Comics / Comics News

DC New 52 Panel Takes Some Heat at SDCCI

By Dan Horn
July 21, 2011 - 22:59

Stormwatch interiors by Miguel Sepulveda

"How many of you are looking forward to some Teen Titans?" newly appointed helmer of that series' reboot, Scott Lobdell, asked the audience in attendance of Thursday's DC Comics New 52 panel. Very few hands were lifted in affirmation. Scott took the lack of confidence in stride. He followed with another question: "How many of you are sure I'm going to screw this up?" There was a roar of laughter from the crowd of several hundred attendees as many more hands were raised to this second query. "You're wrong," Scott, a wry, defiant smile on his face, repeated into his mic over the din of cynicism.

The tone of the entire panel was similarly uncomfortable, a tense standoff between discontented fans and obstinate DC Comics professionals. Several questions were lobbed to editor/writer Dan DiDio which had him back-pedaling or stumped completely. Other creators, like Judd Winick, Lobdell, and Paul Levitz didn't seem to be expecting much fanfare in the first place, taking many questions with a bit of sarcasm and wit.

But, it all began with DiDio opening the floor for complaints, a bold move, I thought. And, goddamn, did the gripes come pouring in. Everything from digital price points being too high to Barbara Gordon being too unimpaired, from dumping Wally West to retaining four Robins, the crowd was agitated and didn't mind letting these editors and creators know it.

"It better be good," one exasperated woman warned. Dan assured her it would be. This is what the New 52 is designed for, he explained, to make all of DC's titles the same uniform quality. "We know you guys spend a lot of money on this," he said, and he guaranteed it wouldn't be spent in vain.

Amidst a flurry of accusations, some new teasers and reveals were announced, namely that Nick Spencer would be returning to THUNDER Agents in November of this year and that fans of Bryan Q. Miller's Batgirl shouldn't count Stephanie Brown out entirely just yet, a puzzling point echoed by Gail Simone in the following Batman panel. Paul Cornell was also thrilled to announce that he was doing his part to attempt to fill the diversity void left by Barbara's return to Batgirl with a paraplegic character in his upcoming Demon Knights series and with just about the entire cast of Stormwatch. "Yes, they're still gay," he chuckled, obviously being tired of being asked that.

Wonder Woman interiors by Cliff Chiang

All in all, I think the DC staff did a fine job of taking the hits on the chin and still making these new titles even more appealing than they might have seemed several months--or even weeks--ago. They showcased some really fantastic artwork for all of their titles, and I was surprised to find myself even anxious for a book like Batwing, a new series with some really gorgeous interiors by Ben Oliver. People gasped as they scrolled through Oliver's work on the projector screen, and Winick, Batwing writer, continually and proudly repeated, "That's not cover art. Those are interiors." I may even give Lobdell's Teen Titans a go after this showing. These guys sold their product very well today.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12