Comic Vine News

80 Comments

DC To Release 'Batman: Earth One' And 'Superman: Earth One'

DC gearing up to release two new graphic novels

DC gearing up to release two new graphic novels


 
 SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE
 SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE
If you were DC Comics, chances are that you probably would want to expand your audience by utilizing the two biggest names in comic books, right? According to The Source, DC will be releasing two new comics in a graphic novel format which will recount the storylines of Batman and Superman respectively.

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE and BATMAN: EARTH ONE kick off an ongoing series of original graphic novels featuring “their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.”

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE will be written by J. Michael Straczynski with art by Shane Davis, and BATMAN: EARTH ONE will be written by Geoff Johns with the art of Gary Frank.

 BATMAN: EARTH ONE
 BATMAN: EARTH ONE
The question remains, how many times will they re-tell the origin stories of these characters? Will a comic like this isolate fans of the characters, or will you be interested in re-reading their back stories? The good thing about this is the fact that DC will be publishing these books in a graphic novel format through Random House. This is a really good way for DC to expound on their franchises and reach new readers as well as re-tell the timeless origin stories of these characters.

In a recent interview with Aintitcoolnews.com, writer Geoff Johns ( Batman) and artist Shane Davis ( Superman) discussed their sentiments regarding the upcoming project.

“What I’m trying to do is to dig in to the character and look at him through modern eyes. If you were to create the Superman story today, for the first time, but keep intact all that works, what would it look like?”
“It is monumental for us as comic readers to see Superman birthed for the first time,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to realize that you’re the artist that gets to draw it, better yet having the luxury to do it in an original graphic novel. This is going to be epic!”

 Alfred
 Alfred
Writer Geoff Johns also expressed his excitement regarding the upcoming project.

“BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story. Add to that the idea of working on a line of graphic novels instead of being limited to twenty-two pages, it’s a challenge and I love a challenge.”

If you ask me, though, all we have really seen lately is the retelling of Superman's origins. I would personally love to see DC take advantage of the fact that these stories will be set in an alternate universe and give readers new plot twists on stories that fans already know by heart.

80 Comments

Avatar image for ironangelx
IronAngelX

217

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By IronAngelX
Avatar image for friskynesss
Friskynesss

79

Forum Posts

4637

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 3

Edited By Friskynesss

Alfred XD

Avatar image for lordderaj
LordDeraj

1

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By LordDeraj

Is it me or does Alfred look like Sir Christopher Lee?

Avatar image for markus_kage
Markus Kage

32

Forum Posts

81

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Markus Kage
@shockwave632 said:
" @Vortex13 said:
" Alfred's look reminds me of a real person I've seen who was an actor, but I can't think of who at the moment... "   
My first thought was Sam Elliott (Ghost Rider) 

      Sam Elliott
      Sam Elliott
"
Exactly, first thought that came to me too. Can't place right off who Bruce looks like though.....not really sure....
Avatar image for primmaster64
Primmaster64

21668

Forum Posts

16273

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Primmaster64

Some people do

Avatar image for ryu_batman
RYU/BATMAN

461

Forum Posts

8695

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 6

Edited By RYU/BATMAN
@AtPhantom:  
Who hates Batman? No one does.
Avatar image for reactor
reactor

5074

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By reactor

I kinda wish Superman's outfit could have gotten a revamp, even if only slightly. It'd be nice to see an alternative take on his uniform. But still, I'm getting this.

Avatar image for escoblades
EscoBlades

77

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By EscoBlades

I WANT!!

Avatar image for vortex13
Vortex13

12140

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Vortex13
@shockwave632: YES, that was who. Thanks!
Avatar image for bobby_x
Bobby X

1149

Forum Posts

322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 9

Edited By Bobby X

Sooo, Ultimate DC it is! I guess....
God, I love Gary Frank's art.
Avatar image for degraaf
DEGRAAF

8431

Forum Posts

72

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DEGRAAF

think they will use silver age powers and abilities like the old earth one?
Avatar image for shockwave632
shockwave632

55

Forum Posts

27

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By shockwave632
@Vortex13 said:
" Alfred's look reminds me of a real person I've seen who was an actor, but I can't think of who at the moment... "   
My first thought was Sam Elliott (Ghost Rider) 

      Sam Elliott
      Sam Elliott
Avatar image for super_man_23
SUPER-MAN 23

2667

Forum Posts

9994

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 789

User Lists: 8

Edited By SUPER-MAN 23

Great Art! 

Avatar image for touch37
touch37

59

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By touch37

Alfred looks too scary to be Alfred ;-;
Avatar image for omega_the_supreme_being_
Omega The Supreme Being

141

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Alfred looks kick ass 

Avatar image for theredhood
TheRedHood

23

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By TheRedHood
@danhimself said:

"what's the difference between New Earth and Earth 1? " 
 


@danhimself:
Well Earth 1 is Mainstream/Continual DCU B4 Wolfman's CRISIS & New EARTH (1986)
When He Exposed The Multi-verse,,,,,,,,,I guess. 
sooo SilvrAge 1959 (Flash B.Allen 1st Appr. & JLoA.) - 1986 (Wolfman's CRISIS) = Earth 1     
&  
Gldn Age DCU is,,,,1928 - Lost in Time during WWII on Real Earth.-??40's?? = Earth 2 
DCU Continuity POST (After) Wolfman's 1986 CRISIS/J.Byrne SuperMan ReVamp = New Earth
at Least thatz how I have kept it straight. 
&  
Don't let Morrison's "JLA Earth 2" GrphcNvl Confuse ya,  
That How The Crime Syndicate (Anti Matter Earth) see's New Earth 
as DCU Continual, being - Earth 2, to Their Anti-Matter Earth (or Evil Earth) Being 1. 
Avatar image for theevilhotdog
theevilhotdog

88

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By theevilhotdog

sweet!
Avatar image for blade_hunter
blade hunter

1917

Forum Posts

76848

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 8

Edited By blade hunter

when are they being released?

Avatar image for degraaf
DEGRAAF

8431

Forum Posts

72

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DEGRAAF

i really want a release date
Avatar image for hero_vs__villian
hero vs. villian

427

Forum Posts

44636

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

Edited By hero vs. villian

Geoff Johns writing Batman? That is a MUST! buy indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Avatar image for the_hottness
The Hottness

4207

Forum Posts

90

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By The Hottness

this is so badass...
Avatar image for armiv
ARMIV

3927

Forum Posts

8

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By ARMIV

These look pretty cool!
And Geoff Johns is writing? Excellent!

Avatar image for degraaf
DEGRAAF

8431

Forum Posts

72

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DEGRAAF

yea that will be interesting to see how Johns creates Batman with nothing to retcon and anything goes basically. 
 
It will be interesting to see what list of powers Superman will have. 
 
Will these baiscally be a new sreies of silver aged comic heroes?
Avatar image for argentino_18
Argentino_18

964

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Argentino_18
@Nighthunter said:
" @Argentino_18 said:
" Alfred looks like Alan Quartermain from Extraodinare Gentleman novel "
THANK YOU, now I know I ain't mad "
you're welcome
Avatar image for nighthunter
Nighthunter

29670

Forum Posts

37738

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 4

Edited By Nighthunter

no, he only can't write him well lol
 
at least not in continuity, we'll see

Avatar image for atphantom
AtPhantom

14434

Forum Posts

25163

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By AtPhantom

Wait, Geoff Johns is writing Batman? I thought he hated Batman?

Avatar image for nighthunter
Nighthunter

29670

Forum Posts

37738

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 4

Edited By Nighthunter
@Argentino_18 said:
" Alfred looks like Alan Quartermain from Extraodinare Gentleman novel "
THANK YOU, now I know I ain't mad
Avatar image for argentino_18
Argentino_18

964

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Argentino_18

Alfred looks like Alan Quartermain from Extraodinare Gentleman novel

Avatar image for argentino_18
Argentino_18

964

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Argentino_18

Alfred really look badass 

Avatar image for hannibalking
HannibalKing

51

Forum Posts

120

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By HannibalKing

Don't really see Welling in the photo at all like some people are suggesting, but that's just me. I'm not quite sold on Batman's design. I feel his costume needs to be all black if you're going to lose the trunks. I quite like the Superman design though, especially the gold trim around the shield.
 
" Show me a Batman I don't know.  Make Batman about a mantle that was handed down from one father to the next and Bruce Wayne is in a long line of Batman trying to live up to the family legacy."
 
It's called The Phantom.

Avatar image for theevilhotdog
theevilhotdog

88

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By theevilhotdog

they all look good 
Avatar image for nighthunter
Nighthunter

29670

Forum Posts

37738

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 4

Edited By Nighthunter
@Gambler said:
"Alfred looks like Slade Wilson. "


really? I was thinking more of Quatermain but maybe that's just me 
 
I love the idea and the creative teams involved. Read in an interview to Shane Davis in Newsarama that by page 8 of the scrypt he was in love with the story and that he considers it the best story JMS has written. Comming from the guy who made Thor the best comic by Marvel in my opinion month after month and the guy who wrote Silver Surfer: Requiem that means a lot.

 

May be unrelated but thought it was worth to be mentioned. It's been rumored for several months that Grant Morrison would be working on a Wonder Woman title in 2010. Knowing how much the name of Grant Morrison sells and his great way of handling stories, especially the ones in continuity along with his amazing run on All Stars Superman (which was built on a similar premise) this could be the third project to spin from this line.

Avatar image for degraaf
DEGRAAF

8431

Forum Posts

72

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DEGRAAF

i think supes looks more rutheless. maybe in this one he falls in love with lois still but she dislikes him bc he is an alien and she sticks with Luthor not knowing how he truely is.i think that would be a cool alternate. As well as Supes and bats not necessarily being friends but just adversaries of the same cause, only this time Superman is much more prone to hurting people and small amounts of  torture if need be and batman is willing to kill. This would be a great alternate i think. then if all goes well they can bring in Diana as a new character and have supes and bats think her country is trying to invade at the same time aquaman could actually try to be invading and that can bring supes and bats together. Later they find out the truth behind Diana and she becomes close w supes (just friends at this point still though) and they can come to a truce with Atlantis but never become close with aquaman. Bats and arrow can become more close because they are so alike. but stubborn headed and not wanting help from one another but have the same morals and feelings about aliens (superman and wonder woman) and find them selves working on the same cases in sync w/ one another more and more. Supes (some time after prior events) can then suddenly hear a  screaching noise that turns out to be Martian manhunter restrained and being tested on by hte US military (they could be testing fire on his skin). Superman would be more about the human race of the world and less about just america. He busts martian manhunter out against bats and arrows wishes (since they secretly helped trap MM with out anyone other capes knowing. 
 
Tell me if this sounds like a good idea at all please?
Avatar image for willy105
Willy105

17

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Willy105

Excellent!
 
This could be my entry way to the comics! I have always tried to get into these comics, but it's monthly format (I don't go to a book store every month) and the sheer complexity of these stories make reading these comics completely unpleasant.
 
A bi-yearly format and a brand new story is a dream come true.
 
@Media_Master said:

" Why not just create new characters? You can only change so much until going back to the standard superhero antics. "

Not if you simply don't. There is no rule that a reboot has to be the same as what it is rebooting. In fact, that's the point of rebooting something.
Avatar image for degraaf
DEGRAAF

8431

Forum Posts

72

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DEGRAAF
@Niko said:
"Is this supposed to be Ultimate DC? "

that was my guess as to what it might turn in too if people like it which i assume they will
Avatar image for drawme
drawme

429

Forum Posts

58648

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By drawme

Maybe these titles can me persuade to start reading DC.

Avatar image for crazywolf
crazywolf

662

Forum Posts

33910

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By crazywolf

Art looks great. The graphic novel format is an interesting idea.

Avatar image for media_master
Media_Master

2189

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Media_Master

Why not just create new characters? You can only change so much until going back to the standard superhero antics.

Avatar image for xion
Xion

249

Forum Posts

136

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Xion

this sounds interesting! have to wait to see what happens!

Avatar image for emissary
Emissary

1

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Emissary

So is it just ME, or does this new Superman bear a striking resemblance to Tom Welling?????

Avatar image for the_weatherman
The WeatherMan

3261

Forum Posts

1427

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By The WeatherMan

This seems like Ultimate DC line really, but nontheless I definitely want to check these books out.
Avatar image for theblueangel93
TheBlueAngel93

21064

Forum Posts

16240

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: -1

Edited By TheBlueAngel93

If Geoff Johns is writing a Batman book, I'm getting it. My question is this going to be an ongoing series?

Avatar image for dc_kid21
dc-kid21

154

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 1

Edited By dc-kid21

YES!!!!!!

Avatar image for shadowfade
ShadowFade

35

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By ShadowFade
@FoxxFireArt: Good questions my friend. I hope DC Entrainment does their own "Ultimate" line. The character designs look good. I hope they will give updates to all their villains. This universe could turn out very interesting and fresh to new readers. DC has a long history with their characters and I think they should have done their own ultimate universe awhile ago. I wonder if they would do a Justice League? Or add other characters such as Wonder Wonder or The Flash to Earth-1.
Avatar image for foxxfireart
FoxxFireArt

3645

Forum Posts

336411

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 2

Edited By FoxxFireArt

This sounds like it could be pretty cool. I am curious about one fact. Would this be like the 'retellings' of the Marvel heroes series with the Ultimate Universe books? Where they start off pretty much the same, but taking a variant path.
 
Will this Batman start off with a gun, or will they treat it as if those events never even happened?
 
The art looks well done.

Avatar image for burr787
burr787

2483

Forum Posts

161

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By burr787
@Bruce Vain said:
" Interesting design for Alfred . Not making him this fragile old butler , but showing that he was an ex-soldier and probably gives reason for his cane. I dig it. "
Even though that's how I expect an ex-marine to look, I'm not sure that I would want that design for Alfred. Alfred is more of a loving, caring kind of person that is always there with words of encouragement and advice. While I would expect this Alfred to fight alongside Bruce and tear someone's throat out with his teeth.
Avatar image for bruce_vain
Bruce Vain

1833

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Bruce Vain

Interesting design for Alfred . Not making him this fragile old butler , but showing that he was an ex-soldier and probably gives reason for his cane. I dig it.
Avatar image for nightfang3
NightFang3

12417

Forum Posts

399564

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By NightFang3
@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:
"Alfred looks badass "
              I think thats how he should always be.
Avatar image for emperor_gonzo_noir
Emperor Gonzo Noir

19151

Forum Posts

1989

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 17


Alfred looks badass
  • 80 results
  • 1
  • 2