GOLDEN AGE JAMES ROBINSON I: Justice League

[andy khouri]

In the first of a two-part series, superstar writer James Robinson discusses his upcoming “Justice League” title and sheds some light on a new project featuring one of his beloved “Starman” characters.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16532

[40footwolf]

"[Batwoman] is going to be in the book to give the book a 'bat' emblem."

No. You can't just have characters FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING CHARACTERS. You're putting Cassandra Kain in there JUST BECAUSE you want there to be some kind of bat-symbol in the book? Because you feel obligated?

I don't care what anyone says, that's crappy writng and it makes me doubt the entire book.

[Mystique25]

That doesn't make me doubt the entire book, but I really don't like that. When I first saw that she was in the book, I was excited and I was like well here's a reason for me to look into it, and then I see what he said. I might still check it out, but that isn't the best thing to say.

[40footwolf]

The reason it makes me doubt the whole book is because it sets a precedent for him doing things just for the sake of doing things. And really, so far he's only been doing what's been expected of him, as far as I can tell. So far I can't see a reason for this book besides "just because".

[Babylon23]

Maybe Batwoman was a character he was asked to include. Reading his comments, it certainly doesn't sound like he chose her. The way he talks about the other characters is far more intimate.

Having said that, he's showing respect to a fellow writer and doesn't want to step on Rucka's toes. I see no problem with that. Rucka clearly has plans for the character and Robinson doesn't want to disrupt those plans. Plus, keeping Batwoman out of the spotlight seems very much in keeping with what little we've seen of her personality to date.

Either way, I'll definitely be checking this series out. Robinson is one of my favourite comic writers.

[40footwolf]

He says pretty explicitly that Didio gave him free reign on whoever he wanted to pick. I have a feeling that he picked her just to juxtapose her with Supergirl. If he doesn't want to step on anyones toes he shouldn't pick characters for his story that could, conceivably, step on another writer's toes. If he feels that badly about it he shouldn't have her in it at all. OBVIOUSLY he shouldn't, he doesn't give a flying fuck about the character.

And before everyone gets on me about that last statement: Look at how reverently he speaks about every other character. Look how he lays out his plans so meticulously for everyone else. Batwoman? "She's there because she's there". He doesn't care about the character and even if he does, he can't do anything with her because he doesn't want to upset Greg Rucka. It's bad planning on his part and if he could give a shit about her or doesn't want to use her, SHE SHOULDN'T BE IN THE BOOK.

Hell, I don't even LIKE Batwoman that much!

[pariah-1972]

Hmm just read Golden Age a week or two ago and it was very long and very boring.

[Xero]

"[Batwoman] is going to be in the book to give the book a 'bat' emblem."

No. You can't just have characters FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING CHARACTERS. You're putting Cassandra Kain in there JUST BECAUSE you want there to be some kind of bat-symbol in the book? Because you feel obligated?

I don't care what anyone says, that's crappy writng and it makes me doubt the entire book.

Batwoman is Kathy Kane, Batgirl is Cassandra Cain, how about reading next time before you rant.

[40footwolf]

Batwoman is Kathy Kane, Batgirl is Cassandra Cain, how about reading next time before you rant.

Wow, thank you for pointing out an error in my post that is COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT.

[CBikle]

"[Batwoman] is going to be in the book to give the book a 'bat' emblem."

No. You can't just have characters FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING CHARACTERS. You're putting Cassandra Kain in there JUST BECAUSE you want there to be some kind of bat-symbol in the book? Because you feel obligated?

I don't care what anyone says, that's crappy writing and it makes me doubt the entire book.

Yeah, that didn't really go over well, but I'm a big fan of Robinson's writing, so I'll give the book a lot of leeway.

In these kinds of interviews, it's never a good move to "pull back the curtain" and reveal behind-the-scenes editorial mandates and hijinx.

That having been said, all it means is that Kathy Kane will be more of a background character; it doesn't necessarily mean that the writing will be bad.

[dotdotdot]

heaven forbid a writer ever admit to not having much of a handle on a character in a team book, combined with a fascination and an immense amount of respect for the character's creator and their plans for their future, and heaven forbid they admit that this character is in the book for specific reasons and may not get the amount of spotlight as the rest (presumably for the first 6 months/year).

oh god it just burns me up right? wtf.

[dotdotdot]

In these kinds of interviews, it's never a good move to "pull back the curtain" and reveal behind-the-scenes editorial mandates and hijinx.

could have been more organic, coming out of talks with johns, etc. the idea of a jla team having someone from the bat-family isn't insane, since there are so many of them, and i can see how it felt right with all the attn on the 2 guys outside of the trinity, and the push for supergirl. it's almost as if a creator thinks that his audience (or at least those who will read the interview) can handle candid info about the process and might act like adults.

i'm not even a robinson fan sheesh.

[40footwolf]

heaven forbid a writer ever admit to not having much of a handle on a character in a team book Which he could choose to simply not use instead of use poorly

, combined with a fascination and an immense amount of respect for the character's creator and their plans for their future See Above

, and heaven forbid they admit that this character is in the book for specific reasons Bolstering James Robinsons pocketbook

and may not get the amount of spotlight as the rest (presumably for the first 6 months/year) Because of his disinterest/fear of upsetting another writer.

oh god it just burns me up right? wtf.

Forgive me for finding the idea of using a character for your book just because you think you should unprofessional.

[dotdotdot]

Forgive me for finding the idea of using a character for your book just because you think you should unprofessional.

failure to give them much spotlight is not necessarily using them poorly. and the remark about robinson's pocketbook comes off as hilarious, as if this is going to make a huge difference.
using a character because you think you should sounds pretty damned professional to me. that probably should have been reworded to make your point.

[40footwolf]

"She's in the book to give the book a bat emblem"="She's in the book to move more copies", in comic-book lingo.

And by "because he thinks he should", I mean "because he feels obligated to", not because he thinks it's actually a good idea.