Hello! I’m Alex Jaffe, and for the previous 5 years, I’ve been higher identified to the DC Community as HubCityQuestion. It’s been my honor and pleasure to carry 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 delight that I commemorate our 100th version of the column.
How did a month-to-month column get to 100 entries in beneath eight years, the numerically inclined amongst you could be asking? Well, in 2018, the DC Universe service debuted, a vacation spot the place customers might learn comics, watch DC movies and tv, have interaction with one another in a group, and browse information and particular curiosity items geared in direction of hardcore DC followers.
I used to be an early adopter to this group, which nonetheless thrives immediately 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 stage greatest to search out them a solution. When did Lex Luthor first find out about Supergirl? Where’s my favourite character as of late? What’s the cope with that enormous penny within the Batcave? Every day, motivated by nothing however my very own want to pursue and share particulars in regards to the DC Universe, I labored to search out readers the solutions they sought.
It wasn’t too lengthy earlier than the group managers observed my labor of love and beneficial me to DC Universe’s editorial workforce to start publishing my findings for a wider viewers. For over a 12 months, ASK…THE QUESTION was a weekly characteristic in DC Universe’s information part. The evolution of DC Universe into DC UNIVERSE INFINITE noticed a lot of DC Universe’s unique writing workforce, myself included, built-in into DC.com. With that transition, my column grew to become a month-to-month characteristic, however one no much less devoted to discovering the solutions my readers want.
Since that transition, many of the solutions I’ve meticulously researched from the DC Universe period have been misplaced to public report—the DC Universe information part is, sadly, no extra. So, to have a good time 100 entries, I’m bringing again some of my favourite inquiries from this earlier period to tell our new readers and to relive the numerous completely happy recollections I’ve made in pursuit of a lifelong dream come true: being knowledgeable DC comedian e book know-it-all. Here are eight of my favourite questions from the unique run of ASK…THE QUESTION. And right here’s to many extra to return.
For the Longest Time
Mae asks:
Just 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 tough query. To reply this one, I needed to go ALL the way in which again…to New Fun Comics #1, the very first comedian e book DC printed again in 1935—earlier than the corporate was even referred to as DC. Like Detective Comics and Action Comics after it, New Fun was an anthology title, that includes a quantity of unique comedian e book 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 12 months? I went to the archives to search out out. While only a few characters from this National Allied Publications debut difficulty equivalent to Jack Woods, Wing Brady or Sandra of the Secret Service survived even into the Nineteen Forties, just one characteristic was canceled by the very subsequent difficulty.
Missing since March 1935 (by cowl date), the world has seen neither disguise nor hair of “Cap’n Erik,” cartoonist Robert Weinstein’s seafaring hero whose sole two-part journey was about searching seals. (Also making their remaining look in New Fun Comics #2: minor fill-in web page characters Scrub Hardy, Judge Perkins and Jigger and Ginger.)
Since sealing isn’t about to return again in style any time quickly, it might be fairly some time earlier than we ever see Cap’n Erik once more. Maybe as some variety of minor Aquaman villain, for absolutely the deepest of pulls.
Size Matters
superheroWADE asks:
Hello Question dude, this week I’ve some questions on Kandor. Has the shrunken Kryptonian metropolis ever been returned to a traditional dimension both in comics or anyplace else? If so, 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, might imply the return of Krypton to the universe. It represents a promise that even the best of tragedies could sometime be reversed. It stands to purpose, then, that writers could be tempted to see this storyline by way of to its completely happy conclusion. After all, Superman is all about reaching the unimaginable dream. I can assume of no fewer than 4 events all through DC historical past the place the previous capital of Krypton was restored to its full dimension and splendor:
Superman #338, “Let My People Grow!” (1978)
For this particular anniversary difficulty, DC and author Len Wein celebrated Superman’s fortieth in a giant manner: by embiggening Kandor itself. In this difficulty, Krypton’s final survivors Superman and Supergirl harness an energetic supernova to empower an enlarging ray that might restore Kandor to its former dimension. Unfortunately, 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 a quantity of occasions by way of the thirtieth century adventures of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Superman: New Krypton (2008)
One main change made to Superman’s historical past after Crisis 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. But within the 2008 Superman: Brainiac storyline, the miniaturized Kryptonian metropolis seems as soon as extra after a protracted absence as half of Brainiac’s assortment. This model of Kandor is saved bottled through an power area which retains it in its miniaturized state—a area which is disrupted within the climactic battle between Superman and Brainiac, restoring the individuals of Kandor and their metropolis to full dimension. Much of the Superman comics of the late ‘00s concern the fallout of this new development, ultimately culminating in 2010’s War of the Supermen.
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001)
I don’t learn about you, however after I first heard that one of Superman’s stickiest issues was determining find out how to re-enlarge a miniaturized metropolis, the primary answer that got here to my thoughts was, “Why not call the Atom?” After all, if the Atom might create a belt which may alter his personal dimension at will, absolutely he might assist develop comparable know-how for the individuals of Kandor.
Well, it seems that in Frank Miller’s Dark Knight saga, that’s precisely what occurs. In this darkish future of the DC Universe, we study that Lex Luthor is ready to manipulate Superman by preserving Kandor as his hostage. But this harmful establishment is disturbed when Supergirl, pretending to be Luthor’s pawn, sneaks the Atom into the bottled metropolis to be able 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, Dark Knight III: The Master Race.
Legion of Super Heroes, “Message in a Bottle” (2007)
A thousand years after the kidnapping of Kandor, Legion of Super-Heroes member Brainiac 5 repays a debt to Superboy through the use of his ancestor’s know-how to revive Kandor on a reformed planet Krypton. Sadly, to be able to protect the timeline, Brainiac 5 is required to wipe Superboy’s reminiscence of this motion in order that he could not know the ultimate destiny of the Kandorian individuals he failed to save lots of inside his personal time. Nobody ever stated being a Legionnaire was simple.
Clarke’s Law & Order
Doomsday787 asks:
Okay, this regards Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes. What is the precise story with the beetle? Is it Egyptian like Doctor Fate stated, or is it alien Reach know-how? Everything I’ve learn appears to bounce forwards and backwards.
There’s a easy purpose it appears to bounce forwards and backwards that manner, Doomsday—as a result of that’s precisely what it’s been doing.
Originally, the scarab of the Blue Beetle had no extraterrestrial or mystical properties by any means. 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 combat in opposition to crime on the pages of Quality Comics. In a Silver Age reboot for 1964’s Blue Beetle #1, Garrett’s image was given a brand new origin. Garrett’s career 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 position, starting with Captain Atom #83. Ted Kord creator Steve Ditko most popular a extra gadget-based method to the character, and finally had Garrett go the scarab onto him in an origin story for the legacy hero—although Ted would by no means study the key of find out how to make it operate.
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. In this new tackle the character by Keith Giffen and John Rogers, it’s finally revealed by 2008’s Blue Beetle #25 that whereas the scarab does possess seemingly mystical properties, the reality is rather more difficult. Long earlier than the scarab was found in Egypt by the unique Blue Beetle, it was an artifact of an increasing alien empire often called the Reach, who deployed them to colonize worlds into their dominion by bonding with a local host. Thanks to a malfunction, this explicit scarab ended up in a state the place Jaime might bond emotionally with it in addition to bodily, and the 2 finally attain a mutual respect and understanding.
The nature of this relationship and the Scarab’s alien origins remained largely unchanged for the New 52 Blue Beetle collection. But when Keith Giffen returned to the character in 2016’s Blue Beetle: Rebirth #1, huge mystical heavy hitters like Doctor Fate and Arion, Lord of Atlantis grew to become concerned within the extra supernatural elements of the Scarab’s origins. However, Giffen’s remaining story arc contained a number of hints that the true nature of the Scarab might not be purely mystical in spite of everything…by revealing the shock involvement in 2017’s Blue Beetle #13 of the alien despot Lady Styx in an sudden disguise.
The reality is that the character of the scarab is ambiguous sufficient for readers to make up their very own minds. But when you’d like my very own opinion, I’ll must aspect with science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke. Though he wrote many works all through his life, maybe his most well-known piece is that this astute commentary: any sufficiently superior know-how is functionally indistinguishable from magic.
World’s Finest Authors
TornadoSoup asks:
Has anybody ever been a essential author on a essential Superman e book (Action Comics, Superman, Adventures of Superman, Man of Steel, and many others.) and the primary author on a essential Batman e book (Detective Comics, Batman, Legends of the Dark Knight, and many others.) on the similar time? Thanks as all the time!
Before we get into this, let’s outline the stipulations of the query. What is a “main” Superman or Batman e book? I consider the spirit of this query suggests one which meets the next necessities: a e book launched with the intention of being an ongoing, limitless collection, and a e book which (a minimum of for the overwhelming majority of its run) primarily focuses on the title hero. Scott Snyder could have written Superman Unchained throughout his New 52 Batman run, for example, however as a result of Superman Unchained is a restricted collection, he wouldn’t qualify for that intersection.
A “main” author, alternatively, could also be outlined as one who takes over one of these comics for a major run, versus a fill-in or visitor author. So for example, Brian Michael Bendis could have carried out a visitor spot in Detective Comics #1000 whereas writing Superman, however as a result of he wasn’t the primary author of Detective Comics, he wouldn’t qualify both.
Where you identify the cut-off for “significance,” nonetheless, is a matter of opinion. Surely a one-shot look wouldn’t qualify one as a “main” author. But what a couple of two- and even three-parter? Or even only a single story arc? Is there a distinction if it’s between stints from the prior essential author, or if a brand new author comes aboard afterward? What in the event that they’re one of a number of rotating writers throughout a interval of publication, as was fairly widespread throughout the Pre-Crisis period?
For this experiment, allow us to say that to be thought of a “main” 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 “main title”—for example, Jerry Siegel’s accumulative run on the primary Superman books would account for his work on each Superman and Action Comics.
I’m gonna stage with you, Tornado. This is probably 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 probably the most bullheaded detectives would have thrown up their arms on the sheer magnitude of this problem. But 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 Bill Finger to Tom King. In the method, I discovered secrets and techniques about DC historical past I by no means even thought to search for, and maybe even a number of essential issues about myself.
In the top, although, after scouring hundreds of points and tons of of names, I’ve compiled, for what I consider to be the primary time anyplace, an inventory of the proud few writers who labored repeatedly on a flagship Batman and Superman title on the similar time.
The first particular person to realize this feat is probably the toughest working author within the Golden Age of DC, Bill Finger. The co-creator of Batman himself put an important deal of work into the Super-Books of the Nineteen Forties, ceaselessly pitching in when Jerry Siegel was unavailable. Though he by no means had a protracted consecutive run, Finger wrote over fifty points of Superman and Action Comics throughout his report lengthy runs on Batman and Detective Comics.
In the waning years of World War II, Alvin Schwartz was one of the primary writers on Batman, Superman, Detective Comics and Action Comics. He later went on to co-create Bizarro in 1958—relying on who you ask, that’s. It’s a protracted story. At any fee, he was the primary to do the entire “opposite talk” 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 Action, Detective, Batman and Superman—heaps of work. Between 1948 and 1957, Hamilton typically discovered himself engaged on all 4 books directly. But his aptitude for the futuristic was greatest deployed throughout his early work on the Legion of Super-Heroes, dreaming up such mainstays as Timber Wolf and the Time Trapper.
In the Nineteen Seventies, it was onerous to discover a DC title that wasn’t being written by the nice Dennis O’Neil. From 1971-1972, he was the primary author on Batman, Superman and Detective Comics—and his greatest work was nonetheless but to return.
Between 1975-1980, “The Answer Man” Bob Rozakis wrote fairly ceaselessly on each Action and Detective Comics. His was a piece ethic which continued to encourage me as I collated all of this data collectively.
Swamp Thing 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 appreciated to maintain busy, and we’re all of the richer for it.
It ought to come as no shock that Marv Wolfman, one of the first architects of Crisis on Infinite Earths, additionally managed to realize this distinction, with runs on Batman and Action Comics between 1980 and 1981.
Greg Rucka will get an honorable point out for writing each Detective Comics and Action Comics in 2010…with the caveat that on the time, neither title featured Batman or Superman.
But the newest author to tug off this uncommon feat? That could be Grant Morrison, who labored on each Action Comics and Batman, Incorporated within the dawning years of the New 52. Sticklers could not think about Batman, Incorporated to be a “main” Batman e book, nevertheless it definitely had an affect which rippled out to each Batman title being printed on the time.
Numbering the Infinite
DeSade-acolyte asks:
How many “named” characters are in Crisis on Infinite Earths? Given the big quantity, does that make George Pérez the artist who has drawn probably the most DC characters? (If not Pérez, then who holds that title?)
You’re actually dwelling as much as your identify, acolyte, as a result of this query was downright sadistic. Nevertheless, for my hungry readers, I endeavored to establish and tally each single named character in the whole twelve-issue Crisis on Infinite Earths epic, from Abra Kadabra to Zirral of the Omega Men. Throughout its myriad crowds and costumes, I counted 518 characters in whole. I cannot listing them right here. (Curiously absent, although? Hal Jordan. Interesting, 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 probably the most DC characters…I consider that title would truly must go to Keith Giffen, because of his legendary crowd scenes. (Infamously, the “Great Darkness Saga” storyline as soon as required him to attract the ENTIRE POPULATION of the planet Daxam.) But in phrases of NAMED characters, I’m going to name it for Pérez, with nothing however intuition to again me up. Prove me improper!
A Gotham Farewell
BatJamags asks:
When did Batman begin disappearing on Jim Gordon mid-sentence?
There are two widespread solutions to this query, BatJamags. The distinction is that one reply is appropriate, and the opposite is inaccurate. There’s a considerably widespread reply to this query that the primary time Batman pulls this stunt is in 1973’s Swamp Thing #7, the long-lasting difficulty by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson the place Batman meets Swamp Thing for the primary time. (You can see it above.)
And contemplating that Len Wein went on to change into a distinguished editor for DC over the following few a long time, that could be the place the idea was popularized. But the precise first documented case of Batman ghosting Gordon occurred in a a lot lesser identified difficulty a 12 months earlier, in 1972’s Detective Comics #424:
This difficulty is especially notable for a back-up story referred to as “Batgirl’s Last Case,” the place Barbara retired her cowl as Batgirl. But aside from 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 Thing co-creator picked up the thought 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 steadily over time, provided that they’re, arguably, the three hottest DC characters? Or was there a particular story that cemented Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman because the DC Trinity?
Well, moro, right here’s the massive secret that the Big DC Editorial Fat Cats don’t need you to know: the vaunted “Trinity” of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman 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 gaggle with out the remaining of the Justice League of America to supply a buffer. Sure, Wonder Woman would workforce up with Superman or Batman on very uncommon events individually, however she was by no means as near both hero because the “World’s Finest” had been to one another till fairly lately.
The first documented journey that includes the long-lasting trio didn’t happen till 1985’s Superman Annual #11, the now traditional story “For the Man Who Has Everything,” the place Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman 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 first reference to them as DC’s “Trinity” was in Wonder Woman #140-141, for a narrative arc titled “Trinity ’98.” There, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman are reunited in a psychological battle in opposition to…her invisible aircraft.
It actually wasn’t till 2003 that the “Trinity” sobriquet absolutely caught on, with the launch of a restricted collection by the identical identify 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 Crisis, that Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman 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 probably the most important figures in DC iconography. Well, them and Harley Quinn, I suppose.
A Personal Question
sawarmbrodt.6195 asks:
Why the Question? I can not think about you solely take pleasure in him for handy wordplay and his sharp swimsuit.
Well, not ONLY as a result of of that. I just like the Question as a result of in Steve Ditko’s unique tales and people he impressed, he by no means compromises as soon as he sees the proper course of motion. He fights to uncover the onerous magnificence of reality in a world the place lies are way more comfy.
I just like the Question 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 proud of, however that we’re all succesful of turning into one thing new.
I just like the Question as a result of in Dwayne McDuffie’s Justice League Unlimited, 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. Because he was keen to do what others wouldn’t even dare think about, if solely to keep away from previous—or future—errors.
I just like the Question as a result of, like many Ditko characters, it might be ANYONE beneath that masks. The Question exhibits us that every one you want to do to be a hero is just not be complacent. Don’t settle for cruelty, injustice and lies as the way in which the world works. Sometimes, all that’s wanted to be a hero is to summon sufficient braveness to ask a query.
Wow! It’s onerous to consider what number of mysteries I’ve gotten the chance to handle for you everywhere in the years. And relaxation assured I’ve no plans of going anyplace. What I do for ASK…THE QUESTION is one of the nice prides I’ve in my work and my life. Thank you all for taking this journey with me, and for the numerous extra to return. Thank you on your curiosity, on your indulgence, and for the position you play in my life. Often, 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 group at giant, will increase evermore each time you ASK…THE QUESTION.
Alex Jaffe is the writer of our month-to-month “Ask the Question” column and writes about TV, motion pictures, comics and superhero historical past for DC.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexJaffe and discover him within the DC Community as HubCityQuestion.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Alex Jaffe and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.
Discussion about this post