Inter-Action
"Ask Eddie" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Eddie Berganza's answers to questions fans put to him in July 2001:
Eddie's Answers
July 2001
Furqan asks:In the comic books (as is usually the case with many forms of media) middle eastern or Islamic groups are often mis-represented. For example, we always seem to see the role of the terrorists (i.e. Pokolistan, Quracis) as a manifestation of these groups in the comics. Although the coin always has two side, how come we have never seen these characters as noble or heroic?
Eddie: There was the character Sinbad in the Superman comics a while back who was that other side of the coin. And Pokolistan is a supposed to be a Russian country. But you bring up a good point about diversity. We don't have enough. Writers write what they know, and we also lack the diversity there... but we're trying.
Ryan (rsteans@mail.utexas.edu) asks:
How about a Krypto one-shot special? Or a limited series? I won't even get into the issues surrounding the corner you've painted yourselves into by bringing Krypto through from the revived Silver-Age Krypton. I know you'll work it out. But how about a story about Krypto the Superdog and his robot Ned that smells a bit like Superman. I think there's got to be a mountain of material there.
Eddie: Oh we have plans for Krypto. And we know where the secret door is, so we're not really painted into a corner.
Alejandro Montenegro Granados (alejandromg2@starmedia.com) asks:
Is there a Superman/Spawn crossover in the works? Will DC release a comic book based on the upcomig "Smallville" TV series? Please don't let Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness go anywhere, they're great!! And congratulations for the things that you've achieved as Superman Editor, you've really injected life into the character.
Eddie: Hey, there's more than one question in that... sneaky. Anyway: 1) Not that I know of. 2) No plans currently. 3) No way. I love them both too much. 4) Thank you.
Great Rao (email address withheld on request) asks:
In recent issues of the Superman books, we've occasionally seen a Kryptonian alphabet used. I'm not sure, but I think the last time we saw it was on the side of the rocket in "Superman #166". According to Jeph Loeb, this alphabet was actually in use at DC before he came on the books. Can you tell us who invented this new Kryptonian character set, and perhaps provide some insight into how they chose the designs that they used?
Eddie: There was something already floating around, but no one had tried to adapt it to ABC. When DC Direct started doing more Kryptonian stuff Design Director Georg Brewer did just that with input from our office, and now we both use it.
John Pipia Jr. (Jpx98@aol.com) asks:
In the crossover between "Superman" and "Detective Comics", Lois uses a Bat signal to ask Batman to get the Krytronite Ring from Luthor. My question is why didn't she just call Bruce up, after all he did just buy the Daily Planet, instead of having to make a Bat signal? It's my understanding that she knew Bruce was Batman. So my second question is does she or doesn't she know Bruce Wayne is Batman? And if she did know, how come now she doesn't seem to know?
Eddie: Batman's all about secrets, and Clark being a typical husband forgets to tell his wife stuff. And that wasn't a Bat-signal that Lois created that was THE bat-signal in Gotham. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
Scott Gregson (oldecourtjester@cs.com) asks:
Eddie: Since I imagine that you have some degree of contol over the depiction of Superman as a character, I have a difficult character question for you: We all know about Superman's *personal* non-killing policy, but how would you suppose this character stands on the death penalty? Would this devotion to the sanctity of sentient life extend to a disapproval regarding his country's public policy, or do you think he would feel that the state has a unique right to kill where he doesn't?
Eddie: As a person who has had to carry out the death sentence himself - with the Pocket Universe Kryptonian villains - Superman feels strongly about this and against it. There are always alternatives for him. He probably doesn't like what some states do, and remember he doesn't like the President either, but Superman is not about to impose his will on everyone. People have to make choices about what they believe is right for them. If only it was this clear in real life.
Ray Wall (ray_wall@hotmail.com) asks:
Are there any plans to change the titles so each title will have self-contained story lines in lieu of "continued next week in a different title". Sometimes due to budgeting I can only buy just so many books, so I skip all of the Superman titles because I don't want to get in the middle of a story without an end. I don't mind a title continuing monthly, but I don't like weekly. Stories spanning multiple titles once in a blue moon would be an acceptable compromise, but currently it seems to happen nearly every other month, or more - that means purchasing only "Superman" is unreadable most of the time. Too bad for a flagship title. Thank-you for your time.
Eddie: This is the most asked question to which there has been much debate over. The answer is yes and no to everything. The books are going to separate after the big Summer crossover and only going to be uniting in theme only until the next big storyline. We'll see what happens from there.
Hector Gomez (jodokast97@yahoo.com) asks:
What creative team changes should we expect in the near-future? Since it's my understanding that Doug Mahnke will soon be tranferred to JLA (along with Joe Kelly, whose workload increases by the minute; does this man, nay, SUPER-man, not sleep???), who might be up for filling Mr. Mahnke's very big shoes on "Man of Steel"? Keep up the great work, Mr. Berganza!!!
Eddie: Thanks. Stay tuned. We'll be making some announcements at the San Diego Comic-Con.
Thanks Eddie!
Got a question you want to ask Eddie? Then be sure to fill in the form on the main "Ask Eddie" Fan Forum page.
"Ask Eddie" Fan Forum Archives
You'll find links to our archives of past Questions and Answers on the main "Ask Eddie" Fan Forum page.