Interview: Daniel H. Wilson Talks EARTH 2: SOCIETY and World-Building

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gmanfromheck

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Edited By gmanfromheck

You really have to feel sorry for the folks on Earth 2. There’s been destruction after destruction. With the weekly EARTH 2: WORLD’S END approaching it’s conclusion, we’re seeing the Earth is in pretty bad shape thanks to Darkseid. The good news is we’re not going to see the end of the entire universe. There will be some survivors. If you’ve been reading the series, you’ve seen the signs of how that survival will take place.

With Convergence coming up and the question of what happens next, we sat down with Daniel H. Wilson to find out what he has planned for EARTH 2: SOCIETY.

COMIC VINE: Is this taking place on Earth 2?

DANIEL H. WILSON: This is taking place on a new Earth 2. It’s another planet.

CV: This is where it’s been leading to, two million people ready to leave.

DHW: Exactly. Society is going to be about rebuilding after a huge traumatic catastrophe.

CV: So it’ll be two million refugees, anyone they could squeeze in the ship?

DHW: Yeah, whoever gets onto whatever they manage to get going.

No Caption Provided

CV: Who could we expect to see? Will it be a lot of the same characters?

DHW: Yeah. I’m pulling in all my favorite characters from EARTH 2. You can pretty much expect anybody who lives to make it to EARTH 2: SOCIETY. Definitely like Alan Scott, Power Girl and Huntress, Val, Flash, and people like that.

CV: With Power Girl and the upcoming HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL miniseries, is that just something we don’t worry about?

DHW: I guess they’re just not connected, yeah. We’ll have the Power Girl we know and love from Earth 2.

CV: And now her costume has been upgraded.

DHW: Yeah! She has the S-shield attached now. We had fun with those shields with Val and Kara. Expect more hijinks in the future.

CV: Now that she’s wearing the “S” and she’s embracing her heritage, is that going to change the way she carries herself? Will she think, “I have to live up to this now”?

DHW: I feel like that’s definitely a component of what’s going on. It’s about literally taking on the mantle of Superman. She has big shoes to fill and I think the scope of the catastrophe that’s happening, there’s no time to be childish. There’s no more room for children. It’s time for everyone to step up and become the heroes they need to be.

CV: Will there still be crossovers between Earth 2 and the main Earth?

DHW: Part of what I’m really excited about is with the weekly, everything’s so chaotic. There’s so may storylines, so many artists and writers. It’s like this big giant crazy machine that never stops. This includes the crossovers because CONSTANTINE came in and we messed around with that a little bit. I think we’re going to try to slow things dow for SOCIETY and take our time and focus on the characters that we have. We want to explore our little corner of the universe.

CV: With two million people, at least, is it still possible we could see the emergence of an Earth 2 version of a character that has existed previously?

DHW: [laughs] How much do you know, man? Yeah, we’ll definitely be seeing some characters emerging, in some surprising way. Some beloved characters may kind of be back in new forms.

CV: With the subtitle “Society,” is that going back to like the Justice Society?

DHW: There’s a definite link there, yeah. It’s also talking about building a society. Since this is really about building something where there’s nothing, I wouldn’t expect to just see a Justice Society fighting crime or anything. What does that even mean, right? There are no cities. It’s two million people in refugee ships. What it’s really about would be formation. Building the beginning of things.

CV: There’s been a lot with Darkseid and we have Darkseid War in JUSTICE LEAGUE. Is that going to be a separate thing? Is his presence still going to be felt?

DHW: I’m happy to say I don’t have him staring at me every night. So no, I don’t think he’s going to be a huge threat for our characters moving forward. I think we’re going to explore new territories now. He’s a great bad guy. He’s the ultimate bad guy. He’s a super fun villain to write because he’s like a mountain. I mean, what do you do, you throw a rock at him. Nothing happens, he doesn’t care. He’s a mastermind too. I had a lot of fun with him, but we’re going to explore some new territory.

CV: From the beginning of the New 52, Earth 2 was always kind of a clean slate and now that you’re finding a new “Earth 2,” are you going to be coming up with new threats and villains? New conflicts for them to deal with?

DHW: The characters that are coming are all the familiar characters. I think there’ll definitely be new threats and villains. We’re arriving on a planet that may have indigenous life. Who knows what’s going on with this planet. That’s something they’re going to have to explore. There’s the basic pioneer threat, like the Oregon Trail. How many of our characters are going to die of dysentery? They’re settling a new planet, right? It’s a wild place. There’s going to be a lot of different threats that are out there. They’ll all be sort of tied into this central problem of building a new society. Thematically, what we’re focusing on is, ideologically, with our characters, are they showing up to this planet because they want to rebuild what they lost and go back to what they had before or are they wanting go move forward. The heroes are going to fall on different sides of things and that’s going to add to the conflict.

CV: It sounds like you have a lot of freedom, you’re world-building, you don’t have to worry about certain things.

DHW: I know, I love it. I’m very lucky to be operating in the DCU and have this much latitude. I love explaining more about where characters came from and their origin stories. That’s so much fun, to have those there. I love exploring the mythology of the world, especially from a scientific perspective. I love to think about how all this stuff is really working?

CV: Once they finally find a place to settle, is someone going to rise up to try to be the leader?

DHW: I think there’s different kinds of ideologies about starting cities. Leaders are definitely going to emerge. One thing that’s pretty interesting about this to me, first of all, it’s a really fascinating thought experiment. As an armchair anthropologist, how do you start a civilization? If you look at human history, civilizations come together slowly over time. There’s a lot of war. They build up into nations and then the nations war. Eventually you get to wherever we’re at. Hopefully there’s something on the horizon. But how do you do that all at once? How do you do that when you have two million people, advanced technology, superhumans, and then just go.

CV: So you have a big long plan, a big road ahead?

DHW: Yeah, they have a lot of work to do. The second thing, it’s not necessarily a scenario where you need someone who can punch a hole in a mountain. I actually do this with my four-year-old daughter when I want her to get dressed. I’ll casually offer to help punch her socks on. I’ll be like, “Can I punch your covers up around you to help you go to sleep?” Punching doesn’t always work, right? She thinks it’s hilarious and I’m really funny. Apparently I don’t want to brag. But punching doesn’t always solve the problem so we’re in a situation where they’re rebuilding a society and maybe some of these characters, who have super physical powers, are going to have to find other ways to help because that’s not always going to be the answer.

There will be punching though. Hey, come on.

The punching and world-building begins in June. Don't miss it. Check out the solicit for the first issue:

EARTH 2: SOCIETY #1

Written by DANIEL WILSON

Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ

1:25 Variant cover by PAULO SIQUEIRA

On sale JUNE 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.

The survivors of Earth-2’s war with Apokolips find themselves on a new world, but can Green Lantern, Power Girl, a new Batman and the other heroes of Earth-2 create a new world that’s better than the last, or will their interference and good intentions doom this world, just like the old one?

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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Hopefully this book can get back on track after Tom Taylor (who I do think is a fantastic writer, and I love everything else he does) killed my interest in this book. No more destruction and crazy end of the world stuff, just heroes being heroes again.

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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Also, is it just me or does this Batman look a lot like Dark Claw?

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the_stegman

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#3 the_stegman  Moderator

I was about to drop Earth 2 since World's End has been very mediocre, but I may give this a shot.

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HolySerpent

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dondave

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That Batman suit looks horrendous.

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donmeca2020

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Also, is it just me or does this Batman look a lot like Dark Claw?

No Caption Provided

colorwise yes... costume looks alot different though. with that pic Bats costume was the first to catch my eye.

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2cool4fun

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I just want to know, why the hell do we need Thomas as batman, we don't even have an actual superman in that universe, just let the guy die pls, just pls make him die & let the ones who are supposed to be the 3 most important ones shine.

Also let Huntress take over the Bat stuff, kind of like we can see Power Girl is taking over the Sups part, which btw I'm so happy she finally has an S on her chest.

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HolySerpent

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Also thank god val survives

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Jonny_Anonymous

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I miss when there was no Superman or Batman on Earth 2

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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@jonny_anonymous said:

I miss when there was no Superman or Batman on Earth 2

Same here, that was the whole appeal of the series, a world without the big 3, that focused on lesser heroes stepping up.

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brobertz

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#11  Edited By brobertz

@2cool4fun: The solicit says their will be a new Batman. I'm sure it won't be Thomas. It will probably be Dick Grayson of Earth 2, especially since he and Thomas will be together during convergence.

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captain_batman_FTW

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Hell yeah! Earth 2 has been one of my favourite New 52 titles, and it really warms up my heart to see that the JSA gets this much love.

@dondave said:

That Batman suit looks horrendous.

I know. This one looks better, in my opinion:

No Caption Provided

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captain_batman_FTW

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kind of like we can see Power Girl is taking over the Sups part, which btw I'm so happy she finally has an S on her chest.

This as well.

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SodamYat

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cool

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doombot890

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I'm rather happy that Earth 2 is surviving in some way. It was really bleak there for a while (still is currently)

I hope they go back to developing the characters more rather than this event nonsense. Could have given Hawkgirl's costume a bit of a tweak if everyone is getting new duds.

Hoping that Val survived. I dunno why but for some reason I think that Bat2 is Dick Grayson2...either way could do with him no longer being in the book

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doombot890

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Darling_Luna

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Looks cool, hoping to hop back on

them costumes though

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The Impersonator

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It's nice for Power Girl to have an S on her b**b$.

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RaggedScarecrow

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Hmmm, gotta say, Wilson's saying all the right things here. No immediate crossovers and a return to world-building is exactly what I wanted. Still not sure I trust him long-term though, 'cause World's End has been exceptionally mediocre. I'll pick up the first arc and see if it's worth continuing.

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Outside_85

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Hmm, so this might be worth reading again.

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HolySerpent

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I wish they didn't change flash or green lantern duds

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2cool4fun

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I'm rather happy that Earth 2 is surviving in some way. It was really bleak there for a while (still is currently)

I hope they go back to developing the characters more rather than this event nonsense. Could have given Hawkgirl's costume a bit of a tweak if everyone is getting new duds.

Hoping that Val survived. I dunno why but for some reason I think that Bat2 is Dick Grayson2...either way could do with him no longer being in the book

I think Dr Fate is getting his own comic, unless it's the Earth 0 Fate?

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apokos7

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I'll give this title a shot, that's for sure!

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sealife

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Arg!! A new Batman again really?! Was sure Thomas would die, thought they would let the mantle die.

But it is Batman so ff course not. Please let it be someone else than Grayson!

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joaoanjos

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Ugh...... this is just not what i wanted for JSA. I stopped reading Earth 2 when they introduced that Batman. I don't know, maybe the story was good anyway, but I was very disappointed

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Jenkale

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sigh no matter what dc universe i go to just cant escape the bat :(...so i wonder if those who are not on the cover wont make it out of the war with apokolips

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VaizD

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Ten bucks says New-New-Bats is Earth-2 Dick Grayson who's been hanging around with Ted Grant in World's End.

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Randomtask

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I think they've basically killed Earth 2, figuratively and literally, all the interest it had under Taylor and Robinson is gone.
The events have just been too catastrophic, how many people will die, like 6 billion, no one would be able to let 6 billion people die and then start over again. This is just a massive missed opportunity that turned into destruction porn.
Also we don't need a new Batman, especially when he has a terrible costume

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Jeremy1989

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Who made these costumes?!

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wowlock

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That is not a 'new Batman'. At best I can see it as a Wildcat but not Batman.

Well there goes my interest on Earth 2 since they basiclly destroyed what made it unique. 6 billion dead, new planet etc. Why not leave it and make a new universe then ? It certainly doesn't feel like Earth 2.

This is what I am talking about when you go too far with changes. You kinda go '' well , I have no interest in starting over after 6 billion died and 2 million left to a new place ''

I am hoping to see certain characters show up back in the main universe though like Huntress , Power Girl etc. Otherwise... sad.

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mak13131313

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Definitely adding this to my pull list. I'm glad to see Hawkgirl made it out of Worlds End.

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Boynerdgeek

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We want Thomas Wayne

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Eivion

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#34  Edited By Eivion

About what I expected. Wilson ruined a lot of what was built up before with World's End so I can't really say I'm interested in this at all. Earth 2 needed an actual reboot.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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It's like DC created there own Ultimate Universe and then decided to have Ultimatum in there second arc.

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AriesWarlock

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Sounds interesting. As long as Power Girl and Fury are there, I am happy.

I wonder how Green Lantern gets his power now.

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ShadowSwordmaster

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I might check this out.

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MadeinBangladesh

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Hopefully this book can get back on track after Tom Taylor (who I do think is a fantastic writer, and I love everything else he does) killed my interest in this book. No more destruction and crazy end of the world stuff, just heroes being heroes again.

I thought the opposite. James Robinson was killing my interest in the book and then Tom Taylor brought it back up for me.

~MiB

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saoakden

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Idk why but I thought the Batman character shown on the cover was Catman at first. So there is going to be a new Batman? I think it's going to be Earth 2 Dick. I prefer Thomas Wayne being Batman in Earth 2. To me it's more interesting to see Bruce's father being Batman.

No Caption Provided

Plus Thomas Wayne Batman's costume is much cooler than the Batman shown on the cover. I prefer this Thomas Wayne costume to Flashpoint Batman's costume. I'll still check this series out.

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Zearing

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This sounds interesting. I agree that it is probably Dick who is the new Batman. It would be interesting if it was Jean-Paul Valley or someone like that though.

It would be interesting if the planet the survivors of Earth-2 settle on was Mogo or Oa. Either of which would help explain how Alan Scott gets his power now.

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knightofthechronicle

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Normally I can decide whether or not I'm going to get a comic based on the solicit but in this case, I don't know. I dropped Earth 2 after it became the backdrop of World's End (which I'm not picking up) so now I'm kind of jaded towards Earth 2 now. I'm gonna wait for the preview on this.

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dernman

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@jonny_anonymous said:

I miss when there was no Superman or Batman on Earth 2

Same here, that was the whole appeal of the series, a world without the big 3, that focused on lesser heroes stepping up.

Agreed

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_Nox_

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I think it's Wildcat. Just look at the mask very closely, he might be Batman and Catwoman's long lost child or something like that.

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TomHunter

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@

Okay, I really fully enjoyed the Earth2 series under Robinson. When he left, the series had a totally different feel. I stuck with it for about six more issues but just couldn't keep up my interest in the series. Then I checked back in once the weekly started but I still couldn't get interested.

This is gonna be my last attempt to jump start my interest in these characters. I really want to like this title. I just don't understand how a series that started out in such a promising way was allowed to become such a mess.

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SoA

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i wish they didnt change the costume for batman its iconic in its own way .

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KASPERCOLE

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I miss James Robinson's story lines and takes on the Earth 2 characters. After he left, it felt like the writers and editorial were pushing/forcing these Batman/Superman family analogues down our throats. This leaves little to no time to develop the non-Bat/Supes characters. The only reason I've stayed on the series for so long is because I'm a huge Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt) fan.

In my opinion, the Worlds End series hit rock bottom when they covered up Power Girl's best asset (only partially kidding). Every character seems underdeveloped to me. If these are going to be the main characters through the Convergence event, I think that's one event I'm going to pass on. And I have zero excitement for Earth 2: Society after reading this interview.

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Teerack

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#48  Edited By Teerack

I've never been a justice society fan... but seriously with the exception of power girl those costumes are horrible >.<

I'm kind bumped Earth 2 didn't end with World's End... I'm a big PG fan, but I'm not going to read Earth 2 stuff still just to follow her. :\ Hopefully she makes back to Earth Prime soon... maybe this time her and Huntress could be joined by Jade since Allen Scott is in Earth 2.

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EverybodyHatesChris

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If you look at it in a positive way...Batman's new stache is so badass that it has it's own cowl! crazy! Also don't confuse this with Justice Society because of the word Society. These are still Earth 2 people of the new 52 version. I am checking this out because this version of the team got me on board with Earth 2 and I still would like to follow them. Also that is probably Dick Grayson. Grayson as Batman again would be awesome!

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MrMazz

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@captainmarvel4ever: O man at first I was feeling that Azareal Batman 1 Million but great Dark Claw has entereed my mind.

World's End has been a chaotic mess with some good moments but a large quantity and not much quality. Here's to hoping that when things resent to a normal monthly title they pick up to being good again.

Glad to hear Val Zod is around at least even if it is a tad odd he isn't on the cover