2009 Comic Book News Archives
March 1, 2009: Exclusive Interview with Ian Sattler
By Jeffrey Taylor.Superman Homepage reporter Jeffrey Taylor grabbed time with DC Comics senior story editor Ian Sattler at this weekend's WonderCon to ask him a few questions about the Superman comic books.
Q: I work in a comic book store and I saw sales and pre-orders for Superman books spike when "New Krypton" was getting started. Now that "New Krypton" is over and DC announced that Superman would be taken out of his own books, our pre-orders dropped even below where they were before. My question is, what makes taking Superman out of his regular books a good decision from a marketing standpoint?
A: I worked in a comic book store and my response is to look at the stories. I mean how good the stories are with Greg Rucka and James Robinson in Action Comics and Superman and how good the story they're tying with New Krypton and Superman is. So I think that people are getting a little hung up on the phrase "Superman not in his books." I mean we don't have this rule set. He'll be around. He'll show up. There are moments, I know it, specific ones where he has to be back on Earth or has to do something else in Action Comics. As we're trying to show the scope of how big this New Krypton story is, that's how the pieces of the story move and that dictated what we do in the books.
The point isn't that it's Superman out of the books. It's who's also there with him. I would really advise people just to check the books out and see how they feel about it before they just assume that it's something where there's no Superman. Because the stories are awesome and it's all part of the bigger picture that's going to last for another year plus as we tell this big story that is New Krypton. We promised when this started that it wasn't going to be six months and then they're all back in the bottle. So we need the room to tell this story.
Q: The triangle numbering system was a mainstay in the Superman comics for more than ten years. Then it went away and it's been needed for a while. What took so long?
A: I think it just seemed like the right time in the way that we brought Supergirl closer into the mix with Sterling writing it. Some of the stuff Geoff had planned and how closely Rucka and Robinson were working, New Krypton was the opportunity to do that. And at the same time, there were people that said, "Oh no, now I have to read every book."
I still say that the triangles are thematic. It's not like where you get to the last page of one book and it's always picked up immediately in the next like we're doing a traditional crossover. I think the way we're doing it right now shows the unity in the books without being the law. If you want to read Supergirl and nothing else, you can still get that story. It's the same with Action Comics, Superman and World of New Krypton.
Q: World of New Krypton recently had a change in its creative team. How and why did that happen.
A: It was a scheduling change Andrew Kreisberg has been working on Fringe and there's only so much someone can do in a month. Luckily we figured that out in time rather than four issues in. James and Greg moved right in and are doing a great job. Andrew is doing a great job on Green Arrow/Black Canary for us. So sometimes this just happens and there's nothing more to it than that. The simple answer is that sometimes people are busy and this is what we have to do.
Q: How long can we expect James Robinson to be writing the Superman books?
A: James is on Superman for a while. I can't emphasize enough that New Krypton was never conceived as a short-term story. It's very long-term and we're not even into some of the really big stuff yet. I think when people see what we're building on, I hope that people look back on this time with Geoff, Sterling, James and Greg and look at it as an era of Superman. They'll refer to it as the New Krypton period, because a lot of really good standards are going to be set. I think we're telling a different story. I kind of lost my train of thought there because I'm so excited. So James is on for the long haul.
Q: Will Geoff Johns be returning after Superman: Secret Origin?
A: He'll be returning to something.
Q: Something Superman related?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you explain the holdup on Robinson's Justice League?
A: The truth is that we maybe announced it earlier than we should have. We got a little excited. The art on that book is pretty spectacular and takes some time. It's actually been a really good thing for us. James has been able to take some time and tinker with the story. What we have now is just excellent and we're underway. We should have the release date for that in the next couple of weeks.
The fact of the matter is that we got excited, so there's really no holdup. We should have announced it a few months later than we actually did. It was always planned in this pocket. The time period that the story is in is right on. When we announced it we were talking about a time period way down the road. It's maybe a few months later than we originally planned it, but on our schedule is not that off.
Q: Finally, I've seen many past characters who I know and love from years past returning to the comics for the first time. Could I ask about a few of my favorites and you can tell me yes, no or no comment?
A: Absolutely. Fire away.
Alpha Centurion: No
Bibbo: Yes
Manchester Black: No
Cadmus Project: Maybe
Conduit: Yes. No wait. That guy? No.
Cat Grant: Yes, Supergirl.
Emil Hamilton/Ruin: No
Hellgramite: Isn't Hellgramite dead? No? No.
Inspector Henderson: No comment
Hope/Mercy: No comment
Lana Lang: Yes
Lena Luthor: No comment
Maxima: .... I'm trying to think of how to put this. Yes and no. How's that?
Rampage: No
Riot: No
Pete Ross: No comment
Maggie Sawyer: No comment
Scorn: No
Shadowdragon: No
Special Crimes Unit: Uh, you know, I can't answer that one
Franklin Stern: No
Supermen of America: No
Ron Troupe: Not a lot
Dan Turpin: Not for a while
The Superman Homepage would like to thank Ian Sattler for taking the time out at WonderCon to answer these questions.
2009 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2009.- January 7, 2009: Final Crisis #7 to Contain Seven Extra Pages
- January 7, 2009: Liefeld Recalls Defunct Superman/Youngblood Crossover
- January 9, 2009: Andrew Kreisberg Talks World of New Krypton
- January 9, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Adventure Comics and Trinity
- January 12, 2009: A Racially Diverse Krypton
- January 15, 2009: Geoff Johns Looks Ahead Beyond New Krypton
- January 15, 2009: Greg Rucka Talks Action Comics
- January 16, 2009: Final Crisis #6 Gets 2nd Printing
- January 20, 2009: Kurt Busiek Talks Trinity
- January 27, 2009: Colorist Explains Coloring Error in Trinity #34
- January 28, 2009: Grant Morrison Talks Final Crisis
- January 28, 2009: Denny O'Neil Audio Interview
- January 29, 2009: Superman in Final Crisis #7 Really President Obama?
- January 29, 2009: Dan Didio Talks About What's New in the DCU
- January 29, 2009: Superwoman Speculation/Replacements for Superman Pondered
- January 31, 2009: Trinity Colorist Discusses Colorist's Responsibilities
- February 3, 2009: Lex Luthor & Power Girl in Batman: The Brave & the Bold #1
- February 4, 2009: Grant Morrison Talks with IGN
- February 4, 2009: Grant Morrison Cancels NYC Comic Con Appearance
- February 4, 2009: Rucka & Robinson Writing World of New Krypton Series
- February 5, 2009: Grant Morrison Talks Final Crisis on Newsarama, Part Two
- February 5, 2009: Dan Didio Answers 20 Questions About the DCU
- February 5, 2009: Kreisberg Explains Departure From World of New Krypton
- February 6, 2009: Action Comics #1 on Display at NY Comic Con
- February 6, 2009: Video Interview with Superman Editor Matt Idleson
- February 6, 2009: Superman Panels at NY Comic Con
- February 7, 2009: Johns and Manapul on Adventure Comics
- February 9, 2009: Superman News from New York Comic Con
- February 10, 2009: NYCC - Superman Building a Better Tomorrow Panel
- February 10, 2009: NYCC - DC Universe Online Panel
- February 19, 2009: Exclusive Interview with Jen Van Meter
- February 19, 2009: Dan Jurgens Talks Tangent: Superman's Reign
- February 19, 2009: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl and Superwoman
- February 23, 2009: Geoff Johns Talks Superman Comics
- February 25, 2009: Rucka & Robinson Talk Superman: World of New Krypton
- February 28, 2009: DC Nation Panel at Wondercon 2009
- March 1, 2009: Exclusive Interview with Ian Sattler
- March 1, 2009: DC Comics Releases World of New Krypton Video Trailer
- March 2, 2009: DC Universe Panel at WonderCon 2009
- March 6, 2009: Superman Makes NY Times Best Seller List
- March 10, 2009: Wizard's Top 25 Dynamic Duos
- March 12, 2009: Superman Appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #2
- March 19, 2009: Dan DiDio Answers Questions About Superman Comics
- March 25, 2009: Greg Rucka Talks Action Comics
- April 8, 2009: DC Nation - Emerald City ComiCon
- April 10, 2009: Washington Post Interviews Dan DiDio
- April 15, 2009: DC Makes Changes to JLA #34
- April 17, 2009: First Look at Wednesday Comics Superman
- April 21, 2009: Rags Morales Talks Justice League of America
- April 30, 2009: Kurt Busiek Talks Trinity
- May 1, 2009: DC Comics Sneak Peek at Adventure Comics
- May 2, 2009: Free Comic Book Day Signings
- May 5, 2009: Andrew Robinson Talks Covering Superman Comics
- May 6, 2009: Julian Lopez Takes Over Action Art Duties
- May 8, 2009: Another Look at Wednesday Comics Superman
- May 8, 2009: Poll Position - Motion Comics
- May 13, 2009: Dan DiDio Discusses Up-Coming DC Comics
- May 14, 2009: James Robinson - Writer Without a Superman
- May 14, 2009: Blackest Night: Superman #1 Cover Revealed
- May 16, 2009: Robinson and Rucka on Superman Codename: Patriot Saga
- May 16, 2009: James Robinson Talks Justice League: Cry For Justice
- May 16, 2009: Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle Talk Supergirl
- May 19, 2009: Exclusive Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade Interview
- May 19, 2009: Gary Frank Talks Superman: Secret Origin
- May 20, 2009: Gatefold Cover For Final Trinity Issue
- May 21, 2009: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl and More
- May 21, 2009: Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time
- May 30, 2009: A Day in the Life of Matt Idelson
- May 30, 2009: Dwayne McDuffie Fired From JLA Comic
- June 2, 2009: Five Page Preview of Justice League: Cry For Justice
- June 3, 2009: Sneak Peek at Superman vs Flash in Flash: Rebirth #3
- June 9, 2009: Renato Guedes Superman and Supergirl Annual Comic Covers
- June 12, 2009: Gail Simone Interview from Superman Celebration
- June 13, 2009: Sneak Peek at Action Comics Annual #12
- June 16, 2009: USA Today to Publish Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- June 18, 2009: A Sneak Peek at Superman #689
- June 19, 2009: Robinson and Bagley Taking Over JLA Duties
- June 19, 2009: Dan DiDio on Wednesday Comics Deal with USA Today
- June 20, 2009: DC Universe Panel at Heroes Con 2009
- June 23, 2009: Check Out the Adventure Comics #3 Cover
- June 27, 2009: A Day In The Life of Matt Idelson
- June 27, 2009: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl Shorts
- July 2, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Superman: Secret Origin
- July 3, 2009: DC Comics Panel Schedule for San Diego Comic-Con
- July 3, 2009: Justice League to Meet The 99
- July 8, 2009: USA Today Publishes First Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- July 15, 2009: USA Today Publishes Second Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- July 16, 2009: Jimmy Palmiotti Talks Supergirl Wednesday Comics Strip
- July 22, 2009: USA Today Publishes Third Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- July 24, 2009: Exclusive Coverage of Superman: Two Worlds Panel
- July 24, 2009: San Diego Comic-Con 2009 Reports
- July 24, 2009: Superman: Red Son Motion Comic Online
- July 25, 2009: DCU Online Panel Exclusive Report From SDCC
- July 26, 2009: Superman News in Newsarama Live Coverage of DC Universe: Editorial Presentation
- July 28, 2009: Lee Bermejo Talk Superman Wednesday Comics Strip
- July 28, 2009: All Star Superman Wins Eisner Award
- July 29, 2009: USA Today Publishes Fourth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- July 29, 2009: J. Michael Straczynski Writing Superman Comic?
- August 5, 2009: USA Today Publishes Fifth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- August 5, 2009: Prime Yourself for an Adventure Comics Comeback
- August 5, 2009: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl Comics
- August 8, 2009: Francis Manapul at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
- August 8, 2009: Superman: Red Son Motion Comic
- August 11, 2009: Matt Idelson Talks Codename: Patriot
- August 11, 2009: James Robinson Talks Superman and JLA Comics
- August 12, 2009: USA Today Publishes Sixth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- August 14, 2009: First Look at Superman: Secret Origin #1
- August 19, 2009: USA Today Publishes Seventh Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- August 19, 2009: Diamond's Industry-Wide Skip Week in December
- August 21, 2009: Amanda Conner Talks Supergirl Wednesday Comics Strip
- August 25, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Superman in 2010
- August 26, 2009: USA Today Publishes Eighth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- September 2, 2009: USA Today Publishes Ninth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- September 9, 2009: Francis Manapul on Drawing Adventure Comics
- September 9, 2009: Superman Comic Book Covers in December
- September 9, 2009: USA Today Publishes Tenth Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- September 10, 2009: More Pages from Superman: Secret Origin #1
- September 15, 2009: DC to Overhaul Superman/Batman Comic Book
- September 16, 2009: USA Today Publishes Eleventh Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- September 17, 2009: Arcudi & Bermejo Talk Superman Wednesday Comics Strip
- September 19, 2009: Inside the Superman Offices with Matt Idelson
- September 23, 2009: USA Today Publishes Final Wednesday Comics Superman Strip
- September 25, 2009: James Robinson on JLA's New Roll Call
- September 25, 2009: Poll Position - Wednesday Comics
- September 29, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Adventure Comics
- September 30, 2009: Chuck Kim Talks JLA 80-Page Giant
- October 6, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Superman Comics
- October 10, 2009: Trautmann Talks Action Comics
- October 12, 2009: Superman & Supergirl News from Baltimore Comic-Con
- October 14, 2009: DC Announces Wednesday Comics Collected Edition
- October 15, 2009: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl, Superman and World's Finest Comics
- October 24, 2009: Superman vs The Flash To The Finish Line!
- October 27, 2009: Dan DiDio Talks Adventure Comics, Annuals and More
- October 28, 2009: Superman vs. Muhammad Ali To Get Reprint?
- October 29, 2009: Sterling Gates Talks World's Finest
- October 31, 2009: A Look at Up-Coming Superman Comics with Matt Idelson
- October 31, 2009: An Interview with Paul Levitz About Writing Comics
- November 7, 2009: Comic Books Good for Children's Learning
- November 13, 2009: Geoff Johns Guest of Honor at Chicago Comic Expo
- November 18, 2009: More Krypto in Superman Comics?
- November 18, 2009: Joe Kubert Artwork For Sale
- November 24, 2009: J. Bone Super Friends Interview
- December 5, 2009: Adventure Comics #8 & the Future of Superman Comics
- December 8, 2009: DC Announce Earth One Superman in 2010
- December 8, 2009: J. Michael Straczynski Talks Superman: Earth One
- December 8, 2009: Sterling Gates Talks World's Finest and Supergirl
- December 9, 2009: War of the Supermen Begins in 2010
- December 9, 2009: Matt Idelson Talks War of the Supermen
- December 9, 2009: Shane Davis Talks Superman: Earth One
- December 10, 2009: All Star Superman Amongst Best Comics of the Decade
- December 11, 2009: Marc Guggenheim to Write Action Comics in 2010
- December 12, 2009: Marc Guggenheim Talks Action Comics
- December 15, 2009: Matt Idelson Talks Superman Comics
- December 15, 2009: Marc Guggenheim Springs Into Action
- December 16, 2009: Check Out the Cover to JLA #43
- December 18, 2009: The Last Stand of New Krypton
- December 19, 2009: J. Michael Straczynski Talks Superman: Earth One
- December 24, 2009: Superman vs. Muhammad Ali Reprint Confirmed
- December 31, 2009: Government Comics Archive Online
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