Happy Monday! Start your morning with THE NEW YORK POST's story on J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis' SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.
And stay tuned for more in advance of the book hitting comic shops Wednesday!
It’s not a stretch to say that a lot of work goes into getting what you hold in your hands when you have a finished comic book or graphic novel. From script to pencils to inks to colors to the final printed or digital copy you hold in your hands, the creative process is a wonder for an outsider to see.
That brings us to PROCESS PIECE, which will be a regular feature here on The Source. What we hope to do is bring you, the reader, into the room – from script to final lettering – so you can get a sense of what’s going on with not only your favorite characters, but your favorite creators.
We begin with SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, from writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis. The sequence we’ve selected to run’s a jaw-dropper, as we see Clark Kent don the Superman duds for the first time. Click below to dive in and read the entire post. See you there.
PAGE SEVENTY-THREE
PANEL ONE
An arm slips into a blue costume.
1) CAPTION
"...you're unique in all the world."
PANEL TWO
A blue shirt is pulled down over a head.
2) CAPTION
"Extraordinary."
PANEL THREE
A boot is pulled on.
3) CAPTION
"Not just ANY man...and more than just A man..."
PANEL FOUR
The S symbol on his chest fills the frame.
4) CAPTION
"...a SUPER-man..."
PAGE SEVENTY-FOUR
FULL PAGE
Superman stands in mid-air, revealed in his costume and his full strength. A beauty shot.
1) CAPTION
"...Superman...."
PAGE SEVENTY-FIVE
PANEL ONE
A downshot from behind Superman as he comes roaring down out of the clouds, heading for where a group of mechs and tanks have congregated.
PANEL TWO
Superman CRASHES into the middle of them like a meteor streaking out of the heavens, WHOMP!
PANEL THREE
The mechs start POUNDING down at him, operating in unison.
PANEL FOUR
Superman looks up at an incoming Mech-fist, his own fist cocked back.
PANEL FIVE
The impact of his fist hits like an explosion, blasting away the mechs.
1) CAPTION
"Target acquired, advance forces engaged."
PAGE SEVENTY-SIX
PANEL ONE
On Tyrell as he walks through his ship, fully outfitted. A floating report 'bot hovers alongside.
1) BOT
Preliminary analysis indicates forces as deployed will be unsuccessful in current engagement --
2) TYRELL
There was never any question. They were never MEANT to defeat him.
PANEL TWO
Close on Tyrell as he enters a shuttle-pod.
3) TYRELL
They were meant only to bring him... to ME. So that I may finish that which needs to be finished.
PANEL THREE
As the door closes on him.
4) TYRELL
The death of the last survivor of Krypton.
PANEL FOUR
The shuttle-pod DESCENDS from the mothership.
PAGE SEVENTY-SEVEN
PANEL ONE
Lois and Olsen stand their ground in the middle of a street as others flee past them. Olsen is looking through the camera, taking photos. The place SHAKES with the OS battle.
1) OLSEN
Lois, you SURE you want to be out in the open for this?
2) LOIS
Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world.
PANEL TWO
Close on Olsen as he looks through the lens.
3) OLSEN
Ditto.
PANEL THREE
A through-the-camera-lens (complete with readouts) re-do of the classic Action Comics image with Superman throwing a car at robbers...only in this case he's throwing a tank-like vehicle at a bunch of mechs.
It's good to have you loyal members of the DC Nation with us during these exciting times. As we get closer to the end of an epic 2010, we are pleased to tell you that 2011 is going to be even more amazing. We are in full gear with plans for your favorite characters, and the list of new ideas is growing every day. It's fitting, then during this period where we are working with you in mind, that we welcome you into our home city for the New York City Comic Con. It's the perfect time and the perfect show for you to come in and see what we're doing on our industry, leading panels, meet your favorite creators and hang out in the DC Comics booth. For us this is like a home playoff game in front of our fans, and we plan on making it one heck of a show for everybody in attendance.
Speaking of everybody in attendance, check out this list of DC talent who will be appearing at the show:
Neal Adams, Art Baltazar, Tony Bedard, Cliff Chiang, Amanda Conner, Darwyn Cooke, Tony Daniel, Shane Davis, Dan DiDio, David Finch, Franco, Keith Giffen, Cully Hamner, Adam Hughes, Jock, Geoff Johns, JT Krul, Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert, Jim Lee, Jeff Lemire, Paul Levitz, Francis Manapul, Dustin Nguyen, Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Gail Simone, Scott Snyder, Nick Spencer, JM Straczynski, Peter Tomasi, Freddie Williams II and many, many more.
That is one serious list of writers and artists. It's pretty obvious that you should be doing everything you can to get to the Javits Center in New York City from October 8th through October 10th. If you can make it, be sure to head directly to the DC Booth (#2243), and if you can't join us please be sure to check out The Source (dcublog.com) for constant updates from the show.
Be seeing you in New York,
Ian Sattler - Senior Story Editor, DCU
Well, in this case it's more like "Look! Sitting here on my desk!" but you get the point. One of the funny things about working in the DCU editorial offices is that I am constantly looking at stuff that I can't talk about with the fans. Having to wait until we're ready to announce something can be torture. For example, I really wish I could tell you about the new character that we're about to debut in TEEN TITANS but I can't. Or I wish I could tell you what's happening in the Bat-books in 2012 (that's not a typo) but I can't spill the beans. So it's a good day when something comes across my desk that's not out yet, but that I can show you.
Here for your DC Nation viewing pleasure is the advance press copy of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski & Shane Davis. This, boys and girls, is one freaking outstanding graphic novel and a heck of a way to begin the Earth One line of titles. I've literally read it three times. From story to art to packaging, everything about SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE is super excellent. It's also good to let you know that the book is done and ready to hit stores soon. You NEED to pick this up.
Well, that's it for now. I'll be back soon with some other stuff that I found in my office, and maybe one day I'll reveal the deadly secret of the things I found from when Pete Tomasi had my office.
This week, we’ve got a look at Neal Adams’ BATMAN: ODYSSEY #4 sketch variant, Ryan Sook’s BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #5 cover, David Finch’s lovely Firestorm-focused BRIGHTEST DAY #11 and Shane Davis’ epic BRUCE WAYNE – THE ROAD HOME covers. We teased the pencils, but now you can see all the covers in their full, colored glory. Click away, folks!
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This October, writer J. Michael Straczynski (Superman, Wonder Woman, Babylon 5, “Changeling”) and artist Shane Davis (Green Lantern, Superman/Batman) will take readers on a journey both familiar and new – a story of a last son looking for meaning amidst the skyscrapers and teeming crowds of a great metropolis.
This is a Superman for the 21st century.
With SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, Straczynski and Davis inject the folk tale and legend that is Superman’s origin with a modern, vital and forward-looking energy that makes for a refreshing, epic and challenging super-hero adventure.
In SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE – the first original graphic novel retelling Superman’s origin -- Clark Kent is a man looking for meaning in a new city and an age of failing newspapers, hand-held devices and instant gratification. But when you can fly through the sky and burn objects with a glance – things become a tad more complicated. Doubly so when a fleet of alien ships arrive on your doorstep.
SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE channels the best tales of Superman with a look toward the future, by two of the brightest talents the industry has to offer. We’ve got a first look at the graphic novel below. Prepare to be wowed.
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Wow, can't believe I'm saying goodbye to two of my babies at the same time.
My daughter Kim is going off to college and I'm leaving the editorial reigns of SUPERMAN/BATMAN.
Neither is easy.
But both got great going away parties.
For S/B#75 it was awesome putting together the list of attendees.
Paul Levitz and Jerry Ordway were the opening act, and they were having the Legion finally team-up with Batman!
Then the ever effervescent Steve Seagle got together with Teddy Kristiansen to give me a means to bring the rest of my crazy idea of 2-pagers that would honor our World's Finest--that it's the only sequel to his acclaimed graphic novel IT'S A BIRD, is just a bonus.
Billy Tucci was dealing with some real world things, but was a total pro in bringing in the aspect of this biz that makes it so great--the escape our imagination brings us, young and old.
When I asked Adam Hughes to participate, I honestly thought he would be too busy, but he did it, and he brought Supergirl and Batgirl with him. I could not have been happier.
J.T. Krul and Francis Manapul made me smile with their teenage troubles. Francis did such an amazing job that I decided to keep it as he had done it without any extra color.
Jill Thompson finally got to do some DCU stuff! Yeah!!
Michael Green and Mike Johnson along with Shane Davis, Sandra Hope, Raphael Albuquerque and Brian Buccellato brought life to the party.
While Duncan Rouleau let the dogs out!
Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo brilliantly brought the only sanity they could to my asking for a Lex Luthor/Joker team-up.
David Finch continues to impress me with his writing abilities, I cannot wait to see more!
But like Tucci, it's Peter Tomasi brings the curtain down and remind us why we love Superman and Batman and comics in general so much.
So keep the imagination going everyone and let that inner child run wild even when you do have to let your kids move on.
Hasta,
- e
P.S. My actual last issue of editing S/B is #78, but figured I would do something early for a change. : )
Let's hear it for Matt Idelson on #79.
When we unveiled the full roster of BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME books last month, the covers were kept under tight wraps. But we did reveal one thing – it’d be a connected image, featuring a number of the key characters that reside on the Bat-universe, by none other than SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE artist Shane Davis.
That’s a big assignment – literally. Shane sent us a prelim look at what the covers are forming. He also thought a more literal look at the covers would be instructional. Click above and below for both. Brings new meaning to the term “high concept,” huh? Enough puns — check out the art below.
Bruce Wayne is back – but what has he returned to?
In his absence, his closest allies and deadliest enemies have blazed a new path, creating a Gotham that’s different and in many ways more menacing than the city he left behind. So, how do his protégés, allies and foes react to the man that stands before them?
Is Batgirl’s career over? Red Robin was right – but what’s next? After mourning Bruce Wayne’s death, can Catwoman face him?
Welcome to BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME, eight one-shots that cover the city of Gotham and beyond, from Dick Grayson and Damian to the Birds of Prey to Red Robin to Commissioner Gordon in stories told by some of the industry’s brightest stars, including Adam Beechen, Fabian Nicieza, Mike Barr, Pere Perez, Ramon Bachs, Marc Andreyko, Cliff Richards and Bryan Q. Miller, featuring a connecting, 8-part cover by superstar artist Shane Davis.
All these questions and more will be answered. But surely we can throw down a few more teases, right? Take it away, Batman Group Editor Mike Marts:
“Bruce Wayne’s journey back home has been a long and dangerous road, but before he can assume the mantle of the Bat again, he must first figure out how things have changed in the world around him, how relationships have changed...and how those changes will effect his decisions moving forward as the protector of Gotham City.”
BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME begins in October.
What an amazing week, huh folks? Not only did we hear from a legendary collection of Wonder Woman creators past and present, but we also got a bit of news as well. But more on that later today.
To close things out, we’ve got a gallery of Grade-A pinups from WONDER WOMAN #600, featuring some of the biggest and most talented artists to ever put pen to paper. So take a few minutes out of your Friday to see the Amazon Princess interpreted by the likes of Shane Davis, Ivan Reis, Guillem March, Jock and Greg Horn.
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