WonderCon finished up yesterday and James Robinson was one of the key DC figures in attendance. News that emanated from the West Coast was both interesting and irritating. As usual, the whole articles linked are worth reading. I will pull out some of the more interesting pieces.
Here is a link to the coverage of the DC Nation panel which occurred early in the show.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20232
After introducing the panelists, he showed a World of New Krypton trailer video. The video will be available Wednesday on the DC web site. Here is a link to the video on Newsarama. http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video/player.php?aid=26335
One thing I did like was this multimedia representation of the World of New Krypton book. How nifty is to hear Alura's voice. To hear Kryptonians chanting Zod's name. I got a kick out of it.
Then Robinson had this to say.
“Since we've made Kryptonians illegal on Earth, Supergirl will now be going back to the Silver Age [concepts], where she needs a secret identity,” Robinson said of plans for the character's title. He also praised Geoff Johns's Secret Origin and Adventure Comics, though for the latter he noted “there's very little I can say about that right now.”
I surmised that the UN decree would be the impetus for Linda Lang to return. I wonder what drives Kara to stay on Earth. Is it simply Lana's illness? Or does something else happen from the New Krypton side of the dilemma.
Either way, as someone who welcomed the Linda Lang addition to the character, I am glad to hear she will be back. We haven't seen Gates and Igle's approach to her at all so this will be a new frontier in the book.
I wonder if the decree means that Kara will have to act steathily in her actions on Earth, much like she needed to hide her very existence way back in the early Silver Age issues.
And then there was this bombshell from Robinson at a panel dedicated to his works ( http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20249 ).
The final slide was from Robinson’s upcoming Justice League book. “This was originally going to be an ongoing ‘Justice League’ book, but it’s now going to be six issues, fully painted. The up-side of it is that it’ll have more impact. The ending will affect everything. The best thing about it is that I get to write Congorilla. He and Mikaal (the blue Starman who appeared in Robinson’s run on ‘Starman’) have a real double act.” Referring to Tom Stoppard’s play about the nature of fictional realities, Robinson said, “I’m going to pitch a ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’ of the DC Universe (starring them), and call it ‘Blue and Gold.”
So after waiting nearly a year and not even seeing this book solicited, we are told it is going from a monthly to a mini-series. I think this is another publicity disaster for DC.
Why tell us about the title last May and trumpet it as a new monthly? In retrospect this seems completely premature. And if Robinson has more stories to tell with this group of heroes, why not just announce a new artist to take over after Cascioli's run? What if sales are through the roof (although this announcement may derail any buzz this title was hoping to get)? Will they continue it then?
What about other creators ideas that were scuttled because of this proposed monthly? What if Sean McKeever really wanted Kara in the Teen Titans only to be told she couldn't because of her part to play in Justice League? Or Dwayne McDuffie wanted Oliver or Hal to join his League for a spell?
I will still get the miniseries. But this is just another misstep by DC in a time when comics are struggling.
World of New Krypton trailer video - I could swear that the actress voicing Alura is the the actual one that voiced She-Ra in the 80's She-Ra: Princess of Power spin off to He-Man: and the Master of the Universe, heh.
ReplyDeleteIt was actually pretty cool to hear regardless.
Then Robinson had this to say.
“Since we've made Kryptonians illegal on Earth, Supergirl will now be going back to the Silver Age [concepts], where she needs a secret identity,” Robinson said of plans for the character's title. He also praised Geoff Johns's Secret Origin and Adventure Comics, though for the latter he noted “there's very little I can say about that right now.”
The "Linda Lang" secret id I can deal with but in having had said that I'm really not liking what Robinson is describing come plans for Supergirl in 09 being "Superman's secret weapon" apparently.
Oh and I truly hate DC for allowing Superman to be the only Kryptonian welcomed on Earth-0. That makes me so mad as a HUGE fan of the "one true" Supergirl at the end of the day!
Alas, in Geoff, Sterling and Jamal I trust.
Oh and that last bit about Justice League being changed to a 6 issue mini has me steaming right now! DC had better this title worth my money in doing this and explaining HOW Supergirl can be operating in the JL when she isn't even allowed to be on E-0 itself now!
P.S. Robinson will have Superman referring to Zatarra II as being a what now?? :/
Yeah rendering Kara the ultimate illegal alien makes her a difficult recruit for any earthly super-team. TECHNICALLY her team-mates would be obligated to arrest her depending on the relevant laws that were in play in support of the UN decree.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, for Supergirl to break thru to the A-List she needs a team affiliation, otherwise she is back to being secret emergency weapon and a segregated character in the DCU.
I trust the current creative team implicitly but I woory about what restictions they've incurred with respect to Superman's storyline.
On the other hand, Linda Lang is a sort of quiet rebuke to Alura in some ways, the character NEEDS a secret ID to function at peak potential...but leaving Supergirl's status in "legal limbo" for a year is a creative dead end IMHO.
***
Agreed, the miniseries is a rip-off, and no doubt a result of the enabling attitude both companies take towards wayward talent.
So to date, she has been a Legionaire a Titan for a brief spell, now a JLA member...what next?
I say an all female team headlined by her and Barbara Gordon Batgirl...
:D
John Feer
Well, as others have wondered elsewhere, how does this relate to Powergirl?
ReplyDeleteAlso, if Supergirl is now illegal, there goes the conflict between her and Cat Grant, as Cat has clearly "won".
Also, there goes any debate over Kara's costume, as clearly she cant wear it anytime soon, least be hunted down. Undercover Kara, as it were.
Yeah, I dont think they thought all of this through totally.
Because with Superman off-Earth, this could be a great opportunity for Supergirl to shine, sales-wise and as a character. "The Earth off-limits to Supergirl" might be interesting over the short term but I don't think there is a year's worth of stories there.
ReplyDeleteI do accept that storywise, Supergirl's "image problems" do need to hit rock bottom in order for there to be a solid and healthy rebound...that having been said with she be hunted by Earth's heroes should word get out?
John Feer
Man just the mere thought of Kara not being able to operate as Supergirl yet her cousin can as Superman itself makes me truly sick to my stomach! Ugh! *Shakes head in utter disgust*
ReplyDeleteGuy: Well, as others have wondered elsewhere, how does this relate to Powergirl?
ReplyDeleteJamal Igle himself actually came on this blog and kindly answered this very question in saying that this will be officially addressed in the main Justice Society of America title now. ;)
The "Linda Lang" secret id I can deal with but in having had said that I'm really not liking what Robinson is describing come plans for Supergirl in 09 being "Superman's secret weapon" apparently.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
I think this could work in the short run, so I am trying to be optimistic. My guess is that she will be able to act openly as Supergirl. I doubt that other superheroes will be vying to slap the cuffs on her. But should the 'army' or some other group try to confront her, she can slip into Linda Lang mode to hide out.
Oh and that last bit about Justice League being changed to a 6 issue mini has me steaming right now! DC had better this title worth my money in doing this and explaining HOW Supergirl can be operating in the JL when she isn't even allowed to be on E-0 itself now!
I am a bit ticked off as well. It's a little funny that I am upset because I haven't read any issues yet. But the hype was there, I was excited. And know it seems like the rug has been pulled out from under me.
Yeah rendering Kara the ultimate illegal alien makes her a difficult recruit for any earthly super-team. TECHNICALLY her team-mates would be obligated to arrest her depending on the relevant laws that were in play in support of the UN decree.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, for Supergirl to break thru to the A-List she needs a team affiliation, otherwise she is back to being secret emergency weapon and a segregated character in the DCU.
Thanks for the post.
I agree about the 'technically' part. I don't think Hal Jordan or Mister Terrific are going to be hunting Kara. My guess is they will look the other way. To make a lousy analogy, it is like how Tony Stark conveniently ignored Bucky as Captain America after Civil War despite Bucky not being registered.
As for a team affiliation, I don't think there are any other teams left for her to join.
Having Kara work now and then with Oracle would be very cool. I can only hope that DC doesn't put Babs back in the Batgirl outfit instead of keeping her as Oracle.
Also, if Supergirl is now illegal, there goes the conflict between her and Cat Grant, as Cat has clearly "won".
ReplyDeleteAlso, there goes any debate over Kara's costume, as clearly she cant wear it anytime soon, least be hunted down. Undercover Kara, as it were.
Yeah, I dont think they thought all of this through totally.
Thanks for the post.
I think I will need to see this story play out a bit for getting too worried.
As I said above, I still think Supergirl will be 'visible' and in costume despite the UN decree. If that is true, it will add fire to the Cat/kara feud as it will appear that Kara feels she is 'above the law'.
And I think she will be in costume but will be in hiding as Linda when the 'authorities' arrive (whoever they may be).
Yeah, bad break about the JLA title. DC should have let Supergirl stay with the Teen Titans until they were sure what was going to happen with the JLA book. Personally I like John's idea of Supergirl forming her own team with Batgirl. I'd like to see Mary Marvel added to that roster.
ReplyDeleteI hope the other superheroes turn a blind eye to Supergirl violating the UN mandate, and not try to physically apprehend her because we have seen too much of that already. As long as Kara is allowed to be (and dress) as Supergirl, and only appears as Linda Lang so she isn't recognized at the express lane at Safeway, then thats okay with me.
I hope the other superheroes turn a blind eye to Supergirl violating the UN mandate, and not try to physically apprehend her because we have seen too much of that already. As long as Kara is allowed to be (and dress) as Supergirl, and only appears as Linda Lang so she isn't recognized at the express lane at Safeway, then thats okay with me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
That's my guess. She'll be able to operate without fear of other heroes going after her. I wonder if the Science Police might be more prone to try to arrest her.