WIZARDWORLD PHILADELPHIA 06: DC NATION

[MattBrady]

Hosted by a caffeine-fueled Dan Didio, DC’s “DC Nation” panel wrapped up the panel programming for WizardWorld: Philadelphia’s first day with insights into the post-Crisis DC Universe. Joining Didio were Geoff Johns, VP Sales Bob Wayne, 52 Assistant Editor Jann Jones.

The panel began with Didio’s description of his goals of the panel, to have an interactive forum between DC and fans, a place where questions for DC panelists came with a cost – the panelist was able to ask a question back. Additionally, Didio’s larger goal was also mentioned – to give away 500,000 “DC Nation” buttons away. Those wearing the buttons on the floor at San Diego will be given free goodies from DC during that show.

Johns was in town, Didio explained, to help put the finishing touches on the script to 52 #26, the halfway point of the series.

Before opening the floor for questions, Didio talked about the plan to bring Manhunter back for five additional issues, saying, “A funny thing happened on the way to cancellation…” Didio reiterated hat he’d previously told Newsarama, that the series is coming back for another arc due to fans writing in and pleading that DC not cancel the series. The series will run to at least #30, Didio said, as a demonstration that “we’re listening.”

Asked to clear up the body of Luthor as seen in 52 #3, Johns confirmed that it is in fact Alex Luthor, and Lex Luthor altered the body slightly to make it appear as if what he was saying about an imposter was true.

As if Jason Todd was really alive simply because Superboy-Prime punched a wall, the answer was a simple, “yes.”

In talking about the new Batwoman, Didio said that for now, DC is working to make her a supporting member of the Bat-Family, but if fans want to see her in her own series or miniseries, they’ll make it happen.

Scott McDaniel will be on Green Arrow for the long haul, Didio confirmed, in response to a question, indicating that the artist will not be going anywhere soon.

The September-launching Mystery in Space was announced, an eight issue miniseries written by Jim Starlin with art by Shane Davis. The mini will star Captain Comet, as well as The Weird, who will be featured in back-up stories to the main story, written and drawn by Starlin.

Asked if there were any plans for the New Gods, Didio, whose answer in the past has been a simple, “Look to the skies,” this time, in response, merely pointed up. He then rhetorically noted asked if it wasn’t strange that the New Gods didn’t appear in Infinite Crisis. “Isn’t that strange?” he concluded, answering his own question.

Supergirl’s appearance in the Legion of Super-Heroes has helped the book’s sales, with Wayne noting that the series is now the best-selling of all of DC’s 1,001 Year Later titles.

When each panelist was asked who they would have killed, if given their druthers, as part of Infinite Crisis, Johns declined to answer; however, Didio, after discussion, said, “I wanted Nightwing dead,” and explained that, if you follow the Nightwing story through the miniseries, you can see fairly clearly that he was supposed to die. Bob Wayne’s response to the question – “Speedball.”

Johns clarified that the previously announced “Titans East” project he was said to be working on is a storyline in Teen Titans rather than a new series or miniseries. Also, speaking of Titans, Johns said that Wendy and Marvin will continue to appear, albeit sporadically in the series.

Conner Hawke will get his own title later this year, a miniseries by Chuck Dixon and Daimon Scott, due out in fall.

Asked by a female fan why there aren’t more light-hearted titles in the DCU such as Impulse or Young Justice, in a broad reply, Didio said that they’ve found that people respond better to angst, noting that Kyle Baker’s Plastic Man was a title that was light hearted, and pointed to often when DC was asked why it didn’t publish light hearted books, and in the end, no one bought it. Didio later added that he doesn’t want to sacrifice characters for a joke, and prefers it when humor comes from within a character, rather than applied on them from outside. He also named Blue Beetle as one of DC’s current books with a lighter tone.

Asked if there will be any more touches of Batman Beyond in the modern DCU, Didio’s answer was a quick “yes,” which was also his answer when asked if readers will see the characters from Seven Soldiers after the conclusion of the miniseries.

Newsarama.com’s WizardWorld Philadelphia coverage:

DC’s Vertigo Panel

Marvel’s Civil War Panel

The DCU Panel

Cup ‘O Joe

Peter David: Telling Tales of the Fantastick

DC Nation

Bullet Dodged, Manhunter Saved

Mondo Marvel

Hellstorm Returns as MAX Mini

Guggenheim on Blade Ongoing

Marvel’s X-Men Panel

Greg Pak on X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong

[DrCool976]

>As if Jason Todd was really alive simply because Superboy-Prime punched a wall, the answer was a simple, “yes.”

Laughable.

[God-Man]

I just might get that Mystery in Space title. Shane Davis will get his chance to shine after filling in on the Batman titles.

[greenflameuk]

How can Detective Chimp be in 52 if he was in that blood dome thing for the year?

[Inferiority]

Nothing about the Shadowpact continuity makes any sense.

[Skyrider]

Didio wanted Nightwing dead? Uh,oh.

[Primate]

I miss Kyle's Plastic Man. Thank God he didnt get kakked or costume "upgraded" during the Crisis (Plas, not Kyle. Wouldn't that have been metatextual, though?).

[Inferiority]

Well, they didn't kill him so I don't think they're GOING to, I mean, then they should have just killed him in the first place.

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by Inferiority

Well, they didn't kill him so I don't think they're GOING to, I mean, then they should have just killed him in the first place.

Nonono...I'm imagining how the Nightwing fans of this board will react to that one. Or have you forgotten Faz's editorial of Nightwing OYL?

[avengingtitan]

Damn I was hoping for a new Teen Titans book. Oh well.

[Layters]

Originally Posted by Inferiority

Nothing about the Shadowpact continuity makes any sense.

What else doesnt make sense?

Red Devil was never speaking to Blue Devil.

[AdamYJ]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Asked by a female fan why there aren’t more light-hearted titles in the DCU such as Impulse or Young Justice, in a broad reply, Didio said that they’ve found that people respond better to angst, noting that Kyle Baker’s Plastic Man was a title that was light hearted, and pointed to often when DC was asked why it didn’t publish light hearted books, and in the end, no one bought it. Didio later added that he doesn’t want to sacrifice characters for a joke, and prefers it when humor comes from within a character, rather than applied on them from outside. He also named Blue Beetle as one of DC’s current books with a lighter tone.

Okay, the problem with using Plastic Man as an example is that that title was not funny at all.

Blue Beetle's not really funny either, though it's certainly not heavy or overdramatic. It's just kind of . . . somewhere in the middle.

It also seems to me that Mr. Didio is among the people who thinks that making superheroes funny like JLI and Young Justice did was "turning the characters into a joke", like I hear so often on message boards. Personally, I think the humor made them better.

[Raydawggie]

Hm, so maybe the Nightwing series was planned to be a solo vehicle for Jason Todd?

[Kryptons_Sun]

Originally Posted by Primate

I miss Kyle's Plastic Man. Thank God he didnt get kakked or costume "upgraded" during the Crisis.

Better not look at the new Wizard.

[Inferiority]

Originally Posted by Skyrider

Nonono...I'm imagining how the Nightwing fans of this board will react to that one. Or have you forgotten Faz's editorial of Nightwing OYL?

I'm trying to forget EVERYTHING about Nightwing OYL.

[Inferiority]

Originally Posted by Layters

What else doesnt make sense?

Red Devil was never speaking to Blue Devil.

I know that was explained, but the presense of Superman and Hal in the beginning is confusing as well. I was using hyperbole, not literally stating that nothing made sense...

[Primate]

Originally Posted by Kryptons_Sun

Better not look at the new Wizard.

Oh, God. I had to open my big mouth...

[heelmark]

As if Jason Todd was really alive simply because Superboy-Prime punched a wall, the answer was a simple, “yes.”

Now that was funny.

When each panelist was asked who they would have killed, if given their druthers, as part of Infinite Crisis, Johns declined to answer; however, Didio, after discussion, said, “I wanted Nightwing dead,” and explained that, if you follow the Nightwing story through the miniseries, you can see fairly clearly that he was supposed to die. Bob Wayne’s response to the question – “Speedball.”

But that was the best. For a couple of reasons.

[Inferiority]

What's in the new Wizard?

[Andre MOP]

Same old, same old...

Nothing really new... except the "cancelation" of Titans East

[RedRonin]

Bob Wayne’s response to the question – “Speedball.”

Everybody is trying to kill Speedball. The guy can just not win anywhere.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Asked to clear up the body of Luthor as seen in 52 #3, Johns confirmed that it is in fact Alex Luthor, and Lex Luthor altered the body slightly to make it appear as if what he was saying about an imposter was true.

For a project that was allegedly planned so tightly, this just seems mighty sloppy. I think it's pretty clear that they went for yet another gross-out moment at the end of IC in spite of the fact that it ended up being unnecessary.

Aaron

[bluebird]

I assume DiDio was joking regarding killing Nightwing/Dick Grayson. Or did he REALLY think killing the original Robin/Dick Grayson while simultaneously resurrecting the short-lived, second Robin/Jason Todd was a good idea?

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Asked by a female fan why there aren’t more light-hearted titles in the DCU such as Impulse or Young Justice, in a broad reply, Didio said that they’ve found that people respond better to angst, noting that Kyle Baker’s Plastic Man was a title that was light hearted, and pointed to often when DC was asked why it didn’t publish light hearted books, and in the end, no one bought it. Didio later added that he doesn’t want to sacrifice characters for a joke, and prefers it when humor comes from within a character, rather than applied on them from outside. He also named Blue Beetle as one of DC’s current books with a lighter tone.

I have to say this: at least Didio's not trying to pretend otherwise. DC's a sad, dreary, depressing place to be right now. And yet somehow they've chosen to embrace that.

For a company so intent on offering diversity in their CHARACTERS, I wish they'd offer more diversity in their content.

[Brenticles]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I have to say this: at least Didio's not trying to pretend otherwise. DC's a sad, dreary, depressing place to be right now. And yet somehow they've chosen to embrace that.

For a company so intent on offering diversity in their CHARACTERS, I wish they'd offer more diversity in their content.

I just can't understand why people continue to spend money and/or time on something that makes them so unhappy. Perhaps you should look into a different hobby.

As for me I have been having so much fun with DC that my wallet gave up screaming and just whimpers. I am excited about Manuhunter but bummed about no Titans East.

But is there more about the panel to come? That was like ten questions. Surely there was more to it that that.