LOOKING AT THE NEW INFINITY INC. WITH MATT IDELSON

**MattBrady** · 08-28-2007, 02:36 PM

Booster Gold has launched, The Four Horsemen start this week, and in early September, the next “52 Aftermath” ongoing series kicks off: Infinity Inc. Written by Peter Milligan, with art by Max Fiumara, the series will pick up the individuals who are the leftovers of Lex Luthor’s Project Everyman.

We asked series Editor Matt Idelson to introduce us to the cast:

JOHN HENRY IRONS (Formerly Steel)

Since 52 ended, John’s continued to be the legal guardian of his niece, Natasha, and he’s been deeply troubled by her dark shift in mood since she lost her Starlight powers. As Infinity Inc. comes together as a team, he’ll have an exasperating time trying to keep a bunch of headstrong teenagers in line (hence all the crabby head shots).

NATASHA IRONS (Formerly Starlight)

Natasha’s done a lot of brooding since Lex Luthor turned her powers off. Not your usual teen angst stuff (thank God). It got so bad that John’s forced her to start seeing a psychologist, but that’s only going to have made things worse. Nat was the leader of the team in 52, and she’ll probably end up in that role again, assuming she survives the first arc.

GEROME McKENNA (Formerly Nuklon)

Gerome’s been getting some psychiatric help over the last year as well, with limited results. He’s become exceptionally vain (which doesn’t make him all that unique, I’m afraid), but it’s the level of his vanity that going to push him into the superhero direction again. And if that seemed really puzzling, then good!

ERIK STORN (Formerly Fury)

Erik’s a mess. He was already tending towards the quiet, timid side, but he’s become even more withdrawn, and developed an unfortunate stutter. (Aside: Sad to see all these guys having gone to seed, huh? And so young, too.) He doesn’t grow those claws anymore, and there’s a very twisted reason why.

NEW CHARACTER

Her name’s Lucia, and she’ll be the first brand new member of Infinity Inc. Like the other kids, she was part of Luthor’s Everyman Project, and she’s also had a hell of a time readapting to normal life since. Though truth be told, her home life may have a lot to do with that. She doesn’t show up until issue #5, but I figured you’d enjoy the sneak peek.

And that’s not all folks – DC has provided us with a six page preview of issue #1. The solicit for the debut issue reads:

Written by Peter Milligan; Art and Cover by Max Fiumara

From the twisted mind of Lex Luthor comes the 52 spin-off that will change everything you know about the members of Infinity Inc. When Lex Luthor and his Everyman project was taken down by John (Steele) Henry Irons, it appeared the story of Infinity Inc was over. But one year-plus later, it seems that life hasn't been kind to Starlight, Fury, and Nuklon. John suspects the problems may lead back to their experience as on the Everyman Project, opening doors that can never be shut! Written by Peter Milligan (X-Statix, HUMAN TARGET) and illustrated by Max Fiumara (Black Gas), INFINITY INC. #1 will take readers on a tortured trip to the dark side of the superhero dream.

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale September 5, 2007

BubbaKanoosh · 08-28-2007, 02:44 PM

I am giddy for this title.

edcurb · 08-28-2007, 02:49 PM

great art, wonderful use of blacks!

i too am afraid of umbrellas...

Lex · 08-28-2007, 02:52 PM

Meh. This books doesn't look as interesting as I'd hoped it would be. High angst. Low fun. Probably not for me.

Darthphere · 08-28-2007, 02:56 PM

So I'm guessing the fear of umbrellas has something to do with hundreds of people of people losing their powers at the same time raining down on to the street pavement.

mookydo · 08-28-2007, 02:58 PM

Is this an ongoing or 8-issue limited? It was originally labeled as ongoing, but last weeks solicits gave it the 8-issue clock.

IvCNuB4 · 08-28-2007, 03:05 PM

When did they lose their powers ? Infinity Inc still had them during WW III.
Wondering just how interesting a powerless Infinity team will be ....

bcondray · 08-28-2007, 03:07 PM

Another one I just can't wait to read.

AuH20 · 08-28-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edcurb

great art, wonderful use of blacks!

That is so racist...

BornToRun · 08-28-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookydo

Is this an ongoing or 8-issue limited? It was originally labeled as ongoing, but last weeks solicits gave it the 8-issue clock.

I would hope it's not only 8 issues. If a major new character is introduced in chapter 5, that doesn't give them much room to grow!

BornToRun · 08-28-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuH20

That is so racist...

I stayed away from that joke, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who saw it.

superspidey · 08-28-2007, 03:14 PM

The last girl looks like an older Layla Miller.

newfoundma · 08-28-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvCNuB4

When did they lose their powers ? Infinity Inc still had them during WW III.

I was wondering that too, especially since Everyman still has his powers. Also, if Nat is so bummed about being powerless, why doesn't she don the Steel armor again? And this title seems to be sticking to the idea of DC Comics in real-time ("1 Year Plus Later") while series like Countdown have backpeddaled on that. Hmmm...
I am going to pick this up and hope that we get the Milligan of Human Target and X-Statix, and not the one who wrote X-Men. A group of teens turned media darling super-heroes who have reverted to normal teens sounds like a book that could be right up his alley.

Layters · 08-28-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornToRun

I stayed away from that joke, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who saw it.

Yeah I was gonna go with' I think the term is African Americans'

John [>H] · 08-28-2007, 03:31 PM

Robin looks badass in that, even though it's a headshot in a tiny guest appearance.

joe.perez · 08-28-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I was wondering that too, especially since Everyman still has his powers. Also, if Nat is so bummed about being powerless, why doesn't she don the Steel armor again? And this title seems to be sticking to the idea of DC Comics in real-time ("1 Year Plus Later") while series like Countdown have backpeddaled on that. Hmmm...
I am going to pick this up and hope that we get the Milligan of Human Target and X-Statix, and not the one who wrote X-Men. A group of teens turned media darling super-heroes who have reverted to normal teens sounds like a book that could be right up his alley.

A few still retained powers after the plug was pulled, and were last seen running the other direction as Black Adam went on the Rampage in 52 #50

BanMan · 08-28-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I was wondering that too, especially since Everyman still has his powers. Also, if Nat is so bummed about being powerless, why doesn't she don the Steel armor again?

That was my first thought as well. The thing is though, an armor can be stripped away, leaving only a frail human being underneath...or some spooky phantasm.

That said, I hope the angst thing doesn't last long and she gets over it. I guess I can understand her unwillingness to get back into the saddle after the last year. I can also understand if she still couldn't look John in the eyes. I mean she spent the better part of the year, turning away from him only to wind up wrong about everything.

I would have preferred seeing her in the Titans, seeing as the invitation had already been extended to her.

Anywho, the preview doesn't particularly excite me.

BanMan · 08-28-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superspidey

The last girl looks like an older Layla Miller.

Layla could be pulling double duty.

Papercut Fun · 08-28-2007, 03:41 PM

Art looks great. I'll give this a try. I had thought Greg Rucka was the writer on this book for some reason. Milligan is hit and miss with me...with a trend away from "hit" and more towards "miss" in recent years. But on the right project he's shown he can knock it out of the park. I hope this is the one. I really enjoyed this storyline in 52 and think it can definitely support an ongoing.

Spade · 08-28-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I was wondering that too, especially since Everyman still has his powers. Also, if Nat is so bummed about being powerless, why doesn't she don the Steel armor again? And this title seems to be sticking to the idea of DC Comics in real-time ("1 Year Plus Later") while series like Countdown have backpeddaled on that. Hmmm...
I am going to pick this up and hope that we get the Milligan of Human Target and X-Statix, and not the one who wrote X-Men. A group of teens turned media darling super-heroes who have reverted to normal teens sounds like a book that could be right up his alley.

I don't know if I will get this title but I did think about the same observations you listed. So far it reminds me a X-factor. That's not a bad thing but why not just buy X-factor.

Robin giving advice and telling someone to move on? Ok, that was strange considering his actions in Teen Titans OYL.

Jack B Quick · 08-28-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I was wondering that too, especially since Everyman still has his powers.

Wiki says

Quote:

Thanks to Luthor's Meta-Gene program, Everyman was able to transform into any animal form, provided he eat a small part of it first. He lost those powers when his Meta-Gene shut down, but they were restored by Circe.

That's basically what I remember from Everyman's appearance with Circe in Manhunter, though I don't have the issue with me so I can't quote exact dialogue.