While at FanExpo Canada, we had a chance to sit down with Tony Daniel, one of the most pleasant guys in comics. That stands in direct conflict with the intense, jaw-dropping issue of Batman: Detective Comics #1 that hit stands this week… And though we hadn’t read the issue yet when we talked to him, we did chat about the future of the Bat-title, how he approaches mysteries, and the question of Detective Comics #900:

MTV Geek: What is YOUR take on Batman for this title?

Tony Daniel: My take is to concentrate on shorter stories, a lot of detective work. The main focus is Bruce Wayne, Batman, and his world of solving mysteries and crimes in Gotham City. It’s a little bit more of a serious tone than the Dick Grayson stories that I wrote had, mainly because Bruce is a lot more serious of a character. But I’m establishing a very big, bold take on the character that I hope the fans enjoy.

Geek: Mysteries are a tricky thing to write, and a tricky thing to build… How do you approach building a mystery for this title?

TD: My technique is to have plenty of red herrings and layers to look under, or unravel, or peel back to expose the full story. Where all the clues are there in the first scene, and little by little you can see the story unfold – or not – until the very end. What I like to do is have the reader discover clues and evidence as Batman does. Maybe they can piece it together for themselves, or maybe not. Read more...

Tags DC Comics, Detective Comics, New 52, Tony Daniel

The last day of FanExpo was a little more relaxed than the packed crowds of the day before, but that doesn’t mean Marvel neglected to kick things up a notch. They saved their “Next Big Thing” panel for the last day, and though the crowd might have been slightly sparser, the news was anything but. The panel was once again moderated by Marvel’s Director of Communications Arune Singh, with Editor in Chief Axel Alonso, Senior VP C.B. Cebulski, Associate Editor Sana Amanat, writer Jonathan Hickman, writer Kelly Sue DeConnick, and writer Dennis Hopeless.

Read more...

Tags FanExpo Canada, Fantastic Four, FF, Marvel Comics

You’d be forgiven for not knowing what Crossgen’s title Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is, mainly because it was the last published comic from the flailing publisher. Taking a riff on James Bond, the idea was that the title Charlie Kiss was transferred from agent to agent, after the previous Kiss died.

Now, as part of their Crossgen reboot program, Marvel is bringing Charlie Kiss and company back to life, with writer Peter Milligan and artist Roman Rosanas, for a new, four issue mini-series. This time – as announced at Marvel’s Next Big Thing panel at FanExpo – the new agent is Alan McGrath, and he may find that his status as top agent Charlie Kiss will be very short lived. To find out more, we chatted with Milligan, and of course, started off with the obvious question:

MTV Geek: What’s the idea of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang… I know Robert Downey Jr. was great in it, but that’s all I’ve got so far.

Peter Milligan: We’re taking the basic concept of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and then running with it. It’s all the action and glamour – the death and sex and good stuff – of a James Bond style spy caper but with a dark heart and some modern twists. Read more...

Tags Crossgen, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Marvel Comics, Peter Milligan

[Note: this interview was conducted last weekend at FanExpo Canada, before Flashpoint #5 came out]

Andy Kubert deserves a break. Actually, he just took one, but he may need another after this next week is over. The critically acclaimed artist is celebrating the release of Flashpoint #5, the very last comic book from the old DC universe, before it reboots with Justice League #1 the same day. And in fact, fans will get a special look at DC’s New 52 in that very issue… So in a very real sense, Kubert is the last guy to draw the old DCU, and the first to draw the new one.

We caught up with Andy at FanExpo Canada to chat about this issue, what he thinks is the title to watch in the New 52, and why he doesn’t think about drawing the Speed Force… He just does it.

MTV Geek: So at this point, issue five comes out next week… I mean, I certainly hope you’re 100% done at this point.

Andy Kubert: All done! All finished, all wrapped… I saw the printed copies. I’m very excited about it.

Geek: One of the biggest issues in the industry – particularly where Events were concerned – is getting them out on time, and this was out on time month after month. What was the pressure like there?

AK: I had worked every day… Well, I started work on Flashpoint late Spring of last year, and it took a long time to get those character sketches done. A lot of back and forth between me, Geoff [Johns], Eddie Berganza, Adam Schlagman, The DC Direct people. I forget how many we designed all together, but it took a LONG time. Before I even started working on the book, or had the script.

They told me… They knew it had to come out, so the middle of December to—I wrapped it somewhere in the middle of July, I worked every day on it. I worked weekends, I worked nights. Even though I was still doing school stuff and teaching at my Father’s school, I worked straight through. And after I was done, I told my wife to book a trip, and we went away for a couple of weeks. [Laughs] I worked through my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, but it was all worth it, because I miss it dearly now… And I had a blast on it. Read more...

Tags Andy Kubert, DC Comics, Flashpoint

As Saturday continued its trend of packed panels at FanExpo, Marvel moved their focus from the Ultimate Universe, to the X-Men. With the merry mutants in the middle of a "Schism" that will split their dwindling numbers into two teams, and new titles launching in the next few months (dubbed "X-Men: Regenesis"), it was a perfect time to catch up with the heroes. The panel was moderated by Marvel’s Arune Singh, with Editor in Chief Axel Alonso, Editor Jeanine Schaefer, Senior VP C.B. Cebulski, writer Jason Aaron, and that was it. Mean, and lean, just like The X-Men themselves.

“We’re up to issue four now, and there’s a lot of "Schism," if you’ve been waiting for some Schism,” said Aaron. “This is the biggest, nastiest Cyclops and Wolverine fight of all time. That Xavier and Magneto dynamic is in the past… This is the new dynamic. That all starts in Schism #5.”

Talking about the new Hellfire Club, Aaron said, “I’m just terrified of children, I guess. Obviously if you look at "Schism," children are very much parts of both sides of the battle. Those kids will stick around… They’ll be a lot of them in X-Men books going forward.”

Read more...

Tags FanExpo Canada, Marvel Comics, X-Men Regenesis

Canadians eager to discover what DC’s giant New 52 initiative was all aboot packed a FanExpo room to capacity, for what was the publisher’s last discussion before the fans actually get to read the darn books. And the participants were a who’s who of DC talent: Editor Eddie Berganza; writer James Robinson; writer Brian Azzarello; writer Jeff Lemire; artist Shane Davis; writer/artist Francis Manapul; writer Tony Daniel; artist Yanick Paquette; and Co-Publisher Dan DiDio.

Berganza kicked off the panel talking about Justice League, which he described as taking place in a world that doesn’t really like superheroes. He also teased that the first issue deals with the origin of Cyborg, and how he ended up on the team. DiDio then called up a fan to read Justice League #1 on stage.

The cover to Wonder Woman #1

Moving on to Wonder Woman, Azzarello plugged Cliff Chiang’s art, saying, “This is the best work of his career… But it really is this time. It’s a horror book, and I’m sticking to that.”

Read more...

Tags 52, DC Comics, FanExpo Canada, New 52

As revealed at the recent Marvel: Next Big Thing panel at FanExpo Canada, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Peter Nguyen are bringing back one of the most beloved Crossgen series, ‘Route 666,’ for a new generation. The four issue mini doesn’t start until February of 2012, but we chatted with Aguire-Sacasa right now about the book, how it will be different from the previous series, and just where he gets his inspiration (note: it isn’t a Johnny Rockets):

MTV Geek: Let's talk about Route 666... What's the general concept of the series?

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa: It's a horror/crime series set in the 1950s, along historic Route 66, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. Two deputies cruise the highway, the "mother-road," as it's called, investigating paranormal crimes and events.

Geek: Who is Evan Cisco?

RAS: He's our strong, silent, brooding lead. He's a US Marshall dealing with all sorts of monsters and demons on the job and a crumbling marriage at home--complicated by the fact that he spends most of his time on the road, away from home. He's a pragmatist; also, he may have a slight drinking problem. Read more...

Tags Crossgen, fanex, Marvel Comics, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Route 666

There are only days – maybe hours, even, if ya wanna be a jerk about it – until DC’s massive New 52 initiative launches. Once Midnight hits on August 31st, there will be no turning back, as the publisher completely reboots their superhero universe for a new generation, launching fifty-two brand new number ones, and (they hope) changing the face of comics forever.

FanExpo Canada, while not exactly the calm before the storm, did give us a chance to sit down with a visibly relaxed Co-Publisher Dan DiDio to chat about his plans in the next few days, how recent (incredibly positive) sales figures have affected DC’s bravado, and a little bit about where they’re going next:

MTV Geek: With about a half a week until New 52, it’s pretty clear what DC’s game plan is, but what’s your personal game plan for the next few days?

Dan DiDio: We’re attacking several problems, or several concerns all at the same time. First thing we’re trying to do is attack the issue of slowly eroding sales. Biggest issue is that, too. First thing you want to do is find a way to strengthen the base of your audience, so that you can bring new people in and get them hooked.

Second thing is to create a diversity across the line, wider than we are – really just, rather than going in with a narrow margin of superhero projects, really open up the breadth, and give the more eclectic corners a chance. Because personally those are the things I love the best. So I’d love to see War books, and Western books, and Science Fiction, and Horror on the line… Because I think that’s just what makes comics fun! Read more...

Tags 52, Dan DiDio, DC Comics, New 52

If fans normally can expect a Cup O’ Joe Quesada at most cons, at FanExpo Canada they got a whole pint O’ C.B. Cebulski, as Marvel’s Senior VP stepped into the CCO’s shoes to present some of Marvel’s bigger announcements of the con, including one that Canadian fans might find particular interesting. That’s right: Ultimate Tim Hortons.

Just kidding, we’ll get to the announcements in a second, but first, the guest line-up: Cebulski was there, of course, as well as Editor in Chief Axel Alonso, Director of Communications Arune Singh, Head of Business Development Mike Pasciullo, writer Jonathan Hickman (FF, Ultimate Comics Ultimates), writer Jason Aaron (Wolverine & The X-Men), writer Fred Van Lente (Alpha Flight, Herc), and writer Matt Fraction (Fear Itself).

Cebulski started things off by talking about how this was his fourteenth FanExpo, which drew cheers from the audience. Then it was time for some quick announcements!

- Destroyers written by Fred Van Lente and Kyle Hotz (read an interview we had with them about the book here!) is coming in February of 2012. We’ll have an interview with Van Lente about this up soon, but it brings together She-Hulk, Thing, A-Bomb, and more to solve a “million year old mystery” that caused the death of the dinosaurs. Read more...

Tags Alpha Flight, FanExpo Canada, Marvel Comics, The Destroyers

Those Canadians sure know how to throw a convention...and to get into the spirit by coming up with amazing cosplay outfits! Here are 20 of the most amazing we saw at FanExpo Canada this weekend:

Squirrel Girl

Harley Quinn and the Joker

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Tags cosplay, FanExpo Canada