The ever popular DC Comics DC NATION! panel made its first stop of the year at Emerald City ComiCon on Saturday. Ian Sattler moderated the panel which featured Brian Azzerello, Peter Tomasi, Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Eddie Berganza. This was another Q and A session, so here we go.
A distraught fan asked why they did what they did to Roy Harper. James Robinson said that it was a controversial decision and was made to make Roy Harper a character that DC wanted to use in a specific way in the future. DC is proud of the story and stands by it. Rise and Fall will be awesome.
Ian Sattler confirmed that they are constantly evaluating the co-features and are happy with them so far.
A fan and obvious collector of the various Lantern rings that have been released lately wanted to know if there would be a Legion ring. It has been talked about it and may still happen, but no plans.
Sattler revealed that DC is seriously evaluating doing digital comics.
In answer to the next fan it was revealed that a Batman Beyond mini will begin in June and that there will also be a Superman/Batman special that takes place in that world and feature Superman Beyond.
Geoff Johns revealed that he will definitely be fleshing out the New Guardians in Green Lantern. The other Lanterns decide to stay on Earth.
Asked if there has been any though to having Damian Wayne join the Teen Titans, Sattler said it’s come up. Damian will be busy in Batman this year, but maybe after.
About the Earth-One books, DC is still figuring out what frequency they will be released in. Batman will come out twice a year.
Asked about any future Marvel/DC crossovers, Sattler asked the fan why he would want any before saying bluntly that DC is not interested in doing anything with Marvel right now.
Asked if any Golden Age characters will be coming back to replace their current analogs, Brian Azzarello said there will be a new DC status quo after Blackest Night #8 and left it at that.
A Legion fan wanted to know if the new book would also include a new history so readers can get a straight continuity. Sattler said to read the book as Paul Levitz will reveal a lot about their history. He emphasized that there is lots of Legion stuff coming up this year.
Asked if we will see any more Firestorm, Johns said he is a main character in Brightest Day.
Asked if there will be anymore Elseworlds type books, Sattler said there are discussions.
Geoff Johns said there is a very, very good chance in response to the possibility of a Green Lantern animated series.
A Kid Flash series is still being planned.
The next fan wanted to know the movies’ effect on the comics directions and vice versa? The panel agreed that DC is affecting Hollywood, an example being that Johns is heavily involved in Green Lantern film. As part of his new job Johns is making sure DC comics lead the charge. Staying with the DC movies, Sattler revealed that Mastadon is doing the score for the Jonah Hex film.
Asked to reveal something new about the Earth-One Batman book, Johns said that it would feature Barbara Gordon.
The next big reveal was from Robinson, who said he will be revisiting Opal City with a new Shade series down the road. Asked about an appearance from Jack Knight, he gave no answer. Staying with Robinson, he emphasized that while readers may be upset with Green Arrow’s current direction, the outcome will make everyone happy in the end. Star City will be one of the greatest cities in the DCU.
Another fan wanted to know if we would see more of JSA in other media? Johns responded by revealing that the Justice Society will reappear in Smallville towards the end of the season.
Expect some info soon from Jim Lee regarding All-Star Batman and Robin.
The inevitable Aquaman question came up with the only response being to read Brightest Day.
Asked for more specific questions regarding the other Lantern Corps members, Johns revelaed that there would be a Larfleeze Christmas Special this year, but that may have been a joke. He wasn’t joking when he said that Atrocitus will tangle with Lobo in a couple of months. Johns also said that Riddler will be the main villain in the second Earth-One Batman book.
More Wednesday Comics may be on the way and the Batwoman series is definitely coming soon.
The panel ended with the panelists deciding that Sattler was the new DC whipping boy, now that Dan DiDio is no longer Executive Editor.