, "Deathstroke" just sounds cooler.

[Nukeboy]

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.


DC did that years before Ultimate Avengers.

Examples:

Batman: Subzero (1998)
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

The difference is that I think DC is now doing a true adaption along the lines of Sin City instead of a movie inspired by a comic storyline.

[Nukeboy]

I hope Slade will appear and that he will be called Deathstroke. He has to be. Just "Slade" doesn't really cut it as a super-villain name for me. Not that it's bad, "Deathstroke" just sounds cooler.


I think Marv saying this will be a more mature and faithful adaption, he will be called Deathstroke.

[Kolimar]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Yeah, sure. :rolleyes: :p :D

[DrCool976]

DC did that years before Ultimate Avengers.

Examples:

Batman: Subzero (1998)
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

The difference is that I think DC is now doing a true adaption along the lines of Sin City instead of a movie inspired by a comic storyline.

What are you talking about? Those are cartoon storylines.

None of those storylines originated in the comicbooks. You, yourself said that they haven't done this type of thing before in the last sentece of your post.

[Deadshot77]

Will DeathStroke be called DeathStroke and not Slade?


Of course, he has to be called Deathstroke. That's the point of making it DTV.
MATURE AUDIENCES.

But I am sure this will be so blockbuster it'll make it to Cartoon Network as a movie.
Tho, they shouldn't play it BEFORE it's sold on dvd. If their goal is to MAKE $ & continue doing these, they have to give us all a chance to buy these before giving it away for free.

[FallenFate]

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.


ummm...no offense, but WTF are you talking about? DC has been doing animated Direct to video stuff for YEARS now. Remember "Mask of the Phantasm"? What about "Sub-Zero" or the Batman Beyond movie? Sure the BTAS videos were not direct adaptations of comic storylines, but if you really want to complain about something, complain about something you can actually back up. That's like saying that Marvel copied prose books for putting a storyline directly to video (plenty of movies, both animated and otherwise that are based on books). Sometimes I just wish people would THINK before they start with the bashing of one company or other.

[Nukeboy]

What are you talking about? Those are cartoon storylines.

None of those storylines originated in the comicbooks. You, yourself said that they haven't done this type of thing before in the last sentece of your post.


Ultimate Avengers wasn't a direct adaption either. There were a lot of changes.

[Amoebas]

As great as Judas Contract is - New Frontier sounds better imo.

Hopefully they'll do The Great Darkness Saga after these intial three!

[LukeRed5]

I've been wondering when someone would do an animated version of classic comic stories. It's about time. I want an animated version of Crisis.

[Tenshi]

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.

Like they haven't been doing that for ages in Japan with Manga/OVA (Original Video Animation).

That's not a new idea. An saying that they're ripping off Marvel is like saying that Marvel ripped off DC by publishing TPBs (DC or whoever did that first... that's not the point), not really clever.

[Tenshi]

What I'd like to know is if Nightwing will have the new cool costume or the old ugly one that had on the comic.

[MurrayC]

Again, touching on how this project will be different from DC animated adaptations of the past, the writer said this new initiative allows him and DeSanto to assume their audience already knows who the Titans are, rather than having to spend time establishing the Titans’ world before starting the plot…

”So we don't have to recap all the origins, although some we will - but because of how they affect the storyline,” he said.

I stated in a previous thread that I would like to see some sort of prologue right before the opening credit sequence.

This prologue would show Robin and Batman in the Batcave at odds with each other which would result with Robin leaving the Cave in disgust (and thus, the pinacle moment where Dick decides to give up being Robin). And then we would cut to Titans Tower where we see Robin telling the other Titans that he is giving up his Robin identity (which is right out of New Teen Titans Vol.1, issue #39)

[cut to black - begin opening credit sequence c/w music and Titans in action motage]

This prologue would accomplish two things.... 1) It shows why Robin gives up being Robin which then allows us to see Dick become Nightwing (I can't wait to see him come down those stairs). And 2) It introduces non-Titans fans to the team, and explains a little back-story without overwhelming the audience

DC, Warners, MARV, I hope you are listening

[EmeraldGuy32]

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.
both DC & Marvel stole that idea from Japanease manga, dude.:rolleyes:

[zeraze1]

I actually found the Teen Titans animated take on the story to be pretty groan worthy. I know you couldn't have a chain smoking Terra running around cursing up a storm, but I still feel like the whole oomph of the original story is the realization(that you see through Gar's eyes) that Terra simply isn't going to redeem herself.

Hello, Teen Titans was geared for kids. Hence, Terra being evil and foul-mouthed wouldn't fly while a sympathetic, yet haunted Terra would.

As much as I enjoyed the Judas Contract, the animated Terra's betrayal felt more compelling because she starts off as decent person whose desire to control her powers make her more vulnerable to Slade's corruptive sway. She's a great metaphor for how easy it is to cross the line to becoming a villain.

Of cousre, it was also hampered by the fact that Slade was absolutely one-dimensional in the cartoon

Slade seemed pretty 3-D to me. I do agree that Slade and Deathstroke are villains are deeper than a name change.

Deathstroke is basically a merc. A super-smart, well-armed and blessed with Captain America's physique merc, but a merc notheless. Hence, as clever and manipulative as Deathstroke is, he's still something of a henchman.

By contrast, Slade is the type of person Deathstroke would be working for. Slade is a mastermind supervillain who has aspiration of global conquest and thus resents having to work for anyone. (Hence, the tension between him and his temporary boss, Trigon.) So, Slade thinks it more fun to use villains and even heroes as pawns to achieve his goals while causing all sorts of emotional and physical damage to his minions. On that level, Slade is worse than a bad guy who merely beats the crap out you though is more than skilled as a fighter. Even when Slade does show a sense of honor (especially around Robin), his actions are still dictated by his agenda and needs.

In short, Slade is different from his comic counterpart, but he's hardly dull or one-dimensional.

zeraze

[Johnny Triangles]

Hello, Teen Titans was geared for kids. Hence, Terra being evil and foul-mouthed wouldn't fly while a sympathetic, yet haunted Terra would.

As much as I enjoyed the Judas Contract, the animated Terra's betrayal felt more compelling because she starts off as decent person whose desire to control her powers make her more vulnerable to Slade's corruptive sway. She's a great metaphor for how easy it is to cross the line to becoming a villain.



Slade seemed pretty 3-D to me. I do agree that Slade and Deathstroke are villains are deeper than a name change.

Deathstroke is basically a merc. A super-smart, well-armed and blessed with Captain America's physique merc, but a merc notheless. Hence, as clever and manipulative as Deathstroke is, he's still something of a henchman.

By contrast, Slade is the type of person Deathstroke would be working for. Slade is a mastermind supervillain who has aspiration of global conquest and thus resents having to work for anyone. (Hence, the tension between him and his temporary boss, Trigon.) So, Slade thinks it more fun to use villains and even heroes as pawns to achieve his goals while causing all sorts of emotional and physical damage to his minions. On that level, Slade is worse than a bad guy who merely beats the crap out you though is more than skilled as a fighter. Even when Slade does show a sense of honor (especially around Robin), his actions are still dictated by his agenda and needs.

In short, Slade is different from his comic counterpart, but he's hardly dull or one-dimensional.

zeraze


Agreed, Slade and Terra were much more 3-D on the cartoon. Surpassed the source material with ease. However Wolfman has a lot of hindsight to work with, I'm sure he can improve the original comic story.

Will Nightwing have his new look or his "Disco Elvis" costume/

[Rene]

This is just so cool!

Don't take me wrong, I'm more of a Marvel fan than a DC one, but so far as I know, this is a real first in the US. Ultimate Avengers was (like lots of other animated shows and movies) only loosely inspired by the original work.

Man, I always wanted to see American superhero animation not restricted by "kid" sensibility. If this proves to be a success, there is a ton of Marvel/DC stuff (not to mention other publishers) that could be "translated" (perhaps a better word than "adapted" in this case?) to animation.

I'm curious to see how faithful they'll really going to be.

[Rene]

Agreed, Slade and Terra were much more 3-D on the cartoon. Surpassed the source material with ease.

I never watched the cartoon, but from what you say, it's hard to say one "surpassed" the other, when they are just so completely different.

Terra wasn't supposed to be "3-D" in the comics. This was never the creators' intention. She was supposed to be shocking and to play with fans expectations. The shocking thing was that this cute little blonde teenager was a completely depraved psycopath with no "tragic" background to redeem her and "explain" her. She was simply a sick person.

And lots of people thought Wolfman was copying X-Men's Kitty Pryde when he first introduced Terra...

No, Terra wasn't 3-D or deep, and she was never supposed to be. On the other hand, I think Deathstroke's depiction in the comics can be considered much more nuanced than what you and the other guy said of the animated version. Slade Wilson is more than a scumbag manipulator in the comics, he is a man with lots of issues, emotional scars, and even some nobility.

It was made clear that, from the pair, he was the (much) nobler one, and that also played with Changeling's (and the reader's) expectations of an "easy way out", ie., that Slade had corrupted or somehow made Terra "evil", as Gar so wanted to believe.

From what I'm reading, the cartoon made it more "standard" and did what Gar "expected", with the older, worldly guy as the rotten scum, and the pretty girl as the victim. Nothing wrong with that, either. Just more standard procedure.

[ARCHON]

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE FINAL PRODUCT.

[BradyKiller]

This sounds great and all - but I think what we all need to see here is the actual animation!!!

Ultimate Avengers had a good story but the animation was so sub par I cant beleive they released that stuff especially when they sold it with Bryan Hitch's art on the cover.

I dont think American animation can do this justice. I cant even remember when superheroes were done seriously on TV in America...Superfriends? No way. The JLU was the best show for superheroes but that was done in Bruce Timm's cartoony/stylized way.

I dont expect the animation to look like George Perez or Dan Jurgens' art (OK I EXPECT Darwyn's art to come through on New Frontier) but it should look better than Avengers...and there is only one place to go and thats to Japan - especially if these are going to be PG-13. If the DC producers dont get studios to create that look of the better Thundercats/GI Joe/Bionic 6 super-heroes look this stuff will still look like crap.

I am very interested to see what the character designs and animation will look like - the recently released new Hellboy trailer is a step in the right direction for hardcore American produced animation for older people but we'll see.

[M Intensity]

Hello, Teen Titans was geared for kids. Hence, Terra being evil and foul-mouthed wouldn't fly while a sympathetic, yet haunted Terra would.

As much as I enjoyed the Judas Contract, the animated Terra's betrayal felt more compelling because she starts off as decent person whose desire to control her powers make her more vulnerable to Slade's corruptive sway. She's a great metaphor for how easy it is to cross the line to becoming a villain.



Slade seemed pretty 3-D to me. I do agree that Slade and Deathstroke are villains are deeper than a name change.

Deathstroke is basically a merc. A super-smart, well-armed and blessed with Captain America's physique merc, but a merc notheless. Hence, as clever and manipulative as Deathstroke is, he's still something of a henchman.

By contrast, Slade is the type of person Deathstroke would be working for. Slade is a mastermind supervillain who has aspiration of global conquest and thus resents having to work for anyone. (Hence, the tension between him and his temporary boss, Trigon.) So, Slade thinks it more fun to use villains and even heroes as pawns to achieve his goals while causing all sorts of emotional and physical damage to his minions. On that level, Slade is worse than a bad guy who merely beats the crap out you though is more than skilled as a fighter. Even when Slade does show a sense of honor (especially around Robin), his actions are still dictated by his agenda and needs.

In short, Slade is different from his comic counterpart, but he's hardly dull or one-dimensional.

zeraze

I liked the different take to the Judas Contract in the TT animated series. The cartoon version was more about finding oneself and first love than the comic book version which is more about trust and evolving while still staying true to oneself. I always thought the comic book story was cheapened by the various retcons and resurrections of Terra, so it would be interesting to see a more "self-contained" to the comic version.

It's nice to see some form of animated Titans again, although it is not the same as the series (it would be interesting to have the same voice cast voice different versions of the same characters although I doubt that's going to happen). It seems that the series tied up almost every loose end from the series, except for Slade. I felt that "The End" was the perfect way to end the animated Terra's story.

Overall, it would be interesting to see how Wolfman is going to adapt the tale to a 70 or so minute film. I wonder what's left in, what's excluded, and what's added. I vote for the "Disco Nightwing" costume. I never warmed up to the "Bat" version of Nightwing's costume.

Mister Intensity

[robzass]

this announcement about the judas contract makes me sick to my stomach. The Judas Contract?? WTF??? okay pretend im dc and i just got offered to turn some of my best storylines into accurate adult marketed animated dvds. hmm....what are some of the best storys weve done...well there is the judas contract, new frontier, and the death of superman. WTF??? these story lines sucked (excluding frontier). what about kingdom come? watchmen?? dkr?? killing joke?? even freakin animal man would be better than this. god i could barely stand to read the judas contract comic let alone watch a feature length film on it. plus didnt they semi touch on this story in the crappy tt series on cn?? and the death of superman?? yeah it sold books but if you really go back and read that stuff it is horrendous. especially when he returns from the dead. get with it dc. youve got better stories than these!!!

[Mundungus]

I'm gonna love it when die hard animated Teen Titans fans see this and due tell about how much it craps on the greatness of the animated series. When those said fans don't even realize that this came first.

Ignorance is bliss.


ps, I did enjoy the show.

[griff311]

The New Teen Titans #8 was the first comic book I ever bought. The news of this animated movie coming from Marv Wolfman is a dream come true! I will be first in line to buy this!

[alazar]

This sounds great. A good storyline with styling of the characters looking like George's styling. Having Bruce Timm involved is the icing on this cake. Hopefully this does well so Time Warner will give the go ahead for more classic stories.

[Jaso]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

I disagree. DC has been making direct-to-video animated movies for quite some time now. Just because they want to divert from their TV shows and make the stories more faithful to the comics (as I believe a lot of fans want) doesn't make it a rip-off. I watched the "For the Man Who Has Everything" episode in JLU, and although most of it was similar to the comic the lack of Robin and the cartoony style of the art didn't allow me to enjoy the episode as I had hoped to. In all I think that making these movies with the intention of having them be as faithful as possible to the original comic is a great idea.

By the way I watched Ultimate Avingers and it didn't get me hooked to ask for a sequel nor start reading the Ultimates book. So, I think the shot that Marvel took failed. (No offense Marvel)

[Kolimar]

this announcement about the judas contract makes me sick to my stomach. The Judas Contract?? WTF??? okay pretend im dc and i just got offered to turn some of my best storylines into accurate adult marketed animated dvds. hmm....what are some of the best storys weve done...well there is the judas contract, new frontier, and the death of superman. WTF??? these story lines sucked (excluding frontier). what about kingdom come? watchmen?? dkr?? killing joke?? even freakin animal man would be better than this. god i could barely stand to read the judas contract comic let alone watch a feature length film on it. plus didnt they semi touch on this story in the crappy tt series on cn?? and the death of superman?? yeah it sold books but if you really go back and read that stuff it is horrendous. especially when he returns from the dead. get with it dc. youve got better stories than these!!!

First, just because you didn't like those stories doesn't mean they're bad. Most of the old-school Titans fans loved TJC. The Death rocked the world. Regardless of your opinion they're BIG stories that marked a before and after in comic book history and as such they deserve a shot at being adapted.
Second, they're testing the waters with this initial wave. For that they're using good, big stories with a wide spectrum of appeal but not the best of the best.
IMHO, KC is a firm candidate for later movies but I think it would require more work if they intend to make it close to the original style. Someone suggested CGI and that's not a bad idea. Watchmen is taken. Perhaps a few years after the live action version is released. Or in its place if it doesn't get made after all. The same for DKR and TKJ. Firm candidates for later waves. Animal Man could work as an experiment later on but better than TJC or DoS? Now? No way. That's just silly. :rolleyes: :p :D

[samnoir]

I think Perez's style would be difficult to animate. Given the clunkiness of the Ultimate Avengers animation, I much prefer the simplicity and smoothness of JLU.

Will these movies be offered to the direct market first?

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[boomboom]

<img src=http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/judas.jpg align=right border=0>
Originally published during the height of the <b>New Teen Titans</b> popularity [1982-’84] and co-plotted and drawn by George Perez, “The Judas Contract” is the story of the infiltation of the Teen Titans by the new ”hero” Terra [Terra Markov], who was in reality a secret operative of now-classic Titans foe Deathstroke the Terminator, planted within the team to help destroy them from within.

Groundbreaking for its complex plot and Terra’s shocking betrayal (which was never really betrayal, but her intentions all along) and her ultimate death, among other noteworhty Titans’ historical events during the course of the storyline was Dick Grayson giving up his Robin identity and adopting his current Nightwing persona.


sounds cool, especially since there is going to be a TERRA MINISERIES by the Paperfilms.crewq (Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray) !!!!

[VocalMan81]

I have to admit that although I'm not an old-school Titans fan, I'm excited about this. TJC is THE story that even I think of when someone mentions the original Titans. And with Marv and George involved? HELLS YEAH!!

[The Bry]

I just can't wait to see how they do the death of Superman, I don't even care if they bring him back in the same film (which I'm sure they will) but for me just the fight with Doomsday was something out this world I mean he hasn't fought a creature like that since Crisis so it was really something else to see him just go balls to the walls against something and for it not to be enough...did we expect him to come back? hell yeah he's DC's bread and butter they could've done a better job of bringing him back but at least they stuck to it...for the most part :) but that's just my two cents

[AllAboutMe]

The New Teen Titans by Wolfman and Perez were good times! Judas Contract is a perfect choice to adapt. I think the Titans, thanks in large part to the clever animated series are a much more recognizeable product these days.
I do think transferring Perez style to animation is going to be difficult. I feel that everytime comic characters have been animated in a traditional comic book style (X-Men,Spidey from the 90's and even, to a point, Ultimate Avengers) it comes across as clunky. Granted, a more literal adaptation of Perez's style might present itself better (at least to comic fans). I certainly hope it avoids the kind of animation we saw in cartoons such as Maxx and even SCrew-On Head where it seemed still images were used much more than true animated scenes.
Of course we could always get those 'classic' Marvel cartoon-style jobs when you would have Kirby drawings of Cap with the moving mouth...ugh..
I am excited for New Frontier considering Cooke's involvement in Batman Beyond and such, I think his style is perfect for an animation translation.
Me, I am waiting for a Blue and Gold original animated movie.

[holtom2000]

this announcement about the judas contract makes me sick to my stomach. The Judas Contract?? WTF??? okay pretend im dc and i just got offered to turn some of my best storylines into accurate adult marketed animated dvds. hmm....what are some of the best storys weve done...well there is the judas contract, new frontier, and the death of superman. WTF??? these story lines sucked (excluding frontier). what about kingdom come? watchmen?? dkr?? killing joke?? even freakin animal man would be better than this. god i could barely stand to read the judas contract comic let alone watch a feature length film on it. plus didnt they semi touch on this story in the crappy tt series on cn?? and the death of superman?? yeah it sold books but if you really go back and read that stuff it is horrendous. especially when he returns from the dead. get with it dc. youve got better stories than these!!!

there's always the option of not reading any of them. and who's to say those stories you listed will never be made into film?

[tomburgos]

There's just no words that could convey how excited, exhilarated and thrilled I am by this.

Ok, maybe there are words, dammit! I am so looking forward to this, especially after being so disappointed to see my favorite incarnation of Teen Titans turned into a horrible, horribly stupid (IMO) dumbed-down quasi-Manga cartoon for Cartoon Network.

At least we know that DC has a good track record with animated properties, seeing how great most of their Batman and Superman cartoons have been, and of course JLU.

I have to applaud DC for this, I am sure I am not the only fan of Wolfman and Perez' NTT that hates the Cartoon Network atrocity, and this at least gives us a chance to see those heroes we love come to "life" in a more faithful way.

[Comic-Reader]

I'm more excited about the DC OVAs than the Marvels for a simple reason: the DC's are going to be some of their most famous stories, while the Marvels are just recent stories. I would have much preferred Marvel to go back into its past and animate some classic Avengers storylines like, say, the introduction of the Vision or the Kree-Skrull War rather than a relatively recent Ultimate Avengers storyline that really doesn't have anything to do with the 616 MarvelU.

DC also has more standalone "epics" to choose from. New Frontier is a good example of this (and this is my favorite of the 3 mentioned).

Other possibilities:

Stand-alone stories:
- Crisis on Infinite Earths (of course, but not as a 70 minute movie -- gotta be the whole thing)
- Kingdom Come
- Watchmen
- Legends
- Invasion
- The Final Night
- Infinite Crisis (if they can flesh it out so it doesn't feel as cramped as the comic)
- Jemm, Son of Saturn

Significant storylines:
- Superman: Lori Lemaris
- Superman: Superman-Red and Superman-Blue (pre-Crisis version)
- Superman: vs. Karb-Brak
- Superman: Panic in the Sky
- Superman: The Wedding

- Batman: Knightfall
- Batman: No Man's Land

- Legion of Super-Heroes: The Death of Ferro Lad
- Legion of Super-Heroes: The Super-Stalag of Space
- Legion of Super-Heroes: Earthwar
- Legion of Super-Heroes: The Betrayal of Brainiac 5
- Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga
- Legion of Super-Herores: The Death of Karate Kid

- Wonder Woman: Diana Prince, Wonder Woman
- Wonder Woman: The Twelve Trials
- Wonder Woman: Post-Crisis Origin

- Suicide Squad: Origin
- Starman: all
- Sandman: all

- Justice League of America: Origin
- Justice League of America: Crisis on Earth-One/Crisis on Earth-Two
- Justice League of America: Crisis on Earth-Three
- Justice League of America: No Man Escapes the Manhunters
- Justice League of America: The Search for Zatanna's Father
- Justice League of America: The Search for Zatanna's Mother
- Justice League of America: Identity Switch with Secret Society of Super-Villains
- Justice League of America: White Martians

- Flash: The Death of Iris Allen
- Flash: The Death of Professor Zoom
- Flash: Terminal Velocity
- Flash: Rogue's War

- Green Lantern: The Origin of the Guardians of the Universe
- Green Lantern/Green Arrow: The Drug story
- Green Lantern: Parallax

[MattBrady]

I'm gonna love it when die hard animated Teen Titans fans see this and due tell about how much it craps on the greatness of the animated series. When those said fans don't even realize that this came first.

Ignorance is bliss. And irony is often missed...

MattB

[jezor]

I was in high school when The Judas Contract was published, and was so blown away by the long text "epitaph" for Tara in the finale that I wrote a paper about it for English class. (Okay, I *was* in high school, but it was still the best writing-as-writing I'd ever seen in a comic.) I can't wait to see how this will be animated.

Hey, can we get George Perez to draw it? Given his level of detail, animating his art would only take 50 years or so. :) {Jonathan}

[jezor]

I just can't wait to see how they do the death of Superman, I don't even care if they bring him back in the same film (which I'm sure they will) but for me just the fight with Doomsday was something out this world I mean he hasn't fought a creature like that since Crisis so it was really something else to see him just go balls to the walls against something and for it not to be enough...did we expect him to come back? hell yeah he's DC's bread and butter they could've done a better job of bringing him back but at least they stuck to it...for the most part :) but that's just my two cents

The piece of the battle with Doomsday that never came across for me was his supposed speed. That will be a challenge even with animation, but may enhance the story even over the comic version. {J}

[CKdoubleU]

A couple questions:

1) Could someone explain what the whole "nightgown & cigarette scene" is, to those that aren't familiar with TT (I'm assuming it involves sex)??

2) Any reason why these direct-to-video animated movies have to be around 70 minutes in length, as opposed to say, a regular animated movie which clocks in closer to the 85-110 minute mark?

Also, a Kingdom Come D2V animated movie would be VERY cool. I remember the audiocassette they did; that just got me more excited.

[Nighttech]

After it was revealed Terra was a plant and right before the Judas Contract began Terra was shown in Slades' home in a nightgown and smoking suggesting the teenage Terra had sleep with Slade.

[jedidz23]

This was always my favorite story growing up (I first read it in grade school!), so I can not wait to see how amazing it will be! I'm guessing a year or so away, correct?

[Hypestyle]

I hope, after this comes, out, they adapt some more stories based on the pre-Nightwing Robin & the Titans.. I miss that era..

also, if they eventually do a Flash DTV, will it be Wally or Barry? Or even Bart? hmm...

out of everything, though, I really hope they do a Power of Shazam/Captain Marvel story, based on the 90's Ordway series..

[The Champion]

Ah, but was Ultimate Avengers any good?

Exactly...

Did Ultimate Avengers have Bruce Timm overseeing everything? No?

Exactly...

[The Champion]

I disagree. DC has been making direct-to-video animated movies for quite some time now. Just because they want to divert from their TV shows and make the stories more faithful to the comics (as I believe a lot of fans want) doesn't make it a rip-off. I watched the "For the Man Who Has Everything" episode in JLU, and although most of it was similar to the comic the lack of Robin and the cartoony style of the art didn't allow me to enjoy the episode as I had hoped to. In all I think that making these movies with the intention of having them be as faithful as possible to the original comic is a great idea.

By the way I watched Ultimate Avingers and it didn't get me hooked to ask for a sequel nor start reading the Ultimates book. So, I think the shot that Marvel took failed. (No offense Marvel)
Yes, and Disney has been doing direct-to-video productions even before there were DVDs. So are Marvel and DC "ripping" off Disney? Please, lets put the "rip-off" nonsense to bed now.

[robzass]

why test the waters with these?? if they did more popular storylines more people would probably be interested. perez and wolfman?? im 17 years old and let me tell you, unless they update it a little that story line is way out of style. if they are marketing these to get new readership, it wont work cause no one will buy this. DOS? maybe but not this. im a firm hater of the tt animated show. everyone still has the bad taste in their mouth from that show. if they want to adapt an awesome tt story why not do the first arc of the johns run?? i hated tt before the first couple of johns arcs came out. the characters in that arc are a little bit more iconic and relatable as well especially for a young audience.

[ziza9]

why test the waters with these?? if they did more popular storylines more people would probably be interested. perez and wolfman?? im 17 years old and let me tell you, unless they update it a little that story line is way out of style. [/B][/B] if they are marketing these to get new readership, it wont work cause no one will buy this. DOS? maybe but not this. im a firm hater of the tt animated show. everyone still has the bad taste in their mouth from that show. if they want to adapt an awesome tt story why not do the first arc of the johns run?? i hated tt before the first couple of johns arcs came out. the characters in that arc are a little bit more iconic and relatable as well especially for a young audience.

So, along those lines, should Scribner update The Great Gatsby with a new hot writer to make that timeless story (if you look beyond the literal descriptions and look into the heart of the tale) more relatable for someone your age. Or perhaps the Dark Phoenix saga should be redone by Millar and Hitch to make it more 2K and less 1980's? Or is it simply that you hate that story and don't like DC's choice? Whatever the case, my point is that stories when done right (like I bel9ieve this one to be) are timeless. They touch on emotions and ideas prevalent in all eras, not just the ones to which they are born.

[Catch22]

I am all over these videos! The Judas Contract is what drew me into DC Comics in the 80s and boy am I glad that they're going to stick with the art style of the original series! Ahhh....the frosty goodness of animated Perez pencils!

[CKdoubleU]

After it was revealed Terra was a plant and right before the Judas Contract began Terra was shown in Slades' home in a nightgown and smoking suggesting the teenage Terra had sleep with Slade.
Thanks for the info. I never really got into any of the Titans stuff until way later, then my pocketbook never allowed me to get the back issues. Obviously I missed out on some good reading. :(


Terra was a plant? :confused:

[CKdoubleU]

Terra was a plant? :confused:


OH - a PLANT !! I get it.



Sorry. :rolleyes:

[robzass]

they probably do need to update the great gatsby cuz that book was boring as hell. anyway, the teen titans is not timeless literature. there have been very few superhero stories that are worthy of that.

[Comic-Reader]

OH - a PLANT !! I get it.



Sorry. :rolleyes:
No, you were right the first time. Terra was a plant. A rutabaga, I believe.

[robzass]

dc if your listening do identity crisis.

[wraith]

A few quick points.

1. Like others have already said, the JUDAS CONTRACT had already been done a couple of years ago in the TT cartoon. So I think it's a bad idea to adapt this story again so soon after it was already adapted. They should have waited at least 10 year before adapting this story again.

2. IMO, I think it waould be a really bad idea to show the under age teenage Terra smokin and hinting at a sexual relationship with the adult Deathstroke. It really amazes me how hell bent a number of comic creators and fans are in wanting to show how "mature" superhero comics are.

3. It should be noted that Perez's very detailed art would be hard to animate, and unless a LOT of money is put into this movie, the animation will come out looking very crappy. You only need to look at the horriblely animated ULTRAFORCE cartoon (which Perez had some involvement in) for proof that his beatifully detailed animation does NOT work so well in animation.

[wraith]

Hello, Teen Titans was geared for kids. Hence, Terra being evil and foul-mouthed wouldn't fly while a sympathetic, yet haunted Terra would.

As much as I enjoyed the Judas Contract, the animated Terra's betrayal felt more compelling because she starts off as decent person whose desire to control her powers make her more vulnerable to Slade's corruptive sway. She's a great metaphor for how easy it is to cross the line to becoming a villain.



Slade seemed pretty 3-D to me. I do agree that Slade and Deathstroke are villains are deeper than a name change.

Deathstroke is basically a merc. A super-smart, well-armed and blessed with Captain America's physique merc, but a merc notheless. Hence, as clever and manipulative as Deathstroke is, he's still something of a henchman.

By contrast, Slade is the type of person Deathstroke would be working for. Slade is a mastermind supervillain who has aspiration of global conquest and thus resents having to work for anyone. (Hence, the tension between him and his temporary boss, Trigon.) So, Slade thinks it more fun to use villains and even heroes as pawns to achieve his goals while causing all sorts of emotional and physical damage to his minions. On that level, Slade is worse than a bad guy who merely beats the crap out you though is more than skilled as a fighter. Even when Slade does show a sense of honor (especially around Robin), his actions are still dictated by his agenda and needs.

In short, Slade is different from his comic counterpart, but he's hardly dull or one-dimensional.

zeraze

I agree with everything you said.