I read an interesting interview with Darwin Cooke ( writer/penciler of DC's <I>The New Frontier</I>):

http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/f ... 942545.htm

Here's an interesting quote:

<i>Comic creators, editors and publishers would actually have to do their jobs — sell populist fare by the truckload that appealed to the mass market. They would have to give up this tight little circle where people care more about Bruce's feelings than they do whether there's a Batman story actually taking place. They'd have to work all ages with public light cast on the book's actual content, they'd have to compete with better written and produced entertainment from other media. Books that didn't sell would die. "Creators" who couldn't meet a monthly schedule would be restricted to specials and one-shots. Public taste and trends would have to be embraced. The precious superhero would have to share the stage with other more relevant genres like Romance, Crime, Horror, Humour and the like.</i><B>Last sentence not included...</B>

...and another:

<B>NASO:</B> You’ve made some negative comments on the net about comic book creators deconstructing classic characters, such as Mark Millar’s new take on the Avengers, The Ultimates. Given your feelings about the “core spirit” of superheroes, can you elaborate on your position?

<B>COOKE:</B><I> A few months ago [4 artist] Steve McNiven and I were having a scotch and he asked me the same question. By the way, for the record, Steve is a wonderful man who knows me to be a misguided fool. Anyway, I put it this way: If you change the core character — not the costume, or color, or powers — if you change the core character, then you are denigrating something you didn't create. Example: taking the free world's most fearless man and best jet pilot and turning him into a drunkard who can't operate a Willy's Jeep for short end attention and sales spikes. If you're going to use that character and you have to violate that core essence, then use another character.</I>

I read the first NF, but I didn't read the remainder of them. I may have to finish the collection.

Jim Lawless

Great interview!

I dont agree with all of what Cooke says...but you have to admire the mans passion for comics.

Loved Batman beyond...and I really enjoyed all of Cooke's comics work..Selina's Big Score was my favorite...!

And dammit I would love to see that batman Crime and/or the Spy/Espionage comic he alludes to...Dammit DC listen up!!

New frontier was great fun and im looking forward to his GL secret files issue.

And he's Canadian to boot!

Example: taking the free world's most fearless man and best jet pilot and turning him into a drunkard who can't operate a Willy's Jeep

Sum of sorts up the last twenty years pretty well - I want COLOUR, ADVENTURE!

I think the new GL series by Johns and Pacheco will meet your requirements Charles..!

But mand did that interview make me wanna see more stuff in the DCU by Cooke!