Some new Gen 13 info

[aukevin]

Comics Continuum posted an interview with Talent Caldwell on his vision for the look of the new Gen 13 reboot.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0603/21/caldwell.htm


LOS ANGELES -- Like a big-league hitter waiting for a juicy fastball, Talent Caldwell feels he's finally got his pitch to hit as artist of WildStorm's upcoming Gen13 series.

"I love drawing young kids; that really fits my style," Caldwell told The Continuum at last weekend's Wizard World Los Angeles. "Kids, cars, fashions, pop culture ... this is the first gig in my career I'm doing something I'm really good at.

"And I've always been a fan of Gen13 and J. Scott Campbell."

Caldwell is joining writer Gail Simone on Gen13, which launches as part of the WildStorm Universe reboot as an ongoing series in September.

"Talent is an artist with a lot of energy," WildStorm editor Scott Dunbier said. "His work has great power and a wonderful dynamic.

"He is also a very meticulous artist who is very thoughtful. He's not going to go into a project half-baked."

Caldwell -- a former protege of Michael Turner whose credits include Fathom: Killian's Tide, the "Superman: Godfall" story and two issues of Spectacular Spider-Man -- wasn't too familiar with Simone's writing, so Dunbier said he was sent some of the comics she has written. "He was interested in what she did," Dunbier said. "He enjoyed her voice for the characters."

The series will feature the original Gen13 members: Fairchild, Freefall, Rainmaker, Burnout and Grunge.

Caldwell said the first arc of Gen13 will be a retelling of the origin of the characters in the new WildStorm Universe.

"It's a new, different version of how they came to be," Caldwell said. "I'm really trying to do a popcorn movie and have a fun ride that's not too serious."

Caldwell is serious about the movie aspect, especially when it comes to the looks of the characters.

"I'm not a big fan of spandex," he said. "I want the characters to be wearing what actors would be wearing in a Gen13 movie."

For instance, Caldwell, pointed out that Fairchild will now be wearing pants and a biker jacket -- while still retaining her original colors. Burnout will be wearing a special fire suit, and Caldwell said he wants to tinker with Freefall with different fashions and accessories.

Caldwell will be inked on the series by Matt Banning, a previous collaborator on Wildcats: Nemesis.

"That's important to note," Dunbier said. "Matt Banning can go toe-to-toe with WildStorm's other inkers, who I feel are the best in the business."

Caldwell is not exclusive to DC -- "I feel apprehensive about exclusive deals," he said -- but said he is hopeful to do some covers in addition to his Gen13 work.

[Dizzy D]

Caldwell said the first arc of Gen13 will be a retelling of the origin of the characters in the new WildStorm Universe.

Can I get a collective: "Oh, f...!"?

[Khellendros]

Can I get a collective: "Oh, f...!"?
Heh.

Man, I'm gonna miss buttfloss Fairchild.... :(

[geordiesteve]

Retellling the origin? Not sure about that myself. I'm glad to hear the original Gen13 characters are coming back, and I hope it continues their story, but I don't see that it's necessary to redo their origins, but that's just my opinion. As a fan of the characters and the series, I'm still going to take a gander at this.

[nihil_domini]

Can I get a collective: "Oh, f...!"?
Yup. New Wildstorm Universe are exacly the words I was hoping wouldn't appear. I hope that they at least keep the Team 7 aspect. I've been wanting to see Grunge's dad show up in a Gen13 book for a while, however it would mean so much less to me of Chang was just an ordinary blue collar guy and not a member of the legendary group.

I still have hopes for this book though. I think the concept for Gail's creator owned pitch is both very unique and upbeat, the sort of storytelling traits that should fit the Gen13 title very well. Gen13 has never been a book about young superheroes, but rather a book about young adults who just happen to have superhuman abilities. That title has always lent itself to original and lighthearted storytelling, something I think Gail might be fairly capable of.

[Strannik]

Can I get a collective: "Oh, f...!"?

Oh bleeding f***.

What I want to know is how this is going to jibe with the new Deathblow series, Grifter and other Team-7-related aspects that will show up in the reboot.

On the other hand, I am not entirely surprised they chose to reboot this particular title. First, the first arc partually depends on the larger Image universe (nothing too hard to remove, but still). Second, if they were to relaunch the series in sync with the rest of WSU, then Fairlchild would be in her 30s and the other kids would be, at best, in their late 20s. Much as I would be interested in a series about a group of GenXers (the sociological construct, not the MU team) dealing with adulthood, I doubt that would be the kind of thing Wildstorm Productions is looking to produce. Oh well. As long as the rest of WSU is kept in real time, it shouldn't be too hard to bring back the original version sometime down the line.

[Stellar]

Can I get a collective: "Oh, f...!"?

Oh, f...! indeed!

jesus, when they said reboot i didn't think they meant 'forget everything that happened before and start all over' reboot. i agree with Strannik that it's for the best to remove the Image Universe tie ins (Pitt in the mini-series and such), but a complete retelling would erase the whole Team 7 red thread which in my opinion was one of the strongest things WSU had going for it. as for being in sync with other WSU titles, i wouldn't want to see Gen13 kicked into some alternate pocket universe. personally i loved the Team 7 paternal origin. but hey, who knows, maybe they'll keep the Team 7 bit and just retell how their powers manifested or how they ended up in Project: Genesis. maybe there won't even be a Porject: G.

all i have to say is, don't remove Team 7.

[nihil_domini]

Oh bleeding f***.

What I want to know is how this is going to jibe with the new Deathblow series, Grifter and other Team-7-related aspects that will show up in the reboot.

On the other hand, I am not entirely surprised they chose to reboot this particular title. First, the first arc partually depends on the larger Image universe (nothing too hard to remove, but still). Second, if they were to relaunch the series in sync with the rest of WSU, then Fairlchild would be in her 30s and the other kids would be, at best, in their late 20s. Much as I would be interested in a series about a group of GenXers (the sociological construct, not the MU team) dealing with adulthood, I doubt that would be the kind of thing Wildstorm Productions is looking to produce. Oh well. As long as the rest of WSU is kept in real time, it shouldn't be too hard to bring back the original version sometime down the line.
I can't remember where, but I thought the guy at Wildstorm mentioned that Caitlin was going to be the teacher of some school for for superpowered kids. How can they do that and reboot the title from scratch at the same time? I'm so confused.

[aukevin]

I can't remember where, but I thought the guy at Wildstorm mentioned that Caitlin was going to be the teacher of some school for for superpowered kids. How can they do that and reboot the title from scratch at the same time? I'm so confused.
yeah I was thinking that last night too. Kaitlen as a teacher in school was mentioned in a Wildcats preview because Savant is there too. Seems odd unless the two books won't be on the same timeline.

[rilokyle]

Ummmm, definately a dissapointment. I too was looking forward to picking up where the team left off, not erasing it all and starting from scratch. Is this like some alternate world? Are we just supposed to forget about 76 issues of history?

What is the deal with this "New Wildstorm Universe"? Is the whole line just rebooting from the beginning again? Not sure how I feel about this. I'm still interested in the book, and I'm going to cross my fingers that somehow it will all work out and be a good book.

[hex111]

I'm going to trust Grant on this (as he is the "line editor" as well as a writer for the relaunch) but I am still quite apprehensive...

it seems as though they are kind of "picking and choosing" stuff from the established continuity to remain in continuity for the relaunch/reboot... some of the stuff that happened before REALLY happened before... and some of it didn't... to what EXTENT that will be used, I don't know and I'm a bit scared about it... but I'll give Grant some leeway...

and yes, Grant said that in Wildcats, Caitlin will be with Jacob Kreigstein and Savant as teachers in an Intimates-type (read: Sanctuary-type) teaching facility for young SPBs.

but when I read the article... my first thought was indeed "Oh F*CK... this is NOT what I wanted to hear"... but I'm getting a little more OK with it...

I am disappointed by the seeming dismissal of the Team 7-centric ideas of the Wildstorm Universe... although it is good that Lynch and Cole remain major players (and to a lesser, more supporting extent, Slayton)... but bringing back Cray also adds another heavy hitter to the Team 7 members remaining in the WSU... hopefully Team 7 won't be retconned out of the Gen 13 mythos... as that added a LOT to the characters...

[aelio]

I sincerely hope that "new Wildstorm Universerse" doesn't actually mean "new Wildstorm Universe." The WSU wasn't broken, so why the hell would they try to fix it? It has gone on this long without any major retcons, so why would they start now? Does anyone have any information about just EXACTLY how deep this "reboot" goes? WS was the most independent of the other Image books as far as continuity goes, with the exception of Killer Instinct and Youngblood's brief appearance in WC, so I see no reason to retell anyone's origins, unless Grant and the other writers just don't like them. By Khera (heh), if they screw up WS, I'll...I'll make mine Marvel, unless they continue to screw up X-Men as well, in which case I'll make mine solamente Vertigo. :)

[Stellar]

Ummmm, definately a dissapointment. I too was looking forward to picking up where the team left off, not erasing it all and starting from scratch. Is this like some alternate world? Are we just supposed to forget about 76 issues of history?

What is the deal with this "New Wildstorm Universe"? Is the whole line just rebooting from the beginning again? Not sure how I feel about this. I'm still interested in the book, and I'm going to cross my fingers that somehow it will all work out and be a good book.

for the most part Gen13 was just flashy art and quick action stories, but still, there really was a lot of history in those 76 issues. and what of the Deviants? what will become of them? will we ever find out what happened to Threshold?

and if they do erase the while Team 7 history then by Khera, we really will have no choice but to...dare i say it? dare i? to...go back to marvel comics.
AAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! those words are a blade in my heart!

[Static-Pulse]

(read: Sanctuary-type)It was called the Seminary.

[hex111]

It was called the Seminary.

Crap... you're right... I'm thinking of Majestic's Rushmore Sanctuary...

[Stellar]

i really don't see how a complete reboot of WSU is necessary. just look at the New Horizons event where books like Wildcats v2 came out. they didn't just forget about v1, instead they used that as a springboard. when i was reading Sleeper and got to the part where Tao explained his origins from way back in WC v1, it not only brought back memories, but also laid the emphasis on just how much WS had evolved. that's going to be ruined if they just start everything from the beginning.
but if they do, i guess that would explain why Maj would still be alive.

[Meta 05]

I only picked up my first WSU comics a few months ago.I have faithfully been picking up every issue of the following every day they release the next issue (( MAJESTIC, CAP ATOM, WILDKATS)) .I like how every char ends up making an apearence in everyone elses book.,its more like an on going story from comic to comic.The title just seems to indicate which chars or char the story is more centered on for that issue.

I really like the ((WSU)) I Plan on budgeting in most of not all of the rebooted titles.

I like the reboot, I meen as a new fan i would like to get in the ground floor of whats going on.

I would rather see them do a published 1.99 ((HISTORY AN BACKROUND OF THE WSU)) when thier books get relaunched.I think it would be a great way to get things up to speed.

AS FOR the comics I hope i am right in the asumption both((WILD KATS/ GEN13))
is like the ADLUT X-men of the universe.

I was kind of worried that wildstorm said the new series wasn't going to be as dark as the first. that was a major selling point for me.

[nihil_domini]

I only picked up my first WSU comics a few months ago.I have faithfully been picking up every issue of the following every day they release the next issue (( MAJESTIC, CAP ATOM, WILDKATS)) .I like how every char ends up making an apearence in everyone elses book.,its more like an on going story from comic to comic.The title just seems to indicate which chars or char the story is more centered on for that issue.

I really like the ((WSU)) I Plan on budgeting in most of not all of the rebooted titles.

I like the reboot, I meen as a new fan i would like to get in the ground floor of whats going on.

I would rather see them do a published 1.99 ((HISTORY AN BACKROUND OF THE WSU)) when thier books get relaunched.I think it would be a great way to get things up to speed.

AS FOR the comics I hope i am right in the asumption both((WILD KATS/ GEN13))
is like the ADLUT X-men of the universe.

I was kind of worried that wildstorm said the new series wasn't going to be as dark as the first. that was a major selling point for me.

Yes, Wildcats could be considered analogous to X-Men. In fact, in Image's early days, it was practically a direct ripoff. I thnk you'd find Gen13 has more in common with a title like Teen Titans, than X-Men. If you're looking for something dark, you should pick up the new Deathblow. Dark has never really been Gen13's sort of thing.

[Meta 05]

I will be taking a look at the first death blow issue.I may fit it in I kind of have my spot for (( BAD TO THE BONES ASSASIN TYPE CHAR )) Filled by PAINKILLER JANE,that is if it lasts but it is worth a shot.

((IF HE ISN"T THAT TYPE OF CHAR AND I HAVE IT WRONG I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE))

I do love the authority, and majestic. I wish the main DCU books would follow and bring up thier quality to match wildstorm in ((PAPER/ ART)).Then it would be worth its 50 cent price hike in may.