2012 Comic Book News Archives

July 13, 2012: DC Comics: Superman Panel Comic-Con 2012

By Luis & Ivan Jaime.

Superman Panel Featuring Superboy/new Superman writer Scott Lobdell, Superman: Earth One artist Shane Davis, Supergirl co-writer Mike Johnson, and Superman group editor Matt Idelson. (Smallville: Season 11 writer Bryan Q. Miller was scheduled to be on the panel, but was not available).

We begin today's panel with Shane Davis discussing the second volume of Superman: Earth One. There will be three big battles with Parasite, the main villain of this story. This will be a "stage 2" Parasite with power receptors that are ready to pop, and is able to absorb the power from any vessel. His first stop: a slurpy machine! This version of Superman is young and brash, thinking he's doing superhero stuff. In the second fight Superman must run away from Parasite. By the third battle, Superman returns with the knowledge and tools in order to defeat Parasite. This book is more action oriented than other Superman titles. Davis ended saying that this Clark Kent was raised to hide his powers so he doesn't know how to fight, and it will show.

Superman Panel Scott Lobdell will start writing the main Superman title starting in September. Superman #0 takes place in the final days of Krypton, with Jor-El debating how to tell his wife that their planet is doomed. We're going to see Jor-El and Lara as husband and wife, not just scientists. For Superman #13 Lobdell wrote a 25 page pitch about he would tackle Superman, like redoing Bizarro. With his Superman he wants to mix new DC characters with classic heroes and foes. There will be more concentrating on Clark Kent, traditionally he is seen as bumbling. To him, Superman has to be guarded about his influence, and Clark will do just that. Clark is going to become sexier, in a way, and will be merging Superman and Clark's personas in fun ways.

In Superboy #0, Super-editor Idelson spoke of a new direction with new writer Tom DeFalco. A new history regarding cloning on Krypton will be established: Kryptonian clones can deteriorate and become murderous. An example was used in issue 6 when Kara first saw Superboy and was freaked out when learning he was a clone.

Superman Panel Action Comics #0 is a story about Clark's first adventure as Superman, which doesn't go so well. Editor Matt Idelson says Superman had no clue what he was doing. There will also be new information about Jimmy Olsen, but he couldn't say more about it. Action Comics #13 will finally reveal what happened to Krypto... in a good way, in for this Halloween issue. Issue #13 is set in the present day continuity, and will remain that way. This is the first step in syncing all Super-titles.

Supergirl #0 will also take place on Krypton, and will focus on the relationships between Kara and her parents in the face of Krypton's impending destruction. Kara will have her own Fortress: Fort of Solitude, her attempt, to construct a piece of Krypton on Earth. Johnson explained that every teenager has a place to shut out from the world. Her new sanctum is also a sensory tank, a place to remember her old life.

The panel turned to the crowd for some questions to be answered. My phone was having problems at this point, but here are some highlights:

Superman Panel Q: Any chance of seeing Terra Man again with his flying horse?

A: No plans but Lobdell said based on his writing style, we could see him show up soon!

Q: Will Superboy get a new costume?

A: Superboy will be getting a new look soon. As for Supergirl, the costume is a part of home, so it means a lot to her. For Earth One there might be alterations to Superman's suit in the next book.

Q: Reign of Superman characters like Steel, the Eradicator, and Cyborg coming back?

A: Steel is in Action, Eradicator was talked about bringing in vastly different than seen before, and Cyborg they haven't gotten to yet.

Superman Panel Q: Any future plans regarding Lex Luthor?

A: Davis had no comment on using Luthor or Luthors for Earth One. Lobdell says he introduced Luthor in an upcoming script, it created anxiety at the DC offices. You haven't seen Lex like this.

Q: Is Lobo coming soon and will there be a new Flash/Superman race?

A: No Lobo plans and Lobdell thinks the race is silly. Idelson says Flash can beat Superman. Johnson says Kara can beat both. Davis picks Flash, but thinks Superman will cheat.

Q: Will Superman mentor other heroes?

A: He is young so it doesn't make much sense right now. He will be seen as big brother figure, though.

Superman Panel Q: Any plans expanding the Superman Beyond comic?

A: Not immediately. They are trying to establish the title and characters first.

Q: Is it challenging to come up with new villains or expanding current villains?

A: The challenge is that the fans are more receptive to classic villains more than new ones.

Q: Will Superboy meet Superman again soon? And will there be a bigger reaction than before?

A: It will happen soon and Superman will be disturbed that others have used his DNA... Superboy also doesn't care much about the S on his chest so it will be a different relationship than the one we have seen before in comics.

And that concludes this year's Superman panel at Comic-Con International!

Luis & Ivan Jaime



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