WonderCon '07

Another weekend, another comic book convention. What did we learn about the Flash at this weekend's WonderCon? Here are the few tidbits I've managed to pick up from coverage of the event...

• At a panel promoting Warner Bros. Animation's upcoming direct-to-DVD films--that is, Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract--Bruce Timm acknowledged that DC's animated projects will continue to depict the most iconic versions of these characters. In the case of the Flash, however, that might not be a simple creative decision. Newsarama notes that Timm pointed out "that with a potential Green Lantern project, the decision would be an easy one--they would use Hal Jordan, given that he was the classic version of the character for years and has just returned to the forefront of the DC Universe. In the case of someone such as the Flash, Timm admitted, the decision would be a more difficult one, given the now four Flashes, which would open the possibilities of centering on one Flash, or showing all of them in one movie that spanned the generations. 'Each character has their own specific challenges,' Timm said."
• The "DC Universe: Super Heroes Go DVD" panel also suggested that the cancelled Justice League: Worlds Collide project--a film that was planned to bridge the gap between the Justice League animated series and its successor, Justice League Unlimited--may yet be produced. DC and Warner Bros. are considering a number of direct-to-DVD animation projects to follow the current slate of films. What character might be starring in the next animated feature to be announced? Timm stated that Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Catwoman are on the short list. (An Aquaman animated movie would certainly keep me happy during the long wait for The Flash feature film!)
• An audience member at the "DCU: Great Expectations" panel reiterated a question that was seemingly answered by Dan Didio at last week's New York Comic Con: Who is the Flash in the enigmatic Countdown teaser poster? According to Newsarama, DC scribe Adam Beechen was quick to respond, "The fast one." There. That's settled, then.
• Wizard reports that during a panel spotlighting Jeph Loeb, the writer acknowledged that it was his script for a feature film based on The Flash that helped him break into the comic industry. "Once a fan sitting in the audience at conventions, Loeb broke into comics when his script for a Flash movie did not make it to the big screen but drew DC’s attention. Even with his foot in the door, Loeb said, DC was hesitant to give him plum assignments and even more hesitant to give him the pages he needed to finish his story arcs. But with a little help from a few talented artists, Loeb was able to demonstrate his skills in the medium."