SDCC ’13: DC Comics All-Access Panel

Michael Moccio ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Editor

Official SDCC description: At DC Entertainment, there’s never been a better time to be a comics fan! Find out what DC’s top talent is has been up to! With Brain Buccellato (Flash), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Derek Fridolfs (Batman: Arkham Unhinged, Li’l Gotham), Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan), Geoff Johns (Aquaman, Justice League, Justice League of America), Jeff Lemire (Green Arrow, Justice League Dark), Gail Simone (Batgirl, The Movement), Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us), and more!

The panel kicked off with a video introducing Trinity War. According to Newsarama, Geoff Johns said, “that video really sets up what Jeff and I are doing on Trinity War… Constantine is really the wild card, he’s my favorite part.”

John Constantine is a character that’s floated around between the Vertigo and DC Comics imprints. At the moment, Constantine starts in Justice League Dark and Constantine. The character is well versed in all things mystical and usually knows the ins-and-outs of the current events in the magical world. In the Trinity War storyline, we haven’t seen much of Constantine, other than investigating Madame Xanadu’s disappearance. Because of his ties to the occult–along with Pandora and the concept of a tyinity–it’s safe to say that he’ll become a major player now that Wonder Woman has come to him for aid.

Although that was the only word on Trinity War, Johns teased more about the Shazam family. He said, “Mary will get powers, and a name, soon…” and when asked about a Shazam series, he responded, “We’ll see what happens next year. I’ll do something myself, probably.”

Shazam, formerly Captain Marvel, is another character vital to the mystical world of DC Comics. Granted powers through divine empowerment by several greek gods, Billy Batson usually functions as a mystical version of Superman, sans the heat vision and ice breath. In the New 52, Batson has changed from a perfectly-mannered child and parent would kill for to a normal teenage boy, outwardly abrasive towards the world. Although his significance to Trinity War hasn’t been fully revealed yet, we can assume that Johns has plans for Shazam to be an integral cog in the story, as Billy’s actions catalyzed the event itself.

Other highlights included words from Injustice writer Tom Taylor, as he promised to follow up closely with Earth 2‘s storyline, with a stronger focus on the new Batman. Gail Simone also talked about Batgirl and The Movement–after being asked if real world issues concerning Barbara’s transgender roommate would come up in the story, Simone replied, “There will be some real-life issues brought up in both Batgirl and The Movement, with more focus on it in the latter title.”

The most enigmatic comment of all may have been when a fan asked if there were any plans for a Doom Patrol book. Bob Wayne declined anyone on the panel to answer, saying, “I’m not going to let anyone answer your question.” With Beast Boy’s origins changed, and him locked up for the Harvest, perhaps there are plans for the Doom Patrol to get involed in the current Teen Titans run.

Check back for more SDCC panel coverage here at Emertainment Monthly!