Inter-Action
"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him in June 2007:
Matt's Answers
Jory (Email address withheld by request) asks:I was just wondering if there are still plans to introduce Chloe Sullivan into the comics? If Chloe is introduced into the comics would it be as Jimmy Olsen's former girlfriend?
Matt: Hi, Jory! I'm happy to report that Chloe is still very much in our plans for the books--particularly SUPERMAN--in 2008. And no, she won't be Jimmy's former girlfriend, though he'll very much be wishing she'd be his current flame. Alas, poor Jimmy...
Gwion Bach (bachgwion@yahoo.com) asks:
I love the Superman mythos and am a fan of the TV shows and movies based on him but after doing research on the internet to find information about which comics to read it seems the quality of story is haphazard. I want to read a good series that is consitant in regard to mythos and week to week strength. What single Superman line should I read?
Matt: Gosh, way to put me on the spot, Gwion! As far as ACTION and SUPERMAN proper, I'm pretty darned tickled with both, particularly now. Between the COUNTDOWN-related Jimmy Olsen arc running in ACTION #852-854, the three-part Bizarro story by Geoff, Richard and the inestimable Eric Powell running in issues #855-#857, and the incredible arrival of Gary Frank and a certain group of heroes from the far future starting in #858, I think we've at last found the rhythm and high level of quality on a consistent basis we've been striving for. As for SUPERMAN, Kurt has no end of amazing things coming up, starting with a Jimmy Olsen (him again?!?) origin in #665, a double-sized team-up with Walt Simonson for #666, the long-awaited conclusion of "Camelot Falls" with Carlos Pacheco in issues #667-668, the revelation of a third Kryptonian on Earth in issues #669-#670 and the oversized ANNUAL #12, and the introduction of a new Insect Queen in #670-#672, we've got a ton of cool stuff coming up. Now I don't know if that answered your question or simply came across as an infomercial. If I've misunderstood you, Gwion, please let me know!
Vincent Morris (Vnukem9@aol.com) asks:
I was so shocked that Superman was a member of the legion of superheroes in the current DC universe in the issue of justice society of america. How can we read about Superman in the Legion when he was young?
Matt: Well I'm not making any promises, Vincent, but we'll be dealing with just that in ACTION COMICS to a degree pretty darn soon. Check out my answer to Gwion's question and see if you can guess which issue of which S-book I'm hinting at.
Danny Borden (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Now that you are taking over the Supergirl title, would it be possible to include a, "Supergirl created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino" byline in the book as the Siegel/Shuster byline is done in the Superman books?
Matt: That's a great question, Danny, and one I'm utterly unprepared to answer. It really comes down to the legalities involved with the character, of which I have no real involvement with. If there isn't a credit there, I'm guessing it's not for some nefarious, evil, big corporate reason.
Fabio Alexandre Rocha Marques (farm1974@gmail.com) asks:
Dear Matt, I was surfing around in the web, and I found a really cool thing on Spawn.com website, the list of foreign publishers of Spawn. It would be nice to have a list of foreign publishers that publish Superman comics outside USA in the DC Comics website.
Matt: That is a really good idea, Fabio, and one I will pass along to our online department straightaway!
Mick (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us fans, I know it must get tiresome. My question is: Is the American Way irrelavant to Superman now? And if so what does it mean for a character who was created during the depression to be an "American Breed" hero. Does this mean he takes his upbringing for granted? Thanks again.
Matt: Does Clark take his upbringing for granted? Are you crazy, Mick? No way!! The values that Ma and Pa hold dear were and always will have been instilled in Clark, no matter who's writing the book! They really define who he is, just as they define who Captain America is. While I realize Cap's origin doesn't change as the years go by and Superman's does to a degree, that is one core aspect of Clark that won't change. And by the way, Mick, I don't get tired of answering the questions at all. I only wish this was an option for me when I was growing up, buying comics, and wanting to ask so many things.
Freddie Crespo (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Thanks for your short time answering all this questions. I'll keep it short! You said earlier on another question way back that there are legal problems or something on to why the story of Krypto whereabouts was shelved! On a recent comic in Superman/Batman, Superman made reference that Batman doesn't like going to the Fortress because he hates "the dog". So does this means that Superman knows where Krypto is? Superman was also wondering show the third Kryptonian was, but on the same issue he examined Karen (Powergirl) he also said he doesn't know where he is. So what is it? Where is Krypto? Will we see him on the comics soon? Will we see that Krypto story soon?
Matt: Hey, Freddie. Very sneaky, working multiple questions into one. You should work here! The long and the short of Superman/Batman is that it isn't really, entirely set in continuity. It runs very closely to what's going on in the DCU at a given moment, but without the restrictions an in-continuity book would have. So in that issue you're referring to, Batman would still feel the same way about Krypto (which probably explains why Ace, the Bathound has never returned). As for the infamous Krypto story, when the legal issues surrounding it are finally resolved, then the story can see print, and I don't think anyone knows when that will at last happen, but I'm confident it will. As for Krypto himself, well, you think Superman would make the occasional reference to his missing pooch just for the heck of it?
Rob Whitson (rwhitson@hotmail.com) asks:
Matt, I'm a HUGE DC fan but due to financial restraints these days, I can only afford to collect my comics when they come out in Graphic Novel collection format. Most other monthly DC titles seem to do this on a semi-regular basis allowing me to keep up with their exploits, albeit on a delayed basis. Although they used to, the ongoing Superman titles don't currently seem to - why is this and will it change anytime soon?
Matt: Hey, Rob--that's a totally fair question. The reason the various storylines in the Superman books have been collected somewhat infrequently lately is because we've done such a poor job getting them out in a timely manner, and without numerous fill-in stories. Now that we've finally gotten our mojo back (assuming we had it in the first place), I think you'll see an increase in the number of Superman trades and the frequency that they come out. I'm not talking next month or anything like that, mind you, but in the late-fall, I'm hoping more books with fat spines and glossy covers will begin to appear.
Patrick Noone (PJNoone@nyc.rr.com) asks:
Hey Matt! I'm a first time writer to your column. Here's my question. Are the glasses worn by Clark Kent made from advanced Kryptonian technology that is capable of hiding his identity from humans? Thanks.
Matt: Nah! They're simply what we'd call a "willing suspension of disbelief." The notion that a pair of glasses can fool the world from realizing Clark is Superman is totally ludicrous on the face of it, but it's totally charming, and has become as much a part of the character as the shield on his chest. Believe me, I can go back over the last thirty years of publishing, be it comics from DC or anyone else, and find several humorous references and in-jokes to the glasses gag. All I can say is put it out of your mind and enjoy the ride, Patrick!
Thanks again Matt!
Matt: Thank you! Now back to getting ACTION #854 together!
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