Azzarello on Word Balloon (Podcast)

[Desaad]

I wonder if a second Wonder WOman book would be the New Gods book. I hope not, as I'd rather them not be tied.

Will be interesting to see if a second book would be complementary to Azz's book or an alternative to it.

[Auguste Dupin]

I wonder if a second Wonder WOman book would be the New Gods book. I hope not, as I'd rather them not be tied.

Will be interesting to see if a second book would be complementary to Azz's book or an alternative to it.

Bah, it's probably just a more "maintream" book where they could make Superman appear as a guest star.

[Desaad]

Bah, it's probably just a more "maintream" book where they could make Superman appear as a guest star.

I'd be fine with it if it was, I could see them going either way.

The general thought at DC is that if something is successful, you should expand it out as far as you can, until you drive it into the ground. And thus we get "Talon" and the like.

Since Wonder Woman is successful - for a Wonder Woman book, phenomenally successful in the critical arena and very successful in the sales arena - I don't see them looking to give us something 'different', rather I think they'll look to spin something out directly, of a similar tone and preferably with Brian Azzarello as the writer. With him coming off the Watchmen stuff, and with how much he's enjoying that universe, I could easily see him just doing a spin off book, be it New Gods or Olympians or Strife or the like.

[Auguste Dupin]

I'd be fine with it if it was, I could see them going either way.

The general thought at DC is that if something is successful, you should expand it out as far as you can, until you drive it into the ground. And thus we get "Talon" and the like.

Since Wonder Woman is successful - for a Wonder Woman book, phenomenally successful in the critical arena and very successful in the sales arena - I don't see them looking to give us something 'different', rather I think they'll look to spin something out directly, of a similar tone and preferably with Brian Azzarello as the writer. With him coming off the Watchmen stuff, and with how much he's enjoying that universe, I could easily see him just doing a spin off book, be it New Gods or Olympians or Strife or the like.

Mmmm, yeah it makes sense, but somehow, I have a hard time seeing Azzarello accepting to do a second book on this, and doing it with another writer may pose some problems. That and I don't think they would call a New Gods book a WW related one.
I could see them trying to do a book that would be a mix of both worlds, the JL world and the Azzarello world. A book where Lennox and Superman could appear without feeling out of place, perhaps in an attempt to also bring back a few of those who don't seem to like the direction that much (a bit like Superman was trying to cater to the old school fans while acknowledging the whole "socialist in T shirt" thing going on in Action).

[Desaad]

Mmmm, yeah it makes sense, but somehow, I have a hard time seeing Azzarello accepting to do a second book on this,

Based on what? He's doing two books right now for "Before Watchmen", and he LOVES doing Wonder Woman's book. I could definitely see him doing another, make some bills, get his name out.

[Desaad]

I really, really like what Azz is saying about the New Gods.

"I didn't want to ape kirby, but I wanted to approach the characters with the same abandon with which I think he did."

That, and the fact that Orion was part of the initial pitch? I don't know, I seriously wonder if Azz might do a New God book.

[Desaad]

Oop, continuing to listen, he says he doesn't want to write another Wonder Woman book.

But he's also very open to the idea of a hero having two simultaneous stories that don't intertwine.

Kind of irrelevant to me ultimately, though. A good book is a good book. Hoping for Azzarello on New Gods, actually. All you Azz-on-Wonder Woman haters, I'll take him.

[slvn]

I really, really like what Azz is saying about the New Gods.

"I didn't want to ape kirby, but I wanted to approach the characters with the same abandon with which I think he did."

That, and the fact that Orion was part of the initial pitch? I don't know, I seriously wonder if Azz might do a New God book.

Yeah, this I can see.

With Wonder Woman selling around 43k, I have to admit that I doubt they're going to have her carry another monthly right now. (Maybe later, if she gets a shot in the arm from the Superman stuff, Trinity War, the Morrison book, or--most promising of all--the Amazon TV series, if that happens. Just not right now.) Don't get me wrong; given the bok's sales over the last couple of years, i think it's great that this run is still selling in the mid-40s; I just don't think that that's the level of success that DC would consider evidence that the character can carry a second title.

But an Azzarello-written Orion or New Gods title that has some ties to Wonder Woman? Yeah, I can totally see that.

They wouldn't have to be tied closely, but would be part of the same "Azzarello-verse" and could share enough themes, villains, recurring characters etc. that they might tend to support each others' sales.

[Mark_S]

Brian Azzarello On Spaceman Before Watchemen and Wonder woman Plus The DC Execs Talk Hellblazer's demise, NFL Star Israel Idonije and Jesse Blaze Snider reboots Evil Ernie

Wonder Woman talk starts @ 48:30.

A few points:

- He has free reign when it comes to Wonder Woman.
- The Superman/Wonder Woman relationship won't appear in Wonder Woman.
- They're considering a second Wonder Woman book.

If he has free reign why does DC employ editors at all?

[Auguste Dupin]

Oop, continuing to listen, he says he doesn't want to write another Wonder Woman book.

But he's also very open to the idea of a hero having two simultaneous stories that don't intertwine.

Kind of irrelevant to me ultimately, though. A good book is a good book. Hoping for Azzarello on New Gods, actually. All you Azz-on-Wonder Woman haters, I'll take him.

Yeah, I don't know, it wasn't based on anything he just.....didn't seem the type to me.
Now, Azzarello on the New Gods well....I will wait to see his Orion to pass a full judgement on it but it seems like a good idea.

[brettc1]

If he has free reign why does DC employ editors at all?

That is indeed a question that has been asked many times over the years.

[Outside_85]

That is indeed a question that has been asked many times over the years.

Usually to be dictatorial towards books that do less well, or isnt being done as they want it (like Static Shock). That said, the guy editing WW is apparently unusual in that he is more on Azzarello's side than DC's, as in he is keeping it from messing with the book (such as keeping Superman out).

[swatkat]

If he has free reign why does DC employ editors at all?

To muck things up, usually.

[Gaelforce]

I admit, one of the key things I don't like about Azz's run (and again, there are things I DO like) is the disconnect from the rest of the DCU. This is a shared universe, and the idea of Diana playing a major role in a DCU story that will have nothing to do with her own book just feels wrong to me.

If Azzarello can't figure out a way to have other characters in the DCU appear in the book, why is he writing in a shared universe in the first place? To me, that's one of the joys of a comic universe :/

[Desean101101]

I admit, one of the key things I don't like about Azz's run (and again, there are things I DO like) is the disconnect from the rest of the DCU. This is a shared universe, and the idea of Diana playing a major role in a DCU story that will have nothing to do with her own book just feels wrong to me.

If Azzarello can't figure out a way to have other characters in the DCU appear in the book, why is he writing in a shared universe in the first place? To me, that's one of the joys of a comic universe :/

Hey If Batman can have runs without him mentioning the outside DC universe so can wonder women. If its a good run and its self contained than whats the problem?