CBR: ECCC: DC Nation

[CBR News]

Emerald City Comicon marked the first DC Nation run to be run by EIC Bob Harras. So what did he bring? News about upcoming books, hints about heroes, and lots of donuts!


Full article here.

[Philosophía]

A teenage boy then approached the microphone during the panel and posed an interesting (and bold) question: “‘Doom Patrol’ and ‘R.E.B.E.L.S.’ and ‘Freedom Fighters’ have all been canceled, so what are you replacing them with? And if you’re replacing them with more Batman and Superman and Flash comics – aren’t there enough of those already?”

Attendees applauded the query. Harras nodded his head at the young man and responded, “There’s going to be a lot of new stuff coming down the pike, and I can tell you a lot of it will not be Superman or Batman or Flash.”

Superman has two titles, one of which hasn't been his for more than two years, time in which the character has been treated miserably (both in and outside his title), except, of course, Grant Morrison and the surprisingly great up until now Chris Roberson. Flash has one title, which only recently has begun to speed up the pace, and Wally, along with other important characters of the universe, have barely made appearances. Granted, there is an event that primarily features him coming up, but that's in the future, and the questioner was obviously reffering "not another Flash/Superman title omfg", when the Superman/Flash title overload hasn't been taking place for years.

With that said, it's quite sad to see "cheers, bro" type of reactions, when the questioner says absurdities that have nothing to do with the current state of the DCU (if he'd have said Green Lantern and Batman then yes, he would have had a point). It's kind of like when people say that Superman is boring and too powerful, or the like, out of sheer ignorance.

I at least would have expected to see some Superman fans call him on it.

[Cayman]

They'll probably try and replace those books with ones that will sell.

[Philosophía]

R.E.B.E.L.S. has been consistently one of the greatest books on the market, and I'd say DC's succesful response (at least, quality-wise) to the Annihilation type of book from Marvel. It's a shame to see it go.

I hadn't gotten into Freedom Fights/Doom Patrol, unfortunately, but I've read great things about them too.

[Samy]

Superman has two titles, one of which hasn't been his for more than two years

I think you're taking it too literally. I suspect he meant the Superman franchise in general. Which has Superman, Action, Supergirl, Superboy, had limiteds like World of New Krypton, War of Supermen, had All-Star Supeman, Superman Confidential, and so on and so on.

With Flash you'd have more of a point. That franchise has rarely carried more than one series at a time. But the Superman franchise certainly has fielded and does field many books and I can see how the crowd would like to see more focus on other parts of the DCU.

[daveageallen]

maybe swampthing will get a new ongoing. written by the guy from doom patrol could be really good.

it fits the niche of weird crazy hero stuff like DP

[SJNeal]

maybe swampthing will get a new ongoing. written by the guy from doom patrol could be really good.

it fits the niche of weird crazy hero stuff like DP

A Giffen Swamp Thing could be interesting, and I'd definitely pick it up.

Unfortunately the niche of "weird crazy hero stuff" seems to be one fans don't necessarily want filled...

[Rhymer]

Why was this teen "precocious"? He had a point. Is any criticism of a major publisher's strategy naughty nowadays?

[The Spire]

Is it me, or is that the same answer they give about the Milestone characters every single time they're asked about them?

Admittedly, with Static and Xombi getting their own titles, it's nice to see that there's at least SOME traction with them. I was beginning to think they'd obtained the rights just so no one else could have them and actually use the characters.

[Free-Man]

Is it me, or is that the same answer they give about the Milestone characters every single time they're asked about them?

It is odd that they didn't simply say "Yeah, we're giving Static and Xombi their own books, DUH!"
Maybe there are some guest spots or something coming up?

[Philosophía]

I think you're taking it too literally. I suspect he meant the Superman franchise in general. Which has Superman, Action, Supergirl, Superboy, had limiteds like World of New Krypton, War of Supermen, had All-Star Supeman, Superman Confidential, and so on and so on.

With Flash you'd have more of a point. That franchise has rarely carried more than one series at a time. But the Superman franchise certainly has fielded and does field many books and I can see how the crowd would like to see more focus on other parts of the DCU.

I'm not taking it 'too literally' -you're making unnecessary excuses. And it seems you're not reading what you're defending, either.

A teenage boy then approached the microphone during the panel and posed an interesting (and bold) question: “‘Doom Patrol’ and ‘R.E.B.E.L.S.’ and ‘Freedom Fighters’ have all been canceled, so what are you replacing them with? And if you’re replacing them with more Batman and Superman and Flash comics – aren’t there enough of those already?”

Notice the bolded part? It reffers to present tense. What's the shape of Superman now, and for the last few years? Exactly. The questioner chose to hit Superman and Flash, when it's obviously he doesn't even know what books are published on those characters. Superman isn't and hasn't been on 'too many booksfor several years now, and Flash even dramatically less so.

I did laugh at you randomly spewing books that have been cancelled (Superman Confidential), are limited Elseworlds published scarcely across years (All Star Superman), or that have done nothing but damage Superman as a character and are the main problems for the current state of affairs (World of New Krypton in which, I might say, Superman has also appeared in one title for the majority of time) as somehow supporting, well, nothing. Last Stand of New Krypton and War of Supermen were the quick-kills of that storyline, and the main books were even suspended for the finale (which is to say, again, that in that one month in which the event took place there wasn't a 'book overload' either.

I'm not about to argue with you because a guy was too ignorant, and was cheered by people who should know better, though. Good day.

[MarvelMaster616]

Love the Earth One books, but it's a drag we'll have to wait till the end of the year to see Batman Earth One. However, if it turns out as good as Superman did then I'm willing to be patient. This along with DCU Online is making DC all the more appealing. I've been giving so much money to Marvel lately and they've done nothing but screw me over. Right now, DC is actually delivering on it's promises of comic book awesome. For that I am grateful.

[Samy]

I'm not about to argue with you because a guy was too ignorant, and was cheered by people who should know better, though. Good day.

Well, the fact that a lot of people agreed with him should be quite telling about whether your perception or mine is the correct one...

[skullboy]

With Bob Harras around, things can't be good.

[marvelprince]

Is it just me, or did DC not really say anything at this panel. I expected to read about something new upcoming or some new plans but the answer to everything was "we've got stuff planned we can't talk about yet".