WORD BALLOON: THE GREG RUCKA DEBRIEF, I

[MattBrady]

The Rucka Debrief Part 1

The Bear sits down with host John Siuntres and takes questions from fans, regarding his works.

In this first part of the Rucka Debrief , you'll get writing tips from Greg, information about the upcoming Checkmate/Outsiders Crossover from DC comics , details on the future plans for Greg's British spy series from Oni Press Queen and Country, and upcoming Rucka novels...

You'll hear Greg's thoughts on what should and shouldn't be done with Wonder Woman,and more on the wrap up of DC's weekly series "52", and the consequences of "World War 3".

NOTE: This conversation took place in late March, before DC announced the new plan of Gail Simone taking over Wonder Woman, and Greg's comments should not reflect on Gail's plans for the Amazon Hero.

Click here to listen to the episode.

[speedfreak]

Can't listen to this but i hope someone asks him why he brought back the question, wrote him as a really interesting and compelling character. and then killed him off and replaced him with a bitchy lesbian.

Like ten years from now that change is still gonna be around.

"Yes, Renee has really eclipsed the history of her predecessor and is now, unquestionably, the Question".

Never. Going. To. Happen.

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by speedfreak

"Yes, Renee has really eclipsed the history of her predecessor and is now, unquestionably, the Question".

Never. Going. To. Happen.

I tend to agree with this statement.

[OM]

...Podcasts are the "in" thing now, but most podcasters forget that not all of us have time to sit down and listen even if we now have the power to schedule entertainment to fit our schedules. At the same time, there are those who are deaf and/or beriddled with systems that don't have sound capabilities. In all these cases, a transcript is needed.

This interview obviously does not have one.

[JamFool]

Originally Posted by OM

...Podcasts are the "in" thing now, but most podcasters forget that not all of us have time to sit down and listen even if we now have the power to schedule entertainment to fit our schedules. At the same time, there are those who are deaf and/or beriddled with systems that don't have sound capabilities. In all these cases, a transcript is needed.

This interview obviously does not have one.

You do realise John doesn't get paid for this right? And that the podcast is free? If you can't listen to podcasts, don't worry about it. Just keep reading Newsarama or Wizard.

[little kon-el]

I completely disagree with the statements above, and furthermore, I think Rucka wove a great Question story. Renee Montoya has become one of my favorate characters, whereas the Question really only interested me under Denny O'Neil (the Zen Question) and the JLU TV Show.

A female question has legs to it. The original Question, while still very interesting, has a wonderful ending. The whole backlash strikes me akin to "Wally West is Kid Flash not Flash" sort of thing that happened after Crisis.

No one bought the book before Infinite Crisis, but I bet a lot of people would buy a Question book after the exposure in 52.

- little kon-el

[First Post]

Originally Posted by OM

...Podcasts are the "in" thing now, but most podcasters forget that not all of us have time to sit down and listen even if we now have the power to schedule entertainment to fit our schedules. At the same time, there are those who are deaf and/or beriddled with systems that don't have sound capabilities. In all these cases, a transcript is needed.

This interview obviously does not have one.

On the contrary, at work I'm not allowed to surf the web but I can listen to podcasts (downloaded at home)...so, following your logic, I think all websites should be available in audio form!

First Post!

PS - WB is THE most professional comics-related podcast out there, closely followed by FBR.

[yoshimi20]

Originally Posted by little kon-el

I completely disagree with the statements above, and furthermore, I think Rucka wove a great Question story. Renee Montoya has become one of my favorate characters, whereas the Question really only interested me under Denny O'Neil (the Zen Question) and the JLU TV Show.

A female question has legs to it. The original Question, while still very interesting, has a wonderful ending. The whole backlash strikes me akin to "Wally West is Kid Flash not Flash" sort of thing that happened after Crisis.

No one bought the book before Infinite Crisis, but I bet a lot of people would buy a Question book after the exposure in 52.

- little kon-el

I am in that boat, I think that 52 has made me want to go back and read Question. Obviously it's not always nice when a great character ends, but 52 is a great ending for Question. Can't wait to see what happens with Montoya now.

[sexyjesus]

Originally Posted by speedfreak

Can't listen to this but i hope someone asks him why he brought back the question, wrote him as a really interesting and compelling character. and then killed him off and replaced him with a bitchy lesbian.

Like ten years from now that change is still gonna be around.

"Yes, Renee has really eclipsed the history of her predecessor and is now, unquestionably, the Question".

Never. Going. To. Happen.

I asked him that at Emerald City. They needed a legacy character, and since no one gave a crap about him in quite some time (and its true), they thought it would be ok to kill him off. Its not his fault, its the readers.

[ziza9]

I feel like 52 gave me the opportunity to witness the creation of a new Question. As such, I feel more interested in Renee and this Question feels more like my Question in much the same way that Kyle is some people's Green Lantern. Vic Sage was cool and all, but now I can definitely say I am more intrigued with what might be coming up for the character now that we have gotten a chance to see Renee assume the mantle. All of her struggles up to this point made the final donning of the hat if you will, perfect for me.

[bsmith]

Originally Posted by sexyjesus

I asked him that at Emerald City. They needed a legacy character, and since no one gave a crap about him in quite some time (and its true), they thought it would be ok to kill him off. Its not his fault, its the readers.

But this doesn't make sense. A boatload of readers came onto DC with Identity Crisis. The only Question comic that appeared around that time since Dennis O'Neill's version 10 years before was Rick Veitch's old "Wildstorm" pitch, in a miniseries that finally saw the light of day years after it was written.


My beef is that the Vic Sage Question didn't even have a CHANCE at seeing if it could garner readers, given the new audience. He gets showcased in JLU, creators like Rucka and Simone apparently love him, he finally gets a chance at the spotlight, written (for the most part) well, and they kill him off. Doesn't make sense to me.

Even if he was tweaked in JLU, fine - why not integrate the best of that interpretation with the comic version that came before it? Geez.

I like Montoya, don't get me wrong - but does EVERYONE in DC have to be a legacy character?? Montoya was great as a supporting character as is.


So that's where I stand. Ripped off! And this comes from a guy who loved the changeover between Barry Allen and Wally West, and didn't mind the Blue Beetle thing.

I wish DC would address these concerns.

[yoshimi20]

I don't know Greg Rucka that well other than his comics but is a great podcast in my opinion, great hearing him talk about Wonder Woman too ... Hiketeia is my favourite WW story of all time.

I like this quote too ... "Wonder Woman is not the female Superman."

[wordballoon]

Originally Posted by OM

...Podcasts are the "in" thing now, but most podcasters forget that not all of us have time to sit down and listen even if we now have the power to schedule entertainment to fit our schedules. At the same time, there are those who are deaf and/or beriddled with systems that don't have sound capabilities. In all these cases, a transcript is needed.

This interview obviously does not have one.

OM, podcasts are not a fad that will disappear.

The internet has grown and become much more than text based content.You Tube, streaming audio and video programming , etc.

Wordballoon is an audio product. Period. A free download available to anyone.

As I've explained each time the issue of hearing impaired net users comes up, all I can do as the sole owner and creator of this product is to make it free. Each user must find their own means to get the content.

I wish I had the funds to provide full transcripts, but I don't. I hope to in the future, but complaining about it isn't going to make it happen any faster. Frankly there's still a barrier of hearing the nuance behind each thought and answer, that a transcript cannot convey.

In regards to "Not having time to listen to the podcast?" Forgive me, but that's a personal choice that each user can make for themselves. I make time for the entertainment I wish to enjoy, and so do the thousands who download these interviews.

Unlike text based content podcasts can be downloaded to listen to while you're in the car, at the gym, walking around the mall, sitting typing at work, whatever.

As for the facts in each show, this isn't top secret info. The publishers make the details known pretty regularly, and that info is presented in text updated many times daily. These interviews are presented to give comic fans a sense of who these creators are and how they think about the stories they make. These interviews are think pieces, and listening to thoughtful discussion takes time.

Thanks to all who are listening to the shows, there's plenty more to come,

john siuntres

[gwangung]

Originally Posted by bsmith

But this doesn't make sense. A boatload of readers came onto DC with Identity Crisis. The only Question comic that appeared around that time since Dennis O'Neill's version 10 years before was Rick Veitch's old "Wildstorm" pitch, in a miniseries that finally saw the light of day years after it was written.


My beef is that the Vic Sage Question didn't even have a CHANCE at seeing if it could garner readers, given the new audience. He gets showcased in JLU, creators like Rucka and Simone apparently love him, he finally gets a chance at the spotlight, written (for the most part) well, and they kill him off. Doesn't make sense to me.

Even if he was tweaked in JLU, fine - why not integrate the best of that interpretation with the comic version that came before it? Geez.

I like Montoya, don't get me wrong - but does EVERYONE in DC have to be a legacy character?? Montoya was great as a supporting character as is.


So that's where I stand. Ripped off! And this comes from a guy who loved the changeover between Barry Allen and Wally West, and didn't mind the Blue Beetle thing.

I wish DC would address these concerns.

Actually, what Rucka said makes perfect sense to me (and I speak as someone who just didn't like the conversion of Montoya to a costumed character).

I think people ignore guest appearances in other titles (and there have been some over the years). Also, you can't discount the Veitch mini-series; from DC's point of view, if there had been any appeal at all, initial orders would have been higher, even if it eventually sank like a rock.

[yoshimi20]

I think what happens in 52 with the Question is worth the characters death, the last day in the first week of 52 is even more powerful when you realize this is a character that knows he's dying. The legacy thing happens often too quickly in comics but 52 was able to make it one of the best things in the whole series in my opinion.

[Groovie Mann]

i like renee montoya as the question. especially as i've read more renee montoya stories then question comics.

[Michael Heide]

Originally Posted by bsmith

But this doesn't make sense. A boatload of readers came onto DC with Identity Crisis. The only Question comic that appeared around that time since Dennis O'Neill's version 10 years before was Rick Veitch's old "Wildstorm" pitch, in a miniseries that finally saw the light of day years after it was written.

Don't forget the Huntress miniseries six or seven years ago, coincidentally written by Greg Rucka.

[Happyhatter]

wake me up when it's something about: Aquaman and/or Nightwing

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Wow, are we going to have to rehash the same old tired responses to podcasts every time one is posted somewhere? ("It's not in my preferred format, so I don't give a crap, and nyah nyah nyah.")

I'm not going to play along again like I did the first time, but let me go on the record with this: Podcasting is not a fad. It's not going to disappear. It's only getting bigger.

And, yes, I love John's show.

-Augie

[jonnynyc]

Having a hard time with the link.
?
Love Rucka though and Renee "The Question" Montoya.

[yoshimi20]

Really nice podcast first one I have listened too, I really wish Checkmate was doing better, but I hope it at least keeps it's current numbers. Stuff like Checkmate really does need to exist in DC as just a different sound.

[nickmaynard]

Originally Posted by OM

...Podcasts are the "in" thing now, but most podcasters forget that not all of us have time to sit down and listen even if we now have the power to schedule entertainment to fit our schedules. At the same time, there are those who are deaf and/or beriddled with systems that don't have sound capabilities. In all these cases, a transcript is needed.

This interview obviously does not have one.

it makes me so mad when people complain about things like wordballoon. the dude gives us so much! for free! and people throw that back in his face.

[yoshimi20]

Originally Posted by nickmaynard

it makes me so mad when people complain about things like wordballoon. the dude gives us so much! for free! and people throw that back in his face.

I'm not really a big fan of podcasts and tend to avoid them a little but I really liked this one. The added thing that I'm never going to hear or meet someone like Greg Rucka any other way makes it interesting for me. I'm glad not all news and interviews are presented this way on Newsarama but I found this really good.

[Ace]

Still think that a Question and Answer book would have been more marketable, more interesting, and would have left a better taste in the mouth of the fans.

But I see why they made the decision to kill Vic, too.

I just don't think it was the best decision.

[wordballoon]

Originally Posted by Augie De Blieck Jr.

Wow, are we going to have to rehash the same old tired responses to podcasts every time one is posted somewhere? ("It's not in my preferred format, so I don't give a crap, and nyah nyah nyah.")

I'm not going to play along again like I did the first time, but let me go on the record with this: Podcasting is not a fad. It's not going to disappear. It's only getting bigger.

And, yes, I love John's show.

-Augie

Augie has always been one of my favorite folk i've met through doing podcasts. his george khory interview was outstanding, and I urge you to check it out, among his other pipeline podcasts.