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SDCC 2011: DC Dark And Edge Panel LiveBlog [Updated]

DC's creators talk about the meaner, more intense side of the new 52.

Update

Images added courtesy of DC.

No Caption Provided

Hello again, kiddos. I'm checking in at the fabled Room 6DCE for a panel about the EDGE and DARK divisions of DC's new 52. While not separate imprints, it's looking these will all be books that are specifically intended for readers with more mature tastes.

12:55 - Introducing editor Pat McCallum, Scott Snyder, Jeff Lemire, Mike Costa, Adam Glass, Ivan Brandon, Paul Cornell, Kyle Higgins, Moritat and Josh Fialkov. McCallum starts off, saying that he's a huge fan of SUICIDE SQUAD and he loves how it's a fun book about supervillains forced to do dark, nasty things in a more "real world" take. Snyder says that Swamp Thing's his favorite character, right next to Batman, and that the core of the character is about a man struggling with monsters - - both external and internal. He's been talking about SWAMP THING since he started working at DC, and he's excited about giving the character a new spin. It starts with a newly human Alec Holland trying to reconcile his last memory of being burnt alive and his dreams of being a swamp creature that he wants to get away from. The book will explore whether there's a destiny to his circumstances and, even though Alec will be trying to escape his destiny, the book won't ignore anything that's come before. The book will introduce a new villain, an ancient evil, whom Swamp Thing was meant to fight.

12:59 - Jeff talking about ANIMAL MAN. At its center, it's not a book about a superhero, but a family. Buddy's daughter is the real star of the book, as she'll be an incredible powerful entity who must be protected. Buddy's wife is his strength; he'd fall apart without her. This will be a very dark book, for sure. A horror book that will build upon past stories instead of ignoring them. Regarding FRANKSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. - - this is will be the most over-the-top book in contrast to his quieter past work. What if the most insane villain in the world got access to a infinite arsenal and cache of technology? Who are the people who make up the limbs and pieces of Frankenstein? Loves the CREATURE COMMANDOS; feels like they haven't gotten their due yet. Planning to do STARMAN flashback issues - - promises one called "Frakenstein '69" about his days in Vietnam.

1:05 - - Fialkov talking about I, VAMPIRE, a revival of a great, classic horror story. It's about a regal couple - - the guy stays noble after becoming a vampire, while the girl turns absolutely evil. Vampires have been hiding in the DCU, but now they're fed up with their subjugation and they fashion themselves into "vampire terrorists" with aims to take over the world. Romance first, but then about monsters owning their monstrosity. Piles and piles of bodies are promised.

1:09 - Cornell talking about DEMON KNIGHTS, which will be set in DC's medieval times, about a "bloody Magnificent Seven" who have to protect a village after the death of Camelot. Expect experiences from Vandal Savage and a "certain strong, powerful woman from a certain island." Talking up a new character, the Horse Woman, who'll be the stand-out of the team. It'll be like GAME OF THRONES in that the characters are always at risk of being killed. Now he's talking STORMWATCH. The team is now an illuminati-like organization that's been around for centuries who're annoyed by all these new "costume amateurs trying to to take over their Earth protection business. Midnighter and Apollo will be new recruits; jokes that he wants to have a t-shirt that says, "Yes, they're still gay." They'll be meeting for the first time in the first issue, and the series will see them falling in love. Four or five characters returning from the old Stormwatch.

1:17 - Higgins talking about DEATHSTROKE and how the villain is the biggest bad ass in the DC universe, but feels like the character hasn't been allowed to shine as much as he should be. Bringing him back to show why he's such a great assassin - - he'll be laying waste to the 405 highway in LA in the first issue. Not turning him into a good guy, not turning him into an anti-hero... he's a villain, through and through. Compares his approach to the character to the Joker in DARK KNIGHT.

1:21 - About SUICIDE SQUAD; joke Harley Quinn's costume has garnered "a lot of discussion." They won't be a regular super team who gets to hang out when they aren't on missions; they'll only be operating when they're pulled out of their solitary cells. Harley Quinn is a fun psycho and King Shark is fighting to keep a grip on his humanity as he's "de-evolving" into a hammerhead. Compares relationship between Diablo and Deathshot to that of Cyclops and Wolverine - - the idealist vs. the cynic. First five issues will be never-ending barrage of intense missions.

No Caption Provided

1:25 - Costa promises that you won't be seeing "your Daddy's BLACKHAWKS." Most of the line-up is new characters. They're an international police team stopping rogue villains who have their hands on technology that they shouldn't have. There's a conspiracy to who's being armed and who isn't being armed, and the Blackhawks are going to stop a movement to marry man with machine.

1:29 - MEN OF WAR is a straight military book in the DCU about a private contractor named Joe Rock from a cut-off military family. First arc takes place in North Africa and, even though it'll have appearances from superheroes, it's mostly about normal men. Will feature a new version of Circe? Ivan Brandon being very careful about what he says for fear of spoiling some great surprises.

1:35 - Now talking about ALL STAR WESTERN. Really impressive art from Moritat but he admits to not being much of a talker next to Jimmy Palmiotti. Now the room's being opened for questions, though they're running out of time. Telling fans that it's their job to tell everybody that they love a book, otherwise it isn't going to be there for much longer. Brandon says that if they're doing their jobs right, then the least important part of the book is the number on the cover. Higgins says that it's key to make every issue a jumping-on point. Each issue of DEATHSTROKE will be a different mission.

1:42 - Awkwardly-phrased question about how past stories will factor in to SWAMP THING. Snyder says that they can't focus on all the elements of the mythos at once, but he'll be getting at the core of the character. Also stresses that they're all working together to try to make this DARK/EDGE family a cohesive corner of the universe. Jokes about Deathstroke fighting Swamp Thing in issue 3. Q: What does Harley have to look so evil when she's always been such a fun character? A: Even if her outfit's different, she'll still be the cool, fun Harley. Q: What's the difference between Vertigo and this? A: We're still in the DCU, with superheroes, and then we can't say certain words or show certain body parts. Q: Will Swamp Thing break off another piece of a fruit for another lucky lady? A: You'll have to read the book, brother.

And that's the end of the panel. This line's looking it'll be a great middle ground between traditional superheroes and edgy material you'd find in Vertigo.

Animal Man
Animal Man
No Caption Provided
Blackhawks
Blackhawks
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Deathstroke
Deathstroke
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
No Caption Provided
Justice League Dark
Justice League Dark
No Caption Provided
Men of War
Men of War
No Caption Provided
Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
No Caption Provided
I, Vampire
I, Vampire
No Caption Provided
Voodoo
Voodoo
No Caption Provided

31 Comments

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The Impersonator

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Edited By The Impersonator

It's blood-sucking time for DC.

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sj_esposito

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Edited By sj_esposito

I can't wait for Swamp Thing and Animal Man -- I think the Dark books are going to really be the stars of the revamp.

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sj_esposito

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Edited By sj_esposito

...And it's good to hear that Stormwatch will keep Apollo and Midnighter true to character.

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Ah so Deathstroke is the one who caused Carmageddon here huh? lol

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longbowhunter

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Edited By longbowhunter
@sEsposito7 said:
I can't wait for Swamp Thing and Animal Man -- I think the Dark books are going to really be the stars of the revamp.

I was really upset when I first heard about the reboot. These two books helped settle my nerves.
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pikahyper

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Edited By pikahyper  Moderator

I must be in the minority cause I've only really loved Deathstroke in the '90s.

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Outside_85

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Edited By Outside_85

Pity, nothing on JLD and more Slade being 'bad-ass', as if we weren't completely sick of that already.

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cosmo111687

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Edited By cosmo111687

They didn't discuss Justice League Dark in this panel?

I hope that what they mean by Harley's costume garnering " a lot of discussion" is "we know that most Harley fans hate her costume and we're keeping it as only a temporary thing that's unique to this series."    

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cosmo111687

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Edited By cosmo111687
@sEsposito7 said:
I can't wait for Swamp Thing and Animal Man -- I think the Dark books are going to really be the stars of the revamp.
I would definitely say that Super-Man, Batman, and the Dark line-ups are my three most highly anticipated line-ups.
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blackkitty

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Edited By blackkitty

Why did no one ask why they felt the need to change Harley's costume in the first place when she's such an beloved character? And what led to the decision to have king shark turn into a friggin hammer head? Gah! This is why I need to be at these panels. :(

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Benzo

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Edited By Benzo

Yep, getting all the 'Dark' titles! 

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B_Heart

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Edited By B_Heart

I like slade going back to doing assassinations. Sounds interesting

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Bluefox170

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Edited By Bluefox170
 @Outside_85 said:
Pity, nothing on JLD and more Slade being 'bad-ass', as if we weren't completely sick of that already.
@Outside_85: Someone has to be =] 
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Roldan

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Edited By Roldan
@blackkitty said:
Why did no one ask why they felt the need to change Harley's costume in the first place when she's such an beloved character? And what led to the decision to have king shark turn into a friggin hammer head? Gah! This is why I need to be at these panels. :(
Are those really that important questions? I thought the characters themselves were the important ones, not how they look. A hammerhead is still a shark and Harley looks were never that important. Sure i to prefer the old look but i don't really mind the new look either, she still looks like Harley to me.  
 
Also good panel, to bad Milligan wasn't there to talk about JL: Dark.
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TheLastLantern

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Edited By TheLastLantern

Gotta say, Slade's armor is pretty slick lookin'
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Avenging-X-Bolt

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Edited By Avenging-X-Bolt

can anyone identify the rest of the suicide squad for me?  
 
i only rcognize Harley, Killer Shark, Deadshot and el diablo
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jointron33

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Edited By jointron33

oh my gosh voodoo is sexy

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CrimsonTempest

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Edited By CrimsonTempest

Dibs on Stormwatch and Swamp Thing. Interested also in Animal Man and Agent of SHADE.

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The Poet

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Edited By The Poet  Moderator

the dark justice league looks nice...just want to see if it is my style

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FoxxFireArt

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Edited By FoxxFireArt

Wait, I'm confused. "DC Dark"? What is that, DC comics that shows naked breasts and has Skinemax plot lines? I give these series about six months before they are ended.
 
Whenever you see this line used as a description:

" Costa promises that you won't be seeing 'your Daddy's BLACKHAWKS.' "

You are guaranteed to see utter cheeseball. This is what people say when they are so out of touch but trying to relate to younger readers. I just hope he wasn't being serious, but using the term in an ironic fashion.
 
Wow, I completely forgot that Voodoo is coming to DC comics, as well as other Wildstorm series.
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Outside_85

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Edited By Outside_85
@Bluefox170 said:
 @Outside_85 said:
Pity, nothing on JLD and more Slade being 'bad-ass', as if we weren't completely sick of that already.
@Outside_85: Someone has to be =] 
Sadly, when Slade has been bad-ass in the past, it means scores of heroes have their IQ drop by 50 points (see Infinite Crisis), I'm ok with Slade being portrayed as a cool dude, but I'd prefer it not happening by making other characters look like fools (when they aren't).
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Sekele

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Edited By Sekele

OK, so Dark is basically going to be a bridge between the mainstream superheroes and Vertigo

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Riska

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Edited By Riska

What the hell is going on in that first I, Vampire image? Is it meant to be 5 different images? First she has her hood/hat thing, then no hood/hat thing and what I can only assume is fire. Then an ass shot with no train, followed by a return of the hood/hat thing and no fire, but with added train that wasn't there in the last panel. Finally, hood/hat thing is gone once more to be replaced by more pseudo-fire/smoke.
 
Eh?!
 
Anyway, some interesting titles here. I'm sure Lemire's Animal Man will be a hit, and I'm looking forward to Suicide Squad. Deathstroke becomes less an less interesting the more they push him. The last interesting thing he did was kneecap Bart Allen.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@sEsposito7 said:

...And it's good to hear that Stormwatch will keep Apollo and Midnighter true to character.

Word, this' lookin' real nice. Definitely shaping up to be my favorite corner of the DCU. That Animal Man art looks stellar, as does JLD, Vampire, and Frankenstein.
 
Dagnino's art on Resurrection man actually doesn't make me want to vomit in my mouth! Wow...how'd that happen? 
No Caption Provided
No Caption Provided
 
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TheLastLantern

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Edited By TheLastLantern

Swamp Thing + Scott Synder = Probable greatness
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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini

Couldn't help but think of Shadow Cabinet when he talked about Stormwatch. Glad he's going that route with the Authority team. 

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doordoor123

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Edited By doordoor123
@FoxxFireArt said:
Wait, I'm confused. "DC Dark"? What is that, DC comics that shows naked breasts and has Skinemax plot lines? I give these series about six months before they are ended.
 
Whenever you see this line used as a description:

" Costa promises that you won't be seeing 'your Daddy's BLACKHAWKS.' "

You are guaranteed to see utter cheeseball. This is what people say when they are so out of touch but trying to relate to younger readers. I just hope he wasn't being serious, but using the term in an ironic fashion.
 
Wow, I completely forgot that Voodoo is coming to DC comics, as well as other Wildstorm series.

Well I think the series you are talking about are both "Edge" comics. Which means edgy. So I would expect that sort of treatment. And in the past, sexy comics have sold. Sex sells.  
And youre judging Blachawks before you even read it. Thats not fair. Thats like me saying "Let me judge you before I even know you. I dont like you because youre just complaining. " But I dont feel that way. I think maybe youre just misinformed.   
:D
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Darkchild

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Edited By Darkchild
@sEsposito7 said:
I can't wait for Swamp Thing and Animal Man -- I think the Dark books are going to really be the stars of the revamp.
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GT-Man

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Edited By GT-Man

Finally DCU will probably be on par with Marvels horror and bloodiness

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Doctor!!!!!

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Edited By Doctor!!!!!

I wish i could draw like that!

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TheMess1428

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Edited By TheMess1428

I think I just got interested in Voodoo. :)