MEGACON '08: DCU COUNTDOWN TO CRISIS PANEL

**MichaelDoran** · 03-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Report by Steve Ekstrom

Saturday afternoon at MegaCon, DC editors Mike Marts and Ian Sattler started off their panel with raucous laughter as a breathless Sattler sprinted to into the room. He had apparently parked quite a distance away from the convention center; sat down in heap and said, “There’s not supposed to be any running in commons.” Marts warmly greeted the audience by saying MegaCon is “always a great convention for DC and fans.” Marts reminded the audience that due to the time of year with convention season looming large that there was not a great deal of new information regarding Final Crisis and the number of interrelated projects and that any information that had been released at WonderCon was pretty much all that was available. Marts then explained that the panel was going to consist of Q&A that he and Sattler would attempt to answer as best as possible.

Immediately, Marts enthusiastically mentioned Billy Tucci’s Sgt. Rock and the Lost Battalion project and how Newsarama had covered the panel from the day before. He also mentioned Grant Morrison’s upcoming “Batman R.I.P.” and with a deep, cryptic voice said, “…and we mean it this time,” to the laughter of the audience. Marts added, Grant is not afraid to take risks,” and that, “[Morrison] is going to change the legend of the Dark Knight.” He also made it clear that the ramifications of the “Batman R.I.P.” storyline would at least affect the Batman book well into 2010.

Fielding a question about extra content made available on DC’s website, Sattler explained that there would be a Final Crisis sketchbook of sorts with notes, scripts, and designs by J.G. Jones. At that time, Sattler asked for a show of hands of the people who enjoyed Countdown after issue #26 and lower to some applause from the audience. He then stated that the new weekly series debuting in June, Trinity with work from Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley was very different from Countdown — with emphasis being placed literally on Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman and the fact that Trinity would have a unique story structure.

When asked about the multitude of “Lanterns” showing up in Green Lantern, Sattler stated, “a lot of rings are going on a lot of hands in the near future.” The audience member, dressed as Jay Garrick, also asked about Paul Dini’s tenure on Detective Comics and Mike Marts explained that the nature of Dini’s tenure on Detective is special and that he’s going to continuing his work on the series.

Which he finished by saying cryptically again, “…and we mean it this time,” to the laughter of the audience. The costumed audience member continued to ask questions involving new characters; to which Marts responded, “Yes, because you demanded it, Jay Garrick!”

A question was fielded about the potential of an All-Star Batgirl penned by Geoff Johns and drawn by J.G. Jones to which Sattler stated, “J.G. is a very busy man right now with Final Crisis.”

Another audience member asked about the potential for special content with the advent of Superman’s 70th birthday. Marts quietly looked to Sattler who smiled and said, “Wait and see.”

A lengthy discussion started involving Damien Al Ghul and how Marts had seen a young man dressed as Damien in his Robin outfit on the convention floor. Marts said, “It made me happy to see that — it let’s me know the character has arrived.”

In another moment of levity a man dressed as the Question asked, “Why did you kill me?” to a roar of laughter from the panelists and the audience. Segueing back to Damien Al Ghul, Marts reminded the crowd that the Al Ghul family plays a pivotal role in Batman R.I.P. and in Nightwing as well.

Short questions were fielded about Mary Marvel — to which Sattler replied, “The Marvel Family are going to be pretty busy this year. The person who asked the question continued and lauded DC for their efforts with projects like Sinestro Corps; Marts promised that there would be more projects like that in Green Lantern but they would be much larger in scope.

A funny anecdote was told that when a new editor joins the staff at DC Dan DiDio makes them make a list of all the people they’d like to kill. The audience found that very amusing. The audience member involved with the discussion then asked about insular storytelling being more prevalent during the Final Crisis mini-series. Sattler acknowledged and explained that the other books outside of the mini-series were not necessary in order to enjoy the Final Crisis story but would provide supplemental material. He did say that Justice League #21 and DC Universe #0 would be very integral but DCU #0 is only going to cost fifty cents…and that everyone should buy 5 copies and give them to 4 of their friends who don’t read comics.

Someone asked about a Rene Montoya/ Question series and Marts and Sattler both directed the person to bug Greg Rucka on his forum board to let him know that the demand for such a book is out there.

Someone asked about Red Robin and Marts cut him off quickly in a comedic fashion and said, “Batman R.I.P., next!”

A question was asked regarding the missing issue of the Johns/ Kubert storyline in Action Comics — Marts said, “Unforeseen things happen and some things can be difficult to fix — we’re moving forward but we’re going to resolve it.

As the panel closed, a question was asked about Ted Kord’s appearance in Booster Gold, the audience member said, “Why are you toying with our hearts. We know you are just going to kill him again.” In response, Marts and Sattler laughed evilly as they shrugged and Marts quickly blurted, “Read Batman R.I.P. and Sgt. Rock” which ended the panel.

shanealt · 03-09-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelDoran

As the panel closed, a question was asked about Ted Kord’s appearance in Blue Beetle, the audience member said, “Why are you toying with our hearts. We know you are just going to kill him again.”

I'm going to assume that this is a typo or something, and that they meant "Booster Gold".

Regardless, I like seeing that DC has fun with their panels. Regardless of how anyone feels about the content they're putting out, at least DC makes it fun for the fans!

caats19 · 03-09-2008, 11:30 AM

they sound like they're pretty entertaining. i'm looking forward to RIP. you know he's not going to be killed, that's too obvious from the title. i really wanna see what happens though!

alf · 03-09-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelDoran

A question was asked regarding the missing issue of the Johns/ Kubert storyline in Action Comics — Marts said, “Unforeseen things happen and some things can be difficult to fix — we’re moving forward but we’re going to resolve it.

So I'm guessing this means it's been delayed again. Seriously, what the hell have the Kuberts been doing for the last 2 years? Because obviously they're not getting much drawing done.

friday13fan · 03-09-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caats19

they sound like they're pretty entertaining. i'm looking forward to RIP. you know he's not going to be killed, that's too obvious from the title. i really wanna see what happens though!

I keep thinking that Batman is going to find out that more than just his crazy 50s adventures were a hallucination--something maybe further in his past or integral to his origin is going to turn out to be a hallucination as well, which I think would pretty much change Batman forever!

Kal*el · 03-09-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf

So I'm guessing this means it's been delayed again. Seriously, what the hell have the Kuberts been doing for the last 2 years? Because obviously they're not getting much drawing done.

Yeah, this caught me off guard as well. I thought it was scheduled for April 9th.

ParisCub · 03-09-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf

So I'm guessing this means it's been delayed again. Seriously, what the hell have the Kuberts been doing for the last 2 years? Because obviously they're not getting much drawing done.

compared to what they were doing at Marvel, it's true.

CanadianGuy · 03-09-2008, 12:08 PM

Will DC be addressing when they will be changing the Canadian cover price. It's been 4 months since many other of the publishers have reflected the change but it seems that no one is asking when DC will follow suit.

batmansgirl · 03-09-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelDoran

A lengthy discussion started involving Damien Al Ghul and how Marts had seen a young man dressed as Damien in his Robin outfit on the convention floor. Marts said, “It made me happy to see that — it let’s me know the character has arrived.”

Yeah, because *I* started that conversation!

I asked them if Damien has anything to do with Batman: RIP, and all Mike Marts said was that he has *A* role in Batman: RIP. No adjective, which I found annoying.

Newsarama, I love you, but I really wish you'd be a bit more detailed in your reporting rather than summing up everything. Especially when it concerns conventions and not everyone can attend all the important ones and want every last detail. Please fix this.

reflecto · 03-09-2008, 12:17 PM

I really hoped there would be a little more information about characters other than Batman. Silly me, I guess.

Bud Fox · 03-09-2008, 12:26 PM

So did the Kuberts' exclusive contracts mean they are only allowed NOT to work for DC? So if they wanted to NOT draw for Marvel they couldn't, right? Do they get paid on a per-pages-you-don't draw basis? After the new Tor series their father will have actually published more work for the company this year, maybe they need a good talking to from pops?! Their output makes All-Star Bats seem punctual! Take my Kuberts, please! (Cue snare drum punchline).

ubuking · 03-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Not much was said, I see... Hope it's the calm before the storm rather than anything else...
Here's a question: Being a big Titans fan, and waiting to see the new series, can somebody tell me why the second issue of Titans has already a different artist? How come now-a-days a new title can't even keep at least the same creative team for at least for its first run? Is Churchill ok or something happened?

RolandGunner · 03-09-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubuking

Here's a question: Being a big Titans fan, and waiting to see the new series, can somebody tell me why the second issue of Titans has already a different artist? How come now-a-days a new title can't even keep at least the same creative team for at least for its first run? Is Churchill ok or something happened?

Churchill has a pretty serious shoulder problem. Hopefully he can take over full time after Benitez does a few issues.

Pseudoderm · 03-09-2008, 12:41 PM

"In another moment of levity a man dressed as the Question asked, “Why did you kill me?” to a roar of laughter from the panelists and the audience."

I guess it's a funny "question," but seriously...why was Vic Sage killed at the height of his long comics career? His appearances on Justice League Unlimited made him an instant fan favorite and led to his character being featured in the show's opening each week with the big guns.

I like Renee, but I think the Question concept worked better with Vic and Renee doing the Mulder/Scully thing. I think the two of them together could easily carry a series.

If DC can resurrect Ice, Booster Gold, Animal Man, Hippolyta and Jason Todd from death, I would think someone could find a loophole for Vic. (Like Mr. Mind rewrote his timeline when he messed with the timestream in the last issue of 52. Or Vic's Earth 4 counterpart could find himself on New Earth.) A Vic/Renee series would be a must buy. Their chemestry was the best part of 52.

DarkJared · 03-09-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf

So I'm guessing this means it's been delayed again. Seriously, what the hell have the Kuberts been doing for the last 2 years? Because obviously they're not getting much drawing done.

No kidding. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot like this. I will never buy another Kubert book in a long time - except out of the back issue bin - then I know it's been finished.

I honestly hope another publisher thinks long and hard about giving them work again in the future too. This delay for a single issue (not to mention the rest before it) is intolerable. we all would have been fired from our jobs long ago if we took 2 years to get it done.

Rtressel · 03-09-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reflecto

I really hoped there would be a little more information about characters other than Batman. Silly me, I guess.

Except that Marts is the editor of the Batman books, so it would make sense that he would talk primarily about Batman.

shrike · 03-09-2008, 02:16 PM

Wow, what a whole lot of nothing. I feel like I just wasted two minutes of my life.

K-DoG7p7 · 03-09-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batmansgirl

Yeah, because *I* started that conversation!

I asked them if Damien has anything to do with Batman: RIP, and all Mike Marts said was that he has *A* role in Batman: RIP. No adjective, which I found annoying.

Newsarama, I love you, but I really wish you'd be a bit more detailed in your reporting rather than summing up everything. Especially when it concerns conventions and not everyone can attend all the important ones and want every last detail. Please fix this.

ohh you KNOW that the NYCC will be detailed as hell ..

Here hoping for a Podcast of the Panels at NYCC .. or better yet.. Video! :P

ubuking · 03-09-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolandGunner

Churchill has a pretty serious shoulder problem. Hopefully he can take over full time after Benitez does a few issues.

Bummer

I thought something was wrong. He doesn't seem the guy to ditch a title after the fist issue.
Hope he gets well soon

KyleV · 03-09-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

batmansgirl said: Newsarama, I love you, but I really wish you'd be a bit more detailed in your reporting rather than summing up everything. Especially when it concerns conventions and not everyone can attend all the important ones and want every last detail. Please fix this.

Having covered a con for a web site before, the focus of doing these reports is to summarize everything as quickly as possible so it's up on the site just after it happens (or even during). The time crunch cuts down on detail.

That said, the fact that Damien will play A role in Batman RIP isn't really big news. It's like saying "a large number of Batman characters will appear in this big Batman storyline that will change him for years!" Well, duh.

Now, had you gotten the adjective you were looking for then that might have been news.

KyleV · 03-09-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

shrike said: Wow, what a whole lot of nothing. I feel like I just wasted two minutes of my life.

And then you wasted another two letting us all know.

Salieri · 03-09-2008, 03:08 PM

Surely making Jay Todd into Red Robin was Morrison's idea. Surely. I mean, it works so well for the story because it means that Jay will have made his peace with Bruce, and, being RR, won't be a potential candidate for taking on the mantle...

Kevin T. Brown · 03-09-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrike

Wow, what a whole lot of nothing. I feel like I just wasted two minutes of my life.

You and me both......

jedifish · 03-09-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrike

Wow, what a whole lot of nothing. I feel like I just wasted two minutes of my life.

And yet, all you had to do is read the first paragraph to know there was no new information.

Quote:

Marts reminded the audience that due to the time of year with convention season looming large that there was not a great deal of new information regarding Final Crisis and the number of interrelated projects and that any information that had been released at WonderCon was pretty much all that was available.

SAIDESTROYER · 03-09-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanealt

I'm going to assume that this is a typo or something, and that they meant "Booster Gold".

Regardless, I like seeing that DC has fun with their panels. Regardless of how anyone feels about the content they're putting out, at least DC makes it fun for the fans!

I was thinking the same. I rushed as a lemming to check out the last issues of BB, hehe