2008 Comic Book News Archives
May 21, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Cary Bates
By Barry FreimanAnyone who read "Superman" comics in the 1970's became very familiar with the name Cary Bates. Bates was one of the principal writers of the adventures of Superman up until the "Man of Steel" reboot in 1986. Bates first began working with DC in 1963 when he sold a now iconic Superman cover to then-editor Mort Weisinger. A few years later, Bates sold his first script to DC and ultimately became one of Superman's principal scribes along with writers Elliott S! Maggin, Martin Pasko, and Len Wein, among others.
After the 1986 revamp, the previous era's Superman writers, including Bates, moved on to other endeavors. Bates scripted a new "Captain Atom" title. Then, after having met and befriended "Superman: The Movie" producer Ilya Salkind while consulting on "Superman III", Salkind turned to Bates to help turn around the live-action "Adventures of Superboy". Bates ultimately became an Executive Story Consultant on the TV show during its second season.
Bates left "Superboy" at the end of the second year to work on Salkind's script to the ill-fated "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery". But Bates' work on the Man of Steel wasn't finished. After the Canon Group botched "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", Salkind decided to return Superman to the big screen. Salkind, Bates, and Mark Jones (also an Executive Story Consultant on "Superboy") wrote a script for "Superman Reborn". Unfortunately, by this time, Warner Brothers' success with "Batman" led the company to realize there was more money to be made in self-producing their superhero ventures rather than in licensing them to others as they had done with Superman. Warners already had "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" in the pipeline and used their contract right of script approval with the Salkinds to bring "Superboy" to an end and to squash "Superman Reborn". Recently, the script to "Superman Reborn" surfaced on the internet and fan reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive.
The following Superman Homepage interview with Bates reveals his days in comic books may not be completely behind him. Bates discusses his history with DC, Superman, the "Superboy" TV show, and the unmade "Superman Reborn". The Superman Homepage would like to thank Mr. Bates for taking the time for this interview.
2008 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2008.- January 7, 2008: Wizard Previews Superman and JLA Comics for 2008
- January 7, 2008: John Byrne Interview
- January 8, 2008: Jesus Merino Talks About Inking Superman
- January 12, 2008: Jim Lee Helps Hire Online Fan Colorist
- January 22, 2008: Roger Stern Talks “JLA Classified”
- January 26, 2008: No Chloe in Comics & News on Brainiac
- February 6, 2008: Phil Hester Talks “Superman Confidential”
- February 7, 2008: Kurt Busiek Talks About His Run on Superman
- February 7, 2008: Geoff Johns Staying at DC Comics
- February 8, 2008: James Robinson is the New Superman Writer
- February 8, 2008: Kelley Pucket Talks Supergirl
- February 9, 2008: Q&A with New “Superman” Writer James Robinson
- February 10, 2008: DC Unveils “Trinity” Plans
- February 10, 2008: A Look at “DC Universe #0”
- February 12, 2008: Keith Champagne Notes DC Comics Correction
- February 14, 2008: R.I.P. Steve Gerber
- February 15, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks “Final Crisis”
- February 17, 2008: Ande Parks on Inking “Superman Confidential”
- February 18, 2008: Exclusive J. Torres Interview
- February 20, 2008: Michael Green and Jeph Loeb Talk “Superman/Batman”
- February 22, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks About the Future of Superman
- February 22, 2008: B. Clay Moore Talks “Superman Confidential”
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - Interview with Mark Bagley
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - Interview with Kurt Busiek
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - DC Nation Panel
- February 25, 2008: Dan Jurgens Talks Tangent Superman
- February 26, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - DCU: Countdown to Crisis Panel
- February 27, 2008: New Content for “Superman #674”
- February 29, 2008: Happy Birthday Superman!
- February 29, 2008: Celebrities Wish Superman a Happy Birthday!
- March 4, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks JSA and Kingdom Come
- March 4, 2008: Jerry Ordway Talks Brave and Bold
- March 6, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks “All Star Superman”
- March 12, 2008: Jerry Siegel - A Look Back in Time
- March 16, 2008: Wizard World LA - DC Panels
- March 19, 2008: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA 2008 Report
- March 22, 2008: Superman Items Included in Hollywood Auction
- March 22, 2008: JMS Comes to DC - Shows His Love of Superman
- March 23, 2008: Ottawa Citizen Celebrates Superman's 70th Anniversary
- March 26, 2008: Jerry Siegel Interview from 1975
- March 26, 2008: Neal Adams Audio Interview
- March 28, 2008: Siegel Heirs Reclaim Superman Copyright
- March 31, 2008: Warner Bros. Issues Statement on Court Ruling
- March 31, 2008: Explaining the Superman Copyright Decision
- April 2, 2008: Geoff Johns to “Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds”
- April 2, 2008: DC Statement on Death of Jim Mooney
- April 2, 2008: “The Legends Behind The Comic Books” Screening
- April 4, 2008: George Perez Talks “Legion of 3 Worlds”
- April 4, 2008: “Action Comics #1” Listed on Ebay
- April 6, 2008: Judge Orders DC and Siegel Family to Mediate
- April 10, 2008: Kurt Busiek Talks About “Trinity”
- April 10, 2008: Golden Age of Comics Books Exhibition Photos
- April 10, 2008: Comic Geek Speak “Superman on Trial” Podcast
- April 11, 2008: Mark Waid Radio Interview on Superman
- April 12, 2008: DC Comics Reveals Cover for “DC Universe #0”
- April 12, 2008: Nominees For The 2008 Joe Shuster Awards
- April 13, 2008: Why Superman is Still Super
- April 14, 2008: Geoff Johns on Reshaping the DC Universe
- April 14, 2008: “The Legends Behind The Comic Books” Screening Report
- April 17, 2008: DC Announces “Superman #676” Content Change
- April 17, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks Final Crisis
- April 19, 2008: Notes from DC Nation Panel at NY Comic Con
- April 22, 2008: Exclusive J. Torres Interview
- April 24, 2008: Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns Video Interviews
- May 1, 2008: Interview with Artist Gerry Alanguilan
- May 1, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Karl Kerschl
- May 3, 2008: Dan DiDio and Mike Carlin Talk “Trinity”
- May 6, 2008: Renato Guedes Talks Drawing Superman
- May 11, 2008: Dan Didio on Lateness of “Last Son” Conclusion
- May 13, 2008: Chip Kidd Talks “Final Crisis” and “Trinity” Covers
- May 13, 2008: “Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade”
- May 14, 2008: Emerald City Comic Con 2008 Report
- May 19, 2008: Exclusive Interview with JLU Writer Ken Pontac
- May 20, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Jack Briglio
- May 21, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Cary Bates
- May 23, 2008: James Robinson Talks Superman, JLA and Supergirl
- May 29, 2008: Robinson Talks Supergirl in Justice League
- June 2, 2008: Wizard World Philadelphia News
- June 7, 2008: Wizard Talks Superman with James Robinson and Geoff Johns
- June 7, 2008: Alex Ross to Appear at Wizard World Chicago
- June 9, 2008: Kurt Busiek Interview About “Trinity”
- June 9, 2008: Grant Morrison Interview About “Final Crisis” #1
- June 10, 2008: Interview with Kurt Busiek on “Trinity #1”
- June 12, 2008: Warren Ellis Guest of Honor at Wizard World Chicago
- June 15, 2008: Pa Kent Named Best Comic Book Dad
- June 15, 2008: Wizard Q&A with Kurt Busiek
- June 16, 2008: New Co-Artist Joining “Final Crisis”
- June 16, 2008: Interview with Kurt Busiek on “Trinity” #2
- June 17, 2008: Interview with “Action” Artist Gary Frank
- June 18, 2008: Interview with “Superman/Batman” Writing Team
- June 21, 2008: Superman News From Charlotte Heroes Con
- June 22, 2008: DC Creators Attending Wizard World Chicago
- June 26, 2008: Superman Featured in Harvey Award Nominations for 2008
- June 28, 2008: Comic Book Creator Michael Turner Dies
- June 28, 2008: New Supergirl Creative Team Revealed
- June 30, 2008: Wizard World Chicago Report
- June 30, 2008: Wizard World Chicago DC Comics Panels
- July 9, 2008: Jon Sibal Talks Inking Superman
- July 9, 2008: Empire Rates Superman #1 Comic Book Character
- July 16, 2008: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster 1981 TV Interview
- July 17, 2008: Green and Johnson Talk “Superman/Batman #50”
- July 21, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks About Supergirl
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - “DC Nation” Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” Panel
- July 27, 2008: Comic-Con - “DC: A Guide to Your Universe” Panel
- July 30, 2008: JG Jones Talks Supergirl in “Final Crisis”
- August 10, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks “Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds”
- August 13, 2008: “New Krypton” 3-Part Alex Ross Cover Artwork Revealed
- August 18, 2008: J. Torres Talks “Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century”
- August 21, 2008: Russell Keaton - Superman's Almost Co-Creator
- August 22, 2008: Alex Ross Talks Kingdom Come Superman in JSA
- September 2, 2008: Grant Morrison DC Universe Interview
- September 3, 2008: “Hero”-ic Sale Flies in to Fan Expo
- September 4, 2008: “DCU Elementary” Kid's Comic Book Series
- September 6, 2008: Gray and Palmiotti Talk “Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom”
- September 10, 2008: “Comics Now!” Magazine Celebrates 70 Years of Superman
- September 10, 2008: Wes Craig Talks “Tangent: Superman's Reign”
- September 10, 2008: Grant Morrson Nominated in Spike TV 2008 Scream Awards
- September 18, 2008: All Star Supermen - Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison
- September 20, 2008: Jamal Igle on Drawing Supergirl
- September 23, 2008: Kevin VanHook Talks “Superman & Batman vs Vampires & Werewolves”
- September 27, 2008: DC Nation Panel at Baltimore Comic Con
- September 29, 2008: “All Star Superman” Sweeps Harvey Awards
- September 29, 2008: Baltimore Comic Con - Superman Panel
- October 2, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl Comics
- October 8, 2008: “Superman: Red Son” Motion Comic Announced
- October 8, 2008: Major Superman Supporting Character Dead - SPOILER ALERT
- October 15, 2008: Name Change for “Guardians of Metropolis Special”
- October 17, 2008: Rags Morales Talks “Superman/Batman”
- October 22, 2008: Grant Morrison's In-Depth Discussion of “All Star Superman”
- October 22, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl
- October 23, 2008: Geoff Johns on Superman's Challenge in “New Krypton”
- October 23, 2008: Jim Lee Previews Cover for “Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow”
- October 28, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks “All Star Superman”
- October 28, 2008: Secrets of the Superman Bible
- October 30, 2008: Switching Powers in “Superman/Batman”
- October 30, 2008: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl on Death Ray Weekly Podcast
- November 1, 2008: Artist Gary Frank on Jonathan Kent's Death
- November 2, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks About “New Krypton” and Superman's Future
- November 4, 2008: Grant Morrison Interview Marathon Concludes
- November 6, 2008: Phil Noto on Drawing “Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom”
- November 6, 2008: A Tribute to Jerry and Joe
- November 13, 2008: Landry Walker on Supergirl's Cosmic Adventures
- November 18, 2008: No More “Action Comics” for Superman?
- November 21, 2008: Frank Kasy, The Face of Superman
- November 25, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks “Supergirl #35”
- November 26, 2008: Dan DiDio Explains Plans for Superman Comics
- November 27, 2008: Greg Rucka Comments on “Action Comics” Without Superman
- November 29, 2008: Geoff Johns Explains “Superman: Secret Origin”
- December 2, 2008: More From Greg Rucka on “Action Comics”
- December 4, 2008: Wizard Magazine's Krypton Q&A Now Online
- December 4, 2008: Geoff Johns Thanks Superman Homepage Fans
- December 5, 2008: Walker Talks About Supergirl's “Cosmic Adventures”
- December 9, 2008: Gary Frank's Thoughts on “Superman: Secret Origin”
- December 14, 2008: Matt Idelson Talks Superman Comics in 2009
- December 18, 2008: Dwayne McDuffie Talks “Justice League of America”
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