Wizard 206: Interview With the Super-teams

It didn't even make the cover text, but inside this month's Wizard was a group interview with the writers of the 3 super-titles: Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates. The topic was New Krypton.


Here are a few of the key points, although I would recommend reading the whole interview if possible.


Wizard: How does Pa Kent's death affect his (Superman's) relationships with Kara and Lois?
Gates: In regards to Supergirl, she shares the joy of Kandor's return and the return of her people, and to her, what he's experiencing, she already felt when she lost her parents and was sent to Earth. I think it's going to be an identification point for the two of them to latch onto each other emotionally.

It is interesting that Superman and Supergirl are having reverse fortunes here. Superman lost his father. Supergirl regains hers.

However, she already went through a grieving period about that loss, and so she might be a source of strength and wisdom for him. Of course, we still need to figure out what all the different Zor-El memories mean. Maybe she would not totally mourn the loss of the 'Kill Kal-El' maniac.

Wizard: We see that Supergirl takes on a secret identity, and we know the same happens for Atlas.What does a secret identity mean for you, and why use them:
Johns: These guys - Atlas, Superman, Supergirl - they aren't human. They're these larger than life figures trying to find their place among humanity. I think exploring that through secret identity is where you get a lot of the story and drive of these characters.
Gates: She (Supergirl) has gone so long with being a Kryptonian character. Giving her a secret identity is important to help her understand and be a part of the human race.

The arguments for and against a secret identity have all been heard. I tend to side with Gates on this one. Supergirl seemed so lost in her title, a stranger in a strange land. Even in the Puckett line, where the lengths she went to save Thomas were noble but out of touch.

I think 'Linda Lang' will be a step forward for Kara in figuring out not only why she should stay on Earth but also why she would. To be honest, the universe is open to her. There has to be a hook for her to want to stay Earth-bound. And I think it needs to be more than Superman being her long lost cousin. By connecting to humanity in this basic way, I think she will want to stay.

Of course, that is assuming that New Krypton and her parents eventually end up going away.


Wizard: We also see Lana Lang taking Supergirl under her wing.
Gates: She's going to be playing the role of Supergirl's aunt.

I wonder if she is still living with Lana despite Kandor being re-grown. Doesn't make much sense. You think she would want to re-connect with her family.

Robinson: Plus, without saying who, Sterling is working on a truly wonderful Supergirl rogue's gallery that I think will further re-enliven Supergirl and make her feel more an important and intrinsic part of the DC Universe.
Gates: I think it's improtant for heroes to be partially defined by their villains and their quality of villains. and I wanted to build a world for Supergirl that crosses over in some ways with Superman but gives her her own villains to face and defeat.

Ahh ... the rogue's gallery. I like how the creators see a rogue's gallery havign 2 purposes: defining Supergirl within the universe and defining Supergirl herself. Let's face it the Joker and Two-Face work best as Batman foils, given the idealogic nature of their madness.

I am excited to see who gets added outside of Reactron. Any guesses people?



Wizard: What's the relationship like between Lana and Supergirl?
Gates: I actually really like the show called "Gilmore Girls." Yeah, yeah,yeah. Ha-ha-ha. But the relationship between the nither and daughter on the show is this friendly mentor style relationship. S0, I wanted to build this very strong, very light, very intense mentor relationship between Lana and Supergirl.

You know it's funny to admit it, but I also liked Gilmore Girls. The relationship between Lorelai and Rory was one of both friendship and mentoring. So I will be interested to see how that plays out in the title. Lana has gone through enough in the 'super' world to be able to provide wisdom in a nurturing way.

I wonder if there will be as many pop culture references in the Kara/Lana dialogue as their was on the show.




Wizard: What can you say about Zor-El and Alura?
Johns: They're both the leaders of Kandor at this point. Zor-El is like the heart and Alura is the mind.
Gates: All Supergirl wanted since she came to Earth was to go back to how things were on Krypton. When Kandor shows up and her parents show up, it's the happiest thing she could have ever wished for.

We keep hearing that all the versions of Zor-El, and all of Kara's memories will be answered in a way that makes perfect sense. I hope so, if only to erase the versions that make no sense. I get the sense that in the end, it might not be the happiest thing for Kara that her parents returned.

You can see the dyamic of heart/mind in the scenes with Zor-El and Alura. Zor-El just seems happy to be out of the bottle, deferred to the President, and call the planet Earth. Alura seems more cool and disconnected. Earth is obviously New Krypton given there superiority.

Wizard: How does the crossover work thematically from book to book?
Johns: Every title will continue into one another, but at the same time, you'll really see a focus on the inidividual titles - certain characters will get spotlighted. Supergirl obviously focuses on her and her past and her parents. Action focuses on the aftermath of Brainiac and Pa Kent and Kandor.

I do like that each title will retain its own focus despite being part of the bigger story. Let's face it, many of us were looking forward to the Gates/Igle run for a while. I did not want their ideas to be derailed by being part of a mega-crossover. I like that the Supergirl title will focus on her character and how she is dealing with Kandor.




Wizard: Are there any other specific Kryptonians that get spotlighted?
Johns: You have a new Nightwing and Flamebird. And a new Superwoman as well. We really wanted to get characters instantly recognized, because you start throwing out Kryptonian names and your eyes glaze over.

I know that folks have jumped on the Thara Ak-Var as Flamebird. But she seemed so militaristic in her short scene that I doubt she would become a masked vigilante. Plus, the hair length and color are all wrong unless she is donning a wig or using a Kryptonian comb that can change her hair color to red.

I do wonder if they will have some connection to the Superman family, as Van-Zee was in the past.

Wizard: Superwoman, aka Kristen Wells. Anything on that one?
Gates: Not at all.

I still say Superwoman ends up being an evil clone of Kara. It sounds so trite when I write it, but I am going with it.

Anyways, I have loved the New Krypton storyline so far and it sounds like the writers have it tight and polished.