EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: "Supreme" #64

[GRANT!]

My main issue with the comic that it moved way too fast. Felt like you could have have spent an issue the Daxes attacking the Supremancy and an issue of mean Supreme taking down the Daxes. I like a lot to happen in my comics but sometimes you need to let things breathe a bit.

As for destroying what Moore did I didn't see too many characters I was attached to get iced (though I was concerned for Darius Duck). And I like the idea of these dowered Supremes wandering around. I say it's worth giving a chance.

[The Batman]

Okay--so he made his statement. Now that's over. Am I to keep making it in his absence? Should I be parroting things already said? That doesn't sound fun for anybody.

Alan told his stories. It's time for me to take the wheel and tell mine.

Oh, I've no interest in seeing you play at being Alan Moore. Honestly, I'm much more interested in seeing you play with old Supreme and new Supreme. While I thought that #64 maybe went by a bit too quick, I think there's a lot of fun to be had watching old Supreme navigate new Supreme's world.

[The Adventurer]

Erik's been telling self-aware comic stories for years and years, so I'm confident that sort of thing isn't necessarily going away completely in Supreme.

Alan Moore isn't the only person on earth who can hang a bell on a Superman archetype and make subtext laden commentary on super-hero comics.

[The Batman]

Erik's been telling self-aware comic stories for years and years, so I'm confident that sort of thing isn't necessarily going away completely in Supreme.

Alan Moore isn't the only person on earth who can hang a bell on a Superman archetype and make subtext laden commentary on super-hero comics.

Well, of course not. I don't know why, but I feel that my comments were read as Larsen criticism, and they were not meant to be. Save for what felt like a rushed pace, I enjoyed the issue a lot. I think what Larsen is planning sounds fun and entertaining and worthwhile. If I didn't, I wouldn't be along for the ride.

[jesse_custer]

At that point though, when it's so clearly commenting on Superman the character and the fictional creation, is it still derivative of it? To my mind, Moore took something that was clearly derivative of Superman with, if the high concept is to be believed, ambitions of offering commentary on the character and turned the who thing into a commentary on Superman, superhero comics, and the way those fictional constructions function. The appeal of Moore's stories aren't in their vague Supermaniness, but in Moore's observations and comments.

Well put. That's really what I was trying to say.

Okay--so he made his statement. Now that's over. Am I to keep making it in his absence? Should I be parroting things already said? That doesn't sound fun for anybody.

Alan told his stories. It's time for me to take the wheel and tell mine.

Of course. And as your work with Savage Dragon shows, you know how to take the wheel.

[Quasar's Bands]

Moore's story was intentionally derivative of Silver Age Superman because it was a commentary on Superman and how comic books change. It wasn't a thinly veiled Superman pastiche. Supreme, regardless of his attitude, has always resembled Superman. Moore was smart to play with that.

I'll never forget someone asking in a comic book shop "what is Supreme about?" and the response from the comic shop owner was "Superman if he didn't have enough fibre in his diet!" HA!

[Quasar's Bands]

Okay--so he made his statement. Now that's over. Am I to keep making it in his absence? Should I be parroting things already said? That doesn't sound fun for anybody.

Alan told his stories. It's time for me to take the wheel and tell mine.

All good points. At this point, however, I think you can understand that the savagery with which so many characters were destroyed, and the stripping of powers from all the other Supremes (so they're just normal people/mice/etc. now? Doesn't give me confidence they will be a huge threat - but Lex Luthor is "normal" too, so maybe....), seemed to indicate to many who enjoyed the Moore period and did NOT enjoy the Jerk Supreme period as a sign that everything was being thrown back to the 90s. You say "trust me," and I'm willing to spend money for a couple of issues and see where you are going, but I don't think anyone should be surprised that fans of the Moore Supreme had a knee jerk reaction to a very quick, violent and abrupt change of events. One poster says reader's should "grow" -- perhaps, as long as the growth is an enjoyable ride worth our hard-earned dollars and cents. I really, really hope there is some good storytelling ahead, and that Jerk Supreme gets his cupuppance again and again and again... There are enough bullies in the real world and in politics -- we don't need our "heroes" filling that role as well.

[chastmastr]

I really, really hope there is some good storytelling ahead, and that Jerk Supreme gets his cupuppance again and again and again... There are enough bullies in the real world and in politics -- we don't need our "heroes" filling that role as well.

Or perhaps his redemption? And... as I say with hope above... some kind of restoration of the characters and world which were destroyed...

[gregesis]

[p
]

Please point out every dangling plot thread Erik 'threw out the window'. Because I am legit curious as to what you are taking about.

I think the words "dangling plot thread" are the problem.

There was only one "dangling plot thread" ("the clash of the Daxes and Supremes") and Mr. Larsen wrapped that up.

I think what was meant in the review (and what I am talking about) was that in wrapping up that single "dangling plot thread", Mr. Larsen "threw out the window" most of what Mr. Moore had created.

"All your souvenirs… your trophies…your belongings…ALL of it…It's ALL being destroyed!"
"They're ALL being killed!" "It's not possible."
"My old supporting characters never stood a chance."
"Death and Destruction as far as the eye can see."

The Death and Destruction list includes Radar, The Supremacy and all the Supremes, Billy's, Judy's and Diana's within, all the Daxes, the Citadel Supreme and all that was within it, Amalynth, the Mythopeic Zoo, the Souvenir Gallery and the Time Tower entrance, and the destruction of all the surviving Supremes' powers.

All this occurred in no time.

"In a matter of seconds…your whole world is coming apart!"
"One way or another…this ends today.

Mr. Moore took a few years to create this world and in one month Mr. Larsen has destroy (the majority) of it.

I'm not sure why anyone is shocked that the fans of Moore's Supreme would be unhappy at this story. Many of us have waited the full 12 years for the return of these characters only to have them destroyed in the second issue (first issue by Mr. Larsen).

There are several characters out there as some folks have pointed out. Great.

That doesn't change the fact that the wonder-filled "world" those characters inhabited was destroyed in this issue.

[The Adventurer]

[p
]

I think the words "dangling plot thread" are the problem.

There was only one "dangling plot thread" ("the clash of the Daxes and Supremes") and Mr. Larsen wrapped that up.

I think what was meant in the review (and what I am talking about) was that in wrapping up that single "dangling plot thread", Mr. Larsen "threw out the window" most of what Mr. Moore had created.

"All your souvenirs… your trophies…your belongings…ALL of it…It's ALL being destroyed!"
"They're ALL being killed!" "It's not possible."
"My old supporting characters never stood a chance."
"Death and Destruction as far as the eye can see."

The Death and Destruction list includes Radar, The Supremacy and all the Supremes, Billy's, Judy's and Diana's within, all the Daxes, the Citadel Supreme and all that was within it, Amalynth, the Mythopeic Zoo, the Souvenir Gallery and the Time Tower entrance, and the destruction of all the surviving Supremes' powers.

All this occurred in no time.

"In a matter of seconds…your whole world is coming apart!"
"One way or another…this ends today.

Mr. Moore took a few years to create this world and in one month Mr. Larsen has destroy (the majority) of it.

I'm not sure why anyone is shocked that the fans of Moore's Supreme would be unhappy at this story. Many of us have waited the full 12 years for the return of these characters only to have them destroyed in the second issue (first issue by Mr. Larsen).

There are several characters out there as some folks have pointed out. Great.

That doesn't change the fact that the wonder-filled "world" those characters inhabited was destroyed in this issue.

Change is very often sudden, unexpected, and violent. Where you see Erik putting a cap on everything Moore did, I see Erik moving forward with what was established. Hell, I'm not an expert but wasn't Moore playing around with ideas that Supreme and his status quo change ALL THE TIME? That's the impression I got with the Supremacy and all. This is just another turning point in the legacy of Supreme.

[The Batman]

That doesn't change the fact that the wonder-filled "world" those characters inhabited was destroyed in this issue.

And of course, anything, once destroyed can never be restored or repaired. Especially not in superhero comic book stories.

Larsen was under no obligation to address anything Moore had done. If he'd wanted to, he could've started fresh with the character. Clearly, whatever he wants to say with the character, wherever he wants to take him, involves Moore's stuff too.

[The Adventurer]

And of course, anything, once destroyed can never be restored or repaired. Especially not in superhero comic book stories.

Larsen was under no obligation to address anything Moore had done. If he'd wanted to, he could've started fresh with the character. Clearly, whatever he wants to say with the character, wherever he wants to take him, involves Moore's stuff too.

Very very true.

[Erik Larsen]

And of course, anything, once destroyed can never be restored or repaired. Especially not in superhero comic book stories.

Larsen was under no obligation to address anything Moore had done. If he'd wanted to, he could've started fresh with the character. Clearly, whatever he wants to say with the character, wherever he wants to take him, involves Moore's stuff too.

I was actually encouraged not to follow Moore--to start over as the others have (mostly) done--but I wanted it to be in continuity--and I wanted to follow up what Moore started--and use characters he had established. I couldn't really do that and start fresh.

[Erik Larsen]

It's kind of a damned if you do--damned if you don't situation. If I'd started over people would bitch that I ignored Moore's continuity and threw out his last script. If I did the same kind of stories it would be called derivative. And following him I'm blasted for changing anything.

[Quasar's Bands]

It's kind of a damned if you do--damned if you don't situation. If I'd started over people would bitch that I ignored Moore's continuity and threw out his last script. If I did the same kind of stories it would be called derivative. And following him I'm blasted for changing anything.

I think that's going too far -- people have only what they see at the moment from which to make some of their purchasing decisions. The truth is in the middle. I think it's the manner in which such destruction was done, and the amount, that has folks immediately up in arms. I loved Moore's take, and that's why I, who never spend my money on Image Comics, went to two comic shops until I found an issue of Supreme once I learned it was back after all these years. I liked the issue and was pleased to see Moore's story continued, so I signed up for a subscription. Knowing he was gone, however, I already presumed that there would be SOME changes. Then, many of those ideas and characters were not only pushed aside, but destroyed in continuity and the previous a$$ characterization was returned. I was shocked and my first impulse was to tell the comic shop to drop the subscription ... but I waited to find out what plans were ahead before I did that.

If you had ignored Moore's continuity, yes, I probably would have never picked up Supreme in the first place (and certainly not visited two comic shops looking for it) and moaned that Image really is nothing but a early 90s throwback publisher (yes, yes, I know, that's unfair, but I've heard that from several folks so I'm being honest) (Want an example? Look at the promos for Youngblood 71 -- you can't help but notice the constant focus on female breasts (arched backs), rear ends and testosterone-addled attitude in the male characters). Thank you for not ignoring Moore's work on Supreme -- it's an intelligent choice if you want folks to buy the comic (out of so many comic choices) who like character-driven stories and not just muscle-bound/cheescake art.

You are saying that you are also not destroying the entire Moore Supreme-related world. That one is where we have to take it on faith -- because if you depower all of the Supremes, kill Radar, etc., then that does seem like you've destroyed a massive part of it. I believe you, just sayin' some faith is needed at this point!

However, if you can do as you say -- and walk the balance beam between going in new exciting directions that involve heroism and intelligent and/or fun storytelling, while still retaining some of Moore's world, then I'm honestly excited! I've come to learn that some incredible writers like Geoff Johns and Ed Brubaker can take bits of history from previous writers and pen incredible tales that make those past stories stronger, while moving forward in a different direction. If you are able to do something like that with Supreme -- I'll be a fan for life (like I am for those gentlemen!)

I already have hope from these message boards, BTW. When you said that Jerk Supreme is going to be a foe of the other Supremes -- that sounded like a very interesting concept, and not one I've seen before!

Good Luck in the next few months, Mr. Larsen, and thanks for listening and interacting with readers -- that's a very, very cool thing.