Inter-Action
"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him in June 2009:
Matt's Answers
Phillip (Blondephillip@aol.com) asks:Since the Phantom Zone was destroyed recently, necessitating Mon-El's release, where was Thara putting Tor-An in their first issue of ACTION COMICS? Given that he was surrounded by the "glowing hoola-hoops" it seems to imply that she was returning him to the Zone, but that no longer exists, so where?
Matt: Nope, no Phantom Zone for Tor-An or anyone else, Philip! Thara miniaturized our first Kryptonian sleeper agent (thanks to a handy weapon made from Kryptonian and Brainiac technology) trapping him, then later in the issue deposited him in a mini prison made of Sunstone crystal. The shot we saw of him within the hoop was a holographic projection of that prison. That clear things up?
Kyle (Email address withheld by request) asks:
In the COUNTDOWN series Jimmy Olsen discovered Superman and Clark were one and the same. Does Jimmy still know this or did I miss something?
Matt: Hey, Kyle! I honestly can't recall if this ever made it into print anywhere or not, but at the conclusion of COUNTDOWN, once Jimmy had lost his powers, he also lost all his memories of his adventures during that weekly book. So now, Jimmy doesn't remember Clark's secret, but I'm not sure if you missed something or not. It's a good thing he lost those memories though, what with Codename: Assassin trying to read his mind. Oh, wait-C:A couldn't read his mind. Now why is that, do you suppose?
Matt (jedisuperman@hotmail.com) asks:
Hi Matt. Thank you as always for devoting time to our questions. What is General Zod's first name? We've seen the name Dru-Zod thrown around at times, but I'm under the impression that Dru-Zod is an ANCESTOR of the current General Zod. Please tell us. I imagine we'd all like to know. Thanks so much!
Matt: A: Heya, Matt! You are indeed correct about Dru-Zod being an ancestor of the good General. We saw the earlier Zod briefly in the opening of "Up, Up and Away!" As for the current Zod, we haven't yet revealed his first name, but I'm going to give you and the other readers (all 3 of you) an exclusive: it's Ralph.
Jerry (SilentDues@aol.com) asks:
Hey, Matt. First off, many props to ya' for taking the time to answer our questions. Mine concerns the current multiverse scenario revolved around the DC comics. Of the 52 Earths, I've heard that apparently the animated "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" is among them, as is the DC Animated Universe of Bruce Timm's. Is that true and is the live-action SMALLVILLE series or other non-comic mediums under the same consideration? Many thanks if you can answer.
Matt: Thanks for the props, Jerry! I can only imagine what you'd give me if I answered your questions on time! We saw a hint of Batman: Beyond in COUNTDOWN, but that's about all I can confirm for ya (under penalty of tickle torture at DiDio's hands - I feel nauseous).
Superfan Unlimited (daniel15ark@yahoo.com) asks:
Now that Superboy is back will he be playing a part in the New Krypton stoyline, and if so will his being a half Kryptonian and half Human clone cause any proplems?
Matt: Good question, S.U.! Superboy will indeed be playing a role, but not in the short term. We want to give ADVENTURE a couple of arcs to establish itself and its various characters before pulling Conner into the craziness. Definitely in 2010, though.
Duncan Bennett (Email address withheld by request) asks:
How come you've started calling Clark "Kal"? I would say the dominant persona is Clark since the John Byrne reboot (and for good reason) it does feel like DC are making an effort to dehumanize Superman.
Matt: Far from it, Duncan! One of Clark's objectives in moving to New Krypton full time was to embrace and better understand his Kryptonian heritage, since he has an opportunity now like he's never had before. In doing so, he's accepted going by his Kryptonian name, and has allowed his fellow Kryptonians to call him by his birth name so he'd be more quickly accepted among his people. Understanding where one came from is about as human an action as you can have, and I think you'd have to agree that Clark/Kal's human lessons have played a huge role in his actions and attitudes while on New Krypton, no?
IolantheAlias (Email address withheld by request) asks:
General question - is there some sort of DC Archive online where I could go and read old Superman comics?
Matt: We don't have Supes' old adventures online, IolantheAlias, but a great many of them have been collected in hardcover, trade paperback and archive form. Perhaps, though, as the world moves in a greater digital direction you'll see his early exploits collected digitally as well.
Freddie Crespo (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Thank you Matt for everything, my question is regarding Superboy, more specifically his looks. A lot of superheroes seem to be going through costumes changes, especially teen heroes. Will we see a change in Superboy's wardrobe, like Wonder Girl, Robin, and many others have had? Maybe a Red Jacket, Blue Shirt (maybe with the S) and Jeans look Clark Kent sports in the TV series "Smallville". Or maybe a revamp of his current look, like Wonder Girl's!
Matt: Nope, no big wardrobe changes for Conner, Freddie. He thought about getting a nice fauxhawk but decided against it.
Robert Willing (staredcraft@yahoo.com) asks:
Hey Matt, it seems the female Dr. Light has been popping up in both ACTION COMICS and SUPERMAN comics... Does this mean she's going to be, at least, a semi-regular? I'm a huge fan of this character and have always felt her solar powers/knowledge made her a prime ally for the Man of Steel.
Matt: Good eye, Robert! The good Doctor will indeed be appearing semi-regularly, though perhaps not in the way you expect. With James Robinson taking on the writing chores for JLA, you can expect to see a great deal of crossover between Dr. Light and a character from the Superbooks as well - though who that is I'm not going to tell you!
Richard Hicks (brickhicks@hotmail.com) asks:
Dear Matt: With the recent return of The Guardian and return and death of Agent Liberty, what other post-Crisis characters that we haven't seen in a long time would you like to see gracing the pages of SUPERMAN and ACTION again? Personally I'd like to see the return of The Alpha Centurion. Thanks for your time.
Matt: Ooh, good choice, Richard! I fear, though, that my suggestions would only get me run out of town. Comet, anyone?
Steve asks:
Matt has DC made a conscious decision not to publish any more one-shot, stand-alone or Elseworlds graphic novels? Or is it simply that nothing has come along that has been worth publishing?
Matt: We kind of moved away from Elseworlds while COUNTDOWN and FINAL CRISIS were going on, and I think we'll continue that trend for a while, focusing instead on telling original adventures of our heroes as you know them, Steve. Why do you ask? (And so begins our first official ongoing correspondence in this forum!)
Got a question you want to ask Matt? Then be sure to fill in the form on the main "Ask Matt" Fan Forum page.
"Ask Eddie/Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
You'll find links to our archives of past Questions and Answers on the main "Ask Matt" Fan Forum page.