DC Comics bared all at its Friday afternoon C2E2 All Access panel in Chicago. On hand were Featuring Editor in Chief Bob Harras, Editorial Director Bobbie Chase, Chief Creative Office Geoff Johns, J. Michael Straczynski, Shane Davis, David Finch, Kevin Maguire and Scott Snyder, giving the low-down on happenings in the DC Universe, including the latest storylines of the New 52.
The panel began with Geoff Johns’ take on the DC Free Comic Book Day issue. “It’s a story that really sets the stage for a lot of things that are coming in DC Comics,” he said while teasing a 4-page Jim Lee foldout. Johns also mentioned that in the second storyarc for “Justice League,” “The Villain’s Journey,” major changes are in store. “By the end of ‘Justice League’ #12, the team is radically different,” Johns said. “You’ll see his storyline as the story unfolds is pretty integral to the whole team.” “He can actually boom tube around,” but one out of every dozen times, the team actually gets transported to Apokalips.
Johns also gives the skinny on “Aquaman” and “Green Lantern” developments. He said Black Hand would have a major role to play in the upcoming storyline.
Johns’ big reveal was on the highly anticipated “Batman: Earth One” original graphic novel. “It’s a very different Alfred in the book, it’s a very different Commissioner Gordon,” he said. “Gary’s just doing the work of his career on this. The script is 180 pages long. … I’m really, really excited about it. … You’ll actually say, ‘I can’t believe Alfred’s a badass.'”
Next up was “Superman: Earth One” Volume Two by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis. “Against us, we have a huge action setpiece as the Parasite emerges for the first time. He’s a serial killer needing energy getting that from people including Superman,” Straczynski said. He added that Clark;s going to undergo some major maturing, with him attempting to move to Metropolis, find an apartment, flashing back to having “the conversation” with his dad and an awkward kiss with a girl next door.
Davis noted Straczynski’s concept for Parasite heavily influenced his design for the villain, which includes throbbing yellow blisters in his most dangerous form. “Stage one is he can barely even walk. Stage two is the commonplace version,” said Davis. “The final fight will be with [stage three] version of Parasite. Since he’s a serial killer, I liked the idea he knew how to fight. … I worked in things like knees to the head, there were some cheap punches.” Davis also said Straczynski vetoed one part of the fight which involved Superman gouging Parasite’s eyes out.
Check out our article on American Vampire for more on this panel.