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SDDC WILDSTORM PANEL - Saturday, July 28, 2007 By BRUCE MacINTOSH WildStorm hosted a star-studded panel at San Diego Saturday, loading the front of the room with Editors, artists and writers who were more than willing to talk about their upcoming projects. (Except Brian Azzarello, who was characteristically laconic.) Ironically, Jim Lee arrived late to the WildStorm panel, but he had a good excuse: He brought fresh cookies and bottled water for the audience.
In attendance were Bob Wayne (VP Sales); Hank Kanatz (General Mgr.); Adam Freeman (writer, Highwayman); Jim Lee (newcomer artist); Scott Peterson; Gail Simone (Welcome to Tranquility, Gen13); Christos Gage (Stormwatch PHD); Ben Abernathy (Editor); Brian Azzarello (Deathnote); and Mike McKone.
Here are some of the things to expect from WildStorm soon:
Trick 'R Treat – a film coming out in October. The film is four interlocking vignettes, and it is being adapted by Mark Andreyko for comics.
Supernatural: Origins. First four issues on sale. John Winchester is a monster hunter and part time father.
Christos Gage has written the Nightmare on Elm Street comic called "Copy Cat", where someone is killing people in Freddie style, and he is "none too happy about that."
Ben Abernathy is editing the Friday the 13th project. The trade collecting the first six issues by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti is coming out – naturally – in October.
The Highwaymen. Mark says it is the best "action movie you're not going to see in the theaters this summer." Issue #4 will start answering the questions set up by the first three issues. Lee Garbett does the interior art, with covers by Brian Stelfreeze.
The Program. Follows the story of Cold War superhuman weapons that were put in cold storage, and now they come out – thinking Stalin is still in power. They figure the best way to make the U.S. safe for Communism is to cleanse it – of people.
Ex Machina Masquerade Special is coming out next month, in August (not October, because John Paul Leon is so far ahead!) The story follows Mitchell on the day he is released from the hospital and given his powers. Everyone assumes that he is the Invisible Man because he is bandaged.
In October, a new look at the Authority Prime will be released, by Chris Gage and Darick Robertson. The premise is that Stormwatch finds a bunker under the Arizona desert. "Could be very deadly or very helpful, or both." Since Stormwatch is an agency of the U.S. Government and the Authority is not a fan of that, there is conflict between the members. "The way to solve these things is to beat the hell out of each other." Christos says that "Darick Robertson is doing brilliant work."
A six issue limited series called Armageddon, with Mike McKone covers and Christos Gage writing. The six different teams go to a post-apocalyptic future and is charged with going back in time to stop it. "There are no assurances" that they will be able to go back in time to stop Armageddon. It will ship bi-weekly. Christos Gage jokingly vowed that if it does not come out on time, Ben Abernathy will shave his head.
Christos and Scott Beatty will be working on WildStorm Revelations. Follows the events of Armageddon as Nemesis, Backlash and Savant try to avert the world-ending events. It will also ship bi-weekly, starting in October.
Gail Simone and GEN13: "Those wacky kids." Gail has been having a lot of fun with the stories. There will be some shorter stories, and a new artist will be taking over for Talent Caldwell: Carlo Barberi. Ben Abernathy revealed that Gail will be passing the duties of writing GEN13 to Simon Oliver (Exterminators) for a six issue art, starting with Issue #13. She might return after Simon's run.
Welcome to Tranquility: According to Neil Googe, the series "stretched me. It's been very good… drawing that many zombies." As things change in the WildStorm Universe, Neil will be shifted to another project. He could not say which title, but assured us that he still has "many, many issues to draw" of Welcome to Tranquility. Gail reminded us that "you can get biscuit recipes and zombies at the same time" with this title.
Stormwatch PHD will feature characters from the 70s in an upcoming arc. Issue #12 features the Walking Ghost villain, and Stormwatch PHD "really gets medieval" on the bad guys.
Deathblow is a hobo, and talking dogs. "A meditation on the modern torture theme," according to Brian Azzarello. It also has "groovy art" according to Scott Peterson.
All the new characters and original characters are being reunited in Wetworks. There will be super powered vampires from another dimension, who don't have a problem with sunlight. Written by J.M. DeMatteis.
Keith Giffin is writing Midnighter. Peterson says his daughter gives him a disk with information about "who he was and where he came from". He finds out he was essentially from "Mayberry", and "there is evil afoot."
World of Warcraft: Hank Kanalz introduced Jim Lee as the cover artist, and says, "it will be collectible for even those who don't play the game." Jim Lee is a big MMO player. "I love fantasy drawings, and it's a chance to work with Walt Simonson, who is a fantastic writer."
WildStorm will be doing the Heroes (TV Show) adaptation comics. Covers by Alex Ross and Jim Lee.
Jim Lee says Wildcats #2 will still happen, but will run concurrent with the other events in the WildStorm events. Lee, himself, said he just needed to get his Batman and Robin commitments finished up, and that has happened.
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SDDC WILDSTORM PANEL - Saturday, July 28, 2007
Ex Machina Masquerade Special is coming out next month, in August (not October, because John Paul Leon is so far ahead!) The story follows Mitchell on the day he is released from the hospital and given his powers. Everyone assumes that he is the Invisible Man because he is bandaged. 
Christos and Scott Beatty will be working on WildStorm Revelations. Follows the events of Armageddon as Nemesis, Backlash and Savant try to avert the world-ending events. It will also ship bi-weekly, starting in October. 
Stormwatch PHD will feature characters from the 70s in an upcoming arc. Issue #12 features the Walking Ghost villain, and Stormwatch PHD "really gets medieval" on the bad guys.
World of Warcraft: Hank Kanalz introduced Jim Lee as the cover artist, and says, "it will be collectible for even those who don't play the game." Jim Lee is a big MMO player. "I love fantasy drawings, and it's a chance to work with Walt Simonson, who is a fantastic writer." 
