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NoOneSpecial writes...

1. In Bereft, was it phsimons intention to erase the teams memorays or was it purely by accident?
2.At what point did the light become aware of miss martians introduction into the team? They knew it already consisted of robin, speedy, conner and aqaulad after the events of Fireworks, so when did they learn about miss martian?
3.During the Reach/Light summit, why ra's give an excuse for klarion's absence?
4.How was wally meant to act during the whole artemis death story? I know he would pretend to be in mourning but would he really have been convincing for everyone else? In Darkest he seemed pretty angry at the idea that aretmis or the others could have been really killed. Would that have been a more geninue reaction for him to have? Did any one from the team talk to wally when aretmis died or did he intentionally avoid everyone?
5. Is devastation a clone of someone else?

Greg responds...

1. It was his intention.

2. At some point after Aqualad, Robin and Kid Flash told Roy about it and/or after Santa Prisca, whichever came first.

3. I don't think he did.

4. Others expressed sympathy, of course. He did steer clear to some degree. As for whether it was convincing, we thought so. Some did not, obviously.

5. Nope.

Response recorded on January 28, 2014

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Jarrod writes...

Hi Greg!

Thank you for all your amazing work on YJ, Gargoyles, SSM, and the many other series you have been a part of. All of them were beautifully animated and fantastically written.

I was excited that Season 2 part 2 of Gargoyles was finally released. I was hoping that we would get some more episode intros from you. They were a great boost to the season 2 part 1 dvds. I suppose Disney wasn't interested/didn't contact you about the possibility?

Anyways, My Boyfriend and I both loved YJ, he even went to NY Comic Con as your YJ Nightwing! He got many compliments and it was fun to Attend the informal YJ meet-up with Christopher Jones.

I recently heard that Cartoon Network has cancelled Beware the Batman, and that in order to keep the DC block going, they might bring back YJ? I know you probably don't have a say in such things, but we all hope for it.

Thank you again!

Greg responds...

We had some - minimal - contact about the DVDs, but they clearly weren't interested in putting any extras on there.

As for your YJ rumor - that's all it is. YJ is not back in production.

Response recorded on January 27, 2014

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Anonymous writes...

What are the ages of the following Marvel Family members?
1.)Christopher "Kit" Freeman
2.)Freddy Freeman
3.) I'm assuming that Mary Bromfield is the same age as Billy Batson, am I right?

Greg responds...

All three of these characters were born the same year as Billy.

Response recorded on January 27, 2014

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Anonymous writes...

I know you said you wouldn't confirm whether Alan Scott was alive or not, but at the very least can you tell us what his age was when he first put the ring on his finger and became a hero?

Greg responds...

Twenty-three.

Response recorded on January 24, 2014

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nygma619 writes...

Who'd you mentally cast as the following characters in the YJ comic:
-Alec Rois
-Rako
-Talia Al Ghul
-Solovar
-Gorilla Grodd

Greg responds...

1. Keith Szaribajka.

2. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.

3. Alexandra Adi.

4. Morgan Sheppard.

5. Phil Morris.

Response recorded on January 24, 2014

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Anonymous writes...

Are Martians capable of reproducing with other species on Earth 16, like humans or any other species? Until I saw the episode Image my 1st instinct would've been to say no. But after seeing M'gann shapeshift her blood specifically to the point that it would match Gar's blood type (not without after effects of course, as Beast Boy shows us), I'm left feeling that it's a possibility.

Greg responds...

It might be possible, though not easily. They can always adopt.

Response recorded on January 24, 2014

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Mags writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

Thanks for a wonderful show; I'm a big time travel nut, and one of the things I look forward to if there's a third season of some kind is seeing how that's wrapped up! :) The show is really amazing in the steps that it's taken to include people of all walks of life, and I don't think any of us can thank you enough for that.

1) First of all, I really want to thank you for M'gann: she's had a very strong impact on my life. I've been involved in the fandom for a really long time, and I'm sure you remember fan reaction to her and her "Hello, Megan," among other things. =P I also wasn't a fan of that phrase or even her in general, at first, but she /really/ made me think. I consider(ed) myself very media savvy and well-educated (we actually share an alma mater! I am a fellow fuzzy Stanford alum. My freshman-year RA got elected Tree by covering himself in baking soda and jumping into a kiddie pool of vinegar, haha) at the time. However, M'gann and the fan reaction to her made me take a step back, and I realized that some rather misogynistic ideas (girls definitely have them, too!) had seeped into my preconceptions about what "(strong) girls should be like." I think I've become a better person by reevaluating my ideas around "perky, feminine" girls and "strength/power" thanks to M'gann. Also, of course, the dynamic between "who M'gann knew she was" and what Martian /society/ expected her to be was /fantastic/. Really brilliant, and thank you so much for that. Female-fandom's relationship with women and media is super, super interesting (and occasionally scary. But mostly interesting).

2) As a sort of side note, looking at some of the previous questions about Wally, wow, I would have /never/ called my views on Wally West (good and bad) "middling," but it looks like they actually might be, and /I/--and maybe this isn't a good thing to admit, but whatever--I've run a blog for the last three years dedicated to Dick and Wally called Birdflash (don't ask, haha). All you need now is an essay from a Spitfire fan and a (different kind of) M'gann fan, and you'll have collected the entire rainbow of post-series Wally West "feels."

Anyway, here it goes. I've come in before: while Wally's /initial/ quitting didn't bother me that much, I invaded the comments a while ago to ask why Wally was staying away (I'm "Mags," the one with family in St. Louis--and I'm also sorry if I overstepped my bounds there). I was lucky enough to catch you that day, and while I thought that your response that Dick had ordered him away said some really sad things about the state of their "friendship," if that's what happened, that's what happened.

However, when one answer to a related question explained that Dick did it so that Wally would look like a "grieving boyfriend," someone else pointed out that Wally had reacted to what he thought was Artemis's real, /actual/ death in the exact opposite way in FAILSAFE, and I'm lost again.

Thinking about it, I'm a little surprised that M'gann and Conner didn't find his reaction /suspicious/, given FAILSAFE, and if Wally actually wanted to help out, I can't see any strategic, tactical, or (theoretically) personal reason for Dick to lock out one of the most experienced and powerful Team members. That Dick and Wally thought that the Team would think that "if Wally /did/ step out to help, it would somehow mean that Artemis was alive" (as if he would only bother to save the world if she were in it? I'm not sure) in the first place is also pretty confusing.

The Hall of Justice was leveled; the Earth got a second /moon/; the Reach /still/ had an (smaller-ish) armada (by the way, what an extremely clever way to get rid of most of the ships! That was really cool.), and these people had /nuked/ his /hometown/. All of this was on the news or in the sky.

Would the Team really have found it so shocking if Dick had asked for his help, that Wally would help? Even when Dick was completely alone, without League help, with a REAL rogue Team member, or even it was him and M'gann against the War World, he didn't want to "risk" telling Wally this and asking him to come to help save his kidnapped cousin? Wally wouldn't have even had to "pretend" to be furious with Dick but willing to help out anyway.

That Dick (and even Wally) would think that the Team thought that about Wally--or that he'd just be too broken to get out of bed for anyone else after three months--is heart-breaking, especially when it wasn't even /true/.

It's just so sad that Wally couldn't even get Dick to /let/ him help over a period of six weeks, or maybe stopped trying even though things were so crazy after DARKEST. Even that fight in DARKEST felt like it came to nothing: Dick didn't even /LISTEN/ to him. Nothing changed in the "extreme" plan, and as far as the /plan/ went it "worked out"--(I /also/ think that Conner bore some serious responsibility for his secret-keeping, maybe even more so than Dick, in the disaster that was M'gann's willingness to brainwipe Kaldur)--and the things that Wally said about Kaldur were proven false fifteen minutes into the next episode.

Wally was never the most observant person when it came to M'gann, but I like to think that he'd matured beyond that, and that if there had been another pair of eyes who knew her and Conner for the last five years, a pair of eyes that wasn't also running a Team without a safety net of the League and dealing with clones and kids from the future and disaster after disaster, he might have noticed something was wrong.

I know this is just a story, and that if TPTB wanted Wally dead, he would have died, no matter what.

It just … it feels like in the end, Dick didn't ask Wally for help--even given Wally's reaction in FAILSAFE and the fact that he /was/ willing to help--ignored what advice Wally DID show up to give, and then ... nothing. That says some really sad things about their "closeness" and "friendship," to me (particularly since they didn't even bother to say "hi" to each other in the game). That Dick didn't think it was safe to rely on Wally, to let him in on their problems--not even for /advice/--when he was completely and totally alone--

--that that's the legacy of PERFORMANCE is crushing.

And if Wally just changed so much that /no one/ even questioned that he'd react to a s1 defining moment in the exact opposite way, I'm not really sure why /we'd/ know what--if anything--still applied to him from s1, much less "everything." :(

Man, I didn't mean to end on such a depressing note; please know that--if the ~2500 people who follow the blog are any indication--the two of them are dearly loved and dearly missed, and that's what's really important.

Thank you for an engaging and--perhaps even more than is healthy for me (haha)--life-changing show. I've learned so much about so many things watching it, met incredible people, and I really appreciate it.

It seems that the game sold out in several places (including Best Buy /online/ and I think Amazon), and I hope that there's a third season or sequel! Best of luck on your book; I have my copy pre-ordered!

Sincerely,
Maggie

P.S. Thank you that when Wally finally found out about M'gann and Conner, he at least dropped it and was perfectly nice to her. All too often, guys complain about being "friendzoned" and mock girls or call them names because the guys were nice to/came onto a girl and she had the gall not to sleep with them. Some of us were worried it would go that route, and how truly nice it was that it didn't.

Greg responds...

1. If anything we did could make you step back and consider these issues, that's extremely gratifying. Of course, we were ALWAYS big fans of M'gann. But I'm glad you came to appreciate her too.

2. Look, we can argue over the details of Dick's plan endlessly. I'm absolutely willing to accept the idea that he made a mistake by not utilizing Wally/Kid Flash more. Maybe things would have gone better if he had. But he made a call. It may have been wrong-headed. It may have been a selfish desire on Dick's part to keep his friend safe - or at least to respect Wally's desire to walk away and have a life even as (paradoxically) he felt he had no choice but to totally mess up said life. I'll happily leave those interpretations to you.

But it is what it is. I don't think the plan itself was "sad". What it was, ultimately, was SUCCESSFUL. Artemis' death and her new identity as Tigress stayed a secret from the Light and their allies until Ra's noticed the Glamour Charm in "Summit". That's what the plan should be judged against (i.e. did the Light buy the cover story?). Not whether we wanted more screen time for Wally and/or Kid Flash.

And the notion that Dick didn't "listen" to Wally is just ridiculous. Dick was defensive in the moment, but they heard each other. Kaldur made a dangerous move, that put a number of people at risk. It was not a move that Wally would have approved of - and I believe he had legit reasons for reacting badly to it - but it was done. Dick convinced himself that he approved of it after the fact, because in essence (a) he had no choice in the matter and (b) it ended up working out (marginally) well in the end. Ultimately, Wally got on board with Kaldur's plan too, for the same reasons. You don't see any lingering bitterness between Wally, Dick or Kaldur in either "Summit" or "Endgame". These guys are friends to the core. Doesn't mean they always agree. Doesn't mean they can't argue (especially in private). But they will always back each others' play. Always.

And no "TPTB" wanted Wally dead. (I'm SO tired of that rumor. Hopefully, now that Wally is returning in the New 52, we can finally put that idea to bed once and for all.) Wally's death was a decision that Brandon and I made that we felt was best for the series as a whole.

Response recorded on January 23, 2014

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Young Justice at Gallifrey One

Young Justice is coming to Gallifrey One!

Gallifrey One, the Doctor Who convention in Los Angeles, will be hosting a pretty impressive Young Justice panel followed by a casual Young Justice meet-up afterward.

On Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 5pm is the YJ panel, featuring (in alphabetical order) an even dozen members from cast and crew:

1. Cameron Bowen - Voice of Robin (Tim Drake)

2. Kris Carter - Composer

3. Christopher Jones - Comic Book Artist

4. Stephanie Lemelin - Voice of Artemis

5. Eric Lopez - Voice of Blue Beetle

6. Vanessa Marshall - Voice of Black Canary

7. Michael McQuistion - Composer

8. Lolita Ritmanis - Composer

9. Andrew Robinson - Writer

10. Brent Spiner - Voice of the Joker

11. Jason Spisak - Voice of Kid Flash

12. Greg Weisman - Producer

I think we can all agree that's a pretty impressive list.

After the panel, at approximately 6pm, we'll be having a casual YJ meet-up for photos and autographs in the lobby. I'm told that Gallifrey One is already sold out, but you don't need a badge for this informal post-panel get together. Not all the guests will be able to stay for it, but I guarantee a bunch of us will. (Chris Jones and myself, at a minimum.)

For more info on the convention, check out:

http://www.gallifreyone.com/


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Anonymous writes...

Helo,

recently I posted a question about the powers of Wonder Woman's lasso (it was actually seperated into 2 posts) & they were deleted. I was just wondering, why?
Are the powers of her lasso a spoiler? I did not include any story ideas, or otherwise break any of the rules (unless they are in fact spoiler requests, in the case of which I apologize, but I honestly dont see how).
It seems that a lot of questions get past your moderators that clearly break the rules...especially asking questons that have been asked & answered about a billion times, or blatantly asking for spoilers, & even a few that clearly try to pass story ideas as questions.
So I wont ask my question again, but I was just wondering, why Wonder Woman's lasso is such a sensitive topic?
Do you have plans for it that would spoil a revilation in a story if people knew what it could do?

An Ask Greg Helper responds...

[NOTE FROM MODERATOR]

The reason your question on Wonder Woman's lasso was deleted was because it broke Guideline #6.

The maximum number of questions allowed per-post is 5. You asked, if I am remembering correctly, 8.

You are welcome to resubmit those questions at any time, so long as they are separated into multiple posts and each contains no more than 5 questions. Then the ASK GREG moderators will be happy to approve them and pass them along to Greg.

Thanks!

Response recorded on January 21, 2014

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Riyan writes...

Hi Greg,
I'm happy the question block is open again.
Congratulations on YJ:Legacy.
I bought the PS3 version game and completed it.
It's quite hurt to learn the story when Aqualad know who his father is and then Tula's death. Though we know what happened already, but when seeing the details, still heart breaking and it almost make me cry.
Do you know, I just can't help thinking that you may be too cruel to Kaldur.
Since the end of season 1, it seems only terrible things happened to him. Especially on the screen time. and we cannot see the off screen time so we don't know if he had met anything happy and smiled. (Maybe I should watch through season 2 again to say this, but as far as I remember, I never saw him smile in season 2.)
And without season 3, we don't know if he would became happy again, but with defeating his father and with great loss in the team, I doubt.
It's good to see your answer about he sure would re-new his friend ship with Red Arrow. I think this is one thing may give him a relief.
And I'd like to ask if there is anything good and happy happened to Kaldur. But I'm quite sure I'd got a "SPOILER REQUEST" answer. So, I'm just hoping YJ came back and you can treat him well.
The above is not complaining, or maybe kind of...
But what I really want to say is: it's a great ability to create and develop characters to let people love them and cry for them. I love Kaldur even more in season2, because he sacrificed a lot of himself and go through miseries to do justice. This makes him a greater hero.
It feels sad and hurt to see what he suffered, but it's also the reason I love this character, not for his appearance or powers or ability, just the greatness in his spirit.
I just want to thank you for creating such a great character.
And here I got some questions about the Young justice after the ask section is closed. And also some for YJ:Legacy.
1. I saw several times you said among the first 4 sidekicks, Aqualad is close to Speedy, and Robin is close to Kid Flash. Is there some reasons like:
a) Aqualad met Speedy first and Robin met Kid Flash first so they are close to the one they met first.
b) Aqualad and Speedy spend more time with each other in their mentors' missions, so did Robin and Kid Flash.
c) Personality. Speedy is the oldest and Aqualad is more mature than the other two, so their personality get along easier and better than with Robin and Kid Flash?
d) Maybe all above?
2. This is one question I got when I re-watch the end of S1. When Ra's said that the real Roy Harper "might still prove useful,as well".
So... was he 'useful' to the Lights in S2?
Or he wasn't because Red Arrow and Cheshire rescued him before Ra's can plan anything?
If Ra's already made a plan, and the rescue was also a part of the plan, what exactly did he want?
I didn't see anything like plan happened on Arsenal. Though he messed up a mission in Lex Farm, and also messed up Reach's plan to abduct all the young heroes. But both looks like accidents, not like a plan.
And League and Team surely would do a thoroughly check on Arsenal before he join the Team, so the Lights couldn't plant any program in his brain.
I guess the question "what exactly did Ra's want" would get an "Spoiler" answer.
So I just want to know, is his plan worked in S2 or not because Red Arrow and Cheshire's rescue.
Or... did Ra's totally forgot he had frozen a young hero in one of his base?
3. This question is for YJ: Legacy.
I looking forward to this game so much before it came. But as a game player and also a YJ fans, honestly, the game is terrible.
Not criticize the plot. I think the plot is good.
But the game system and cut scenes performance is far away from good. No need to mention so many bugs.
It's like some half developed project. Many improvement can be made and it would be a better game. We all know it's been delayed once, and now still lot's of problem remain in the game.
Do you know if there are some issues in the developing period?
Is it because the budget is limited or Little Orbit hasn't developed this kind of game before?
If the budget is not enough to make a good performance game, would it be enough to make an one episode or 2 to tell the same story? I think the plot of this game could be tell in one or two episode.
I would rather see a short animation of YJ rather than a terrible game. I don't know if you played this game or not, but as a normal gamer, it's not a game I'd willing to play. Not like LEGO Batman or Batman Arkham, even my friend who don't know batman, she also enjoyed the game itself.
4. Still for YJ: Legacy. No more criticism. Let's talk about some other things.
It's great for the idea of Red Arrow Journal. I think this is one great motive to play the game.
I haven't collect all the Red Arrow Journals yet but I've saw other's collection. so I read them all.
That's the 2nd heartbreaking things in this game other than Kaldur's suffering.
And then I got a question, when Jade leave Roy, she's already pregnant. And later in the mission, we met her and fight with her.
Is that okay to fight a pregnant woman? I mean, wouldn't we accidentally kill Lian? I think I would never go play this fight again.ad
And also, did Jade know she's pregnant when she left Roy?
5. Have you watch the "Justice League Flash Point Paradox"? Did you see Kaldur's cameo in it? Though no one said it's Kaldur but we all know it's Kaldur and Tula and Garth. Cheers for them!
Do you know the team of Paradox would use Kaldur as a cameo?
What do you think of it?
I mean, Kaldur is an original character you created in Young Justice, right? It's like your own child.
When he is used in other DC works, would it make you proud or a bit complicated?
I think I'd be most happy to see him in YJ season3, but if not, it's also happy to see him in some other animation works. But I'm not sure if I would be happy to see him became not Kaldur in other works. I love what he is in YJ, but in other works without your writing? I'm not sure.
okay. I think that's all I got now.
I'm looking forward to your novels and Star Wars Rebels.

Greg responds...

1. D. All of the above.

2. I'd say he was useful, yes. But I'm not going into any details of plans or no plans.

3. I really don't know anything about game production in general. And in terms of YJL, my involvement was limited to story and voice.

4. Yes, Jade knew she was pregnant when she left Roy. It was one of the main reasons she left.

5. I have not seen it, though I heard about Kaldur's cameo and saw a screencap. And I was thrilled when Phil Bourassa told me that he and Garth and Tula were appearing.

Response recorded on January 21, 2014

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Kelsey writes...

1. You said you pitched the idea of direct to dvd YJ movies and it was turned down. If you had the opportunity to produce a movie(s) do you already have plots in mind? Not asking for specifics, just wondering how seriously you've thought about it.

2. At the risk of crossing spoiler territory, does Tim know how Jason died?

3. Does the rest of the team?

Greg responds...

1. Brandon and I have a number of different stories in mind that could work as movies. We've thought a LOT about it.

2. SPOILER REQUEST.

3. Ditto.

Response recorded on January 21, 2014

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GoldenAgeTeen writes...

Hi greg! First off , Young justice and W.I.T.C.H are some of my favorite tv shows ever. While watching young justice i couldn't help but notice that Rocket had the same voice as taranee! my questions are:
1. Was Asami's concept at all inspired by Hay Lin?
2. Was the Tye/Asami pairing inspired by Eric/hay lin?
3. How old is Rumaan Harjavti?
4. How old is Sumaan Harjavti?
And I wanted to say thanks for having this forum where fans can ask questions, Happy holidays!

Greg responds...

1. Nope.

2. Nope.

3. At the end of Team Year Zero, Rumaan Harjavti is 52.

4. At the end of Team Year Zero, Sumaan Harjavti is 50.

Response recorded on January 16, 2014

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Laura 'as astra' Sack writes...

And now for something completely different...
You mentioned you wrote a few episodes of Octonauts. My daughter loves that show. (Catchy tune… and who would have thought there was such a thing as a blob fish?) As far as I noticed the credits only list the head writer.

1. Which episodes did you pen?
2. Did they by chance explain what exactly Turnip and kitchen crew are?
3. On a less frivolous note-
I was thinking about shows like Octonauts or Doc McStuffins or Dora or Little Einsteins or etc, the shows aimed young, as opposed to the shows my kids think are on screen for them but are really for Mommy, like the action plot shows, or the crazy clever ones like Phinias and Ferb. Ironically, a lot of the little kid shows are in a way more realistic because they center on smaller things- "3 simple steps to tying your shoe" or being worried how your old and new friends will get along at your first big sleepover party. The fact that a panda is teaching you to tie that shoe, or you are now a princess in a castle and that's why you have old and new friends to invite to the castle is not something that needs particular explanation. And without having to explain those things you can leave the world gentle.

As you get older you require a setting to make the fantastic events explainable. You can cling to a wall? Radioactive spider! You put on a suit and fight crime from the shadows? You're a rich orphan with a mission to protect the world from suffering as you did! You're a giant scary looking flying 'monster' with the soul of a poet wandering around Manhattan? You a magically time lost nearly lone survivor of a horrible betrayal of a near extinct species! (And you can only glide, not fly!) In order to explain why your heroes act as they do, whole worlds are dreamt up in which the hero's action is logical. The fantastical setting makes the actions in them realistic or at least self-consistent. A side effect of that is to introduce a dark element into the world- parental units are murdered, crime or war is at the door, etc

Which leads me to the dilemma: When, in your opinion, do you begin to transition a small child from the world of Octonauts to the world of Young Justice? (Transition isn't the best word, since you can go on watching the old stuff.) It's not a question of comprehension. Kids can understand an awful lot. The question is; when do you make your child's world less gentle? When my eldest saw the TiVo grabbed an episode of Batman she wanted to watch it. With my luck it's the episode with the amnesia girl who turns out to have started out as a piece of Clayface. Great episode. It ends when she rescues Robin and gets reabsorbed. The show explicitly calls it a murder. Then I got to explain how it is murder, what is murder, to a 3 or 4 year old. What fun! I look forward to watching Gargoyles with her, but not it being her introduction to what a massacre is. ("Well it's just like what happened to your great grandparents...") It's not that you plan on sheltering forever, but small children deserve to be sheltered, and sometimes parents are better as the zone of shelter rather than source of disturbing imagery.

Yes, there is another set of cartoons that avoid the dilemma- she loves Tom & Jerry. But frankly, I can say- 'Wow you could really hurt someone if you did that in real life- but isn't it funny when it's fake? Isn't it funny how everyone overreacts!" And then I'm done. Watching Tom getting hit in the face by a rake doesn't make her life less gentle. Explaining why Tye Longfeather left home would.

There are parallels as kids get older. Harry Potter is age appropriate to whatever age Harry is in the book. So you give an 11 year old book 1. If your 11 year old is a reader he or she will want to tear through the series and might be at the last book before turning 12. The last book is appropriate for a 17 year old. Or as my friend complained that it is frustrating to have so many comics she can't share with her 13 year old - it's not that he isn't going to be reading things with mild sexual imagery, (or not so mild; she was considering starting reading Saga), but maybe it's best he not get it directly from mom. She knows he'd love Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but he doesn't want to start the series only to stop before the 4th book with the aerial sex scene.

At least I only have to worry about it once : The younger one will see everything too early over her sister's shoulder :}

I guess this isn't so much a question as a ramble, but I was wondering your thoughts on the matter.

Greg responds...

1. My episodes haven't aired yet.

2. They seem to go out of their way NOT to explain. ;)

3. I may not be the right guy to ask. My kids grew up on Simpsons in utero. I remember watching Dexter with my 15-year-old daughter and realizing what a bad parent I must be. (And yet, I have great, great kids despite this.)

My kids learned at an early age how to figure out murder mysteries on television (hint: casting plays a major role), how to expect and anticipate surprises, etc. (We've evolved a system of high-fives when one of us correctly guesses a surprise revelation in advance.) They're fairly sophisticated television watchers. But that doesn't mean they didn't have their time with Barney and Friends. They did. But they probably graduated earlier than most. And there was a ton of overlap.

I myself had a television in my room literally from infancy - as my mother placed televisions in nearly every room of the house for her sake - with no restrictions on what I could watch. So I've always let my kids tell me (mostly) what was appropriate and inappropriate. NOTE: I'm NOT recommending this approach. Just explaining why I'm unqualified to judge.

But I have always believed that kids can handle/fathom more than is traditionally believed. If YOU feel good about (for example) Young Justice's moral center - than I personally don't think there's anything particularly problematic in the series, and that includes the reason Tye ran away from home. Teachable moments are worthwhile - even necessary (though perhaps that's unfortunate) - at even the youngest age, particularly in the world we live in today.

So I don't think it's too soon for your kids to watch Gargs or SpecSpidey or WITCH or YJ assuming it holds their attention and assuming you watch WITH them. But again, I'm no expert on parenting. So follow my lead at your children's peril.

Response recorded on January 10, 2014

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Laura 'as astra' Sack writes...

Now that I've posted all my episode thoughts...(in theory I still plan on doing the same on the comics, but...) I want to say thank you for the series in general. (I'd go into details, but it seems redundant after posting all those responses.) I've thoroughly enjoyed it in all its parts. Well, by the time you read this the video game will be out. [Yep!] I probably will have to sit it out. Pathetic as it is, I have to admit to some motion sickness from a lot of video games. I'm assuming I'll be able to get some pretty detailed descriptions from the good folks here. I hope that there will be other continuations as well. (Also good luck on your new Star Wars series.)

I have to admit to more than a little annoyance that another show I enjoy is canceled, but also some confusion. If I understand correctly one of the major factors, if not the major factor in the cancellation is that the merchandise didn't sell as well as they companies had hoped. Good viewership numbers are almost inconsequential. If this is true, (big if, I admit), I don't understand the business model. Why continue making cartoons targeting the older demographic at all? I know the show aimed for a broad audience, but it aimed for each part directly. A lot of cartoons aim themselves at kids directly, and place bonus references and jokes for the older viewers. I've loved many shows like that. But the complexity of characters and plots in shows like Young Justice is not a bonus for older viewers, it is integral. (IMHO) A relationship like, for example, Guardian and Bumblebee is more relateable to a college or adult viewer than a kid. (I would have gone to Babs and Dick, but that was mainly expanded upon in the comics.) A kid would gravitate to the first season romances, or the M'gan/L'gan/Conner triangle. All the relationships were interesting and important to the show, and none were simple, it's just different parts resonant (from experience or at least plot type familiarity) better to different age sets. (Or for out of YJ examples- In Green Lantern- the complexity of Razor and Ia's relationship- given his past lost love, her resemblance, his survivor guilt and rage issues and her ultimate sacrifice is not something that targets the younger viewers of the show. They'll just accept the two are a couple and enjoy the fight scenes. It was perhaps more integral to the show than any Hal based plot. In Tron the entire looks of the show was aimed older, high teens and 20s would be my guess, and not particularly conducive to action figures to my eye.)

Older fans are less likely to buy toys, (or have toys bought for them), but they also have control over their own finances to buy what is actually advertised during broadcast. Between the 24 hour cable tv cycle and dvrs, grown ups will be watching when kids can't, allowing for targeted ads of the none happy meal/stompies/pillow pet variety. (For the record, my 4.5 year old adores her stompies. ~she's 5 now~) I get that a franchise like DC or Marvel or Star Wars can expect some cross product sales, and even a show not squarely aimed at a small kid can have a cool iconic action figure that sells well. But no one expects Smallville or Arrow to survive on toy and apparel sales, they stays on air based on the number and demographics of viewers, just like Birds of Prey did not last for the same reason. Have cartoons, or at least the beautifully animated ones, become loss leaders for merchandise like comics have become loss leaders for movies? And is that a reasonable burden to place on a show that does not squarely target the audience that will buy those toys? Is a high level video game an attempt to tap into an action figure equivalent of older viewers?

I don't want to turn this into a rant about how annoyed I am that YJ was canceled....er, not renewed. I will admit to being mightily confused why DC Nation isn't aiming to expand into more than an hour of programming. I just assumed it was planned to become a 2 or 3 hour block like the old Disney Afternoon, with perhaps a rotating stable of shows. But I am interested on your more insider insight on what the none creative aims are when a new cartoon is unleashed upon the world nowadays and whether they are reasonable. Thanks,

Greg responds...

I think one thing to keep in mind is ratings these days are NOT what they used to be.

Ducktales was a ratings smash. It made it's money by itself. Any merchandising was gravy.

Our numbers on Gargoyles, back in the day, puts the ratings of many of today's quote-unquote top-rated animated series to shame. (And Gargoyles was a hit, but never a home run, ratings-wise. Just a single or double.)

So with lower numbers overall, that means less income is coming in from advertising. Meanwhile, the costs of production have either held steady or gone up. That's pretty simple math, isn't it?

So to pay for the production of these shows, you're counting on other streams of revenue to balance the books - and for an action show that mostly means TOYS.

So if the toys don't sell - for whatever reason - how do you pay for the series?

Whether that's reasonable or not is somewhat immaterial. It's just the cold, hard truth of the situation.

So EVERY show I've ever been asked to produce has a core target that it's trying to reach, and usually that's BOYS 6-11, because the belief is (whether you agree or not) that Boys 6-11 drive toy sales for action figures. Doesn't mean the networks object to other demographics (girls or younger kids or older kids, tweens, teens and adults) ALSO watching. But you still have to hit the target.

Picture it like a bullseye. Concentric circles. You MUST hit the center. But hopefully in hitting that sweet spot, you are also reaching the other demos. Back on Gargoyles, I was farely successful at hitting that target audience AND reaching other demos too. And that has always been my goal on these shows. We didn't quite manage it on W.I.T.C.H. We did on Spectacular Spider-Man. And our success was mixed on Young Justice. Ratings were decent overall (by today's standards though not by any absolute standard at all), but our ratings in our target demo were inconsistent at best. (We could go on forever about why, but it doesn't change the FACT of the numbers.)

Throw in Mattel's decision to abandon their YJ line (again, without going into the reasons behind it), and frankly it's no surprise we weren't renewed.

Because how could Warner Bros afford to make it?

After experimenting for two seasons and 46 episodes of YJ, why wouldn't they take the chance on something new that might bring in more money? Or at least pay its own way?

Frankly, we need a new business model. But the studios haven't landed on one that works yet. So they still chase hits.

Response recorded on January 10, 2014

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Reiena writes...

I am curious about something with young Justice Legacy.

I was wondering how the Team Years went, is it from July 4th to July 4th each year, or is it from january 1st to january 1st each year.

Got young Justice Legacy for the 3DS and I have to say, was not seeing this storyline coming. The trailers did not give anything away, and I'm happy with the story so far.

Greg responds...

January 1st to December 31st, just to preserve my sanity.

Glad you like it!

Response recorded on January 08, 2014

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Alexia writes...

When The Team heads to other countries for missions, do they leave their passports behind and skip customs as they Zeta straightaway to a location inside the country? So that would mean they cannot get caught by the authorities since they'll be technically illegal immigrants, right? The thought of that is really cool.

Greg responds...

Um… I honestly haven't thought about it. I'd need to, I guess, to truly answer the question, but in the meantime, if you like your interpretation: run with it! ;)

Response recorded on January 07, 2014

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meksters writes...

Hi Greg! I'm such a huge fan of the show! I have a few questions that I hope you can answer.

1) In an early interview you and Brandon did before the show's release there were a few posters of the characters saying things like "Sweet Sixteen" and "First Date". Who was Wally carrying in the "first date" poster?
2) Will the unaired pilot episode ever be released?
3)If Brandon hadn't suggested Wally and Artemis being together, would Wally have had a different love interest or not at all? Perhaps the one in the poster?

Thank you for answering my questions and again, I'm a huge fan of the show!

Greg responds...

1. No one specific.

2. What are you talking about? The pilot definitely aired, and it's available on DVD.

3. There's no way of knowing...

Response recorded on January 07, 2014

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Todd Jensen writes...

This is a sort of late review of the latter fourteen episodes of the first season of "Young Justice" (which I saw several months ago, but had to wait until now to comment on). Since you've already read lots of reviews, I'll stick to the moments that most won my attention, rather than overall comments.

ALPHA MALE: The opening reminded me of an English teacher I had in college who used to joke that he believed in "the right to arm bears" - give the animals the opportunity to shoot back at the hunters.

I liked Captain Marvel's depiction of a ten-year-old boy in an adult super-powered body (and it explained so beautifully why he was so eager to hang out with the Team).

Among my favorite moments: "One word - souvenir." "Two words - gorilla lice." And Brain telling Captain Marvel that he'd have been better off with the invulnerability of Achilles than his courage. (Good point - you'd have a hard time extracting his brain through a hole in his heel.)

REVELATION: One of the highlights, Joker saying "Retributionable! That last one might not be a word, so sue me!" (Both Batman's protege and his arch-enemy engage in word coining.)

HUMANITY: I understand that the Red Tornado arc in this season was based on a mini-series comic you were going to write, but which DC Comics cancelled - and I'm glad that you were able to salvage it for "Young Justice". I thought it was effective, with Red Tornado persuading his two fellow robots to help.

FAILSAFE: I knew already (coming to this part of the series late) that this one was an illusion - sort of the "Young Justice" counterpart to "Future Tense", but still found it good watching. I spotted a monument in Central City getting blown up by the aliens that looked a lot like the Gateway Arch here in St. Louis. (More on that when I get to "Young Justice: Invasion".)

DISORDERED: The team's sessions with Black Canary were great, but my favorite was Wally's - eating popcorn, apparently undisturbed until she mentioned Artemis's "death" in the scenario.

And I shared Superboy's astonishment that Sphere was a she. (I never even thought of it having a gender.)

SECRETS: I'm tempted to wonder what particular sword the Sword of Beowulf was. The best candidate in the poem was the ancient sword, forged by giants, that he found in Grendel's lair, except the blade dissolved when he used it to behead Grendel. Of course, I'm probably overthinking it. I liked the notion of its scabbard being (apparently) Grendel's arm - and the notion that "pure of heart" didn't have to mean "pure good".

Marvin tries pulling a Martian landing prank on Halloween, around 75 years after Orson Welles - and Miss Martian gives him a dose of his own medicine (complete with an impersonation of the Martian from "Loony Tunes").

MISPLACED: Another of my favorite parts: the allusions to the Pied Piper and Roanoke in the spell that splits the world in two.

Artemis mangling all those nursery rhymes was hilarious (though I read a comment that it might suggest, underneath, some dark hints about the kind of childhood she'd had).

Captain Marvel's alter ego being a small boy comes in handy (I liked the bit about Billy Batson having the courage of Billy Batson - though he quickly showed that that could be impressive).

I know it's from the source material, but still - when I heard Captain Marvel cry "Speed of Mercury! Power of Zeus!", I thought "Shouldn't that be 'Speed of Hermes! Power of Zeus!' or 'Speed of Mercury! Power of Jupiter!'" (This must say a lot about me - I'm reviewing a cartoon based on DC Comics, and I focus more on the mythological references than on the DC elements. Stems from growing up reading a lot more Greek and Norse mythology than super-hero comics. I remember also thinking that Wotan's name ought to be pronounced with a v rather than a w, like his Wagnerian namesake - but of course, I don't know if the character actually was named after the Wotan of the Ring Cycle and Germanic myth.)

And some ingenious scheming by the Light - splitting the two worlds to create the perfect diversion by which to steal that starfish piece (with Commissioner Gordon even calling the mob protest a distraction, without realizing how right he was). And with Zatara paying the permanent price to become Doctor Fate for good.

COLDHEARTED: One of Wally's finest moments (and I was delighted to see him choose the pouch he carried Perdita's heart in for the souvenir, over the swordstick, at the end).

I did wonder whether the schools would have been closed anyway on November 11, even without the continent-wide blizzard, because of Veterans' Day.

I was amused to notice the Space Needle in the background in the "establishing shot" for the hospital in Seattle - following the unwritten rule in television that if you're setting part of the story in a city with a famous landmark, to get a shot of the landmark somewhere (as in a few shots of the Statue of Liberty in New York in "Gargoyles" - not to mention the Houses of Parliament in the visits to London, the Eiffel Tower in the visits to Paris, the Sydney Opera House in the Sydney scene in "Bad Guys", etc.).

IMAGE: Got a big smile over the names of the producers of "Hello, Megan" (which does indeed sound like a likely sit-com for the 1980's).

AGENDAS: When you had Aquaman coming to fetch Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to start the meeting, was that intended as a "Superfriends" allusion?

I got a kick out of Captain Marvel's nervousness once the Justice League started talking about the questionability of children as members.

And the Thanksgiving scene at Mount Justice. I enjoyed the shift through the year in the two seasons, from Fourth of July to the New Year - and vice versa in the second season. I hope that you'll get to do more such seasonal cycles in future projects (though, in light of the setting, I doubt we'll see much of that in the "Star Wars" project coming up - "Rain of the Ghosts" is more likely, though I doubt we'll see too many seasonal changes in *its* setting).

INSECURITY: For me, the big highlight of this episode was the police box serving as a Zeta-tube entrance. (Kind of funny this was in the same episode as the revelation that Red Tornado's civilian identity is named "John Smith", the alias most often used by the Doctor in "Doctor Who" when he needs something more than "the Doctor" - though I suspect that was just a coincidence.)

I laughed at Wolf curling up and taking a nap instead of staying on sentry duty.

PERFORMANCE: Made a good "calm before the storm" story. I liked Robin's reference to "The War of the Worlds".

USUAL SUSPECTS and AULD ACQUAINTANCE: A good two-parter season finale. The Light were certainly ingenious in handling their mole - who better than the person most zealously searching for the mole?

I'd suspected from the portrayal of the Light that its goals had an ideological slant, and Vandal Savage didn't disappoint me, in his belief that super-heroes were a bad thing for the human race since they made things too easy for everyone else, prevented humanity from moving forward properly and growing up. I liked the touch that he had to call Klarion off because he was too powerful, and might have wiped out the Justice League prematurely if he'd exerted his full strength.

And I smiled again at Red Tornado's response to the team members' New Year's kisses.

The "Young Justice: Invasion" commentary/review will come later this week.

Greg responds...

Superfriends allusion: absolutely.

Response recorded on January 07, 2014

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Jordan Wade writes...

1. Did members of the All-Star Squadron have actual military ranks?

2. Did Ra's Al Ghul or Klarion faced the J.S.A or All Star Squadron?

3. Did the All-Star Squadron ever fight in Europe or Asia during World War 2?

4. Who were all the members of the All Star Squadron?

Greg responds...

1. Some did and some didn't. (Simply being in the Squadron didn't grant them a military position, if that's what you're asking.)

2. SPOILER REQUEST.

3. SPOILER REQUEST.

4. SPOILER REQUEST.

Response recorded on January 07, 2014

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Donna writes...

Hey Greg,

I was, and still am, a huge fan of Gargoyles, the Spectacular Spider-man, and numerous other shows you've worked on in the past. So to say that I was excited beyond belief when I found out you were not only going to be involved in a DC animated series, but that my favorite DC character, Wally West, was going to be on it as well would have been an understatement. But unfortunately for me, Wally's inclusion on Young Justice actually lessened my enjoyment of the show quite a bit. And I know it's almost impossible to juggle all the characters on team shows like Young Justice, so I didn't really have much expectations outside of Wally being portrayed in a respectable manner with whatever role he was given. And I'm sure it wasn't your intentions and that I'm probably in the minority, but I don't feel that was the case. There honestly wasn't one aspect of his involvement on this show that I took away as a positive when it came to his character as it felt his role in everything he was involved in centered around how bad he was.

First off, the main storyline line he had throughout the two seasons was his relationship with Artemis and the majority of that seemed to revolve around how much of a burden Wally was for her in both seasons. In Season One, it was him making her life harder than it had to be and being the biggest reason she wouldn't tell the team about her family ("DISORDERED") because he was a complete jerk to her for no reason when she showed up in "INFILTRATOR" and she didn't want to listen to him run his mouth again. That would have been okay if Wally would have played a significant role in her overcoming that, but he only ended up making things even worse after his one attempt to make things better in "INSECURITY". It also didn't help that I never got the feeling Artemis liked Wally all that much during that first season. She showed no romantic interest in Wally, outside of the show flat-out saying they were going to get together, that led me to believe that her constant belittling and hitting of him was anything more than her genuinely thinking he's a complete idiot and was constantly annoyed by his antics (which falls in line with all the other characters perceptions of him as they thought Wally was a complete idiot outside of situations that required science knowledge, too). The only time she was shown to even be able to tolerate him was when he was propping her up ("BEREFT" and most of "INSECURITY"), and that had more to do with her own insecurity than her actually liking Wally for Wally (while the show was clear there's quite a bit about him that she didn't like). She just liked having the attention and a glorified cheerleader. And she was shown to like/respect the other male members of the team more than Wally and they were supportive of her from the get go, so why would Wally's words matter more than theirs? I also assume Artemis crushing on Conner was suppose to mirror Wally's crush on M'gann, but the big difference is that the show was clear where Wally's real feelings lied ("FAILSAFE" and he admitted attraction in "BEREFT") before he found out about Conner & M'gann. Where as I mentioned earlier, Artemis didn't show much interest in Wally before finding out about them (Artemis giving him her spare breather so he doesn't drown ,the only other member in danger of that at that moment, and making a sling for his arm is no different than how she interacted with any of her other teammates). So I took it as Wally being her consolation prize after missing out on the guy she actually liked and was attracted to.

Plus with the way the events went down in "DENIAL", I took Kent Nelson's "find your own little spitfire; one who won't let you get away with nothin'" line to mean that Wally needed to date Artemis so she could keep him in line because he was incapable of doing it himself. I mean, the episode started out with Artemis and M'gann laughing at how much of a joke he was after the latter couldn't think of one positive quality that Wally possessed to sale Artemis on the idea of dating him. Then Wally nearly got the team killed just trying to impress M'gann. And all of Wally's interactions with Artemis in the episode either had her rolling her eyes at his antics, mocking him for constantly being wrong, or elbowing him for being rude. Honestly, I don't know why Artemis would've even been interested in a guy that the show basically said she'd have to babysit.

Then is Season Two, Season Two, it was pretty clear that Artemis wanted to return to the hero life and that Wally was holding her back from something she loved due to his own selfish fear. And I got the feeling she just used the undercover mission as an escape from their life/relationship and justified it by saying she was needed, which is also true, but it doesn't change the fact that she wanted out. And the only time she even thinks about Wally while she's undercover is when she said what they had was "special" in "THE FIX", but that's when she was trapped behind enemy lines with a comatose Kaldur (after blowing up the Cave and kidnapping teenage kids for torture) and no clear way out of that situation at that moment. So of course the normal life with Wally looked special compared to that, but later she basically rebuffed Wally on the idea of returning to Paris after they saved the world in "ENDGAME". It's like they were only still "together" in an attempt to force the idea that his death was more meaningful than it really was. I actually rolled my eyes when the show tried to pass off that Wally was important to her after he died because she was already done with him long before that. So I felt that Artemis got exactly what she wanted and what was best for her character. Wally is no longer around to hold her back and she got to avoid any possible guilt about hurting him since he's dead. He wasn't so much portrayed as her "partner" but as a roadblock that she just had to constantly get around. And a roadblock she wasn't even shown to like all that much at that.

Then there's his friendship with Dick, which is something I was always fond of in the comics and was really looking forward to seeing it on the show. But outside of Dick's one line at the end of "COLDHEARTED", all Dick really ever did was constantly make fun of Wally and put him down throughout the two seasons. A few superficial scenes of them high-fiving and fist bumping doesn't offset Dick constantly telling Wally how dumb he is and treating him like he's a joke. I know he supposedly told Wally his secret identity before the series started, but nothing that was shown on the show made me believe that Dick had much respect for Wally as a person. And I know that friends tease each other, but that was pretty much all Dick did (and some things like using Wally's inferiority to Barry to embarrass him in front of M'gann in "WELCOME TO HAPPY HARBOR", or letting an all too eager Artemis crush him with the news about M'gann & Conner at his birthday party of all times were just beyond cruel). So while Wally was far from a perfect friend, I honestly got the feeling that he cared about Dick and was incredibly loyal to him (especially in Season One). And watching Dick constantly use Wally as nothing more than a punchline was tough to watch. Plus, Dick telling Wally that he only cared about his souvenirs getting blown up in "DARKEST" just confirmed to me how little Dick thought of him. And for the record, I really do like Dick but he was beyond terrible as a friend to Wally on this show.

Also, I noticed how Wally was ultimately in the wrong when he got into conflicts with the others characters (Artemis in "INFILTRATOR", magic isn't real in "DENIAL", and Artemis again at the end of "INSECURITY"). The most notable time of Wally being wrong was his scene with Dick at the end of "DARKEST" in Season Two. I get it was just to add drama, but Wally ended up being (predictably) wrong about everything he said there and the entire scene turned out to be completely pointless as it didn't affect anything related to the plot. The only thing it really accomplished in the long run was damaging Wally's character. He was just used to make his best friend feel bad about trying to save the world and accuse Kaldur of being a traitor. Though Wally's rant would have been okay as long as he did something about it afterward but he didn't as he just went back to the sidelines. And given that most people view the characters actions in the context of it being a show about superheroes, Wally was already looking bad by sitting out while an alien invasion that almost everyone he claimed to care about was risking their lives to stop was going on. And I get that loyalty goes a long way, but Dick was in over his head and lost all control of the situation as Wally pointed out (Dick and Conner had almost died, three teenage kids, including his own cousin, was allowed to be captured for torture, and he wrongly believed Kaldur was a traitor). So how can Wally just go back to sitting on his couch thinking the woman he loved was in danger and knowing his best friend thought it was necessary that his little cousin was kidnapped for torture? It's not like Dick's never volunteered sending his friends/teammates to their death before as he did it with Conner in "FAILSAFE". Loyalty is fine, but not when it's given blindly to somebody who has shown repeatedly that they don't deserve it like Dick. Honestly, I never thought it was possible for me to hate/dislike Wally West, but I came pretty close after this because it wasn't Wally-like, as he essentially abandoned his friends and family (Bart). And what happened in "ENDGAME" doesn't erase that. In fact, I'd say it made Wally's mischaracterization (assuming Wally did actually care about the people he mentioned in the episode) after "DARKEST" worse.

Finally, there's Wally's story as a hero. In Season One, it appears that his arc was basically about maturing enough that he could become a suitable boyfriend option for Artemis. I already mentioned what I thought was highlighted in "DENIAL", and I think "COLDHEARTED" was just to make Wally slightly less of an idiot and a joke that she would consider dating him. Which isn't exactly the most flattering of character arcs. And I also felt he was portrayed as the weak link of the team. He was the character that would (comically) mess up the most on missions and with his powers (running into walls, tripping over marbles and rocks, blowing the team's cover, and nearly getting the team killed just by trying to impress a girl who doesn't even think he has one positive attribute). He was also the only member of the team that didn't land a single blow during the fight with the Injustice League in "REVELATIONS", but did manage to be the only one to suffer a significant injury. Honestly, Wally's competence in "COLDHEARTED" was hard for me to believe given how he was portrayed in all the previous episodes. He just seemed to be as much of a detriment to the team as a help unless science exposition was needed on the mission. And things like all the other characters constantly making fun of him, the running gag that Wally was so forgettable as a hero that the public could almost never remember his name, and the oblivious flirting with M'gann that made him look like even more of an idiot didn't help matters. Especially the last one as it lasted the majority of the season and there was no real payoff to it outside of "aw man!". Artemis, who only showed interest in Conner during her first two episodes, had a much more extreme reaction to finding out about M'gann and Conner being together. Not to mention Dick's over-the-top flirting worked with Zatanna in "HUMANITY", so it wasn't Wally's flirting that was bad, just that it was Wally that was doing it.

Then in Season Two, Wally's inferiority was used in "BLOODLINES" for some cheap laughs, and as a prop so you guys could show how much better Bart was than him in every single way. And I know you said you didn't think he showed Wally up at all, but I'd say four (completely obvious) different scenes where the show played it up for laughs at Wally's expense was a little much. As Wally said when he had to be carried away from Neutron's blast by Bart and Barry because he wasn't fast enough, he was being humiliated. And I don't think him assisting Jay at the end to help save Barry/Bart offsets that considering Barry promptly interrupted Wally lecturing Bart on his recklessness and gave Bart all the credit for saving him. The episode spent twenty minutes slamming home the point that Wally wasn't worthy of being named in the same sentence with Bart and Barry, and a scene that is pretty much glossed over hardly made up for it to me. Then Wally ends up dying in "ENDGAME" simply because he wasn't fast enough to live to further cement that he wasn't worthy of being part of the Flash legacy. His death wasn't so much a noble sacrifice to me (as I suspect it was meant to be) as it was him dying because he wasn't good enough to live. And being told your favorite character died because they weren't good enough isn't fun, especially when the show already had an episode where it made fun of that character for the same reason they died. Perhaps if the show would have dealt with Wally's inferiority and his thoughts/feelings about it before "BLOODLINES" or in a serious/respectful manner (much like it did with Conner's inferiority to Superman in the first season), then I'd be able to see his death in a different way. But as it is, his inferiority wasn't so much a part of his character and story as it was just used as a tool to build Bart up and serve as an excuse to kill him off.

And let me say again that I have absolutely no problem with the idea of Wally being slower than Barry/Bart or him dying. Those things could have been interesting and meaningful. But I felt with the way the show handled those things, they weren't. You tried to compare Dick not being as strong as Conner to Wally not being as fast as Bart/Barry, but there's two huge differences. The first is that Dick's one trick isn't being incredible strong and the other is that the show didn't pound home that fact over and over in a comedic fashion the way it did with Wally and the Allen's in "BLOODLINES". Wally being slower is only a big issue because you guys made it one with how you handled it. And I truly believe you don't think you guys implied that Wally was a lesser hero or not good enough because he's slower, but I do know my two kids (11 and 8) now think that Impulse/The Flash are awesome and that Kid Flash is "a loser" thanks to that episode (Young Justice was their first real experience with the DC universe). I also think simply leaving the Allen's out (or not having them be directly involved) of Wally's death scene would've been a more than satisfying conclusion for his character. That way you guys still would have gotten your death and made it about what Wally could do as a hero instead of what he couldn't (and help shed the selfish label the character had). But making it simply about his speed after his treatment in "BLOODLINES", you guys basically admitted that Wally no longer had a role in this universe because he's a second-rate speedster and therefore had to die. Which might actually be true as Wally couldn't be the Flash (not with Bart running circles around him), but I'm not sure that you guys had to be so on the head about it.

Having said all that, I did like Wally's personality on the show (well at least in Season One when his characterization was pretty consistent) and I did relatively enjoy the show on the whole. But feeling like the show was continually telling me over and over how bad Wally was throughout two seasons dragged it down for me at times. And I do get that quite a bit of the things I mentioned weren't entirely valid as Wally was just the comic relief character (they do start to add up, though). But even the important parts of Wally's story (his relationship with Artemis/conflicts with other characters/as a hero/his death) came across about how terrible and/or how much of a joke he was to me. It just seemed that outside of "COLDHEARTED", Wally's main purpose on the show was to look bad to make the others look good and enhance their story by either telling them how great they were (which they never did for him) or being the bad guy. And like I said, I don't think it was the show's intentions to do that and I think I have a pretty good idea what the show was trying to do. But what the narrative of the show wanted me to believe (that Artemis liked Wally/that he was good thing for her/that Dick thought of him as his best friend/etc) and what the show actually showed were two completely different things to me. And I just have a hard time blindly accepting things on a show when they aren't really backed up by what is shown and were even contradicted by what was at times.

So for me, Wally's story was just about how he wasn't good enough no matter how hard he tried. Not good enough for Artemis, not good enough to get any respect from his friends, and not good enough as a speedster to survive or to be worthy of being the Flash because that's simply how those things were handled and portrayed on the show itself. He did have his moments here and there (I loved "COLDHEARTED"), but what little positive the character had was overshadowed by the overwhelming negative in my opinion.

Anyway, I apologize for wasting your time with this and for feeling this way. I really, really wish I didn't. And good luck with your book, the Star Wars series, and whatever else you may work on in the future!

Greg responds...

Well, I suppose it comes as no surprise that I disagree with nearly every aspect of your analysis. Starting with this: we never felt that Wally was a joke. Never ever. We never felt like he wasn't good enough. Never ever. You can absolutely declare that our execution failed, but you can't tell me that was our intent. It just flat out wasn't.

I've written about Wally and Artemis before in some detail already, particularly here: http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=16969

And in Season Two, I don't think Artemis was as 100% about returning to the life as you seem to, and I don't think Wally was as 100% about staying retired as you seem to. Both felt conflicted. And we tried to show that with limited screen time. (Every time we did, you write it off as characters kidding themselves or the like.) And saying they weren't happy together in Season Two - or that Artemis wasn't happy with Wally - literally goes against every time we showed them on screen together.

To me, it feels like you weighted all evidence in favor of your interpretation, i.e. you formed it early and everything seemed to fall in line with it afterward. And the stuff we put in that didn't fit with your intrepretation became rare exceptions that only proved your rule, so to speak. Some examples:

*Saying "Dick only makes fun of Wally" ignores all those times that Wally made fun of Dick. It was mutual and not unlike my teenage friendships with other guys. I believe Dick was a good friend to Wally and vice versa. Not a perfect friend, mind you, but a true and loyal one.

*Saying Wally's competence in "Coldhearted" was tough to believe given what we had seen before makes it sound like we had a single agenda to screw Wally's character over, and SLIPPED up by showing him in a different light that once. As opposed to the idea that we were showing many aspects of his character over many episodes. Showing him mature in both ability and character as the series progressed.

I could go on and on, addressing each of your points one by one, but (a) that would take forever, and I honestly don't have the patience and (b) it would just come off as defensive and (c) I doubt I'd convince you anyway. It's how you feel about the character, and no explanation from me could change that retroactively, I know. We'll simply have to agree to disagree.

Still, I'm willing to take the blame for your distaste for our version of the character. You clearly came in loving Wally, and what we presented didn't work for you (preconceived notions or not). That fed on itself, as we put further things on screen that piled on (or at least seemed to). And on that level, we failed you.

So I'm truly sorry our take on Wally didn't work for you, but it seemed to have worked for many members of our audience, for whom Wally was a clear fan favorite, so I'll have to settle for that.

Response recorded on January 07, 2014

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Anonymous writes...

Hey, Greg. I noticed another poster mentioned using YJ for educational purposes. I work as English/ESL teacher. I taught a TOEFL class for a period of time and one of the things I had to do was to introduce my class of Korean teenagers to the concept of an inference. So, I showed them "Infiltrator". "So weak!" and "So stupid!" were one girl's response to Aqualad. (Kaldur does get beat-up quite a bit in this episode.) Anyways, I asked them how Wally and Artemis feel about each other. They drew the conclusion that they don't like each other.

"Oh, really?" I said.

Then, I showed them "Bereft" in which Wally and Artemis meet again for the first time. Then, I showed them how Wally and Artemis's behavior in "Infiltrator" can be construed differently - in other words: it is possible to INFER certain things from their behavior that are not directly stated. Anyways, I think they got the concept of an inference.

More recently, I used "Denial" to demonstrate the hero's journey. Although I did point out that since Wally seems not to have learned anything at the end of the episode that his journey was comic variation of the archetypal hero's journey.

That's all for now.

Best,

Marvelman

Greg responds...

Okay first: SO COOL!!! That sounds like a very neat lesson.

But second, Wally clearly did learn something by the end of the episode. He just didn't want to admit it to others or to himself.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Kay writes...

First of all, Thank you. Young Justice gave me hope that there are still quality "kid's shows" being created. Second, Gargoyles was one of my top five shows as a kid (And I just today learned that you're responsible for both, so thanks for that too).

Now for the main reason I'm questioning you: I've finishing up a Master's degree now and will hopefully be teaching come September. Would it bother you if I made it a goal of mine to use Young Justice in a classroom setting? I feel like the show has so much potential for talking about social justice and frankly teaching analytical skills, prediction, characterization...basically I want to use Young Justice as a teaching tool because it was such a richly created world. And the truth is, I would like your blessing to pursue this goal.

P.S. Your snark, it is amazing.

Greg responds...

I actually think Gargoyles might serve your needs better, but YJ would be very cool too.

So you absolutely have my blessing. Keep me posted on how it goes.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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A Flash Fan writes...

Hello Greg,

Another Flash related question I have been pondering for a while now...

1. Why is Flash's (and Kid Flash's) lightning bolt insignia/logo/symbol different from the one in the original comics? In Young Justice it is only one line that switches back, but in the comics it is two (as I'm sure you know, being so knowledgeable in comics and such). I know Bruce Timm did it in the DCAU as well, and it was one of the reasons I had such a hard time (which in the long run I considered fun) finding out and realizing the differences between Flashes. I was just curious. Does it have anything to do with that the logo can't be the same due to copyright? Is it just easier to draw? Was it your preference?

2. Is there more cut material from episodes that you are willing to share?

3. I thought the Arsenal spin-off would have been a great idea! Along with the other items you pitched for Earth-16...here's hoping we'll see some soon!

Greg responds...

1. You'd have to ask Phil Bourassa and/or Brandon Vietti. For me, it was just Phil and Brandon saying, "What do you think?" And me going, "Cool." I don't know what their thought processes were.

2. I think I've shared all there is.

3. Me too.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

1. WHERE is the exact place that Vandal Savage was born on Earth-16?

2. Given Vandal Savage lived for over 50,000 years, would he actually be considered to be a Cro-Magnon (which is an informal name for the first early modern humans)?

3. Would Vandal Savage be comparable in some ways to the Marvel Comics villain known as Romulus (one of Wolverine's enemies)?

Greg responds...

1. What do you want, like coordinates?

2. I knew this. Can't remember now.

3. I have no idea. But if he's Wolverine's enemy, than it sounds like Savage came way first.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Steel_Goliath writes...

Hi Mr Weisman
i was wondering do you feel any anger towards the shows you work on get canceled before you can finish all the plot lines
also what do you plan to do now that young justice is cancelled

Greg responds...

Anger isn't the right word. Frustration, certainly. Sadness. Melancholy. Resignation. It's not a happy feeling, but there's nothing and no one to be angry about.

By now, you probably know that I'm one of the Executive Producers of the new STAR WARS REBELS animated series, which premieres in 2014 and that I've written two novels: RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Eagle-Owl writes...

The fans have spoken!

http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/121176-update-on-the-crowdfunded-return-of-young-justice-and-green-lantern-the-animated-series.html

Greg responds...

This crowdfunding in opposition to TimeWarner was never going to happen.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Janey writes...

I was on wikipedia(yeah I ), but anyways I was reading about the actor/actresses of Gargoyles, and I found that a lot of them worked with you on Young Justice too, such as Thom Adcox-Hernandez as Lexington and Klarion the witchboy, and Ed Asner as Hudson, and Dr. Kent!! I love that some of these people worked with you again!! So I have a question
1. Ed Asner's filmography on wikipedia, stats on that on Young Justice he voices Doctor Fate, and Granny Goodness, so my question is did I miss Granny Goodness being in young justice or was that a mistake?
2. What was like working with the old cast members of Gargoyles?
I really enjoyed both shows and since you had Josh Keith voice Black Spider as a nod to your series Spiderman, it was refreshing to hear that you also had a nod to Gargoyles with them voicing some of the characters of Young Justice, oh and I have one more question containing endgame
3. Was Wally's death a nod to Barry Allen's death in infinite crises?
This is all, I love your work and I look forward to your book series!!!

Greg responds...

1. A mistake. I believe Ed voiced Granny Goodness in Justice League and/or Justice League Unlimited.

2. It's always fun. Like old home week.

3. Not particularly.

Response recorded on December 18, 2013

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Brent Wolgamott writes...

Hey Greg: I just wanted to say "thanks", for such a wonderful TV series in both "Young Justice" and "YJ: Invasion". I watched everything YJ-related for 2+ years now, and it was my first introduction into anything related to you (I watched Gargoyles rarely back in the day). YJ was (is) an amazing drama, albeit animation. I loved the character development of M'gann this year, and I loved the evolution of the series. I am sorry to hear it is likely over now, but I appreciate it (and you) for what it is -- a kickass TV show, juggling multiple characters with a complex but mostly resolved storyline. Thanks for the memories, and I hope to see you again soon. -Brent

Greg responds...

Thanks for the kind words. If you want more YJ, check out our comics and the YJ Legacy video game. All are CANON.

Response recorded on December 13, 2013

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Emily writes...

Hi Greg! In season 1 of Young Justice Aquaman and Mera announce they're going to have a child but there is no mention of that ever again. Did Manta kill Aquababy like in the comics or is he still alive during season 2?

Greg responds...

Check out Young Justice Legacy for more information on this.

Otherwise, SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on December 13, 2013

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Ma'alefa'ak writes...

How did you come up with the designs of Hawkman and Hawkgirl? They are badass.

Greg responds...

Me, personally? I walked into Phil Bourassa's room, and he showed 'em to me, and I said something like, "They are badass."

Response recorded on December 13, 2013

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FOONTS writes...

Did you have trouble coming up with storylines for Wally? All the other major characters at least had one major story arc over the two seasons. Superboy had the clone of Superman and Lex storyline in season 1, Miss Martian had the story of her insecurity about her Martian appearance in season 1 and her misuse of her martian abilities in season 2, Artemis had her family background story in season 1 and her undercover identity storyline in season 2, Kaldur had his undercover storyline in season 2, and Dick had the whole leading the team and keeping a secret from the team storyline in season 2. Wally is legitimately the only one who didn't have an ongoing story in either of the two seasons. He seemed like an accessory to other people's story. And then you killed him off. It didn't make much sense and seemed like a tragic misuse of a popular character who has such a rich comic book history.

Greg responds...

No, we had no trouble. We just had priorities. I'm sorry you viewed our (mis)use of Wally as 'tragic'. Obviously, we don't agree. (And his popularity - or any character's popularity - had nothing to do with our decision-making process.)

Response recorded on December 13, 2013

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Megan writes...

Who was the first team member to find out Artemis's first name was ACTUALLY Artemis. (after Dick since obviously he probably knew from day one)

Greg responds...

I'm not sure she kept that a secret. Zatanna didn't.

Response recorded on December 13, 2013

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I SAW THE LIGHT writes...

He wants to protect the Earth from invaders. He uses a death machine to scare the inhabitants other planets. He wants humans to be the strongest species in the universe. He wants to give humans superpowers.

Vandal Savage is more of a hero than all the characters in Young Justice.

Greg responds...

Saw the light and drank the kool-aid, I see. ;)

Response recorded on December 09, 2013

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Kris W writes...

Hello Mr Weisman,

I just wanted to thank you for your amazing work. I really hate to see Young Justice over so soon but loved every minute of it as a huge comic fan.
I also loved Gargoyles. My mom and I used to watch it together all the time. We loved the series from start to finish. My mom died a few years back and when I really miss her, I watch Gargoyles. Even after all this time I can still remember her comments on her favorite episodes and it's very comforting to have that to fall back on. I don't think I'm explaining myself well, but thank you for giving us something we could enjoy so much together, and something to help me remember her with. I look forward to your next projects.
Kris W

Greg responds...

Kris, my condolences for the loss of your mother. And thank you for such kind words. You could hardly have paid me a nicer compliment, and I truly appreciate it.

Response recorded on December 06, 2013

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Jarrod writes...

Hi Greg!

I was rewatching YJ Revelations, and I noticed that Count Vertigo was wearing some sort of device in his ears, wrapped around his head. He seemed to be the only member of the Injustice League to be wearing one, so I don't think it was a communications device. I humbly ask the following questions:

1) What was this device?
2) If the above is a spoiler request, I ask how long he has used/needed the device as of his appearance in Revelations?
3) Does said device serve a protective, or a augmentative purpose?

Thank you! Loved the show!

Greg responds...

1. It was the device that gives him his powers - or at least allows him to control them.

2. Uh, the latter or neither.

Response recorded on December 06, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Hi Greg,

Was Young Justice mixed in 5.1, or just stereo? The DVDs and iTunes/Amazon downloads all have stereo audio.

Thanks.

Greg responds...

I don't know for sure, but I think stereo.

Response recorded on December 06, 2013

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Voice Acting Fan writes...

Dear Greg:

Thank you for answering my previous questions!

You have made reference to SAG before, so presumably Young Justice has to abide by SAG rules or get boycotted. I have a few questions related to this and the voice acting part of the production process:

1. How do the voice talent get paid? A flat rate? Are they paid by the hour? By the line? By the episode? Or some variable rate?

2. When you voiced Lucas Carr, did you have to join the SAG union? Or is production allowed to hire non-SAG personnel as long as they pay them differently?

3. You have stated that getting a second character out of an actor entails no added costs. Since it is free, I am wondering why a few actors (Jesse McCartney comes to mind) doesn't get to voice a character other than Dick Grayson. Was it a matter of actor preference, producer preference, or a mix of the two?

4. How long does a typical recording session last? Do you sit in throughout the whole session, or leave it up to the voice director? How many episode(s) are typically recorded in a sitting?

5. When one of the voice actors sing a song (Reach for a Reach, Hello Megan), they get separately credited. Is this subject to a different rate, or is the singing part simply added as a "character" in determining pay?

Thank you, and I hope by the time you are reading this, you've already got several gigs lined up!

Greg responds...

0. I'm not sure "boycot" is the correct word. The major studios sign contracts with SAG, that prohibits them from contracting non-SAG labor for their acting needs. They can get around this by SUB-contracting, but most don't on major projects.

1. I don't want to speak for EVERY show. In my experience, a voice actor gets paid a flat fee for four hours of work and up to two character voices. For a tiny additional fee, you can get a third voice. But this holds per episode. So for example, even if you could record one guy playing four roles over two episodes in a single four hour session, you'd still owe him two payments. The fee is negotiable, as long as it's above union minimum. But most series pay the union minimum plus 10% and have favored nation clauses in their contracts, which prohibits them from giving any individual actor a raise without simultaneously giving raises to EVERY actor on the series.

2. I first joined SAG to play Donald Menken on Spectacular Spider-Man, and am still a member in good-standing. No union shop can hire non-union actors.

3. Well, Jesse often DID voice additional characters, like Thug #2 or whatever. But generally, there are some actors who have the ability to change their voice enough that they can convincingly play multiple characters without the audience balking. Others really - as talented as they are as performers - only have their own voice.

4. Sessions typically go three to four hours. But often we'll be there all day. We can only keep each individual actor for four hours without incurring overtime, but we could start one actor at 10am and have him until 2pm. And we could start another actor at noon, and have her until 4pm. And a third at 1pm and keep him until 5pm. That way, we have overlap to record their scenes together, but we also have more time to get everything done.

5. Singing is a separate rate. And it's also an additional character, unless they are singing IN CHARACTER. That is, if Nightwing suddenly burst into song, we'd have to pay an additional fee to Jesse for his singing. But we wouldn't have to count that as a second character (or third, since he's also doing Thug #2).

Response recorded on December 06, 2013

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Christine writes...

Hi! I was wondering if ya'll ever made any sort of 'blue print' for the cave? and if you'd ever be willing to share it if you did. Because I'm just really nerdy about those sorts of things and I know a lot of other fans are really curious as well.... :D

Greg responds...

I don't know if we have all of it nailed down. I definitely had a general sense of the layout of the place. Brandon might have something. You could try tweeting him.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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Anon the great writes...

Hey Greg! Appreciate all the work you did in the series and hope one day, someone will pick it up for continuation.
Just a few questions:

1. It's obvious Red Arrow and Artemis move around quite a bit when fighting the enemy, my question is how do their arrows stay in their quivers? Magnets maybe?
2. Does Rocket eventually evolve her powers like she did in the comics? In a few issues, she was able to shoot out kinetic energy from her hands.

Greg responds...

1. More of a question for Brandon and/or Phil. I'm not sure. But I believe.

2. Without addressing Rocket specifically, I will say that my general goal was NOT to allow power-bleed. I think many super-heroes have suffered over the years with various writers, artists and editors constantly adding to their power sets, making it almost impossible to challenge them.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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A Fan from Maryland writes...

Hey Greg, big fan. Sorry to hear about your job issues and I hope by the time you answer this you will have found work, I'd hire you myself if I was rich enough or I knew how. <3

1. You say that M'gann's parents are Green and White and that she and her brother the only "White" looking Martians among her siblings. So does whether you become Green/White Martian work on a sort of "one drop" rule or is more random?

For example (and I phrase it this way so you would only have to give one answer)

Under One drop, if a Green mated with a White Martian the offspring would always be white. If its Random, a child could be green or white at various odds.

Or is it something way more complex like hair or eye color. I say this because its use analogous to the human concept of "ethnicity" and I wanted to know if it was like that on Mars or if was a different type of phenotype such as hair or eye color. Basically i just wanted to know how the "rules" of the colors worked and if stuff like a Red child being more to two Greens or like a "light green" martian was possible.

2. What comic book issue/story arc did the Red Martians first appear in in the DC Comics? Or are they an Original Creation named for the Barsoom concept.

3. You have been noted to be very devoted to comics continuity; going so far as to construct the Martian Language around names seen in the comics. So why is Mars' Martian name " M'arzz" rather than "Ma'aleca'andra" as seen in the 1988 Martian Manhunter series?

4. Speaking of, is "M'arzz" a cognate with the English word "Mars" or is that just an amazing coincidence ?

5. Finally I more avant garde question . Do you think you could be so kind to post the translation dictionaries for some of the conlangs you ,Nicole Dubuc and your other colleagues created such as Interlac, Martian, New Genisian etc? Since it's not a story or a plot I assume its okay through your guidelines. I just thought it'd be a nice treat for the fandoms of those shows.

Thank you Greg, Mad love from MD! :)

Greg responds...

1. Martians - even Martians of mixed parentage - are still born either Red, Green or White. Doesn't mean a White Martian like M'gann doesn't have, well, green genes in her. But she still is white in appearance unless shape-shifting her color. The stigma attaches to the skin color, less so to the parentage/heritage. So most of M'gann's siblings faced relatively little prejudice. But she and one of her brothers, who by luck of the genetic draw came out white, weren't so fortunate.

1a. There are various shades of green. And of red. And of white. But a light Green Martian is not necessarily the child of a White and Green Martian. It doesn't work that way.

1b. There is no way a Red Martian could be born to two white parents or two green parents or a white and a green parent. At least one (but not both) of the Red Martian's parents must also be Red. Same with Green or White Martians. At least one of your parents is going to be the same basic color as you are.

2. They come from DC Comics, but if I revealed where it would act as a SPOILER.

3. I'm an imperfect human being. My research was imperfect too. Though at the time, there was a reason why I chose that name. See the answer to question 4.

4. Heh, heh, heh...

5. I think I've posted most everything we have at this point of the Interlac, Martian and Atlantean languages. Nicole may have more on Rannian, since she cribbed that by studying what Alan Moore did in Swamp Thing. And I used my own fictional language from one of my original (but unsold) properties for New Genisian. I have more on that one, but because I still have hopes of doing something with that someday, I won't be posting more of it at this time.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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A Flash Fan writes...

Hello Greg,

Thank you for responding to my question about Barry Allen's persona. When I think about it, it may also be that the Flash in the Silver Age is in a quite different time period than in Earth-16. And it made a lot of sense when you said you were trying to vary character persona so that they all wouldn't be strict boyscouts. I am still not entirely convinced but your explanation helped put me more at ease.

PS Cary Bates is among one of my favorite Flash writers! Could please tell him if you are able to? Thanks!

Greg responds...

I'm afraid I've forgotten the specifics of our exchange. But I'm glad you're more at ease.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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Schweitzer-Man writes...

Why didn't Queen Perdita revoke Count Vertigo's diplomatic immunity after the events in "Revelation". Yeah, I know, he wasn't committing acts of treason against her country but...wouldn't she have thought, "This REALLY isn't the kind of company I want to keep. Family or otherwise."

Greg responds...

She didn't have the authority.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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IF writes...

1. How old is Plastic Man?
2. What is the Plastic Man's real name?

Greg responds...

Patrick "Eel" O'Brien was 38 by the end of Team Year One.

Response recorded on December 04, 2013

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Everything Geek Podcast INTERVIEW

I was interviewed on the Everything Geek Podcast here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idfnqNo-rn8

I discuss my "secret origins", The Spectacular Spider-Man, Gargoyles, Star Wars Rebels, Young Justice and more.

Check it out!

(But of course I totally forgot to mention Rain of the Ghosts at all, darnit!)


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West writes...

I know you may find my question silly or something but:
You said that Iris and Mary are's sisters and that you don't see any resembles between them but: They are both readheads with green eyes. While Rudy has brown hair and brow eyes.... I love that Iris and Rudy are brother and sister, I really do!
But my quetions are:
1-What resembles do you see between Iris and Rudy?
2- Is Iris adopted?

Greg responds...

Iris and Mary are sisters-in-law, not sisters.

1. About as much as I see between me and my sister... especially if there were a larger age gap between us than there is in real life.

2. Not that I know of.

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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Jared writes...

Hey Greg, first off I just want to say I have been fan of a couple of your series and just want to thank you for creating top notch animation.

My question is in regards to Superboy's invulnerabilty, how in vulnerable is he?

In the episode where the team investigates Santa Prisca and project Blockbuster we see Superboy does not receive any physical injuries from the guns, but in the episode where Superboy goes up against Wolf the viewer can see visible claw marks on his shoulder. So I was just a little curious as to Superboy's invulnerability, and how far it goes in your continuity.

Thank you for your time and patience in answering our many questions. Whatever projects you do in the future I wish you success, although the fanboy in me hopes one day Young Justice will be revived (hope never dies).

Also sorry if this has been answered but I have searched through the archives using the keyword "Superboy."

Greg responds...

He's pretty darn invulnerable.

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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AhhGoodTimes writes...

Cartoon Network's DC Nation block uses the Young Justice art designs for the Justice League as well as Young Justice designs, info, and even clips in some of its "Secret Files" for Blue-Beetle, Impulse, etc. Do you know if the ending of Young Justice as well as Dc Nation consisting only of Beware the Batman and Teen Titans GO! for now on will affect this?

Greg responds...

I don't know.

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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Moe writes...

How come assassins like Cheshire and Sportsmaster use ranged weapons and melee weapons as opposed to guns. I'd say bullets are more useful then shuriken.

Greg responds...

Can't they use both?

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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Rex writes...

If Wonder Woman is 90, does that mean Steve Trevor is dead, or really old?

Greg responds...

Spoilers...

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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Brella writes...

Hello!

Not a very significant question here, but I couldn't help noticing as I was watching Young Justice that there were a few little references to the film "Casablanca." I really, really love that movie, and I loved the recurring callbacks to it - the episode entitled "Usual Suspects," the exchange in "Insecurity" of "At least a kiss is still a kiss," "And a sai is just a sai!", and (though this one's a bit more tenuous) the whole "We'll always have Paris" implication that was in "Endgame."

It's just really great stuff. I guess I've been wondering for quite a while what the inspiration or reasoning was behind it, or if it was just for fun, or just a coincidence; I dunno! They were all great little Easter eggs and made me smile whenever they'd pop up.

YJ is (was) a spectacular series and really changed my life, no joke! Thank you so, so much for sharing it with all of us (and for taking the time to answer fan questions; wow).

Greg responds...

I'm a huge fan of the movie. Slipped a visual reference to it into Gargoyles even. But I don't think there was much of a plan here. Some of its dialogue has simply slipped into the vernacular.

Response recorded on November 27, 2013

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Just a Nerd writes...

Hey, Greg. I just have some questions about Martian technology, being a science geek and such.

1. Are the Bio-Ship and Martian clothing separate species than normal green, red, or white Martians? I would assume the answer is yes... But you never know.

2. Do the Bio-Ship or Martian clothing require any sustenance? Food, water, fuel, etc.

3. If so, what do they eat/drink?

4. What level of intellegence do they have? Are they just mindless... I hesitate to say slaves... Are they in any way sentient, or do they just follow commands given to them? Do they ever make their own choices?

5. Did they come from the same evolutionary line as the Martians? A yes or no will suffice, since you don't feel this is the proper medium for telling stories.

Today marks the 1 week anniversary of the end of Young Justice: Invasion. I'm still not over it. <sigh> I was hooked from the moment I watched the pilot movie. So long ago... Thank you to you and your entire team for a wonderful show. While I was skeptical at times, I wouldn't change a single decision made about the show. Except for the one to cancel it. That was a major error on the part of whoever made it. Only thing I watch on Cartoon Network now are reruns of YJ:I and GL:TAS.
Thank you for your time.

Greg responds...

1. Yes.

2. Yes, of some kind. But think of them more like plants than animals.

3. See above.

4. The ship is like a fairly smart pet. The clothes are more like a very adaptable house plant.

5. Going back far enough, yes.

Thanks for the kind words.

Response recorded on November 26, 2013

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Yolymar writes...

I was curious about why you guys cast Logan Grove as Garfield Logan. I really enjoyed his performance and I think he did a great job capturing Gar's enthusiasm and child-like wonder, but I'll admit that never in a hundred years would it have occurred to me to cast him as this character. I'm really glad you did, though. He was a lot of fun.

Greg responds...

Uh... I feel like you answered your own question. Allow me to quote you: "he did a great job capturing Gar's enthusiasm and child-like wonder".

I'm not sure why you feel he was such an odd choice.

Response recorded on November 26, 2013

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Chris writes...

When did Artemis find out about Nightwing's identity? Did Dick Grayson ever show that picture they took at Gotham Academy to her?

Greg responds...

Spoilers...

Response recorded on November 26, 2013

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DanM writes...

PS: Talked so much that I've forgot to ask some questions…
5 - What do you do with your scripts AFTER they've been used (animated or penciled)?
6 - Is there any way for me to get one you did for YJ? (Usually once a year some guys of DC comics come here to Brasil, to scout for new artists, and generally we are told to remake an actual, published script w/ our own style and composition of scenes so they can evaluate not only the art but also how different we've pulled off the said script)

Thanks man (again).

Greg responds...

5. File 'em.

6. Oh, uh. Didn't realize how far away you live. I dunno. I do sell copies of my scripts at the occasional convention, but I've never been invited to a convention in Brazil.

Response recorded on November 25, 2013

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Marvelman writes...

Hi. Another poster asked whether Captain Marvel or Superman was faster. You said it depended on whether it was season one or season two Captain Marvel.

I'm a little puzzled by this statement. Cap's powers come from the gods so it's not like he can go to the gym and work out, or can he? Has season 2 Captain Marvel suddenly become stronger or faster. Is so, how and why?

Greg responds...

SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on November 25, 2013

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Young Justice Legacy

Want more stories set in the EARTH-16 Universe of Young Justice and Young Justice: Invasion?

Then vote with your wallet! Go out and buy a copy or six of YOUNG JUSTICE LEGACY!!! This new video game from Little Orbit is canon material set during the five-year gap, between Seasons One and Two.

In addition, if it sells well, Little Orbit is very interested in using their existing license to make a sequel game set during "Season Three".

Here's what Little Orbit's own Matthew Scott had to say in an e-mail to myself and fellow YJ Producer Brandon Vietti:

Hi guys,

I just want to send a big thank you for all your support helping us launch Young Justice: Legacy.

Not sure if you saw the World Finest review:
http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/youngjustice/releases/games/legacy/

The review certainly seems to have picked up on the main aspects of the project that we were trying to achieve.

My favorite quote:
"This game is so full of revelations and bombshell moments. Between that and all the new information you're getting, it's like we got an epic mini-series event, and not just a cheap cash grab video game. One nuance that I loved from the show was how actual mythology was incorporated in the ongoing story plots, and that carries over here."

BTW - In your interview on Nerdy Show [ http://nerdyshow.com/2013/11/episode-160-the-legacy-of-young-justice/ ], you mentioned that you couldn't speak for us. But I will go on record saying we would absolutely do a Young Justice: Legacy sequel set in the season 3 period. Just need to see how sales are for this title.

Thanks,
Matthew Scott


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Brandon & Greg talk YJ Legacy on Nerdy Show!

Brandon Vietti & Greg Weisman talk about YJ, YJ Legacy, Rain of the Ghosts, Scooby-Doo, WWE and more on Nerdy Show!

Here's the link: http://nerdyshow.com/2013/11/episode-160-the-legacy-of-young-justice/


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Anonymous writes...

Did M'gann reveal her white martian form to Gar willingly or did he find out on his own?

Greg responds...

Willingly. (Which is NOT the same as her enjoying the experience.)

Response recorded on November 14, 2013

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Guy writes...

Did Aqualad renew his frienship with Red Arrow after Aqualad ended his undercover mission?

If season 2 is the last season did Wally ever talk to Red Arrow again after Red Arrow got his life back on track?

Do the four original sidekicks consider eachother their closest seuperhero friends?

Great show, you and Brandon Vietti have done a great job!

Greg responds...

1. I'm sure he did.

2. I'm sure he did.

3. They were all close. But Roy and Kaldur were closer to each other than to the other two. And, of course, so were Wally and Dick.

Response recorded on November 14, 2013

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Finister2 writes...

1) What became of Despero and Mongal after Savage commandeered the Warworld?
2) Clark Kent is not present at the Daily Planet in Superboy's implanted memory. Why is this?
3) What is the "Serpent", the "Garden", and "Eden" that Ra's refers to in "The Pit..."?
4) Why did Ocean-Master want to rob Queen Mera of her powers?
5) Where was Doctor Fate during "Players"?

Greg responds...

1. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

2. He was in the Men's Room.

3. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

4. If you were a villain, wouldn't YOU want her power? And at the very least, wouldn't you want to make sure SHE didn't have them?

5. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on November 14, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNER KENT (SUPERBOY)!!!'

Greg responds...

This threw me for a second until I remembered it was written back in March. Me - here in November - just finished celebrating Wally's birthday!

Response recorded on November 13, 2013

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Harmony writes...

Why did you think it was necessary to have so many romantic couples? I get that they're teenagers and teens and many adults are romance crazy, but from a story and character development perspective, it seemed a bit much, especially since so much story was being crammed in already to the point that character development was lacking, and the romances ended up just taking up screentime.

Greg responds...

It felt like the right amount to us.

Response recorded on November 13, 2013

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LONG BEACH COMIC CON

I will be attending LONG BEACH COMIC CON on Saturday, November 23rd.

http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/

Specifically, I'll be on two panels.

The first panel is at 2pm in Room 104A:

VOICE ACTING ON YOUNG JUSTICE
Learn all about the voice acting process on DC/WB/CN's Young Justice animated television series from the folks who were there:

*Thom Adcox ("Klarion")
*Cameron Bowen ("Robin/Tim Drake" & "Toyman")
*Nick Chinlund ("Sportsmaster/Crusher Crock")
*Nicole Dubuc ("Iris West-Allen" and series writer)
*Crispin Freeman ("Speedy/Red Arrow/Roy Harper Clone," "Speedy/Arsenal/Original Roy Harper," "Guardian/Jim Harper" & "Galet Dasim")
*Kevin Grevious ("Black Beetle")
*Josh Keaton ("Black Spider")
*Curtis Koller (Talent Coordinator)
*Phil LaMarr ("Aquaman," "Dubbliex," "Green Beetle/B'arzz O'oomm," "L-Ron" & "Reach Ambassador")
*Stephanie Lemelin ("Artemis/Tigress/Artemis Crock" & "Catherine Cobert/Justice League Computer")
*Yuri Lowenthal ("Lagoon Boy/La'gaan," "Tempest/Garth," "Icicle Jr." & "Tommy Terror")
*Jason Marsden ("Impulse/Bart Allen/Kid Flash" & "Atom/Ray Palmer")
*Vanessa Marshall ("Black Canary/Dinah Lance," "Amanda Spence," "Ida Berkowitz," "Noor Harjavti" & "Red Inferno/Firebrand")
*Jason Spisak ("Kid Flash/Wally West")
*Jamie Thomason (Voice & Casting Director)
*Producers Brandon Vietti (Producer, Writer)
*Greg Weisman (Producer, Writer, "Lucas Carr" & Panel Moderator)

That's right, we have FOURTEEN members of the cast, plus our talent coordinator, voice & casting director, both producers and three of the writers! This YJ Panel is really a "don't miss" endeavor.

The second panel is at 3pm in Room 102B:

DISNEY AFTERNOON
Life is like a hurricane at Long Beach Comic-Con! It's been almost 25 years since Disney Afternoon debuted on television screens, and the impact of "the golden age" of Disney TV Animation is still felt today. Get ready to "spin it" with Greg Weisman (producer, creator of Gargoyles) Jymn Magon (co-creator Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers, creator of Talespin), Bob Schooley (co-creator, Kim Possible, co-ex producer Penguins of Madagascar), Mark McCorkle (Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, co-creator of Kim Possible) and Rob Paulsen (voice actor, Darkwing Duck, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs) for raucous recollections and never-before-heard stories! Moderated by Aaron Sparrow (Darkwing Duck: The Duck Knight Returns)

Both panels are gonna be a lot of fun! Come and see!!


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Young Justice Forever writes...

I just wanted to say, on behalf of all of the devoted Young Justice fans, THANK YOU sooooo much for creating the best show in the whole world! We will never forgot the joy Young Justice has brought us and our love for this show and it's characters. Young Justice will live on in our hearts and we will never stop fighting for the chance for The Team (and Wally...hopefully) to come back for a third season! Thank you!

Greg responds...

You're very welcome!

Response recorded on November 04, 2013

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From all Fans writes...

Hey Greg, I don't have questions but rather I just really wanted you to see this. It warrants no response whatsoever but as the creator of Young justice you should see it.

"For shows that fell from highest height,
We fans will strive to make things right.
Cartoon Network, fear out might;
We've only just begun our fight."
- Young Justice and GLTAS fandoms

this was posted on tumblr (its a social media/fan site) maybe you have heard of it, anyway, we are serious and are going to do our best to fight for these shows. Thank you for providing us with shows and animation of such high caliber, it is much appreciated. "Gratitude"

Greg responds...

Thanks for caring so much! It means a lot!

Response recorded on November 04, 2013

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Marvelman writes...

Hi Greg. Do you think a new Earth-16 comic book series would sell better if it focused on major plot developments (e.g. season 3) instead of side stories? Or, do you think it wouldn't make a difference?

Greg responds...

We'll never know.

Response recorded on November 04, 2013

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Kid Flash-Artemis fan writes...

Loved the season finale of YJ, though Wally apparently dying was like a knife to the heart of myself and my little brother, especially since DC has been very unkind to Wally West in general. Still, the way it happened makes me hopeful that he was simply sent to another dimension or something and he would have returned in season 3, perhaps with the KE he absorbed making him as fast as his relatives.

Questions:
"Endgame"
1. With the evidence the Team had in "Summit" connecting Luthor to the Light and bringing the Reach to Earth in the first place, how can he be a serious contender for UN Secretary General?
2. How was the League able to round up people like the Runaways and Blue Devil on such short notice?
3. Were you originally planning to have characters like Donna Troy appear in the Metropolis wide shot?

General
4. How long did it take the Team to learn that "Artemis" was Artemis' real name?
5. Did Artemis ever kill anyone before she joined the Team as part of her "training"?

Greg responds...

1. How did they connect Luthor from Summit?

2. Blue Devil is an ally of the League. I'm sure they have ways of contacting him. The Runaways were contacted through Arsenal.

3. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

4. Depends which member of the Team you're talking about.

5. No.

Response recorded on November 04, 2013

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ANIME VEGAS 2013 - Corrected Schedule

Let's try this again with the correct dates:

As I've mentioned before, I'm a guest at ANIME VEGAS this weekend, November 1-3rd, 2013, at the Renaissance Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada:

http://www.animevegas.com/

Here's my schedule:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2013
01:00pm - 02:00pm - OPENING CEREMONIES
Cosplay Ballroom.

02:00pm - 03:30pm - GARGOYLES/THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN Panel and Signing
Cosplay Ballroom.

05:00pm - 06:30pm - YOUNG JUSTICE Panel and Signing
Paramount Room with Yuri Lowenthal, the voice of Lagoon Boy, Tempest, Icicle Jr. and Tommy Terror.

06:30pm - 08:00pm - IKKI TOUSEN Panel and Signing
Paramount Room with New Generation Pictures Voice Director and Producer Jonathan Klein.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013
10:00am - 11:30am - "WRITER'S ROOM" Panel and Signing
Summit Room.

06:30pm - 07:30pm - SIGNING
Summit Room with Jonathan Klein.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013
09:00am - 10:30am - 3X3 EYES SCREENING, Panel and Signing
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein.

10:30am - 11:30am - VOICE DIRECTING Panel
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein.

12:30pm - 01:00pm - SIGNING
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein.

As you can see, I'm doing a LOT of signing. I'll sign anything you bring along for free. But I'm also bringing a single copy of EVERY one of my Young Justice teleplays (i.e. the ones that I personally wrote), which I'll be selling for $20 per script (cash only) - autographed and personalized to the buyer's taste - on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting with the Young Justice signing at 6pm Friday evening.
So if you're in the vicinity, plan to be there. As you all know, I'm not big on SPOILERS, but I'm WAY, WAY more likely to tease a few things in person than I am on either Twitter or here. So come and be (slightly) better informed!!!


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Anime Vegas - Schedule!

As I've mentioned before, I'll be a guest at ANIME VEGAS this weekend, November 1-3rd, 2013, at the Renaissance Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada:

http://www.animevegas.com/

Here's my schedule:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013
01:00pm - 02:00pm - OPENING CEREMONIES
Cosplay Ballroom

02:00pm - 03:30pm - GARGOYLES/THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN PANEL and SIGNING
Cosplay Ballroom

05:00pm - 06:30pm - YOUNG JUSTICE PANEL and SIGNING
Paramount Room with Yuri Lowenthal, the voice of Lagoon Boy, Tempest, Icicle Jr. and Tommy Terror.

06:30pm - 08:00pm - IKKI TOUSEN PANEL and SIGNING
Paramount Room with New Generation Pictures Voice Director and Producer Jonathan Klein

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013
10:00am - 11:30am - "WRITER'S ROOM" PANEL and SIGNING
Summit Room

06:30pm - 07:30pm - SIGNING
Summit Room with Jonathan Klein

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013
09:00am - 10:30am - 3X3 EYES SCREENING, PANEL and SIGNING
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein

10:30am - 11:30am - VOICE DIRECTING
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein

12:30pm - 01:00pm - SIGNING
Paramount Room with Jonathan Klein

As you can see, I'm doing a LOT of signing. I'll sign anything you bring along for free. But I'm also bringing a single copy of EVERY one of my Young Justice teleplays (i.e. the ones that I personally wrote), which I'll be selling for $20 per script (cash only) - autographed and personalized to the buyer's taste - on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting with the Young Justice signing at 6pm Friday evening.

So if you're in the vicinity, plan to be there. As you all know, I'm not big on SPOILERS, but I'm WAY, WAY more likely to tease a few things in person than I am on either Twitter or here. So come and be (slightly) better informed!!!


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Jasae writes...

given the Veronica Mars movie has nearly double the estimate budget needed to make the movie a reality (which means even with unexpected hiccups they have good odds of financing it)

So....If the movie successfully debuts (which will probably take a bit of a while since producing a stellar film takes time) and it turns out to be a great success (which givcn the creative team behind it, grants good odds)

Well, I seem to have gotten a little side tracked, but I just wanted to say that I would be one of the people happy to pledge some money in the support of one of your amazing creations and im certain the many many fans you have would quickly pledge for such a cause!

Greg responds...

Thanks. But as it's turned out - at least so far - no one seems to interested at the major studios in following the VM model.

Response recorded on October 16, 2013

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Jonathan writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

You have been responsible for two of my favorite shows--Gargoyles and Young Justice. They have brought me much enjoyment and I thank you greatly for that. You a writer of the highest caliber, able to write deeply intrinsic plots and characters who are both philosophically intelligent and comically amusing. Your talents are recognized not only by your fans, but also through organized bodies with highly publicized awards, such as the Emmy.

So quite objectively, your work is very good and many people enjoy the shows you produce. Why is it then, and I ask this with as minimal offense as possible, that your shows always seem cut tragically short?

Gargoyles and Young Justice both deserved additional seasons, yet the cries from fans seem to fall on deaf ears. Are network producers really so blind?

Greg responds...

I'm not sure the Emmys have recognized my talents... but I'm glad the fans have.

The thing to keep in mind is that MOST shows don't go on forever, and few even go as long as their creators would like. My situation is not unusual at all.

Response recorded on October 15, 2013

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James G. writes...

I know this is not a question but I would just like to thank you. To everyone who worked on Young Justice, from the writers, the composers to the voice actors and to you and Brandon. Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful story to follow, and making it an experience of a lifetime.
Never before has a show captured my imagination, nor the characters seemed so real as Young Justice has. The experience of watching these characters grow, coupled with the amazing acting and art design (as well as suffering through the hiatus to see them all again) was one of the best times i have ever had watching a show. And I never felt anything was dumbed down for understanding, easy enough if you have watched the episodes leading up to the current but with an extra layer of depth for those who could read into the dialogue and scenes to find parallels drawn throughout the series, or understood some subtle hints to character's stories in the comics. I for one thought the scene where The Team came down to meet the Justice League after they had arrived back on Earth was immensely powerful because of the fact the opposite had happened in the pilot episode of both season 1 and season 2. Fantastic job.
The characters in themselves felt real, and I could see many of the social situations the teens went through happening in real life (and in some cases I have seen said situation happen.) Before I had watched this show, sure I had always loved the DC universe, and yes i had watched previous DC shows (Batman:TAS, Justice League, the list goes on)but I had never been struck by a character in a way that I said, you know what I am going to look up more about Artemis, or T.O. Morrow, or Sportsmaster. Even previous characters that I have seen done on animated shows never felt old, each character in Young Justice felt like a fresh take, one I could like.
Props on you and everyone that worked on this show. You have created a world in which my favorite super heroes live, and in doing so have become my hero. Thank you.

Greg responds...

Thank YOU. It was a great experience, and we're glad the show reached you in those ways!

Response recorded on October 14, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

I apologize if this question has been asked before, I tried searching through the archives but maybe I didn't frame my search parameters correctly.

How public are The Team members as superheroes? I know the team isn't known by the general public, and certain sidekicks are known because they fight alongside their fellow mentors (like Batman and Robin, Flash and Kid Flash, Aquaman and Aqualad, and maybe later Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl and so on) but what about other heroes like Beast Boy? Or Bumblebee? Or even Superboy?

I ask because Superboy is wearing his Superman-symbol shirt in "Satisfaction." I understand this is a world where glasses can protect Clark Kent's identity or sunglasses protects Dick and Tim's, but come on! He's wearing his Superboy "uniform" right out in the open! Does that mean the public is unaware of Superboy?

What I'm basically wondering is, do certain Team members even need secret identities, or can they just go out in public without masks and such because they only ever go out for covert ops where the general public won't see them anyway?

Greg responds...

ASKED AND ANSWERED.

But you saw Mal Duncan wearing a Superman t-shirt in Season One. Lots of folks wear them. Heck, Superboy originally bought all his S-Shield t-shirts at Suburban Outfitters. The fact that folks see Conner Kent wearing an S-Shield t-shirt wouldn't raise ANY suspicions at all.

Response recorded on October 10, 2013

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Young Justice forever writes...

Is there anything us fans can do to help Young Justice come back for another season?

Greg responds...

Vote with your wallet. Buy the DVDs. Buy the soundtrack. Buy the comic book trade paperbacks. And most important of all, buy YOUNG JUSTICE LEGACY.

Response recorded on October 09, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Hi Mr Greg,
I know this is a wired question but I'm so curious. You voice cast Lucas Carr in Young Justice. Do you get pay for this character or you cast it for free? Is this only your interest or consider of saving cost?

Greg responds...

I was paid. It's a SAG (i.e. a union) show. No one works for free.

Response recorded on October 08, 2013

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Bianca Ruhland writes...

Hi Greg :)
My name is Bianca Ruhland and currently i have just started my final year getting my double major in Creative Writing and Animation. It's a big wish of mine to one day go on to write for or create a cartoon series of my own (especially of the superhero variety, haha.)
After the series final of Young Justice i just want to say, well done. It's shows like Young Justice i want to show to my own kids one day. It inspires me and i want to work with shows like it one day.
Visually, it's stunning, story wise it's even better. You've managed to find a way to introduce characters to keep existing comic book fans happy, but write it in such a way it introduces new fans as well. That's a very hard to do (from what i've heard). Not to mention, your show is built in such a way that it doesn't patronize children's intelligence. You have connecting story lines about big issues. You show them the power of love and friendship, but also show the realistic side that sometimes, friends fight and relationships end. People grow up on the outside, but not always on the inside. Also, the fact you broke the 'Rule of 3' and had such a large female cast was so awesome!
I'm writing to you as one of many voices of support for this show. It breaks my heart to see it go, especially in favor of other new shows that...well, that just kind of look like the same old stuff personally. It's really upsetting. After watching the final episode, there are so many cliff hangers! And Wally! Also, i've heard rumours that there were plans to bring in Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, Jason Todd and Damian Wayne into the next season. That would have just blown my mind.
I was wondering, Greg, exactly where the show stands right now. Is there a possibility at a Season 3 if Beware the Batman and Teen Titans Go don't fare too well? Can we get it outside of DC Nation or on another channel? Do you have plans for a Kickstarter (ala Veronica Mars?)Is there anything at all being done that you can mention? Like plans for a mini-series or an online follow up comic? (ala Smallville?)
If you can't tell me anything that's fine, but i just wanted to let you know Greg that you did a really great job on this show. You and Bruce Timm are my idols and i hope to be like you one day. If it's possible, please don't give up on the show just yet, not because I and other fans want it, but because i honestly feel that children everywhere NEED it, for what it is and what it teaches.
Thank you for your time.

Greg responds...

Okay, first of all, thank you so much for all the kind words. It's much appreciated.

In that spirit, and since you have stated a sincere interest in being a professional writer, I'd like to offer some advice, which I hope you'll take in the spirit in which it is given: you need to do a better job proofreading, especially when you're expressing your desire to be a pro to a pro. When I look at a potential writer, once I get to the second or third typo, I've generally written that person off. I know this wasn't a formal communication, but you took the time to give me your full name and to list your goals. You never know, and you don't want to poison the water by not ALWAYS putting your best foot forward.

As for the episode, I'm going to state again that there were no cliffhangers in it. Loose ends, yes. Cliffhangers, no.

As for the series' future, there isn't much to tell, but I'll try to answer your questions.

Our pick-up has absolutely NOTHING to do with the success or failure of either Beware the Batman or Teen Titans Go!

I don't know about the health of DC Nation, as I'm no longer at Warner Bros. But it is extremely unlikely that we'd ever get YJ on any channel other than Cartoon Network. Keep in mind that CN, Warner Brothers and DC Comics are all part of the same company, Time-Warner.

I have no plans for a Kickstarter and such plans are beyond my ability without the interest and cooperation of the folks who own YJ, i.e. Time-Warner. I've asked about this option and gotten no encouragement.

There are no current plans for more episodes, spin-offs, mini-series or movies, despite Brandon and I pitching multiple options for all of the above. I have asked DC Comics if they're interested in publishing more YJ or Earth-16 comics, and they have declined.

What there is, is YOUNG JUSTICE LEGACY, a video-game coming out next month with original cannon content, telling an important story from the five-year gap between Season One of Young Justice and Season Two. If this sells well - really well - then it represents our best chance of telling additional stories down the line. There's also the soundtrack album, the various DVDs and Trade Paperbacks collecting the comics. Again, the best way to get more YJ is to vote with your wallet or purse!!

And I'll NEVER give up on the show. It's important to insert reality into any conversation about bringing it back, but that doesn't mean I don't still have hope.

Response recorded on October 07, 2013

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david writes...

How do you feel about the fans putting up petitions and, in a way, bombarding CN fb page and DC Nation fb page about bringing back Young Justice for another season? I mean i love young justice and would love another season, but i'm just wondering from your perspective

Greg responds...

I think as long as they're being polite and respectful, the fans have every right to make their opinions known to TPTB. (The fact that I share that desire may influence my opinion.)

Response recorded on October 04, 2013

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Tya writes...

Please Mr. Greg, I know that you're a very busy man and I am in love with you guy's work, especially Young Justice Series. Ever since the very first episode I have been in amazement by how good the series is. It really brought back how much eveyone truly loved all DC Heroes. I was extremely happy about the whole focus on the sidekicks,who proved to be much more than that. Now I have seen the finale now, and I hope this wont get my question deleted or anything, but I was wondering what was now next for you guys,since the unpredictable and sad ending to such a great series?

Greg responds...

I'm currently working on STAR WARS REBELS and on the second novel in my RAIN OF THE GHOSTS series: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM.

Response recorded on October 01, 2013

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Nicholas Griel writes...

In an interview you said that two of the members of the team that joined and left during the 5 year gap were Sergeant Marvel and Lieutenant Marvel. Can you pin sown any more information on these two characters especially Sergeant.

Greg responds...

SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on October 01, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Does Kate Kane exist in the Young Justice universe?

Greg responds...

SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on September 19, 2013

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Melissa writes...

Hi Greg! I hope you know how much we appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. Anyway, I love Young Justice and will be devastated to see it going off the air as of tomorrow. I was wondering however, if you or Brandon or any of the other writers have given a thought to continuing the story of our favorite characters in Earth-16 through novel format? I know you would probably have to go through the proper channels to even get approval for something like that, but I know myself and most of the fandom would love to get our hands on anything YJ once the show ends, especially in a written format. Would you be even interested in doing something like this or are you more intent on saving any and all material for possible future projects? It's just a thought. Thanks for giving us this great show!

Greg responds...

I'd love to, especially now that I'm a novelist. <cough cough> Rain of the Ghosts available for pre-order now <cough cough> But it's not up to me and neither DC nor WB seems all that interested in pursuing the property right now.

The best bet for getting more new material - assuming you already have the DVDs, Comics or Trades and Soundtrack - is to purchase Young Justice Legacy when it comes out.

Response recorded on September 19, 2013

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Angel writes...

Hi Mr. Weisman, I would be glad if you answer some of this questions

1. How did the Kroloteans and The Reach knew about the meta-gene? I ask this because none of the members of the Justice League that attacked Rimbor had meta-genes

2. Are Batgirl and Wondergirl public heroes? In "Happy New Year" Gordon Godfrey shows footage of Lobo ripping the false body to reveal a krolotean, he even mentioned that it has been played a lot of times before, did the video was edited to not show them? if that's the case why?

3. Who's a public hero and Who isn't?

4. About the Team, I know you've said that the team doesn't need a fancy name, but I find it difficult to believe that some eager members like Beast Boy or Kid Flash that even named the Super-Cycle didn't come up with a name for them, did some ever come up with or suggested a name for the team or they just let Superboy decide how to refer to themselves?

5. Face recognition technology used for uncovered Sportmaster and Cheshire would recognize Clark Kent as Superman or any other uncovered hero?

Well thanks for your attention, I hope you can answer some of them. Young Justice brought me a lot of hours of fun and it has become my favorite animated series, Thank you

Greg responds...

1. There was some trickery involved, thanks to the Light.

2. That's a fair question, that believe it or not, I hadn't considered before. Hmmm. It's to the Light's advantage NOT to reveal Wonder Girl or Batgirl, so the first thing I wonder about is whether or not they controlled access to the footage. Obviously, they HAD access to the footage, but that's not the same as controlling it. Well, I will say I had never considered either teen as public heroes in the way that, say Robin or Kid Flash was in Season One. Honestly, I'll have to think about this a little.

3. ALL of the League's heroes are public, but VERY few of the Team's heroes are public. During Season One, the public teen heroes were Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Speedy/Red Arrow and Rocket. As of Season Two, the Team members who are definitely public were Robin (but not Nightwing) and Blue Beetle. That doesn't mean none of the others were ever seen in public, but if they were, they were more of a mystery to witnesses.

4. Sounds about right.

5. I think so.

Response recorded on September 19, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

I JUST FOUND OUT YOU ARE COMING TO THE COMIC CONVENTION IN MY AREA!

You cannot imagine how excited I was to find out one of the producers of my favorite show was going to be at Denvercon. As we speak I'm trying to get a group together to cosplay some DC characters.

But if you happen to spy a Young Justice character running around with a couple of X-men, well, I tried my best.

Thank you for continuing to reach out to the fan base and generally be awesome!

Greg responds...

You're welcome. I had a great time again this year at Denver ComicCon. (My second year.) And I'm pleased to say I've been invited back for a third year in 2014. It's one of my favorite conventions.

Anyway, did we meet?

Response recorded on September 19, 2013

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FMAB94 writes...

Hey Greg,
I've got another question that has been eating me up.

What ever happened to the Gnomes. After the episode "Agendas" we never saw them again. Did things ever work out? Or are they still enslaved by Cadmas.

Greg responds...

Nearly all the genomorphs are still in Cadmus. How "enslaved" they are is debatable, I suppose.

Response recorded on September 18, 2013

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anon.canon writes...

Well, here it goes.

"Young Jusice: Invasion" is ending in a few days--way to state the obvious--and to be honest, I'm sorry to see it leave. I've looked forward to watching this show every Saturday--and then, later, Sunday--and it's become part of my weekend. I honestly never thought that I would get this attached to a show, but it appears that I was wrong.

Your show is, well, amazing. I used to watch "Gargoyles" when I was younger, and it was just...well, great. And then, when I heard that you were working on a new project, I was psyched. And I wasn't disappointed--"Young Justice" is probably one of the best DC cartoon shows that I've ever seen, and I've seen a ton.

You managed to put your own portrayal on characters that we had already seen, already knew, while making them recognizable and enjoyable. It's one thing to write characters that are of your own creation, but it's another thing entirely to write characters that are of another person's design.

Your--and Brandon's--work is just...amazing. Really. I've had yet to see an episode that I haven't liked, and I'm sure that the finale won't disappoint, either. Again, I'm sorry to see the show go, but I'm going to remain optimistic and hope that it'll come back, one day. (I'm looking forward to the finale, but--at the same time--I'm not looking forward to it. Does that make sense?)

...Sorry for the rambling message, though I'm not sorry to tell you how much I love your show.

Again, fantastic job.

Greg responds...

Thank you. Really.

Response recorded on September 18, 2013

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Darksuperboy writes...

you said i one of your previous answers ''who said any thing about being cancelled'' can you elaberate? also
1) do you have any plans to sell the show to another channel so it may continue?
1a)if not then why not?
2)currently the rateing for the show averaged at 1.9 million+ what numbers did you need for season 3 to get a green light?
3)is the online petitions (one numbering over 31000+ votes)and tweet trends akeing a difference in picking up the show for season 3 by cn or any other channel or helping in any way for the show continueing?
4)if season 3 isnt an option will we at least exspect a dvd film like TEEN TITANS TROUBLE IN TOKYO to round out the shows ending

thank you for your time, youve made great shows now and in the past and look forward to your next

Greg responds...

1. That's not up to me, but it seems unlikely, as that would mean that they'd be selling to a competitor.

1a. Keep in mind that Young Justice is the product of three divisions (DC, CN, WB) of one company: Time-Warner.

2. I don't know that it was that simple, ever. The biggest problem we had was not our ratings, which were inconsistent and influenced by a number of factors, but the lack of the success of the toy line, which paid for the series.

3. Doesn't hurt. But the best way to vote is with your wallet. A good showing on Young Justice Legacy would definitely help.

4. I don't think you can 'expect' it. Brandon and I would love to do it, but there seems to be no interest at this time.

Response recorded on September 18, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

This isn't a question, but I felt I had to write about this. I just saw your post about the site 'kickstarters' and I just want to assure you that I, at least, would DEFINATELY throw money at any of the three shows you mentioned (Gargoyles, Spectacular and Young Justice). Initiatives like that, where audience and creator 'cuts out the middleman' have always been my vision for the future of entertainment. Your shows in particular would have top priority for me.

Greg responds...

Thanks.

Unfortunately, I think Veronica Mars is proving the exception to the rule. Studios don't seem too anxious to go this route with properties they own and control.

Response recorded on September 18, 2013

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Julia writes...

Young Justice has meant a lot to me. It's what got me into a wider scope of fandom and, honestly, paved the way for a lot of the friendships I've made in the past two years.

So- thank you. For making this. It changed my life.

Greg responds...

You're very welcome. And I appreciate your posting this. It's gratifying.

Response recorded on September 18, 2013

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Grant writes...

Personally in your opinion who is the better parent, Sportsmaster or Black Manta?

Greg responds...

I'll leave that to your interpretation.

Response recorded on September 09, 2013

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Just a Nerd writes...

Read your interview with World's Finest. Lots of designations!

A lot of assumptions I made are true. Yay!

Was it intentional that Jason Todd be... Unlucky thirteen?

Greg responds...

Just worked out that way.

Response recorded on September 03, 2013

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Bill writes...

1) Did you have any unused story arcs for the tie-in comic that involved the Justice Society of America or the All-Star Squadron?

2) On May 5th, 2012, you revealed there was at least 7 major characters that the staff wanted to add to Season 2 but there just wasn't any room for them and they were saved for the comic book and/or a potential Season 3. Did any of these 7 appear between Issue #16 Common Denominators and Issue #25 Players Part 6?

3) If the answer to 2) is yes, who were they?

4) On July 18, 2012, you hinted a Wildstorm character was included in a 'stealth way.' Was this in Young Justice season one or in season two?

5) Young Justice had 179 name characters in season one and 145 in season two. Could you please post this list of name characters in a series of Ask Greg rambles (for example 1-50 in one post, 51-100 in a second post and so on)?

Greg responds...

1. I have unused stories for just about everything.

2. Can you link me to that 'reveal'? Was I saying seven total or seven in addition to what you saw? Do you have candidates from those issues of the comic or are you just trying to get answers without having to read them? Three of the characters we had wanted to include but could not - and which I've already revealed - were Troia, Lieutenant Marvel and Sergeant Marvel.

3. I don't think the answer is yes. But my memory isn't what it used to be.

4. One.

5. Maybe, if the mood strikes. It doesn't at this moment.

Response recorded on September 03, 2013

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Shannon Martin writes...

If you had to choose, in your opinion, who do you think is the most iconic character of the original Young Justice team in season 1?

Greg responds...

Um, well...

I guess it would be either Robin or Superboy. Artemis was pretty obscure. Miss Martian almost as. Aquaman was a new iteration. As for Kid Flash, well... he's just not quite as prominent as the other two.

Response recorded on August 29, 2013

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Craig writes...

Who provided Hal Jordan's voice for his brief lines in "Agendas"?

Greg responds...

I don't remember. I'd need to look at the hard copy of my script for that episode, and it's at my Beverly Hills office. I'm currently at my Disney office. Sorry.

Response recorded on August 29, 2013

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Anderson writes...

Hey Greg, congratulations on an excellent two seasons. Hopefully there's more to come. Here are a few questions I've been pondering:

1) Can Black Manta breathe underwater without his armor and helmet? Is he Atlantean?
2) During season one it seemed Artemis relied heavily on her bow even though she was good hand to hand; in season two it seems she is extremely adept hand to hand. Does most of her skills as Tigress come from training with her father? Or training with Black Canary? Or both? Maybe she was training during her time retired? I guess what I'm really asking is if she always this skilled at fighting even in season one and we just didn't really see it?
3) Will we ever find out what happened to poor disgraced Ocean Master/Aquaman's child/Tula? Is there a connection?

Thanks for the time!

Greg responds...

1. No.

1a. No.

2. Her father's training acts as her base, but back in the day when he was training her, her size made his hand-to-hand training less effective. Canary's training enhanced Crusher's and leaned more toward what she could do in hand-to-hand DESPITE her size. I think she was a skilled fighter when we met her. I think in Season Two, she's MORE skilled.

3. Ever? I hope so.

3a. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on August 29, 2013

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Kevin writes...

1. When Black Lightning generates electricity why is it that the lightning is sometimes black when other times it is blue?
2. Does Sportsmaster have superhuman attributes or is he just incredibly fit for someone his age?
3. How many Lords/Ladies of Order and Chaos are there on Earth 16?
4. What are the different functions of Robin's circular Birdarangs and the ones that are similar in appearance to Batarangs?
5. Do Black Manta's missile launchers have different functions when they are on different shoulders?

Greg responds...

1. It's blue-black in color - with a yellow rimlight - so it depends on the ambient lighting of the scene.

2. The latter.

3. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

4. They have much in common, actually. But obviously batarangs are larger and have more mass, so are capable of a greater impact. In addition, some birdarangs have explosive and other capabilities.

5. Um... I'm gonna say no. For now, at least.

Response recorded on August 29, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Would an inhibitor collar work on Superman and/or Icon.

Greg responds...

Potentially, if the correct settings could be found.

Response recorded on August 29, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Can Superman fly faster than Flash or KId Flash could run.

Greg responds...

Kid Flash, maybe. Flash, no.

Response recorded on August 28, 2013

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Terrell writes...

I'm a really big fan of the show. Great work.
I was wondering if Casey from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles could take on Sportsmaster in a fight.

Greg responds...

Depends which version of each.

Response recorded on August 28, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

In Earth-16 , Would Icon be considered stronger than Superman.

Greg responds...

They're both darn strong.

Response recorded on August 27, 2013

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Anonymous writes...

Does Queen Bee's powers class her as a Meta-Human

Greg responds...

I guess so.

Response recorded on August 27, 2013


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