TALKING SUPERMAN/BATMAN WITH MICHAEL GREEN

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

When Michael Green took over as the new writer on Superman/Batman, he was no stranger to writing about superpowered heroes.

Currently one of the writers on the hit NBC television show Heroes, Green first got the attention of superhero fans as part of the writing team behind the TV show Smallville. And late last year, Green was named among the writers of the screenplay for a still-in-development Green Lantern feature film.

After winning praise from many DC Comics readers when he wrote a Joker origin story in Batman: Confidential last year, Green is three issues into his and Mike Johnson’s run on Superman/Batman, with the third issue hitting this week. As readers of early issues of Superman/Batman remember -- specifically the run by Jeph Loeb, who just happens to also be on the Heroes writing team -- the title recently saw an enormous meteor of Kryptonite smash into the earth, scattering fragments everywhere. In Green's current Superman/Batman story, (drawn by Shane Davis) Superman is working with Batman to clean up the Kryptonite before someone else finds the deadly rocks and uses them against him.

Newsarama talked to Green about the current storyline, how the writer's juggling his comics gig with his TV and movie work, and why we can thank Brad Meltzer for starting him down the road to writing comics.

Newsarama: First, for those readers not familiar with your background, can you give a brief overview of what you do?

Michael Green: What I do? Mostly I watch TV and eat cereal. To fund that I write for television.

NRAMA: Were you always a comics reader? What comics did you enjoy?

MG: I became a comics reader during an unfortunate summer in a sports camp my parents thought I'd enjoy. They were wrong. After making a thousand lanyard whistle-chains, an equally bored kid in my bunk gave me an Amazing Spider-Man to read. I spent the rest of the summer making my way through the shoulder high (we were short) stack he had. Lanyards be damned, I found my place.

My favorites were everyone's favorites: Spidey. Batman. Superman. Standard-issue Kitty Pryde crush. Oh and all the Archie Comics. There was a time that I couldn't get enough of that guy. Those Digests...? Good times.

NRAMA: How did you get started working with DC Comics? Did someone from DC approach you, or was this something you put into motion?

MG: Brad Meltzer -- it's all his fault. I was working on a TV show with him (Jack and Bobby, co-created by Brad) -- Identity Crisis was coming out monthly at the time. So we spent a lot of time talking comics and competing over who knew the most lines from Dark Knight Returns by heart (him). One day a year or so later he asked me why I'd never written any comics and I told him because I didn't know who to ask. He hung up on me and must have made a call because my phone rang that afternoon and it was Mike Carlin asking me if I'd like to write something for DC. Brad has magic powers.

I went for the Batman: Confidential arc because I always loved Legends of the Dark Knight. I wanted to try and write something in that mold.

NRAMA: With the Batman: Confidential story arc, the origin of the Joker was retold with a few new elements, although sticking to most of the iconic histories we'd seen before. Was the overall story your idea, or was some of it driven by DC's desire to line up more closely with The Dark Knight movie, as some readers have suspected?

MG: Truth is I pitched them my take on the Joker story over two years ago now -- well before anyone had any idea what The Dark Knight's tone or take was going to be. I had no idea I'd even be in the wheelhouse. Pure co-evolution. But I take it as a huge compliment that readers consider it anything like a tie-in. The movie has so much talent behind it -- the best writers out there. And it looks amazing!

NRAMA: What made you want to tell a Joker story? Why that character in particular?

MG: Mike Carlin described the Confidential title to me as a book about "famous firsts." My mind went straight to the Joker, and the first time they faced off. I just couldn't think of any other "first" that would change Batman's life as much as that. The Joker changes all the rules for a detective steeped in logic. Plus, it was a huge challenge, to try to live up to something that momentous. So I went for it. The arc got billed as a "new origin" for the Joker which got some Moore-devoted feathers ruffled and may have distracted from the point. But hey, at least they noticed enough to hate me. I'm honored.

NRAMA: Let's talk about your approach to Superman and Batman in your current Superman/Batman story. These two characters are so iconic and well known, far beyond the world of comics, yet are very different characters. What comparisons or contrasts are you trying to highlight during your run on the comic?

MG: A lot of the comedy of the book comes from their very different views on the world, sort of a "He Said/SuperHe said." But for me, the core of Superman/Batman is that it's there to tell stories that require both of them to be there. Something momentous has to be happening to earn that. It's what Jeph Loeb set up that made the book such a can't miss. He's a genius that way.

On top of that, these two have so much strange history together, so much trust, that they end up challenging each other in ways no one else could. They are -- more so than anyone else on the planet -- each other's equal. So vulnerabilities can come out... flaws can be explored. It's probably why we like seeing them married so much.

NRAMA: For those who aren't reading the current run, can you briefly describe the story you're telling right now, and what readers might be seeing in future issues of this storyline?

MG: Let's see... we're three issues in so... basically, Superman got tired of there being so much friggin' Kryptonite lying around the world, so he asked Batman to help him clean up every last scrap of it. Literally. Down to the micron. With a bit of embarrassment, they realize they forgot to ask permission to take a big piece from the new Aquaman's realm undersea, so some people get punched there.... Then they go after some of the more exotic colors of Kryptonite and, after punching some people for those, they uncover a new kind of K. Mayhem ensues.

As for what's coming... um... sorry, DC keeps big men with clubs on the payroll -- can't give that up. Let's just say that Supes and Bats are going to find a lot of people out there, and maybe some governments, that have no interest in a world without Kryptonite. Also, some people get punched.

NRAMA: Your run on Superman/Batman started with a comical look at the film industry's take on superheroes. Seeing as you're a Hollywood guy, was that from experience? Or a comment on how superheroes would see the Hollywood interpretation of these characters?

MG: That was just my opening salvo. Sort of a "Hey guys! I know I'm a TV writer, but I promise not to suck!"

NRAMA: The comic approaches the story pretty seriously, but there are a lot of funny moments, and it's got a really cinematic feel to it. Were you hoping for that type of result? Or was there a particular feel you were hoping to achieve?

MG: If there's anything cinematic in the book, it's due to the art. Shane Davis is drawing at a level you just don't see in comics. His work is a gift to a story that suddenly finds itself a thousand times prettier than when it left my laptop. He's my hero.

As for a particular feel, I'm really committed to the "not sucking" tone I talked about before.

NRAMA: Are you on the title for the long haul?

MG: I hope to be, yes. It's a great title, with endless opportunity. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do in comics right now. To keep me honest about deadlines and make sure it stays fresh, I've partnered with another writer, Mike Johnson, who is fantastic at everything except taking compliments. He deserves most of the credit for anything funny or inventive in the book. If you ever see him, give him a compliment. It's fun to watch him change color.

NRAMA: What else are you doing in comics? Anything else we might see from you?

MG: This is it for comics for now. It's about all I can fit in while still having time to shower from time to time.

NRAMA: It's got to be difficult to juggle both writing for Heroes and writing comics. What are the challenges in writing for the two?

MG: The biggest challenge: Time. Working in television is incredibly time intensive. So unless you're comfortable handing your comics in late, which I'm not, you have to be willing to use whatever free time comes your way efficiently.

NRAMA: Can you tell those of us who are Heroes fans what we can expect from the rest of the season now that the writer's strike is over?

MG: There are a lot of talented people at Heroes who could not be happier to be back to work at a job they love. You can expect commensurate awesomeness.

NRAMA: Are you changing what you had originally planned for the series to fit into this new schedule? How many episodes?

MG: With a radical event like the strike there had to be some changes to the initial plan. The biggest is that Season 2 ends with the last episode that aired -- that's it. Season 3 will pick up from there in the fall. The current plan is for it to be a super-sized 25-episode season. So set your TiVo!

NRAMA: Finally, are you still one of the writers working on the screenplay for a Green Lantern feature film? Can you tell us anything about the status of that project or the direction of the film?

MG: I am. I'm co-writing it with Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, the best people you could hope to get stuck in a room with for any length of time. As for status, we're writing it now and having way too much fun doing it.

[Albert]

Didn't care to much for the first of this arc, but that last issue was full of WIN!

[Bender-braü]

Originally Posted by Michael Green

basically, Superman got tired of there being so much friggin' Kryptonite lying around the world

Yeah, him and me both.

[statnut]

After winning praise from many DC Comics readers when he wrote a Joker origin story in Batman: Confidential last year

Really? I didnt know anyone who liked it at the time it debuted.

[Grievous]

his joker story is awesome

[statnut]

Originally Posted by Bender-braü

Yeah, him and me both.

Superman: "I'm the strongest person on Earth. It just so happens that my only weakness is kryptonite, which is a rare rock that Lex Luthor has an endless supply of."

[GohanWinner]

After winning praise from many DC Comics readers when he wrote a Joker origin story in Batman: Confidential

What? The bunnies?

Anyway, not the best interview I've read 'round these parts, I didn't really learn anything except that Green wants to not suck, which is an admirable goal and I support him in those efforts

[Ace]

I hate that the superman cereal doesn't have any chocolate too.

[JeffDyer]

If you haven't read these 3 issues of SUPERMAN/BATMAN I strongly encourage you to do so! It's the best this book has been in years! Seriously, since Loeb left...! I'm thrilled that he's going to stick around for a while.

JD

[caats19]

him and guggenheim are scripting a green lantern movie?? SWEET!

[luckybucky]

Originally Posted by statnut

Really? I didnt know anyone who liked it at the time it debuted.

I did! I think he really nailed the Joker with the perfect blend of creepy cruelty and absurd insanity.

"There's a bunny in the moon!"

That line still gives me chills.

What I'm only "meh" about it Dennis Cowan's art.

Also:

the title recently saw an enormous meteor of Kryptonite smash into the earth, scattering fragments everywhere.

Well, yeah, if by "recently" you mean five years ago!

[stlfan79]

Originally Posted by JeffDyer

If you haven't read these 3 issues of SUPERMAN/BATMAN I strongly encourage you to do so! It's the best this book has been in years! Seriously, since Loeb left...! I'm thrilled that he's going to stick around for a while.

JD

Funny you say that, when Loeb left the title so did I and although I didn't read the interview some of the characters shown in the preview art intrigue me (along with the art). I currently get nothing from the mainstream DC universe, only vertigo and a few WS at this point, so maybe this is a good book to check out.

[Brenticles]

Originally Posted by statnut

Superman: "I'm the strongest person on Earth. It just so happens that my only weakness is kryptonite, which is a rare rock that Lex Luthor has an endless supply of."

That was funny!

This sounds interesting. I'll have to catch up on my S/B reading!

[ubuking]

Like Green says, this is a comic that needs to tell stories where both Superman and Batman neet to work together. In much the same way, I'm reading the current arc 'cause the writer and artist make it special. This will be a factor for me if I remain for the next arc and beyond.
Here's hoping for the best

[Marc Patten]

Originally Posted by statnut

Really? I didnt know anyone who liked it at the time it debuted.

This guy is the real deal. I don't read Batman Confidential and hadn't been to a comic shop in nearly two months. A friend lent me a stack of comics of titles I didn't regularly read and the first two issues of Green's Joker story were there. They sat at the bottom of the read pile until I was bored one evening after the kids were asleep and TV was a barren wasteland. I read the first issue and my jaw just dropped. I was so enthralled I read the first part of his arc again and then dove into the second.

Who was this guy? I found the rest of the Joker arc and bought his first Sup/Bat issue and now I'll be a fan for life. I've worked in comics and entertainment fiction for 15 years, and out of the gate Green is a better writer than at least 3/4 of all current comics writers, I kid you not.

Again, Michael Green is the real deal. Forget HEROES, read this guys comics. He is an absolutely amazing talent and I can't wait to see what he does next.

Marc
Destination Entertainment

[hoyatables]

A great interview with a wonderful writer. Green brings the same vision and approach that Loeb brought with the start of the title. Glad to see the earlier threads being built on and played with, too. Having a larger sense of continuity throughout the entire run will keep this series from seeming like a amalgamation of random story arcs.

[greeneclipse]

NRAMA: Are you on the title for the long haul?

MG: I hope to be, yes. It's a great title, with endless opportunity. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do in comics right now. To keep me honest about deadlines and make sure it stays fresh, I've partnered with another writer, Mike Johnson, who is fantastic at everything except taking compliments. He deserves most of the credit for anything funny or inventive in the book. If you ever see him, give him a compliment. It's fun to watch him change color.

So Green and Johnson may well be the permanent writers. YES. This is good. These guys have gone a long way to getting this book out of the doldrums (and Batman perving when Zatanna tell him to kiss her butt is classic. Wisecracking Perv Batman is something we need more of). And Superman being kryptonite-warped into a junk-food crazy spoiled brat who sees everyone as chibis and toys is inspired. How the heck is he ever going to live that down?

Green co-writing the film version of Green Lantern...total faith in this guy. And he seems to be rolling with a good crew.

Now the big question is, who's going to be the new artist? Will there continue to be a rotating art roster, or will a permanent penciler be named at some date?

[brawl2099]

Only read the first issue of this arc so far, but I loved it. Definitely the strongest this title's been since the Supergirl arc IMO.

"To the mooooooooon!"

[Ace]

Originally Posted by brawl2099

Only read the first issue of this arc so far, but I loved it. Definitely the strongest this title's been since the Supergirl arc IMO.

"To the mooooooooon!"

I am fighting ever urge to make you defend what was strong about the Supergirl arc.

I am succeeding.

[Greg Spira]

I was surprised when Green's Joker story blew mre away; it was the best Batman story I'd read in years. Green's story was terrific, and Denys Cowan's art reminded me of his great run on The Question. It's coming out in hardcover in April, and I heartily recommend it.

I had really wanted to drop Superman/Batman, but now I have to give Green a chance to impress me.

[whitemarkd]

Loving this arc - the writing and the art both - kudos to all involved. Only complaint - some continuity glitches, such as showing a repowered Starfire, Booster Gold (the hero that time forgot), and Red Tornado in his body. They all set up great gags, but at what cost - AT WHAT COST?!?

On a more positive note, I really hope Green (and others) continue with this flirtation between Batman and Zatanna (that I suppose Dini really kicked off in Detective when he revealed their childhood ties). I find it very ironic that he has the hots for a woman that he wouldn't have trusted to fetch his dry cleaning just a year ago.

[jmcl89]

I've also enjoyed this arc better than any since the early Loeb ones. I wasn't sure if DC was going to keep this title going once "Trinity" starts, but if Green and Johnson are sticking around, I'd be in favor of it.

I'd love it if Davis was sticking around as well, but I don't really think he's a 22 pages a month guy.

[ste1bro]

The 'new' Joker origin blew me away, to the point that when I read his appearances in Salvation Run, I can't help having that origin in the back of my mind ("Ahhh... that's why he's so friggin' dangerous - he was a criminal genius even before he got the white skin, green hair and perma-smile!").

Loved Green's first arc, overjoyed he's the regular writer on S/B.

[skeletorjr]

I much prefer Green's story to Moore's Killing Joke maybe-origin. I always liked the idea of the Joker being a pretty evil guy to begin with.

[outride]

I got back to comics with Loeb's first S/B arc. I was really saddened when S/B took a turn for the worse (even with Ethan Van Sciver, does anyone remember that arc by the guy who wrote for Smallville? Ver...something. Not good.) but Green and Davis just make magic for this book once more. I really look forward to collecting this in TPB to put it next to the other Loeb arcs (once I scratch out/cover the TPB number, that is).

Verheiden! That's what it was.