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"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him in October-November 2011:
Matt's Answers
Scott McClanahan (Email address withheld by request) asks:Like many people who started reading comics in the 90s, I feel pretty strongly that the Clark/Lois marriage is an integral and absolutely essential aspect of both characters. It was the biggest reason I'm a Superman fan, so the marriage retcon has been very troubling. Can you offer fans like me some reassurance (and therefore keep us in the fold) that Clark and Lois will again be (correctly) portrayed as happily married in the not-too-distant future?
Matt: I'd obviously hate to lose you and other like-minded readers, Scott, but I can't offer you the reassurance you're looking for. The New 52 was more than a simple hitting of a reset button: the paths that Lois and (more to the point) Clark's lives took leading them to Metropolis has created a different dynamic. They're not the same people they were prior to September. I hope you'll keep an open mind and stay with us, as this decision to move away from the marriage wasn't one we came to lightly or without a lot of forethought.
Arnie Davila-Toro (santanahaha@yahoo.com) asks:
Congrats to all of you on a truly Super restart in every sense. Will we eventually see the Kent's final fate? Thanks as always!
Matt: I'm not sure depicting a horribly violent thresher accident is the best idea, Arnie! Juuuust kidding. I suppose eventually we'll get around to telling how they came to their present state, but really, it's less important how they did and more crucial to show how that change from the prior continuity made Clark the person he is, versus the person you remember. At least I think so.
Michael (Email address withheld by request) asks:
After spending about a quarter of a decade on Earth (Action Comics), all Superman can do is leap, while five-ten years later (Superman), he requires an armor to deflect bullets. After spending ONE minute on Earth, Supergirl can fly AND is invulnerable. Can't you see how this emasculates Superman? Saying that women mature faster, while cute, wouldn't be a real answer here.
Matt: Well no one has ever accused us of being cute, Michael! No, it's not an issue of gender that accounts for Kara's greater power set. I could go into the details, but I think it would be more fun to explain in a story, don't you?
Glen Sannem (GRSannem@yahoo.com) asks:
Matt, thanks for taking the time from a way crazy schedule to answer questions. I know that the Kents have passed away in the new 52, but will Lana be in the new books at all? Also Lois was featured in a Flashpoint book. Did it do good enough to warrant at the least, a Lois Lane mini series?
Matt: Lana will indeed be appearing in ACTION, Glen, starting with an appearance in #5. We'll be getting into her story later down the road. As for Lois, her mini indeed did well, but she's a different character than she was in Flashpoint, and we want to build her up a bit before sending her off on her own.
Peter Bivol (bivolvictoria@yahoo.com) asks:
I simply love the new Superman and his bold new attitude. Now, Superman never had the best rogues gallery. Are we going to see new dynamic and more complex villains in this new universe?
Matt: Great question, Peter. We'll be introducing in both books a healthy mix of new villains, villains new to Superman, and some old faces. In ACTION, Grant has been introducing a new threat, and unveils some more new faces in #5, whom we'll be seeing more of in mind-tripping ways (really, what else would you expect from Grant?) as we move forward. In SUPERMAN, look no further than #7 for a villain new to Supes, and Keith and Dan also have a stated intent to create new foes rather than just visit ones we've seen. Which is not to say familiar faces won't be popping up.
Scott (bexar85@aol.com) asks:
Since DC is releasing omnibuses/omnibi for The Flash and Teen Titans and a lot of those stories are out of continuity are there any plans to release omnibi for the 1986 to 2011 Superman such as the John Byrne Omnibus, the Greg Rucka omnibus, the Geoff Johns Omnibus, and so on?
Matt: No plans at the moment for any Superman Omnibuses (Omnibi? I like that!), Scott. We really want to keep the focus on the new history and legend we're building before we start dipping back into the past.
Frank (Email address withheld by request) asks:
We've all heard that Giffen/Jurgens will replace Perez/Merino on Superman, I was wondering why this particular team was picked? Also will we see another monthly Superman book, I for one don't find it fair that Green Lantern and Batman seems to have more books than the Man of Steel?
Matt: That's a cool question, Frank! We thought the mix of approach and story sense that Keith and Dan have would be really interesting to see. It's a chemistry experiment of sorts, you could say. From what they've discussed doing to this point, I think we may have a new element for the periodic chart on our hands. As for expanding the line of books, there are a few different options we've been discussing here, with an eye towards mid-to-late 2012. Personally, I'd rather stay away from doing another solo book starring Superman and see something different. What about you?
Kevin Paul (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Hi Matt, thanks for taking time to deal with us fans. I'm wondering about something I heard, relating to Action and Superman. It seems after issue 6 (?) Action is going to jump forward to the same timeline as Superman. Is this something that's going to stay, or just temporary? I liked the idea of having one comic about Supe's earlier years and one about his later years. BTW, I've been a life long fan of Supes (comics and all) and I could care less about costume changes and-lovin' the new 52!
Matt: Hey, Kevin. I'd hardly consider answering your collective questions "dealing with" (such as "dealing with a backed up toilet"). It's a pleasure. I just wish time allowed me to be more consistent with responding to everyone. Not sure where you got the idea that issue #6 brings ACTION to the present. It will be catching up, but far after that issue has come and gone. And even when it does, I think it likely we'll be jumping back and forth in time.
Steve asks:
Can you clarify for us the various positions held by the characters at the Daily Planet in the current "Superman" comic book?
Matt: Here's the breakdown for ya, Steve!
Morgan Edge - Owner of Galaxy Communications, which includes Planet Global Network (PGN) and the Daily Planet
DAILY PLANET
Belinda Izquierdo - Publisher
Perry White - Editor in Chief
Ron Troupe - Reporter
Cat Grant - Arts & Entertainment Editor
PGN
Lois Lane - Executive producer of PGN's nightly news division, and executive VP of new media
William McCoy - Host of "The Real McCoy"
Morrie - Cameraman
Rick Stafford - Helicopter pilot
Dough Hubler - Helicopter cameraman
Heather Kelley - PGN reporter
Danny, Wayne, Chase - guys who work in Lois' news division
Derek Rich - Anchor
Chuck Truscott - Meteorologist
Nathan Jessee - Anchor
Jimmy Olsen - New media reporter for the Planet and PGN
Miko Ogawa - New media reporter for the Planet and PGN
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