As shocking as the news on Friday of James Robinson leaving Earth 2 was, life goes on. And James is doing just fine. He updated his twitter after the weekend. Thanks for all the positivity on twitter towards me, re: my leaving DC. I’m not dead however. It isn’t that dire. Announcements of new — — Projects will be forthcoming in the not too distant future, I promise. But again, thank you everyone. I love you all. We already know that we will be seeing Saviors with J. Bone on art. And Tony Harris seems interested in working with James again. @JamesDRobinson Ive said this a million times…. we should talk. After all, it is our 20 year anniversary….:) @JamesDRobinson I think we should get together, and create. Something so awesome that it will shatter the WORLDS BALLS!!! I for one would love to see the Starman team get back together. Tony just wrapped up JSA Liberty Files: The Whistling Skull and is currently the artist on Chin Music written by Steve Niles. As for the fate of Earth 2, James stated that he will be on the book until issue #16. If you count the rumored Villain’s month book that will give us five issues. That will take us into October which jives with what Dan Didio has posted. @zeuscomics James will be on the series until October and we will work hard to prove Earth 2 will still be in good hands. Thanks. DD There is still no word on who will be writing the upcoming series. 

As shocking as the news on Friday of James Robinson leaving Earth 2 was, life goes on. And James is doing just fine. He updated his twitter after the weekend.

Thanks for all the positivity on twitter towards me, re: my leaving DC. I’m not dead however. It isn’t that dire. Announcements of new —

— Projects will be forthcoming in the not too distant future, I promise. But again, thank you everyone. I love you all.

We already know that we will be seeing Saviors with J. Bone on art. And Tony Harris seems interested in working with James again.

@JamesDRobinson Ive said this a million times…. we should talk. After all, it is our 20 year anniversary….:)

@JamesDRobinson I think we should get together, and create. Something so awesome that it will shatter the WORLDS BALLS!!!

I for one would love to see the Starman team get back together. Tony just wrapped up JSA Liberty Files: The Whistling Skull and is currently the artist on Chin Music written by Steve Niles. As for the fate of Earth 2, James stated that he will be on the book until issue #16. If you count the rumored Villain’s month book that will give us five issues. That will take us into October which jives with what Dan Didio has posted.

@zeuscomics James will be on the series until October and we will work hard to prove Earth 2 will still be in good hands. Thanks. DD

There is still no word on who will be writing the upcoming series. 

Bleeding Cool and Newsarama have some speculative thoughts on the rumored upcoming DC Villain’s Month. The idea of the event is on the second anniversary of the launch of the New 52 every title will be renumbered to #1 for one month, and renamed with the name of the villain in related to that series. Newsarma speculates that Justice League of America will be replaced by Secret Society of Super-Villains #1, Batman/Superman by Crime Syndicate of America #1, Justice League by Black Adam #1, Earth 2 by Steppenwolf #1, Worlds’ Finest by Desaad #1, Birds of Prey by Basilisk #1, and Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger by The Spectre #1. The choices of Steppenwolf and Desaad seem pretty sound. They are the villains that will be in those respective series for some time (I would guess). The one I find in the Crime Syndicate for Batman/Superman: Crime Syndicate of America #1? At the end of April, when someone at C2E2 asked about the Crime Syndicate of America, DC’s Vice President of Marketing John Cunningham said the question had been asked “about a month” too soon. It’s almost a month later, and it’s time to start announcing what’s happening in September. So chances are, Crime Syndicate of America will be in a DC book in September. Where might this team show up? We’re thinking this is either linked to the Trinity Warcrossover, or they’re going to show up in Batman/Superman. Why Batman/Superman? The two title characters will be in the past, and they’ll be on Earth-2, when Villain Month hits. Readers will get to see Superman and Batman from the main DCU Earth traveling to Earth 2 to meet the Superman and Batman from that alternate Earth. However, the tense meeting between the four characters is short lived, because they all have to deal with a bigger threat. Series writer Greg Pak told Newsarama, “There’s going to be another threat — a sort of a big, worlds-threatening threat that all four of these characters are going to have to figure out what their response is going to be.” There have been no indications what that threat might be, but whatever it is occurred in the past of Earth 2. Pak said this story takes place before the Apokolips War, so the threat could be just about anyone. And Crime Syndicate of America is as good a guess as any, since it’s definitely “worlds-threatening.” I like this theory for the Crime Syndicate series more than Bleeding Cool’s. This is mainly because it fits more with my theory of the new Earth 2 Batman. If both Earths’ Supermans and Batmans are facing down the Crime Syndicate from the Anti-Matter Universe in the past this could have repercussions down he line resulting in the new Earth 2 Batman.

Bleeding Cool and Newsarama have some speculative thoughts on the rumored upcoming DC Villain’s Month. The idea of the event is on the second anniversary of the launch of the New 52 every title will be renumbered to #1 for one month, and renamed with the name of the villain in related to that series.

Newsarma speculates that Justice League of America will be replaced by Secret Society of Super-Villains #1, Batman/Superman by Crime Syndicate of America #1, Justice League by Black Adam #1, Earth 2 by Steppenwolf #1, Worlds’ Finest by Desaad #1, Birds of Prey by Basilisk #1, and Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger by The Spectre #1.

The choices of Steppenwolf and Desaad seem pretty sound. They are the villains that will be in those respective series for some time (I would guess). The one I find in the Crime Syndicate for Batman/Superman:

Crime Syndicate of America #1?

At the end of April, when someone at C2E2 asked about the Crime Syndicate of America, DC’s Vice President of Marketing John Cunningham said the question had been asked “about a month” too soon. It’s almost a month later, and it’s time to start announcing what’s happening in September. So chances are, Crime Syndicate of America will be in a DC book in September.

Where might this team show up? We’re thinking this is either linked to the Trinity Warcrossover, or they’re going to show up in Batman/Superman.

Why Batman/Superman? The two title characters will be in the past, and they’ll be on Earth-2, when Villain Month hits. Readers will get to see Superman and Batman from the main DCU Earth traveling to Earth 2 to meet the Superman and Batman from that alternate Earth. However, the tense meeting between the four characters is short lived, because they all have to deal with a bigger threat. Series writer Greg Pak told Newsarama, “There’s going to be another threat — a sort of a big, worlds-threatening threat that all four of these characters are going to have to figure out what their response is going to be.”

There have been no indications what that threat might be, but whatever it is occurred in the past of Earth 2. Pak said this story takes place before the Apokolips War, so the threat could be just about anyone. And Crime Syndicate of America is as good a guess as any, since it’s definitely “worlds-threatening.”

I like this theory for the Crime Syndicate series more than Bleeding Cool’s. This is mainly because it fits more with my theory of the new Earth 2 Batman. If both Earths’ Supermans and Batmans are facing down the Crime Syndicate from the Anti-Matter Universe in the past this could have repercussions down he line resulting in the new Earth 2 Batman.

MTV Geek covered DC Entertainment’s evening with Grant Morrison, where they showcasing original artwork by Yanick Paquette from the upcoming graphic novel, Wonder Woman: Earth One an the Shazam issue of  Multiversity entitled “Thunderworld” with art by Cameron Stewart (above in black & white (the color is from 52 #52)). Morrison described the issue of “Thunderworld” as:

It’s told, I guess, almost in a Pixar kind of way, as if this forty-page story was the first movie in a big franchise.

Multiversity will be a 40-page nine issue run, with the first and last issue, acting as bookends. Morrison will be using the meta-structure set up in The Flash #123 “Flash of Two Worlds” where Barry Allen could read about Jay Garrick’s adventures in comic books to set up what he calls “the most terrifying threat anyone’s ever created in a comic. I don’t do hyperbole.”

One issue will have a story featuring Doctor Fate and Lady Blackhawk characters. Judging from the description below it sounds like it will be taking place on Earth 20, seen in Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1.

The second story will be a pulp adventure tale, using both old pulp characters and repurposed characters who could easily fit the mold, including an Indiana Jones by way of John Constantine “Doc” Fate. Also present will be Lady Blackhawk, the Atom and the Immortal Man in a story set in the year 2013 after a world war has decimated the human populace down to two billion people. 

The details described below on the Freedom Fighters issue sound pretty crazy. I wonder how different this world will be from the on that appears above in one panel of 52 #52.

After that, readers will be due for a trip to Earth-10 (formerly Earth X in the pre-Crisis world) home of the Nazi superheroes that helped defeat the Allies in World War II. The issue, which Morrison gleefully revealed “opens with Hitler on the toilet reading Action Comics” and yelling about Superman. Morrison reveals that in this world, Superman’s rocket landed in 1938 in Nazi-occupied territory and Hitler raises the child. Everything in the story (which Morrison compares in scope to Shakespeare and HBO epics) will evolve from that point, with Superman realizing, in his twenty-fifth year of life, the precise nature of Hitler’s evil and realizing “who the baddie is”. Deciding instead to take down the Nazi regime and create a utopia, Superman won’t stray too far from how he’s been raised, with Morrison promising sweeping Wagnerian architecture and a melodramatic world. He promises the story will delve deep into Superman’s inner conflict; he’s created a Utopian society that looks perfect but “is built on the bones of the dead” and has to come crumbling down. At this point in the story, in 1956, Morrison will re-introduce the Quality characters known collectively as The Freedom Fighters, this time making them both literal and figurative enemies of Hitler. Uncle Sam, the last remaining vestige of America, will again form and lead the team. Quoting Emma Lazarus (“Give me…your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”), Morrison teases a team featuring a version of Dollman who’s a Jehovah’s Witness, a homosexual Ray, a gypsy Phantom Lady and an African version of Black Condor in what Morrison calls “the return of the oppressed.” Thematically, the story will deal with a society under siege by terrorists who are in the right, and the regime they’re striking against knows it.

The coverage of the evenings events are pretty detailed and they go into a lot more. It’s a good read. I just picked out the JSA related material. I’d suggest reading the full article.

J.M. DeMatteis’ and Ray Fawkes spoke with CBR about upcoming plans for the Trinity of Sin and the “Dark” books. They had an interesting tidbit about Shazam.  Before the New 52 relaunch, Constantine was in his own, separate Vertigo universe, and Phantom Stranger existed on the fringes of the DCU, almost like the Crypt Keeper, introducing other characters’ stories in his original incarnations. In some ways, it seems like it would be easy to bring them in by turning these guys into magic-based superheroes, like Shazam/Captain Marvel. How do you integrate characters like these into the interconnected New 52 without making them just traditional DC heroes? Fawkes: In straight up terms of raw power, John is much less powerful than many of those characters. He would never have been able to stand toe-to-toe in a fair fight with somebody like Shazam or Black Adam. But what John does have that they don’t is a very, very clever mind and a quick wit. We keep the con man aspect of him, because he plays things very close to his chest and because he knows the only advantage he has over these guys is remaining a mystery and doing things they wouldn’t expect. One of the things that define John Constantine is that he’s a trickster, a character you’re never really sure where you stand with him or what he’s capable of. That’s something he carefully cultivates so he can end up in the arena with more powerful creatures and end up on top. DeMatteis: I think it’s all there in the kinds of stories Phantom Stranger was involved in. The themes we’re dealing with, which are the classic themes of the search for meaning and redemption, all these big sort of cosmic, spiritual themes run through there. The book itself really does not get involved in the superhero side of the DC Universe. I love the supernatural corners of the DCU, I love these characters. I said before, usually when someone offers me a gig, I’ll take a day or two to think about it, but with Phantom Stranger, I kind of went “Ok, I’ll do this!” [Laughter] I think the trick when you get involved with the more traditional superhero characters is to look at them through the eyes of your character, who views the world in a very different way. It allows you to recast them; you’re seeing them with new eyes and you’re not seeing them the way you’re used to seeing them. It’s really through the more metaphysical and supernatural lens that you’re looking at them which makes your characters interactions all the more interesting, I hope!

J.M. DeMatteis’ and Ray Fawkes spoke with CBR about upcoming plans for the Trinity of Sin and the “Dark” books. They had an interesting tidbit about Shazam. 

Before the New 52 relaunch, Constantine was in his own, separate Vertigo universe, and Phantom Stranger existed on the fringes of the DCU, almost like the Crypt Keeper, introducing other characters’ stories in his original incarnations. In some ways, it seems like it would be easy to bring them in by turning these guys into magic-based superheroes, like Shazam/Captain Marvel. How do you integrate characters like these into the interconnected New 52 without making them just traditional DC heroes?

Fawkes: In straight up terms of raw power, John is much less powerful than many of those characters. He would never have been able to stand toe-to-toe in a fair fight with somebody like Shazam or Black Adam. But what John does have that they don’t is a very, very clever mind and a quick wit. We keep the con man aspect of him, because he plays things very close to his chest and because he knows the only advantage he has over these guys is remaining a mystery and doing things they wouldn’t expect. One of the things that define John Constantine is that he’s a trickster, a character you’re never really sure where you stand with him or what he’s capable of. That’s something he carefully cultivates so he can end up in the arena with more powerful creatures and end up on top.

DeMatteis: I think it’s all there in the kinds of stories Phantom Stranger was involved in. The themes we’re dealing with, which are the classic themes of the search for meaning and redemption, all these big sort of cosmic, spiritual themes run through there. The book itself really does not get involved in the superhero side of the DC Universe. I love the supernatural corners of the DCU, I love these characters. I said before, usually when someone offers me a gig, I’ll take a day or two to think about it, but with Phantom Stranger, I kind of went “Ok, I’ll do this!” [Laughter]

I think the trick when you get involved with the more traditional superhero characters is to look at them through the eyes of your character, who views the world in a very different way. It allows you to recast them; you’re seeing them with new eyes and you’re not seeing them the way you’re used to seeing them. It’s really through the more metaphysical and supernatural lens that you’re looking at them which makes your characters interactions all the more interesting, I hope!

James Robinson is leaving Earth 2 and the DC Universe. Today he posted on Twitter: So as of today I am leaving Earth 2 with Issue #16. It’s been a blast. Man, it’s a lovely day. Think I’ll take Rex to the beach. Which was followed by: Yes, this also means I’m no longer working at DC Comics. Best wishes and regards to Dan, Geoff and everyone. I’m really sad to see him go. I’m guessing in four more issue we will not get to see a JSA/JLA team-up. I hope we get to see him bring in a new Starman, Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, and Wildcat before he leaves. It’s a tall order for four issues. I’m nervous to see who replaces him. Geoff Johns, David Goyer, Roy Thomas, and James Robinson are a handful of writers whom I trust with the JSA. If I had to point to a new writer to take over, it would be Sterling Gates. I don’t know why but I think he would work wonders with the wonders of Earth 2. What are your feelings on James Robinson’s departure? Who would you like to see take over for him?

James Robinson is leaving Earth 2 and the DC Universe. Today he posted on Twitter:

So as of today I am leaving Earth 2 with Issue #16. It’s been a blast. Man, it’s a lovely day. Think I’ll take Rex to the beach.

Which was followed by:

Yes, this also means I’m no longer working at DC Comics. Best wishes and regards to Dan, Geoff and everyone.

I’m really sad to see him go. I’m guessing in four more issue we will not get to see a JSA/JLA team-up. I hope we get to see him bring in a new Starman, Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, and Wildcat before he leaves. It’s a tall order for four issues.

I’m nervous to see who replaces him. Geoff Johns, David Goyer, Roy Thomas, and James Robinson are a handful of writers whom I trust with the JSA. If I had to point to a new writer to take over, it would be Sterling Gates. I don’t know why but I think he would work wonders with the wonders of Earth 2.

What are your feelings on James Robinson’s departure? Who would you like to see take over for him?

Thoughts on Wednesday’s Books

imageThis is the most fun Power Girl has been in a long time. (Supergirl #20)

imageDid anyone catch the first appearance of the New 52, Molly Mayne, the original Harlequin and the second wife of the pre-New 52 Alan Scott? She appeared as the Earth 2 news anchor in DC Comics back two advertorial pages. As soon as I saw her my mind when racing. Is this cannon? Does she know Alan Scott? Does she work for Alan Scott? Does Alan Scott own Channel 2? Is she a villain in her spare time? Oh the questions. 

image
The same pages gave us another view of the new Earth 2 Batman. The newscaster described this image as being from a camera, “found in Cambodia amidst the rubble of an industrial park destroyed in a large explosion.” It’s interesting that the first place we see this Batman is not Gotham.

imageWe also get to see the new Red Tornado appear differently than we originally saw her. It appears she has hidden her robotic andriod body in a costume that is very similar to the original Red Tornado’s. The news matrix described this scene as being kitchen fire in a hotel by the Hudson River in New York. The Red Tornado saved a dozen children. That Red Tornado, always helping out the kids.

imageSpeaking of that news matrix, this is what she looks like. Her appearance makes me wonder if she has some connection to Red Tornado. Maybe they both are built from Apokolptian technology. Her name is MC2, which is an obvious nod to the Mass Engergy Equations (E=MC²). MC2 is also the line of Marvel books set in a future alternate timeline (Spider-Girl). I wonder if this is a nod to those books since both Earth 2 and MC2 take place in alternate timelines.

imageA Superman memorial in California? I”m still hoping for an Iron Monroe in a Connor Kent Superboy t-shirt.

imageI think I would have liked this series more if it was not attached to the JSA or the JSA members were in more than a couple panels of the six issues. The next mini does look promising. I am looking forward to rereading the series without any expectations. It was beautifully illustrated (JSA Liberty Files: The Whistling Skull #6)

imageIs it just me or has Black Canary seemed like a bit of a wimp in her last few appearances. Remember when she was flying with her sonic scream? (Birds of Prey #20)

Did you spot anything interesting this week?

While reading a post on Crisis on Earth Prime I realized I missed some coverage of C2E2. During DC’s New 52 Panel, the Freedom Fighters and Earth 2 came up. Here is what was said. Harras said there are no plans for “Freedom Fighters” at present. “That would have to be a little further down the line.” I kind of wish that the characters from the Freedom Fighters were placed on Earth 2. They seem to work so much better with the JSA related characters than the main DCU. Well, who knows, the Freedom Fighters have a history of earth jumping. Asked about a new Superman-esque character for “Earth 2,” Harras said there are plans for that series that “may have ripple effects for other worlds, as well.” This to me still points to the new Earth 2 Batman having something to do with Crime Syndicate. But because I feel so strongly about it I think I am probably wrong. However I would like to see Iron Monroe pop up in the place that use to be Metropolis, maybe in Superboy t-shirt or a Death of Superman t-shirt.

While reading a post on Crisis on Earth Prime I realized I missed some coverage of C2E2. During DC’s New 52 Panel, the Freedom Fighters and Earth 2 came up. Here is what was said.

Harras said there are no plans for “Freedom Fighters” at present. “That would have to be a little further down the line.”

I kind of wish that the characters from the Freedom Fighters were placed on Earth 2. They seem to work so much better with the JSA related characters than the main DCU. Well, who knows, the Freedom Fighters have a history of earth jumping.

Asked about a new Superman-esque character for “Earth 2,” Harras said there are plans for that series that “may have ripple effects for other worlds, as well.”

This to me still points to the new Earth 2 Batman having something to do with Crime Syndicate. But because I feel so strongly about it I think I am probably wrong. However I would like to see Iron Monroe pop up in the place that use to be Metropolis, maybe in Superboy t-shirt or a Death of Superman t-shirt.

Along with a page from Wonder Woman: Earth One ZAP 2 it has page from the “Thunderworld” issue of Multiversity written by Grant Morrison with art by Cameron Stewart. I have to say I am looking forward to reading this issue and the Freedom Fighters issue the most.

Along with a page from Wonder Woman: Earth One ZAP 2 it has page from the “Thunderworld” issue of Multiversity written by Grant Morrison with art by Cameron Stewart.

I have to say I am looking forward to reading this issue and the Freedom Fighters issue the most.

I came across an interview Geekscape did with James Robinson back in April on DC Cosmic Teams. It’s a short interview but quite interesting. Here is what part of what he had to say about Fury. Robinson-Yes you will, and you’ll see them both in general stuff as you see the world taking shape, because I’m still building the world every issue. You’ll also see it very specifically with Fury and her backstory, and who her father is… that will blow your mind when you find out who her father is. Geekscape-Does she even have a father? Robinson-She has a father. She wasn’t sculpted out of clay. Geekscape-Now was your Wonder Woman sculpted out of clay? (the main Earth’s Wonder Woman was changed from being sculpted from clay to the daughter of Zeus as part of the New 52 reboot) Robinson-I believe so. I wanted to keep that part of the mythos alive, but with her daughter Fury there is a whole back story and a whole drama about who her father is, and it ties in to the whole more feminist culture and everything, so just bear with me. The interview also goes into what James thinks about the Spectre and how he could possibly use him. 

I came across an interview Geekscape did with James Robinson back in April on DC Cosmic Teams. It’s a short interview but quite interesting. Here is what part of what he had to say about Fury.

Robinson-Yes you will, and you’ll see them both in general stuff as you see the world taking shape, because I’m still building the world every issue. You’ll also see it very specifically with Fury and her backstory, and who her father is… that will blow your mind when you find out who her father is.

Geekscape-Does she even have a father?

Robinson-She has a father. She wasn’t sculpted out of clay.

Geekscape-Now was your Wonder Woman sculpted out of clay? (the main Earth’s Wonder Woman was changed from being sculpted from clay to the daughter of Zeus as part of the New 52 reboot)

Robinson-I believe so. I wanted to keep that part of the mythos alive, but with her daughter Fury there is a whole back story and a whole drama about who her father is, and it ties in to the whole more feminist culture and everything, so just bear with me.

The interview also goes into what James thinks about the Spectre and how he could possibly use him. 

August Solicits

EARTH 2 #15
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by JUAN DOE
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JUAN DOE
On sale AUGUST 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Dr. Fate, Red Arrow, The Flash, Green Lantern and The Atom all fall victim to the Hunger Dogs of Apokolips as the war against the forces of Steppenwolf continues!

WORLDS’ FINEST #15
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art and cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
On sale AUGUST 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Power Girl and Huntress find that a major player from Apokolips is stuck on Earth just like they are! How will their next move affect Earth 2?

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #3
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
1:25 Variant cover by PATRICK GLEASON
1:100 B&W Variant by JAE LEE
On sale AUGUST 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
It’s a showdown that could shatter two worlds when Batman and Superman battle the Superman and Batman of Earth 2!

EARTH 2 VOL. 2: THE TOWER OF FATE HC
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by NICOLA SCOTT, TREVOR SCOTT, EDUARDO PANSICA, YILDIRAY CINAR and TOMAS GIORELLO
Cover by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
On sale OCTOBER 2 • 176 pg, FC, $24.99 US
In these stories from EARTH 2 #0 and 7-12 and a story from DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #0, the World Army has begun rounding up the Super Heroes of Earth 2, but for what dark purpose? In an attempt to avoid capture, Dr. Fate and Kid Flash find themselves in the powerful magical realm of Nabu, and Wotan, the protector of Nabu, seeks Dr. Fate’s assistance in obtaining a secret locked deep within a tower…
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

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