Post by Admin on Oct 23, 2007 18:52:34 GMT -5
Here's the latest Planet DC2 column, plus details of this week's new releases. Details of previous and future releases can be found on the calendar.
Welcome back to the Planet DC2!
Aquaman hasn't been in the spotilight for quite a long time. His title has been on hiatus since the first Crisis, and, since then, it's been a mystery what happened to the king of Atlantis.
But now, the wait is over. Masoud House (Crow) is the new ongoing writer of the title, starting with issue #10. Here is an interview with the writer:
1. How do you feel about writing this title?
I have to admit: first I felt very intimidated. Reading through what was mostly an entire nine issues by Brandon (with a few issues by other writers) and learning the mythology, history and legend that he had created was amazing. I felt like I was being asked to rewrite Greek Mythology. I had spent so many hours reading and taking down notes, learning the various locales and seascapes he had painted for the reader and trying to make it as vivid in my head as possible.
But after I got it down, I got very confident. Where at first it was just a little idea I had playing in my head, it became this part of me that I had to continue working on, and in time Aquaman became one of the coolest DC characters I've had time to work on.
2. We haven't seen Aquaman solo since the first crisis in his title. Are we going to see what happened to him in the two years that he didn't appear?
Yes, and no. More no than yes. A lot more no than yes. [laughs]
I really wanted to skip by all of the open space left since his last appearance in #9 (the Crisis tie-in Issue). I wanted this run to be on Orin and where Orin is going, and I felt that flashbacks or catch-ups would be too tedious and tiresome for myself and the readers. I also didn't want to spoil fresh ideas, being that I'd have to backtrack a bit to show what Orin did.
I really just want the readers to get an idea of Aquaman and Atlantis, enjoy being in this world that is so close to our own, and jump in. Besides: Orin has appeared in Justice League and he has appeared in Wonder Woman lately. We have a good idea where he's been.
One thing I'd really like to do though is have a hiatus in my run or a special where we can backtrack to those missing times (like the missing issue of Aquaman #8) and the time in between #9 to now, and allow other writers to pen tales that range from Orin's youth to modern day battles. We'll see how that goes when we get there.
3. What do you hope to achieve in this run?
Essentially? Making Aquaman cool and real.
Let's face it. Orin has had the bad end of the fishing pole for many years now. I think he lost all credibility when (in a Silver Age tale) he opened a fish hospital for hurt fish...and even made a little sign, as if the fish had learned to read English underwater. [laughs]
But I have to say that Grant Morrison really inspired me when it came to how I should tackle Orin. No, I won't be sending Orin through those cosmic acid trips that GM is known to do with his fantastical tales; but I will concentrate on the strengths some people often ignore or forget, that make Orin as strong as Superman or as diverse in his skills as J'onn J'onzz, in his own Atlantean way. He's not just that "fish guy" who breathes water.
I also want to inject the title with a little action and some unexpected twists and turns that hopefully will deliver well when the title debuts. As long as DC doesn't steal my ideas when they revive their Aquaman title!
4. Aquaman is a complicated character. He is a king, a warrior, was a member of the Justice League and has a family. What was your approach to him?
Good question...[laughs] God knows he has so many sides. Personally, I got really tired of this "I'm angry and you better respect me" attitude...he reminds me sometimes of Cartman from South Park or the Russian guy from America's Most Smartest Supermodel.
So I thought about how most of us have different aspects to ourselves for certain situations...he can't be angry all the time, right? Unless he's popping Atlantean aspirin for what would become whale-sized headaches. So you'll see a few different aspects to Orin: you'll see the warrior in him when he fights (how one such as he fights and moves on land); the thinking and calculating of a Justice League chairman in dangerous situations, the power and responsibility of a king, and later on, the emotions of a father and friend.
By the time we reach the middle of the run, we'll get a much more personal Orin in a way that I think will be fresh to his character.
5. What characters are you planning to use? Why?
Here's my favorite part [laughs]
In preparing for the Aquaman run I went through wikipedia and google to find any links they could give me to check out as many characters as possible that have been showcased in the Aquaman series. After making quite a list, I tried to think of how I could update and modernize some of them and make them more intimidating. it was a bit challenging considering that the majority of Aquaman's interesting cast members have been fewer than, say, Superman or Batman, but I found fun ways to use them.
What everyone should know is that I have characters appearing from all over Aquaman's publishing history: from [obscure] Golden Age characters to well known Modern Age ones, and everything in between, most of whom will begin to show up by the fourth issue and on.
I always felt like Aquaman's cast was sort of weak when in DCU...he had a tight unit of family (Mera, Garth, Vulko I guess) and Black Manta as a consistent villain. Here at DC2, Brandon began to do more, introducing more known cast members and such. I wanted to expand on that, introducing more villains to beef up his rogues gallery, and more heroes to round out his supporting characters. But I didn't want them there just for the sake of being there: I wanted more complex characters, more unique or weird characters.
I mean, how many times have you seen the usual Anonymous Aqua-Bad Guy hate humanity for pollution or alienation or maybe they're just a fish person who's bent on taking the throne of Atlantis or some such? Boring and monotonous. So I'm charging things up a bit. Even Black Manta will be a bit more aggressive due to a few changes he will have gone through.
Best spoilers I can give? Wait for a few old timers to show up soon, some captains to ruin Orin's day, and some family to pop up here and there...though this family reunion may not be a happy one. Who says Blood is Thicker Than Water?
6. Any final comments, thoughts, whatever?
Enjoy the ride folks: this is an ever moving tale that will really amp up on who Aquaman is and how he stands up compared or against the other individuals in the DC2. How he comes out in the end will be stronger than ever, but boy will he have a journey to get there. I just hope it's as magical for you as it will be for Orin, and how it has been for me.
Also, next week, by the same author, the miniseries "Faust" debuts. You should read both titles as soon as they come out!
Sebastian Gutierrez Sanchez
Planet DC2 writer
New This Week At The DC2:
Batman #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: “Trauma” Part Three (of five)
Written by: Grant LaFleche
Cover by: Sylvain Swimer
Edited by: John Elbe
Finally, the fate of Batman's first partner is revealed! What happened to Jason Todd, aka Redwing, after the events of City of Crime? Why doesn't Nightwing know who Redwing was?
Dick Grayson, Tommy Elliott, Jim Gordon all guest star in Batman: Trauma: Part 3.
DC2 Challenge Week 9
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Week 9: “Shadows’ Pawns.”
Written by David Charlton
Cover by Craig Cermak
Edited by David Charlton
The Atomic Knight follows the mystery of “Kommand D” while the Challengers of the Unknown make a startling discovery. Meanwhile, Man Bat gains an unexpected ally--- and a frightening new nemesis!
Firestorm #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #1: "For Every Action..." Pt. 1
Written by: Alex Vasquez Romero
Cover by : Borize
Edited by: Mark Bowers
Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein not only discover that they will never be the same after the Hudson Accident, but also what else has crawled from the wreckage.
New Outsiders #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: "Breaking the Rules"
Written by: Brian Burchette
Cover by: Roy Flinchum
Edited by: Mark Bowers
Note: This title is Mature Audiences only and password protected. Please apply to admin for password (CLICK HERE to be taken to the New Outsiders password request thread).
As Black Canary and Huntress fight for their lives as well as the life of Batgirl, help is about to come from three very different heroes... in fact you could even call them... outsiders.
Teen Titans #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: "Not of this Earth" Pt. 1
Written by: Jay McIntyre
Cover by: Ramon Villalobos
Edited by: Brian Burchette
Dagon returns to Titans Tower just in time to confront an alien consciousness. Starfire finds it familiar but doesn't know why; Cyborg is haunted by it, and Dagon himself is tempted by it. And that doesn't even begin to describe what it does to Raven...
And finally, in our Fan Comics section:
Superman: Order of the President #2[/i]
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #2 (of 3): "Instant Karma"
Written and illustrated by Sylvain Swimer
Luthor's scheme is taking its toll on the Man of Steel. However, unknown to President Lex, mysterious forces are moving to turn the tables on the nation's leader. Plans come to fruition in the second exciting installment of this fully illustrated comic book tale!
[glow=red,2,300]PLANET DC2[/glow]
Welcome back to the Planet DC2!
Aquaman hasn't been in the spotilight for quite a long time. His title has been on hiatus since the first Crisis, and, since then, it's been a mystery what happened to the king of Atlantis.
But now, the wait is over. Masoud House (Crow) is the new ongoing writer of the title, starting with issue #10. Here is an interview with the writer:
1. How do you feel about writing this title?
I have to admit: first I felt very intimidated. Reading through what was mostly an entire nine issues by Brandon (with a few issues by other writers) and learning the mythology, history and legend that he had created was amazing. I felt like I was being asked to rewrite Greek Mythology. I had spent so many hours reading and taking down notes, learning the various locales and seascapes he had painted for the reader and trying to make it as vivid in my head as possible.
But after I got it down, I got very confident. Where at first it was just a little idea I had playing in my head, it became this part of me that I had to continue working on, and in time Aquaman became one of the coolest DC characters I've had time to work on.
2. We haven't seen Aquaman solo since the first crisis in his title. Are we going to see what happened to him in the two years that he didn't appear?
Yes, and no. More no than yes. A lot more no than yes. [laughs]
I really wanted to skip by all of the open space left since his last appearance in #9 (the Crisis tie-in Issue). I wanted this run to be on Orin and where Orin is going, and I felt that flashbacks or catch-ups would be too tedious and tiresome for myself and the readers. I also didn't want to spoil fresh ideas, being that I'd have to backtrack a bit to show what Orin did.
I really just want the readers to get an idea of Aquaman and Atlantis, enjoy being in this world that is so close to our own, and jump in. Besides: Orin has appeared in Justice League and he has appeared in Wonder Woman lately. We have a good idea where he's been.
One thing I'd really like to do though is have a hiatus in my run or a special where we can backtrack to those missing times (like the missing issue of Aquaman #8) and the time in between #9 to now, and allow other writers to pen tales that range from Orin's youth to modern day battles. We'll see how that goes when we get there.
3. What do you hope to achieve in this run?
Essentially? Making Aquaman cool and real.
Let's face it. Orin has had the bad end of the fishing pole for many years now. I think he lost all credibility when (in a Silver Age tale) he opened a fish hospital for hurt fish...and even made a little sign, as if the fish had learned to read English underwater. [laughs]
But I have to say that Grant Morrison really inspired me when it came to how I should tackle Orin. No, I won't be sending Orin through those cosmic acid trips that GM is known to do with his fantastical tales; but I will concentrate on the strengths some people often ignore or forget, that make Orin as strong as Superman or as diverse in his skills as J'onn J'onzz, in his own Atlantean way. He's not just that "fish guy" who breathes water.
I also want to inject the title with a little action and some unexpected twists and turns that hopefully will deliver well when the title debuts. As long as DC doesn't steal my ideas when they revive their Aquaman title!
4. Aquaman is a complicated character. He is a king, a warrior, was a member of the Justice League and has a family. What was your approach to him?
Good question...[laughs] God knows he has so many sides. Personally, I got really tired of this "I'm angry and you better respect me" attitude...he reminds me sometimes of Cartman from South Park or the Russian guy from America's Most Smartest Supermodel.
So I thought about how most of us have different aspects to ourselves for certain situations...he can't be angry all the time, right? Unless he's popping Atlantean aspirin for what would become whale-sized headaches. So you'll see a few different aspects to Orin: you'll see the warrior in him when he fights (how one such as he fights and moves on land); the thinking and calculating of a Justice League chairman in dangerous situations, the power and responsibility of a king, and later on, the emotions of a father and friend.
By the time we reach the middle of the run, we'll get a much more personal Orin in a way that I think will be fresh to his character.
5. What characters are you planning to use? Why?
Here's my favorite part [laughs]
In preparing for the Aquaman run I went through wikipedia and google to find any links they could give me to check out as many characters as possible that have been showcased in the Aquaman series. After making quite a list, I tried to think of how I could update and modernize some of them and make them more intimidating. it was a bit challenging considering that the majority of Aquaman's interesting cast members have been fewer than, say, Superman or Batman, but I found fun ways to use them.
What everyone should know is that I have characters appearing from all over Aquaman's publishing history: from [obscure] Golden Age characters to well known Modern Age ones, and everything in between, most of whom will begin to show up by the fourth issue and on.
I always felt like Aquaman's cast was sort of weak when in DCU...he had a tight unit of family (Mera, Garth, Vulko I guess) and Black Manta as a consistent villain. Here at DC2, Brandon began to do more, introducing more known cast members and such. I wanted to expand on that, introducing more villains to beef up his rogues gallery, and more heroes to round out his supporting characters. But I didn't want them there just for the sake of being there: I wanted more complex characters, more unique or weird characters.
I mean, how many times have you seen the usual Anonymous Aqua-Bad Guy hate humanity for pollution or alienation or maybe they're just a fish person who's bent on taking the throne of Atlantis or some such? Boring and monotonous. So I'm charging things up a bit. Even Black Manta will be a bit more aggressive due to a few changes he will have gone through.
Best spoilers I can give? Wait for a few old timers to show up soon, some captains to ruin Orin's day, and some family to pop up here and there...though this family reunion may not be a happy one. Who says Blood is Thicker Than Water?
6. Any final comments, thoughts, whatever?
Enjoy the ride folks: this is an ever moving tale that will really amp up on who Aquaman is and how he stands up compared or against the other individuals in the DC2. How he comes out in the end will be stronger than ever, but boy will he have a journey to get there. I just hope it's as magical for you as it will be for Orin, and how it has been for me.
Also, next week, by the same author, the miniseries "Faust" debuts. You should read both titles as soon as they come out!
Sebastian Gutierrez Sanchez
Planet DC2 writer
New This Week At The DC2:
Batman #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: “Trauma” Part Three (of five)
Written by: Grant LaFleche
Cover by: Sylvain Swimer
Edited by: John Elbe
Finally, the fate of Batman's first partner is revealed! What happened to Jason Todd, aka Redwing, after the events of City of Crime? Why doesn't Nightwing know who Redwing was?
Dick Grayson, Tommy Elliott, Jim Gordon all guest star in Batman: Trauma: Part 3.
DC2 Challenge Week 9
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Week 9: “Shadows’ Pawns.”
Written by David Charlton
Cover by Craig Cermak
Edited by David Charlton
The Atomic Knight follows the mystery of “Kommand D” while the Challengers of the Unknown make a startling discovery. Meanwhile, Man Bat gains an unexpected ally--- and a frightening new nemesis!
Firestorm #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #1: "For Every Action..." Pt. 1
Written by: Alex Vasquez Romero
Cover by : Borize
Edited by: Mark Bowers
Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein not only discover that they will never be the same after the Hudson Accident, but also what else has crawled from the wreckage.
New Outsiders #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: "Breaking the Rules"
Written by: Brian Burchette
Cover by: Roy Flinchum
Edited by: Mark Bowers
Note: This title is Mature Audiences only and password protected. Please apply to admin for password (CLICK HERE to be taken to the New Outsiders password request thread).
As Black Canary and Huntress fight for their lives as well as the life of Batgirl, help is about to come from three very different heroes... in fact you could even call them... outsiders.
Teen Titans #23
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #23: "Not of this Earth" Pt. 1
Written by: Jay McIntyre
Cover by: Ramon Villalobos
Edited by: Brian Burchette
Dagon returns to Titans Tower just in time to confront an alien consciousness. Starfire finds it familiar but doesn't know why; Cyborg is haunted by it, and Dagon himself is tempted by it. And that doesn't even begin to describe what it does to Raven...
And finally, in our Fan Comics section:
Superman: Order of the President #2[/i]
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #2 (of 3): "Instant Karma"
Written and illustrated by Sylvain Swimer
Luthor's scheme is taking its toll on the Man of Steel. However, unknown to President Lex, mysterious forces are moving to turn the tables on the nation's leader. Plans come to fruition in the second exciting installment of this fully illustrated comic book tale!