CSN @ NEWSARAMA: DARWYN COOKE - FRONTIERSMAN

[MattBrady]

by Cliff Biggers

The late 1950s were a glorious and exciting time for comics. The Golden Age had wound itself down almost a decade earlier; comics were looking to re-instill the magic that had made the field so vital in the 1940s. Willing to try almost anything, creators turned to the concepts that had worked so well in the past, reinvigorating some moribund superhero concepts and complementing them with new creations. And thus the Silver Age was born.

That’s how it worked in our universe, of course. But what was it like in the world in which those heroes lived? That’s the question that intrigued writer/artist Darwyn Cooke so much that he felt driven to explore it in a massive project, DC—The New Frontier, that kicks off in early 2004.

With only a few exceptions, the period between the end of the Golden Age and the beginning of the Silver Age has gone unexplored. Part of the problem relates to the complexities of comic book continuity; characters who were created in the late 1950s have been “retconned” so that they now came into their superpowered glory only a few years ago. While this avoids the problems of Medicare-eligible superheroes, it also negates the zeitgeist of the era.

Cooke wanted to revisit that era—not to update it, not to recast it as if it took place only a few years ago, but to explore the transition period that paved the way for the debut of the Justice League. And in the process, he wanted to reintroduce today’s readers to the bold characters who were heroes in their own way before they ever donned the costumes by which they became known world-wide.

“New Frontier is the story of the original Justice League members and how they came to be, told against the historic backdrop of the time period they were introduced- the 1950’s,” Cooke said. “The high concept bite is The Right Stuff for superheroes.’ The goal is to try to successfully reflect the essence of what it means to be a hero.

“New Frontier is set in the Fifties because it’s the era when the characters and ideas were fresh and new. The best example is Hal Jordan; he was created as a character who reflected his time- test pilots were the NBA stars of their day. The broader reason the story fits so well into this era is it really is the last gasp of white America’s innocence. It is the time just before the JFK assassination, Vietnam, and Civil Rights issues stripped America of its faith in itself and its leaders. In other words, the last era in which a classic hero could still emerge.”

As Cooke was finishing up Batman: Ego, his first project for DC (and the book that introduced him to comic book readers), “My editor, Mark Chiarello, mentioned to me that for a follow-up, perhaps I’d consider a Justice League project,” Cook said. “As I considered the possibility, I began to get sucked into the richness of the characters involved, especially if they were presented during the era they were created...an era full of political intrigue, nuclear horror, and man’s efforts to reach the moon. By the time I had an outline, the project had grown to a rather ambitious size.”

“Ambitious” is a bit of an understatement: DC—The New Frontier grew to a 384-page epic—six sixty-four-page books. That’s longer than Crisis on Infinite Earths, the epic by which grand comic book sagas are frequently measured. “The page count is based on the fact that I really wanted to open up my artwork for a change...I usually work on an eight or nine-panel grid, and this book has a much larger, widescreen approach,” Cooke said. “It’s forcing me to draw more detailed, background-rich artwork, which is a refreshing challenge. But I didn’t want to cheat the reader, so with less panels per page, I needed more pages to tell a fully layered story.”

The Right Stuff comparison that Cooke referred to earlier is particularly appropriate, since the development of the Silver Age superheroes is in many ways analogous to—and in some cases linked with—the development of the space program. It’s linked to an optimistic time when everyone saw science and technology as the solution to our problems; one of the era’s best-known heroes is a high-risk test pilot, another a forensic scientist. Established heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman play a part in the story—heroes who experienced the adulation of the Golden Age and the mistrust of the early Cold War era. But a group of newcomers like test-pilot Hal Jordan and scientist Barry Allen are also spotlighted. Cooke also explores the almost-unrecognized sacrifices by all-too-human heroes like The Losers and The Suicide Squad, who paid a dear price for their role in history.

“The use of DC’s ‘paramilitary’ stalwarts offers a great counterpoint to the superheroes,” Cooke said. “It allows us to see the situation through the eyes of what I’d call ‘real’ heroes. Suicide Squad and the Challengers have more in common with firefighters, astronauts, and military units. At the time of New Frontier, the American government has outlawed masked adventurers, and we see these characters come to the fore.”

Hal Jordan is unique, as Cooke sees it, because he belongs to both worlds. As the story begins, he is one of those human heroes, a risk-taking test pilot; before the story is over, he has donned a costume and a ring to become one of the DC Universe’s mightiest superheroes. “Because Hal represents both camps, he is the essential character; a bridge between both types of thinking.”

To make the story work, Cooke had to recreate the excitement of the 1950s—and he wanted to do so in a way that would be accurate, both to our history and to the history of the characters. And that required a great deal of research. “After reading over a thousand blinding pages of Silver Age DC comics and tying all the threads together, there was the task of researching the era itself,” Cooke said. “So over the last four years I’d say I’ve been working/researching this baby on a regular basis. I thought it was very important for me to have as much respect for the original creators as I could, and what I did was try to embrace everything that the guys who created these characters put on paper.

“One of the reasons it took so long to get together is that I felt very strongly that the story take place during the time it originally happened. DC had a natural interest in the story being ‘updated’ and grafted to the current retcon universe, but the more I studied it, the clearer it became to me that these characters were products of their time. That meant the most powerful and meaningful story could be told by letting these characters grow against the backdrop they were intended for.”

In recent years, DC has downplayed the complex pre-Crisis continuity, but they gave Cooke the liberty of exploring that era—and to create a story set in the time period in which many of these heroes first appeared. “Ultimately, Paul Levitz could see that this is a story that has to take place when it does, in order to have the meaning it does,” Cooke said. “In 2003, a test pilot is a fairly meaningless job to most readers. In 1950-60, it was the most glamorous occupation a young man could pursue. Hal, J’onn, Barry and the rest were products of their time, and they are most relevant and effective as characters operating in that time.”

While The New Frontier conveys the grandeur of the era, it also takes a serious look at the less appealing aspects of the 1950s. “The other side of America is also explored. You don’t see a lot of black people in the story because frankly, there weren’t a lot of areas of society that were integrated at this point. New Frontier deals with racism, the communist witch-hunts and nasty American foreign policy as well as the apple pie and flags. It is this study in contrasts that I hope gives the story some weight.”

Cooke rejects any notion that The New Frontier is an experiment in nostalgia. “For me it’s is all about the same thing that I always run into when I’m writing and drawing a project: what is going to make for the absolutely best story? The original Justice League belongs in the era it was created for; it’s the place where they are most vital and pure as characters,” Cooke said This isn’t a retro tale, any more than Paul Dini & Alex Ross’s recent hit JLA: Liberty & Justice is a retro tale. “Do we refer to Saving Private Ryan as retro? Or Unforgiven? No—they’re period pieces, not retro celebrations. That is the approach I’ve taken; that this is a historical drama with a rich period setting. The era plays into the series in a very grand way. The further I got into New Frontier, the more I realized the heart of the story was what was the nature of a hero? And further, to what degree does what’s happening in the world shape the nature and tone of that heroism?

“One phrase that gives me pause is ‘Silver Age’—it connotes a certain light-hearted or goofy tone, and New Frontier is as far from that as could be. It’s a period adventure, but the storytelling and approach is contemporary.”

“As for looking back—well, it’s the only way to deal with the alpha versions of these characters. The only place where we can examine them as young adults and see what made them into who they were. The Flash, for example, always put me to sleep. But, when I think about him at the start of his career, I can see all kinds of interesting ways to grow the character.”

Cooke also refuses to push New Frontier into the Elseworlds niche. “I don’t think of this as an Elseworlds. I’ve been throwing around the phrase ‘pre-Crisis’ and some may prefer ‘Hyper-Time,’ but in the end, it’s just a ripping story about the classic, un-retconned DCU. It was a tough sale editorially, but I have been blessed with Mark Chiarello as an editor, and he was able to help me hang on to what I felt was important about the story through several fits and starts. New Frontier was in a weird limbo when Dan Didio came on board, and he jump started the project. In the end, as I said, it was Paul Levitz who told me not to worry about a seamless continuity graft. Paul told me to tell the very best story I could.”

But still, Cooke even knows exactly where New Frontier. fits in with previously
published DC projects. “Actually, the very end of the story is the beginning of the JLA. For the real sticklers out there, the idea is that you could read James Robinson's Golden Age, then New Frontier, then Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn’s JLA: Year One.”

So which character did Cooke find most appealing? The Right Stuff comparisons and “test pilot” comments should give away the answer. “Hal was my favorite when I was a kid—excluding Batman, who I never put in the superjock category—because he was a test pilot,” Cooke said. “I’m a child of the Apollo years, and like most young men back then, the image of the pilot/astronaut was incredibly heroic and seductive.

“In terms of this project, he appeals because he represents the young American male at a time in history when American ideologies began to shift. He believes in Kennedy, Camelot, Civil Rights and the lot. He represents a more liberal mindset at a time of paranoia and divisive government policies. Also, he gets to fly some cool-ass planes.”

He’s not focusing just on these heroes, though. Every early member of the Justice League will play a part in the story, and Cooke is enjoying the opportunity to write and illustrate these comic book icons—and to explore their interrelationships “The most fun so far is in the relationship between Wonder Woman and Superman; they both believe in what they do, but they’re methods and philosophies are so different, that there are some great sparks between them. The other odd couple that’s been fun to write is Martian Manhunter and Batman—but hey, there’ll be no spoilers from me.”

Ask Cooke to list his influences for The New Frontier, and he lists several Silver Age greats. “Primarily the late, great Robert Kanigher—also Jack Kirby, John Broome, Gardner Fox, Alex Toth, Joe Kubert and Russ Heath.”

The late 1950s are recreated for your enjoyment beginning on January 21st, when The New Frontier #1, a $6.95 comic, is scheduled for release.

[Nakedmanatee]

Wow. One of those projects that justify the higher price tag. Maybe it's the hype talking, but this really feels like this could be one for the ages, like Kingdom Come and Marvels.

Curious tho'... I wonder if Hal's "Emerald Dawn" alcoholism will be addressed.

Either way, I'm so there.


Dave

[Fazhoul]

After JLA/Avengers #4 this is probably the comic event that I am most looking forward to. From all the info we've received so far it definitely seems worth the price.

[Kamandi2]

Since this is "pre-Crisis" I wonder if Supergirl will appear in the story? I'm really looking forward to this book.

[Patrick_Wedge]

The story looks interesting and Cooke is a genius in the field today but the cover price of each issue really, really pushed me away right now. You do get a lot of pages for the $7 cover price but when you try to factor in the other books I wanted to get over the course of the month and stay within a certain budget amount, $7 issue really would cut deep.

Hope all that buy it enjoy. Everything Cooke has done has been entertaining and it looks like he put a lot of time and effort into researching and planning this book to make it right.

Patrick

[OcCaM]

I'd say drop one of your overpriced $3 22-page comics and find room in your budget for this, if you like this stuff.

It is a great bargain but, 1) I hate pre-crisis DC for the most part and 2) I think Cooke's artwork looks bland.

So, after JLA/Avengers the only thing I'm looking forward to is the new Thessalid series!

[Zadillo]

Man, I absolutely can't wait for this. It definitely sounds great........

One quote from this did stick out to me though:

“In terms of this project, he appeals because he represents the young American male at a time in history when American ideologies began to shift. He believes in Kennedy, Camelot, Civil Rights and the lot. He represents a more liberal mindset at a time of paranoia and divisive government policies.

Now, maybe I'm letting the Green Lantern/Green Arrow 70's run skew my memory, but I seem to recall that Hal Jordan generally represented a more conservative mindset (granted, I don't recall this being that pronounced until he was played off of Green Arrow, but he was at least used there and established as a conservative character, even if that particular run was a bit of an exaggeration to make a point).

Anyway, I'm fine with that too. It's of course entirely possible for someone to have both liberal and conservative mindsets. I'm just wondering about casting him in this way in the 50's, if there would be any precedent for that.

-Zadillo

[William Coate]

This will be the book to get. Hal at his finest and some of the best characters at their prime. It may be pricey but it will be well worth it!

William Coate

[William Coate]

By the way some of the picture links are not working. Please fix, Thanks. WC

[Brian Langlois]

I can't wait for this book. I had my Comic Shop put this on my pull list about 6 months ago. This is the DCU in its purist form and the art is temendous. I hope DC releases a poster of one fo the great scenes. Thank you Mr. Cooke for keeping the silver age alive.

[majorjoe23]

Originally posted by Zadillo
Man, I absolutely can't wait for this. It definitely sounds great........

One quote from this did stick out to me though:



Now, maybe I'm letting the Green Lantern/Green Arrow 70's run skew my memory, but I seem to recall that Hal Jordan generally represented a more conservative mindset (granted, I don't recall this being that pronounced until he was played off of Green Arrow, but he was at least used there and established as a conservative character, even if that particular run was a bit of an exaggeration to make a point).

Anyway, I'm fine with that too. It's of course entirely possible for someone to have both liberal and conservative mindsets. I'm just wondering about casting him in this way in the 50's, if there would be any precedent for that.

-Zadillo

I think the original goal was to have Hal as more of a conservative spoiler in the Green Lanter/Green Arrow stories, but I think he just represented the establishment more. I doubt Green Arrow would have had much more trust for the Kennedy White House (what with the Bay of Pigs and all) then Nixon's White House.

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by majorjoe23
I think the original goal was to have Hal as more of a conservative spoiler in the Green Lanter/Green Arrow stories, but I think he just represented the establishment more. I doubt Green Arrow would have had much more trust for the Kennedy White House (what with the Bay of Pigs and all) then Nixon's White House.

Yeah, I think you're probably right about that.

Anyway, I'm definitely looking forward to this...... it really sounds like it could go down as a classic story..... what little I've seen of it is just great.

-Zadillo

[OM]

...What I'd like to see is when this one's all said and done, how does it compare to what James Robinson was originally planning for his Silver Age follow-up to Golden Age. Based on what I've read so far, it should stand up fine, but the curiosity is still there.

Originally posted by Kamandi2
Since this is "pre-Crisis" I wonder if Supergirl will appear in the story? I'm really looking forward to this book.

...Probably not. This series takes place before Superman's debut, and if I've got my dates right this would have been when Kara was about 5 or 6 and still on Argo City playing with her Bar-B dolls.

[Brian Langlois]

Originally posted by majorjoe23
I think the original goal was to have Hal as more of a conservative spoiler in the Green Lanter/Green Arrow stories, but I think he just represented the establishment more. I doubt Green Arrow would have had much more trust for the Kennedy White House (what with the Bay of Pigs and all) then Nixon's White House.

I think Hal was more of a moderate guy who even though liberal was not a radical. He can accept the establishment for whatever it is. He is also a military man who is trained to tow the line, whatever it is. Ollie was an absolute left-wing revolutionary. I doubt he would have trusted the Kenedy administration or ANY administration. Also remember, things were very different in the 50's as opposed to the 70's GL/GA setting. Being a liberal or a conservative then is very different than it is now. It sounds like Cooke has a good handle on the complex character of Hal and hopefully will do him justice. I am really interested to see how he handles the other characters since every interview I've read focuses on Hal. I wonder what he would interpret their political ideas as. We had a good discussion in a class I took in college about The Dark Knight (it was a Graphic Novel calss - how cool is that?) and what Superman's and Batman's political beliefs were. Interestingly enough, everyone wanted to make Batman fall in line with their personal beliefs while casting Superman on the other side (and there were good arguments for both). The only thing we did agree on is that Supes and Bats were at the opposite ends of the spectrum (only considering The Dark Knight). I think this is going to be an interesting read.

[MikeD]

Originally posted by OM
[B ...Probably not. This series takes place before Superman's debut, [/b]

My understanding of this series is that Supes, Bats and WW are already established, albeit early in their careers, and will depict the debuts of Flash, GL, Atom, J'onn, etc.

This is the 2004 book that I am most looking forward to reading, even with so many other strong contenders debuting next year (such as Brad Meltzer's new DC mini, Bendis' Secret War, Priest's Cap/Falc, Millar's Spidey, Jeff Smith's SHAZAM and the JLA: Nail sequel).

[The Blue Spider]

Originally posted by Kamandi2
Since this is "pre-Crisis" I wonder if Supergirl will appear in the story? I'm really looking forward to this book.

I hope not. I love the character, but she was created in the sixties and is in some respects a product of the time....

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by The Blue Spider
I hope not. I love the character, but she was created in the sixties and is in some respects a product of the time....

To be fair, her debut in Action #252 was in May 1959.

-Zadillo

[OM]

Originally posted by MikeD
My understanding of this series is that Supes, Bats and WW are already established, albeit early in their careers, and will depict the debuts of Flash, GL, Atom, J'onn, etc.

...Which goes against the post-Crisis understanding that calls for, IIRC, Superman to appear not too long after Barry, Hal and Arthur begin their superhero careers. The catch is that Superman appears to "firstest" because he made a bigger show of things by saving that supershuttle over Metropolis in front of thousands *and* all those cameras. Both Barry and Hal were working out of "smaller" home bases, while Arthur was working out of the oceans.

Now, if someone would care to point out sources that go contrary to this, I'd be interested in them...

[The Blue Spider]

Originally posted by Brian Langlois
I think Hal was more of a moderate guy who even though liberal was not a radical. He can accept the establishment for whatever it is. He is also a military man who is trained to tow the line, whatever it is. Ollie was an absolute left-wing revolutionary. I doubt he would have trusted the Kenedy administration or ANY administration. Also remember, things were very different in the 50's as opposed to the 70's GL/GA setting. Being a liberal or a conservative then is very different than it is now. It sounds like Cooke has a good handle on the complex character of Hal and hopefully will do him justice. I am really interested to see how he handles the other characters since every interview I've read focuses on Hal. I wonder what he would interpret their political ideas as.

Agreed. Heck. This was the time where being liberal wasn't anywhere near what "liberal" means nowadays. Back then the staunchest Democrat and would gasp or even be pissed at the notion of abortion. Also at the time you'd have less folks towing the party line..... this is the big difference. Back then being liberal meant working for the equal rights of invididuals... empowerment despite differences. Liberals at the time weren't working for empowerment emphasizing differences.

In short... it wasn't as controversial being a liberal or a conservative. From what I can figure they weren't reduced to near-meaningless buzzwords.

(I mean that. "Liberals" and "conservatives" aren't labels given to people who are for and against change anymore. Now they are labels given to two opposing sides for varying issues. Keep in mind that "conservatives" aren't so literal in their conservatism in their attempts at achieving 'school choice' and "liberals" aren't so literal in stopping that change. Just a thought). This doesn't take place when Denny O'Neil was writing comics.

One more thing.... in the sixties Oliver Queen was a Batman clone or even a pure socialite/philanthropist.

[Padding]

Very much looking forward to this, great to see a book exploring DC's wonderful history without the burden of continuity skingrafts.


6.95 is cheap for quality and Darwyn Cooke is definitely a quality talent.

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by OM
...Which goes against the post-Crisis understanding that calls for, IIRC, Superman to appear not too long after Barry, Hal and Arthur begin their superhero careers. The catch is that Superman appears to "firstest" because he made a bigger show of things by saving that supershuttle over Metropolis in front of thousands *and* all those cameras. Both Barry and Hal were working out of "smaller" home bases, while Arthur was working out of the oceans.

Now, if someone would care to point out sources that go contrary to this, I'd be interested in them...

Not sure what point you're trying to make, as Cooke makes clear that this series is ignoring most of the post-Crisis understanding, etc. of all of these characters. It seems pointless to ask about these things in the context of this particular story....... since we know it is ignoring them, and focusing on the pre-Crisis history of these characters and the time period they were developed in.... it's clearly not concerning itself with the current DCU notion of these characters all having shown up fairly recently.

-Zadillo

[hondo]

Been looking forward to this for a long time. Mr Cooke is already a high profile name and will just add to that.

Pure Silver Age here ! And that ain't a bad thing.

I like the last line in the article acknowledging Kanigher, Kirby, Toth, Kubert, Broome, etc. Classy

This will indeed be worth having. "The Right Stuff" indeed.

Can't wait.

I agree that there is some really sweet stuff coming out next year.

[Taylor Porter]

Originally posted by OM
...Which goes against the post-Crisis understanding that calls for, IIRC, Superman to appear not too long after Barry, Hal and Arthur begin their superhero careers.....

Now, if someone would care to point out sources that go contrary to this, I'd be interested in them...

From the article:

"Established heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman play a part in the story—heroes who experienced the adulation of the Golden Age and the mistrust of the early Cold War era. But a group of newcomers like test-pilot Hal Jordan and scientist Barry Allen are also spotlighted."

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by Taylor Porter
From the article:

"Established heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman play a part in the story—heroes who experienced the adulation of the Golden Age and the mistrust of the early Cold War era. But a group of newcomers like test-pilot Hal Jordan and scientist Barry Allen are also spotlighted."

Yeah, that is I guess what OM is saying is contradictory with the post-Crisis makeup of the DCU (i.e. that Superman didn't show up until after these heroes).

-Zadillo

the American government has outlawed masked adventurers

Ok...

Since this story starts the Silver Age then the only masked adventurers who could have been outlawed would have to be the members of the JSA and other Golden Age groups, right?

That's one of the things I've been wonderering about this project, if it took place in the real Silver Age (with the multiverse and all of that) or a Post Crisis-style Silver Age set in the 1950's, in other words a world where all the characters exist but they each made their debut in the same year they did in real life instead of recently (i.e. Superman in 1938, followed by Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, Batman... and then this series).

Darwin gives an example of reading Golden Age before this but he also says that Superman lives in this world so I think the above guess is right.

I'm really looking forward to this now