JMS Ends His Runs on 'Superman' and 'Wonder Woman'

DC announced today that J. Michael Straczynski would be off his monthly runs on Superman and Wonder Woman to focus on a sequel to wildly successful Superman: Earth One OGN. Earth One hit No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list during its first week out so naturally DC is eager to see what more can be done with this fledgling brand.

Good call on DC for knowing how to take advantage of their talent. Personally I was frustrated with Straczynski’s “Grounded” storyline in Superman, partly because the story was dull and partly because the writer couldn’t seem to find the character’s voice. While Earth One wasn’t exactly what we’ve come to know about Superman, that wasn’t the point. This was a new take on the Man of Steel and it required the freshness that Straczynski was able to bring. The author’s retelling (or re-imagining) was unencumbered by what came before it and that may be key to why it has been embraced.

Sadly we won’t get to see the exact road he would have taken Diana down in the pages of Wonder Woman. It has been a brief and fascinating road as Wonder Woman has been forced into a new reality and odyssey to find her way back to her world. This was a fantastic way to address a character that is slowly becoming synonymous with reboot. There was little to not like about Straczynski’s run on this title.

Chris Roberson (iZombie) will take over the reigns of Superman with issue #707 in January and Phil Hester (Firebreather) begins writing Wonder Woman as of issue #605 (currently scheduled for December). DC stated that both writers will continue to work from Straczynski’s story notes. I pray that Roberson will take Superman in another direction (i.e. “Grounded… in the Heart of the Phantom Zone!”).

Straczynski’s monthly runs may have been shortened at DC, but it looks like the publisher is really playing to his strengths by letting him control his own playground.