Closing out the day for the two major publishers, DC's DC Nation panel featured a full house, and four pictures on easels in the front of the hall which were, at the start of the panel, turned around, so the images could not be seen.
DCU Executive Editor Dan Didio opened the panel, making sure all the audience members received their pins at the door as they entered.
Didio then introduced the panel: DC Coordinating Editor Jann Jones; VP – sales Bob Wayne, Senior/Countdown Editor Mike Marts; creator Keith Giffen; and Countdown writer Paul Dini.
Beginning the content portion of the panel, Didio joked that the panelists would not be allowed to talk about anything, to which Wayne answered with, "We're barely allowed to be here." Playing along, Didio said that while they're not allowed to say anything, the audience would be able to coax things out of them if they tried.
Didio then spoke about 52 and segued into talking about Countdown, noting that the 52 model of a weekly comic was working, which laid the groundwork for Countdown to come.
When Didio asked if anyone was notready for another weekly series, only one fan answered in the affirmative, to which Giffen said, "Thank you."
As the panel rolled on, Didio asked an audience member to come up to the front and turn over one of the aforementioned five pictures on the easels, which read "Jimmy Olsen Must Die!" with an image of Olsen's head at the top of the picture.
Update: All five images follow below. Click on each to view larger versions...
Didio then went over the basic details of Countdown, noting that it will be taking part in the DC Universe, and reiterating it will serve as the “spine” of the DC Universe. As Newsarama readers know, the series will reflect the tone and events of the DC Universe during its run.
To make this interaction work, Didio said that DC is working very hard to getting their titles out on time, so that the connections will be there. "Some of the pages may be blank," Giffen joked, "But the issues will come out."
With the preamble and basic details of Countdown given, Didio then moved to the Q&A portion of the panel, noting that, as usual, the Q&A would be quid pro quo, that is, a question answered means that a question will be asked of the initial questioner.
Asked why must Jimmy Olsen die by an audience member, Jones joked that it was either him or Nightwing.
"It was his time," Giffen deadpanned.
Asked about bringing Lobo back, Didio said that they are looking for things to do with him, and asked Giffen if he had any plans, Giffen joked that he gave Lobo to Grant Morrison for 52, and was hoping Morrison wouldn't give him back.
After a fan expressed support of the idea of Superman crying, Didio asked the fan to come up and turn the second overturned picture over, revealing a picture of Mary Marvel (the image was split in half) with the caption: "Seduction of the Innocent"
Dini said that in Countdown, Mary Marvel will go on her heroes journey and some of the connections she makes will be surprising.
Again talking about scheduling, Didio stressed that they are doing everything they can to pull them back on schedule, especially due to Countdown.
How much will Countdown be when it comes out? : Wayne: "Priceless." And then, "$2.99".
Didio asked for fans' favorite character missing from the DC Universe - to the loud cries of "Ted Kord" coming from he audience. Giffen responded, "He's not missing, we can show you where he's buried."
This led to Didio asking another fan to turn the third Countdown image, revealing "The Hunt for Ray Palmer".
Speaking to how many issues Countdown will run for, Didio said 52 - the series will have a #0 issue.
Asked if Ralph Dibny was truly dead at the end of this week's 52, Didio said that there is still a story that needs to be told.
Will Countdown follow threads from 52? Didio: There will be one key appearance form one key character in 52 that's essential to one of the storylines that's already been shown (Ray Palmer, Mary Marvel, or Jimmy Olsen).
Will there be tie-ins and one-shots with Countdown: Didio: We're not talking about that just yet.
Didio asked another fan to come up and turn the next picture, revealing the phrase "Villains Defiant", which showed two men's wrists shackled together.
Dini said that the storyline tease refers to two men who shouldn't be together shackled together for the duration of Countdown, and will travel through the underbelly of DCU.
Didio stopped the questions to note that they've had a change of heart on something - and turned it over to Wayne, who announced that DC will continue to publish Manhunter. Didio added that there will be more Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters as well.
Asked if some titles in the DCU are not happening in the same universe or timeline, Didio joked, "I wish that was the case" referring to an assortment of continuity glitches and gaffes.
Going back to talk about spin-offs from 52, Jann Jones announced a new project: Captain Carrot and the Final Ark, a three-issue limited series. "It's a very important year for Captain Carrot," Jones said. The project will be written by Bill Morrison and drawn by Scott Shaw! The villain of the story will be Ra's al-Pica.
Didio said that before he left for the convention today, he signed off on issues #5 and #6 of Wonder Woman, and issue #7 is on track, in answer to a question about Wonder Woman's scheduling. Continuing, he said that replacing issue #5 with a story by Will Pfeifer was a hard direction, but one they felt was for the best to get the book back on track.
Speaking about World War III, editor Pete Tomasi, who was in the audience, said that many of the issues surrounding Supergirl will be handled in the World War III specials.
Question from a fan - Will there be something like 18 ties in issues with Countdown each month? : Didio: "Nah, you're confusing us with the other guys."
Didio asked a Flash fan to flip the final picture, revealing "Unto Man Shall Come a Great Disaster" showing Darkseid's head.
Didio asked Dini what Darkseid is doing on the image? "He's looking evil!" Dini replied.
Will we see Animal Man in his own project coming back from space? Didio: His story in 52 isn't over.
Is Paul Dini staying on Detective Comics? Dini: "Yes."
All-Star Batman and Robin - is it over? Giffen: "They're out of the car."
Didio asked what Wayne's favorite ASB&R moment was, to which Wayne replied, seeing issue #5 was done."
Jones: "Seeing a whole bunch of #6 done."
Giffen: "I didn't read ASB&R"
Didio: “Paul, did you read ASB&R?” Dini: "When I was a kid."
The panel moved into lightning round when there was ten minutes left:
Fan dressed as Question: Why did you kill me? Giffen: "You told us to."
What will Sean McKeever write aside from Countdown? Didio: "More. Can't announce it yet."
More Mike Norton working at DC? Jones: Mike Norton has signed an exclusive with DC Comics
Who's writing Wonder Woman after Jodi Picoult? Didio: Not allowed to say it yet.
Plans for Steel? Giffen" We're going to kill him.
The next artist of Teen Titans? Al Barrinuevo (Martian Manhunter)
Is Kyle Rayner dying in Countdown? Dini: No.
Will Monitors be involved in Countdown? Dini: Yeah.
Didio confirmed what Allan Heinberg said about his final issue of Wonder Woman - it will be a special issue coming out in the future.
Asked what DC's commitment to adding characters of diverse races in the DCU is, Giffen deadpanned off-the-cuff but in obvious jest to all attending, "White folk hate it”.
Will we see Linda Danvers again? Didio: No.
End of live coverage...
For more on the DC Nation panel check out this story…
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