Inter-Action
"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him from February/March 2006:
Matt's Answers
Scott (SJDoran@aol.com) asks:After reading Superman fan's feedback to the Smallville episode when Pa Kent dies, I was wondering in this current continuity of the Man of Steel will we see Ma or Pa die in the comics?
Matt: Hey, Scott! At this point, our thinking really isn't going in that direction. And honestly, I'm not sure how much impact such a move would have at this point. Wouldn't you think it something of a letdown?
Corwin (Corwin_myers@yahoo.com) asks:
Is there a good place to start reading Superman comics from? I've always had interest but I don't know where to start.
Matt: That's always a good question, Corwin. My recommendation would be with SUPERMAN #650, since there's a year gap between that issue and the Superman books that came out the month before - you'll be in pretty much the same boat as the readers who have been with us for a while.
AKalel (imsuperfan@yahoo.ca) asks:
A little while ago DC stopped putting out the Smallville comic book but stated there would be some one shots and mini series released to coincide with major events in the TV series. Any idea if this will still be happenning and if they will any idea on when?
Matt: Sadly, no one-shots are planned. But, just to make it up to you, we'll take another question from you!
AKalel (imsuperfan@yahoo.ca) asks:
Any plans for any special one shots or annuals for Superman this year? If yes any tidbits you can share?
Matt: There will definitely be a handful of one-shots, AKalel, though those will be tying in to the movies. No, for right now, all the stories we'll be doing will be taking place in the regular comics. Next year, however, may be a different story entirely.
jym-el (jymlimgenco@fortress-of-solitude.net) asks:
Hi Matt, I hope you will be able to answer these questions. I have asked these questions time and time again but no one seems to have the answer. Why does Superman wear red boots, if he is impervious to pain? Where does he hide them while going around the city? Would it not be more practical for Superman to wear red socks? He can always hide them while wearing shoes.
Matt: Hey, Jym-El! Well, the first part of your question is easy for me to answer - the boots are, quite simply, part of Superman's uniform, and the point of his wearing a uniform is to serve as a symbol of hope for the people he's protecting. So no, he doesn't need to wear boots, technically, but then, he wouldn't really need to wear clothes at all, and think what a symbol he'd be then! As for where he hides them... gosh, I dunno. I suppose in the same place he stashes that cape!
N.M. (firstbornsonoftomorrow@yahoo.com) asks:
What do and what do you not agree with concerning the previous run? Who is the man of krypton in your opinion, Superman or Clark? And who wins in a cage fight, you or Eddie?
Matt: Well, it's not really for me to say what I do and don't agree with from any of the prior runs, N.M. Those stories are in print, so they're canon. I guess that which doesn't quite fit my mindset will be evident from it's absence as the books come out, and yes, I could actually have been more cryptic in my answer! As for who's the man of Krypton, I honestly don't see a clear line of delineation between Clark and Superman. I think that's pretty evident in "Up, Up and Away!" And I could totally take Eddie in a cage fight - he fights dirty, but my calm exterior neatly masks the raging turmoil within.
Neal Bailey (bailey.neal@comcast.net) asks:
Hey, Matt! Welcome to the most fickle and crazed group of fans you will ever find. I wish you the best of luck in this job. :) My question is a simple one. I'm not sure what's going to happen as a result of the Infinite Crisis yet, as things are still up in the air as of this writing, but a question that people have been asking me in my capacity as reviewer for this site concerns what happened to Lena Luthor? She was returned to Lex at the end of "Our Worlds at War", as far as we know, and she's probably a toddler by the time "One Year Later" rolls around. Has Lex lost custody of her? Will your writer's stories get into what happened to her at all?
Matt: Thanks for the well wishes, Neal! I know already I'm gonna need 'em. Lena won't be appearing in the near future, that I can guarantee you, but she hasn't been forgotten, either. If you're patient (actually, even if you're not), you'll be rewarded.
Andrew Prouty (aprouty2@comcast.net) asks:
Hi, I enjoy reading both Superman and Supergirl comics. However, I'm curious how it was decided what her new look would be regarding her costume and body shape?
Matt: Unfortunately, this is one I'd have to punt to the esteemed Eddie Berganza, as he was at the center of the character's creation while I, tragically, was not. Says Eddie: "We went with a classic look for the character (hence the blue skirt) and asked the great Michael Turner to give her a classic overall look and body type".
Martin Alejandro Salinas (mas_el@yahoo.com) asks:
Hi Matt. I saw your interview at Newsarama, and in one of the comic preview pages that are there, we can see Perry White smoking, and if I don't remeber wrong, he got cancer and then dropped the smoking habit. Please let me know if this is a mistake or a change in continuity? Thanks, and welcome to Metropolis!
Matt: Actually, this is neither a mistake or change in continuity. While we make light of it in SUPERMAN #650, the fact is the cigars are a terribly hard habit for poor Perry to break, and he's fallen off the wagon, as it were. And thanks for the welcome, Martin!
SCOTTY V (supermanvynn@comcast.net) asks:
Hi there and welcome to the books... My question regards seomthing that occured in SUPERGIRL #4, but I've seen it in other books recently as well. It appears that several of the characters in this book may be speaking and breathing on the moon. They have no special devices or anything but they speak out anyway. This is especially bothersome considering that Lex Luthor has no superpowers and his head is out in the open but he survives what must have been a super-high velocity trip to the moon and then has a conversation? How is this possible? Regarding the heroes, who can speak in space and how is THAT possible?
Matt: Well, I spoke with that Berganza guy, since he edited SUPERGIRL #4, and he informed me that the aura that protects the Watchtower extended to the area where the characters were. Hence, (yes, he actually used the word "hence") they were able to speak and breathe without a problem. As for Lex, he has an invisible dome around the head area of his armor which unfortunately didn't happen to reflect any light in that issue, so you couldn't see it. Personally, I just blame Eddie for all this.
Neal Bailey (bailey.neal@comcast.net) asks:
Hey, Matt! Thanks for answering questions from the fans! It occurred to me after Green Lantern gave Superman a Green Lantern ring in a recent issue, the ring can neutralize a toxin, right? What's to stop Superman from getting a power ring and using it to protect himself from Kryptonite. Would that not work? Sorry, I know it's a weird one. Best!
Matt: You know, Neal, that's an excellent question, and one I don't know the answer to. So I took the opportunity to ask Kurt Busiek (since he's sitting in my office even as we speak), and Kurt said: "We don't know that Kryptonite is strictly toxic, in its effect on Superman, but yes, a GL ring can protect it's bearer from radiation. So that would probably work. Luckily, Superman's not that smart." Thanks, Kurt!
Jeff Javorie (email address withheld upon request) asks:
Hi Matt. It seems that comic books in general are forever being pushed back of late. Books that were scheduled to come out in a particular month are not seen until a month, sometimes 2 months later (e.g. "Superman/Batman #24"). Is there are reason for all these comics missing their scheduled release date?
Matt: That's a fair question, Jeff. There are a lot of factors which can work individually or conspire together to make a book go late, starting with slowness on the part of any members of the creative team (just because that's the speed they work at or because they're doing several projects at once), and stemming out to how busy our production department might be trying to get the many books we produce each month out from the DC offices to the colorists and printer. Sometimes, factors beyond the actual production of the comics can creep in, such as weather delaying the trucks from bringing the comics to the store, for example. It's definitely a giant juggling act, one I don't think anyone who works in this business has ever managed to totally master. I have filled you with confidence, have I not?
Thanks for answering our questions and agreeing to continue on this monthly Fan Forum with the Superman Homepage!
Matt: My pleasure, Steve. I always loved this kind of interaction when I was growing up (back in the dark days when there was no internet, we only had three TV channels, and all the interaction came via letters pages), so it's nice to be able to give something back!
Got a question you want to ask Matt? Then be sure to fill in the form on the main "Ask Matt" Fan Forum page.
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