DAN DIDIO ON R/T: HOLY WAR AND REIGN IN HELL

[MattBrady]

Along with DC’s universe-wide events over the course of the past two to three years, the publisher has been keeping a finger in both its magical and its science fiction realms through various miniseries and special issues. Takes as a whole, projects such as Adam Strange, Rann-Thanagar War, Day of Vengeance, Shadowpact and others have both redefined and clarified these vast areas of the DC Universe.

As the publisher now looks forward to 2008, it has announced at the RRP meeting that this practice will continue with two new, six-issue miniseries: Rann/Thanagar: Holy War (starting in May) and Reign in Hell, starting in June.

We spoke with DC Universe Executive Editor about the two new projects, their creative teams, and their respective scopes.

Newsarama: So Dan, let’s talk about Rann/Thanagar: Holy War and Reign in Hell…

Dan DiDio: I’m proud to say that, as you can see from the titles, DC is getting back into romance comics with these particular miniseries [laughs].

Seriously though, one of the things that I like and one of the things we’ve seen unfolding in the DC Universe is that we have an incredible richness in our characters that inhabit our mystic realms, as well as in our space and science fiction arenas as well. We’ve been exploring them in various ways over the past few years…I can point all the way back to Adam Strange before Infinite Crisis and we’ve had Day of Vengeance, along with Shadowpact and Countdown to Adventure and Countdown to Mystery.

Both Countdown to Adventure and Countdown to Mystery were quite well received in my eyes, so much so that it restored my faith in regards to their particular genres. So what we’re looking to do with these two projects is up the ante and create two major storylines that play within the DCU and really do affect the magic core of the DC Universe, and the science fiction side of the DC Universe.

For these, we’re building on previous themes that we began as far back as in Rann-Thanagar War, Day of Vengeance and others, but I think we’ve enhanced the story and moved it to another level.

NRAMA: So let’s talk Holy War - who are we talking about in regards to the cast of players?

DD: With Holy War, we’ve decided to add another dimension to the animosity between Rann and Thanagar: the concept of religion. Lady Styx has based her religion around Rann, and the demon from the Mystery in Space storyline has worked his religion into Thanagar. What you’re going to find out is that this creates a heightened tension there, and a reason for the conflict between the two words to escalate. How it affects all our heroes in the area will be seen.

Jim Starlin will be writing the book, with art by Ron Lim and Rob Hunter. Ron and Jim have created some wonderful sci-fi stuff in the past, so I believe that they’ll be able to craft that same level of excitement here.

NRAMA: Got a quick character list for Holy War?

DD: Sure – Adam Strange, Hawkman, Captain Comet, the Omega Men…basically, we’ve going to be pulling back a lot of different corners of the galaxy to bring characters back into the mix.

NRAMA: Let's move over to Reign in Hell. Now, despite your occasional grouses against Vertigo taking your supernatural characters, the DCU does have a pretty solid base in the supernatural realm, along with a pretty complex and complete vision of Hell…

DD: Right. As we see it, Neron is the “Satan” character in the DC Universe. It’s something that we’ve alluded to, but never really explored deeply. It was explored somewhat when he was introduced in Underworld Unleashed, but I don’t think we ever realized his full potential. We caught glimpses of it in 52, but even with that, you could tell there was more.

So we’ve crafted this series built around the concept of what happened when Neron was trapped in Fate’s tower at the end of 52. What happens to Hell when its master is gone? This is the series that spins out from that concept, touches upon so many of our mystic characters, and brings characters into the fold that you might be surprised to see in this environment. There are a lot of fun reveals along the way.

This book is written by Keith Giffen who’s made my life hell, so it kind of makes sense that he can give the readers some hell [laughs] with art by Matthew Clark – who’s already worked out some new designs for Lord Satannus and Blaze.

NRAMA: So basically, this is showing that someone else has set themselves up as the ruler of Hell, and Neron comes back?

DD: Yeah – basically, Lord Satannus and Blaze are challenging Neron for control of Hell, and have been assembling armies to attack Neron’s forces who’ve been operating without him during his absence. What happens though, as a result of this war in Hell, is that all the mystic characters get called into service, their bodies on earth disappear, and they’re pulled into hell to fight on the side of Lord Satannus or Neron.

NRAMA: A mystical draft?

DD: More like mystical conscription – there’s no signing up, and none of the characters would chose to do this, probably, if it was offered to them.

You’ll be seeing a lot of very recognizable characters in the series – Etrigan the Demon plays a huge role in it, not surprisingly, as a soldier for Lord Satannus’ army. And there are a lot of twists and turns along the way that only Keith Giffen can provide.

NRAMA: Safe to say that the opposing parties looking to rule in Hell have a difference in opinion in regards to how Hell should be ruled, and what residents of Hell should be doing?

DD: Absolutely. And Neron has a secret weapon. And I’m not saying who it is.

NRAMA: Aside from the characters being pulled down on one side or the other to fight, why does a battle for the control of Hell matter than much to the DC Universe at large?

DD: There’s a balance to nature and a balance to the world. In the past at DC, we’ve always played the balance as being between order and chaos. Then, starting with Day of Vengeance, we’ve shown that magic has been in disarray since the death of Shazam and the other events that occurred in that miniseries. What you’re going to find now, is that magic has realigned itself with a whole new set of rules, and those rules are being crafted by those individuals who control Hell. So naturally, there’s a direct effect between what’s going on in Hell and the magic being used in the DC Universe.

I have to say, the opening sequence alone is worth the price of admission, because it shows the “recruitment” of all the characters throughout the DC Universe being brought to Hell, including one character that people have looked for but haven’t seen in a while.

NRAMA: Taking both of these miniseries back and looking at the larger picture again, are either of these miniseries connected to Final Crisis, or are they like Trinity, that is, running parallel?

DD: Parallel. Again, we’re trying to provide as many options to our fans who want to see as many things going on as possible, without feeling like they have to buy everything across the line. We’re basically taking everything that we’ve got and turning the heat up a notch or two. The other storylines and miniseries and weekly may not be connected to Final Crisis, but they will feel as important as Final Crisis.

[TmTrom]

Wonder how they'll write the Demon out of being a coat rack in Shadowpact...?

Also, the obligatory first post!

[Rampage]

Looking forward to this. I've enjoyed all of DC's recent magical projects.

[daryldens]

Quite a blitz of DC news this morning. Good to see they are not connecting al these events together.

[holtom2000]

secret weapon = ralph?
after many months of my pull list shrinking, I'm likely to see it increase. this looks interesting, much like the miniseries leading up to infinite crisis

[SUPERNOYPI]

FIRST POST!
Rather on the fence about this. I think DC is milking us dry with the events machine. Im literally exhausted. Give us a break! I normally support Dan Didio but this is just rediculous

[Hobowatcher]

Originally Posted by TmTrom

Wonder how they'll write the Demon out of being a coat rack in Shadowpact...?

Also, the obligatory first post!

I was wondering that too. Also, wouldn't the have to contend with Danny as he is now a lower ranking demon? Or maybe he's their ace in the hole...?

I also hope they collect that Omega Men mini. Sure they dialog was atrocious, but the art was SWEET.

[K-DoG7p7]

will it have ghost detectives?

[Tomwaitsfan]

These sound cool! I love Starlins take on Comet, the Omega Men etc. Giffen is alway reliable. Nice guy too!

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

DD: ...I have to say, the opening sequence alone is worth the price of admission, because it shows the “recruitment” of all the characters throughout the DC Universe being brought to Hell, including one character that people have looked for but haven’t seen for a while.

Stephanie "Spoiler" Brown!

[astronato]

Starlin + Captain Comet + Adam Strange = purchase for me

I really like Etrigan the Demon but if Reign in Hell features Winnicks Sha-sham, I will pass.

And "Parrallel" sounds better to me than "connected" as far as mini's and events go.

Captain Comet! More Tyrone please! Whooo!

[Bane122]

Ron Lim... hell yeah!

[Amoebas]

Love the idea of Holy War - but Starlin & Lim are (imo) uninspired choices. Starlin's done too may 'religious' stories where the church is the bad guy (Warlock, Dreadstar, Mystery in Space, etc). It's a good concept, but it's like he's beaten it to death Isn't there anybody else that could do this?

And I've never cared for Lim.

Reign in Hell tho - Awesome!

[dmarvp]

Captain comet !

Etrigan !

I'm there !

Ps. I haven't read Countdown to Mistery, is it any good ?

[Astro]

Originally Posted by SUPERNOYPI

FIRST POST!
Rather on the fence about this. I think DC is milking us dry with the events machine. Im literally exhausted. Give us a break! I normally support Dan Didio but this is just rediculous

I actually think this is a step in the right direction.

Rather than a bunch of interlocking mini series' that run concurrently with a weekly that all leads up to a big crossover that takes over the DCU line wide for 7 months we have a bunch of specific events that you can either choose to follow or not.

If you're into cosmic stuff, pick up Final Crisis. If you're into sci fi, pick up Holy War. If you're into Magic, pick up Reign in Hell. Into the Trinity? Pick up the weekly. Just like Superman? Follow his event. Batman? He's got two big storylines running through his books. etc.

Not picking up one doesn't hurt your understanding of the bigger picture. This seems like the perfect solution, in fact.

[Hobowatcher]

Originally Posted by Amoebas

Love the idea of Holy War - but Starlin & Lim are (imo) uninspired choices. Starlin's done too may 'religious' stories where the church is the bad guy (Warlock, Dreadstar, Mystery in Space, etc). It's a good concept, but it's like he's beaten it to death Isn't there anybody else that could do this?

And I've never cared for Lim.

Reign in Hell tho - Awesome!

True Starlin has written many stories like that, but while most other writers just tend to focus on the good/evil aspect, Starlin raises poingant, interesting points on identity and personal direction in a fantastic smorgasborg of sci-fi tomfoolery. There's a reason he's a cut above the rest.

[Ken B.]

Originally Posted by Amoebas

Love the idea of Holy War - but Starlin & Lim are (imo) uninspired choices. Starlin's done too may 'religious' stories where the church is the bad guy (Warlock, Dreadstar, Mystery in Space, etc). It's a good concept, but it's like he's beaten it to death Isn't there anybody else that could do this?

And I've never cared for Lim.

Reign in Hell tho - Awesome!

To be fair, every comic book writer seems to make the church out to be the bad guys.

I want to read it, because I enjoyed the Adam Strange and Rann/Thanagar War series, but it seems like it's going to tread the same old religion stories. If you only knew of religion through comics, then it would be the same old story over and over.

Especially after Death of the New Gods, I'm wary of Starlin.

[adama]

I love this. Sci-fi/Space and Magic/Hell. Hello LCS.

[Muppety Odin]

*adds both books to his pull list*

[Moored]

Originally Posted by dmarvp

Captain comet !

Etrigan !

I'm there !

Ps. I haven't read Countdown to Mistery, is it any good ?

Best series with the name Countdown on it and then some, especially the first story. The second one, thought not as good as the Gerber story is still pretty good.

[jmcl89]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

I have to say, the opening sequence alone is worth the price of admission, because it shows the “recruitment” of all the characters throughout the DC Universe being brought to Hell, including one character that people have looked for but haven’t seen for a while.

I'm kind of thinking they may have regained permission to use Swamp Thing.

[Hobowatcher]

If it is Swamp Thing, I doubt there would be any story that reaches the levels Moore and Veitch brought to the character.

[Ace]

I'm hoping we get rhyming Etrigan back, no matter the original intent for the character.

[Parademon]

More Starlin writing Comet - I'm there. I may not like his take on the New Gods, but his Mystery in Space was one of my favourite minis last year.

And secret weapon? Like others I'm REALLY hoping Swamp Thing.

[Psivage]

Originally Posted by jmcl89

I'm kind of thinking they may have regained permission to use Swamp Thing.

I'm thinking Deadman is returning.