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Ask Matt Fan Forum Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him from November-December 2006:

Matt's Answers

Glen Sannem (GRSannem@yahoo.com) asks:
Greg Rucka created a Montoya like character in Lupe the new head of the SCU, during his run in Adventures. Will you and/or the writers be bringing her back anytime soon.

Matt: Hiya, Glen. Neither Kurt nor Geoff have any plans involving Lupe or any other known members of the Metropolis police force for the foreseeable future. Honestly, what we've got in store for both the near and far future is going to go way beyond anything the police can handle!



Ian (imfreakity@msn.com) asks:
This quote is from Dan Didio in a recent interview:
"There are several derivations of the Superman origin with the Byrne and Waid ones being the most recent. Coming out of Crisis we will be leaning towards 'Birthright' since we will have re-established that our Superman is the Silver Age incarnation."
Given that:
1 - Have we lost the 'real' Clark and gone backwards to the "clark-as-disguise" of the Silver Age and;
2 - Why are so many of us who are fans of the Byrne-Man of Steel-Superman getting left out in the cold? With All-Star and now this it seems like there is a conscious effort to remove any changes (good and bad) that were made after the original Crisis. Is that the editorial direction now?

Matt: Fair questions, Ian, particularly in light of that quote. To answer your second question first, I would hardly say there's a conscious effort to get away from the Man of Steel stuff. It's really been a matter of taking an honest, objective approach to all of the continuity that's proceeded us and spotlighting things that fit our collective vision of the Superman and his past. While I can't speak for Dan (hell, I can't even speak like Dan), I think the fact that more elements from Birthright were making their way into our discussions and plans early on probably led Dan to think in that direction.

As for your first question, I think Geoff and Kurt's portrayal of Clark and Superman thus far make it clear that Clark is as real as Superman in our minds (and his).



Jonny Lee (supermanlee@gmail.com) asks:
Hi Matt! Can you comment on the whereabouts of Lyla and Preus from Godfall? When will we see them next? Also, could you clarify the seemingly many versions of Bizarro and Mr. Mxyzptlk we've seen lately? Bizarro seemed like three different characters in "With a Vengeance," "Infinite Crisis," and "Last Son" (particularly in "Last Son" he doesn't talk backwards). Mxy seemed very different in Greg Rucka's Adventures storyline and Jeph Loeb's "With a Vengeance" story. Thanks!

Matt: Hola, Jonny. I can't really comment on how Greg or Jeph approached Mxy since I wasn't involved with those books. Maybe they were given the freedom to creatively interpret the character the way they saw it, or perhaps there was an intent behind the differing portrayals that didn't end up being resolved. I just don't know. Same for Bizarro in "With a Vengeance" and "Crisis." Me no involved, me no know. I will say that you should apply the notion to all the post-"Infinite Crisis" stories that many things have changed, some in very obvious ways, some more subtly. As for Lyla and Preus, we haven't really come up with any stories for them yet, but that doesn't mean they'll never be back. Well, unless no one has a good idea for them...



Robb (robb1138@buckeye-express.com) asks:
Hey Matt. It's a pretty huge deal to get Richard Donner to write with Geoff Johns for Action Comics. Has any interest been expressed around the offices to get Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty, or Bryan Singer to do something in the comics? Another question: has anyone ever thought about doing a one-shot with Superman that somehow relates to a character that is paralyzed, and donating the sales from the book to the Christopher Reeve Foundation?

Matt: Well, Rob, I'd totally love to work with those guys, but thus far there hasn't been a real good opportunity to approach them. We've got things really tightly planned for both ACTION and SUPERMAN proper, but I will make a point of mentioning your suggestion to Mike Marts, our newbie editor and CLASSIFIED custodian. As for your one-shot idea, I think that's really terrific, and something we'll definitely explore.



Mark Mayhugh (marvelousmark69@yahoo.com) asks:
Any chance of a new Secret Files giving us info on our characters? I am a huge fan of the MOS/Post-Crisis Superman, not at all of Silver Age, and I don't have the slightest clue about 98% of Clark/Superman's history now. For example, if Cyborg is still around he died, but if he hasn't met Zod there was no Pocket Universe, or most recent Zod. But that would mean no Matrix, no Linda, no other Supergirl. Just any explanation would be at least helpful.

Matt: That's reasonable, Mark, and you're far from the first person to present this conundrum. Kurt and Geoff have talked a little about doing some kind of project to solidify the back history and clear things up, something a bit grander than a one-shot SECRET FILES, but we're a long way away from beginning to make that a reality. Sorry, man, but it's definitely something we want to get to as soon as we can (and we figure out how to add another eight hours on to each day).



pete. (peyasp@blueyonder.co.uk) asks:
Hi, Please can we have a definitve, linear origin/history of the latest incarnation of superman? I mean was clark superboy like in the silver age or just the "super boy" in the case of smallville(hey, which would be better!!). What are the latest incarnations of jor el and lara, golden, silver or bryne? or an amalgamation? etc etc. Please, please clear these issues up for me because I am really confused now!!!!!

Matt: Yeah, it's a confusing time, Pete, I hear ya. I don't want to address the young Clark stuff since it's something we're trying to actively work into the books, though I'm not sure when we'll get to it now that Kurt and Geoff have put together some crazy/amazing stuff for '07. By incarnations, I assume you mean the visual interpretations? We've gotten to see Jor-El in ACTION #844-845, and we'll be catching a glimpse of Lara in the ACTION ANNUAL in January, so hopefully that will alleviate some portion of your confusion. Or maybe we're just making it worse?



ISRAEL KOREN (talkoren@zahav.net.il) asks:
Hi Matt! Any chance of you guys finally adapting the first two Superman movies into comic book form? I know the Superman Returns prequel books did quite well and yes there are many legal/red tape issues to work out in order to do it properly but I am sure you understand it is something a lot of fans want to see (and buy!). After all if they could reassemble a whole Superman movie after 25 years due to fandom demand surely you comic book heavyweights could pull off this highly requested item! Thanks for your time and continued success on the Super-books!

Matt: That's an interesting idea Israel, though I don't see it actually happening anytime soon, if ever. It's one thing to produce an updated version of a film which will receive very large distribution and sales, and another to produce a comic which will appeal to a much, much smaller audience. It would be cool, though.



Jeff Spindle (jeffspindle@gmail.com) asks:
Hey Matt, you can count me as another vote for that one-shot or limited series explaining the definitive origin of Superman. As someone who grew up with the Byre-reboot era Superman, I feel as though a dear friend of mine has been messed with. As I understand it, the entire reason for the 80's reboot was to clear up continuity issues and make Superman's story more clear. It seems like, with the well-intentioned inclusion of all these "Silver Age" elements, which DC has flirted with since the reboot, (especially the "Return to Krypton" storylines, "Superboys", and enough Supergirls to lose count of) Superman's history is now more convoluted and confusing than ever. I'm okay with a Byre origin, or with "Birthright", but please clear this up quickly. Enough with the "everyone's interpretation is valid" pluralism! Please tell us what is "canonical".

Matt: What? Me pluralistic? I'm sorry if it seems like I'm hedging or whatnot, Jeff, but I'm just trying to keep Kurt and Geoff from being too boxed in, at least early in the game. I figure if nothing else, not clearing this up will ensure I keep getting to do this column! (Okay, I know, I've just made an enemy of you for life. Please forgive me.)



Mary (myverysarcasm@yahoo.com) asks:
Hey, Matt! Greg Rucka once mentioned that he'd like to do a Lois Lane mini-series. Any chance we'll get that in the near future?

Matt: Hey, Mary! Well, I've never heard about that, but I love the idea! If Greg is ever free... yeah, I'll have to drop him a line and see what he was thinking about. Although I will caution you, I'm not sure a Lois Lane series would sell as well as, say, Brainiac, but then again, we're working on a Jimmy Olsen series, so what do I know?



Arnie (santanahaha@yahoo.com) asks:
Sometime this coming year DC will release a Showcase volume of the classic Who's Who. There were supposed to be a good variety of entries for Superman related subjects including the Fortress of Solitude and the Silver Age Revenge Squad. However, after Man of Steel was released, it was decided that these entries would not be included. Were some of the entries ready to be printed in Who's Who before they were scrapped, and if so, will there be any chance that these might be included as "extras" in the Showcase books? Thanks!

Matt: Well, Arnie, you lead me on a merry chase looking for an answer to this one! And after much searching, questioning and pleading... well, I couldn't get an answer. It's just not clear what the specific Who's Who showcase will include beyond the obvious. Sorry to fail you, sir.



Trish (boogalou86@hotmail.com) asks:
Matt, I'm a fan of Smallville and the Christopher Reeves movies, though I'm becoming interested in the comics. I've looked at them on the stand, but I don't know where to start. Will you please start me in the right direction?

Matt: Hey, Trish! I'd recommend you go out to your local bookstore or comics shop and pick up a copy of the "Up, Up and Away!" trade paperback. It collects the stories we did in SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS from March through June of this year, and since it picks up in a definitive spot from the prior stories, it seems as clear a place as any to start your journey. Anyone else want to throw some ideas out to our newest member of the comics community?



Luis Augusto (lucas@falamenino.com.br) asks:
I know you probably wont give a straight answer (if any) to this one, but I NEED to ask when are we gonna have the final answer (whatever it may be) on Conner Kent's return?

Matt: Left. No, right! Sorry, Luis, but I can't even begin to answer that one. If I do, let's just say you'll have to find someone else to answer these questions--'cause I'll be pushing up daisies!



Thanks for a great year of Superman answers and Superman comics. We look forward to a super new year!

Matt: Thanks, Steve, and everyone who wrote in. I didn't really do a year's worth of answers, and felt bad about letting everyone down. I've made a New Year's resolution to get answers in on time next year (not to mention get 12 issues of each book out, by gum). Happy Holidays, folks!



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