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View Full Version : Can you believe this guy? I mean, REALLY?

666MasterOfPuppets
11-06-2008, 02:26 PM
From Newsarama's article, "Dan DiDio: 20 Questions, 20 Answers" (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100829-Dan-Didio-20-Questions.html):

12) Going back to something you touched upon in that last answer – you mentioned that some of these characters have been around for 70 years. With Superman, you’re on the nose – 2008 was the character’s 70th Anniversary. Time Magazine featured him on a cover when he turned 50, and there were other milestones mentioned. In a lot of fans eyes – the longest continuously published American superhero comic...an icon of American culture, arguably an icon of world culture...where was the party? Where were the specials? Why did DC Comics celebrate 2008 as Superman’s 70th Anniversary?

DD: It’s a good question, but it’s not my question. To be very frank, my priority is periodicals, whether or not there’s a larger event tied to it. For me personally, I’m worried about what we’re doing now and the stories we’re telling now, not looking back and dating things. I think it’s an amazing accomplishment and think that it’s something that could have been addressed on a company level, but at this point, I wasn’t part of that process, so it’s hard for me to answer. It’s a tough one for me – I have to agree in principle, but it’s not my call to make.

WTF???? NOT his call??? He's the freakin' DCU Executive Editor, for the love of Rao. How in all of hell can he say it's not his call? Just a lame excuse to me.
WorstThingUS
11-06-2008, 02:41 PM
Not to defend him, but Superman is such a large property at DC he has his own division for all the licensing, so it is conceivable that such an undertaking is just not his call (especially if you want it done right). Not to mention, "75" is a more "marketable" number than "70" and the people who do make that decision might just be waiting, especially since there may be a film to coincide with it.
Bat-Reader
11-06-2008, 02:59 PM
This might have something to do with the lawsuit.
Ontir
11-06-2008, 03:06 PM
I think with the Legion hitting 50 and 75 being the anniversary of note, that they just wanted to hold of on the big guy, 'til he hit an age noted as a milestone.
DonC
11-06-2008, 05:19 PM
A "Summer of Superman" organizer here in Cleveland told me that DC didn't want to "date" Superman by celebrating his 70th anniversary. Furthermore, DC refused to let the "Summer of Superman" use Superman in any promotional materials. They were going to have a comic con, movie screenings, a community celebration, museum exhibits and all kinds of other stuff all centered around Superman. Some of the events still happened, like showing Superman, The Movie and a museum exhibit on Jews and superheroes, but a lot of stuff got scrapped.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-06-2008, 07:58 PM
Not to defend him, but Superman is such a large property at DC he has his own division for all the licensing, so it is conceivable that such an undertaking is just not his call (especially if you want it done right). Not to mention, "75" is a more "marketable" number than "70" and the people who do make that decision might just be waiting, especially since there may be a film to coincide with it.

I think with the Legion hitting 50 and 75 being the anniversary of note, that they just wanted to hold of on the big guy, 'til he hit an age noted as a milestone.

I know 75 is like the "real" milestone, but still. Not even a damn special? Not even a recognition? And no, New Krypton doesn't count (and no, I haven't read it yet). Didio could have made a special happen.

And they better NOT celebrate Batman's 70 next year.

And if what you say is true, then we should be getting MOS for 2013? That's too far away!!!!! AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHH!!!!!!!!

This might have something to do with the lawsuit.

You think? But isn't the lawsuit related only to Superboy? I'm out-of-date with that case.

A "Summer of Superman" organizer here in Cleveland told me that DC didn't want to "date" Superman by celebrating his 70th anniversary. Furthermore, DC refused to let the "Summer of Superman" use Superman in any promotional materials. They were going to have a comic con, movie screenings, a community celebration, museum exhibits and all kinds of other stuff all centered around Superman. Some of the events still happened, like showing Superman, The Movie and a museum exhibit on Jews and superheroes, but a lot of stuff got scrapped.

"Date" Superman? And what will they do when they celebrate his 75th? And it's stupid to screw a whole Superman celebration because they didn't want to "date" Superman. Especially after all the effort put into it. If you get to see that organizer again, please send him my commendations for his/her effort.
Duy
11-06-2008, 10:49 PM
Uh, honestly, what's the big deal?

I'd rather that good Superman stories be told than be subjected to an overpriced, insubstantial special.

I read Superman comics with a regularity that I haven't since Gangbuster was a regular cast member. I'm happy enough that the quality is good.
ttippmann
11-06-2008, 10:56 PM
Yea I think there is a pretty crappy lawsuit there.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-07-2008, 09:04 AM
Uh, honestly, what's the big deal?

I'd rather that good Superman stories be told than be subjected to an overpriced, insubstantial special.

I read Superman comics with a regularity that I haven't since Gangbuster was a regular cast member. I'm happy enough that the quality is good.

Well, that's the most important thing, granted, but you'd think they'd do something to celebrate. Or at least to acknowledge Superman's 70th. And what bothers me the most is Didio's answer.

Yea I think there is a pretty crappy lawsuit there.

I dunno. The problem seems to be with Superboy and not Superman at this time.
The Batman
11-07-2008, 10:32 AM
Why?

I mean, Didio essentially said that he'd have liked to, but it wasn't his decision to make.

He agrees with you.
Duy
11-07-2008, 10:37 AM
I don't think Didio's in charge of the licensing; a gimmicky Superman special at any time this year would just get lost in the shuffle of awesomeness.
Augusto
11-07-2008, 10:41 AM
I think he can put at least a label in the covers.http://www.smileyhut.com/confused/dunno.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com)
The Batman
11-07-2008, 10:45 AM
Well, it's possible that the "we're not really celebrating Superman's 70th Anniversary" decision might've made even a Seventy Years of Superman Special or cover labels verbotten.
Mat001
11-07-2008, 11:43 AM
I dunno. The problem seems to be with Superboy and not Superman at this time.

It's with both. Right now, DC and WB do not own the sole exclusive copyright for Action Comics #1. The estate of Jerry Siegel has 50% control of it. Due to this and the entire suit with Superman, DC and WB were probably advised by their lawyers not to draw attention with an official 70th anniversary celebration.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-08-2008, 05:20 PM
Why?

I mean, Didio essentially said that he'd have liked to, but it wasn't his decision to make.

He agrees with you.

It bothers me because I just can't understand why it's "not his call". He's one of DC's head honchos. All the time we see writers and artists saying that they talked to Didio about new specials and stuff. Why not one for Supes to celebrate his 70th? Yes, 70 years aren't as marketable as 75, but still...
666MasterOfPuppets
11-08-2008, 05:24 PM
It's with both. Right now, DC and WB do not own the sole exclusive copyright for Action Comics #1. The estate of Jerry Siegel has 50% control of it. Due to this and the entire suit with Superman, DC and WB were probably advised by their lawyers not to draw attention with an official 70th anniversary celebration.

I see... Well, that sheds some light on the subject.
Duy
11-08-2008, 09:06 PM
Didio may be in charge of comics, but for anything to have a celebration of the 70th anniversary supercedes him. So he wouldn't have the authority to make a 70th anniversary comic without the go-ahead.
carabas
11-08-2008, 11:52 PM
The Editor In Chief of DC Comics does not have omnipotent unilateral power regarding Superman. He isn't even the head honcho of DC comics.

DC doesn't even own Superman, WB does, and if they say to wait 5 more years, then that is what DiDio will have to do.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-10-2008, 03:02 PM
Didio may be in charge of comics, but for anything to have a celebration of the 70th anniversary supercedes him. So he wouldn't have the authority to make a 70th anniversary comic without the go-ahead.

The Editor In Chief of DC Comics does not have omnipotent unilateral power regarding Superman. He isn't even the head honcho of DC comics.

DC doesn't even own Superman, WB does, and if they say to wait 5 more years, then that is what DiDio will have to do.

Really? Not even a special, given that they discuss new series and other characters' specials all the time? Perhaps it's true, but it strikes me as odd.
Duy
11-10-2008, 04:29 PM
Really? Not even a special, given that they discuss new series and other characters' specials all the time? Perhaps it's true, but it strikes me as odd.
Nope, an anniversary would be a company-wide thing.
Mat001
11-10-2008, 11:50 PM
Apparently anything attracting attention to DC celebrating the creation of a comic, the ownership of which is in litigation, is not a wise move.
The Batman
11-11-2008, 05:30 PM
It bothers me because I just can't understand why it's "not his call". He's one of DC's head honchos. All the time we see writers and artists saying that they talked to Didio about new specials and stuff. Why not one for Supes to celebrate his 70th? Yes, 70 years aren't as marketable as 75, but still...

Dan Didio, might be a head honcho, but he still has a boss above him.
If that guy says that they're not doing anything for Supes's 70th birthday then, really, there's not too much Didio can do without creating problems for himself.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-12-2008, 06:00 AM
Nope, an anniversary would be a company-wide thing.

I see. But I remember him admitting that they actually could have done something. Anyway...

Apparently anything attracting attention to DC celebrating the creation of a comic, the ownership of which is in litigation, is not a wise move.

Dan Didio, might be a head honcho, but he still has a boss above him.
If that guy says that they're not doing anything for Supes's 70th birthday then, really, there's not too much Didio can do without creating problems for himself.

But in that case, why would Paul Levitz be against this? Perhaps what Matt and the rest are saying is true, and the goddamn lawsuit is to blame.

And to think that in a few years the Shusters will be able to do the same...
The Batman
11-12-2008, 07:57 AM
If it was really Paul Levitz, then I'd imagine he's got a few reasons with the lawsuit being one of the big ones. Next time he does one of those "20 Questions" things with Newsarama, this is a question to submit.
carabas
11-12-2008, 08:49 AM
But in that case, why would Paul Levitz be against this? Perhaps what Matt and the rest are saying is true, and the goddamn lawsuit is to blame...There is also the fact that DC Comics is not an independant company, but a very tiny part of Time Warner.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-12-2008, 11:27 AM
If it was really Paul Levitz, then I'd imagine he's got a few reasons with the lawsuit being one of the big ones. Next time he does one of those "20 Questions" things with Newsarama, this is a question to submit.

I already did, along with a couple other posters. We'll see if the guys at Newsarama pick that question.

There is also the fact that DC Comics is not an independant company, but a very tiny part of Time Warner.

Well, other than the lawsuit, I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't do it. Now, if they celebrate Batman's 70th next year, I'll be very angry.
The Batman
11-12-2008, 11:43 AM
Cool, I'll keep an eye out over at Newsarama to see if it gets asked and answered.
Mat001
11-12-2008, 12:21 PM
I already did, along with a couple other posters. We'll see if the guys at Newsarama pick that question.

He probably won't respond to it. It's still a sticky situation.

Well, other than the lawsuit, I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't do it. Now, if they celebrate Batman's 70th next year, I'll be very angry.

Bob Kane hired himself a lawyer to make sure that DC/National didn't screw him over. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster didn't do that, which is why we have this lawsuit.
666MasterOfPuppets
11-13-2008, 01:34 PM
Cool, I'll keep an eye out over at Newsarama to see if it gets asked and answered.

Well, I did (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/110812-Didio2.html). and it seems Matt's right.

He probably won't respond to it. It's still a sticky situation.

Bob Kane hired himself a lawyer to make sure that DC/National didn't screw him over. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster didn't do that, which is why we have this lawsuit.

Oh well. But still...

Damn lawsuit.