CON AWAY FROM CON: The DC Comics-The New 52 panel, a monumental convening of both talent and fans, covered a lot of territory as moderator John Cunningham (VP, Marketing) talked the panelists and audience through the "Second Wave" of titles coming in May, what's continuing and what readers can expect in some of their favorite titles.

In attendance were Bob Harras (editor-in-chief), Eddie Berganza (executive editor), Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing), J.T. Krul (Captain Atom), Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire), Adam Glass (Suicide Squad), Ryan Sook (DC Universe Presents), Kyle Higgins (Nightwing), Brian Buccellato (The Flash), Scott Lobdell (Teen Titans, Superboy, Red Hood and the Outlaws) and Bernard Chang (DC Universe Presents).

The panel kicked off talking about Batman, Incorporated which is going to be an amazing trip with Batman storywise as writer Grant Morrison takes the character - and readers - to places that no one would expect to go.

Earth 2 was called a freshening up of the Justice Society of America but through a bigger lens, showing how the two worlds are so different. It's about introducing some old characters in new ways.

World's Finest highlights Huntress and Power Girl. There's a reason why Karen Starr was in Mister Terrific and we learn what her agenda in that book was. Fans will get a brief look at some of this when Free Comic Book Day comes around. The book will also explore what it means for these characters to be refugees in a world unfamiliar to them.

Dial H is not "Text H" for a reason, said Berganza. There's an expansive mythology that's being created as fans get a look at who these characters are. It's all in the same vein and tone, he says, as the books from The Dark group.

G.I. Combat will have two stories - dinosaurs in the front and more superhero type stories in the back. Writer J.T. Krul says it's a "tale of pure survival" in the first story as the soldiers just try to get out of harm's way.

The Ravagers is the culmination of seeds that have been planted through Teen Titans and Superboy in particular, featuring super-powered teens coming to terms with their powers. "We don't know which way some of these characters are going to go" as they make different choices in the face of adversities.

Scott Snyder talks about how the events in both Swamp Thing and Animal Man will lead into the crossover between the two titles.

Batman: The Dark Knight's new writer Gregg Hurwitz was reportedly so excited to come aboard the title he just went ahead and wrote the first six issues right off the bat.

Weather Wizard comes to Flash #10 with more Rogues causing problems in other upcoming issues. Before that, though, co-writer Brian Buccellato says readers will get a look at Gorilla Grodd and explore what connection he has to the Speed Force.

"I probably shouldn't have killed the main character" Joshua Fialkov says of I, Vampire, which will soon crossover with Justice League Dark as lots of magic gets involved with the vampire apocalypse that "doesn't end well for anybody." He also teases the involvement of Stormwatch as they try to keep a lid on things getting out of hand.

Nightwing will not feature zombies but it will have werewolves according to writer Kyle Higgins. Some flashbacks to the Gates of Gotham occur as Dick Grayson then comes out of the events of the Court of Owls crossover event.

Coming up in Teen Titans there will be an arc that explores Wonder Girl's origin - via a road trip with Red Robin and other characters. And Amanda Waller will jump in with her disapproval that teenagers are running around unsupervised with superpowers

"It's the Suicide Squad against a guy who can't die" as the team goes up against Resurrection Man in an upcoming crossover. And the focus will shift to characters other than Harley Quinn and Deadshot as the stories progress and readers will find out not everyone on the Squad is who they say they are.

DC Universe Presents will delve into the character of Vandal Savage, who will be stuck in jail to help his daughter. But is it really Vandal Savage? That's something readers of this new story arc will have to tune in to find out.

You'll see other versions of the character in upcoming issues of Captain Atom as he continues to explore his powers.

In response to a question Berganza says Justice League International get new members. And because the guy asking the question is wearing a We Can Be Heroes t-shirt he gets a We Can Be Heroes poster. You can see the photo of him holding his prize on Twitter.

Answering a question from the floor, Scott Snyder says the idea of the Court of Owls came during Snyder's run on Detective Comics. He couldn't think of anything more frightening to Batman than Gotham City itself suddenly being an unknown to him when he thought he knew it so completely. And the way the crossovers have been coming together has been amazing to him as the talent comes up with great ways to tell the various tie-in stories.

Green Lantern fans won't want to miss the upcoming Free Comic Book Day issue, which has some big surprises and hints of things to come in terms of characters.

Paraphrasing John Cunningham's comments while handing out prize after prize at the end of the panel, as soon as our fans stop asking great questions we'll stop having so much fun. Stay tuned here for more Con Away From Con coverage throughout the weekend here at WonderCon. You can also stay up to the minute and get updates, photos and more by following us on Twitter or Liking us on Facebook.

See the DC Comics: The New 52 Gallery

CON AWAY FROM CON CONTINUES! Superstar writer Scott Snyder came under the spotlight here at WonderCon as he talked about his career to date, including past and current work on Batman, Detective Comics, American Vampire and Swamp Thing. And those in attendance even got to hear about his escapades as a theme park’s roller-skating janitor!

Snyder started off talking about how the last two or three years have been an amazing ride with experiences on Detective Comics, American Vampire and more as he tells stories that people are really reacting to and enjoying.

What happens as he's working out the story is that he latches on to what's interesting to him. Small details he's noticed of cities like New York have informed how he's approached stories of Gotham City and how the characters interact with it and are influenced by it. As an example he talked about Batman and how Bruce Wayne used to view Gotham City as a friend and known quantity. But now he’s learning as the Court of Owls continues hounding him that not only may Gotham be a stranger but it may even be an enemy.

How Snyder gets to the root of the story is he first figures out how the heroes relate to the villains and what frightens everyone. Every story has to be something that brings new aspects of the character to light and has to have the heroes question themselves and their place in the world around them.

His involvement with Swamp Thing started with a phone call from Geoff Johns (who called while Snyder was in the middle of cooking dinner), who asked what sort of ideas he had for stories about the character. Exploring who Alec Holland really was proved to be the most interesting aspect he wanted to explore. Snyder said the thrill of WonderCon so far was meeting Len Wein and hearing about how much of a fan of his work on Swamp Thing he is.

Moving over to American Vampire, he says it was a story he had been thinking about for a long time but there were a glut of vampire stories at the time. Vampires are popular because they're scary and he wanted to expand on the idea of people you knew who had been turned into vicious monsters. And he's using archetypes like cowboys and movie stars and others to tell those stories.

With Animal Man and Swamp Thing coming to a crossover soon be prepared for some of the most twisted stuff you've seen since he and Jeff Lemire spent time just coming up with the most twisted things they could think of that would work for the characters.

That’s all for now from Scott Snyder. But tune in to DCComics.com in the near future for more from this popular and talented writer.

CON AWAY FROM CON STARTS HERE! From the mystery of Pandora to the highly anticipated Batman: Earth One, the first DC Comics-All Access panel of WonderCon 2012 opened with a bang.  Lots of questions from fans, spoilers (courtesy of Mr. Scott Lobdell), and did we mention a call for the return of Canterbury Cricket? 

Moderated by John Cunningham (VP, Marketing) the panel consisted of Bob Harras (editor-in-chief), Eddie Berganza (executive editor), Dustin Nguyen (Batman Beyond Unlimited),  Bryan Q. Miller (Smallville: Season 11) and Scott Lobdell (Teen Titans, Superboy, Red Hood and the Outlaws). Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire) made an unannounced guest appearance, a development fans were thrilled with. 

Scott Snyder talked about everything he's involved in, from Batman and the unprecedented trials the Court of Owls putting him through to Swamp Thing and the return of a much-anticipated character (the name starts with an "A") and the coming crossover with Animal Man. 

Smallville: Season 11, according to Bryan Q. Miller, picks up six months after the series ended, with the characters continuing to carve out their place in the world. 

Bob Harras teased the return of Lobo in the pages of Deathstroke as well as how that character will come into conflict with The Savage Hawkman as an Nth Metal connection between the two of them is revealed. 

Eddie Berganza talked Batman: Earth One and how it features a Bruce Wayne still learning what it is to be Batman along with an Alfred unlike you've ever seen, comparing him to Liam Neeson's gruff hero in the movie Taken. 

Scott Lobdell dropped spoilers galore (not really) as he talked about what's in store for the Teen Titans and Superboy, both of which are going to feature plenty of dinosaurs according to Lobdell. Readers of Teen Titans will also get a look at what relationship exists between Superboy and Wonder Girl, which takes a turn that readers may not expect. 

Books that are part of the "second wave" of DC Comic-The New 52 were also discussed. Panelists made it clear that while The Ravagers spins out of Teen Titans it will also be completely open to new readers and, as Berganza said, still be a real number one that readers can jump on. 

Fans made their voices heard as well, with questions about timelines and characters being lobbed at the panelists that covered topics from what the mysterious Pandora does or doesn't know to a call for the return of Canterbury Cricket, a character first seen as part of Flashpoint and who apparently made quite an impression. 

Stay tuned here for more Con Away From Con coverage (recaps, photos and even video) throughout the weekend here at WonderCon. You can stay up to the minute with everything happening by following us on Twitter and Liking the DC Comics page on Facebook. 

See The DC Comics: All Access Panel Photos

Visually Stunning Production Features Batman and a Host of Iconic Characters and Settings from the Famed World of DC Comics Live on Stage for the Very First Time

BURBANK, Calif., March 16, 2012 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Entertainment (DCE) and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd (WLP) announced that BATMAN LIVE – a unique action-packed live arena show – will debut in North America on September 5 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., following a popular and acclaimed arena tour throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America. Two and a half years in the making, BATMAN LIVE is a visually stunning, state-of-the-art production, that brings Batman, a host of iconic characters, and the settings from the famed world of DC comics, live and on stage for the first time in North America.

“Batman is more than a comic book character, he’s a cultural phenomenon.  We are excited to bring him and his world to the stage, live, for the very first time with this incredible arena show,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “In fewer than four years, the show has gone from concept on paper to successfully touring through Europe and Latin America.  It is now our very special privilege to bring this show to the United States and North America – home to Batman and Robin.”

Following Anaheim, the tour will travel to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN; HP Pavilion at San Jose, CA; Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV; Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK; Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM; World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO; Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, CO; and additional cities all over North America that will be announced in the coming months.

BATMAN LIVE, produced by Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions, features impressive stunts, pyrotechnics, illusions and video screen sequences.  “BATMAN LIVE is a totally unique experience – a completely new way to experience the world of Batman, and has become a must-see for fans everywhere,” said Grace.  “This is not a musical but a live show with a thrilling Batman story, filled with action that appeals to adults, teenagers, kids and families.  We are proud to have this opportunity to bring to life the story of one of the most popular DC Super Heroes in the world today.”

With a 42-member cast, BATMAN LIVE has a new, original storyline that features Batman, his trusty counterpart Robin, tireless butler Alfred and a host of other favorite Batman characters. Additional favorites include villains such as The Joker, Catwoman, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and The Penguin. The action takes place in several settings from the famed stories, including Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batcave, and Arkham Asylum. 

“What is compelling about Batman is that he's one of the rare super heroes who actually doesn't have super powers – he's human just like you or me,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Entertainment.  “But through sheer determination, he has honed his mind and body to a level that makes him second to none and that's an aspiration we can all relate to and be inspired by.  To that end, this spectacular live show delivers an amazingly authentic experience which actually underscores how real Batman could be while entertaining both parents and kids alike.”

“There’s no place on earth that doesn’t know who Batman is – he’s not just one of the most iconic super heroes ever created – he is one of the most iconic characters in history – and has had more stories told about him than just about any other character, period,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment.  “What’s cool to me about BATMAN LIVE is that when you first come into the arena you see the three-dimensional cityscape and you hear the sounds of the city – you‘re really entering Gotham in a way you can’t experience anywhere else.  You are an active participant in the story and a real part of Batman’s world.”

As audiences enter the arena, they are greeted by a 3D Gotham City landscape complete with buildings, soundscape, and video animation, setting the scene for the story to come. The magnitude of the production becomes apparent the first moment a full symphonic score is heard and a 105-foot bat-shaped LED video wall comes to life, enhancing the action on a custom-built stage.  Another exciting element is the eye-catching, all-new Batmobile, designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray, who’s known for designing racing cars for some of the most successful teams in the world for Formula One racing as well as the famous McLaren F1 road car.

Adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, BATMAN LIVE focuses on Robin’s quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero – the mysterious vigilante known as Batman - much to the dismay of his protective guardian, billionaire Bruce Wayne, whom the audience knows is secretly Batman.  BATMAN LIVE is, at its heart, a poignant coming-of-age story. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson must learn to overcome their own fears and forge their own family – with the help of Police Commissioner James Gordon and Bruce’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth – if they’re going to survive the combined forces of Batman’s larger-than-life rogues’ gallery, some of the most famous and beloved villains of the 20^th century.

Allan Heinberg is the writer of BATMAN LIVE, who found the emotional heart of the show that tells the story and celebrates Batman and Robin --- The Dynamic Duo.  Heinberg said, “The creative team met every expectation of how to tell this story, and surpassed it.  We brought Gotham City to life in a way that I have never experienced before in any movie, or any television show, or any comic book.  It is very faithful to the comic books – and it is all heightened – you are there in person – and you are sharing this experience with an enormous arena audience.  It’s live and it’s happening all around you.  And it’s something that people have never seen and will never forget!”

The action of the show becomes a non-stop thrill ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters, Batman and Robin. The adventure transports the audience from the Big Top of Haly's Circus to the depths of Arkham Asylum, and from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave.  Acrobats suspending in the air, The Joker’s henchmen in choreographed fight sequences, and stunning scenic elements are all part of the BATMAN LIVE experience.

BATMAN LIVE Creative Director Anthony Van Laast said, “It has been a thrilling journey for myself, the creative team and the company to develop the production from the early creative seeds, to the first day of rehearsals and now to a fully touring production.  It is everything I hoped the show would be – exhilarating, impressive, exciting, dynamic and yet accessible – and I truly hope that the arena-going public have as much fun watching it as we have had making it.”

The acclaimed arena tour began on July 19, 2011 in Manchester, England, and toured throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America – and the critics have been ecstatic.  The Times (UK) said, “It’s a wildly ambitious show that more than fills an arena space.”  The Guardian said BATMAN LIVE has “plenty to thrill and chill the audience -- a two-hour extravaganza carefully crafted to delight small boys and raise frequent smiles and cheers from the grown-ups.  The bat-fans roar their approval!”  The Daily Telegraph said, “Kerr-pow!  Batman’s a hi-tech hit.  A live action drama, stuffed with dazzling special effects, retina-popping visuals and improbable feats of high-wire derring-do, all choreographed within a Catwoman’s whisper of perfection.  And my two boys, aged 8 and 10, adored this show as much as I did.”  And the Manchester Evening News said the show is “Mesmerizing.  Entertainment doesn’t come any better than this.”

BATMAN LIVE is based on an original story created exclusively for the show. Creative Director is Anthony Van Laast and Co-Director James Powell. Production design by Es Devlin, music composed by James Seymour Brett, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video production by Sam Pattinson, costume design by Jack Galloway. Circus sequences created, produced and managed in association with Circus Space with Bryan Donaldson and Juliette Hardy-Donaldson as circus consultants.

For more information, go to www.batmanlive.com

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About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

BATMAN LIVE - CALENDAR OF ENGAGEMENTS

City                             Venue                                  Dates                            Tickets (online)

Anaheim, CA               Honda Center                        September 5 to 9              ticketmaster.com
St Paul, MN                Xcel Energy Center                 September 13 to 16           ticketmaster.com
San Jose, CA              HP Pavilion at San Jose          September 20 to 23            ticketmaster.com
Los Angeles, CA          Staples Center                      September 27 to 30            ticketmaster.com

Las Vegas, NV             Thomas & Mack Center         October 3 to 7                    unlvtickets.com

Oklahoma City OK       Chesapeake Energy Arena     October 10 to 14                 ticketmaster.com

Rio Rancho NM           Santa Ana Star Center            October 17 to 21    santaanastarcenter.com
Colorado Springs CO    World Arena                          October 23 to 24                 worldarena.com
Loveland CO                Budweiser Events Center        October 26 to 28                 beclive.com