WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO: DC NATION

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- DC Comics staged its convention staple, DC Nation, on Friday at Wizard World Chicago.

Panelists included Dan DiDio, Bob Wayne, Jenn Jones, Art Baltazar, Franco, Gail Simone, Sean McKeever, Tony Daniel, Ethan Van Sciver and Geoff Johns.

Following are highlights:

* DiDio described himself as "the current and future executive editor of DC Comics."

* DiDio surveyed the audience members, asking what is happening in Final Crisis and which Flash is the favorite? Wally West was the winner.

* He then asked panelists and audience members what they thought of Martian Manhunter dying and Barry Allen returning.

* Plans for Wally West? "Wally will be around. He's part of the Titans team and will be there for the foreseeable future," DiDio said.

* Wayne said an Ambush Bug Showcase book is under consideration.

* DiDio said that the first three issues of Final Crisis set up a lot, and the series becomes increasingly clear. The story will involve Darkseid taking the Fifth World under his control.

* Asked about The Spectre, DiDio said he's "all over" Final Crisis: Revlations. It will show him develop into the role and he becomes an integral part of Final Crisis.

* McKeever said Bombshell will be showing up in Teen Titans #63.

* Simone said Secret Six will include an A-list Batman villain and a new character. "The book every bit as inappropriate and wicked as ever," said she.

Simone said there will be a fight in the second issue with two characters who have capes and ears.

* Asked abouth DC is going to do with Marvel's sales domination, DiDio said, "We put out the best books possible. All we can do is control is to put out the best books possible."

* McKeever said Ravenger will be front and center in the Terror Titans mini-series, and she'll be around afterward.

* DiDio said a couple of Elseworlds stories are in the works, one with Cary Bates.

* DiDio said Nightwing have a huge role in the DC Universe and has a major

* A fan complimented Simone for her use of Cat-Man, when he has previously been "nothing but a joke."

Simone said, "Soon, you'll be seeing him in nothing."

* Are Simone and VanSciver doing a Wonder Woman book? "Yes, and it's going to be awesome," Simone said.

* Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle are the new creative team on Supergirl, beginning with #34. Johns said that the book will tie into the Superman books, and Cat Grant will be a featured character.

"It will feel like part of the Superman family again," DiDio said.

* DiDio said Lobo will be returning in a book that has just started. "You'll be surprised to see where he comes from and what he's doing," DiDio said.

* Wayne said that the Starman Omnibus will probably come out once or twice a year.

* Asked about completing the Hitman trade collections, Wayne said, "We'll see what we can do. I wouldn't be surprised to see them sometime in the future."

* Is Ted Kord going to remain dead? "He is, right Geoff," DiDio said, turning to Johns. Replied, Johns said "Read, read, read..." before stopping.

* Johns said he and James Robinson are bringing back old characters, but they will also introduce new characters and put new spins on old ones.

* DiDio said "there's a good chance Jericho will be showing up pretty soon."

* DiDio said there are changes in store for Robin.

* DiDio said there are no plans for comic based on the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Univere video game. "But that's a great idea," he said.

* DiDio said Robinson feels Jack Knight's story is done, although a story might happen that is set in the past.

* DiDio said Captain Carrot will be appearing Zatanna's hat -- "seriously" -- and Zatanna will be getting her own series.

* Linda Danvers will return next month, DiDio said, in Reign in Hell #1.

* Why didn't Chloe Sullivan appear in the comics? "The interprestation of the way Chloe was going to appear in the comics didn't match that in the show," DiDio said. She would have been Lois' niece in the comics and would have been much younger than Clark, thus a shift in the dynamic of the characters that DiDio said wouldn't have worked.

* DiDio said there a lot of open possibilties in the Multiverse, with about half of the 52 Earths recognized.

* There's no date yet for All Star Wonder Woman.