DC ComiCs ReloaDeDWhy we think DC Comics is rebooting. And why their editors think they are not?

COMIC

FHM strikes up a conversation with two of the most illustrious names in the comic universe – Bob Harras,

Editor-in-Chief and Eddie Berganza, Executive Editor of DC Comics. They can’t hide their excitement and tell us all (well, almost) about the much-awaited relaunch from their plush office in Midtown Manhattan.

DC (Detective Comics) is home to the largest number of superheroes. And even though these characters are fictional, we still consider them a part of the FHM universe. From Batman to Superman, Green Lantern to Catwoman, the Justice League of America and more – made their first appearance decades ago, but are still the favourite caped crusaders of us here in FHM.

So, when DC Comics was reaching the 1000th mark with both their Action and Detective comics, the think-tank decided to shake things up and give makeover. Starting end of August, fans will be recipients of 52 #1 issues studded with fully redesigned costumes and more current threats to the heroes across the board, besides more lethal powers to each of them.

Some ardent fans are going to be disappointed though as the current list doesn’t include Power Girl and Justice Society of America. “We have plans for every character and hero of DC Comics, even Power Girl and JSA. But this is just the beginning and we are not giving out much info, so fans will have to wait and watch,” says Bob.

Quiz them about whether it’s a relaunch or a reboot and Eddie shoots back, “It is not a reboot. We have all our stories intact. We are just streamlining, that’s all. The stories are moving forward, but the concept remains true to form. We aren’t going back to show the origin of these comic heroes, which is what a reboot is.” Point noted. But why a relaunch all of a sudden? “We have been noticing what is happening for quite some time and the changing attitude of the younger generation has forced us to give

these comics a fresh take,” Bob elaborates.Gotham city has become grittier. Joker,

the quintessential antagonist has become nastier. And Superman will no longer sport red trunks. We also hear he’s going to dump his wife Lois.

All the 52-superheroes have been given a fresh perspective. There are oodles of modern changes brought about in every characters life. “They are colourful, younger, and more vivid and their attitude is contemporary. For instance, Superman is evolving and Supergirl – the spoilt teenager is getting better.” Bob adds.

Before he can even pause to take a breath, we throw our next question – what new powers will Batman possess? “Well, this is just the start. There are plenty of surprises in store, which we cannot reveal at the moment,” he cautiously says.

Dedicated fans will instantly relate to the new issues. “They are somewhat similar to the earlier issues, which our loyal readers will immediately recognise. But not to worry, the new readers won’t miss a thing and will understand every integral part of the story. We have woven the stories in such a way that they will not get lost in the plot,” Eddie reaffirms. During our chitchat, they also hint that some of the forgotten heroes and villains will make a comeback in the new series. Who will they be, of course remains a mystery as the duo refuse to divulge any names. However, Eddie does confirm that all the comics will release in digital and print formats on the same day. “We know how much people love their gadgets, so we consciously took this decision. Now they can either buy or download the comic as per their convenience.” One thing is for certain, BIG changes are on their way in the DC camp and even as some are writing it off as nonsensical, we are eagerly waiting to see what’s in store – especially for Suicide Squad and Catwoman. Excited yet?

CATwOMAnFIrsT AppeArAnCe: Spring 1940AlTer egO: Selina Kylenew sTOry: She’s addicted to Batman. And of course to the night and shiny objects. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. Her razor-sharp retractable paws and athleticism will charm you to shreds (literally). She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. More dangerous things will be revealed in the new series from writer Judd Winick.

BATMAnFIrsT AppeArAnCe: May 1939AlTer egO: Bruce Waynenew sTOry: Acclaimed writer Scott Snyder presents a new era for ‘the most dangerous man on the earth’. A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew. Loaded with umpteen crime scenes, Batman #1 will be back with his startegies and combat skills.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: April 1938AlTer egO: Kal-El/Clark Joseph Kentnew sTOry: Written by George Pèrez, this year the superhero will appear without his red trunks. You heard it right! What is The Man of Steel’s new status quo? How does it affect The Daily Planet? Is he finally breaking up with Lois Lane? There is no time to answer these questions now, as the caped-hero must stop a monstrous threat to Metropolis. A threat, he himself is to blame for.

superMAnFIrsT AppeArAnCe: March 1937nuMBer OF Issues: 877 (plus issues numbered 0 and 1,000,000, and 12 annuals)new sTOry: DC’s flagship titles is packed with new Batman adventures penned down by acclaimed writer/artist Tony S. Daniel. Relaunched for the first time ever, a killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf – leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

deTeCTIve COMICs

suICIde sQAdFIrsT AppeArAnCe: January 1987heAdQuArTers: Belle Reve Prisonnew sTOry: Also known as Task Force X, they’re a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous – they’re sheer suicide! But now with Harley Quinn, Deadshot and King Shark defeated and imprisoned, are being interrogated about their mission and about who’s pulling the strings behind their operation. The real question is: Who will be the first to crack under the pressure? To prevent villains from escaping in the field, they are shackled with an explosive bracelet that only allows them to travel a certain distance from the field leader.

FHMexclusive

38 August 2011 fhmindia.comfhmindia • fhmindia fhmindia.com 39August 2011fhmindia • fhmindia

The FlAshFIrsT AppeArAnCe: January 1940nICknAMe: Scarlet Speedsternew sTOry: The Fastest Man Alive is back! In the first issue, Flash has to fight a villain who is much faster than him and he can be found everywhere at one time. And if that’s not bad enough, he is a close friend too!

BATgIrlFIrsT AppeArAnCe: April 1961AlTer egO: Barbara Gordonnew sTOry: Gordon back as Batgirl is going to face the city’s deadliest villains and deal with events from her dark past. The debut issue is writted by Gail Simone.

Teen TITAnsFIrsT AppeArAnCe: July 1964unOFFICIAl deBuT: Junior Justice Leaguenew sTOry: An organisation seeks to kill super-powered teenagers. Tim Drake (Batman’s former sidekick), Wonder Girl and Kid Flash along with other tortured teenage superheroes stand against a deadly weapon with roots in another world.

green lAnTern COrps

sTOrMwATCh resurreCTIOn MAn

super BOyFIrsT AppeArAnCe: Feb 1945AlTer egO: Clark Kentnew sTOry: Engineered in a lab from Kryptonian and human DNA, the clone’s super powers make him a deadly weapon.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: Sep 2011AlTer egO: Carter Hallnew sTOry: His skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archaeologist who specialises in alien ruins. This new action series written by Tony Daniel will take Hawkman (and readers) where no hero has flown before.

The sAvAge hAwkMAn

The Fury OF FIresTrOMFIrsT AppeArAnCe: March 1978AlTer egO: Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymondnew sTOry: Nuclear terror brings together two boys who are worlds apart. Drawn into a conspiracy, they are asked to put aside their differences to confront a threat so BIG it may lead to a new Cold War!

sTATIC shOCk

grIFTerFIrsT AppeArAnCe: August 1992AlTer egO: Cole Cashnew sTOry: He is soon going to be labelled a serial killer when he starts hunting creatures disguised as humans. And only he can see them.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: September 2011AlTer egO: To be disclosednew sTOry: The new Green Lantern stars... Sinestro? Writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce a new Lantern in the debut issue. DC teased us with a poster that revealed who is on the first cover. Not much is being revealed on this character though.

green lAnTern

green ArrOwFIrsT AppeArAnCe: Nov 1941AlTer egO: Oliver Queennew sTOry: Armed with cutting-edge weaponry and illegally gained intel, Ollie travels the world to bring outlaws to justice. And yes, he shoots first and asks questions. Guys who didn’t know, Oliver Queen is also a billionaire!

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: Jan 2011AlTer egO: Bruce Waynenew sTOry: Batman struggles against a strangely familair foe. He has to fight his way through gauntlet of psychos to nab the mysterious figure hidden in Arkham Asylum.

BATMAn: The dArk knIghT

jusTICe leAgueFIrsT AppeArAnCe: Feb 1960heAdQuArTers: The Hall and the Satellitenew sTOry: Batman has just found a dark evil. In order to fight it, he is required to bring together all other world’s greatest superheroes. (Justice League of America will be relaunched as Justic League)

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: Nov 1995AlTer egO: Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawfordnew sTOry: One is wanted for a murder that she hasn’t committed, while the other is on the run as she has all the info. Together as Gotham City’s ops team, they have to tackle villains that no one dares to touch and save their lives from a team that’s out to get them.

jusTICe leAgue dArk

CApTAIn ATOM

I, vAMpIre

super gIrl

BATwOMAn

BIrds OF prey

COMICwOnder wOMAnFIrsT AppeArAnCe: December 1941AlTer egO: Princess Diana of Themysciranew sTOry: Writer Brian Azzarello sets this daring woman against the most powerful forces. She is the only one who dares to protect humanity from the wrath of these strange forces.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: Sep 2011AlTer egO: To be closednew sTOry: After the combined powers of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg could not stop the witch, Enchantress, writer Peter Milligan pitts Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna and John Constantine against her.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: March 1993run By: United Nationsnew sTOry: Their existence is a secret. The team is divided – half the Stormwatch team has to recover Information hidden deep in the Himalayas, while the rest have to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: April 1993AlTer egO: Virgil Ovid Hawkinsnew sTOry: As Static, he flashes a new uniform and better electromagnetic powers. Writers Scott McDaniel and John Rozum pit him against new villains belonging to New York City’s underworld. However, the real question is: Can he handle them?

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: September 1959eXIsTenCe: Three billion yearsnew sTOry: Written by Peter Tomasi, the comic revolves around conflicts emerging across the universe that Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Green Lantern have to resolve.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: May 1997AlTer egO: Mitchell “Mitch” Shelleynew sTOry: Resurrection Man is still dead. But then he can’t dead for long. And with each rebirth, he get more unexpected power. To witness his power, forces are gathering together to see what is so special about him and finally who can stop him.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: March 1960AlTer egO: Allen Adam/Nathaniel Christopher Adamnew sTOry: Writer J.T. Krul in the new series will test this hero, who has no limits thanks to his molecular powers with a series of omnious events, where he runs the risk of losing himself.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: July 1956AlTer egO: Katherine “Kathy” Webb Kane/Katherine “Kate” Rebecca Kanenew sTOry: Batwoman is back! She is on a mission to hunt down the villain who is stealing children. She is training her cousin as her sidekick and a government agency is suddenly taking special interest in her.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: August 1958AlTer egO: Kara Zor-Elnew sTOry: As the biological cousin and female counterpart of Superman, she’s got the same powers as Superman. One glitch, she does not have any affection for the people of the earth, so no one dares to piss her off! Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson she’s got unpredictable behaviour of a teenager but is damn good at her superhero stuff.

FIrsT AppeArAnCe: March 1981AlTer egO: Andrew Stantonnew sTOry: Thanks to a truce made with ex-lover Mary, (the Queen of the Damned), Andrew has kept mankind safe from supernatural powers. But now, the truce has come to an end. He has to stop Mary and her forces from going on a killing spree.W

ords

: Shr

uti G

atta

ni

40 August 2011 fhmindia.comfhmindia • fhmindia fhmindia.com 41August 2011fhmindia • fhmindia