behind the scenes origin of Doomsday?

[Kid Kyoto]

Has anyone ever seen information on the creative process behind Doomsday? Did they have an origin plotted for him when he was introduced or did DC throw him out wtih plans to flesh him out later?

How about the Reign of the Supermen? Was that plotted at the same time as Death of Superman?

[umbc8]

The Death of Superman was supposed to be the wedding of Clark and Lois, but Warner Bros. started the Lois & Clark show, and wanted them to get married in the show and comics at the same time. So, the Death storyline came about, but they didn't have a lot of time, so Doomsday was introduced w/out an origin. The backstory for Doomsday was figured out later when they had more time, and is part of the reason for the Hunter/Prey mini-series.

As for the Reign story, I don't know. The "Complete History of Superman" book, the outline for the end of "Death" and all of "Funeral" is shown, but nothing about "Reign". Also, there were a few months between the end of "Funeral" and beginning of "Reign".

[Hush Little Batman]

Also, there were a few months between the end of "Funeral" and beginning of "Reign".

Yes, the extremely boring "World Without a Superman" arc. In theory that storyline should've been sensational - showing how everyone had to continue living with Superman gone, but in execution, it was dreadful.

[Super Buddies Forever]

I thought Funeral for a Friend was lovely. It was far meatier than the actual "Doomsday!" portion of the story, as it was an actual character study of how Lois, the Kents, Luthor, and the DCU at large were dealing with the death of Superman as opposed to mindless action.

As far as the original question goes, I can't imagine that they had already planned on having Doomsday be from Krypton when they first created the arc. Reign of the Supermen is another tricky question. I would almost be tempted to say that the specifics of that story were plotted along with Zero Hour (since it basically started the chain reaction that led there), but then supposedly Hal Jordan going mad was a last minute editorial decision for the GL book.

[Kid Kyoto]

I beleive that last one. I wish I could remember where but somewhere I did see the original proposal for Emerald Twilight, and Hal was as sane as could be, it involved a GL civil war. He was also pretty stable throughout the whole Reign story.

Going back to Doomsday if anyone can dig up an interview or anything about his genesis I'd like to see it.

[J. Robb]

I'm not sure if it was the writers' intention or not, but it's often been pointed out that Doomsday seemed to represent all the Death- and Blood-named characters who popped up in the late 80s and early 90s who had little personality and motivation beyond violence. Doomsday was like Image Comic's style over substance defeating (temporarily) Superman's old school heroics.

[Kid Kyoto]

But was he a parody of that or just another manifistation?

While Manchester Black and the Elite were clearly an Authority parody I always though DD was sincere and someone really, really thought this 3rd rate Hulk was a worthy addition.

[Sean Whitmore]

Doomsday was like Image Comic's style over substance defeating (temporarily) Superman's old school heroics.

If satire is what they had in mind, I'd think it was more to show that Superman's heroics succeeded in defeating Image. If you want to get all Donner about it, Superman died for our (comics fans) sins (embracing characters like Doomsday). :)


SEAN

[RAman]

Oops, double post!

[RAman]

If I remember correctly, wasn't there a story that the Superman writers, at a yearly meeting to plan stories for the year, jokingly said, "Let's kill him?" and someone said, "Let's do it?" After all, they used to always say that, and someone thought it was time to actually do it.

Could be an urban myth though. :)

[SuperSince92]

I am certain I read an interview with one of the creators (Jurgens perhaps?) that said it came out of the annual "Super Summit" the Superman writers had. Keep in mind this was when there was much more collaboration as the Triangle number system was in place.

One of the original ideas thrown out for the big story of the year was to trash Metropolis; really wreck it (this story, likely, was later fleshed out and became The Battle for/Fall of Metropolis storyline that ran through Action #700). Then someone suggested the "How about we kill him?" thing and the idea stuck.

I have no idea about Doomsday though. I guess they felt Superman lacked villians with a killer instinct like Batman has/had and wanted to create a guy who would have instant credibility via killing ol' Supes. Too bad the other creators completely butchered that credibility post-Hunter/Prey.

[karasu]

I must be the only guy who never saw Doomsday as the hulk. Superman spanked the hulk a couple of times already.

[Kid Kyoto]

I must be the only guy who never saw Doomsday as the hulk. Superman spanked the hulk a couple of times already.

Well he also has spikes and claws. He's like Hulk+Wolverine!

aVV350M3!

r0xxor!

[David Walton]

If I remember correctly, wasn't there a story that the Superman writers, at a yearly meeting to plan stories for the year, jokingly said, "Let's kill him?" and someone said, "Let's do it?" After all, they used to always say that, and someone thought it was time to actually do it.

Could be an urban myth though. :)

It seems like that's how every big idea gets started. Peter David once asked, "Why doesn't Magneto just rip the admantium out of Wolverine?" and you got a three year storyline. I always enjoy hearing about these impromptu ideas that sound crazy but they work.

[MPagar]

I recall reading that Superman's killer was supposed to be a pre-established villain, but the people on the project just decided to go for a newly created villain.