Planet DC2 07/04/2007

Welcome back, to a very special Planet DC2!

Finally, we've got the exclusive interview about the secret DC2 project that's been boiling for months in the workshops. Ladies and gentlemen, here it is:

THE DC2 CHALLENGE!

Here's an interview with editor David Charlton:


1. So, what's the DC2 Challenge? Is it something like the DCU's 52 or Countdown?

DC2 Challenge does share some elements with 52 and Countdown, in as much as all three are big, epic stories, that span the entire continuity, and utilize characters that sometimes don't get enough exposure! As 52 spotlighted folks like Booster Gold, Ralph Dibney, Steel and Black Adam, look for DC2 Challenge to feature Power Girl, the Atomic Knight, Firestorm and the Challengers of the Unknown (among many others!)--- plus, we have the awesome talents of Craig Cermak as our committed cover artist, week after week!

But that's where the similarities end! It's not called the DC2 Challenge for nothing! This series will have a rotating team of some of the DC2's top staff writers, each of them working independently of each other, picking up where the one before left off, trying to out-do each other and tell a coherent story at the same time! This is flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants storytelling, and there's just no telling how this one is going to end up--- your guess is as good as mine!


2. How was the idea originated?

The book that became the Challenge did undergo a few transformations. It started as a reaction to fan popularity to 52, and the desire to do a weekly book. I was not involved with it at this stage, but the way I understood it, the main writer/editor (who is, unfortunately, no longer on-staff here) was going to assemble a team of writers and craft a big story, utilizing the wealth of great characters the DCU has to offer, thereby bringing some great concepts to the DC2. But the organizational nightmare of corralling that many writers and getting them to agree on a plot (nevermind a coherent storyline), not to mention editing it together and arranging a cover a week proved to be too much for the poor soul--- and, sadly, his head exploded. Mark had to finish his dangling storyarc in a regular title, and Susan had to clean up brains in the Writer's Workshop (only the second or third time she's had to do this, but she's grown handy with that mop and bucket). Note: Nobody has exploded.

Naturally, that's when I became interested in it.

I've always been fascinated with the Round Robin style of storytelling (and the minimal amount of editorial work involved!), and thought to myself: "Hey, why couldn't we still do this weekly thing without a net? Could be good for a laugh!" Turns out more than a few other writers were up for the challenge, as well, and we were lucky enough to secure an artist crazy--- er, uh... No, crazy is the right word!--- crazy enough to commit to a weekly assignment, and thus the DC2 Challenge was born!


3. What can we expect? How long will the first arc be?

What you can expect is a roller-coaster thrill ride that starts with a bang, continues to bang, and bangs until the end! You can expect some lesser-used characters to seize the limelight with their gloved fists and demand to keep it! A story that's out of control (no, really, we have no idea what we're getting ourselves into!), and our biggest talents pulling out all the stops to make this event one the DC2 will never forget--- one way or the other!

We anticipate the first arc to last almost a full year--- but given the nature of the project, it could go a little longer, or end a bit sooner (depending on whether or not the writers end up challenging each other to a cage match, leaving only the survivors to pick up the pieces). Note: Everybody is too scared to accept my cage match challenge, so this won't be happening.


4. Will this have an end, or will it continue?

This first arc will have a definite ending: that's the challenge aspect, after all! We'll have to wrap up a big, sprawling epic in a way that makes sense and doesn't get us all fired by Mark!

And who knows? If it turns out alright, and we get a good response (and the survivors are willing!), we might reasonably expect the Challenge to become a regular weekly series! At least one writer already has plans for a second arc...!


5. Anything else to add? Thoughts, comments, spoilers...?

I believe the DC2 Challenge will be the next big fan fic guilty pleasure! Where else can you get a weekly fix of full-throttle storytelling designed to outperform what came before? Some of the best writers in the fan fic biz are going to be competing with each other, and the only certain winner is the reader! Also, this is a great opportunity to see the more obscure characters sharing the spotlight with some big guns: where else can you expect to see the Rocket Reds tangle with the Atomic Knight, or Man-Bat take on Killer Moth?

And wait until you see who we have in store for the Big Bad...! Not every hero may be left standing when the final bell rings...!


Now, thoughts from some of the writers:

House Of Mystery: DC2 Countdown has given me the oppurtunity to collaborate with all the people I've wanted to on this site in a major, epic and cohesive story, with characters I wouldn't get to use normally. I look forward to my part in it, and I look forward to reading everyone elses. Dave has masterminded a project that has had ups and downs over the past year, but at last, you as readers get to read the amazing project we've been working on for months behind the scenes! And those covers by Craig Cermak?

Crow (Masoud): What can be said about this series but that it is so unique... in that it has not been plagued by a singular vision or set of predestined rules that restrain the possibilities of plot in each of the issues. Instead, the result is a story that has been shaped and sculpted by the hands of many artistic minds through the use of a myriad characters who finally get the spotlight through the many interconnecting plots within.


This really is an interesting story, so, when it posts, be sure to read it! Now, we leave with some lines by Jay (Arcalian):


A lunar eclipse.

A regular occurence, cosmologically. Nothing people don't see in their lifetime, several times.

But some eclipses are more important than others. Some can alter the fate of the world.

And sometimes the greatest of heroes are busy elsewhere, or don't even realize what's coming. Sometimes ordinary heroes and exceptional people must step to the front line.

The Darkness is always ready.

Are the heroes of the DC2?

DC2 Challenge: The Eclipse.

It's coming.

Sebastian Gutierrez
Planet DC2 writer