WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO: DC NATION

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- As has been the trend at recent conventions, Wizard World Chicago's DC Nation panel was longer on schtick than news, with fan interaction emphasized by Dan DiDio.

There were a few nuggets of news, though.

A rundown:

* Geoff Johns said that Cassandra Cain/Batgirl will in the "Titans East" story in Teen Titans.

* DiDio said a Black Alice one-shot is slate for January or February.

* Bob Wayne said Jeff Smith's Shazam and the Monster Society of Evil, which launches in December, "looks just great."

* Both DiDio and Jenn Jones said DC is trying to get Supergirl back on a monthly track, which will mean fill-in artists for Ian Churchill.

* Wayne said Emperor Joker will be collected next year.

* An upcoming issue of 52 will focus on Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Tim Drake.

* DiDio said he has already extended new Nightwing writer Marv Wolfman's run past the originally intended four issues.

* Jones said Rags Morales will be drawing a JSA Classified arc.

* DiDio said that the Doom Patrol will be used as supporting characters for the time being.

* Johns said Wally West will show up again.

* Johns said he would like to use Static in Teen Titans but hasn't been able to.

* John said Howard Chaykin will be using G'Nort in the Guy Gardner mini-series.

* DiDio said DC is exploring the weekly format after 52.