COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: DC BIG GUNS PANEL

By Ernie Estrella

SAN DIEGO -- DC Comics closed its DC Universe programming at Comic-Con International on Sunday with its Big Guns panel.

In attendance were Geoff Johns (JSA), Mark Verheiden (Superman/Batman), Paul Dini (Detective Comics),Carlos Pacheco (Superman), Matt Idelson (Editor), Eddie Berganza (Editor), Bob Schreck (Editor), Dustyn Nguyen (Superman/Batman), Grant Morrison (Final Crisis), Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), Kurt Busiek (Superman).

Here's a rundown of what was said.

* There are no plans for the old western characters to show up in the DCU.

* Pacheco tries to really get play up his lost and lonely side of Superman lost his origin when drawing him.

* The 52 and Countdown spinoffs like Amazons Attack and Countdown to Adventure are autonomous. While they use Countdown to remain in the background, the titles have their own direction.

* Johns would like to do a Brave & Bold team-up with Gleen Lantern and Flash team-up.

* There are no plans for Mr. Zsasz or Mr. Whisper in the future.

* Grant Morrison just finished writing his final script for All Star Superman.

* Morrison mentioned in other panels that the first page of Finial Crisis will have Anthro the First Boy and Kamandi the Last Boy on the last page. He did not know what page Prez will be on yet but said, "Everyone would be in Final Crisis."

* There are no plans for Jason Bard in Batman Detective

* Simone revealed her approach for for writing Wonder Woman. "We're going to find out who tried to kill Diana on her birth, she's back again to assassinate Diana," she said. "I want to establish the lasso as the one of the most dangerous weapons (in the DCU), and that she's the greatest warrior on earth. She's also the best strategist."

* Diana will start to do some Amazonian courting rituals.

* Busiek and Johns have planned two years worth of Superman stories.

* Hawkman or Hawkgirl will get a new series next year.

* Carter Hall will show up in later issues of Justice Society America.

* Busiek says that the clues are there as to how Black Adam got his powers back.

* There's a reason Final Crisis is called Final crisis.

* More Blue and Gold stories are planned with Blue Beetle and Booster Gold.

* There are no plans to bring back Azrael.

* Aquaman will be joining the Outsiders.

* There are rights issues that have held up the possibility of a Plastic Man animated series.

* After Sinetro Corps, Johns will do something that will set up for Final Crisis in Green Lantern and a story called Alpha Lantern.

* Busiek will be writing a story of a Bottle City, but it's not the one you think.

* Wonder Woman will face one of the scariest and most shocking villains she's ever had.

* Renee Montoya will show up in Countdown next week.

* John Stewart plays very big role in Sinestro Corps.