DAN DIDIO ANSWERS 20 QUESTIONS ABOUT DC's TEASER IMAGE

[MattBrady]

Last week Newsarama got you a close-up look at the teaser image DC Comics distributed hinting at a future storyline or storylines. We also got DCU Executive Editor Dab Didio to agree to answer 20 of your best questions about the image…

We solicited, you asked and following is Didio’s responses to those 20 questions that made the cut - and a quick note - the questions asked were those that occurred over and over again in the thread, so no one poster is credited.

But first, here's another quick look at the image in question (click on each segment for much larger views) and a message from the main himself…



“Before we begin I’d like to thank all the fans on these boards and the other message boards out there who decided to play along and try and decipher the mysteries behind this piece. And let me be the first one to say, the fans delivered! They found nearly every clue we had hidden, even better, they were 70-75% correct in their speculations. Of course, which ones were correct and where they were posted, I can’t really say, as a matter of fact, in keeping with the spirit of the mystery and hidden messages, my following responses might not be… satisfactory to those looking for absolutes (that’s answers, not collected editions).

“I’ll try my best to be helpful, but you should know by now, I hate giving too much away. So with that in mind, let’s begin….”

1) First off – and asked multiple times – this image was clearly based on the promotional image generated for The Sopranos. Why? What was it about those characters, or the coming drama that mapped out to the DCU?

Dan Didio: Actually there were several inspirations for the piece and each character was chosen because of their importance to upcoming storylines in the DC Universe. This is not about one book or one story but about the major events that will unfold throughout the year.

2) What’s the device near Max Lord’s body? If not “what” how about it’s place of origin?

DD: Not really sure of its origin but it looks like it was built by the King himself. All I know is that it can light the road to hell or salvation depending on your point of view.

3) Why isn’t Superboy (Conner) among the dead bodies? You do know he’s not Supernova, right?

DD: Superboy isn’t Supernova??!!? Damn, I’ve been waiting for the collected edition of 52 to read it and now you just ruined it for me! If I was to guess, we were probably going through all our major deaths alphabetically and just ran out of space after Q.

4) Assuming these are the major heroic players of what's being teased, who would be featured if this image were showing the major villainous players of what’s to come?

DD: Wouldn’t it be great if we did another piece that featured just as many mysteries around our greatest villains?

5) Is that the ever-lovin’ Blue Eyed Barry Allen as the Flash?

DD: If that was Barry, shouldn’t he be lying on the ground with the dead instead of standing with the heroes?

6) Does the positioning of the characters have meaning? Can you give an example?

DD: Physical separation can also represent emotional separation or distance. It also can represent separate storylines. Where you stand and how you stand can determine your ultimate future. There are no accidents in positioning, body or gaze. Light and shadow also play a role.

7) When will we know definitely what this pic is about?

DD: Events reflected in this picture will play throughout the year and hopefully things will make sense enough so that you can connect the dots as they occur.

8) Are all the assembled characters from the same Earth?

DD: Yes, they are all from the same Earth. But let me say, as the sighs of relief and the gasps of disapproval die down, some of these images are literal and some are symbolic, I leave it to you to figure out which is which.

9) Why the tagline "Let the battle cry be heard in the land, a shout of great destruction..."? With this great destruction and moving on to Act III will we see a third Crisis to go along with Identity & Infinite?

DD: Funny thing, I was told that the quote came from the Book of Jeremiah; I thought it was from the book of Genesis.

10) Are all pieces of this larger image meant to be taken literally?

DD: As I mentioned above, there is a literal and symbolic reason for the positioning and clothing of our heroes.

11) When will Superman stop being all emo and crying at bad turns of events? He was raised by Midwesterners – folks not known for showing emotion among their menfolk… John Wayne came from Iowa, Gary Cooper came from Montana, Henry Fonda came from Nebraska…not a weepy Willy among the bunch. Can we at least see another hero look at Superman crying and say, “girl”?

DD: You Guys Got Me On This One. Crisis On Infinite Earths #7, Wonder Woman #175 (I think?) and Identity Crisis #1. Twice Superman cried on a cover, once inside, that’s three times that I know of over twenty years. Unless I am missing a whole lot of times, this statement seems a bit extreme. I am sure there or a bunch of guys ready to correct me if I am wrong but be that as it may, if Superman cries, there has to be a real good reason for it.

13) Why is Donna in her Wonder Girl uniform?

DD: The color is important key to her future and her allegiance.

14) Is that Ray Palmer’s arm?

DD: It’s the Atom’s arm alright, the question is, is he climbing out or sinking in.

15) Why is Mary Marvel in the picture, isn't she suppose to be depowered in the Trials of Shazam series?

DD: These pictures reflect events yet to come, so it sounds to me like there is a story with Mary that is about to be told.

16) What is up with Batman in that picture and why does he have a sword? Is that Bruce Wayne from the same Earth that Batman and Detective are set on?

DD: The image is symbolic in natural and it is indeed the Batman you are reading now. As for the sword, it’s not the first time he used one.

17) Why are so many of the characters in the image looking up?

DD: Something coming down from the skies perhaps?

18) Whose flight ring is on the ground?

DD: A Legionnaire’s, of course.

19) Why are all the dead characters melting/phasing into the ground?

DD: Symbolic in nature, the ground gave up the bodies but not completely as to confuse anyone that these characters might return.

20) Is there anything about this picture we were supposed to notice, but haven't yet? How much of the secret(s) of this picture could we determine just from it and what we've already seen? Is something coming up soon that might give us clues relevant to the picture?

DD: Like I said at the start, with all the keen eyes analyzing this piece nearly all the mysteries, from the ground they stand on to the distant skyline, have been recognized. We have some great stories heading your way, and I think it would be a disaster if we gave them away now. I’m counting down to when we can finally talk about this, but until then, keep the ideas and speculation coming, after all getting there is half the fun.

All the best,

DD

*P.S. I would like to pick out one question and answer it directly, to poster “Sean McKeever”, “yes” its good to know who Batman is and “no” that will not be enough to get you through the next couple of years. My suggestion is that you read that box of comics we send you every month and then we’ll talk.

[justice~!]

Wow, I'd like to work at DC too!

[j2lepew]

Okay, so, it's not one series. It's a convoluted storyline carried out over all of DC's titles and is called Infinite War. It's a year-long story arc, and we'll all be broke by the end of the year.

[TF_Loki]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

*P.S. I would like to pick out one question and answer it directly, to poster “Sean McKeever”, “yes” its good to know who Batman is and “no” that will not be enough to get you through the next couple of years. My suggestion is that you read that box of comics we send you every month and then we’ll talk.

Awww, how come that McKeever guy gets free stuff from DC?

[Titansmaster]

No comment from anyone on Mary Marvel trying not to look directly at Flash's manhood?????

Regarding Flash, notice the denial was that it wasn't Barry, could well be Wally.

Maybe, I hope.

Another DC event that I am looking forward to !!!!!!

[TF_Loki]

Originally Posted by j2lepew

Okay, so, it's not one series. It's a convoluted storyline carried out over all of DC's titles and is called Infinite War. It's a year-long story arc, and we'll all be broke by the end of the year.

Did you miss the bit where Dididididdiidio said it wasn't one story?

[strong guy79]

So they're all from this Earth?

Well, now this doesn't make any sense. I had no problem with Red Robin visiting from Kingdom Come, but pleease don't make the real Dick Grayson become him. Nightwing is so much cooler!

[DoctorDoom]

Interesting....

[xdemon]

And people complain about Joey Q not giveg straight answers!

Not that I expected any.

Once again, DC is saving me money.

[Scott King]

not interesting...

[Astro]

So the quote was thought to be from the book of Genesis, eh?

New Genesis?

I'm guessing some sort of New God war. Please let Morrison be involved in this!

[wretchedangel]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Last week Newsarama got you a close-up look at the teaser...

I’m counting down to when we can finally talk about this, but until then, keep the ideas and speculation coming, after all getting there is half the fun.

All the best,

DD

could this b a little hint about Countdown to follow 52?

[ticknart]

Originally Posted by strong guy79

So they're all from this Earth?

Well, now this doesn't make any sense. I had no problem with Red Robin visiting from Kingdom Come, but pleease don't make the real Dick Grayson become him. Nightwing is so much cooler!

He said, "[T]hey are all from the same Earth." There was nothing about them being from the "New Earth" that appeared that the end of Infinite Crisis.

[nietoperz]

I like Didio's teases! This is all rather intriguing...

[Equinox]

Notice that he wasn't asked about Ion's ring, nor was he asked about why Ion is glowing yellow instead of green.

[PreCrisisDC]

All very interesting...really
I am lifelong DC fan from many, many years ago....I want a box of comics every month from DC too!!!!!!
I hate it that Dan is so Cryptic...sigh..I am sure I shall be purchasing many, many more DC books...sigh.....

[Thalya]

Originally Posted by Dan Didio

4) Assuming these are the major heroic players of what's being teased, who would be featured if this image were showing the major villainous players of what’s to come?

DD: Wouldn’t it be great if we did another piece that featured just as many mysteries around our greatest villains?

Yes! Please tell me Calculator's doing something (and not dying!) this year!

Originally Posted by Dan Didio

6) Does the positioning of the characters have meaning? Can you give an example?

DD: Physical separation can also represent emotional separation or distance. It also can represent separate storylines. Where you stand and how you stand can determine your ultimate future. There are no accidents in positioning, body or gaze. Light and shadow also play a role.

No! They're continuing their vendetta against the Superbuddies! Fly Mary, fly!

Originally Posted by Dan Didio

9) Why the tagline "Let the battle cry be heard in the land, a shout of great destruction..."? With this great destruction and moving on to Act III will we see a third Crisis to go along with Identity & Infinite?

DD: Funny thing, I was told that the quote came from the Book of Jeremiah; I thought it was from the book of Genesis.

New Genesis, no doubt.

[StrangeMark]

Well that was as vague as we were all expecting, I guess. At least we got the confirmation on it being more symbolic than literal... I'm intrigued, certainly. I wonder when the dots will start appearing for us to connect.

I thought he didn't really deny it was Barry, just question that if it is Barry, why would he be alive? No specific denial in there, but probably just teasing! Similarly, no confirmation that it's Ray Palmer's arm, just 'The Atom's arm', hmm. I'm also quite intrigued by Donna's colour signifying her allegiance.... she's loyal to somebody who is red? Wears red? Hmm?

[Lucifer]

Thanks for using my question Matt. (#9)

I guess Mr. Didio answered and steered away from the question. New Genesis is what I'm guessing he meant from his answer. And I also believe he answered the question about there being a 3rd crisis by his answer later in the interview about counting down.

AND YES...PLEASE LET GRANT MORRISON WRITE THE NEW GODS!

[Thalya]

Originally Posted by StrangeMark

I'm also quite intrigued by Donna's colour signifying her allegiance.... she's loyal to somebody who is red? Wears red? Hmm?

Allegiance to the Earth of that particular incarnation of her?

Or maybe "colors signify allegiance" means Kyle's allegiance is to the Sinestro Corps?

[KyleCowstar]

Hmmm. Not much was answered. A month to NYCC...grrr. I just want Kyle and Donna to be together and get married. And then not get raped or murdered. Is that too much to ask? If it is, then stop teasing me with issue covers and positioning in press artwork DC!

[Brainiac 13]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Last week Newsarama got you a close-up look at the teaser image DC Comics distributed hinting at a future storyline or storylines. We also got DCU Executive Editor Dab Didio to agree to answer 20 of your best questions about the image…

11) When will Superman stop being all emo and crying at bad turns of events? He was raised by Midwesterners – folks not known for showing emotion among their menfolk… John Wayne came from Iowa, Gary Cooper came from Montana, Henry Fonda came from Nebraska…not a weepy Willy among the bunch. Can we at least see another hero look at Superman crying and say, “girl”?

DD: You Guys Got Me On This One. Crisis On Infinite Earths #7, Wonder Woman #175 (I think?) and Identity Crisis #1. Twice Superman cried on a cover, once inside, that’s three times that I know of over twenty years. Unless I am missing a whole lot of times, this statement seems a bit extreme. I am sure there or a bunch of guys ready to correct me if I am wrong but be that as it may, if Superman cries, there has to be a real good reason for it.

You forgot Byrne's and Mignola's World of Krypton #4, which has Superman shedding a tear for Krypton and his parents

[Lord Ruthven]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

9) Why the tagline "Let the battle cry be heard in the land, a shout of great destruction..."? With this great destruction and moving on to Act III will we see a third Crisis to go along with Identity & Infinite?

DD: Funny thing, I was told that the quote came from the Book of Jeremiah; I thought it was from the book of Genesis.

Given that we are talking DCU here, and the distinction between Book of Jeremiah and book of Genesis, I reckon the 'Genesis' spoken about isn't the Biblical Book but the New Gods.

A seeming no-brainer, but cunning Didio wordplay can cause some to overlook that hinty clue right there!

Oh yeah, can someone find out who approved the Dirty Big Spoiler in this months edition of Diamonds Previews? You all know the one I'm talking about - The first line of the third paragraph, on the page discussing the upcoming 52 World War III (Not the double page spread, the one before that).

*Muttergrumblemutter*

[coolmvm]

Woah, Didio answered my Mary Marvel question.

I can't wait to see the story that DC has for her.

[KyleCowstar]

Originally Posted by Thalya

Allegiance to the Earth of that particular incarnation of her?

Or maybe "colors signify allegiance" means Kyle's allegiance is to the Sinestro Corps?

Kyle and Donna both have the same glowing yellow. Maybe it is glowing yellow because it is a gold engagement ring because they are allied with each other because they are going to get married. Yes...that is the most simple answer.