Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2008 16:45:56 GMT -5
Here's another edition of Planet DC2, plus details of this week's new releases at DC2, DC3 and Marvel2. Details of previous and future DC2 releases can be found on the calendar.
Welcome back to this, the Planet DC2! It has been a while since I was in here, and let me tell you, it is great to be back!
Now, you may have heard about Susan Hillwig's (Weird Western Quarterly) new project, the SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY. And if you haven't, well, here's your chance to know more about this exciting new project.
So, April will be the month when your new project, the Seven Soldiers of Victory debuts. What can you tell us about it?
Basically, this is both an introduction to AND a resurrection of the SSoV. As a team, they're almost as old as the JSA, but they've always had a lower profile...and for the past 60 years, due to circumstances beyond their control, they've been virtually forgotten by the general public. This is the story of who they were, how they came to be, and why the 21st Century desperately needs the help of these WWII-era heroes.
Who are the members in the team?
For those that know the original SSoV from the 1940s, most of the names are familiar. For starters, we've got Crimson Avenger, Shining Knight, Vigilante, and Star-Spangled Kid & Stripe (that's 'Stripesy' for you old-schoolers). Those five guys are pretty much the core that's survived almost every permutation of the group, what with retcons and writers tossing in their two cents and all. For our DC2 version, we've rounded out the group with the Spider (who has been in other versions of the SSoV) and Firebrand, a name that's totally new to the Soldiers, but she does have a historical link to one of them, and that's why I chose her. And because it's traditional, we do have an unofficial "eighth Soldier", who you'll meet in the story.
Can you tell us more about the story? Will this be their first mission together?
The story starts with their first mission -- which, you will see, is also the first time many of them meet -- but most of the action actually takes place in the present time, long after what I guess you could call their "glory days". It's funny, but for the first few issues, you'll only see the Soldiers in flashbacks or hear about them through other people...they're in the book and not at the same time. Until they show up, a lot of the story is carried by members of the JSA and the Justice League, who have to deal with this menace that only the SSoV can handle, but they're not around anymore. There's a bit of irony to it, because when you look at the League's roster, you think, "Hey, these guys can handle anything! They've stopped Starro and Darkseid and Despero and all that, so they must be more powerful than those creaky old Soldiers." Well, in this case, you're wrong. Sometimes it's not about how hard you can hit or how fast you can run or whatever, it's about standing up and facing something head-on, even if it means your death. That's what the story's about, I suppose: being a soldier and doing your duty, no matter what the odds.
How long have you been working on this?
About three years, give or take a month. I think this book has had the longest pre-production phase of any work on DC2, and that's mainly my fault, I'm a slow writer. It started out way back in 2005 as Charlie's baby, and he was heavily influenced by Grant Morrison's SSoV epic -- he wanted to do this massive, sprawling story over generations with lots of characters...typical Charlie story, in other words. Now at the time, I was pulling stuff together for WWQ, y'know, deciding who I wanted to use, and I'd already decided I wanted Vigilante, so I started bugging Charlie about including Vig in his version of the SSoV. "PLEASE use Vig so he can get chucked back to the Old West!" was a typical post from me...very pathetic. Well, not long after a "preview" issue in DC2 ILLUSTRATED, the SSoV project fell apart, and Charlie said something to me like, "Maybe somebody else down the line will do a more traditional take on the group." Well, I still wanted Vigilante, and I'd been reading up on the group a lot and had really grown to like them, so I had a moment of insanity and said, "I'll do it!" I sifted through some of Charlie's ideas, pasted on a few of my own, and started working on it in-between WWQ and other things...and since I'm so slow, I told David and everyone else that this wouldn't see the light of day until 2008, because I didn't want to have any delays in posting. This is a 5-issue mini, and I've got 3 issues in the can, with #4 about half-done, so the time has finally come!
Which was your favorite character to write?
I guess the go-to answer is Vigilante, because I've already written him twice -- WWQ#6 and "Here We Are As In Olden Days" for our last DC2 Holiday Special -- but they were all fun in one way or another. Pretty much everybody had something particular about them to keep in mind when crafting the whole thing: Spider's opinionated, Stripe tends to be protective of Star-Spangled Kid...things like that help me get a grip on the character, so that they come off as people to me and not just these interchangable cutouts. I especially enjoyed writing Shining Knight's dialogue, because he talks in such an archaic form, so I got to crack open my books on medieval times and look for period words to put in his mouth -- just like when I write the Western stuff, I try to be accurate and not fall into cliche.
Any final comments, thoughts, something else?
Well, I'd like to thank David, who's editing this book, for letting me take my time with it and for correcting all my mistakes when he found them, and thanks to Charlie for letting me pick up this assignment and play with it in my own special way. I'd also like to thank Craig for the cover work, because he's just a beautiful artist, even when the stuff's only black-and-white. I was so happy when he agreed to do this book for me! We really need to start paying him for this stuff. Finally, if you kids enjoy SSoV, then please take a look at WEIRD WESTERN QUARTERLY if you haven't already (at least #6, because it ties in to the SSoV mini), and be sure to read JUSTICE LEAGUE #15 when it hits next month, 'cause that's my baby too...and that's all I have to say.
Excited?! I know I am! Don't forget to check this new series, debuting this April 30th!
Sebastian Gutierrez
Planet DC2 writer.
New This Week At The DC2:
Detective Comics #29
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #29: "Walking the Line"
Written by: Brian Burchette
Cover by: Trevor Yarmovich
Edited by: Samantha Chapman
As things begin to go from worse to critical in Gotham, Batman reluctantly turns to help from the most unlikely of sources. But just how far will the Dark Knight go to bring down one of his greatest enemies?
Plus, The Demon loses his most powerful pawn, and all of Gotham may pay the price!
Green Lantern #12
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #12: "Mongul Rising"
Written by: Daniel Palmer
Cover by: Ramon Villalobos
Edited by: Don Walsh
GL and Ion versus Mongul! How did he get on Mars in the first place? What is he looking for now? Do the Emerald Knights even have a chance? PLUS: Meet Ferris Aircraft’s newest pilot!
Justice Society of America #3
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #3: "Injustice For All, Conclusion"
Written by: David Charlton
Cover and additional art by: Jim Dufresne
Edited by: David Charlton
The Wizard has seized control of the JSA's most dangerous magical artifact, and the Injustice Society is on the verge of their greatest victory. As the battle rages from the Museum to the Tower of Fate, one JSAer must rally some unlikely reinforcements, while another makes a long-awaited return!
Don't miss the double-sized finale to "Injustice For All!"
New Gods #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #1: "Exodus", Part I of II
Written by Kevin Feeney
Cover by Craig Cermak and Ramon Villalobos
Edited by House Of Mystery
Over a year ago, the DC2 was rocked by the APOKOLIPS IMPERATIVE, when the Gods came to Earth- now, their epic saga continues! Orion rules the New Gods on the planet once named Apokolips, but it is far from a happy reign as strife brews on all sides- and he makes a momentous decision which will change everything! Darkseid may be gone, but his evil legacy remains! WAR! LIGHT! DARKNESS! DEATH! DIVINITY! EXCLAMATION MARKS! All this and more as Kirby’s Finest rock the DC2 in their planet-shattering (literally!) debut issue!
The Suicide Squad #22
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue 22: "Live For the Hunt"
Written by: Jay McIntyre
Cover by: Roy Flinchum
Edited by: John Elbe
Catman goes on a solo mission in order to re-establish his credibility, and runs headlong into Catwoman! But this will most definitely not be a friendly meeting of costumed felines....
New This Week At The DC3:
Ultimate Gotham Girls #4
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #4: "The Joker Rules April Fools!"
Written by: Samantha Chapman
Cover by: Carlos
It's April Fools Day in Gotham and that can only mean one thing! The Clown Prince of Crime is giving the city a hearty greeting, and Batgirl must struggle, not only with a diabolical mastermind that gives even Batman pause, but whether or not to accept help from a shocking source!
Ultimate Supergirl #2
Cover coming soon
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #2:"Little Girl Lost, Part 2"
Written by: James Steel
Cover by: TBA
Kara slowly comes to terms with the fact that she could be stranded on Earth for a long time to come, and Linda comes to terms with the fact that her new friend may be much more than initially imagined. All this as the Royal Flush Gang strikes!
The Titans! #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
An Earth-2 Title!
Written by: Brian Burchette
Story by: Borize and Brian Burchette
Cover by: Borize
Edited by: Samantha Chapman
Who are The Titans? Find out in this action packed first issue that starts with the infiltration of H.I.V.E. and leads the team to discoveries that will change not only their lives forever...!
New This Week At Marvel2:
The Invincible Iron Man #3
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue Three: "[Minus] Human; Prologue"
Written by: Charles HoM
Cover by: Craig Cermak
Edited by: Brian Burchette
Phase Six: Reclaim lost technology. Iron Man battles giant robots, killer androids, and descends into a hidden laboratory beneath New York searching for something close to his heart and past. But when someone else has already claimed that something... It'll hurtle tony Stark into the first crossover of the Marvel2!
[glow=red,2,300]PLANET DC2[/glow]
Welcome back to this, the Planet DC2! It has been a while since I was in here, and let me tell you, it is great to be back!
Now, you may have heard about Susan Hillwig's (Weird Western Quarterly) new project, the SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY. And if you haven't, well, here's your chance to know more about this exciting new project.
So, April will be the month when your new project, the Seven Soldiers of Victory debuts. What can you tell us about it?
Basically, this is both an introduction to AND a resurrection of the SSoV. As a team, they're almost as old as the JSA, but they've always had a lower profile...and for the past 60 years, due to circumstances beyond their control, they've been virtually forgotten by the general public. This is the story of who they were, how they came to be, and why the 21st Century desperately needs the help of these WWII-era heroes.
Who are the members in the team?
For those that know the original SSoV from the 1940s, most of the names are familiar. For starters, we've got Crimson Avenger, Shining Knight, Vigilante, and Star-Spangled Kid & Stripe (that's 'Stripesy' for you old-schoolers). Those five guys are pretty much the core that's survived almost every permutation of the group, what with retcons and writers tossing in their two cents and all. For our DC2 version, we've rounded out the group with the Spider (who has been in other versions of the SSoV) and Firebrand, a name that's totally new to the Soldiers, but she does have a historical link to one of them, and that's why I chose her. And because it's traditional, we do have an unofficial "eighth Soldier", who you'll meet in the story.
Can you tell us more about the story? Will this be their first mission together?
The story starts with their first mission -- which, you will see, is also the first time many of them meet -- but most of the action actually takes place in the present time, long after what I guess you could call their "glory days". It's funny, but for the first few issues, you'll only see the Soldiers in flashbacks or hear about them through other people...they're in the book and not at the same time. Until they show up, a lot of the story is carried by members of the JSA and the Justice League, who have to deal with this menace that only the SSoV can handle, but they're not around anymore. There's a bit of irony to it, because when you look at the League's roster, you think, "Hey, these guys can handle anything! They've stopped Starro and Darkseid and Despero and all that, so they must be more powerful than those creaky old Soldiers." Well, in this case, you're wrong. Sometimes it's not about how hard you can hit or how fast you can run or whatever, it's about standing up and facing something head-on, even if it means your death. That's what the story's about, I suppose: being a soldier and doing your duty, no matter what the odds.
How long have you been working on this?
About three years, give or take a month. I think this book has had the longest pre-production phase of any work on DC2, and that's mainly my fault, I'm a slow writer. It started out way back in 2005 as Charlie's baby, and he was heavily influenced by Grant Morrison's SSoV epic -- he wanted to do this massive, sprawling story over generations with lots of characters...typical Charlie story, in other words. Now at the time, I was pulling stuff together for WWQ, y'know, deciding who I wanted to use, and I'd already decided I wanted Vigilante, so I started bugging Charlie about including Vig in his version of the SSoV. "PLEASE use Vig so he can get chucked back to the Old West!" was a typical post from me...very pathetic. Well, not long after a "preview" issue in DC2 ILLUSTRATED, the SSoV project fell apart, and Charlie said something to me like, "Maybe somebody else down the line will do a more traditional take on the group." Well, I still wanted Vigilante, and I'd been reading up on the group a lot and had really grown to like them, so I had a moment of insanity and said, "I'll do it!" I sifted through some of Charlie's ideas, pasted on a few of my own, and started working on it in-between WWQ and other things...and since I'm so slow, I told David and everyone else that this wouldn't see the light of day until 2008, because I didn't want to have any delays in posting. This is a 5-issue mini, and I've got 3 issues in the can, with #4 about half-done, so the time has finally come!
Which was your favorite character to write?
I guess the go-to answer is Vigilante, because I've already written him twice -- WWQ#6 and "Here We Are As In Olden Days" for our last DC2 Holiday Special -- but they were all fun in one way or another. Pretty much everybody had something particular about them to keep in mind when crafting the whole thing: Spider's opinionated, Stripe tends to be protective of Star-Spangled Kid...things like that help me get a grip on the character, so that they come off as people to me and not just these interchangable cutouts. I especially enjoyed writing Shining Knight's dialogue, because he talks in such an archaic form, so I got to crack open my books on medieval times and look for period words to put in his mouth -- just like when I write the Western stuff, I try to be accurate and not fall into cliche.
Any final comments, thoughts, something else?
Well, I'd like to thank David, who's editing this book, for letting me take my time with it and for correcting all my mistakes when he found them, and thanks to Charlie for letting me pick up this assignment and play with it in my own special way. I'd also like to thank Craig for the cover work, because he's just a beautiful artist, even when the stuff's only black-and-white. I was so happy when he agreed to do this book for me! We really need to start paying him for this stuff. Finally, if you kids enjoy SSoV, then please take a look at WEIRD WESTERN QUARTERLY if you haven't already (at least #6, because it ties in to the SSoV mini), and be sure to read JUSTICE LEAGUE #15 when it hits next month, 'cause that's my baby too...and that's all I have to say.
Excited?! I know I am! Don't forget to check this new series, debuting this April 30th!
Sebastian Gutierrez
Planet DC2 writer.
New This Week At The DC2:
Detective Comics #29
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #29: "Walking the Line"
Written by: Brian Burchette
Cover by: Trevor Yarmovich
Edited by: Samantha Chapman
As things begin to go from worse to critical in Gotham, Batman reluctantly turns to help from the most unlikely of sources. But just how far will the Dark Knight go to bring down one of his greatest enemies?
Plus, The Demon loses his most powerful pawn, and all of Gotham may pay the price!
Green Lantern #12
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #12: "Mongul Rising"
Written by: Daniel Palmer
Cover by: Ramon Villalobos
Edited by: Don Walsh
GL and Ion versus Mongul! How did he get on Mars in the first place? What is he looking for now? Do the Emerald Knights even have a chance? PLUS: Meet Ferris Aircraft’s newest pilot!
Justice Society of America #3
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #3: "Injustice For All, Conclusion"
Written by: David Charlton
Cover and additional art by: Jim Dufresne
Edited by: David Charlton
The Wizard has seized control of the JSA's most dangerous magical artifact, and the Injustice Society is on the verge of their greatest victory. As the battle rages from the Museum to the Tower of Fate, one JSAer must rally some unlikely reinforcements, while another makes a long-awaited return!
Don't miss the double-sized finale to "Injustice For All!"
New Gods #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #1: "Exodus", Part I of II
Written by Kevin Feeney
Cover by Craig Cermak and Ramon Villalobos
Edited by House Of Mystery
Over a year ago, the DC2 was rocked by the APOKOLIPS IMPERATIVE, when the Gods came to Earth- now, their epic saga continues! Orion rules the New Gods on the planet once named Apokolips, but it is far from a happy reign as strife brews on all sides- and he makes a momentous decision which will change everything! Darkseid may be gone, but his evil legacy remains! WAR! LIGHT! DARKNESS! DEATH! DIVINITY! EXCLAMATION MARKS! All this and more as Kirby’s Finest rock the DC2 in their planet-shattering (literally!) debut issue!
The Suicide Squad #22
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue 22: "Live For the Hunt"
Written by: Jay McIntyre
Cover by: Roy Flinchum
Edited by: John Elbe
Catman goes on a solo mission in order to re-establish his credibility, and runs headlong into Catwoman! But this will most definitely not be a friendly meeting of costumed felines....
New This Week At The DC3:
Ultimate Gotham Girls #4
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #4: "The Joker Rules April Fools!"
Written by: Samantha Chapman
Cover by: Carlos
It's April Fools Day in Gotham and that can only mean one thing! The Clown Prince of Crime is giving the city a hearty greeting, and Batgirl must struggle, not only with a diabolical mastermind that gives even Batman pause, but whether or not to accept help from a shocking source!
Ultimate Supergirl #2
Cover coming soon
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue #2:"Little Girl Lost, Part 2"
Written by: James Steel
Cover by: TBA
Kara slowly comes to terms with the fact that she could be stranded on Earth for a long time to come, and Linda comes to terms with the fact that her new friend may be much more than initially imagined. All this as the Royal Flush Gang strikes!
The Titans! #1
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
An Earth-2 Title!
Written by: Brian Burchette
Story by: Borize and Brian Burchette
Cover by: Borize
Edited by: Samantha Chapman
Who are The Titans? Find out in this action packed first issue that starts with the infiltration of H.I.V.E. and leads the team to discoveries that will change not only their lives forever...!
New This Week At Marvel2:
The Invincible Iron Man #3
(click on cover to go straight to the issue)
Issue Three: "[Minus] Human; Prologue"
Written by: Charles HoM
Cover by: Craig Cermak
Edited by: Brian Burchette
Phase Six: Reclaim lost technology. Iron Man battles giant robots, killer androids, and descends into a hidden laboratory beneath New York searching for something close to his heart and past. But when someone else has already claimed that something... It'll hurtle tony Stark into the first crossover of the Marvel2!