Dan Didio's End of 2007 Newsrama Interview

Newsrama has a two-part interview with DC's Dan Didio. If you have heard him do a Q&A at a convention, it is pretty much the same type of interview. Part 1 can be found here. There are a few spoilers in the interview, but I was most interested in his responses to how the company felt "Countdown" went as compared to "The Sinestro Corps Wars". I felt the latter was the direction that the company should go in - big events that cover a family of titles vice the whole line. Geoff Johns stepped in during Part 2 and reaffirmed that this would be DC's direction for the Superman Family of titles. The story has quite a bit of art to go along with the words and I grab a couple that I thought were exciting.

I really hope that DC can pull it together with "Countdown to Final Crisis". Didio states that "Final Crisis" will be seven issues ending in December 2008 with two other miniseries in support. He also said this will not be impacting the monthlies. I'm not sure how they are going to accomplish that. After "Final Crisis" I'd like to see DC move away from DCU spanning crossovers and focus on strengthening their family of books. Geoff Johns struck a perfect note this year with the Green Lantern family and I'm looking forward to see what he does with the Superman titles.

Dan mentions that he really cares about the opinions of the fans that go to the LCS every Wednesday (or once a month) and purchase their books. I'm one of those guys. I go every Thursday or Friday and pick up my pull list - mostly DC. I want DC to succeed. I want Dan Didio to succeed. Yep, I want Dan Didio to succeed - as he goes so goes the DCU.

Here's looking forward to a strong year at DC.

Supergirl #20

During one of DC's many panels at this year's San Diego Comic Con, Dan Didio explained Supergirl's place in the DC Universe. He was answering a question in regards to bringing new readers to DC. Dan asked the audience, "Who is Supergirl?" He responded with "Superman's cousin." In an attempt to rectify past mistakes with Supergirl, she was reintroduced into the DC Universe in the pages of Superman/Batman.

Here initial introduction in Superman/Batman: Supergirl #8-13, writer Jeff Loeb did a good job of setting up Kara in the post-Crisis (original not Infinite) Earth. Supergirl's new series jumped from her introduction and stumbled almost from the start. While some of the stories have been enjoyable, the inconsistent writing and art have hurt this title. The only book that has done an excellent job presenting an exciting and well thought out Supergirl is Brave and the Bold written by Mark Waid and illustrated by George Perez. In the pages of Brave and the Bold, Supergirl comes across as a powerful young woman getting to know her place in the universe.

Supergirl #20 addresses the aftermath of Supergirl and Wondergirl attempting to negotiate with the President on Air Force One during the Amazon Attacks war. DC has really dropped the ball on Amazon Attacks. What should have been a series spanning cross over event, turned into a continuity mess with poor writing. This issue of Supergirl begins by being hampered by this illogical storyline. Given that, I enjoyed the action that Tony Bedard put in this issue. We get to see Supergirl cut loose and even show that she is vulnerable, like Superman, to magic. Besides the Amazon Attacks tie-in, the big drawback to this issue was the art. Renato Guedes' version of Supergirl looks like a tube with thick hips and legs. I know that America is getting fatter, but does Supergirl have to follow that trend. My son, who is "ho-hum" on Supergirl as it is, picked up the book and immediately put it down based on the shoddy art.

How does DC fix Supergirl?
1) Pick a direction for the character and begin moving that way. The best of the DC heroes don't just go from fight to fight, they have a story arc to develop their character and their place in DC. This character should get young girls excited about reading comics. My daughter, who is just getting into comics, could care less about Supergirl right now.
2) Get a good writer for the long term. It looks like Tony Bedard is on for on three issues, two of which are crossover event tie ins. Therefore, I don't expect much from his run.
3) Get an artist that can draw young. Supergirl is 16 not 25 (or older by Guedes' art). Bring in an artist that can attract young girls (and guys) to the character.

While the answers above can apply to almost any book being published, they highlight what DC has done wrong in the handling of Supergirl. Good Supergirl stories can be published. Just go to Brave and the Bold for the proof.

-Matt