WHT: ASKING DAN DIDIO ABOUT 13 DC CHARACTERS

**MattBrady** · 01-25-2008, 04:39 PM

At any given time, there are dozens of characters in any given shared universe who are out of the spotlight, and the DC Universe is no exception. Characters are constantly moving up and down the ladder of visibility, so we grabbed a baker’s dozen and cornered DCU Executive Editor Dan DiDio to find out where they are, and where they might be seen next.

Yes, we know this isn’t a comprehensive list…

Aquaman
Last Seen: On a regular basis, with the cancellation of Sword of Aquaman late last year with #57. He was considered for membership in the Outsiders, but Batman shut him down. His story went in…interesting directions after Infinite Crisis, but we think he’s back to being Arthur Curry (and knowing who he is) with two (real) hands these days…

DiDio says: “Right now we’re giving Aquaman a little bit of a rest, but we expect to see him appearing in one of the team books in 2008. We’re seeing the version of Aquaman that appeared in Sword of Aquaman – the Arthur Curry Aquaman.”

Plastic Man
Last Seen: Well, he’s here and there in Countdown to Mystery and involved with Eclipso, but as for some solo Plas love? Not much since Kyle Baker’s acclaimed and award winning series was canceled. That said, we’re becoming more and more convinced that artist Ethan Van Sciver can’t say more than three sentences without saying “Plastic Man”…so, is anything coming?

DiDio says: “Ah, Ethan VanSciver’s favorite character. Currently, Plastic Man is appearing in Countdown to Mystery, and I’m hoping we’ll do more with him and Ethan as schedules allow.”

Jack Knight
Last Seen: In any meaningful way, getting a happy ending (very rare in comics these days) at the end of Starman. Spottings are very rare, but he did get a brief appearance in Booster Gold recently. But that’s it.

DiDio says: “2008 will see the return of James Robinson to the DCU in a very strong and positive way, and with James coming back, I can only hope that Jack comes back with him.”

Brainiac
Last seen: Superman/Batman #35 and thereabouts, but come on – we want the crazy, deadly robot bent on world domination going against Superman mano y mano…maybe even the straight robot version as designed by Ed Hannigan? Is that asking too much?

DiDio says: “How about 1,000 words?”

“Big problems for Superman.”

Chloe Sullivan
Last seen: Okay – not yet, but we announced back in December that the character from Smallville would be making a trip to comics to join the Superman supporting cast.

DiDio says: “Chole is an exciting character on the television show, and we had hoped to work her into DC continuity, but unfortunately, the stars did not align properly, and even though we had announced it, she will not be appearing in any of the issues of Superman or Action Comics.”

Doom Patrol
Last seen: Superboy wall-punched back into continuity, and then lovingly reinvigorated by Geoff Johns in Teen Titans, and then used by Mark Waid and George Perez in an acclaimed Brave and the Bold story. And next up?

DiDio says: “Keith Giffen’s favorite project! Any time he writes a book, he wants to find a way to put the Doom Patrol in it. As of right now, there are no plans for Doom Patrol – we might be seeing some appearances of the characters individually, though.”

Ambush Bug/Lobo
Last seen: Hey – since Giffen was invoked…’Bug was last seen (for real) in 52 when he popped in to Firestorm’s Justice League, and there was a possible in-continuity (yes, we know that “continuity” has little meaning for Ambush Bug) in Superman/Batman Annual #1. And Lobo? He got a good turn in 52, and most recently appeared in Teen Titans and Blue Beetle.

DiDio says: “Ambush Bug is a question that I defer to Jann Jones, and since she’s not here, it doesn’t get answered. Lobo – he’ll be appearing in a major miniseries in 2008, but not the one you think.”

Demon
Last seen: Shadowpact, and turned to stone. A lousy development for the Demon, but hardly an insurmountable one.

DiDio says: “He’ll be appearing in a major miniseries in 2008, and exactly the one you think.”

Terra
Last seen: In Supergirl #12 - the new one, with dark hair, showed up. She has the same rock-based powers of her predecessor, apparently, but is a whole lot nicer and more heroic. And yeah – this one’s been announced and in the works for a while now…what’s going on?

DiDio says: “We’ve still got the miniseries in the works between Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Amanda Conner, and Amanda should be wrapping that up very soon, and it will be making our schedule also.”

Phantom Stranger
Last seen: Flitting here and there in Shadowpact and thereabouts, but nothing major.

DiDio says: “As much as Vertigo tries to take him from us, we’re going to hold on to him as tight as we can. We’ve done a lot of projects examining the mystic side of the DC Universe, and it’s hard to tell a story about the mystic side without the Phantom Stranger.”

Warlord
Last seen: The final issue of the ill-fated restart of the character with Bruce Jones writing. It was a touch disjointed and sudden, and storylines weren’t wrapped up. Kinda…messy.

DiDio says: “Unfortunately no plans for Warlord right now. That’s a book that after a period of time, I think we should revisit again. I think that Travis Morgan is one of the stronger later creations in the DC Universe, and had an incredible run, and boy, would I love to see that character in all his glory again.”

Secret Six
Last seen: Disbanded after their run in with the ladies of Birds of Prey back in issues #104-#106. Not to mention that Knockout died in #109, and Deadshot and Catman were taken to the Salvation Run planet.

DiDio says: “You know, Gail Simone loves the Secret Six, and if Deadshot and Catman ever get off the Salvation Run planet, I’d love to see more Secret Six too.”

Azrael
Last seen: Well, officially, when he was killed in the final issue of his series, but the body was never recovered. There have been hints of a possible Azrael reappearance in Gotham Underground recently – and also, there have been vague connections between former Manhunter and the Order of St. Dumas, which trained the original Azrael.

DiDio says: “No plans. I know, I know – there was a tease in Gotham Underground, but no long-term plans right now.”

God-Man · 01-25-2008, 04:49 PM

No Chloe Sullivan? Crap. But that Brainiac ad...oh ____ yeah.

brucewayne1 · 01-25-2008, 04:49 PM

It is articles like this that make newsarama such a valued Web site for me.

Thanks all! Great article.

Samson · 01-25-2008, 04:50 PM

Looking forward to anything James Robinson does!

Equinox · 01-25-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Brainiac
Last seen: Superman/Batman #35 and thereabouts, but come on – we want the crazy, deadly robot bent on world domination going against Superman mano y mano…maybe even the straight robot version as designed by Ed Hannigan? Is that asking too much?

DiDio says: “How about 1,000 words?”

“Big problems for Superman.”

YES.

YES.

YESSS!!!!!

Thank god. This WILL be Superman's year after all.

Iron Monkey · 01-25-2008, 04:54 PM

BRING BACK STARMAN!

Salieri · 01-25-2008, 04:54 PM

Brainiac = cool.

Guess the 'ion' ads (Domination, Oppression) making fun of 'Motivation' posters are just adverts...not events...

Also? Ultraman & Saturn Woman vs the REAL Brainiac. Dude. This is one you can't lobotomize.

Doc Nero · 01-25-2008, 04:54 PM

Brainiac is back!

Yes!

One of my favourite villains is back shrinking cities.

holtom2000 · 01-25-2008, 04:54 PM

I like how DC is introducing young readers to Aquaman in their "Super Friends" title, only to drastically alter who he is in the comics they hope those readers will want to read when they get older.
Isn't that the old "bait and switch"
the new Aquaman - another dud under Didio's watch

Snowspinner · 01-25-2008, 04:56 PM

What does WHT mean?

Snowspinner · 01-25-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtom2000

the new Aquaman - another dud under Didio's watch

Really? I have to say, the Busiek Aquaman stories were pretty good. And I always figured that was Busiek's creation, not Didio's. Certainly I wouldn't have been the editor to tell Busiek not to go running with a swords and sorcery Aquaman. It's not like any previous take on the character was working, after all.

>>Riz! · 01-25-2008, 04:58 PM

I would have liked to know if there are any plans for Resurrection Man and/or the Body Doubles.
They appeared lately (RM in that Halloween Special and the BDs in Salvation Run)

Spacedog2k5 · 01-25-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Monkey

BRING BACK STARMAN!

I second the notion.. Please, Dan DiDio, if you want to make the world a better place, then talk to James Robinson and bring back Jack Knight!! If there was ever a time for Starman, that time is now -- TRULY! Gods, I hope you read these boards and listen..

jedifish · 01-25-2008, 04:59 PM

I'd love to see Geoff write the Doom Patrol with Tony S. Daniel. Their appearance in Teen Titans was the best I'd seen them done in years.

And what about The Ray. Sorely underused.

DeadFish Man · 01-25-2008, 04:59 PM

I'd like to see they bringing back Deadshot from the Sinister Six - as much as I liked that mini - and put him where he belongs, which is the Suicide Squad. And while we're at it, they should give the SS the love that it deserves.

Blind Assassin · 01-25-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

What does WHT mean?

glad I am not the only one asking this....

Grassy · 01-25-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

What does WHT mean?

Whatever happened to?

Blackbeard · 01-25-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

What does WHT mean?

"We Has Torpedoes?"

Glad to see Braniac's back!

JohnnyZemo · 01-25-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowspinner

What does WHT mean?

My best guess: "Whatever happened to?"

Seems like it would have been good to actually use that phrase somewhere in the article....

Capt_Piett · 01-25-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadFish Man

I'd like to see they bringing back Deadshot from the Sinister Six - as much as I liked that mini - and put him where he belongs, which is the Suicide Squad. And while we're at it, they should give the SS the love that it deserves.

Um....DeadFish, DC has a currently running Suicide Squad series that Deadshot is a member of....at least until he gets shipped off to Salvation Run. And it's Scret Six, not Sinister SIx.