DC Comics All Access: Justice League Panel – NYCC 2011

DC’s All Access: Justice League panel was a collection of creative minds, humor, and straightforward answers to some tough questions.  Not to mention there was a sneak peek into some upcoming comics, most notably Justice League courtesy of team Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.  

As I sat there listening to Johns and Lee speak about scenes from the upcoming Justice League title, I was itching to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible.  The scene with Superman fighting off Green Lantern and Batman was enough to make the whole room explode with clapping and cheering.  Geoff Johns’ play by play of each page was filled with classic lines such as:

 “That’s Aquaman, the world’s worst superhero. It’s what makes him cool.  Everyone thinks he sucks.” 

To which a fan responded with the question, “Does Aquaman have any land powers?”

“Yea…he can kick your a**,” was Johns’ quick response.  The crowd responded with a strong approval. 

Later the team revealed that the Justice League would eventually be facing off with DC’s most dangerous villain, Darkseid.  He would become the reason that the heroes band together and form a team.  When discussing the new take on Darkseid’s appearance, Jim Lee mentioned, “He has a thong, but it’s very tasteful and 4^th world.”  Like I said, these guys were extremely entertaining and worked the crowd well.  They kept quiet on many details, but I think I can speak for everyone in the room and say we are anxiously awaiting Justice League #2. 

The panel then went through the other creators, like Dan Jurgens (Justice League International, back to Johns for Aquaman’s solo issues (big cheers again), Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff (Wonder Woman), Francis Manapul (Flash), Tony Daniel (Savage Hawkman), Eric Wallace (Mr. Terrific), J.T. Krul, (Captain Atom), and Ann Nocenti (Green Arrow). 

Perhaps the biggest (and most exciting) news coming out of this panel was that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank will work on “The Curse of Shazam” starting in Justice League #5.  I will definitely look forward to that and hope that Black Adam is as bad as ever.  

Finally it was question and answer time.  Questions ranged from the Starfire controversy to the why there is a focus on Cyborg.  The panelist handled the questions in a calm and straightforward manner.  Brian Azzarello, held his ground when asked about Wonder Women’s origins by answering the question with, “We didn’t change it, we enhanced it.”

By far the best question of the panel came from a young child who caught Jim Lee and Geoff Johns off guard.  The pre-teen child asked, “Why 52 new books?”  Oh-oh!  I, along with others thought his dad put him up to it, but Geoff Johns and Jim Lee handled it well and gave an answer that pretty much sums up my overall feelings.

The answer was simple and to the point.  The new 52 is a chance to get back into comics without having to think too much about what has happened or what issues I have to read to understand why things are happening.  It’s a fresh start.  Who doesn’t like fresh starts?  I sure do.  I also agree that not all 52 comics are right for me.  If I don’t like a comic I’m not going to read it.  It’s really that simple.  The ones I do like and are appropriate for my liking, I will read and enjoy.  That’s what comics are for.  They are meant to entertain us.  They are meant to take us away to a world of magic, superpowers, and flying men who can do incredible things.  In addition, I was excited to get my hands on issues with a #1 on it.  I think this panel did its job and further proved that this was wise and profitable decision.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for my favorite heroes.