"BREACH"-ING THE DCU WITH BOB HARRAS

[MattBrady]

by Ryan McLelland

Fans will see new hero come roaring into the DC Universe with the release of January’s Breach #1 from DC Comics. Breach is story of Major Tim Zanetti, a United States Army officer who is forced to live in a containment suit after events go awry during some Army cross-dimensional research. Finding himself strapped with new powers but locked away within the containment suit, Zanetti may be Earth’s only hope when a dimensional breach threatens humanity. The kicker? Zanettihimself could be the harbinger of the destruction.

Breach is the brainchild of former Marvel Comic Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras who was asked by DC Comics to pitch a redesign for Captain Atom, who hasn’t had a solo regular series since 1991. Keeping only the name, Harras would bring a totally fresh take on the character, something he was sure DC’s top brass wouldn’t go for. Not only did DC love the idea, but they asked Harras to launch the idea as a new DC Universe book.

“I’m always fascinated by the human cost of power: by the sacrifices the type of power depicted in superhero comics demands of people,” said Harras on what ideals help bring his character to life. “I think that idea of conflict was ingrained in my mind by Stan Lee: for every upside with these incredible characters called superheroes there has to be a downside that links them to humanity. Without that link, all you have are powerful men and women flying around, going on patrol - I always found that a little presumptuous: who asked them to go on patrol? - protecting the little people. I find that inherently boring, people who have everything usually are.”

Harras continued, “It’s the characters that struggle, despite seemingly having been given great gifts, that make for interesting stories. I want to explore what is it like to be given incredible powers—a chance, perhaps, to save humanity—but at the expense of almost everything else in life, including quite possibly, your own sense of self. What goes through a character’s mind when he realizes the power he wields is destroying his soul—and yet, to refuse to use those powers could lead to a catastrophe of epic proportions?”

How exactly will Breach stand out from the multitude of other DC Universe books? Harras hopes his take of a slightly darker view of being a hero will draw in fans. “I don’t want to overstate the ‘dark’” aspect, this won’t be a cynical, grim and gritty title. It will, hopefully, deal with the impact special powers and abilities can have on a life. Essentially, this will be a story of good people in a really bad situation and the choices they make. You might agree with some of those choices, and you may not, but you will understand why they’re being made.”

Harras said that he realized that having Breach as a new character as opposed to a relaunch took a bit of the load off his shoulders, “Certainly, if we had gone with a Captain Atom relaunch, the pressures would have involved tinkering with a much-loved character that has been around for decades. You’d worry about offending people who probably know more about the character than you did. In a situation involving a re-launch, you’re very aware of the writers and artists who have come before you, whose take on the character is as important, if not more so, than yours.”

So, it is a little freeing to start with a new character and chart his story from the beginning,” Harras continued. “It’s also intriguing to add a new character - and voice - to the DCU. That isn’t to say that I wouldn’t have been happy if they gone with the concept for Captain Atom, it would have simply presented different challenges.”

While Breach will be a continuing character within the DCU, Harras hopes to first tell his story before bringing in some of the other DC heroes, “There will be guest stars, although I wouldn’t say there are ‘many’ of them, from the DCU as early as issue #3 but only because they fit into the ongoing story. Events that unfold in Breach would make it unbelievable if other heroes did not get involved. They certainly won’t dominate the series, but I think it’s going to be interesting to see how certain established heroes react to a guy like Tim, who has no desire to be regarded as one of them. He certainly looks at them from a slightly different perspective than is usually seen in the DCU.”

As Breach started out as the Captain Atom relaunch idea, the obvious question remains if Captain Atom will guest star in the book that nearly relaunched himself. “Not right away,” Harras said. “But I think it would be fun. I am, however, pushing for the appearance of a character called Dimension Dog, based on a scene in the first issue, but [editor] Matt Idelson keeps patting me on the head, saying, “Maybe next year…”. I think he’s humoring me, but I can’t be sure.”

Harras is also excited about the pull between Zanetti as a hero while also remaining a soldier. “I think his sense of duty makes him interesting: he is a soldier, and he is proud of that,” Harras said. “But even for someone like Tim, there comes a moment when he wonders if he’s given and sacrificed too much. I think McClellan, another character in the military, is equally fascinating. Although he has no powers, he is asked to make incredibly tough choices. It’s interesting, I sympathize a little bit more with Mac than (artist) Marcos Martin does. I like the fact we disagree about him: it means we’ve created someone who has come alive.”

How exactly the inter-dimensional trouble will play out with DCU will be answered when Breach #1 hits stores in a extra-sized 40 page issue this January.

[Jason Galvin]

I will certainly be picking this one up & the art looks great, but I have to wonder why DC even bothers w/ these types of books that are doomed to being cancelled from the first issue, especially with an awful cover like this first isue has.

As the owner of a comic book store, I know that covers are important, with so many new books on the shelf each Wed, when a first issue of a new character has a cover that does not stand out or catch the eyes like this one does, people are less likely to pick it up & check it out.

The art appeals to me, as it does I'm sure to everyone that is going to post in this thread, but we are the minority, & unfortunately like Bloodhound, the current Manhunter series, The Monolith, the Focus line, Breach will like die before it even hits the 12 issue point or not last much sooner.

I'm not saying DC shouldn't try new things, Breach look & sounds AMAZING, but put more of an effort behind, get a big name artist to do that first issue cover, & what I really wish they would do, is ALL first issues of series should have a letter column, where the creators give a little back story behind the new series, how it came about what the plans are etc etc.

Under the Vertigo banner you know a book is more likely to last a little longer, but a new mainstream superhero book nowadays, w/ SO many titles on the shelves, it's just hard to want to shell out another $3.00 on a book that you know isn't likely to last much longer than 1 year.

[skeletorjr]

This did seem a little Captain Atom-ish when I first read about it, interesting how the new character "evolved" from him. The art's fantastic, and seeing Bob Harras' name tells me this will be something special. I can't wait to pick this up

[byoung2814]

Next to Green Lantern, Captain Atom is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I had planned to buy a new car with my complete Captain Atom collection (best laid plans).

I think its for the best that this is a new character. If it succeeds, great, one new character to join the DC ranks. If it fails, at least they didn't piss all over Captain Atom to do so.

I really hope down the road that they revitalize the Captain (and no, I don't think L.A.W. counts!).

Good luck with this series, and I might try it out when Captain Atom makes an appearance.

b.

[GeorgeG]

I'm all for new characters--but how about making them NEW? This character reminds me so much of Capt. Atom, that I wonder why they just didn't go ahead with a relaunch of that character. They've done it with Doom Patrol. Firestorm. Adam Strange. What's the difference in this case?

Now, I'm going to get fully cynical (like my first paragraph wasn't a clue). This title won't last a year. I've seen sample pages elsewhere, to go along with the one in this article. I'm not impressed at all. The writing is average. The art is pedestrian. This looks like an '80s comic. And a guest star already in issue # 3? Hello, desperation is already knocking at the door. Who wants to bet it's Superman? It yells "gimmick." I'd think more of a writer who'd let his/her title stand on its own, for good or for bad. Give it a year at least, then include the guest star.

I expect better from comics today. Especially comics from DC.

And what's with DC's direction of dark, gritty comics? To be more "real" ? I didn't get into this hobby so I can be depressed after reading whatever title I just picked up. Enough with the rapes--men and women. Enough with the murders. Enough with killing of unborn children. Enough with the torture scenes. Enough with the grim, the gritty and what have you.

Enough is enough. Good stories can involve things other than murders and rape. Heck, breaking Batman's back is a positive thing compared to what's happening in DC today.

I don't know what kind of fan base DC is shooting for. But I'm getting tired of their approach with their comics. Any other publisher(s) out there want my dollar?

[TheMightyGeek]

What needs to happen is this story, since just from those few pages sounds wonderful, needs to be pitched to the TV/movie types at Warner. This property isn't going to survive as a comic, since it's aimed toward an older audience.

That sounds funny, since the main audience is over 18 now, but as new people aren't buying comics at the rate of other markets, the only way to have this character take off is to expand its media exposure.

I'd love to see this as a series, personally. Watching the day to day struggle of someone trying to retain his humanity while knowing that it's an uphill battle, that's your pathos right there.

Hope you're watching, WB.

[idkidd]

I enjoyed Mr. Harras' Avengers run so much 10 years or so ago that this book got an automatic order from me. Looking forward to it!

[Bagheera]

Ditto.

[Truthseeker]

I think DC needs to think about how to launch new characters. A character like this should be introduced in a high profile book like JLA or Superman. Then spun out into a series, then build the character into the universe. Make the character important and high profile.

Just putting a book out and hoping for the best seems a mistake. I will give this a try because that costume design is awesome. One of the best new designs I have seen in ages.

[Dave Accampo]

Originally posted by Jason Galvin
I will certainly be picking this one up & the art looks great, but I have to wonder why DC even bothers w/ these types of books that are doomed to being cancelled from the first issue, especially with an awful cover like this first isue has.

As the owner of a comic book store, I know that covers are important, with so many new books on the shelf each Wed, when a first issue of a new character has a cover that does not stand out or catch the eyes like this one does, people are less likely to pick it up & check it out.

The art appeals to me, as it does I'm sure to everyone that is going to post in this thread, but we are the minority, & unfortunately like Bloodhound, the current Manhunter series, The Monolith, the Focus line, Breach will like die before it even hits the 12 issue point or not last much sooner.

My guess would be that on the one hand, there's no real formula for success. Sure most books don't last, but every once in awhile, you get a Sandman or a Starman, or whatever.

But I think it really says more about the readers than anything. Batman, Superman, X-men, Spider-man...it seems these books dominate no matter WHO writes them (and then simply get BIGGER boosts when matched with a hot creative team). I guess there just aren't enough of us who want to see new things in our comics.

[dollman]

I find it interesting that this will be the 2nd new character launched by DC based on Captain Atom. The first being Dr. Manhatten of the Watchman.

[Dave Accampo]

Originally posted by Truthseeker
I think DC needs to think about how to launch new characters. A character like this should be introduced in a high profile book like JLA or Superman. Then spun out into a series, then build the character into the universe. Make the character important and high profile.

Just putting a book out and hoping for the best seems a mistake. I will give this a try because that costume design is awesome. One of the best new designs I have seen in ages.

But they've done that, too, haven't they? Doom Patrol? Doesn't automatically equate with sales. Sandman didn't appear in any other books, and that became the centerpiece of the whole "Vertigo" evolution.

Now, I'm not equating this with Sandman (not even a big Harras fan, myself), but it seems to me that so many fans are just uninterested in something new. Or they're already knocking it before it even comes out. I'd rather like to think that every new book has a chance to be something incredible.

Then, $3.00 later, I'll decide if they get any more of my money.

[bob_at_york]

Kind of off topic... where is the real Captain Atom? Last time I saw him was in Superman/Batman #6. Has he appeared since then?

[mrhogg]

Originally posted by dollman
I find it interesting that this will be the 2nd new character launched by DC based on Captain Atom. The first being Dr. Manhatten of the Watchman.

As far as I understand the history of the Watchmen, Alan Moore had wanted the story to involve the old Charlton characters, instead of wholly new ones. But DC had already folded those characters into the DC Universe proper, and decided against including them.

[Bakema NL]

Haven't decided yet about this title, I'm picking up more and more lately.............I'll flip it through and probably will buy the first issuee...I know myself.

[SpyGuy]

Hey, at least DC didn't decide to kill off Captain Atom and replace him with a "legacy" character...

[dollman]

Originally posted by mrhogg
As far as I understand the history of the Watchmen, Alan Moore had wanted the story to involve the old Charlton characters, instead of wholly new ones. But DC had already folded those characters into the DC Universe proper, and decided against including them.

Yep, that's how I heard it. DC had asked Moore to do something with the newly acquired Charlton characters back in the mid 80s. Moore came back with a proposal similar to Watchman, and DC nixed it. So Moore re-worked into Watchmen with the following analogs:

Blue Beetle = Nite Owl

The Question = RORSCHACH

Captain Atom = Dr. Manhatten

Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt = OZYMANDIAS

[Kon-EL]

Um correct me if Im wrong, but didnt Capt Atom DIE in Superman/Batman #6?

[render man]

This does look intriguing, but I will wait a few issues to see if its worth anything, as my comic book budget is a tight one and superhero comics already have a handicap in my books. I do like how DC is doing all these new books even if a lot of them are failing. We never know which one is gonna skyrocket into a hit, so I applaud them for at least giving it a try.

[Fazhoul]

Well, if DC supports this book like they have Fallen Angel, Bloodhound, Manhunter and Monolith it's sure to be cancelled within two years.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Kon-EL
Um correct me if Im wrong, but didnt Capt Atom DIE in Superman/Batman #6?

Captain Atom is very tough to kill - he has a habit of jumping through time/space when he absorbs too much energy, as he did in his origin. Heck, I'd garner that "only if you see the body" doesn't apply here, as you could probably write a convincing story about someone trying to blow up CA's corpse who ends up reanimating it.

But hey, we're talking about Breach here...

MattN

[HUMMER]

They had these pages in Previews I think, which is where I saw them first. It seems like a neat concept but I too will be wainting to see what people say about this first. Plus I didn't care too much with the costume.

In my opinion I don't think it will do well. Any new superhero nowadays has not faired well. I am liking that DC is at least trying to put some new faces out there but still it is new.

[matthewstarnes]

This looks good. I'll give it a try.

[Flint Reloaded]

I don't think Cap Atom was meant to die on S/B #6.

The Captain has a habit of jumping throungh time and randomly appearing at diff points in the future. Happened in his origin. Happened once or twice during his various stays with the League.

Since that issue Cap has made an appearance in Identity Crisis (Sue's funeral), and is slated to apppear in the 'I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League' arc in JLA Classified arc starting withh issue 4 or 5. The issue takes place before Identity Crisis, and focuses on the teams rip to hell to rescue the soul of either Cap or Guy Gardner (I think Cap)

[Hannibal King]

The art looks great and the story sounds good so I might pick up the first issue and give it a try if I have a few bucks kickin' around.

I am also glad that it is not Captain Atom. Most times he was written as a lame-o superhero on par with Guy Gardner. Perhaps it was the horrid JLE title that did it for me, or maybe his last ongoing title, which was pretty crappy, IMHO. Given the right creative team I'm sure that Captain Atom could be cool, but having been a grade Z character for so many years now, I can only say it will take one hell of a writer to elevate him above Gardner-status.

Good Luck to Mr. Harras, always enjoyed him at Marvel and hope he does well.