KEITH CHAMPAGNE TALKS COUNTDOWN ARENA

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

As announced at WW Chicago last weekend, Keith Champagne will be writing an oversized four-issue weekly mini-series called Countdown: Arena with art by Scott McDaniel that will feature match-ups between alternate versions of some of the greatest heroes and villains from throughout DC's 52 universes.

Champagne, best known recently for his writing work on Green Lantern Corps and the World War III tie-in to 52, was formerly best known for his inking work. With this series further solidifying his entrance into the writing realm, Newsarama talked to Champagne about the weekly series and what kind of match-ups we can expect between alternate versions of favorite DC heroes and villains.

Newsarama: First off Keith, how did you get involved with this mini-series? And what did you think of the concept behind Arena when you first heard about it?

Keith Champagne: Well, it's a long and tortured tale involving Dan Didio, Mike Siglain, an email or two, a meeting with Mike in the city, and my immediate and resounding yes after what exactly Arena was intended to be.

When I first wrapped my head around Arena, my initial thought was, "hmmm...sounds kind of like a video game." And after writing it, I still think it's a no-brainer for a great video game. But it makes an even better comic!

Honestly, I started Arena shortly after World War III. In my head, I was hoping to switch gears and write something smaller, maybe even something a little funny. But with great opportunity comes... um... a great opportunity. I couldn't say no, especially not to a concept with so much potential for good times, and a chance to work with a razor sharp story editor like Siglain again. He's the new
Tomasi so for those keeping score, I'll be kissing Mike's ass in interviews from now on.

NRAMA: Tell us a little about the story. It focuses on Monarch, right?

KC: Monarch -- he sure does get around that Multiverse. And in this case, he's gone through all 52 of the universes, cherry picking the last wave of his army before he rains war down on the corn-rowed heads of The Monitors.

To that end, he's lined up the greatest heroes -- and a few of the deadliest villains -- from throughout the entire Multiverse. Three versions of each, to be exact. So, among others, we've got three Supermen, three Wonder Women, three Batmen and many, many more that he's drafted into his cause.

I should mention that these different versions of the characters should be pretty familiar to people who enjoyed their Elseworlds. Every universe from Gotham By Gaslight to New Frontier and all the way to Wildstorm are represented. Even Captain Carrot's.

One at a time, the versions of each character must battle one another in an enormous, city-sized Arena that Monarch has constructed. He only has room for one of each: the best, strongest, and most determined in his army.

From there, things get brutal and bloody.

NRAMA: Brutal and bloody? So does this answer those questions people always stand around and argue about at comics shops? Like... "who would win in this fight?"

KC: Yes.

NRAMA: Can you tell us some of the match-ups we might be seeing?

KC: Well, the main event -- and probably my personal favorite, is the battle of the three Supermen. Monarch has specifically chosen three Supermen who are like oil and water to one another. They're all good men but they just don't mix well. When the punches and heat vision finally start flying, I'm really happy with the way it pays off, because the fight grows organically out of the interaction between the characters.

Honestly, I'm happy with all the different battles. It's like Sophie's choice, picking among my fighting children. The Nightshade battle was crazy fun, the Captain Atom battle is an all out natural disaster, the Blue Beetle battle is surprisingly gruesome. I think there are unexpected twists and turns in each of them, really.

NRAMA: Is it safe to assume there are some characters that aren't going to cooperate with Monarch's plans? How does he compel these people to fight?

KC: That was the first question I needed to answer for myself to make this project work. Why would any of these characters, heroes or villains, fall in line with a creep like Monarch?

Even though some of the characters--most of them, actually--aren't so inclined to go along with Monarch's plans, he's come up with a hell of a way to induce them to participate.

Monarch is smart. He's more powerful than we've ever seen him. And he's determined to put an end to the Monitors. You better believe he's thought through every contingency.

NRAMA: Didn't Monarch learn in basic chemistry class that when you mix heroes and villains, the test tube is going to explode?

KC: Take a minute to consider that perhaps Monarch wants the test tube to explode.

NRAMA: OK, wait -- if there are sometimes three versions of the same character, was it tough for you as a writer to distinguish between them within the story? It had to be a challenge to find their voices, wasn't it?

KC: It was a challenge, definitely. Even though the three versions of each are all different, beneath the surface, many of them--at least the ones who aren't evil-- have the same ideals. So I found that playing to differences in nationality, or background, age, experience -- all those were ways to highlight individual personalities.

Plus, the stress of the situation they're trapped in adds a layer of tension to the whole roster.

NRAMA: Did you have to do a lot of research on all these different universes? Catch up on a lot of reading? Or are these all things with which you were familiar?

KC: Some of it was familiar -- or half-remembered. Other characters and universes were completely new to me. So I did a lot of reading, pored over a lot of reference to get up to speed, then spewed it all back out. I probably wrote just as many pages of script that didn't make it into the first issue of the book as pages that did, just getting my legs underneath me and feeling comfortable with my cast.

NRAMA: It sounds like you also had to get an education on what the 52 worlds are. Is there a list somewhere keeping track of that stuff?

KC: I've heard through the grapevine that that DiDio guy has a master list. Maybe I've even caught a glimpse.

NRAMA: Quick. What's Earth-13?

KC: Vertigo. Sort of.

NRAMA: Earth-8?

KC: Batman Beyond... maybe? I'd have look them up to be sure.

NRAMA: About how many of the 52 universes does Monarch visit in this series and how many are represented among the competitors in the Arena?

KC: I think Monarch has gone through all 52 of the universes and when all is said and done, there's a character from every single one to be found in the pages of Arena.

I think my personal favorite is Quantum Mechanix, a giant, robotic version of Captain Atom.

NRAMA: OK, that's your favorite character. Which world is your favorite world that you get to play around with?

KC: You know, I'm not going to name it but there's one world in particular where, since it debuted, the characters have become so iconic that playing with one of them was something I never expected to get to do.

Let's see if you can figure out what I mean when the book ships.

NRAMA: Hmm... I'll withhold my guess. But will any characters from our more familiar New Earth will be in the series?

KC: What Earth is Monarch originally from?

NRAMA: Touché. OK, let's talk about the art in the story.

KC: Two words for you: Scott McDaniel. Two more words for you: Andy Owens. Four more words to top it off: Covers by Andy Kubert.

I saw a big chunk of art just yesterday. Everyone equates Scott McDaniel with action, and his storytelling is really clear and dynamic. But there are just as many character moments layered throughout this thing, and he and Andy Owens are paying equal attention to those.

I think the character beats in a story are the moments people remember, moreso than the number of punches thrown per issue. So I'm very glad to see them nailing that stuff. We don't necessarily care about the fights unless we care about the characters first.

NRAMA: I'd be attacked by your fans if I didn't ask about the "Corpse" -- the secret, specialized league you created for your story in the Green Lantern Corps title. Last time we talked, you mentioned the possibility of more stories focusing on them. Is that still a possibility?

KC: I sure hope so! I think up until this little Sinestro Corps thing, The Corpse has been by far the most popular arc in Green Lantern Corps to date and that was just a warm up for the group.

I've written five out of six issues of a follow up series, the first issue is partially drawn, so it's in the pipeline and I'm doing everything I can to get it out.

Expect new members, double agents, hidden agendas, shadows and death, and a surprise in the first issue that no one will see coming.

NRAMA: What else is coming up for you, Keith?

KC: I'm in the process right now of figuring out what my next project at DC will be. I'd like to do another event, I kind of enjoy them. In the meantime, that ol' grizzly bear Peter Tomasi and I are co-writing a creator-owned monthly that will be debuting from DC next year.

Outside of DC, it's too early to actually announce anything but I've been talking to a lot of people lately. Steve Wacker at Marvel, Scott Peterson at Wildstorm, Nick Barrucci and Joe Rybandt at Dynamite, Chris Ryall at IDW, Rob Levin at Top Cow, among others.

If anyone is interested in keeping up with what I'm doing, they can always check out my blog at www.keithchampagne.blogspot.com for the latest developments in my little career.

NRAMA: And we've already heard a little from Dan Didio about this, but because you're writing the comic, we'll get your point of view. Do you need this story in order to understand Countdown? And do you need Countdown to understand this story, or do you really think it can stand alone?

KC: If you've been faithfully reading Countdown all the way through, you're going to want to pick these up and read a very important branch of that story. Countdown leads to this and Arena leads back to Countdown.

Let's say you're not reading Countdown (and if you're into DC, you should be!) and you're just in the shop looking for a good time with your comics. Pound for pound, Arena is absolutely the most fun you'll have with a comic for four consecutive Wednesdays in December. Everything you need to understand the bigger picture is contained in the first issue. Each issue is double-sized, it's weekly, and it's a freight train of a story.

NRAMA: And then there's a vote on some of the outcomes, right? How exactly will that work?

KC: That's something for greater minds than me to figure out the details of. Somebody page Mr. Dan DiDio!

NRAMA: It sounds like the details are still being worked out?

KC: Look for an announcement from DC soon.

[thefrogman]

NRAMA: Earth-8?

KC: Batman Beyond... maybe? I'd have look them up to be sure.

YES!!!

*cough* Sounds like a good fun series. I'm on board.
First post!!

[OM]

...First pos...AWK! Don't you kids read *before* you post?

Bah. Gimme an arena issue where the various versions of Brother Power the Geek and Prez fight each other :-p

[Evil Twin]

You know, I'm not going to name it but there's one world in particular where, since it debuted, the characters have become so iconic that playing with one of them was something I never expected to get to do.

Let's see if you can figure out what I mean when the book ships.

I hope to hell that they're not referring to WATCHMEN. I really don't want to see Dr. Manhattan involved in some standard superhero fight.

[ender2814]

I'm still on the fence on this one. I mean, I'll buy every flippin' issue, but I still think it has equal potential to be amazing or to suck miserably.

Actually, I think the consequences afterward will be amazing. Allow me to say that now.

[ender2814]

Originally Posted by Evil Twin

I hope to hell that they're not referring to WATCHMEN. I really don't want to see Dr. Manhattan involved in some standard superhero fight.

I assume he is referring to Kingdom Come since that has already been established and is making a comeback in JSA.

[Peasily]

Bat-Mite vs. Mr. Mxyzptlk.

[hugo]

Batman Beyond ? I don't think so : Earth-8 is the one with Lord Havok and the Extremists ?

[Hypestyle]

I want to see some heroes from the Milestone Universe involved..

[BubbaKanoosh]

Originally Posted by hugo

Batman Beyond ? I don't think so : Earth-8 is the one with Lord Havok and the Extremists ?

he said he wasnt sure of the top of his head..

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

Im waiting to hear one more person b***h about how this is another Countdown tie-in. It looks like its mostly stand-alone.

I'll give the first issue a shot.

[BubbaKanoosh]

Originally Posted by Hypestyle

I want to see some heroes from the Milestone Universe involved..

we all would..
but doubtful they are allowed too..

[newfoundma]

The idea of some of these Earths irks me. Since some of them come from Elseworlds serieses, I feel as though they are kind of intruding on the source material. When Millar wrote Red Son, I don't think he meant for it to become cannon. Kingdom Come was supposed to be the last super hero story, and now its heroes can cross over and continue their stories. I don't think Gotham by Gaslight and such were ever intended to be part of a huge cosmic cross over. Also, with only 52 Earths, I think that they are wasting some of the potential Earths by having them be host to mini-series that already told their story. I would prefer it to be like Judd Winnick's Exiles, where the creators are actually forced to create.

[sweetmisery]

Im in. I just wonder, will we see Earth 1's heroes? Hopefully it wont rely too much on unknown versions.

[kamikazi]

"Brutal and bloody", Blue Beetle's battle being "surprisingly brutal"...did I imagine someone saying things were supposed to get more light-hearted in DC?

[holtom2000]

ugh. I hated the World War III one-shots. That was a pure money grab

[theodoros]

I bet Quesada and the Marvel guys make jokes about these stories.
Of course they will still be Number ONE!!"

I bet he does...

[bigdaddyhub]

Wow. As a spectator, I would say this is a mess. Is this trying to capitalize on the World War Hulk smashfest dollar?

Buyers beware, this looks like quarter-bin junk.

[King of Town]

I have to agree with those that have already said that this can either be super fun, or could kinda suck. Ill buy it I am sure, so I hoping for super fun.

It has been a little while since we have seen the DC characters just beat the snot out of each other for no reason other than to see who would win. Bringing in the Wildstorm, Watchmen and Vertigo universes could be fun! I personally wouldn't mind seeing Dr. Manhattan point his finger at someone, and watching them explode (yikes, that sounds morbid, but you get my drift right?) The writer hints that there is more to this story than just throwing fists, and since I am a loyal Countdown reader I am excited to see the possible ramifications.

Here's what I would like to see:

KC Superman vs. Red Son Superman

Let the heat vision burn!

[bigdaddyhub]

Originally Posted by newfoundma

The idea of some of these Earths irks me. Since some of them come from Elseworlds serieses, I feel as though they are kind of intruding on the source material. When Millar wrote Red Son, I don't think he meant for it to become cannon. Kingdom Come was supposed to be the last super hero story, and now its heroes can cross over and continue their stories. I don't think Gotham by Gaslight and such were ever intended to be part of a huge cosmic cross over. Also, with only 52 Earths, I think that they are wasting some of the potential Earths by having them be host to mini-series that already told their story. I would prefer it to be like Judd Winnick's Exiles, where the creators are actually forced to create.

I endorse this statement.

[JoeZhang]

Originally Posted by Evil Twin

I hope to hell that they're not referring to WATCHMEN. I really don't want to see Dr. Manhattan involved in some standard superhero fight.

Please no... What a terrible idea.


Is there any chance this mini-series will give any real character development to Monarch? Since Captain Atom got the armour, he's just turned into a pretty standard mustache twirling bad guy with no real explanation of why.

[dmarvp]

Originally Posted by newfoundma

The idea of some of these Earths irks me. Since some of them come from Elseworlds serieses, I feel as though they are kind of intruding on the source material. When Millar wrote Red Son, I don't think he meant for it to become cannon. Kingdom Come was supposed to be the last super hero story, and now its heroes can cross over and continue their stories. I don't think Gotham by Gaslight and such were ever intended to be part of a huge cosmic cross over. Also, with only 52 Earths, I think that they are wasting some of the potential Earths by having them be host to mini-series that already told their story. I would prefer it to be like Judd Winnick's Exiles, where the creators are actually forced to create.

I feel exactly the same. They are wasting too many earths with mini-series that, while being succesful, in most cases I sincerely doubt anyone will want to read more stories from. I wanted most of the 52 earths to allow new storys, new characters and new ongoings... not to read more about the same

[bigdaddyhub]

Originally Posted by King of Town

It has been a little while since we have seen the DC characters just beat the snot out of each other for no reason other than to see who would win. Bringing in the Wildstorm, Watchmen and Vertigo universes could be fun! I personally wouldn't mind seeing Dr. Manhattan point his finger at someone, and watching them explode (yikes, that sounds morbid, but you get my drift right?)

Yeah, I can't but think "Aren't good guys supposed to fight bad guys?" It seems like DC is chasing the Marvel dollar with copycat ideas. And the whole Multiverse thing seems to be like a cheap (and I mean REALLY cheap) plot convention. It was eliminated because it made the DCU too complicated, the heroes not matter as much, and it was producing lazy writing. Well, DC, you brought back the Multiverse and all of those problems as well.

And if Dr. Manhattan shows up in this fight, you had better bet your behind that Alan Moore will sue everyone he sees for the next month.

[JoeZhang]

Originally Posted by holtom2000

ugh. I hated the World War III one-shots. That was a pure money grab

I thought the WWIII one-shots were complete drek - filler with no real purpose.

[Chief Jon]

Originally Posted by OM

Bah. Gimme an arena issue where the various versions of Brother Power the Geek and Prez fight each other :-p

What the! Way to steal my post before I could even finish the article OM.

I hope I get to see either Superman or Batman from Red Son. Liberty Files Batman would be cool too.