DC Comics continued their New York Comic Con programming noon local time Saturday with another DC Universe-spanning panel, “DCU: Countdown to Crisis.” DC Universe executive editor Dan DiDio, opened the panel by introducing his associates, coordinating editor senior story editor Ian Sattler, writers Sean McKeever, Geoff Johns, Gail Simone, Final Crisis creative team Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones and Birds of Prey cover artist Stephane Roux.

The first slide shown depicted DC Universe #0. Johns said "It was one of the most fun experiences I had, working with Grant on it, a bunch of great characters, a bunch of great artists, and it's 50 cents." Morrison added that "it starts in the Heavens of the DC Universe and it ends up outside a strip club. It kind of sets up all the new stories for the next year. The entire tone of the DC Universe changes. It's an essential book."

The much-ballyhooed Final Crisis was up next. DiDio mentioned the Final Crisis: Sketchbook coming out on May 14th, two weeks before Final Crisis #1 hits.

Johns told the crowd about Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge, saying that it makes him "very happy" to work with Scott Kolins and the Flash rogues again.

DiDio opined on his love for the weekly comic while discussing Trinity, discussing both his enthusiasm for the concept and the unique challenges involved in producing a weekly title. DiDio reminded the crowd of the basic concept of Trinity, saying "it's going to be a great series for us."

Ian Sattler was called upon to discuss Rann/Thanagar Holy War. "It ties together a lot of storylines that we've been working on for several years, and sets up the next couple years" of stories involving Adam Strange and other DC cosmic characters.

Sattler moved on to Reign In Hell, saying "it's really the story between the devil you know and the devil you don't know," referring to Neron as the former and Blaze and Satanus as the latter.

Morrison talked about Batman: R.I.P., saying that it's the culmination of what he's been working on with the character, that it'll have "the scariest Joker you've ever seen" as depicted by Tony Daniel, and "if you miss this, you'll miss your chance to say goodbye."

Johns discussed his current run of Action Comics, saying he'll be using Brainiac and that more will be touched on with the Legion of Super-Heroes. He reminded the crowd that James Robinson is taking over Superman in June, and the books will "begin to link up."

Chugging right along to the third element of DC's trinity, Simone talked about Wonder Woman, repeating her statements from yesterday that an upcoming storyline will feature scientists that view the Amazons as a "failed experiment" and a new Wonder Woman that is, in fact, a man.

Departing Birds of Prey writer Sean McKeever said it was "a bit of a challenge" taking over the book from Gail Simone, and that he's "learned to love" the character of Misfit ("Told you so," joked Simone). Cover artist Roux talked a little about his work on the title, saying that he likes drawing the female characters but wanted to make sure the crowd knew that he was, in fact, a man (apparently, he's mistaken for "Stephanie Roux"). DiDio complimented him for the "inspirational poster"-esque house ads that Roux drew.

DiDio talked about Joker's Asylum, coming out in July, saying that it "really explores Batman's rogue's gallery," what he thinks is the best in comics (punctuating it with a "Sorry, Geoff," a clear reference to Johns' fondness for the Flash rogues).

Sattler briefly spoke about Justice League of America, saying that Dwayne McDuffie has "big stuff" planned for the title.

Justice Society of America was next, with Johns talking about an upcoming story heavily involving Power Girl. This segued naturally into discussion of the Power Girl ongoing announced yesterday at the DC Nation panel.

Johns discussed Booster Gold (apparently a fan favorite, if the crowd's reaction is any indication) specifically his last issue as co-writer on the title, July's Booster Gold #1,000,000. He said in that issue Booster will meet "Peter Platinum" and "we'll find out who Rip Hunter is."

DiDio turned to Jann Jones to discuss the kid-friendly Johnny DC line, starting with Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade, announced yesterday. "All the fun of junior high," said Jones. "And no boobs," joked DiDio. Jones also talked about Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam by Mike Kunkel.

With Green Lantern up, Johns thanked the crowd for supporting the Sinestro Corps War and then plugging the upcoming Blackest Knight by saying "all the dead rise up, and they fight."

Simone then interjected with an announcement: That she's doing a new Secret Six ongoing (the crowd approved of this, heartily). The team will consist of previous Secret Six members Catman, Deadshot, Scandal and Ragdoll, "an a-list Batman villain" and a new character named Jeanette created by her and series artist Nicola Scott. "She has a secret that even the Secret Six doesn't know," Simone said.

With that, Simone had to leave the panel. DiDio changed the topic to the All-Star line, saying that All-Star Batman & Robin will continue, and calling upon Morrison to discuss All-Star Superman. Morrison said it's one of the favorite things he's written, and that he hopes the fans have liked it. He talked about the upcoming end of the series (joking that series artist and frequent collaborator Frank Quitely is "working fast for the first time in his life") and that the conclusion of the story will be the "ultimate fate" of Superman.

With the panel opened up to Q&A, a fan of the current Blue Beetle ongoing asked if the old Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, who is currently alive (again) in Booster Gold, will be sticking around for a while. DiDio turned to Johns for an answer, who declined to give any details.

The same fan asked about the status of Supergirl, with Johns saying that the character is "integral" to his and James Robinson's plans for the Superman comics.

"When will we see Roux doing interior art?" Roux spoke a little in French, and DiDio said "Coming soon."

The next question was for Johns, asking if he's got any plans to work on a Suicide Squad comic, as he's expressed interest in the characters in the past. Johns said he feels like Secret Six covers that area and he's going to stick with the (many) comics he's working on now.

"Will there be one continuity for Legion of Super-Heroes"? Johns: "Can't tell you." Morrison: "We may have one, but there'll be 300 guys in it."

"Will Final Crisis make everything one straight line?" (continuity-wise). Morrison said "Everything's gonna fit for the first time ever." The same person asked if there was a chance of a new Justice League International title, with DiDio answering that the new James Robinson Justice League title should "fit his needs."

Morrison was asked if Dick Grayson will be appearing in Batman. Morrison said yes, in that he's part of the Batman: R.I.P. story. "You'll be seeing quite a lot of Dick around Batman," Morrison said, clearly aware of exactly how that sounded.

The fan continues by asking Morrison if any Seven Soldiers characters will be involved in Final Crisis, and Morrison replied that Frankenstein will be in issue #3. The same fan asked yet another question - will the Kuberts be involved in anything in the near future? "Absolutely," said DiDio.

A Flash fan not happy about what he feels is a lack of attention paid to Wally West in the Flash title asked "when is Wally West going to star in The Flash again," comparing the title to the film The Incredibles and saying too much focus is on Wally's kids. DiDio didn't specifically respond, but referred to the "evil" and "good" Mary Marvels on stage with him, saying, playfully, "the evil one saying he's OK, the good one is saying he's going to die," noting that a Crisis is coming up (traditionally bad news for Flashes).

"Since Justice Society is 'blowing up' with all the characters, any chance that we'll see a second title?" Johns answered "There's a chance," though he didn't seem to think it was

"Are the time-traveling characters from All-Star Superman going to play a role in the final two issues?" Morrison said no, but their presence might be felt.

"Is Last Son ever going to be finished?" "It's done," DiDio said. "Headed to the printers this week." He continued that it's a shame that it's had such a gap between issues, but "I promise you that it was worth the wait."

)Any chance Morrison will be working with Animal Man again? "He'll probably show up in Final Crisis," said Morrison, but nothing with him and the character beyond that.

"Why did Bill Willingham stop writing Salvation Run?" A rather simple answer, from DiDio - "Bill got sick." He continued by saying that Matthew Sturges did a great job stepping in and completing the story.

"Still have plans to take place on the 52 worlds?" Morrison said "Yes, we do" and there will be some specials set in various worlds.

A fan asked about what DC animals will be appearing in Final Crisis, and Morrison said it'll have Krypto, Streaky and Tawky Tawny, but so far, no Hoppy the Marvel Bunny.

"Are we ever going to see Superman's origin 'totally fixed'?" Johns: "Yeah, you'll see that next year."

"Are we ever going to see Solaris in the mainstream DCU?" Morrison said he'd like that.

A female asked what's going to happen to Catwoman post her title's cancellation. "She'll be in the Batman books," Sattler answered. "That's not good enough," the apparently scorned fan replied.

"Zatanna showing up any time soon?" Sattler: "Reign in Hell," with DiDio adding "and possibly something with Paul Dini coming soon."

"Any chance of an 'in continuity' Batman Beyond comic?" DiDio said "Not at this time, we just wanted to give the character a nod in Countdown," but they get asked the question a lot and he'll keep it in mind.

The panelists were asked to name their favorite member of the Legion of Super-Heroes? Johns said Lightning Lad was his favorite, and many picked Saturn Girl.

The same fan asked Jones if "8th grade Supergirl will have an 8th grade Supercat?" "She will," Jones said.

Will Connor Hawke be involved with Final Crisis? Morrison said yes, "everyone" is in it.

"Is the original Question really dead?" Morrison said "You'd have to ask Greg Rucka about that one."

"Once everything is done with Final Crisis, who would you like to write?" Morrison said he's kind of written everyone now, and he's just going to write Batman after Crisis.

End of live updates...

Return to the New York Comic Con Mini-Site…