Cape Town Community: SDCC '11: The Dark and The Edge Panel

I, Vampire interiors by Andrea Sorentino.

After DC announced their big September shakeup and the new titles that were a part of the New DC, I was struck most by the new talent that that has been hired to work on the less commercial books. I see these as the titles that might just hook new readers who might not be interested in the capes and the tights stuff.

At DC’s Dark and Edge panel we got to listen to DC’s next generation of writers talk about their goods—and the books sounded and looked good. Damn good. The panel included Scott Snyder (Swamp Thing), Jeff Lemire (Animal Man and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Mike Costa (Blackhawks), Adam Glass (The Suicide Squad), Ivan Brandon (Men of War), Paul Cornell (Demon Knights and StormWatch), Kyle Higgins (Deathstroke), Moritat (All-Star Western) and Joshua Fialkov (I, Vampire).

Before I start, I was thrilled beyond words to listen to these writers speak about their work. DC has gotten a lot of hell for their decision to revamp their entire line of superhero comic books, but when I listen to these writers talk about how thrilled they are to work on these books, and the energy they all appear to have to tell good stories, I just want to shout to the negative comic book readers and say “Give. Them. A. Chance” (in actuality there would probably be an expletive in there somewhere).

Swamp Thing interiors by Paquette.

Snyder said that he was going to stay true to everything that has come before his run on Swamp Thing. He told a fan that everything that has come before for Alex Holland still holds true and that he has read all of the old Swamp Thing stories. Snyder also said that he would introduce a new villain for Swamp Thing that is awakened after lying dormant for 100 years. Snyder said the book will be totally accessible and “I can’t wait for you guys to read it.”

Some of Yanick Paquette’s artwork was displayed and the pages looked fantastic. Snyder reminded the audience that these stories do indeed take place in the DCU, as evidenced by an appearance in what I believe was the first issue by Superman (Paquette drew the new costume smashingly). Max, a frequent co-host on our podcast, was informed by Francesco Francavilla that the artist would be collaborating on the book with Snyder as well (can you just imagine how amazing those pages will look?).

Lemire spoke first about Animal Man in which he said “it’s not a superhero book—it’s a book about family.” Lemire explained that Buddy Baker is not as much the main character as his daughter Maxine is. She is very powerful, but we do not know if she is good or evil, the writer added. Lemire said that the book is very dark and that “it’s not a superhero book.”

Frankenstein: Agent of Shade interiors by Alberto Ponticelli.

Lemire is also writing Frankenstein: Agent of Shade which he described as “Mad science gone wrong” and “full of crazy big concepts.” Lemire said that readers would learn who all of the people are who make up his body parts and they all play a part in who the character is. Lemire said that in between story arcs he would present one-shots featuring Frankenstein at different points in history, the first being in 1969 Vietnam.

Tired of vampires? I think that might come to an end. Failkov is resurrecting the 80’s series I, Vampire and has an interesting hook. The main character is Andrew Bennett who Fialkov describes as “okay—he’s a good dude.” When Andrew meets Mary, his lady love, he “turns her” and she becomes one very evil character.

“Vampires in the DC Universe have been hidden” said Fialkov. “The do night jobs and they don’t think it’s fair. They’re an oppressed people and they’re not going to take it anymore.” The writer describes the vampires as “essentially terrorists” and that the book will be “massively violent and massively gory.”

One of my favorite panelists, simply for the infectious joy he brings, was Cornell who spoke first about Demon Knights. The book is set in Medieval times and features characters such a Etrigan, the Demon, Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage, the Horsewoman, and “a mysterious strong woman from an island somewhere.” Seven mystical characters end up at an Inn on the same evening and are forced into action.

Cornell described the team as the Magnificent Seven and promised “big character stuff.” He said he was doing away with having Etrigan always rhyme because he said that, and demonstrated for the audience, it didn’t seem natural in battles. He described his new Horsewoman character, who is unable to walk, as the greatest archer in history and that she has the ability to control horses. Cornell said “there’s a lot of passion for me in the book.”

StormWatch is the first appearance of several Wildstorm characters into the DCU. This is a super team that has been “guarding the planet for ages” said Cornell. “They keep themselves hidden from the people in capes and tights.” At this panel and Thursday’s New 52 panel Cornell emphatically said “Yes they’re still gay” when referring to Apollo and the Midnighter. The two heroes “meet in the first issue and their romance begins there” said the writer who said this approach felt more interesting.

Deathstroke interiors by Joe Bennett.

Higgins said that he was going to bring Deathstroke back to being “the biggest badass in the DC Universe.” He discussed that certain villains could become a parody of themselves because they so often ultimately have to lose to the heroes. The writer said that it was his goal is to get Slade back to the original point of badassness (my word not his). Plus, Higgins is appealing to Southern Californians by having Deathstroke “lay waste to the 405” during the run.

“My book is a brand new book and my characters are new characters,” said Mike Costa of Blackhawks. “This book is about technology and about the future,” the writer continued as he described the Blackhawks as “an international team for technical threats.” The Toyman and the Trickster have an awesome arsenal of weapons at their disposal, Costa pointed out, “but where do these guys get their stuff?” Costa promised a book that is big on action and that he would “try to do one ridiculous thing per issue.”

Men of War writer Ivan Brandon clearly did not want to let the cat out of the bag as he described his work on the new book. I appreciated that he wants new readers to discover how the book unfolds when it is published. “This is a straight military book of straight military missions.” The book features Sgt. Joe Rock whose team works for a military contractor in New York (but it’s isn’t Blackwater). “Our main goal is to tow the line between those who are fans of the books and readers who are from the military,” said Brandon.

Unfortunately, Nathan Edmondson was not on hand to discuss his work on Grifter (another Wildstorm transplant) or see any of the art from the series. Again, this panel did my heart good because of the enthusiasm these writers expressed to tell what we all want to read: good stories.