TALKING FLASH WITH TOM PEYER

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

As March solicitations revealed and DC has confirmed, Tom Peyer is taking over as writer of The Flash, replacing Mark Waid on the ongoing title with issue #238.

The issue will kick off a six-part story called "Fast Money" with Freddie Williams II remaining as penciller on the series. This follows the end of Mark Waid's run on the series with January's issue #236 and a one-issue fill-in story by Keith Champagne in February's issue #237. Yet neither DC Comics nor Peyer are talking about what comes after those six issues.

The Flash series was surprisingly relaunched in July with Waid as writer after the 14-issue run of Flash: The Fastest Man Alive ended in June with the death of then-Flash Bart Allen. The change was something DC said the company had been planning for quite some time, confirming that solicitations and covers were purposely falsified to hide the upcoming change. Now, the series has focused once again upon speedster Wally West and his family, including two super-powered and quickly aging twin children.

Newsarama talked to Peyer in an attempt to clarify the future of the series and to find out more about his upcoming story about "Fast Money."

Newsarama: DC has officially confirmed that you're the new regular writer on the Flash series. Are you looking at this as a long-term assignment?

Tom Peyer: My idea of a long-term assignment is quitting smoking. Because once you do, it's forever. If you go back, you didn't quit. So you're making a decision that's going to affect every single one of your remaining days on this earth. And people make that decision so lightly. I get angry when I run into the ones who quit smoking and shouldn't have. Because it's not for everyone.

NRAMA: Well, Tom, you have to understand that this comic just recently came through a fairly shocking transition for readers when it was relaunched after the death of Bart Allen last summer, something that wasn't even revealed in solicitations. Readers kind of had the wool pulled over their eyes when it was implied that Marc Guggenheim was a long-term writer of Bart as Flash, so we're all wondering about what's going on now. Can you at least warn us to wear a parachute on this flight if the bottom's going to fall out of the plane?

TP: Wow. I had no idea reading comics could be so nerve-racking. I'm very sorry to hear about it.

NRAMA: [laughs] Could you at least tell us if you're definitely on for six issues?

TP: Freddie and I are here to stay.

NRAMA: It's not a secret that you and Mark Waid are friends, having co-written a bit over the years. Have you been in touch with him about the transition, since he was the one who established the new direction of the comic?

TP: We talk a lot. I've been familiar with his thinking on this new Flash status quo for a while. I've also read every word he wrote, including a manifesto he put together at the beginning. So I haven't had to call and ask him where the West family laundry hamper is or whether their Justice League monitor gets Telemundo. (Answers: Upstairs bathroom and only if Wally paid the cable bill.)

NRAMA: Well, let's talk about that "new Flash status quo." As a writer, what do you think of Wally's status now, being a father and husband first and superhero second? Do you think that makes it more of a challenge to write the character? Or has it opened up new possibilities? Or a little of both?

TP: More characters always present a bigger challenge than fewer because space is so limited, but I do like the possibilities. Any writer worth his or her rate can use the current West family situation to tell superhero stories that have never been told before.

My favorite thing about Wally and Linda's situation is that it's so stressful. The kids have aged so fast that the parents can't possibly be ready for any of the problems that will inevitably arise. Some new parents do seem to experience parenthood as an emergency. Tense during the good times, panicked during the bad. I think Wally and Linda are like that, as anyone whose kids aged several years overnight would be.

But let's remember this isn't Hi and Lois. This is The Flash, JLA member, fighting new villains, solving impossible problems with super-speed – doing the things we read him for and can't get anywhere else. That was a big part of Mark's set-up and everyone wants it to stay that way.

NRAMA: Yet I'm sure you're aware that the topic of married superheroes is a pretty hot one right now. Obviously, you're enthusiastic about this first storyline. But as you look down the line for Wally West's future as the star of his own series, do you feel like this status quo can be supported long-term? Do you think a superhero comic can sustain interest if the title character is a married dad?

TP: The only problem with married superheroes is when the wrong ones marry. Wally is perfect for this, because we've known him since he was a kid. We've gone through all of these stages of life with him. And he's such a real person, too. Not too many superheroes have personalities as fleshed out as his.

NRAMA: OK, let's talk about the story you're writing for The Flash. What is "Fast Money" about?

TP: It's about how easy it is to resist making a buck off your sacred super-heroic legacy –until you have kids to feed.

NRAMA: Sounds like Wally's going to have a little moral dilemma. Who's the villain of the story? And how did you come up with the idea for him?

TP: The villain's name is Spin, as in spinning the news to advance his own interests. He can spin the public's cable news-fed anxiety into real disasters and mishaps. I came up with his after editor Joan Hilty instructed me to create a villain in the Gardner Fox/Grant Morrison mold. I burst into tears. A job I want comes along and all I have to do is write as well as Grant Morrison. Perfect. But then the idea came to me while I was tying my noose. Nick of time.

Spin might generate a little controversy, not because of his cable news associations but because he commits robberies. Of rare precious objects. Like an old-fashioned villain. I'm a little nervous about it. But it goes to the point I'm trying to make about super-powers and money. And I do get a kick out of seeing a costumed character disable a guard so he can help himself to a Faberge Egg. It's been so long.

NRAMA: How has it been working with Freddie Williams II?

TP: The question is, how has working with me been for Freddie? I'm afraid to ask. Spin's powers unfortunately depend on the presence of crowds, which means a lot of drawing. Buying these comics will be like buying a ticket to watch a man try to lift a horse. Will he succeed? Or will it kill him? Brave Freddie.

NRAMA: You know, it's hard to escape the fact that we haven't seen a lot of you around these parts lately, Tom. I think it was about three years ago that your name was showing up on "whatever happened to" threads on message boards. Your name has shown up here and there, but what have you been up to elsewhere? And why the return to the limelight now?

TP: I've been writing humor comics for the last few years, like some Simpsons stories for Bongo and, with John Layman, Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen for Oni Press. And I've done a bit of non-comics writing; a search for my name at Slate.com will yield a few offensive attempts at political humor.

I did a lot of super-hero work in the ‘90s and the early part of this decade and, to be honest, I took it for granted. By the end, no one in their right mind would have worked with me. Fortunately, I had some loyal friends and supporters in the biz who never seemed to stop hoping I'd grow up. I think I have. I know I've been trying.

NRAMA: OK, I'm going to confront you about another "nerve-wracking" issue, Tom. It's no small secret that Dan Didio's been joking at comics conventions about Bart Allen's possible return. Knowing that there's no way you can confirm that, can you at least give the Bart Allen fans some hope for the future?

TP: Do you know what Darkseid would say to you right now? He'd say, "HOPE is a SHODDY bauble for the WEAK!!!!" It's a good thing I'm not Darkseid, because to say that to you would be so rude.

NRAMA: [laughs] Yeah, that would be rude. OK... if we can't get a clear indication from you about Bart, how about Barry? Flash fans have never given up hope for the return of Barry, and Wally's surprise return and the idea of Bart's return sure indicate the possibility for more, don't they?

TP: If Barry Allen were coming back and I knew about it, I promise you that I couldn't even give you a hint. But I'd lobby hard for the crew-cut. And maybe a bow tie. And penny loafers. Go for broke.

[gokujam]

First post woo-hoo!!!!

I'm sorry Waid isn't sticking around but as long the book's starring Wally I'm there!!

[jeremybement]

As much as I love Waid I hope that Peyer gets back to a more Wally-focused storyline.

[worldsfinest]

Bring back the Flash Family!!

Barry! Wally! Jay! Bart!

[dantebk]

Originally Posted by Tom Peyer

Spin might generate a little controversy, not because of his cable news associations but because he commits robberies. Of rare precious objects. Like an old-fashioned villain. I'm a little nervous about it. But it goes to the point I'm trying to make about super-powers and money. And I do get a kick out of seeing a costumed character disable a guard so he can help himself to a Faberge Egg. It's been so long.

Wow! That's awesome! I've been wishing for years that villains would go back to advancing their own interests through crime instead of just trying to kill heroes all the time.

I might actually check this out now.

[Thephanboy]

like i said else where.....i hope these stories are better. i just wasnt in waid run this time on the book. i actually enjoyed barts book more. i definitely will give him a shot though since i love this character and just want him done justice.

[Kid Impulse]

Originally Posted by worldsfinest

Bring back the Flash Family!!

Barry! Wally! Jay! Bart!

+ Max, Johnny, Jessie and Jenni

After this interview, I'm looking forward to Peyer's arc, I like the sound of the new villain, Flash has the best rogues gallery in comics (Sorry Batman) and more additions are always welcome, just look at Johns run. This will be awesome

[Nate28]

Originally Posted by worldsfinest

Bring back the Flash Family!!

Barry! Wally! Jay! Bart!

im down for that, I havent read or picked up a flash book since they killed off Bart.

I hope they bring back Bart so i can start reading flash again!

[Ace]

Well, we all liked Hourman.

And then there was Peyer's Titans run.

hmmmmm...


But hey! Wasn't Hourman neat?

[breakfast]

I want Bart back. As Impulse. The Flash family is my favourite in comics.

And I like Wally having a family, as long as it doesn't take over his personality or stories or anything.

[vbartilucci]

This is an idea that's been touched on before.

The original Wally run (so to speak) on Flash dealt with him trying to make money so he could eat. Not actually charging people, but I recall when they offered him something for trandferring a donor organ cross country, he asked for like 25 pairs of running shoes or something.

There was an episode of JLU as well that had him hawking sneakers. It was all a Funky Flashman plot IIRC, but still.

So I'll be curious to see how it gets handled now. Linda has the ability to make money (a good deal of it, I'd imagine) as a newsperson, but she can't because of caring for the kids. It's a tense situation.

Hmm, a story you can tell about a married couple that you couldn't tell if they were single and didn't have kids. Wow. Just about every line Tom had about marriage was a slap in Joe Q's face, and I loved it.

Sad to see Mark go but it wasn't a big surprise, considering his new job at BOOM! This should be entertaining.

[SpyGuy]

Wait a minute...The Flash has to stop a villain? One that commits robberies? A good guy battling a bad guy in this day and age? That's just crazy enough to work!

I love the old-school approach to this storyline, but as for Wally using his powers to get money, doesn't he already get a regular stipend from The Barry Allen Foundation that he helped to establish?

[holtom2000]

i used to get JLA, Flash and Wonder Woman before Infinite Crisis. Now I don't get any of them. Three botched relaunches. Good job DC.
I'll pay attention to this title, but after getting burned time and again, I won't pick it up again unless there's strong sales and good buzz. Best of luck to the new creators. May they turn this title around, because it's sucked for a long while.

[Amoebas]

Dang. I had just dropped Flash because Waid was (frankly) horrible with it. Guess I'm back in thanks to Peyer being more than just the previously assumed fill-in.

[ClayinCA]

Damn it damn it damn it! I was fully planning to quit buying this book when I read that Waid was going to be leaving, but Tom Peyer is one of the few people they could have put on the book who could not only get me to stay, but make me more interested. Hourman remains one of my favorite DC series in recent years, and if Peyer's work on Flash is half as good as his Hourman, I'm on board for the long haul.

[KyleCowstar]

Bring back Bart.

[rwe1138]

With Peyer coming on board, this will be the first time I've bought a Flash book since Geoff Johns left. I'm definitely looking forward to it, and the first storyline sounds great.

Now that that's out of the way, where the crap is Tek Jansen?!?! It's been forever since the first issue came out. What's the hold-up?

[hugueknot]

Wasn't this angle already handled in Mike Baron's relaunch? (Am I dating myself?) The twin angle has looked pretty bad to me, and Peyer's plot sounds iffy, but dude gives good interview, so good luck!

Slightly OT: Was it ever explained how Wally went from a horrifically uptight Young Republican in the Wolfman/Perez Titans to the swinging man-whore in Baron's run?

PS I liked the swinging man-whore angle, but thought Messner-Loebs did a nice job of growing him up.

[7thunders]

Originally Posted by Ace

Well, we all liked Hourman.

And then there was Peyer's Titans run.

hmmmmm...


But hey! Wasn't Hourman neat?

haha... thats what I was thinking. I liked Hourman so I'm more than willing to give Peyer a shot. In fact, as long as its a FLASH book I'm sure I'll buy it no matter who wrote it ...wait..I take that back, Bendis and Judd and RAAB are my three NOs! to any superhero book.

[Scooby2099]

Waid's return to The Flash was a big disapointment for me (the stories just did nothing for me--and I really disliked Wally's kids in the book). I hope Peyer can renew my interest in the title.

[Rockin' Rich]

He's a funny guy. I like funny writing and if the art is any good, I may read this in the comics store or borrow a copy when they collect it, if it's in my local library. High praise, indeed! Excellsior!

[nightwingoracle]

Hourman is the only thing Peyer has written that I enjoyed. That was a well done series, though it started running out of momentum towards the end.

His Titans was weak and DC 2000 was one of the worst stories I've read in a long time. Other stories I've read by him have been average at best. Unfortunately, his name is one that usually turns me off of buying books.

[dlfurman]

NRAMA: Yet I'm sure you're aware that the topic of married superheroes is a pretty hot one right now. Obviously, you're enthusiastic about this first storyline. But as you look down the line for Wally West's future as the star of his own series, do you feel like this status quo can be supported long-term? Do you think a superhero comic can sustain interest if the title character is a married dad?

TP: The only problem with married superheroes is when the wrong ones marry. Wally is perfect for this, because we've known him since he was a kid. We've gone through all of these stages of life with him. And he's such a real person, too. Not too many superheroes have personalities as fleshed out as his.

IMAGINE....

NRAMA: Yet I'm sure you're aware that the topic of married superheroes is a pretty hot one right now. Obviously, you're enthusiastic about this first storyline. But as you look down the line for Peter Parker's future as the star of his own series, do you feel like this status quo can be supported long-term? Do you think a superhero comic can sustain interest if the title character is a married dad?

TP: The only problem with married superheroes is when the wrong ones marry. Peter is perfect for this, because we've known him since he was a kid. We've gone through all of these stages of life with him. And he's such a real person, too. Not too many superheroes have personalities as fleshed out as his.

DC has a plan for their characters. Much sucess to you Mr. Peyer.

[nightwingoracle]

Originally Posted by hugueknot

Slightly OT: Was it ever explained how Wally went from a horrifically uptight Young Republican in the Wolfman/Perez Titans to the swinging man-whore in Baron's run?

.

I loved the man-whore period...

And I know quite a few republicans who were man-whores at that age. They just don't always flaunt it.....

[hugueknot]

Originally Posted by nightwingoracle

I loved the man-whore period...

And I know quite a few republicans who were man-whores at that age. They just don't always flaunt it.....

Didn't mean to suggest republicans can't be men-whores, but Wally's RELAXED, sexually active lifestyle suggested a huge personality change from his Titans days. Hell, everything about him sugegsted a huge personality change, but the sleeping around was the most dramatic, or at least the trait that's easieset to point to.