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"Ask Matt" Fan Forum Archives
Here are Matt Idelson's answers to questions fans put to him in December 2009:
Matt's Answers
Michael Sacal (Email address withheld by request) asks:Matt, I was wondering why it is that the Superman writers are unable to remain consistant with the character's origins for more than two years at a time. Two years ago in "Countdown", Lex Luthor's origin claimed that he was the "son of Metropolis mogul Lionel Luthor and his socialite spouse Letitia", yet in "Superman: Secret Origin" this is clearly contradicted. Why do these continuity problems keep appearing? Which character will you blame for this? Did Superboy-Prime throw another tantrum?
Matt: You know, Michael, Superboy-Prime is a handy explanation whenever we want to go in and modify/change something from the past continuity, or do away with it altogether. With a project like "Secret Origin," we're incorporating elements of a lot of different versions of the origin, trying to end up with one which will stand the test of time. Will someone come along and revise it again? Possibly, though my hope is that with the quality of what Geoff and Gary are doing, no one will feel the temptation or need. It can be frustrating, though, I know!
calvin bowes (vampirellasbite@yahoo.com) asks:
Here is a question about heat vision. If I went camping with Superman and he used his heat-vision to start the fire what would I actually see? Would a beam come from his eyes to start it or would he just look at it and the fire would just start? I ask this because I know many artists draw things only to illustrate visually what is happening, like showing a transparent person to show they are invisible.
Matt: Great question, Calvin! You're right - someone invisible would indeed be rendered to show that they're there (since we are in a visual medium, after all), but in the case of Supes' heat vision, you'd actually see those twin red beams coming from his eyes.
Jose A. Rivera (Email address withheld by request) asks:
The Phantom Zone mysteriously dissapeared almost a year ago. We hardly got an explanation how Superman's Rogues Gallery escaped or what happened to it. All we know is Mon-El got out just before it was completely gone. Will we ever find out what happened?
Matt: Oh yes we will, Jose! That's something we've definitely not forgotten about, and while I wish we had provided some level of explanation (even if it wasn't the whole bag of goods), we'll make up for this particular crime against humanity, to be sure.
Kyle (Email address withheld by request) asks:
Matt, I am a really big fan of Dr. Hamilton and especially his alter ego Ruin. Are we going to see Ruin anytime soon and where does he fit into continuity? Thanks for doing a great job reponding to these questions!
Matt: Ruin's still out there, Kyle, though "out there" actually means rotting in a jail somewhere. He's a pretty cool villain, and one I'd like to see return soon, even if we do know his identity.
Freddie Crespo (Email address withheld by request) asks:
You seriously rock Matt!! Don't forget it! hehe... I have a question regarding what may be a Kryptonian wandering in space not knowing about the resurrection of their planet, will we see any Kryptonians from the cosmos returning home, especially the "Third Kryptonian" known as Karsta Wor-Ul or Kristin Wells? Or is she already back on New-Krypton? It seems she has been forgotten in all this turmoil.
Matt: You're very kind, Freddie, and your sentiments are very, very much appreciated! It's funny you should ask about Karsta. There were plans for her within this mini-drama we've been doing, but then it came to pass that she really didn't quite fit into the story that well. There was also talk much more recently about her showing up in a non-Superman title as a tie-in to current events, but again, that didn't quite come together for one reason or another. My feeling at this point is that she's either incarcerated after standing trial for her crimes (as was her intent when last we saw her), or she got a serious case of cold feet and fled the known galaxy in order to live her life as a fugitive.
Mike McDonald (eversuperman@yahoo.com) asks:
Matt, thanks for showing the fans that the creators listen and care about what we want to know! My question is this: Is there any possibility that the Hiro Toyman character might return, and not as a robot toy of Winslow Schott? That was an excellent concept for the Toyman character, and to see it turned into a plot thread to bring back the "original" Winslow, absolving him of Adam Grant's murder, was very disappointing.
Matt: Hey, Mike! Listening to you folks is one of the most important things we can do! After all, if it wasn't for all of you, we'd be flipping burgers (or enduring a terrible fate). I'm sorry you didn't dig the evolution of the Hiro character (or de-evolution, you might say). I think the Toyman and his various incarnations are characters full of many a secret, and I wouldn't assume we know everything there is to know about them!
Jeff Cordray (eversuperman@gmail.com) asks:
Hi Matt, thanks for answering our questions. With all the advanced technology and science New Krypton possesses, why aren't they doing anything to try to restore Non's mind? Wasn't he the second smartest person on Krypton? Wouldn't he be valuable in making New Krypton a thriving, viable planet? Surely an intellect like his would be an asset when finding ways to recreate Krypton?
Matt: That's a more than fair question, Jeff. The sad truth though, is that Non was lobotomized-parts of his brain were actually destroyed, and that's not something you can repair. If it were, surely that nice, warm yellow sun New Krypton is orbiting would have started to heal his noggin. That's really the tragedy of the character - he was really turned into a villain. It's not like he had/has a choice.
Fabio Alexandre Rocha Marques (farm1974@gmail.com) asks:
Any future plan regarding the publication of the already announced "An Evening with Superman" by classic storyteller Barry Windsor-Smith? What about the translation of "Superman og Fredsbomben" by Teddy Kristiansen and Niels Sondergaard (also known as "Superman y La Bomba de La Paz" or "Superman in Europa") to English and further publication by DC Comics?
Matt: Ooh, you're testing me, eh, Fabio? I haven't had any word that we've been successful in creating any forward movement on the Windsor-Smith story, but that second item you mentioned is one I haven't been asked about before. I'll definitely have to look into this!
Mike Stumbo (jastermereel1980@aol.com) asks:
The newly announced "Superman: Earth One" graphic novel, that is stated as an out of continuity book, however in an interview JMS says that later down the road it may be folded into the other books. Why? It should stay an out of continuity book since the regular DCU is on Earth 0 and this is Earth 1. As a HUGE Superman fan I just think that if this starts out of the gate as a stated "OUT OF CONTINUITY" story that it should stay that way.
Matt: I hear what you're saying, Mike, but it could hypothetically be cool to see the characters of two such disparate worlds interact, but that's just me.
John (Jpfx75@verizon.net) asks:
With the Legion is taking over "Adventures Comics" what's happening to Superboy? We finally get him in his own book again, then he's shown the door again. So is he in limbo while the Legion take total control of the book? I like the Legion, don't get me wrong, but it seems like Superboy is always being pushed out of the way to make room for someone else.
Matt: Aw, don't feel bad for Conner, John! He's going to remain a very big player in ADVENTURE through issue #11, and then be featured prominently in the other titles when all heck breaks loose over the summer. Believe me, we have plans for him, and they extend beyond "War of the Supermen."
Phillip (Blondephillip@aol.com) asks:
Hey Matt, thanks for taking the time out. In LO3W, Brainiac 5 resurrects Conner Kent and Kid Flash to help shake up Superboy-Prime, using plans that stretch all the way back to the "Lightning Saga" and beyond, way before Prime even showed up in the 31st Century. My question is, why did Brainiac 5 plan to resurrect them in the first place? Did he somehow know Prime was coming, or did he have other purposes for the pair?
Matt: Without saying too much too soon, Phillip, he definitely has some plans for the pair, and in the case of one of those characters, we're eventually going to be seeing what those plans are.
Steve asks:
Matt, with the announcement of "Superman: Earth One" I've seen comments from confused fans thinking this is another origin story that will replace "Superman: Secret Origin", not realizing that they're actually two stories about two different realities. "Secret Origin" is the story of Superman from New Earth... or are you now calling it "Earth Zero"? Are you guys at all concerned about the confusion these two origin stories will create for uninformed fans?
Matt: You know, I'm not, Steve. I think as we get closer to the actual release of S:EO, it'll be made more and more clear to readers and retailers alike what, exactly, that project is all about, and how it differs from "Secret Origin" and the regular Superbooks.
Have a great set of holidays, everyone! Thanks for putting up with my long periods of radio silence this year. While you're all counting down to the end of 2009, I'll be digging up my email to Steve from last year where I made the resolution to always be on time for you guys. Then I'll print it out, bronze it, and beat myself over the head with it. Thanks!
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