[Update 2] WONDERCON '06: DC CRISIS COUNSELING - ONE YEAR LATER

[MattBrady]

UPDATED: Sunday afternoon DC held their third major DC Universe panel of the WonderCon weekend, their Crisis Counseling: One Year Later panel, attended by he now familiar editors and creators from the weekend - including Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Steve Wacker,

[Programming note: DC's full May 2006 Solicitations will be available at 5pm EST on Monday 2/13, at THIS URL. Bookmark it and see you tomorrow...]

Sunday's panel began with an impromptu slide show. Geoff Johns has some pages of Infinite Crisis #5 on his computer, and they hooked it into the A/V system to show the audience.

A double-page spread of the skyline over Titans Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge showed many, many Earths in the background sky.

Also previewed was the full Jim Lee cover to #5 (the Batman/Beetle/Booster cover), that also had two Wonder Womens in the frame, one featuring a traditional look and the other sporting more "warrior"-like tiara.

Updated Monday, 2/13: Here is a better look at the two covers at the two Wonder Woman's courtesy of DC Monday morning.

DiDio said that in many respects, Infinite Crisis closes the door on the DCU past and that everything is new from there on out - a new tone, a new direction, a new style...

DiDio: "One Crisis is over, the DC Universe is standing naked in front of you."

Grant Morrison: [quickly] "Remember though, it's almost 80 years old, you may not want to look."

Crowd: [big laughs]

It was strongly stressed that after Crisis is over, DC really wants to stay way from crossovers for a long time, because they want the entire Universe to be exciting, as opposed to building event on top of event on top of event, etc...

Johns said Crisis and 52 is being used to revitalize the entire DCU line. DiDio added they didn't want to get into "One-Upsmanship" like they were 10 years ago where subsequent crossovers were weaker than the previous, and eventually the entire line fails on you.

From there the panel opened up the floor to audience questions, but a typically lethargic Sunday crowd sometimes were a little slow with the inquires, and DiDio wound up sometimes interjecting questions to the panelists.

Asked what could be said about the upcoming new Flash series, the panel quickly responded, "Next question", but Johns added while the new series starts in June, readers will see Flash in Crisis #5.

The panel was asked if the Jim Corrigan character introduced in Gotham Central was originally intended to become the new host for the Spectre instead of Crispus Allen, or if he was intended as a red herring? Rucka said the idea of introducing Corrigan was DiDio's idea, and Johns made it clear that it was intended to be Allen all the time.

DiDio said he thought what made the Spectre work previously was that his previous host Jim Corrigan was a police detective, and that fit with the character.

He felt making Hal Jordan the Spectre was a very stupid idea and didn't like making an already established hero into another, and much more liked the idea of taking a fully developed character like Allen becoming a hero.

Later in the panel, a fan asked that since the Spectre is the wrath of God, does that mean that "God" exists in the DCU?

The panelist agreed that while individuals may not agree with the existence of God, God does exist in the DCU.

Johns clarified by saying God is not a character that is going to come down from heaven with a staff and fight alongside the Justice League, to which Waid quickly responded, "Oh, that would be cool though."

The same fan then asked why God let the Spectre be such a "bastard" in Day of Vengeance, killing people left and right, to which Grant Morrison responded, "Are you asking us to do 'The Trial of God'?"

Rucka: "Oh, great, you just gave away the 2008 event."

Johns then added in the opening scene of Crisis #5, God and Christianity in the DCU is touched on in a way that it hasn't before and more will be addressed in the Spectre mini-series by Will Pfiefer...

In response to an inquiry, Johns said there were big plans for Nemesis.

Mark Waid's Brave and the Bold series is still unscheduled.

In response to DiDio saying the OYL will b more of a welcoming, friendly place, a fan asked if that meant more friendly to characters like the Wonder Twins or Apache Chief from the Superfriends?

After some muttering among the panel, finally Johns said that Wendy and Marvin will be the new caretakers of the Titans Tower.

The panel was asked if there were any new plans for the Joker..?

Johns: "It's covered..."

Rucka: "It's so covered..."

Asked if the Captain Atom: Armageddon limited series is an attempt to pull the Wildstorm Universe closer/tighter to the DCU, DiDio said yes, and continues the work started with Majestic, to make interaction between the two Universes more acceptable. But that there are no plans whatsoever to merge or combine the Universes.

On the subject of line crossovers, DiDio reiterated DC's familiar policy there is not crossover between the Mature Readers Vertigo line and the DCU.

Johns said there are a lot of plans for the Marvel Family, who will appear in 52 along with Black Adam.

Asked if there would be any more Giffen/DeMatteis I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League/"Superbuddies" type non-continuity stories, DiDio said they have stayed away from those type of stories for a while now, having put so much time in building the DCU they want to stay with it for now...

The panel made sure to make clear - as word seems to have trouble spreading - that the upcoming new Green lantern Corps series is an ongoing series.

Didio also repeated a sentiment he expressed during last year's con season, that he doesn't like and wants to stay away from Golden Age characters that have clear ties to World War II. Characters in their 20's during the war would be in their 80's now, and DiDio said, "Even though the intentions are good, 80 year-olds should not be running around in costumes fighting crime.”

Johns added however, that it can still be done with Alan Scott, Jay Garrick and Wildcat because all three have special circumstances that keep them from aging.

DiDio said those will be the only major Golden Age characters still running around and active in the DCU.

Morrison said Krypto will appear in All Star Superman #6 - the Superboy issue. The writer feels that Krypto should only appear in Superboy stories and not Superman stories, because it makes for great, "A boy and his dog" stories.

At that point, like yesterday, the panel ended with a lightning round with fans throwing out character names they want to see in Crisis and 52 and beyond, to whatever response came from the panelists... Some of those exchanges are paraphrased and detailed below...

- Ronnie Raymond: "Gone"

- Ambush Bug: "52"

- Bart Allen: "..." [although the message seemed to be "to be continued"...]

- Martina Manhunter: "To be determined"

- Azrael: "Dead, so dead, staying dead"

- Jack Knight: DiDio: "We're waiting for James Robinson to do something with him again."

- Dick Grayson: Johns: "He's a major player in Crisis #6."

Wacker: "He's also a major player in the 'A Funeral for Nightwing' limited series

Didio: "Yeah, we got tired of the Flash jokes so we had to come up with another character we say we're going to kill."

- Hawkman: "JSA - eventually"

- Deadman: "Now in Vertigo"

- Guy Gardner: "Crisis #7, and in GL Corps"

- Adam Strange: "52"

- Wonder Woman: "Which one?"

DiDio then looked to the panel and asked where the new Wonder Woman appears, but the panel did not respond...

- Huntress: "At least at the start of OYL, Birds of Prey"

- Obsidian: "JSA"

- Atom-Smasher: "JSA"

- Connor Hawke: "There's a plan..."

- Batgirl: "She doesn't have her own book, but she does appear in a book."

- Scarecrow: "52""

- Black Alice: "There's a plan..."

- Dr. Fate: "52"

- Speedy: "Teen Titans... maybe..."

- Robin: "In the Batman books, in his own series, and in Teen Titans"

RELATED STORIES:

WonderCon '06: Mark Waid Spotlight Panel

WonderCon '06: Peter David Spotlight Panel

WonderCon '06: Dark Horse Comics Panel

WonderCon '06: Grant Morrison Spotlight Panel

WonderCon '06: Peter David Signs Marvel Exclusive Contract

WonderCon '06: DCU Universe 2006: The Best Is Yet To Come

WonderCon '06: The Architects of the DC Universe Panel

WonderCon '06: Vertigo Panel

Newsarama.com's WonderCon 2006 coverage is brought to you by Fox Searchlight’s NIGHTWATCH, in theaters February 17th

[Punchy]

Interesting...

Couldn't we have just gone OYL without IC?

[GrimJack]

Originally posted by Punchy
Interesting...

Couldn't we have just gone OYL without IC?

Yes, you don't like IC. We GET it. Move on, please...

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally posted by Punchy
Interesting...

Couldn't we have just gone OYL without IC?

You could...but it would still be status quo. Not a whole lot would be different OYL withour IC since IC is the catalyst for all the changes in OYL.

[God-Man]

Originally posted by MattBrady

It was strongly stressed that after Crisis is over, DC really wants to stay way from crossovers for a long time, because they want the entire Universe to be exciting, as opposed to building event on top of event on top of event, etc...

Johns said Crisis and 52 is being used to revitalize the entire DCU line. DiDio added they didn't want to get into "One-Upsmanship" like they were 10 years ago where subsequent crossovers were weaker than the previous, and eventually the entire line fails on you.

Excellent. I'm so glad they feel that way.

[Sage]

I'm impressed with how well DC is managing their re-boot. Giving fans a bit of info to digest is a great way to maintain interest. The only DC comic I'm reading right now is Infinite Crisis, but I'll certainly try OYL, and maybe a few other titles.

Starting anew with so many established and beloved characters is an enormous opportunity to build an intricate and cohesive continuity from scratch, which of course they won't, because there are too many characters to keep track of.

I'm most looking forward to the Flash and the Justice League of America, in whatever form they will be.

If I were DC, I would work both Swamp Thing and John Constantine back into the DC Universe. Glad to see the Spectre will still be around, and would like to know more about the Phantom Stranger. I heard rumours that he's hiding out in Detective Chimp, is that true??

Peace be with you in all things,

Sage

[khuxford]

Well...finally someone asked about J'Onn...but I'm not finding any more info

[mauer]

Why do they say there's no interaction between Vertigo and the DCU and then have Daniel appear in JSA?

[Punchy]

Originally posted by GrimJack
Yes, you don't like IC. We GET it. Move on, please...

Snarky

Want a cookie?

[seethruhero]

TWO wonder women.

why aren't people all over this?!?!?!

[Punchy]

Originally posted by EmeraldGuy32
You could...but it would still be status quo. Not a whole lot would be different OYL withour IC since IC is the catalyst for all the changes in OYL.

Well, why couldn't they just put these good creative teams without IC then?

[Mark Cardwell]

Oh lordy. If all these "Ambush Bug in 52" hints are true, I may just have to buy it. The whole point of that character is to provide a running, satirical, commentary on the state of the DCU. Really, when you think about it, how could Morrison and Giffen collaborate and not use the Bug?

Plus, the last time Ambush Bug was in regular use, the original Crisis was in full flow. It's Irwin's time again.

[Randy Hassan]

- Ronnie Raymond: "Gone"

Hmm. Too bad.

- Martina Manhunter: "To be determined"

Either this is a typo, or I really missed something...

- Azreal: "Dead, so dead, staying dead"

When was he killed?

- Wonder Woman: "Which one?"

Is this new news this weekend?

[md62]

Originally posted by seethruhero
TWO wonder women.

why aren't people all over this?!?!?!

Sound like the E-2 WW is coming back. I was troubled over Didio's comments about not liking Golden Age characters. Geoff Johns has shown they are still viable characters today. Plus alot of readers seem to still enjoy them. I still think readers would read a series set in the 50's with the Golden Age characters in the book. Otherwise I think DC is really doing a good job with the teams they have on the books OYL.

[God-Man]

Originally posted by Randy Hassan

When was he killed?

Aztek died during Morrison's "World War III" storyline in JLA.

[bossofbam]

"- Guy Gardner: "Crisis #7, and in GL Corps"

YAY

[Randy Hassan]

Aztek died during Morrison's "World War III" storyline in JLA.

Thanks, but the quote refers to (a misspelled) Azrael...

[ElijahSnowFan]

Originally posted by Punchy
Well, why couldn't they just put these good creative teams without IC then?

...you know that DC needs to clean up some of the more ridiculous elements of their mainstream universe that crop up from time to time first, while refreshing some other titles/concepts.

it's the same with Marvel, with the House of M/Decimation/Dissasembled stuff -- eventually, you have to cull the herd of bad ideas/concepts, tired/old concepts, characters that have absolutely no use/direction.

that doesn't mean i agree with every death/direction the companies put out, nor does it need to happen too often.

but sooner or later, every company has to clean up the messes they make over the years, streamline their titles/concepts -- and let's not forget the most important thing: make a hell of a lot of money in the process.

DC and Marvel are better off for these events, because a refocused line of books is better for the readers.

[wetookhim]

Originally posted by Punchy
Well, why couldn't they just put these good creative teams without IC then?

Because unlike Marvel, they don't pull stories out of their asses and make it up as they go along and disguise it as "if it's a good story we'll tell it regardless of continuity and character history"

[SyVyN11]

Re: WONDERCON '06: DC CRISIS COUNSELING - ONE YEAR LATER

quote:
- Ronnie Raymond: "Gone"

Hmm. Too bad.

In about one or two years, DC will solicit the return of Ronnie Raymond to Firestorm. That's what people want, not Jason Ruech.

Syvyn11- PROUD MEMBER OF MoFo!!

My
Oringinal
Firestorm
ONLY!!!

[Punchy]

Originally posted by wetookhim
Because unlike Marvel, they don't pull stories out of their asses and make it up as they go along and disguise it as "if it's a good story we'll tell it regardless of continuity and character history"

So you're equating good creative teams with bad editing?

I've heard of grasping at straws, but jeez.

[God-Man]

Originally posted by Randy Hassan
Thanks, but the quote refers to (a misspelled) Azrael...

Oops. I believe Azrael died in the final issue of his seires, Azrael: Agent of The Bat #100.

[wetookhim]

Originally posted by Punchy
So you're equating good creative teams with bad editing?

I've heard of grasping at straws, but jeez.

No, I was equating your blind faith in the greatness of Marvel and your desire to bash anything that DC does as baseless nonsense.
DC had a goal to recreate their entire line, I don't see why creating a storyline for that change is a bad idea.
Marvel right now is taking that same route with Civil War and Planet Hulk.

[Dav G]

Originally posted by Punchy
Interesting...

Couldn't we have just gone OYL without IC?

No - from Friday's debriefing:

Didio followed, saying that, in coming issues, readers will see how continuity glitches are addressed, and how things will all come together to make sense. Johns hinted that, while that is true, the Earth left at the end of Crisis may not be the Earth that went in to Crisis.

So Infinite Crisis closes this chapter of the DCU, and 52 sets up the next one, in what will likely be a....fairly new...DCU.

[khuxford]

Originally posted by wetookhim
No, I was equating your blind faith in the greatness of Marvel and your desire to bash anything that DC does as baseless nonsense.
DC had a goal to recreate their entire line, I don't see why creating a storyline for that change is a bad idea.
Marvel right now is taking that same route with Civil War and Planet Hulk.

Ummm...I understand there are some that completely bash DC...but Punchy actually authored a post where he was saying how much he is looking forward to 52 and other projects coming out. He might still have some blind-faith in Marvel, but he's not a pure-bred DC basher.