Missy Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 From AICN: Bug continues the EARTH ONE goodness with BATMAN: EARTH ONE writer Geoff Johns! To read his work is to love his work. Geoff Johns has become THE man at DC with a track record of hits like few others. Geoff had a chance to answer some questions about the upcoming BATMAN: EARTH ONE graphic novel. AMBUSH BUG (BUG): So what is BATMAN: EARTH ONE all about? GEOFF JOHNS (GJ): Its Gary Frank and I joining together to be a part of the first line of ongoing graphic novel series ever from the big two. BATMAN: EARTH ONE is more in line with the European idea of releasing chapters of an ongoing series in graphic novel form. Were planning on doing two novels a year and set in this new universe, were getting unlimited creative freedom that we couldnt have in current continuity. When Dan Didio asked if Gary and I would be interested in something like this we were onboard immediately. Were taking on Batman, and the world around him, and rebuilding it from the ground up. BUG: How do you make an iconic origin like Batman's fresh and different than previous takes on the story? GJ: Our Batman is a decidedly different Batman yet it is, of course, Bruce Wayne. I want to let the book will speak for itself, but Batman, Alfred, Detective Gordon, Arkham Manor, the twisted origin behind Gotham City, the Bat-Mobile and, of course, the worlds greatest group of villains are all a part of the world were creating. Some of it the characters will more closely resemble the classic interpretations while others will be wildly different. Were introducing a lot of new characters and elements to this Batman. The first graphic novel features an entirely new villain. BUG: Apart from event books and maybe the occasional guest appearance or team book appearance, this is the first time I recall you doing a Bat book. What was it about this project that finally attracted you to Gotham? GJ: Three words: Gary Frank and freedom. Obviously, I love long form storytelling. I gravitate to projects I can dive into and reinvent and add to, like Green Lantern. Ive wanted to work on Batman, but I wanted to wait until the project was right. BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story. Add to that the idea of working on a line of graphic novels instead of being limited to twenty-two pages, its a challenge and I love a challenge. BUG: I know you're a multiverse freak. How does BATMAN: EARTH ONE fit in with current continuity? Is it another universe, an Ultimate/All Star style take, or something completely different? GJ: All of the above. BUG: I've observed somewhat of a split between those who like Batman and fans of Superman. What is it about Batman that appeals to so many readers? GJ: I think the grounded nature of Batman. And if there is one word that might sum up our version of Batman itd be grounded. BUG: The Joker: insane or sane? And will he be showing up in BATMAN: EARTH ONE? GJ: If anyone knows my work they know how much I love villains. Ive been dying to crack into the best rogues gallery in comics for years. Eventually, yes -- youll see the Joker, but the first well-known villain well be focusing on early in the BATMAN: EARTH ONE graphic novel series is the Riddler. BUG: Gary Frank has been one of my favorite artists since his INCREDIBLE HULK run. Can you tell us a little bit about how you and he collaborated for this project? GJ: First off, Gary Frank is one of the greatest partners-in-crime a writer could ever ask for. The amount of thought, care and effort he puts into his work along with the brilliance of his talent makes him someone that Im chaining myself to. My aspirations are nothing less than to work with Gary Frank until Im dead. The fact is, Gary Frank is the single best Superman artist of this generation, but hes actually a Batman guy. Before we started Superman, wed talk about Batman at length. Weve spoken about ideas for Batman since we started working on Superman together. We started brainstorming this project before it even started, discussing what we would do with Batman and where we would take him. BUG: After doing this project, which do you prefer writing: monthlies or graphic novel sized stories? GJ: Ask me again in five years. BUG: What does this graphic novel format say about where the industry is going? A lot of folks are waiting for trade these days. Is this the first step of DC dropping monthlies and cutting out the middleman and going straight to trade? GJ: I dont think it has to be the case with either or. Monthlies, graphic novel series, digital, etc. DC is exploring every avenue of publishing. Its a changing market, but its an expanding and growing market, and Im psyched to be riding the wave up front with Gary and Batman. Thanks, Geoff, for chatting with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted December 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Sounds very cool! Hopefully these are priced right, because I would love to see graphic novels really take off in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc20willsave Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Sounds very cool! Hopefully these are priced right, because I would love to see graphic novels really take off in the US. It does sound awesome and considering that Earth-1 has never been revealed in the current 52 Universes, a great way to use that mystery. Since this is a series, I assume we'll get Superman Earth One next if this does well followed by a Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, or Flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted December 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 According to Wiki, the new Earth-One was shown in Trinity #52, and it's described as "a world of Silver Age characters and locations" and it "resembles the pre-Crisis Earth-One." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK_theBatmaN Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 I LOVE the design!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK_theBatmaN Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 And Alfred is a TOTAL BADASS!!! AWESOME!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Wow. Just, gah! I can't fucking wait for this. The European model is the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 This seems like DC is saying sorry for letting Frank Miller try and Ultimize/All-Star-ize Batman. And I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 This seems like DC is saying sorry for letting Frank Miller try and Ultimize/All-Star-ize Batman. And I like it. Yip. I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 The only thing that doesn't totally gel with me on either design is the bat-logo on Bruce. It's too small, sticks out too far and has that damned yellow oval I hate so much, no matter how Frank Miller tries to claim that it's a target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK_theBatmaN Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 One of my favorite parts of Gary Frank's design of Batman is, oddly enough, the lack of the underpants on top of the pants, plus the seams on the suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 My favourite part is how fucking bad ass Alfred is! I'm not a fan of the young Bruce look, he looks to much like Tim Drake to me, but maybe that's the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Well, to be entirely honest, more than the other two, Tim is like Bruce's real son. Which is fucked up, because he had his parents the longest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Well, to be entirely honest, more than the other two, Tim is like Bruce's real son. Which is fucked up, because he had his parents the longest. Yeah. Is there a ground plan on when this is coming out? I know their really busy with Secret Origin: Superman. But I want it now! I also really like the look of the batarang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 It does sound awesome and considering that Earth-1 has never been revealed in the current 52 Universes, a great way to use that mystery. Since this is a series, I assume we'll get Superman Earth One next if this does well followed by a Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, or Flash. They've already announced Superman: Earth One by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stavros Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Love the look of these, but a big part of me wishes that the costume was more reflective of the detective aesthetic of the original Batman. After all, this is Earth-1 original Batman, who was supposed to start out in the late 40's. This looks great but a Brubaker/Lark 40's Batman would be my choice for an Earth-1 setting. This is more All-star redux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightWing Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 This looks so amazing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 This is more All-star not done by a once great man who is now a sick pervert obsessed with hookers. Fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamvidger Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Totally can't wait!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koete Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Tentative price point, page count, and release date for Superman: Earth One. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 That's right about what I expected. As I've said elsewhere on here, 128 pages is the same as a six-issue series, so $20 is a great price. That said, I figure at lease 10 of those pages will be dedicated to sketches, script pages, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamvidger Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 totally forgot to say this a week ago. but at ECCC, they said this book was gonna have Barbara Gordon and that there would be two of these Batman graphic novels a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK_theBatmaN Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 Alright I wanna revive this thread. Does anybody know when this is coming out? I haven't found any word from DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc20willsave Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 Alright I wanna revive this thread. Does anybody know when this is coming out? I haven't found any word from DC. Any word we get will probably be from DC. Geoff Johns is working on three books right now, one of which is a bi-weekly in addition to his job as creative director. I'll be suprised if we get it anytime before July next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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