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"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him in January/February 2011:
Matt's Answers
Brian Daugherty asks:This question isn't exclusive to Superman nor his universe, but relates more to the DC Universe. How are the various professional sports leagues and NCAA Division I conferences structured in the DCU, and what plans do they have in case of games interrupted by superhero/supervillain intervention? Is there a list of DCU-specific universities/conferences and franchises/pro leagues in the DCU (and pro teams that don't exist)? Thanks for your time.
Matt: Wow, Brian. Way to start me off with the most unexpected of questions! There are various sports teams that have either been mentioned or briefly shown on both the college and professional level (i.e. The Metropolis Meteors and the Gotham Knights), but no one has yet made the concerted effort to bring all that information together, which we really should - that's part of the world-building process that lends as much reality as possible to the totally unreal stories that we tell. Thanks for bringing this up, man! While it doesn't really answer your question, it's certainly raised a point that we need to address.
Steve Trent asks:
Both "Smallville" and "Lois & Clark" TV shows have had running gags about Lois having a vast wardrobe of costumes & disguises. (Such as the French maid & Wonder Woman outfits Durance wore to the belly-dance or nightclub singer/dancer that Hatcher wore). Any chance that the comics might have fun with this in an issue focused on Lois?
Matt: It's certainly possible, Steve. We've tended to focus on Lois' admirably strong personality and skills as a reporter over the last few years, and tried to tone down the "many outfits" aspect of her, but it is something fun to play with. Besides, you can't imagine how frustrating it's been when everyone's first instinct is to dress her in purple. I just don't get that, but if you look at her appearances over the last, oh, ten years, you'll see her often clad in Barney's color scheme.
Esther asks:
Hi again... Is there any chance for the rest of Peter David's "Supergirl" to be collected in trades? (I have the first 9 issues in trade and I know the last ones are collected in "Supergirl: Many Happy Returns" but what about the rest? Don't want to keep buying individual issues when it all can be collected in a trade.)
Matt: I don't believe that's in the immediate section of the pipeline, Esther. Sorry about that. We've been keeping most of the collecting focus on the more contemporary works.
calvin bowes asks:
I have a question about Superman's X-ray vision. Is it or is it not radioactive? I have seen some stories where he turns something radioactive by using it and some where he does not.
Matt: It is indeed radioactive, Calvin, but it depends on how concentrated an x-ray Supes is firing at a given moment. He obviously would prefer not to go around irradiating everything he looks at, and makes a concerted effort not to.
Ron Kelley (rkelley56@comcast.net) asks:
I have been a huge Superman fan for many, many years. And I enjoy stories about Superman with his extended family as part of the story line. I am also a huge Lana Lang fan, I haven't seen much interaction between Clark/Superman and Lana for quite a while. Is there any chance of these 2 very old and very good friends having any story line together or is Lana going to be a support character to Supergirl from here on in?
Matt: I think you'll be seeing Lana returning to being a Superman supporting character come the fall, Ron, though our plans for both SUPERMAN and ACTION are both in the early planning stages. We've talked about a very specific role for her in the larger picture, but nothing's set in stone yet. I can guarantee you, however, that Lana's days as a Supergirl supporting cast member are all but over.
Steven Woytasczyk (stircrazy_01@yahoo.com) asks:
When I read one of the issues on the Superman "Grounded" story, I noticed that an old flame of Lois' named Brian made fun of Lois by saying "No Lane Kent children coming?" It especially happened when Lois meets Brian's children. To me that is like saying, I have something special and you don't. Could this be a sign? Can we see the return of Chris Kent and finally see Lois and Clark have a family of their own?
Matt: I'm afraid your reading of the tea leaves has led you astray, Steven. No plans are in the works for Clark and Lois to have kids, especially since we've established that it's biologically impossible for the two species to successfully procreate. As for Brian, he was teasing Lois a little, but under the assumption that since she and her husband are established successful reporters and haven't gotten around to having kids yet, that probably means they're more dedicated to their careers than having a family. Which is why one should never make assumptions, eh?
Duncan Bennett asks:
Hey Matt, I found one of your last answers rather worrying, you say that after 'Grounded' Superman is going to be 'shaken up a bit'. Isn't that what you guys have been doing for the last few years? I know that alot of fans would love (even just for a few months) a return to the 90s style solidity, with as much focus on Clark and his friends as Superman's adventures. To see he, Lois and Jimmy working together, maybe an appearance from Bibbo, etc. Any thoughts? Loving "Superboy", right now it's the best superbook!
Matt: Hola, Duncan! First off, thanks for the props on SUPERBOY. It's definitely been a labor of love. Sorry I worried you needlessly with my recent answer. Everything you're looking to see (except, perhaps, for Bibbo) will indeed be delivered upon. When I said "shaken up a bit," I was referring to changing things up from the current status quo of the various Super-books: Supes won't be trekking across the country anymore, Lex won't be the lead of ACTION, those sorts of things. No, we're looking forward to returning Superman/Clark to Metropolis and focusing once more on his supporting cast and the great city where the Daily Planet resides. Which isn't to say we aren't still going to switch some things up on you.
Joshua Demi asks:
Dear Matt, One of the greatest things about Superman is his incredible supporting cast. Characters like Lois, Jimmy and the rest of the Daily Planet staff can at moments be the best part of a story. Once his "Grounded" journey is over, are there any plans to bring that supporting cast back into the core of Superman's stories?
Matt: See the prior answer, Joshua, and rejoice.
Robert asks:
Matt, thanks for answering fan questions. I'm pleased that the letters pages will be returning to the comics. One cool thing about letters pages is that, in years to come, fans can pick up a back issue and get a feel for how people felt about an issue years ago. What do you think are the main benefits of a comic having a letters page?
Matt: Well I think you nailed one of the pluses right there, Robert. Also, it's really nice to hear what people think about a given issue/story/creative team, and to be able to connect. That's one of the reasons I've really enjoyed doing the answers here (and will continue to do so until Steve gives me the boot).
Ed Gross asks:
With the "Smallville" TV series coming to an end, is there any chance of DC creating a title that continues the, for lack of a better phrasing, Tom Welling version of Superman, using continuity from the show? It would be interesting to see Erica Durance's Lois Lane and Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor in a regular Superman comic.
Matt: That WOULD be fascinating, Ed, but it's not something we're planning for right now. The focus is really going to be on the here-and-now for a while as we reestablish the status quo of the characters and the books.
Chris asks:
Matt, Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I love this column. With Bruce Wayne returning and forming Batman Inc., there are now several new Batman titles to read (which is cool). Is there any chance, after "Grounded" concludes, that Superman might get an additional solo title other than just "Action Comics" and "Superman"?
Matt: We've definitely been talking about just such a thing, Chris, but it's a project we won't be seeing before 2012 for various reasons (scheduling, refocusing the existing books, etc.).
Michael asks:
When Superman was created, Clark was a reporter because that way he could keep his ear close to whatever devices were used in the late 30s that would alert him to an emergency. Today, he no longer needs that, all he needs is an iPhone and the Internet. What purpose does Clark serve Superman, especially when Clark is a mask he wears to pretend to be human like in SECRET ORIGIN and BIRTHRIGHT? Isn't Clark more valuable when he is the real person and not a false identity, like he was in MAN OF STEEL?
Matt: That's a great question, Michael. Unlike Batman, where I think Bruce Wayne is the disguise, it's kind of the reverse with Clark/Superman, though in truth, both identities contain parts of the real person, with the two kind of forming the full picture. And over the years, it's become increasingly important to Superman to be Clark so he can better connect with regular folks than he can as Superman. This is not so much strategic as it is an emotional need. Being Superman can be very isolating - or so I've heard ;-).
Steve Younis asks:
We're very pleased that you've agreed to continue this "Ask Matt" column even though Superman fans can also write to you within the Letters pages of up-coming comic books. What, if any, input did you have in getting fan letters back into the comic books? What are your thoughts on Letters pages, and how do you think it'll differ from what you do with us here?
Matt: Heya, Steve. The decision to return letters pages to the books was widely discussed before being implemented, so I had about as much input as anyone else. Part of the reasoning they were removed years ago was the sentiment that with the internet, chat rooms, discussion boards and such, there really wasn't a need for letters pages. Plus, the internet is immediate, where as letters pages are once a month, and at least a couple of months removed from when the letters were written. I wasn't real keen on taking the pages out back when my hair was still brown, since I think, like here, they create a true connection between the readers and the editors, which is really important, so I'm thrilled that they're back.
As for differences between those pages and this column - I think people are more likely to question things and address stuff they don't like here as opposed to the letters pages, where they might feel their inquiries are going to be vetted or whatnot. Plus, we don't have nearly the same space restrictions here, so you can pass along as many questions as you like and I can blather on endlessly.
Seeya next time, everyone!
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