Broken Frontier

Presided over by Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler, the 2009 DC Nation panel featured guests Freddie Williams II, J.G. Jones, J.T. Krul, Francis Manapul, Art Baltazar, Franco Aureliani, Brian Azzarello, and Chris Yost. 

Chief among the announcements was Azzarello’s Batman/Doc Savage one-shot, a book that will kick off the recently announced "First Wave" project. These books will feature a new world of the Multiverse where classic pulp heroes co-exist with street-level DC stars like Blackhawk and the Spirit. In the one-shot, Batman is a new hero just starting out while Savage is the venerable established champion.

Azzarello commented that Doc’s super-science has influenced this world, leading to a juxtaposition of early 20th century and modern technologies (ala Batman: The Animated Series). J.G. Jones will provide covers while the interior art is by Rags Morales.

Other books discussed included Red Robin, which will be receiving a new artist in Marcus To. Issues 3 and 4 were said to offer progress in Tim Drake’s quest to prove Batman is still alive.

JSA All-Stars by Matt Sturges and Freddie Williams will be a sister book to Justice Society of America that features the younger generation of the JSA.

Baltazar and Franco (proud to point themselves out as Eisner winners) mentioned a upcoming arc of Tiny Titans that focuses on the subject of love. The creators offered a warning to all men in the audience: "Eat meat while reading this to keep up testosterone levels."

Manapul discussed the new style he is using for the upcoming Adventure Comics, one which seeks to capture classic Americana, "but from, you know, a Canadian."

The Blackest Night: Titans miniseries was also referenced, said to be a story of gripping horror on a personal level for our heroes. The unsettling cover art featured a vampiric looking child in Donna Troy’s arms.

The floor was then opened up to a fan Q&A, which touched upon many topics:

DC is working on something for Billy Batson as Captain Marvel but it will be a while before we see it. In the meantime, the panel plugged the all-ages Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam.

Adventure Comics will focus mainly on Superboy but all three iterations of the Legion will also play a part in both the co-feature and the main story.

James Robinson and Mark Bagley’s run on Justice League of America was confirmed to be starting in October. Dick Grayson’s Batman was hinted as being a member.

Fans were told to keep their eyes on Red Robin and Green Arrow in Blackest Night. Superboy-Prime was said to be playing a part in issues 4 and 5.

When asked about how the new co-features will be collected/re-printed, Sattler said that they will have their own separate trades for the most part.

DC’s decreased presence at the con (as well as that of the other major publishers) was noted by a fan, though Sattler had no control over this. It remained a point of controversy for some fans in attendance, including one who had hoped for a portfolio review.

There are no plans at present for any DC/WildStorm crossovers.

Those curious about the fate of Cassandra Cain were encouraged to read the upcoming Batgirl #1, though no confirmation was given on who will be wearing the costume.

When too many fans asked questions that would essentially reveal secrets and conclusions of current storylines, Azzarello snapped at them, prompting Sattler to remark that it was only a matter of time before he "freaked out."

More creator-owned properties like The Mighty are being considered for the DC line.

An ongoing Flash series by Geoff Johns will feature Barry Allen as the lead. The panel stressed that Wally West is not being retired however.

Recently acquired property, the THUNDER Agents, will play a role in upcoming Superman books.

A new Lobo miniseries is coming in November from Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and Sam Kieth.

There are plans for more Captain Boomerang, Jr., Jason Todd, and future Batman Terry McGinnis.

All fans who asked a question were given a Black Lantern ring, initiating them into the DC Nation. Sattler stylishly sported a ring for every color of the spectrum, promising that these would be available in the future as The Blackest Night and other DC events continue.