Hiya! I’m Alex Jaffe, and for the previous 5 years, I’ve been higher recognized to the DC Neighborhood as HubCityQuestion. It’s been my honor and pleasure to convey solutions to each the best and most esoteric mysteries obscured by the huge breadth and depth of the DC Universe for anybody who has dared to submit their inquiries to my column. And this month, it’s with nice satisfaction that I commemorate our 100th version of the column.
How did a month-to-month column get to 100 entries in underneath eight years, the numerically inclined amongst it’s possible you’ll be asking? Properly, in 2018, the DC Universe service debuted, a vacation spot the place customers may learn comics, watch DC movies and tv, have interaction with one another in a neighborhood, and browse information and particular curiosity items geared in the direction of hardcore DC followers.
I used to be an early adopter to this neighborhood, which nonetheless thrives at present right here at DC.com. With many subscribers now accessing an unlimited digital comedian archive for the primary time, I knew that questions in regards to the ins and outs of canon would abound. So, I arrange my very own thread the place I invited members to ask me no matter they needed about DC Comics, and I’d do my degree finest to seek out them a solution. When did Lex Luthor first study Supergirl? The place’s my favourite character nowadays? What’s the cope with that big penny within the Batcave? On daily basis, motivated by nothing however my very own want to pursue and share particulars in regards to the DC Universe, I labored to seek out readers the solutions they sought.
It wasn’t too lengthy earlier than the neighborhood managers seen my labor of affection and advisable me to DC Universe’s editorial crew to start publishing my findings for a wider viewers. For over a yr, ASK…THE QUESTION was a weekly function in DC Universe’s information part. The evolution of DC Universe into DC UNIVERSE INFINITE noticed a lot of DC Universe’s authentic writing crew, myself included, built-in into DC.com. With that transition, my column turned a month-to-month function, however one no much less devoted to discovering the solutions my readers want.
Since that transition, lots of the solutions I’ve meticulously researched from the DC Universe period have been misplaced to public file—the DC Universe information part is, sadly, no extra. So, to have a good time 100 entries, I’m bringing again a few of my favourite inquiries from this earlier period to tell our new readers and to relive the numerous joyful recollections I’ve made in pursuit of a lifelong dream come true: being an expert DC comedian guide know-it-all. Listed here are eight of my favourite questions from the unique run of ASK…THE QUESTION. And right here’s to many extra to come back.
For the Longest Time
Mae asks:
Only a fast query which could not have a fast reply, however do we all know what has been the longest time a personality has gone with out making an look?
A difficult query. To reply this one, I needed to go ALL the way in which again…to New Enjoyable Comics #1, the very first comedian guide DC printed again in 1935—earlier than the corporate was even known as DC. Like Detective Comics and Motion Comics after it, New Enjoyable was an anthology title, that includes plenty of authentic comedian guide characters in their very own serialized adventures. Which was the primary to be canceled? Who didn’t survive that preliminary run earlier than New Comics would take its place later that yr? I went to the archives to seek out out. Whereas only a few characters from this Nationwide Allied Publications debut difficulty resembling Jack Woods, Wing Brady or Sandra of the Secret Service survived even into the Nineteen Forties, just one function was canceled by the very subsequent difficulty.
Lacking since March 1935 (by cowl date), the world has seen neither conceal nor hair of “Cap’n Erik,” cartoonist Robert Weinstein’s seafaring hero whose sole two-part journey was about looking seals. (Additionally making their last look in New Enjoyable Comics #2: minor fill-in web page characters Scrub Hardy, Choose Perkins and Jigger and Ginger.)
Since sealing isn’t about to come back again in style any time quickly, it may very well be fairly some time earlier than we ever see Cap’n Erik once more. Perhaps as some sort of minor Aquaman villain, for absolutely the deepest of pulls.
Dimension Issues
superheroWADE asks:
Hiya Query dude, this week I’ve some questions on Kandor. Has the shrunken Kryptonian metropolis ever been returned to a standard measurement both in comics or anyplace else? In that case, what was the key to returning it again to regular?
For a lot of Superman’s profession, the bottled metropolis of Kandor has stood within the Fortress of Solitude as a tangible image hope itself. An issue which, if sometime solved, may imply the return of Krypton to the universe. It represents a promise that even the best of tragedies might sometime be reversed. It stands to cause, then, that writers can be tempted to see this storyline by way of to its joyful conclusion. In spite of everything, Superman is all about attaining the unimaginable dream. I can consider no fewer than 4 events all through DC historical past the place the previous capital of Krypton was restored to its full measurement and splendor:
Superman #338, “Let My Folks Develop!” (1978)
For this particular anniversary difficulty, DC and author Len Wein celebrated Superman’s fortieth in a giant method: by embiggening Kandor itself. On this difficulty, Krypton’s final survivors Superman and Supergirl harness an energetic supernova to empower an enlarging ray that will restore Kandor to its former measurement. Sadly, the Kandorians quickly uncover that the results of the ray solely show everlasting on natural matter, forcing them to rebuild their society from scratch. The liberated individuals of Kandor go on to colonize the planet Rokyn, which seems plenty of instances by way of the thirtieth century adventures of the Legion of Tremendous-Heroes.
Superman: New Krypton (2008)
One main change made to Superman’s historical past after Disaster on Infinite Earths was the restoration of Superman’s standing because the final survivor of Krypton, eliminating cousins and miniaturized cities alike from his retinue. However within the 2008 Superman: Brainiac storyline, the miniaturized Kryptonian metropolis seems as soon as extra after an extended absence as a part of Brainiac’s assortment. This model of Kandor is stored bottled through an power subject which retains it in its miniaturized state—a subject which is disrupted within the climactic battle between Superman and Brainiac, restoring the individuals of Kandor and their metropolis to full measurement. A lot of the Superman comics of the late ‘00s concern the fallout of this new growth, in the end culminating in 2010’s Warfare of the Supermen.
Batman: The Darkish Knight Strikes Once more (2001)
I don’t learn about you, however after I first heard that one among Superman’s stickiest issues was determining the right way to re-enlarge a miniaturized metropolis, the primary answer that got here to my thoughts was, “Why not name the Atom?” In spite of everything, if the Atom may create a belt which may alter his personal measurement at will, absolutely he may assist develop related know-how for the individuals of Kandor.
Properly, it seems that in Frank Miller’s Darkish Knight saga, that’s precisely what occurs. On this darkish way forward for the DC Universe, we be taught that Lex Luthor is ready to manipulate Superman by protecting Kandor as his hostage. However this harmful established order is disturbed when Supergirl, pretending to be Luthor’s pawn, sneaks the Atom into the bottled metropolis so as to liberate it from his depraved grasp. This flip of occasions would show to have unexpected penalties of its personal in Miller’s follow-up story, Darkish Knight III: The Grasp Race.
Legion of Tremendous Heroes, “Message in a Bottle” (2007)
A thousand years after the kidnapping of Kandor, Legion of Tremendous-Heroes member Brainiac 5 repays a debt to Superboy by utilizing his ancestor’s know-how to revive Kandor on a reformed planet Krypton. Sadly, so as to protect the timeline, Brainiac 5 is required to wipe Superboy’s reminiscence of this motion in order that he might not know the ultimate destiny of the Kandorian individuals he failed to avoid wasting inside his personal time. No one ever mentioned being a Legionnaire was simple.
Clarke’s Legislation & Order
Doomsday787 asks:
Okay, this regards Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes. What’s the precise story with the beetle? Is it Egyptian like Physician Destiny mentioned, or is it alien Attain know-how? All the pieces I’ve learn appears to bounce forwards and backwards.
There’s a easy cause it appears to bounce forwards and backwards that method, Doomsday—as a result of that’s precisely what it’s been doing.
Initially, the scarab of the Blue Beetle had no extraterrestrial or mystical properties in anyway. From its debut in 1939 to 1964, the beetle in query was merely a logo utilized by the unique Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett, in his battle in opposition to crime on the pages of High quality Comics. In a Silver Age reboot for 1964’s Blue Beetle #1, Garrett’s image was given a brand new origin. Garrett’s occupation modified from police officer to archaeologist, having found the scarab as an Egyptian artifact on an expedition.
Garrett took benefit of the Scarab’s many mystical properties till 1966, when the Blue Beetle idea was rebooted as soon as once more with Ted Kord inheriting the function, starting with Captain Atom #83. Ted Kord creator Steve Ditko most well-liked a extra gadget-based method to the character, and ultimately had Garrett cross the scarab onto him in an origin story for the legacy hero—although Ted would by no means be taught the key of the right way to make it perform.
Forty years later, the scarab returns because the mantle of Blue Beetle is handed down as soon as extra, this time to Jaime Reyes, as depicted in 2006’s Blue Beetle #1. On this new tackle the character by Keith Giffen and John Rogers, it’s ultimately revealed by 2008’s Blue Beetle #25 that whereas the scarab does possess seemingly mystical properties, the reality is way more difficult. Lengthy earlier than the scarab was found in Egypt by the unique Blue Beetle, it was an artifact of an increasing alien empire referred to as the Attain, who deployed them to colonize worlds into their dominion by bonding with a local host. Due to a malfunction, this specific scarab ended up in a state the place Jaime may bond emotionally with it in addition to bodily, and the 2 ultimately attain a mutual respect and understanding.
The character of this relationship and the Scarab’s alien origins remained largely unchanged for the New 52 Blue Beetle sequence. However when Keith Giffen returned to the character in 2016’s Blue Beetle: Rebirth #1, massive mystical heavy hitters like Physician Destiny and Arion, Lord of Atlantis turned concerned within the extra supernatural facets of the Scarab’s origins. Nevertheless, Giffen’s last story arc contained just a few hints that the true nature of the Scarab might not be purely mystical in any case…by revealing the shock involvement in 2017’s Blue Beetle #13 of the alien despot Woman Styx in an surprising disguise.
The reality is that the character of the scarab is ambiguous sufficient for readers to make up their very own minds. However for those who’d like my very own opinion, I’ll should facet with science fiction creator Arthur C. Clarke. Although he wrote many works all through his life, maybe his most well-known piece is that this astute remark: any sufficiently superior know-how is functionally indistinguishable from magic.
World’s Most interesting Authors
TornadoSoup asks:
Has anybody ever been a predominant author on a predominant Superman guide (Motion Comics, Superman, Adventures of Superman, Man of Metal, and so on.) and the principle author on a predominant Batman guide (Detective Comics, Batman, Legends of the Darkish Knight, and so on.) on the similar time? Thanks as all the time!
Earlier than we get into this, let’s outline the stipulations of the query. What’s a “predominant” Superman or Batman guide? I imagine the spirit of this query suggests one which meets the next necessities: a guide launched with the intention of being an ongoing, limitless sequence, and a guide which (a minimum of for the overwhelming majority of its run) primarily focuses on the title hero. Scott Snyder might have written Superman Unchained throughout his New 52 Batman run, as an example, however as a result of Superman Unchained is a restricted sequence, he wouldn’t qualify for that intersection.
A “predominant” author, however, could also be outlined as one who takes over one among these comics for a big run, versus a fill-in or visitor author. So as an example, Brian Michael Bendis might have completed a visitor spot in Detective Comics #1000 whereas writing Superman, however as a result of he wasn’t the principle author of Detective Comics, he wouldn’t qualify both.
The place you identify the cut-off for “significance,” nevertheless, is a matter of opinion. Certainly a one-shot look wouldn’t qualify one as a “predominant” author. However what a couple of two- and even three-parter? And even only a single story arc? Is there a distinction if it’s between stints from the prior predominant author, or if a brand new author comes aboard afterward? What in the event that they’re one among a number of rotating writers throughout a interval of publication, as was fairly widespread in the course of the Pre-Disaster period?
For this experiment, allow us to say that to be thought-about a “predominant” author, they will need to have written a minimum of six points over a twelve-month interval. These points could also be in any qualifying “predominant title”—as an example, Jerry Siegel’s accumulative run on the principle Superman books would account for his work on each Superman and Motion Comics.
I’m gonna degree with you, Twister. That is essentially the most work I’ve ever put right into a case for this column. I toiled at this for hours past counting, the place all however essentially the most bullheaded detectives would have thrown up their fingers on the sheer magnitude of this problem. However your devoted faceless investigator pressed ever onward, tirelessly matching up runs by each author on each title to satisfy these {qualifications} over the previous eighty years. From Jerry Siegel to Brian Michael Bendis; from Invoice Finger to Tom King. Within the course of, I realized secrets and techniques about DC historical past I by no means even thought to search for, and even perhaps just a few essential issues about myself.
In the long run, although, after scouring hundreds of points and a whole bunch of names, I’ve compiled, for what I imagine to be the primary time anyplace, a listing of the proud few writers who labored recurrently on a flagship Batman and Superman title on the similar time.
The primary particular person to attain this feat is maybe the toughest working author within the Golden Age of DC, Invoice Finger. The co-creator of Batman himself put quite a lot of work into the Tremendous-Books of the Nineteen Forties, incessantly pitching in when Jerry Siegel was unavailable. Although he by no means had an extended consecutive run, Finger wrote over fifty problems with Superman and Motion Comics throughout his file lengthy runs on Batman and Detective Comics.
Within the waning years of World Warfare II, Alvin Schwartz was one of many predominant writers on Batman, Superman, Detective Comics and Motion Comics. He later went on to co-create Bizarro in 1958—relying on who you ask, that’s. It’s an extended story. At any price, he was the primary to do the entire “reverse speak” deal.
The Golden Age of rotating artistic groups was additionally the heyday of bullpen author Don Cameron, who bounced between all 4 Batman and Superman books between 1943 and 1948. And he was no slouch—this period of productiveness introduced us Toyman, Alfred Pennyworth, and the very beginnings of what would change into the Batcave.
A pulp science fiction novelist strolling within the footsteps of HP Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, Edmond Hamilton paid the payments by selecting up work on Motion, Detective, Batman and Superman—a lot of work. Between 1948 and 1957, Hamilton usually discovered himself engaged on all 4 books directly. However his aptitude for the futuristic was finest deployed throughout his early work on the Legion of Tremendous-Heroes, dreaming up such mainstays as Timber Wolf and the Time Trapper.
Within the Seventies, it was exhausting to discover a DC title that wasn’t being written by the nice Dennis O’Neil. From 1971-1972, he was the principle author on Batman, Superman and Detective Comics—and his finest work was nonetheless but to come back.
Between 1975-1980, “The Reply Man” Bob Rozakis wrote fairly incessantly on each Motion and Detective Comics. His was a piece ethic which continued to encourage me as I collated all of this data collectively.
Swamp Factor co-creator Len Wein additionally achieved this distinction between 1979 and 1980 with twin runs on Batman and Superman. Oh, and only for good measure, he occurred to be dealing with The Flash and Justice League of America on the time, too. Len favored to maintain busy, and we’re all of the richer for it.
It ought to come as no shock that Marv Wolfman, one of many main architects of Disaster on Infinite Earths, additionally managed to attain this distinction, with runs on Batman and Motion Comics between 1980 and 1981.
Greg Rucka will get an honorable point out for writing each Detective Comics and Motion Comics in 2010…with the caveat that on the time, neither title featured Batman or Superman.
However the newest author to tug off this uncommon feat? That might be Grant Morrison, who labored on each Motion Comics and Batman, Included within the dawning years of the New 52. Sticklers might not take into account Batman, Included to be a “predominant” Batman guide, but it surely definitely had an impression which rippled out to each Batman title being printed on the time.
Numbering the Infinite
DeSade-acolyte asks:
What number of “named” characters are in Disaster on Infinite Earths? Given the big quantity, does that make George Pérez the artist who has drawn essentially the most DC characters? (If not Pérez, then who holds that title?)
You’re actually dwelling as much as your title, acolyte, as a result of this query was downright sadistic. Nonetheless, for my hungry readers, I endeavored to determine and tally each single named character in all the twelve-issue Disaster on Infinite Earths epic, from Abra Kadabra to Zirral of the Omega Males. All through its myriad crowds and costumes, I counted 518 characters in complete. I can’t listing them right here. (Curiously absent, although? Hal Jordan. Attention-grabbing, that. True, he was retired on the time, however you’d assume he’d have a minimum of made a small look someplace.)
As for whether or not Pérez has drawn essentially the most DC characters…I imagine that title would truly should go to Keith Giffen, due to his legendary crowd scenes. (Infamously, the “Nice Darkness Saga” storyline as soon as required him to attract the ENTIRE POPULATION of the planet Daxam.) However by way of NAMED characters, I’m going to name it for Pérez, with nothing however intuition to again me up. Show me mistaken!
A Gotham Farewell
BatJamags asks:
When did Batman begin disappearing on Jim Gordon mid-sentence?
There are two in style solutions to this query, BatJamags. The distinction is that one reply is right, and the opposite is inaccurate. There’s a considerably in style reply to this query that the primary time Batman pulls this stunt is in 1973’s Swamp Factor #7, the enduring difficulty by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson the place Batman meets Swamp Factor for the primary time. (You possibly can see it above.)
And contemplating that Len Wein went on to change into a outstanding editor for DC over the subsequent few a long time, that could be the place the idea was popularized. However the precise first documented case of Batman ghosting Gordon occurred in a a lot lesser recognized difficulty a yr earlier, in 1972’s Detective Comics #424:
This difficulty is especially notable for a back-up story known as “Batgirl’s Final Case,” the place Barbara retired her cowl as Batgirl. However other than that, this difficulty was edited by Julius Schwartz, a frequent collaborator of Wein’s, so it’s not unimaginable that that is the place the legendary Swamp Factor co-creator picked up the concept and wrote it into Batman historical past.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Amazon
moro asks:
How did the time period “DC Trinity” come about? When did that trio change into a factor? Was it a growth that occurred regularly over time, provided that they’re, arguably, the three hottest DC characters? Or was there a selected story that cemented Superman, Batman and Surprise Lady because the DC Trinity?
Properly, moro, right here’s the large secret that the Huge DC Editorial Fats Cats don’t need you to know: the vaunted “Trinity” of Superman, Batman and Surprise Lady is definitely a comparatively new idea. For the overwhelming majority of DC historical past, these three standard-bearing heroes would by no means cross paths in a bunch with out the remainder of the Justice League of America to offer a buffer. Certain, Surprise Lady would crew up with Superman or Batman on very uncommon events individually, however she was by no means as near both hero because the “World’s Most interesting” have been to one another till fairly lately.
The primary documented journey that includes the enduring trio didn’t happen till 1985’s Superman Annual #11, the now traditional story “For the Man Who Has All the pieces,” the place Batman, Robin and Surprise Lady assist launch Superman from the clutches of Mongul’s Black Mercy.
Even after that time, it was nonetheless uncommon to see the trio collectively. The primary reference to them as DC’s “Trinity” was in Surprise Lady #140-141, for a narrative arc titled “Trinity ’98.” There, Surprise Lady, Batman and Superman are reunited in a psychological battle in opposition to…her invisible airplane.
It actually wasn’t till 2003 that the “Trinity” sobriquet absolutely caught on, with the launch of a restricted sequence by the identical title telling a retroactive origin story of how the three first got here to satisfy each other. It was after that time, within the lead as much as Infinite Disaster, that Superman, Batman and Surprise Lady got here to be absolutely established because the three pillars which supported the DC Universe…primarily as outlined by their notable absence in 2006’s 52. Upon their return, the now universally acknowledged Trinity reunited because the important core of a newly reformed Justice League. Ever since, the Trinity has remained united of their revered place as essentially the most important figures in DC iconography. Properly, them and Harley Quinn, I suppose.
A Private Query
sawarmbrodt.6195 asks:
Why the Query? I am unable to think about you solely take pleasure in him for handy wordplay and his sharp go well with.
Properly, not ONLY due to that. I just like the Query as a result of in Steve Ditko’s authentic tales and people he impressed, he by no means compromises as soon as he sees the fitting plan of action. He fights to uncover the exhausting great thing about reality in a world the place lies are way more comfy.
I just like the Query as a result of in Dennis O’Neil’s ’80s run, he’s allowed to evolve. To see that there are some issues in regards to the particular person he as soon as was that he’s not too happy with, however that we’re all able to changing into one thing new.
I just like the Query as a result of in Dwayne McDuffie’s Justice League Limitless, there was this skulking, weird faceless man who didn’t command the respect or awe that Batman did, however who was equally relentless in his pursuit of a thriller, if no more so. As a result of he was prepared to do what others wouldn’t even dare take into account, if solely to keep away from previous—or future—errors.
I just like the Query as a result of, like many Ditko characters, it may very well be ANYONE underneath that masks. The Query reveals us that every one you must do to be a hero isn’t be complacent. Don’t settle for cruelty, injustice and lies as the way in which the world works. Typically, all that’s wanted to be a hero is to summon sufficient braveness to ask a query.
Wow! It’s exhausting to imagine what number of mysteries I’ve gotten the chance to deal with for you everywhere in the years. And relaxation assured I’ve no plans of going anyplace. What I do for ASK…THE QUESTION is among the nice prides I’ve in my work and my life. Thanks all for taking this journey with me, and for the numerous extra to come back. Thanks in your curiosity, in your indulgence, and for the function you play in my life. Usually, I’m studying the solutions proper alongside you and it’s that pursuit of reality which makes my dedication to this world ironclad. My love for DC, and the DC neighborhood at massive, will increase evermore each time you ASK…THE QUESTION.
Alex Jaffe is the creator of our month-to-month “Ask the Query” column and writes about TV, motion pictures, comics and superhero historical past for DC.com. Observe him on Twitter at @AlexJaffe and discover him within the DC Neighborhood as HubCityQuestion.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Alex Jaffe and don’t essentially mirror these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
