DCU Relauch Superman and Wonder Woman Details

So DC were at San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend and we got some more details about Superman and Wonder Woman titles.

I'll start with Superman. He has 2 titles. Action Comics written by Grant Morrison and art by Rags Morales. This version of Superman will not be like the Bryne version (Clark is all I am) . It will channel the Golden Age Superman, who was very tough and proactive. I quote Morrison...

"I was really looking at different techniques to find a way to do the series for a modern audience and also to take the core values of Superman and represent them in a way I hope we haven't seen before. And it's all there in that original story: what Superman is all about as a champion of the oppressed basically. I thought it'd be good to get back to that. It's a much more blue collar Superman, a Bruce Springsteen Superman. [Laughs] He's in a t-shirt and jeans, and he's fighting for poor people and people on the breadline who have been messed over by big businesses. It's back to that original Depression-era hero but updated to our current Depression era."

Action #1 Our young social crusader.

Don't mess with this guy

He is going to be brash, a little wilder and seems over brimming with a kind of confidence to take on the wrongs in the world and that I find very refreshing after reading too much reactive, whinny Superman who seems to tow the line even when the line is questionable.



Action's first arc will be set five years in the past and then it will catch up in the present. Steel will appear in the first arc and play a significant role. The Kents raised Clark but by the time he starts his heroics (age 17 I believe)  they both would have passed away. So Clark will have to be very independent and even responsible for his own uniform.


The uniform is going to be a type of "ceremonial armor". Clark's Kryptonian heritage will be explored more and we may find out how and why he actually makes the suit and what is its purpose. Well, maybe for a change he has thought about creating something to deal with the green rock that seems to make him as weak as a kitten and which every villain and their mother seem to have.

The New Superman Suit

The Superman title is going to be written by George Perez with art by Jesus Merino. It will focus on Clark as a reporter as well as a hero. No more will he have it all on a platter. DC are trying to look at how Superman, a man who seems to have the powers of a God, would be viewed by the public. He will not be viewed as some savior right away, and Clark will be seen as a bit of a loner. According to Morrison his and Jimmy's relationship will be redefined in a more refreshing way and it feels they will be more like peers.


The big news following the rumor of Superman breaking up with Lois Lane was that she has a boyfriend. She will be a television journalist while Clark remains in print media. Now the die hard Lois and Clark fans have been highly critical of these two preview pages and making it out as if Lois is somehow undermined by this portrayal and she is being set up to be fast or loose or something or the other. HUH??? I have no idea what they mean. I see absolutely nothing wrong from Lois' point of view.

Here we see Clark is going to find Lois to apologize to her for something or the other. Maybe related to a story.  He rings the bell and clearly Lois did not expect him and but seems very nice to him. If he and Lois in the old days had a disagreement over their work it is rare we would ever see her being so gracious in the beginning. She always thought him irritating and in her way. Art is pretty nice.  Anyway, Kent is in for a bit of a surprise. Lois is not alone.

We meet Lois' boyfriend. Yes, folks, she has a life and someone who seems genuinely fond of her and proud of her accomplishments. Note how Jonathan Carroll speaks to Clark. He is everything Clark is not. Handsome, and confident and open. The guy is a good guy and Lois is in no way obliged to Clark not to have a boyfriend or not have sex. She is a modern woman and she simply is not into Clark, the "loner", in a romantic way. She's concerned as anyone would be for a fellow colleague. How do these pages insult Lois, is beyond me. Because this is not Bryne's Clark and the dynamic is never going to be the same either.



What I don't find particularly interesting is Clark's mopey attitude. It seems a little out of sync with Morrison's vibrant Superman. While I get Clark is a loner, I don't see why we need to see him giving a Lois pining look as if to say he's hankering after her. For crying out loud, he's a young man and I am not fond of seeing him being so pathetic because Lois has a boyfriend. I would get if he's looking at them and perhaps is a little wistful and even envious at what they have because of the life he choose. Clark Kent should never seem needy even if he feels alone. That would have seemed more understandably at this stage. A gracious smile at Jonathan and apology would have been nice and even a little wry sigh as he walked away. Not that Peter Parkerish...woe is me...feel sorry for me. Thing is I don't feel sorry for Clark here. I really hope the issue itself will provide better context and we do not have to deal with this set up as a love triangle. It would be refreshing to see Lois happy with a normal decent guy and not cape chasing and acting like a good reporter who can make a name for herself without Superman.

Wonder Woman #1

Wonder Woman will be written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chiang. We don't know much but there will be no origin but they will be "hitting the ground running."  I just want to know which origin we will be dealing with. I hope we have some form of Perez's because if we have to swallow came Diana out in the world because she chased after the first man she saw, Steve Trevor, I'd feel very underwhelmed. Diana's reason for wanting to become Wonder Woman is very important to establish. We need to get why this young woman leaves paradise to want to come in our world and care to fight for us.

 DC did say the warrior aspect will be played up but she will remain compassionate. I hope so. I love a Diana who kicks ass but I don't want to read a bitchy, haughty, arrogant one either. It is unclear if her family is around. Or if we will see the return of a young Steve Trevor.

With a single Superman the thought was on everyone's mind since the rumor broke of a hook up with him and Diana. A fan asked one of the DC panels the question if they would get together.

"The question is whether Wonder Woman is single, " Berganza said, eliciting oohs from the crowd.

Take that as you would. It says nothing. I just hope if Diana is dating she dates someone who is not the moody bad-boy who refuses to give her a date, a bore, a cad or fratboy. She seemed to have liked that type in the past.


Both Wonder Woman and Superman will be in the new Justice League line-up. That book is written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee. It is the first of the 52 titles out on 31st August. It's first arc will be set 5 years in the past, to develop a more updated origin and meeting of the League. Let's hope Johns does not play favorites and writes to everyone's strength and give them all a decent showing. This is a team, not a one (Bat)man show.

The New DCU Justice League

Wonder Woman Cameo In An Old Superman Script

There have been many failed Superman scripts over the years and thanks to a fellow fan we have stumbled upon one that actually had a certain Amazon make an appearance. Boy, what we wouldn't have given to see that! Warner Bros, that could have been a nice way to homage your other heroes who you are so twitchy to risk a movie upon. But then, seeing they are not going to be tying any of these movies together as Marvel are brilliantly doing there franchises, I can't see that they would do this now with the current Superman movie headed by Zack Snyder.

Here is the link.

http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/superman_man_of_steel_FORD.txt

And below is the part with our favorite heroine.

**************************************************************************

INT. DAILY PLANET LOBBY

A statuesque WOMAN (#2) dressed in a long skirt and conservative
blouse enters. Her body is that of an athlete. Her legs are to
die for. Her skin's like porcelain and her thick jet black wavy
hair cascades down her shoulders to the middle of her back.

She approaches the RECEPTIONIST (#3) who looks up, startled.

RECEPTIONIST #3
(startled)
Can I help you?

WOMAN #2
I'm here to see Clark Kent.

A man walks by in the background staring at her.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. CITY ROOM

CAT
Hmmmm. More Kansas farm boys?

LOIS
Cat likes 'em big. It must be all the corn.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. OPENING HALLWAY - OPENING ELEVATOR

The doors open. Everyone in the elevator is at shoulder height to
mystery woman. She exits and they stare. As she walks down the
hall and a man carrying a computer monitor sees her, drops it,
and it shatters on the floor.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. CITY ROOM

PERRY WHITE sticks his face out of his office.

PERRY
(loud)
KENT!

CLARK gets up and heads for PERRY's office.

CAT
Why are you so hard on Clark, Lois?

RON
She's jealous because she's LOIS LANE: ACE
REPORTER and the story of the century, the
coming of SUPERMAN, was swooped right out
from underneath her while she was there; by
the new guy, the country guy. The nobody who
went to college at Hicksville University in
Kansas. The nobody who never had a
professional gig in his life and not only
does he manage to sneak a story pass the
great and powerful Lois Lane, he manages to
win a Carlin Award in the process...
(slowly)
On his first... time... out.
(Beat, to LOIS)
Green doesn't become you, Lois.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. DAILY PLANET SECURITY BOOTH

The WOMAN's image is on a wall of monitors. Five GUARDS are
watching her. One signals and two more join them.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. CITY ROOM

LOIS
(Rant)
You want to know what it is? This guy is a
Boy Scout. He doesn't smoke. He doesn't
drink. He doesn't swear. He calls his parents
everyday. If I had to talk to my father
everyday I'd kill myself. He's honest. He's
trustworthy. He's moral. Every friend he's
got he's had since high school and that just
isn't normal. The guy says grace before his
meals, eats his vegetables first and drinks
milk. And that ridiculous hat! Who wears a
fedora?
(Beat)
For Christ's sake, has anyone ever seen him
use the bathroom?

They stare at her like she's a madwoman.

JIMMY
I saw him help old lady Hayworth across the
street to Berardo's Delicatessen yesterday.

LOIS
That is exactly what I mean. Everybody knows
old lady Hayworth is a cranky bitch.
(Searching for words)
He's like some kind of by-the-book moral,
excellent worker, great writer,
seven-year-old in the body of a linebacker
virgin.

RON
That's it. You're crazy. I hope your medical
is paid for.

LOIS
(Standing to exit)
No. There is something else to this guy.
Things about him we couldn't imagine. Nobody
eats that much apple pie. I can't put my
finger on it but you'll know when I do. Kent
is full of surprises.

She turns and is eye level at the chest of the mystery WOMAN.
CAMERA cuts to a FULL SHOT of the both of them and the woman
(5'11" wearing four inch heels) towering over the 5'7" LOIS.

WOMAN #2
I was told I could find Clark Kent here.

The WOMAN speaks in a very distinct accent (similar to Greek).
Everyone is speechless.

WOMAN #2
Clark Kent. He's a reporter.

More staring.

WOMAN #2
This is the City Room, isn't it?

PERRY's door open and he and CLARK exit. CLARK sees his guest.

CLARK
(Excited)
Diana!

He hugs her. LOIS stares at them both in disbelief.

WOMAN #2 from here on will be known as DIANA.

DIANA
I thought I was in the wrong place.

CLARK
Did you have any trouble getting into town?

DIANA
I'm okay. I have a pretty good sense of
direction.

CLARK
(To everyone)
Everyone, this is an old friend, Diana.
(Introductions)
This is Ron Troupe. Cat Grant our society
columnist. Jimmy Olsen our favorite
photographer. And this is Lois Lane.

DIANA
Clark's told me a lot about you, Miss Lane.

LOIS
Oh really...

CLARK
Let me get my things and we can go. Have a
seat.

CLARK leaves and DIANA sits in his chair. Everyone hovers around
her.

LOIS
So Diana...?

DIANA
Just... Diana.

LOIS
What is it you do?

DIANA
I'm an ancient history liaison for Marston
University in Boston.

LOIS
Is that so?

DIANA
Mostly Greek history and cultures.

LOIS
Are you from Smallville?

DIANA
(Laughing, leans and whispers)
Do I look like I'm from Smallville?

CLARK returns.

CLARK
I'm ready.

DIANA gets up and joins him.

DIANA
It was a pleasure meeting you all.

RON
Likewise.

CLARK and DIANA exit. PERRY enters in time to see them leaving.

PERRY
Geez, where did Kent find the Amazon?

CUT TO:

INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The apartment decor is simple. Lots of photos and mementos from
home, high school football trophies and journalism awards.

DIANA's looking at the wall of pictures.

DIANA
This one is new.

clark (OS)
(From the kitchen he looks up at a wall and
answers)
That's my parents and Lana last Christmas.

DIANA
They're such good people.

DIANA gently runs her finger over the image of PA KENT with envy.

DIANA
You know they sent me a Christmas card.

CLARK
(Embarrassed)
I told them you didn't celebrate Christmas.
You should send them a card when Zeus'
birthday comes.

DIANA
I don't think Hallmark makes a card for that.

CLARK steps out from the kitchen with a picnic basket.

CLARK
Ready?

DIANA
Where are we going?

CLARK
A little place I know outside the city.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRASSY PLAINS - NIGHT

CLARK and DIANA are sitting on a large blanket eating by the dim
light of a lantern. Although we can't see the background, they
seem to be in the middle of nowhere with a starlit sky.

DIANA
Everyone misses you, Clark.

CLARK
(Distant)
Really? That means a lot to me.

DIANA
You seem distant. What's troubling you,
Clark?

CLARK
That train. I've caught planes in midair. I
should have been able to stop that. If
Metallo hadn't been there those people would
have died.

DIANA
But they didn't. Be glad he was there.

CLARK
It's weird because I felt fine before I got
there and then I just felt so tired.

DIANA
(Comforting)
It's okay.

CLARK
(Worried)
It's not okay. I don't get sick. Do you have
any idea what it takes to make me tired?
(Beat)
There was a minute where I thought I was
going to die with those people.

DIANA's face turns serious.

CLARK
Have you ever thought you were going to die?

DIANA
(Uneasy at the idea)
I, I've never considered it.

CLARK
Me neither. I swear I was going to get
crushed between those trains. There was a
minute, not even, a fraction of a second,
where something inside told me to get out the
way.

DIANA
Clark...

CLARK
And then in a split second I justified it
thinking if I saved myself and let those few
hundred people die how many more could I save
in my lifetime? A few thousand? Tens of
thousands? Would letting a few hundred people
die be worth saving a few million in the end?

DIANA
But you could never do that. Do you think you
could just let some asteroid drop into the
middle of downtown and whatever happens,
happens.
(Beat)
That's not like you. I know it's a lot of
pressure but you raise the standard. Hal
doesn't tell anybody but I can tell he tries
to run the League like you would. People
strive to be like you and that's a good
thing.

CLARK
I'm afraid one day I'm going to fail them.

DIANA
And one day you might. But you can't live in
fear of that. One day we both might die but
it isn't how you die that's important... it's
how you lived.

There is a long silence.

CLARK
It's nice to have someone who understands.

DIANA
Anytime, Clark. Anytime.

CLARK
This is a really nice spot. I always wondered
why it's here.

DIANA
Do you really want to know?

CLARK
Nah.

The CAMERA pans out and reveals they are sitting in the center of
STONEHENGE.

DC Relaunch September 2011

Well, unless you have been under a rock, most fans must be aware that DC are having a relaunch of their comic verse. Now it is not a hard reboot, ie, a complete restart with all new origins as they did in 1986. What they are doing here is tweaking the history of some characters, cherry picking the best of their history, possibly wiping out the worst while trying to give it all a fresh start so new readers or people who left comics can come back on board without feeling as if they are bogged down by years of confusing comic continuity. Two heroes in recent years have been selling well and consistently for DC and those are not going to have any major changes. They are the Batman and Green Lantern titles. The other titles have been flagging or losing ground steadily.

In the interest of this blog, two of the titles are Superman and Wonder Woman. Both have not been consistent in drawing in and or keeping new readers. Why this is could be debated till the cows come home but the fact is, that both characters need something to make their sales better. DC have identified both books has having to undergo greater changes. So come September we are possibly going to see new origins for both these characters, while trying to possibly ( we are not sure) keeping the best stories with them (like the Death of Superman) and establishing new status quos for them in this new DCU.

Teaser for Action # 1

Superman will have two books. Grant Morrison is going to write Action Comics # 1. Yes, you heard me. And this will be set in the past and rewrite Superman for the 21st century and possibly revisit Superman's roots. Superman is 73 years old and this current Boy Scout version is not a definitive version and the Lois and Clark angle is fairly new. So what kind of Superman will we see? Now this teaser image by Rags Morales, who will be the artist for this book, I am in love with. You see the working man and the Superman. I really hope Morrison touches on the Golden Age Superman who was a tough guy who took no crap and stood up for the common man. You think Batman is a badass? Superman was actually the original one.

Superman #

Superman # 1 is going to be written by George Perez and drawn by Jesus Merino. While Action is set in the past, this title is set in the present. So are we going to see the Lois and Clark marriage? While it has its fans, it also has been very dull and done very little in developing Superman or progressing the mythos and DC has had 15 years to do it. So from my point of view if they are relaunching this title, I do not see the marriage as necessary at all. But then I am biased. I never bought into the marriage. It usually is glossed over to make things work and no pertinent questions for this couple are really ever addressed.

Wonder Woman is going to be written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chang. I am a little anxious about this title because I'm not sure what angle they will approach her. Will we see the warrior and ambassador? The secret Id? Will leave home for Steve Trevor or will they try and give her, as Perez did, a genuine reason to want to become a hero? I hope it is the latter and they not only show us a kick-ass, empathetic warrior but a woman who can enjoy life and not have to rely on a cad to show her how to be human when she has humanity in her already. She is just culturally different and a hero, a stranger in a foreign land with unique responsibilities: that's her challenge.

New DCU Justice League by Jim Lee

The book that I am sure that will be successful for DC is going to be Justice League. Written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee. Two superstars in their field with a line-up that most fans have been longing to see. Sure we have had tweaks to uniforms and you will hear fans moan about it. But fans moaned about uniforms before the reboot and about the line-up too. Fans will always moan. Sales is what will talk and define where we end up. So sure I don't quite like Wonder Woman's entire look. I would have preferred a warrior skirt if we had to dispense with the star spangled panties and I miss the gold on her uniform. But I can live with it if the stories are good. Classic Wonder Woman will always be around in other media. Superman's lack of trunks and seaming does not bother me, cause he has his colors and I see the vital cape, blue tights and the S shield. I see Superman still. And if he can be written as a compelling character who is not as damn reactive and whiny as he has been for the last ten years and a good leader, then I am happy.

Super/Wonder hook up in the New DCU?

Now the first arc in the Justice League is to be set in the past and then the second arc will be start in the present. So we will be seeing a new origin for the League getting together. There are rumors of Superman and Wonder Woman romancing each other as well. So knowing all we know, is it possible that we will see this romance touched here and in Action? Will DC try to have their cake and eat it by having our pair in the past and Lois and Clark in the present? I would be very excited to see DC attempt a proper romance for these two because as you know Action 600 was a cowardly cop-out by them. A young Clark and Diana having the hots for each other is canon and makes sense but I would hope this time it is explored properly. One issue dedicated to this pairing is rather unfair to its fans. And importantly we do not want either being used as a tool to show how wonderful Steve and Lois is by comparison. I have had DC do enough of that to Diana for the last 20 years. I want them to get something real and it done respectfully. Else do not do it at all. And how about writing a story that develops organically? Too often we have Lois and Steve shoved down our throats in most media for the sake of tradition even when Diana and Clark have chemistry with other people and even when they, Lois and Steve, don't deserve our hero/heroine. So cautiously optimistic and wary about the rumored romance and hopeful about the relaunch.

Wonder Woman #300

Thanks to a mutual fan we have some images of Wonder Woman # 300. Diana has several dreams how her life might have turned out if she ruled Paradise Island, if she married a crook, if she married Superman and if she had been power hungry. Amid these stories is dilly dallying with the question of marriage and Steve (yawn) Trevor. It's an anniversary issue but it's interesting they would do a story with Superman albeit one that is rather silly in its execution. It seems Diana and Kal can't work as a couple because they are sooo busy being heroes and they have no time for each other.Steve (and Lois must sit) and twiddle their thumbs and do nothing hence that is why they have time with them and they work as couples. Sure,whatever it takes to try to ensure a Superman does not threaten a boring love-interest. But DC does play with the Superman/Wonder Woman pairing once again and we do get some rather cute images of them if you are just into shipping and not real content. I guess, for the fans something is better than nothing.

WW # 300

Kal congratulates Diana on her upcoming nuptials

A Superman falls onto Paradise

Happily married

Keen to start the honeymoon

Problems for the newlyweds

Marriage over

Seriously those last panels are laughable. Don't know which is funnier...that argument or Diana crying and "flying home to mother"? Hmmm, so what Superman and Wonder Woman are really saying is, when they come home from heroics someone should be waiting for them and the said spouse should be happy and content with the time they are allotted. Both should not try to make time and work at marriage neither should one be independent of one's spouse. Working separately at your jobs, and being good at it,folks,leads to divorce.