James Robinson Talks 'War of the Supermen' and Free Comic Book Day!

No_Name_

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Edited By No_Name_

If you don't already know, today is free comic book day! FCBD is a celebration of comic books by fans, store owners and creators all throughout the country where readers have the chance to pick up free comics when they visit their local comic shops. One of the most highly anticipated books being released today is War of the Supermen issue #0. To celebrate the cool day, we caught up with Superman writer James Robinson to ask him some questions about the book which hits stores today and what fans can expect from the story.

Comic Vine: War of supermen has been a long time coming, how does it feel to finally see the release of issue zero?
James Robinson: It's great to finally see the culmination of two years worth of stories and characters. From Geoff Johns' Last Son arc through all the developments with my entry into the world of Superman through to Sterling Gates and Greg Rucka all adding something to the stew. Now it ends with me and Sterling bringing about a war between Earth and Krypton. It's been a long road, but a fun one, that I hope those who tagged along for the ride enjoy too.

CV: What can we expect from the characters?
JR: Kal-El goes back to being Superman, Supergirl is a hero in her own right, Superboy and Krypto both kick ass, and Zod returns to his evil ways.

CV: What can fans expect from the book? Any surprises in store?
JR: I think fans of Mon-El might be surprised and delighted with the finale in Adventure #11. It takes the character into unexpected places and then onwards towards the place (and more importantly time) that he was always meant to be.

CV: What is the importance of an issue zero?
JR: In regards WoS#0, it's a build up/intro to the weekly roller-coaster that is the War of the Superman. It will be an added moment of drama for people following events do far, while being a great jumping on point for people new to the story.

CV: Why the release on free comic book day? What is the importance of the FCBD to the industry, in your opinion?
JR: It's fun. Free comics. An intro to the crazy, wonderful world of comics. Dive in, the water's fine.

Be sure to check out your local comic shop today and pick up your free issue of War of the Supermen and let us know what you think!

13 years ago

llagrok

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#1 Edited By llagrok

I'm honestly glad that JMS will be taking over Superman. Robinson took his shot, with me it didn't land. Good things'a comin'

13 years ago

Icon

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#2 Edited By Icon

Seriously, Supes looks constipated on that cover. Art not good.

13 years ago

Caligula

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#3 Edited By Caligula

i can't wait he is coming to speeding bullet in norman OK, for a signing in about a month :D along with Sterling Gates

13 years ago

Supreme Marvel

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#4 Edited By Supreme Marvel

I did love Johns Last Son arc.

13 years ago

Jordanstine

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#5 Edited By Jordanstine

Sigh... looks like more Superman continuity contradictions waiting to unfold...

http://www.comicvine.com/superman/29-1807/superman-understanding-the-most-convoluted-character-ever/92-541537/#6

:(

13 years ago

Dracade102

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#6 Edited By Dracade102

the cover on my Copy looked Different... But I Sorta like this one too.

13 years ago

danhimself

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#7 Edited By danhimself

can't wait for all of this to come to an end...these have been some of the best Superman stories in a long time and that goes for all of the Superman family titles

13 years ago

AtPhantom

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#8 Edited By AtPhantom

JR: Kal-El goes back to being Superman, Supergirl is a hero in her own right, Superboy and Krypto both kick ass, and Zod returns to his evil ways.

I hate you Robinson. Full year of Greg Rucka painting Zod as a sympathetic warrior who loves his people above all else and is actually relatively reasonable, and you just handwave it.

13 years ago

Supreme Marvel

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#9 Edited By Supreme Marvel

I can't wait for J Michael Straczynski to take over Superman and Brit Paul Cornell to take over Action Comics.

13 years ago

WW-Fan

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#10 Edited By WW-Fan

why is there a diffrent cover?

13 years ago

jakob187

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#11 Edited By jakob187

I don't like Superman or Superman stories for the most part. A few have held my interest: Death of Superman, Funeral for a Friend, All-Star Superman, Superman For All Seasons, Red Son...that's about it.

This was an excellent issue. I felt like it sufficiently caught me up with what I needed to mainly know, the narrative was great, the tete-a-tete dialogue between Superman and Zod was phenomenally written.

I am psyched for this mini-series!!!

13 years ago

danhimself

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#12 Edited By danhimself

@AtPhantom said:

"
JR: Kal-El goes back to being Superman, Supergirl is a hero in her own right, Superboy and Krypto both kick ass, and Zod returns to his evil ways.
I hate you Robinson. Full year of Greg Rucka painting Zod as a sympathetic warrior who loves his people above all else and is actually relatively reasonable, and you just handwave it. "

no....all of the things he did during World of New Krypton were him preparing to invade earth and do you really think that Rucka and Robinson didn't talk all of this over or that Rucka left and said to Robinson "hey do whatever you want"....again no....all of these events have been planned out for the last year

13 years ago

lostlantern13

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#13 Edited By lostlantern13

@AtPhantom said:

"
JR:Kal-El goes back to being Superman, Supergirl is a hero in her own right, Superboy and Krypto both kick ass, and Zod returns to his evil ways.
I hate you Robinson. Full year of Greg Rucka painting Zod as a sympathetic warrior who loves his people above all else and is actually relatively reasonable, and you just handwave it. "

Zod acted that way to gain his people's adoration and trust....doesn't seem that left field to me. Zod's a great strategist....sounds like he's been playing it from the start.

13 years ago

Supreme Marvel

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#14 Edited By Supreme Marvel

I think Rucka let because Robinson didn't like to do research.

RUCKA WE LOVE YOU!

13 years ago

AtPhantom

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#15 Edited By AtPhantom

@danhimself said:

" no....all of the things he did during World of New Krypton were him preparing to invade earth and do you really think that Rucka and Robinson didn't talk all of this over or that Rucka left and said to Robinson "hey do whatever you want"....again no....all of these events have been planned out for the last year "

Because he said so in the first 5 exposition pages in WoS0. You can't deny that Zod of WoNK had character development. The scene where he watches Superman hang out in his cell despite his imminent execution and pardons him afterward, that wasn't part of his all encompassing plan. That was him gaining respect for Kal-El. That was him being a three dimensional character. Reading WoS0, I could easily picture him twirling a mustache. I don't know if Robinson and Rucka shared notes and I don't care, but you can't deny that as soon as Rucka left, all the relations between Superman and Zod simply evaporated.

13 years ago

Supreme Marvel

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#16 Edited By Supreme Marvel

Rucka's speciality is developing characters. Not big crisis stories. I'd have him working at my comic company any time I don't have one.

13 years ago

danhimself

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#17 Edited By danhimself

@AtPhantom said:

" @danhimself said:
" no....all of the things he did during World of New Krypton were him preparing to invade earth and do you really think that Rucka and Robinson didn't talk all of this over or that Rucka left and said to Robinson "hey do whatever you want"....again no....all of these events have been planned out for the last year "
Because he said so in the first 5 exposition pages in WoS0. You can't deny that Zod of WoNK had character development. The scene where he watches Superman hang out in his cell despite his imminent execution and pardons him afterward, that wasn't part of his all encompassing plan. That was him gaining respect for Kal-El. That was him being a three dimensional character. Reading WoS0, I could easily picture him twirling a mustache. I don't know if Robinson and Rucka shared notes and I don't care, but you can't deny that as soon as Rucka left, all the relations between Superman and Zod simply evaporated. "

if Zod would have came right out and killed Superman or had let him be killed then he wouldn't have gained the trust of the other Kryptonians as quickly....it's called stradegy

13 years ago

AtPhantom

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#18 Edited By AtPhantom

@danhimself said:

" @AtPhantom said:
" @danhimself said:
" no....all of the things he did during World of New Krypton were him preparing to invade earth and do you really think that Rucka and Robinson didn't talk all of this over or that Rucka left and said to Robinson "hey do whatever you want"....again no....all of these events have been planned out for the last year "
Because he said so in the first 5 exposition pages in WoS0. You can't deny that Zod of WoNK had character development. The scene where he watches Superman hang out in his cell despite his imminent execution and pardons him afterward, that wasn't part of his all encompassing plan. That was him gaining respect for Kal-El. That was him being a three dimensional character. Reading WoS0, I could easily picture him twirling a mustache. I don't know if Robinson and Rucka shared notes and I don't care, but you can't deny that as soon as Rucka left, all the relations between Superman and Zod simply evaporated. "
if Zod would have came right out and killed Superman or had let him be killed then he wouldn't have gained the trust of the other Kryptonians as quickly....it's called stradegy "

I call it borderline retcon. Besides, didn't he already have the trust of other Kryptonians? Superman was the one who had to gain their trust. Besides, I've given you an example that clearly wasn't just strategy. If they planned this for two years (and I'm not saying they didn't), they could have gone ahead and made Zod ruthless and suspicious in WoNK. They didn't. You can't deny that by the end Zod and Superman gained some respect for each other. And then the first words Superman says to Zod in LSoNK being "YOU MAINIAC" just made me bang my head against the wall.

13 years ago

Neverpraying

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#19 Edited By Neverpraying

I was unable to go to a comic store today, lol

13 years ago

mattydeNero

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#20 Edited By mattydeNero

It's good to finally have Superman return to Earth. It's been a year and a half almost since he's been off-world. Although it was cool to see a heroic side to ZOD -- almost mentoring Kal-El -- after he was shot in an assassination attempt, it's way better to see the vengeful, evil Zod we all know and love comng back to make the House of El his doormat.

13 years ago