LBCC: Lobdell Promises Radical Changes for "Superman," "Teen Titans" & "Red Hood"

[DarkKnghtJared]

And there is my biggest fear. When Lobdell mentioned not wanting readers to see the new 52 returning to the Pre-Flashpoint status quo, my first thought was but isn't a lot of the Pre-Flashpoint stuff ideas that stood the test of time. Clark quitting the Planet to become a blogger is not a bad idea and flows realistically from what Superman has always been, but Clark quitting the Planet and becoming a car salesman doesn't. Both however could be done if your main goal is to make New 52 Superman different from past incarnations. And Lobdell didn't say anything that made me positive he sees the difference.

Doesn't the fact that he DID make Clark into a blogger instead of a car salesman show that he can see the difference?

[Mr. Holmes]

Doesn't the fact that he DID make Clark into a blogger instead of a car salesman show that he can see the difference?

I was going to ask the same thing.

[DaronK]

I've yet to read his Fantastic Four, but no I think his JLA and Flash are overrated.

Really? His first Flash run? What about about his run on Captain America, his current Daredevil run, Kingdom Come?

In my eyes, Waid has had a lot more hits than misses.

[misslane38]

And there is my biggest fear. When Lobdell mentioned not wanting readers to see the new 52 returning to the Pre-Flashpoint status quo, my first thought was but isn't a lot of the Pre-Flashpoint stuff ideas that stood the test of time. Clark quitting the Planet to become a blogger is not a bad idea and flows realistically from what Superman has always been, but Clark quitting the Planet and becoming a car salesman doesn't. Both however could be done if your main goal is to make New 52 Superman different from past incarnations. And Lobdell didn't say anything that made me positive he sees the difference.

To me, the blogger thing only works temporarily. I don't believe this is in any way a disagreement with you, but you got me thinking about this change for Clark and its implications. I agree that Clark being a crusading journalist fits with his character and allows us to appreciate both his principles and his talents as a journalist as well as the general heroic and crucial role that non-superhuman feats can have in the fight against evil. Clark valuing and showing journalism's worth reinforces the idea that civilians and superheroes can be on equal footing when it comes to doing the right thing and being heroes, and I like that. What I won't like, however, is if the corruption of The Daily Planet is the new status quo. For that once great institution to be abandoned and left to rot would, to me, be a tragic failure on Clark's part. To not redeem The Daily Planet is unacceptable.

The comics should be capable of showing a progressive view of journalism's evolution -- particularly when newspapers in the real world are doing this -- and showing that a traditional source of news can overcome the pressures to cheapen their news coverage and adapt. Indeed, such a story would send a worthy metatextual message about the comics industry, because DC Comics is the traditional while smaller, independent companies or upstarts mirror Clark's blog. I would think DC would want to show that the past and (previous DC corporate) can be reconciled with the present without sacrificing quality and integrity.

Sadly, I wish Lois Lane's character wasn't assassinated in Superman #13, so that she's part of the problem at present, because I think she'd be the perfect ally to transform The Daily Planet and PGN for the better. What worries me is that they'll take a character who was always allowed to have her own inherent courage and values where journalism was concerned, and give Clark credit for instilling them in her. In effect, they would have stolen her iconic character traits, given them to Clark, just so he can be admired and praised for them and then get credit for giving them back to Lois and making her who she is meant to be. Consequently, I hope Lobdell proceeds respectfully with this arc; given Lobdell's record I am not too optimistic.

Furthermore, I think something is lost when Clark isn't forced to deal with the office environment. Being a lone blogger removes a key source of conflict and angst, and it robs Clark of a front row seat to what ordinary citizens think and feel about the world. Previously, working at the Planet helped Clark understand how Superman was perceived, which allowed him to proceed in his mission with more sympathy and wisdom for the people he dedicated his life to protect. In my view, Clark's crusading journalism should be a mainstay but so should his employment at The Daily Planet.

[Mr. Holmes]

Really? His first Flash run? What about about his run on Captain America, his current Daredevil run, Kingdom Come?

His Flash run was decent, but I don't think it's nearly as good as what a lot of people on this forum say. There are a lot of interesting ideas that are poorly developed. I hate Captain America, so can't say I've read. Kingdom Come for me is also misguided and overrated.

I like Daredevil quite a bit though.

In my eyes, Waid has had a lot more hits than misses.

For me he has a strong grasp of characters, but as a writer he's average.

[Jon Clark]

Doesn't the fact that he DID make Clark into a blogger instead of a car salesman show that he can see the difference?

Not entirely. It may be that he has a good understanding of Superman and any changes he has planned floow from that. It may be that he managed to make a large change that happened to still fit the general idea of Superman. I'm leaning towards it being the former, but there wasn't enough here to assure me that is the case.

After the past 15 years with Superman, I'm burned out on assuming the best only to be let down. And the New 52 feels to me more "Change for the sake of change" than "Let's keep what works and retool what doesn't". So I'm giving Lobdell a chance, but I'm not sold yet.

[adkal]

But...Clark was already a blogger, and a well regarded one (even riling up people he 'shouldn't') 6 years ago within this continuity, so isn't this sort of a step back for him?

Have to agree with 'misslane38', Clark always had an 'out' with regards to the Superman beat. It doesn't matter if he's assigned it, if 'Superman' chooses to use someone else at the DP then that's just something DP editorial would have to accept.

I'll have to go back and check but, prior to issue 13, was he even on the Superman beat?

I don't think the blogger aspect need be temporary, though (and I really do hope that DCE will be proactive and actually set up a 'Clark Kent Blog' that we can check out (I've been gunning for that since Morrison revealed the existence of the blog over in Action)).

[suss2it]

Rocafort is awesome. Lobdell, not so much.

That picture is drawn by Brett Booth, not Rocafort. Agreed that Rocafort is awesome though, I wish he didn't leave RHAtO though, since that book I'm reading, and I'm not sure I wanna start Superman

[thorionthei]

I applaud the changes. I stopped liking Superman the character at around age 6 or 7. He just wasn't "cool" anymore. I still loved the Superman mythos and still do (krypton, phantom zone, legion of super-heroes, etc) but not the actual character.

I am 37 now and have tried to figure out why I don't like Superman. I think I like him a pulp strong man with the sci-fi background. But I hate the boy scout.

EXCEPT, then came Smallville and I loved that. Many pals of mine that do not like Superman or DC for that matter (save bats) loved Smallville as well. Some of these changes remind me of Smallville...and that isn't a bad thing.

[Don Yoyo]

Rocafort is awesome. Lobdell, not so much.

That cover is not by Rocafort, it's by Brett Booth.

One of the things I've noticed about Lobdell's writing in the new 52 is that he seems to like purposely changing things just for the sake of changing them. Usually this results in mixed reviews.

--S

He's fully going with the idea that the new 52 is like DC's Ultimate Universe, that's for sure.

[misslane38]

I'll have to go back and check but, prior to issue 13, was he even on the Superman beat?

Yes, it was addressed in Superman #7 (scan). And, I like the point you made about Clark's previous blogging experience because I agree that it does, in essence, make this move a regressive one. It's also not at all new. Earlier incarnations of Clark Kent didn't stick to The Daily Planet either.

I don't think the blogger aspect need be temporary, though (and I really do hope that DCE will be proactive and actually set up a 'Clark Kent Blog' that we can check out (I've been gunning for that since Morrison revealed the existence of the blog over in Action)).

I'm fine with Clark continuing to work on, and primarily be known for, his muckraking blog articles that shed light on important issues and even provide some opinion, but it's not uncommon for such blogs to exist within larger journalistic institutions. Andrew Sullivan is a blogger who writes for The Daily Beast, which is partnered with NEWSWEEK and which itself is transitioning out of print publications entirely this year. In other words, Clark can do his thing and The Daily Planet can be modernized in a way that allows for the character and his milieu to adapt and evolve with him and the times. It doesn't have to be an either/or as far as I'm concerned.

[Namtab]

Glad to see there are some changes on the horizon.

I'm still thinking about picking up Superman in the near future.

[misslane38]

I applaud the changes. I stopped liking Superman the character at around age 6 or 7. He just wasn't "cool" anymore. I still loved the Superman mythos and still do (krypton, phantom zone, legion of super-heroes, etc) but not the actual character.

I am 37 now and have tried to figure out why I don't like Superman. I think I like him a pulp strong man with the sci-fi background. But I hate the boy scout.

EXCEPT, then came Smallville and I loved that. Many pals of mine that do not like Superman or DC for that matter (save bats) loved Smallville as well. Some of these changes remind me of Smallville...and that isn't a bad thing.

I'm a devoted fan of Smallville and none of these changes resemble the show at all. The only commonality I see is the youthfulness of the character.

[adkal]

Yes, it was addressed in Superman #7 (scan). And, I like the point you made about Clark's previous blogging experience because I agree that it does, in essence, make this move a regressive one. It's also not at all new. Earlier incarnations of Clark Kent didn't stick to The Daily Planet either.

Dagnabbit, the link doesn't work. I'll take a look at the digi-issue when I get home tonight

I'm fine with Clark continuing to work on, and primarily be known for, his muckraking blog articles that shed light on important issues and even provide some opinion, but it's not uncommon for such blogs to exist within larger journalistic institutions. Andrew Sullivan is a blogger who writes for The Daily Beast, which is partnered with NEWSWEEK and which itself is transitioning out of print publications entirely this year. In other words, Clark can do his thing and The Daily Planet can be modernized in a way that allows for the character and his milieu to adapt and evolve with him and the times. It doesn't have to be an either/or as far as I'm concerned.

My mind drew a blank with regards to contemporary, real-life references of the kind of approach this could (should?) become, so thanks for this

[Desaad]

His Flash run was decent, but I don't think it's nearly as good as what a lot of people on this forum say. There are a lot of interesting ideas that are poorly developed. I hate Captain America, so can't say I've read. Kingdom Come for me is also misguided and overrated.

I like Daredevil quite a bit though.



For me he has a strong grasp of characters, but as a writer he's average.

I think Kingdom Come is an achievement and a high quality one; The Kingdom less so, but still good. His Legion of Super-Heroes, JLA and Flash are horribly overrated and filled with cheap soap opera, weak antagonists, lifeless plots and uninspiring character work. His Brave and the Bold was the epitome of boredom, too.

I'll agree that he's overrated in the extreme. What he has is a strong grasp not necessarily of character but of concept. His Fantastic Four's first half was brilliant, his Daredevil is very very good.