Posts tagged SHAZAM
![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!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/0709f1a1f89bef21741697da20ee6a8f/tumblr_mn0bn07rpf1rn9rldo1_400.jpg)
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!
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.
Newsarama covered the panel, “DC COMICS 101 - What Makes DC, DC?” at C2E2. During the panel the Shazam family of characters was brought up during the fan Q&A portion.
Q: Any plans outside of comics for Shazam (the character formerly known as Captain Marvel)?
Cunningham:“Well we really wanted to establish him in the comics first, which they’ve been doing in the backups in Justice League.”
Harras: “Shazam and that whole cast of characters are some of Geoff Johns’ favorites, and there is a very specific longterm plan for the characters.”
Later in the panel a fan asked:
Q: Any possibility of a Crime Syndicate of America book?
Cunningham: “You asked that question about a month or two before you should have.”
I wonder if this ties into one of my theories about who the new Earth 2 Batman is. And to go further does this tie into or is this the new Earth 2 book we will be seeing.
Thoughts on Wednesday’s Book
I think I am going to like this Supergirl/Power Girl relationship (Supergirl #19).
Though there isn’t much of your classic JSA members in The Whistling Skull it’s a good read and Tony Harris has such gorgeous artwork.
In one panel Mary steals the show in “The Curse of Shazam” back-up in Justice League.
I’m not sure how I feel about Christy Marx’s run on Birds of Prey so far. Some of the dialogue feels a little forced. And something about this panel didn’t sit right. I’m not sure why. Maybe I will have some thoughts later.
What were your thoughts on Wednesday’s books?
DC has released a black and white version Shane Davis’ varient cover for Justice League #19 featuring Shazam!
Big Shiny Robot has previews of Justice League #18 and Justice League of America #2.
June Solicits
EARTH 2 #13
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR and ROB HUNTER
Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale JUNE 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Captain Steel debuts as the World Army sends the hero into the Fire Pits left over from the war with Apocalypse, but even Earth 2’s newest hero isn’t ready for what is hidden within the burning reminders of the conflict that killed Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
WORLDS’ FINEST #13
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by ROBSON ROCHA and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
On sale JUNE 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As DeSaad’s Hellhound hunts Power Girl and Huntress, the duo must struggle with how far underground they’ll have to go before they can turn the tide and take the fight back to the man who’s been impersonating the missing Mr. Terrific.
BuzzFeed has a preview of Justice League #17 written by Geoff Johns, with art from Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, and Sean Parsons.
Happy Valentine’s Day folks! Hope it’s a good one. The Source has more DC Valentine’s Day cards to spread the love.
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