With Superman: Earth One now out for the world to finally see (that is if you can find it! It's sold out everywhere even amazon.com) and Batman: Earth One not too far behind I began to think, "What's next?" Well, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have been announced for Batman which is perfect casting. JMS and Shane Davis knocked it out of the park for Superman. So who would be good choices for other DCU heroes? I compiled a list of dudes that I think would kick some ass and possibly take names. Here is my "dream team" for more DCU Earth One stories:
AQUAMAN: EARTH ONE by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis:
"Oh my lord JJ!" You must be thinking, "You need to get over this whole Aquaman thing!" You are probably right. But for now I could care less what you think! Geoff and Ivan have made Aquaman (more specifically Arthur Curry) a much better character within Brightest Day than he has been in YEARS. Plus Ivan's pencils have simply gotten better and better. Blackest Night proved that he is a superstar to be recognized like Ethan Van Sciver and George Perez. Plus a character on the C or D list like Aquaman is practically begging to be put back on the mainstream and Johns is the master of that. Whether it's a "Rebirth" story or an Earth One graphic novel, DC NEEDS to keep Johns and Reis on Aquamn as long as possible.
GREEN LANTERN: EARTH ONE by Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales:
Woo boy! Who wouldn't want a reunion by the Identity Crisis team? Granted Rags's work isn't as "high profile" as Reis or Van Sciver or Frank but he does bring a very human touch to his pencils. And Meltzer is very good at humanizing the DC characters like no other. Plus the graphic novel format might fit his style more than the 22 page comic format. I know it's weird that I would suggest Meltzer over Johns but I'm trying to broaden my horizons here! I loved Identity Crisis. It felt so real to me. Superman: EO did that as well, and if there is anyone outside of JMS and Johns who can make Green Lantern (more specifically Hal Jordan) a compelling character it would be Meltzer. Let's hope that DC gets the ball rolling with more of these Earth One novels!
THE FLASH: EARTH ONE by Grant Morrison and David Finch:
You and I both know this would be a trip! Forget taking drugs - this is golden shit right here! When I thought of this I let a very Jokery smile stretch across my face. Now the story doesn't have to be about Barry Allen. It could be Wally West or Bart or hell even a new speedster. Either way Grant would find a way to make the story wilder than you could possibly imagine. His run on Batman suggests as much. Remember Arkham Asylum? Love it or hate it you can't deny the energy within the story. Plus Finch is proving himself to be DC's go to guy for covers and beautiful interiors. I think together they could make a Flash story that would not only jump off the page but it would leave you pondering new ideas like nothing else.
WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE by Gail Simone and Ed Benes:
This seems to be a semi-obvious choice. But to me it would be a match made in heaven. Anytime I see Benes name on a comic I get excited because like the late, great Michael Turner he draws the most gorgeous women. Plus the way he draws the men really make them (forgive the pun) super. But for Wonder Woman? This would be the Dynamic Duo! I feel like nobody knows Diana better than Simone. Not because she is a woman but because she seems to have a deep love for the character. Like Johns is the Green Lantern master because he loves the character. Simone knows Diana inside and out and could give us a story like no other! And Benes would really know how to make her sparkle like she was a brand new character.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER: EARTH ONE by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason:
Another Brightest Day team that should totally stick to this character after Day is over. I'm not normallly a fan of Tomasi's work but I really love his work on J'Onn. He gives the character a little too much exposition but in a way it's kind of the nature of the character. He is gonna be a talker and be very empathatic because he is a telepath and knows what everyone is thinking. Plus Gleason, like Morales, may not be a "superstar" per se but he and Tomasi clearly have a great synergy. They seem to really compliment each other and would really kick ass taking on this character and re-imagining his origins.
GREEN ARROW: EARTH ONE by: Brad Meltzer and Francis Manapul:
"Meltzer again, JJ? Really? No no, Really?" Yes really! I like his work! So sue me! His run back in the day on Green Arrow was a great character study. He really dug into the heart of the character, "He's a father to Connor, a father-figure to Roy, and a husband to Dinah. And he's a bastard to all of them." His words. Plus Manapul is proving to be on the fast track to superstardom with his amazing work on the Flash right now. He and Meltzer could really knock it out of the park (the official catchphrase of this article). Meltzer could bring his trademark humanity to the character while Manapul just paints us a gorgeous picture. Green Arrow is another character that I think deserves a shot at the limelight. Justin Hartley has given the character a lot of respect from Smallville and I think Meltzer would be able to help give Arrow that push into superstardom that the character deserves.
So there you have it. This is my wishlist for more Earth One stories. Granted we only have one story to go off of right now in the form of Superman but I believe that DC knows they have something special on their hands and will rise to the challenge. The challenge of course being the production of more high quality graphic novels. As Johns himself said at NYC Comic Con, "I don't think we have any C list or D list characters. They all have the potential to be A list." Well said Mr Johns, well said . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment