Susan Hillwig
Staff 
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Jan 14, 2007 13:49:02 GMT -5
 It's the New Year, and you know what that means: out with the old and in with the new. And there certainly are a lot of new things happening here at WWQ.
First off, a new hero comes to the DC2, in more ways than one. When I decided that Nighthawk would be next story after the big Hex epic, I sat down to do some research...and quickly found that the guy was a virtually blank slate. Unlike the majority of comic book characters out there, ol' Hannibal has no backstory -- according to his old Who's Who file, he just appeared out of the East one day, "already dressed in the ebony garb of his calling, fighting outlaws and rustlers with a righteous vengeance." Well, that may have been fine back when he was created in the 1940s, but I ain't gonna sit for that. This sucker's gonna get an origin story whether he likes it or not. Lucky for me, they did a retcon a few years back to make Nighthawk one of Hawkman's previous reincarnations, so I had that to work with. Now I just had to figure out why, in a time when only the criminals wore masks, did this guy feel the need for a disguise. The answer was simple: he was already a criminal, the mask was hiding his face from anyone that might want to bring him in. Upon those two facts, the rest of the story was built, and I hope you folks enjoy the result.
Not long after I turned this story in came the second "new" thing: David Charlton announced he was stepping own as DC2's Editor-In-Chief, and therefore shall no longer be overseeing this title. I'm still bummed about this. He was the one who brought me into this motley crew, after all, and gave me my lovely non-paying job writing cowboys. While I'm sorry to see him go, I understand his reasons -- running this site takes a lot of time and effort, and it kept him so busy that he didn't have time to write his own books, JSA and HAWKMAN. Matter of fact, it was his work on HAWKMAN that inspired parts of this story (if you never read issue #0 of that book, you might want to take the time to do so). Though I hate to lose David, I wish him all the best, and hope to still see his name around, even if it is in a demoted capacity. Taking his place as EIC and WWQ trail boss is Mark Bowers, whom I know from FanFiction.net. He's been editing NEW OUTSIDERS for quite a while now (by the way, read NEW OUTSIDERS!), and I'm sure he'll keep us mangy writers on our toes for many years to come.
Our third newfangled notion is in the Secret Files section: Bat Lash's bio has been added alongside Scalphunter's, both of which come courtesy of DC2's own WHO'S WHO. Go check 'em out if you missed 'em the first time around, and more will be added as they premiere in that title, so keep your eyes peeled.
So there you go, folks, that's the new status quo here at WWQ, with even more new things laying just over the horizon. Don't let it scare you off, though, 'cause y'all still got the same ol' writer to see you through every gunfight and barroom brawl. And believe me, you ain't gonna want to miss the next issue!
- Susan Hillwig |
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Post by David on Jan 17, 2007 9:04:45 GMT -5
Whenever I start to get too comfortable about my writing prowess (such as it is), there are certain writers I go to around here to keep me humble. Susan is one of them.
She writes with an enviable straight-forward simplicity, and an economy of wordplay that I can only aspire to. The events of her stories allow the inherent drama to unfold naturally (as opposed to the melodrama so often foisted on us to tell us how we should feel), thus allowing the reader a more honest response to her characters.
And I think we all can respond to Susie's characters in some way. The tragedy of Hex, the pathos of Nighthawk...!
This has been my favorite issue of the title, thus far (though I think I say that with each successive issue--- is it possible the writer just keeps getting better?). This should come as little surprise, considering that it is a tale in the saga of Hawkman--- but it is more than that. The story of Hannibal Hawks unfolds at the speed of destiny, and we cringe with it, are saddned by it, thrill with it, and are ultimately uplifted by his heroism.
Nighthawk is a kind of Batman of the old west, crossed with a little Lone Ranger. For all intents and purposes, Hannibal Hawks died on that lonely hill, and only Nighthawk remains to redeem his sins. But this is not a tragic, haunted figure. Nighthawk will not go down the path of the men he brings to justice--- from here out, he will do the right thing, for the one time he didn't.
This issue mixes gritty realism (the rain- and blood-soaked climactic scene) and real emotion. We feel for Nighthawk! This is a hero we don't want to see gut-shot, or harassed by the local sherrif. This is a good guy.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how seemlessly this story fits into the larger Hawkman history--- and how respectful the writer was of the legend I set out in my Zero Issue of the Immortal Legend of Hawkman (thanks for the shou-out, BTW, Susie)--- there was something very striking (and even scary!) about the vision Hannibal has on Pine Ridge, juxtaposing Ancient Egypt with the Old West ("Pharaoh is dead...")--- I got the chills!
Also, I want to thank you for the dedication (a first for me!), and offer you official membership in the HawkClub of the DC2 (it's just you and me and Scott now, but Brian will be joing with the next issue of Justice League, and we all know how that guy can party ;D)!
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Post by David on Jan 17, 2007 9:08:35 GMT -5
Oh, and great cover Ramon! It's always nice to see our characters rendered in the most iconic (  ) manner, all darkness, moon and shadow...! He's entering a dark building, isn't he...? |
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Post by HoM on Jan 17, 2007 11:17:35 GMT -5
I loved it Susie. It was an AMAZING story, that dragged me along with it with every god damn word. And now, I can't wait for April, and whatever surprises THAT brings  |
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Jan 17, 2007 13:24:42 GMT -5
"Pathos"? I write "pathos"? I thought I wrote Westerns...actually, I don't even consider them Westerns, just period pieces. The guns and horses is just a bonus.
Once again, David, your glowing review makes me blush. You're no longer in charge now, y'know, you can stop buttering me up. Glad you approve of the way I handled the previous incarnation of your signature character -- you don't know how often I thought to myself, "He's gonna hate this...I made the guy a wanted felon!" -- and if this story gets me an invite to the "Hawk Club", I reckon my handling of Cinnamon down the road will seal the deal.
Yes, indeed, Ramon did beautiful work...it took forever, but it's beautiful. Now I know why he said he needed extra Sharpies!
Hmm...April...what was I doing for April? Oh, yeah, THAT story. Can't tell you the details just yet, but I'm sure the end result will be heavily influenced by eating too many Cadbury Creme Eggs.
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Post by David on Jan 17, 2007 14:19:09 GMT -5
"Pathos"? I write "pathos"? I thought I wrote Westerns...actually, I don't even consider them Westerns, just period pieces. The guns and horses is just a bonus.
Once again, David, your glowing review makes me blush. You're no longer in charge now, y'know, you can stop buttering me up. Glad you approve of the way I handled the previous incarnation of your signature character -- you don't know how often I thought to myself, "He's gonna hate this...I made the guy a wanted felon!" -- and if this story gets me an invite to the "Hawk Club", I reckon my handling of Cinnamon down the road will seal the deal.
Cinnamon! Yes! Perhaps a corruption or derivation, of the Ancient Egyptian, Sun-Ankh-Amun (which, roughly translated, means, "Name-Dave-made-up-to-rationalize-Cinnamon's-connection-to-Nighthawk")...? ;D |
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Post by brigante133 on Jan 17, 2007 14:31:47 GMT -5
TOOK FOREVER!?! what did you expect me to do, finish it ahead of time? psh, no way, that's not my style. staying up late and finishing the cover last minute when i have to get up early the next day and get to class, THAT'S my style.
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Post by starlord on Jan 17, 2007 15:00:00 GMT -5
Wow! Once again I go into one of these westerns knowing that I'm not going to enjoy it much. I just don't likewesterns. And for my fathers sake, boy have I tried. But here I am again, blown away! Susan, you have this ability to transcend the genre that you're working in and make it about the people you are writing about. My heart went out to Franklin and Hannibal both. To say it was engrossing and moving, would be an understatement. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that you come back to this character. Even more then Jonah, I've got a need to know even more about this man! Please write more about him!  Excellent job! That also goes to Ramon who did another brilliant cover. |
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Post by arcalian on Jan 17, 2007 16:37:01 GMT -5
How sad.........but beleivable in a comic book way. Sigh.
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Jan 19, 2007 21:10:37 GMT -5
Nighthawk will be back...later. Much later. I've got other fish to fry in the meantime, hope you can wait. And Cinnamon's connection to Nighthawk (another story which falls into the "Later" category) will not be directly Hawk-related, so don't go makin' up any more fake Egyptian words on my account.
"Believeable in a comic-book way." That's kind of what I shoot for. I like to keep one foot firmly grounded in reality, and the other can slip around into silly comic-book areas when the story calls for it, like reincarnated Hawk-men or time-travel other things...aw crap, gotta change the subject...
A fellow ficcer named Clownfan (or Clownpen here on DC2 -- don't ask me, the guy likes clowns) recently wrote up a Jonah Hex/Bat Lash team-up for one of our "distinguished competitors", Multiverse. Not too shabby, go check it out:multiversecomic.proboards100.com/index.cgi?board=unlimited&action=display&thread=1168624165I love a little healthy competition!
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Post by arcalian on Jan 19, 2007 22:55:50 GMT -5
On another note, happy B-day Susan.
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) manner, all darkness, moon and shadow...! 
