MARV WOLFMAN TALKS ANIMATED "JUDAS CONTRACT"

[MattBrady]

The hearts of DC fanboys when aflutter Saturday at Comic-Con when DC Publisher and President Paul Levitz announced at DC’s One Year Greater panel that DC, Warner Bros. Animation, and Warner Home Video are looking to enter the direct-to-video marketplace with three upcoming animated movies based on popular comic book storylines – Superman/Doomsday, Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier, and New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, all overseen by Bruce Timm.

And while DC and Warner have gotten props from fans in the past with animated adaptations that strongly appealed to their sensibilities - Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited - and they also done direct-to-video features - these new projects are intended to be even more faithful adaptations of the original stories - from animation styles inspired by the comics’ artwork, to the original comic book creators being involved in the films’ production.

Marv Wolfman is one such creator. He’s been brought on to co-write (along with producer Tom DeSanto) the animated film version of his own classic, landmark New Teen Titans story, “The Judas Contract”

Originally published during the height of the New Teen Titans popularity [1982-’84] and co-plotted and drawn by George Perez, “The Judas Contract” is the story of the infiltation of the Teen Titans by the new ”hero” Terra [Terra Markov], who was in reality a secret operative of now-classic Titans foe Deathstroke the Terminator, planted within the team to help destroy them from within.

Groundbreaking for its complex plot and Terra’s shocking betrayal (which was neber really betrayal, but her intentions all along) and her ultimate death, among other noteworhty Titans’ historical events during the course of the storyline was Dick Grayson giving up his Robin identity and adopting his current Nightwing persona.

While just in the very early stages of production, Newsarama caught up with Wolfman after the announcement of the animated film to get a few of the writer’s early thoughts…

“The Judas Contract movie will be closer to the original comic than even the show [Teen Titans] was, and the show was very faithful to the spirit of the original,” Wolfman told Newsarama, asked how the movie will be different from DC animation series in the past. “I loved what they did but I'm hoping we can be more adult in the handling of this story.

”Whereas the Titans cartoon show was obviously aimed for kids, this is not being aimed at the youngest kids as it will contain mature content. It will be closer to the original comic but hopefully even stronger as we'll have actors, which means we'll be able to do some more subtle material. In comics you have to make readers read the dialogue as you want them to, but of course that's impossible. Here we can have those little verbal moments where a simple ‘grunt’ or ‘sigh’ or sound can replace paragraphs of prose. Because it's a different medium, we alter the way we tell our stories, playing to this medium's strengths as George and I tried to do with the original, playing to the strength of comics.”

“And yes,” Wolfman added, “Tom [DeSanto] and I intend for the ‘nightgown and cigarette" scene to be there.”

Asked to why he feels “The Judas Contract” was chosen to be of this first three films, when DC has decades of stories to choose from, Wolfman said because he feels it’s “the quintessential Titans story”.

”It's a very powerful emotional story that affects the very core of the Titans. Also, at the time it was revolutionary. George [Perez] and I knew we had a really good story here but I think it's safe to say we didn't quite realize how evolutionary or remembered it would be.

Again, touching on how this project will be different from DC animated adaptations of the past, the writer said this new initiative allows him and DeSanto to assume their audience already know who the Titans are, rather than having to spend time establishing the Titans’ world before starting the plot…

”So we don't have to recap all the origins, although some we will - but because of how they affect the storyline,” he said.

And as to how faithful an adaptation of the original story it will be?

”There will be changes to fit not only the time/length of the movie but to make this a relatively stand-alone feature, although it does set up possibilities for sequels. There are plot changes, but none that I can see that change the story in any significant way. This is and always will be a story about a young girl who betrays the Titans. It's a story of the heroes growing up and changing; Kid Flash and Robin leaving the group, the debut of Nightwing, etc.

”The original “Judas Contract” is large and sprawling if you take into account the majority of plot twists and lead ups to the final conflict. In all ways it began with the very first issue of Titans (with the Ravager) and ended sometime after issue #50 with the final confrontation between Changeling and Deathstroke. That's almost five years of stories. To do the full “Judas Contract” would take a four hour-plus movie and we have 70-something minutes. I don't want to give away any details on what changes will be made, however, as a.) we are early in the process and don't have a final treatment, and b.) what we've proposed are not changes that affect in any way what the story is actually about. Action details can be changed. How characters get into and out of scenes can always be altered, but that story wasn't about the fights, it was about the characters.

”By the way, I am being purposely vague because we only handed in the first draft of the treatment and have yet to get notes from Warners. There are still a lot of miles to travel before we get to the script stages, and even after that, to the script the director will work from. But I can promise that Tom and I and Warners - in all our preliminary talks - want to preserve the Terra story. For me it's personal. For them in many ways it's the story that got them into reading comics. Which, though makes me feel very old every time I'm told that, is also wonderfully gratifying to hear.”

Putting him on the spot, we asked Wolfman if he thinks the story hold up after more than two decades?

”I actually do, more than any of Titans major storyline,” he said. “I read it before Tom and I began the treatment and I think it holds up surprisingly well as a story. I cringe at some of my dialogue, but then I always do. But the story remains powerful.”

Wolfman confirmed with us [as did Levitz on Saturday] that George Perez will be involved in the production, but they haven’t worked out in exactly what capacity yet.

”I hope it will be in designs and hopefully more,” he said, as the plan is for the animators to give the film a look reminiscent of the original comic book artwork.

“The Terra storyline was something very special for George and me,” Wolfman began, sharing with us some final thoughts (for now). “We knew what we had when we began it, although we were constantly surprised - and remain so today - at how many people loved Tara Markov despite everything we had her do.

”Even after the more kid-friendly Cartoon Network version I got hundreds of emails from little girls begging me to bring Terra back and to make her good. George and I somehow captured lightning in a bottle with it - and we don't want to mess with that. Because we are so early in the process I can't say what will stay and what will go, but I promise the changes won't affect the story of Terra as George and I told it.”

For more on this story, see our interview with Paul Levitz

[Kolimar]

I have such high hopes for this I'm all

[Ace]

I actually found the Teen Titans animated take on the story to be pretty groan worthy. I know you couldn't have a chain smoking Terra running around cursing up a storm, but I still feel like the whole oomph of the original story is the realization(that you see through Gar's eyes) that Terra simply isn't going to redeem herself. Of cousre, it was also hampered by the fact that Slade was absolutely one-dimensional in the cartoon and in the comic, it's his regret, desperation and frustration that helps to give mood to the entire story, climaxing in his talk with Gar which is probably my favorite moment in titans history.

i have a lot more faith in this.. It was probably the best news to come out of the SDCC

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“And yes,” Wolfman added, “Tom [DeSanto] and I intend for the ‘nightgown and cigarette" scene to be there.”

Yesss

[holtom2000]

while they're at it, they can make a perez-inspired justice league cartoons - starting with the Secret Orgin of the Red Tornado and the JLA/JSA versus the Secret Society. Love to see classic Firestorm and Red Tornado animated perez style.. and flash telling ronnie to grow up!

[DrCool976]

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Anyway, this was an awesome storyline so I am looking forward to it.

[martinp]

I am excited about new takes on these classic comic scripts. 'Specially in animation form. Doesn't it give a younger audience an introduction to past events with updated characters. Maybe if interested, the youth will then want to learn more by reading some of the old and current books. It is like Shakespeare. How many of his classics (considered by many to be the greatest scripts ever written) have been updated over and over again with new characters and new titles. Think about "10 Things I Hate About You", (based on The Taming of the Shrew) or "Ran" (based on King Lear), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Even "Forbidden Planet" was based on The Tempist. Okay, so most people might think me trying to make a connection to Shakespeare is a stretch, but you get the idea. The basis of a good story can usually create a good script.

[Spaz_Monkey]

I look forward to this more than anything DC has announced in quite a while. Wolfman is right; this story does hold up. I just read it again a few weeks back, and it's as powerful now as it was then.
And yes, it is about betrayal. The Titans trusted Terra, they gave her access to all of their secrets, including their real names. Had she been able to add 2 + 2, she would have realized that Robin is to Dick Grayson as Batman is to Bruce Wayne. The fact that she didn't do anything with the information she was handed says more about her as a 1-dimensional, evil little b___h than anything else (not a slight against Wolfman, but a condemnation against Tara Markov). She sacrificed years of potential knowledge to gain a few moments of havoc, leading to her death.
It is a story of Love, hate, freindship, acceptance, denial, loss, and death with no redemption. A true classic through and through.

Got-damn, I can't wait to see this animated!

[Zhen Dil Oloth]

Crossing my fingers hoping this will be good.

We shall see.

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

Ah, but was Ultimate Avengers any good?

Exactly...

[SeamusMcClernan]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Which idea would that be?

[Nukeboy]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Anyway, this was an awesome storyline so I am looking forward to it.

Why do you say this is a rip off from Marvel?

[Derek Ruiz]

Will DeathStroke be called DeathStroke and not Slade?

[SeamusMcClernan]

"Mystery of the Batwoman" was D2V three years ago!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346578/

[Uncle Jawa]

I still think this is a bit redundant after the TEEN TITANS animated series (by the way, what is up with everyone referring to the animated series lately as "Teen Titans Go", such as in this article? That's the name of the comic book series based upon the cartoon, not the actual cartoon). I felt they did a fine job in bringing it to life, even without every single little detail. It still got to the heart of the matter. However, with Bruce Timm involved, I can't deny that I'm looking forward to it. I may be looking forward to NEW FRONTIER and SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY more so, but nonetheless I'm still interested in seeing it.

[DrCool976]

Originally Posted by SeamusMcClernan

Which idea would that be?

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.

[chap22]

man, i'm trying not to get TOO geeked about this...but i just can't help it. sign me up!

[Goodhomerjay]

I hope Slade will appear and that he will be called Deathstroke. He has to be. Just "Slade" doesn't really cut it as a super-villain name for me. Not that it's bad, "Deathstroke" just sounds cooler.

[Nukeboy]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.

DC did that years before Ultimate Avengers.

Examples:

Batman: Subzero (1998)
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

The difference is that I think DC is now doing a true adaption along the lines of Sin City instead of a movie inspired by a comic storyline.

[Nukeboy]

Originally Posted by Goodhomerjay

I hope Slade will appear and that he will be called Deathstroke. He has to be. Just "Slade" doesn't really cut it as a super-villain name for me. Not that it's bad, "Deathstroke" just sounds cooler.

I think Marv saying this will be a more mature and faithful adaption, he will be called Deathstroke.

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

Yay! Another idea DC ripped off from Marvel.

Yeah, sure.

[DrCool976]

Originally Posted by Nukeboy

DC did that years before Ultimate Avengers.

Examples:

Batman: Subzero (1998)
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

The difference is that I think DC is now doing a true adaption along the lines of Sin City instead of a movie inspired by a comic storyline.

What are you talking about? Those are cartoon storylines.

None of those storylines originated in the comicbooks. You, yourself said that they haven't done this type of thing before in the last sentece of your post.

[Deadshot77]

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

Will DeathStroke be called DeathStroke and not Slade?

Of course, he has to be called Deathstroke. That's the point of making it DTV.
MATURE AUDIENCES.

But I am sure this will be so blockbuster it'll make it to Cartoon Network as a movie.
Tho, they shouldn't play it BEFORE it's sold on dvd. If their goal is to MAKE $ & continue doing these, they have to give us all a chance to buy these before giving it away for free.

[FallenFate]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

The idea of animated comicbook storyline adaptions going straight to video.

ummm...no offense, but WTF are you talking about? DC has been doing animated Direct to video stuff for YEARS now. Remember "Mask of the Phantasm"? What about "Sub-Zero" or the Batman Beyond movie? Sure the BTAS videos were not direct adaptations of comic storylines, but if you really want to complain about something, complain about something you can actually back up. That's like saying that Marvel copied prose books for putting a storyline directly to video (plenty of movies, both animated and otherwise that are based on books). Sometimes I just wish people would THINK before they start with the bashing of one company or other.

[Nukeboy]

Originally Posted by DrCool976

What are you talking about? Those are cartoon storylines.

None of those storylines originated in the comicbooks. You, yourself said that they haven't done this type of thing before in the last sentece of your post.

Ultimate Avengers wasn't a direct adaption either. There were a lot of changes.