It may be Batman's 75th anniversary, but the Dark Knight isn't hogging all of the spotlight and DC Comics definitely isn't forgetting about its other iconic heroes. It was a crowded stage as David Finch, Meredith Finch, Van Jensen, Geoff Johns, Charles Soule, Robert Venditti, John Cunningham, and Nicola Scott joined the panel to discuss what's coming up in their books.
- JUSTICE LEAGUE #32 cover shown first. Has Luthor holding Batman's belt and cowl.
- Geoff Johns says the core of FOREVER EVIL was to create a very personal story for Luthor.
- Big focus on a cat and mouse relationship between Lex and Bruce in JUSTICE LEAGUE. Wayne will try to infiltrate LexCorp.
- Shown a few pages of Doom Patrol appearing in the book as well as Element Woman.
- John calls Doom Patrol very wounded people and the Chief has made them worse. Shown an image of them squaring off with Power Ring.
- Johns says he read every New 52 Superman comic before working with the character to see what he's been through. Adds he wanted to bring back the Daily Planet in a big way and says there's a strong focus on Jimmy Olsen coming. Also says the heart of Superman is Clark Kent and what the people around him mean to him.
- Finch says she's very fortunate to take over after Azzarello did such an amazing job of showing who Wonder Woman and her supporting cast are. Says the Amazons can't go neglected and they'll be a key piece in the first arc. Says she'll bring back an old villain but imagined in a totally different way. Excited to reimagine her and says it'll shock.
- Shown some pencil pages of WONDER WOMAN and she's interacting with the Justice League (Batman, Cyborg,Superman, Aquaman). Shown another page that focuses on Swamp Thing.Another page is revealed -- a double-page spread -- of Diana kicking Swamp Thing in the face.
- Soule says SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN is fun because in incorporates characters from both worlds. Explains the physical conflict gives him a chance to illuminate the characters and humanize them with little moments. Adds that the Doomed story just gets bigger and bigger and bigger.
- Venditti says a big focus going into THE FLASH was showing how FOREVER EVIL impacted the city.
- Venditti says THE FLASH has a great cast and they're trying to have as much fun as they can.
- Venditti says he wanted to show Hal become more of a strategist in GREEN LANTERN. Says next story will show how far he can evolve in that regard and how it impacts his character. Adds the book is a lot of fun and "a lot of big stories coming down the line."
- GREEN LANTERN #34 is Jon Stewart's hunt for the real Fatality. Joked it's a relief to write because it has a smaller cast.
- Regarding RED LANTERNS, Soule thanked Johns for all of the worldbuilding he did with the GL mythos.
- Johns thanks Soule for not killing Dex-Starr. Soul replies he loves Dex-Starr and the character's safe and not going anywhere.
- Soule states the upcoming RED LANTERNS annual has everything coming to a head.
- Soule says he wants to continue to explore Swamp Thing being "new to his job." Adds he's incredibly powerful but trusting and more people will try to take advantage of that. "Being able to add to the Swamp Thing mythology is a huge thrill for me."
- Upcoming SWAMP THING story is about technology trying to find an avatar of its own. "It's going to be really fun."
- Scott states Tom Taylor's doing a great job juggling Earth 2's cast and building up for more. Adds its great to be in their own continuity so they can create all kinds of havoc. Joked that a fan told her EARTH 2 is like Game of Thrones because you never know who will die.
- Question: Marvel has had success promoting diverse heroes, but DC seems like they're not pushing them as hard. Answer: Johns says it's something they talk about every day, cites examples of characters and says they're proud about the characters they're pushing. Panel pointed out there's a difference between heavy publicity versus what's actually going on in the panels.
- Question: how's the collaboration between Meredith and David on WONDER WOMAN? Answer: she plots and then David reads it and they discuss. Explains that living in the same house allows for better communication and gives them an advantage.
- Johns says the care the Finchs are putting into WONDER WOMAN is so wonderful and they're putting everything they have into it.
- Question: will we see The Flash TV series influence the comic? Answer: there's one connection going on right now in the comic that'll eventually appear in the show.
- Johns: "One of the goals we have is to celebrate the DC universe in every medium we have."
- Question: will we see any Red Lanterns in EARTH 2? Answer: the weekly is the opportunity to pick up a lot of loose threads. Presuming that's where it'll pop up.
- Question: will we continue to see more humanizing elements with Cyborg? Answer: Johns says Cyborg and Shazam will bond and develop a stronger friendship. Batson's maturity drags him down and they kind of get in trouble because of it. Aside from Batman and Lex Luthor, they'll be the biggest characters in JUSTICE LEAGUE.
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