WAID, RINGO & LOEB, SALE @ DC

[MattBrady]

The big news at Saturday’s DCU panel, was the word that Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo have a couple of projects in the works at the publisher, as well as the announcement that Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale are now exclusive with DC, and have a Catwoman project lined up.

In regards to Waid and ‘Ringo DC’s Dan Didio joked that he found the two in the unemployment line a couple of weeks back, and both said they still had great stories to tell. As for Loeb and Lee, Didio said that DC is working to secure their base of talent, and as such, has signed Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale to exclusive contracts. The duo’s first new project for the publisher will be a Catwoman: When in Rome a six issue miniseries which fills in the story gap where she disappeared from Dark Victory. After the Catwoman project, Loeb said the two have “something huge in mind.”

In other panel news from the perspective of an actual audience member, Batman #619, the conclusion to “Hush” will feature two variant fold-out covers. In December, the second half of the storyline will be collected in hardcover. No complete hardcover of “Hush” will be published in the near future, however a soft cover of the first volume of “Hush” will be solicited around the same time as the second hardcover. DC sources told Newsarama that a soft cover of the second “Hush” volume would be due roughly six months after the hardcover.

No single edition of the “Hush” storyline will appear until at least 2005, probably in an “Absolute” edition.

In regards to taking on Batman after Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb, Brian Azzarello said that they (the 100 Bullets team) were the only ones stupid enough to want to follow Lee and Loeb, and that while the sales will drop, it will be an increase for them, so they’re happy.

Michael Uslan’s Batman: Detective #27 will ship in November, illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg. The storyline follows Bruce Wayne as “Detective #27,” one of many of an agency of a secret society of detectivesl.

Also announced was Batman: Harley & Ivy by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm (see feature article). Editor Joan Hilty joked that the miniseries has everything – “including shower scenes.”

Bill Willingham said that what strikes him as interesting enough to write Robin with artist Rick Mays beginning with issue #121 is the fact that he’s the only person who can ask Batman a question and expect a full answer. “He’s the 900lb gorilla of the DC Universe – he doesn’t talk to anyone, but he’s training Robin…he gets to ask Batman anything and he has to get a full answer, no matter how impertinent he may seem.”

JSA writer Geoff Johns said that while new artist Don Kramer comes onboard with issue #52, the issue is Johns’ first as a solo writer, as his former co-writer David Goyer is working on a Batman movie. The new arc will feature the new Crimson Avenger, followed by an arc entitled “Black Rain” which will feature Black Adam and crosses over with Hawkman.

JLA will ship bimonthly for the “Trial by Fire,” a six-part arc written by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke. Kelly said that two missing characters will return, saying that both characters can bend their bodies and shape themselves, hinting strongly that it’s Plastic Man and Martian Manhunter. According to Kelly, the storyline will follow up threads from The Obsidian Age – “It’s a pretty brutal arc that I’m really proud of,” Kelly said. “It will set up elements for next year.”

JLA: Another Nail, written and illustrated by Alan Davis, will be a three-issue followup to JLA: The Nail.

Formerly Known as the Justice League will see a sequel next year entitled, I Can’t Believe it’s Not the Justice League by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire and Joe Rubinstein.

Giffen told Newsarama, “Guy's back and they're going to Hell. Other than that it's the same "nyuk nyuk" in lieu of plot.”

On New Frontier, Darwyn Cooke reiterated that the 380-page story is primarily a Hal Jordan story. “It will start with Hal at 14 years old, and take him through the start of the Justice League,” Cooke said.

Geoff Johns was characteristically mum on upcoming events in Flash, although Mark Waid noted that the costume on the cover of issue #201 was not Wally West’s.

Johns continued to be mum with Hawkman in an arc entitled “Headhunter,” saying that readers will put down issue #23 and say, “No, they can’t do that.”

Jeff Smith’s Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil is on the schedule for next year.

Editor Joan Hilty described The Demon: Driven Out by Joshua Dysart and artist Pop Mhan as “Very much a 21st century Jack Kirby Demon…it’s the Demon meets The Fast and the Furious.”

DC will publish both a Golden Age Sandman Archives and an Adam Strange Archives.

Waid explained the concept of Empire succinctly – “The bad guys have won, or, as I like to think of it, The West Wing with Republicans…and then John Ashcroft had me arrested under the Patriot Act.”

Judd Winick described Caper - to read more, please see the feature article.

In describing On the Road to Perdition Book Two: Sanctuary, Max Allen Collins said that he blames the movie for getting him back into comics at DC. Originally, Collins said, he wanted The Road to Perdition to be a longform story, but he was told to wrap it up in one volume. “Originally, they were supposed to be on the road for a while,” Collins said. The idea now is to do three novellas that act independently and serve as a companion piece to the first novel. Sanctuary is illustrated by Steve Lieber, while the next will be illustrated by Jose Luis Garcia. The new volumes will be manga-sized, according to Collins.

Hilty described the upcoming Bad Girls as a girl who moves from high school to high school finally lands at the first high school where she swears she’s going to fit in once and for all, “Unfortunately, there’s a substance in the water that gives people powers, and the first people to ingest it are the mean popular girls.”

Likewise, Hilty described Cinnamon: El Ciclo as the story following the cycle of vengeance that grows when a woman seeks to avenge the death of her father, only to have a daughter of one of the men she kills mark her for death.

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray will launch a new series set in the DCU in December called The Monolith, about a being created from the streets of New York. According to Palmiotti, the story is set in the ‘20s and spreads to the present day. Art on the series is by Phil Winslade.

In speaking about Avengers/JLA, moderator Bob Wayne quipped that people should hurry and buy issue #1 (published by Marvel), because he anticipates it will be gone by the end of the day. Wayne then said that, in October, people can take their time in getting their issue, because DC is printing it (hinting that they will be overprinting). Wayne continued, saying that hopefully people won’t have family obligations in November, because they’ll have to get to the comic book store to get their copy of issue #3 (published by Marvel), but in December, people can once again take their time in getting to the shop for issue #4.

“So, in summary,” Wayne said, “Avengers/JLA, two issues hard to find, two issues very easy to find.”

Writer Judd Winick said that issue #1 was the team “just getting warmed up,” saying that in issue #2, the team has to “get Luthor the f- our of New York,” and the “big bad” will be revealed at the end of issue #2. The first arc ends with the team actually forming, and only takes, roughly, 1.5 hours of the members’ lives. Winick said that for those who worry about what they see as continuity problems, “We’re way ahead of you,” hinting hat there may be more than one Metamorpho walking around the DCU.

In regards to Teen Titans, Johns didn’t say much, handing the mic over to penciler Mike McKone, who added that the surprises were just beginning with #1.

October’s Batman: City of Light, an 8 issue miniseries will focus on Gotham and Batman, as an architect envisions the architecture of the city with copious light, making Gotham City a luminous place, one without shadows.

Sam Kieth will write and illustrate Scratch, a five issue miniseries that focuses on a teenage boy who is transformed into a huge furry creature.

In talking about Superman: Birthright, Waid said that it is the best time he’s ever had writing comics, adding, “If you think you know the stort of Superman, you really don’t.”

Finally, Jeph Loeb said that Superman/Batman will run in six-issue arcs, with a resolution of the “President Luthor” situation coming by the end of issue #6. Loeb said that he’s packing in the guest stars with the series, and was inspired by Grant Morrison’s JLA and Kingdom Come in regards to keeping the feel of the book epic.

When asked about a possible change in Superman titles, Didio said that changes are coming soon, and an announcement will come shortly.

Also, asked about THUNDER Agents, Didio said, “you will never see it.”

[gOgIver]

First Grant Morrison gets his pitch for Ultimate FF passed on. Then Waid takes over regular FF with the 9 cent launch. Next, Waid has the rug pulled out from under him. Then, Morrison dumps Marvel. And now this.

the readers digest version of past events

[Derek Ruiz]

Man DC is really stepping up to the plate and hitting home runs....

[JK Parkin]

Geez, this exclusive stuff is turning pretty bloody. Anybody have a scorecard going of who is signed exclusively where?

Good for Waid and Wieringo. Huge mistake on Marvel's part.

[Derek Ruiz]

Originally posted by JK Phoenix
Geez, this exclusive stuff is turning pretty bloody. Anybody have a scorecard going of who is signed exclusively where?

Good for Waid and Wieringo. Huge mistake on Marvel's part.

I'm guessing the SDCC wrap up will let us know...damn this is the coolest SDCC ever i think and i'm missing it ::sigh::

[TemporalFlux]

Marvel started the exclusive game...and now they're losing their ass because of it thanks to Jemas.

[EMeadow]

Originally posted by JK Phoenix
Geez, this exclusive stuff is turning pretty bloody. Anybody have a scorecard going of who is signed exclusively where?

Good for Waid and Wieringo. Huge mistake on Marvel's part.

Score card I believe is as follows(counting only ones done fairly recently:

Winnick
Johns
Morrisson
Loeb
Sale

These are the majors I can only think off. Though I've left off some I only recently found out about. I'll let the reports speak for themselves when they come out.

[jawaplumber]

I'm quite happy to hear that Loeb and Sale are returning to what brought them to the dance. I've loved the stuff they've done for Marvel, but really their collaborations soar best at DC. I'd have preferred to see them do something outside of the Batman "universe", and even Superman, but this CATWOMAN mini sounds intriguing enough.

As for Waid and Ringo, this shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. From what I've heard, Mark Waid intends to do a series of Superman miniseries in line with BIRTHRIGHT. As for Ringo, he could do just about anything and I'd be interested

As much as I love Marvel and am far more supportive of their methods than a lot of Newsarama posters are, I have to say they are getting hammered at SDCC. If DiCio can actually make good on their promises (which I'm a little weary of, there's still a lot of in-fighting in those offices), Marvel needs to start getting concerned on the publishing front.

[Scooby2099]

Seems like many of Marvel's dubious past decisions are finally starting to catch up with them. Somehow I just can't feel sorry for them at all.

[Nathan Jewell]

Originally posted by EMeadow
Score card I believe is as follows(counting only ones done fairly recently:

Winnick
Johns
Morrisson
Loeb
Sale

These are the majors I can only think off. Though I've left off some I only recently found out about. I'll let the reports speak for themselves when they come out.

Add Warren Ellis

[farwell3d]

On the flip side, Marvel has the reigning top gun in sales, Brian Michael Bendis, exclusive (although that only applies to work-for-hire, not creator owned work)

Exclusive contracts are good for publishers, and from what I understand good for creators (they make them employees, not self employed, and as such they get benefits and such) However, it really sucks for fans. This means Hulk: Gray ends the Marvel Knights Spectrum run for Loeb and Sale, and I, for one, am very sad about that.

[jawaplumber]

Originally posted by farwell3d
On the flip side, Marvel has the reigning top gun in sales, Brian Michael Bendis, exclusive (although that only applies to work-for-hire, not creator owned work)

Exclusive contracts are good for publishers, and from what I understand good for creators (they make them employees, not self employed, and as such they get benefits and such) However, it really sucks for fans. This means Hulk: Gray ends the Marvel Knights Spectrum run for Loeb and Sale, and I, for one, am very sad about that.

I hear you, I'd have liked to have seen another MKS series from Loeb and Sale before they went back to DC. But you know, this stuff always goes in cycles. Loeb and Sale will return to Marvel someday for another round, just like they're coming back to DC now. And technically, they were at Marvel before DC with the Wolverine/Gambit mini. Or did they do that at the same time as their LOTDK one-shots? Oh man, my head is starting to hurt...

[COREMARK]

Wow, DC is really stepping up to the plate here. I'm a huge fan of both Waid/Ringo and Loeb/Sale so it'll be great to see what they have in store for us @DC.

[mutiescum]

Originally posted by gOgIver
First Grant Morrison gets his pitch for Ultimate FF passed on.

Yeah, that was a big loss We were never lucky enough to see Johnny and Sue have sex and the Thing masturbate. Morrison is not that talented and is so overrated its sick, as is he.

[joshfitz]

"And technically, they were at Marvel before DC with the Wolverine/Gambit mini. Or did they do that at the same time as their LOTDK one-shots? Oh man, my head is starting to hurt..."



They had actually done a Challengers of the Unknown 8 issue mini, which is not collected but had done quite well. This predated the Wolvie/Gambit series. I want to say one of the Batman one shots did as well but I am not sure.

[Richieleau]

I also think their first collabration was on Amazon from comico. Not sure though will have to look at the back issuses. As far a DC locking up top talent I would have to say that they are at least trying to change the image they have had for the past five years as a think tank for time-warner movies. Now it looks as if Marvel is now heading down the path of "make more money not good books" that DC was on. Only time will tell if this bodes ill for Marvel.


"Why aren't you reading these books?"
Flash
Y The Last Man
Wild Cats
Legion

Originally posted by jawaplumber
As for Waid and Ringo, this shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. From what I've heard, Mark Waid intends to do a series of Superman miniseries in line with BIRTHRIGHT.

Boooooring

So he's stealing more ideas from Byrne I see.

Is he calling his mini series 'World of Fake Made Up Krypton', "TV-continuity-translated-to-comics Smallville' and "Ultimate Metropolis'? Or something like that?

[jawaplumber]

Originally posted by ManofTheAtom
Boooooring

So he's stealing more ideas from Byrne I see.

Is he calling his mini series 'World of Fake Made Up Krypton', "TV-continuity-translated-to-comics Smallville' and "Ultimate Metropolis'? Or something like that?

No, actually he's unofficially calling it "Legend Of The Man Of Steel"...which I'm sure you're about to say he ripped off, too LOL

By the way, you'd do well to pick up a copy of Comic Shop News no. 839, which came with my books this week from Midtown Comics. It's cover feature is Superman: Birthright, and it should answer a lot of issues you've had with it.

Originally posted by jawaplumber
No, actually he's unofficially calling it "Legend Of The Man Of Steel"...which I'm sure you're about to say he ripped off, too LOL

By the way, you'd do well to pick up a copy of Comic Shop News no. 839, which came with my books this week from Midtown Comics. It's cover feature is Superman: Birthright, and it should answer a lot of issues you've had with it.

Wish I could but my friend hasn't received his shippment from Diamond yet and I have no idea when he's getting it, so right now I'm more worried about the actual comics than in reading the 'hype' about them, lol (I haven't read CSN since I started buying online over two years ago )

Now, why would I say he ripped that title off? Hmmm... Damn, that's a head scratcher... unless you mean he's ripping it off Legends of the Dark Knight...

But seriously, is he really planning to do spin off mini series from Birthright?

[bluedevil2002]

Originally posted by TemporalFlux
Marvel started the exclusive game...and now they're losing their ass because of it thanks to Jemas.

The sad thing is that there is a possibility that Jemas couldn't care less.

I read at Lying in the Gutters (granted, it's not the most reliable, but still, in light of other happenings at Marvel, gives one reason to pause) that Jemas is trying to dump all of the name writers and replace them with his own drones.

[farwell3d]

All I can say about Superman: Birthright is, whether or not you think it should be in continuity, the first issue kicked all sorts of ass.

[Jeremy Williams]

Holly Molly! Loeb and Sale exclusive? I really wanted to see more takes on the Marvel characters. Don`t get me wrong "The Long Halloween" and "Superman: For All Season" were neat but there`s no DC characters I would like them to do. On the otherhand, I would to see them do FF, Captain America, the original X-Men, etc...

This is actually a damaging move for the industry made by Dan Didio.

[mac b]

man, remember when new marvel was kicking all kinds of ass by getting top shelf writers and artists and letting them run wild on books? now do you remember when marvel let all their talent base slip away and replace them with flashy covers and chuck austen?

god, at least bendis still works for them. but seriously, i hope these things do run in cycles because if this keeps up marvel won't have any A list talent by the end of the year (exaggeration, but still...)

[OM]

Originally posted by Nathan Jewell
Add Warren Ellis

...Who cares? Until he finishes Ministry of Space and/or at least gives us space historians a nutshell explanation as to where the Limeys got the money to pull off their Von Braun programs, I refuse to buy anything he authors.

[mc (_(\/)_)achete]

Originally posted by farwell3d
All I can say about Superman: Birthright is, whether or not you think it should be in continuity, the first issue kicked all sorts of ass.

yeah, it was pretty good... but about all this DC stuff - i've always been more into marvel stuff, with some exceptions. it looks like i'm gonna be jumping into DC more heavily - but there's still plenty i don't know. i guess i'll be buying more trades... or just ask MOTA if i have any questions