Johns interested in the Rogues' origins..?

[liabrown]

In an interview at Newsarama about the Superman: Secret Origin series, Geoff Johns says he'd like to also do a Flash: Secret Origin:

There are so many discussions about accessibility to today's monthly comics and my purpose with both Green Lantern: Secret Origin and Superman: Secret Origin is to introduce them, and in the case of current readers

Comments

[flight_wo_wings]

It's true that retcons can sometimes make a character unnecessarily "dark" and "edgy," but they can also make a character more three-dimensional and interesting. Look at Weather Wizard, for example; when Mark was first introduced in the Silver Age, it was canon that Clyde had already died of a heart attack when Mark found him. No ambiguities about it. Now think about how much more interesting he is when dealing with the guilt and denial over murdering his brother. Think of the opportunities for character development that presents. Think of the opportunities for Blackest Night that presents.

So no, I don't think a new look at the origins of the Rogues has to be a bad thing. Of course there's always the possibility that things might turn out a little weird, but there's also the possibility that any retcons introduced would improve the characters.

[xanykaos]

Now think about how much more interesting he is when dealing with the guilt and denial over murdering his brother.

Mark's origin was the first thing I thought of too. Maybe it's something about Len being the only sane one in the group that appeals to me, but I like the added depth of Mark's character here.

Granted, I also don't mind the change to Mick. Of course, Rory-the-Pyro was the first way I ever read the character, so that probably influences it, but honestly, I think it just makes more sense for the sort of character that he is, to have him actually being sick. Mick was reformed (or trying to) long before the rest, if I remember right. The struggle to keep his own messed-up compulsions in check, knowing it's "wrong" and not being able to help himself, but trying...I think that adds a certain depth to his character, who could've otherwise just been a guy who said, for no real reason, "Hmm, I think I'll put on an asbestos suit and set things on fire for a gimmick

[flight_wo_wings]

I really hope Johns gives Mark some more attention. He's a pretty complex character, but other than that moment with Libra and Josh in Final Crisis: Rogue's Revenge, we haven't been given more than a few glimpses of his internal mindset. And that moment was cut off by Inertia, the little shit. >_>; No, I'm not bitter at all.

As far as the pyromania thing goes, I think it makes sense. It does lend an extra dimension to Mick's attempts to reform, and introduces another opportunity for tension between him and the rest of the group, especially Len. Though I also really like the idea of Mick-as-Cryophobe. No reason why the two have to be mutually exclusive, though.

As for James...I have to agree that yeah, that is a concern. I was reading Rogue War recently, and while there are some great James moments, he doesn't really read as the Trickster. On the other hand it does seem obvious that Johns likes James well enough, so...I suppose we'll have to wait and see

[xanykaos]

Though as long as we're on the subject of backstory retcons, I'd like to point that introducing a fear of his father to the mix way back when also made James a more compelling character.

Hmm, I dunno. Do you think we can really expect Johns to go with giving a character daddy-issues?

Seriously, though. I'm not sure if it's so much fear of his father as it is not being in control of exactly what was happening (ie: being dropped because of someone else's mistake), which just goes with him being so crazy manipulative.

I always figured the cryophobe bit fit pretty well with the scary pyro-story too. And ugh, I'm still miffed with Inertia (I've only read him in RR. Was he always Captain Crazy-pants?), and I hope somehow Mark's son comes back. It just seems silly to have a plot point that interesting, and eliminate it so suddenly. (Besides, I've got those doodles of Rogues Noveau, and it loses something without Maelstrom...)

[madripoor_rose]

I wouldn't necessarily like to see them redone (and apparently I'm alone in hating Mark's revamped origin story. I liked the idea of him finding his brother dead of a heart attack tragic enough, and I liked the weather wand as Mad Science, as opposed to it being Clyde trying to duplicate their own latent meta powers)

I would like more Rogue backstory. Flashbacks. Little Len shoplifting cookies because Dad's passed out drunk again, Shirl's nowhere to be seen, and there's nothing in the trailer for him and Lisa to eat. James as a circus brat. Piper's parents sparing a moment to look in on his tutor on their way to a party at the country club, and Hartley's resulting tantrum.

[runenklinge]

Well, one of my mottos is "If it´s not broken, don´t fix it". I´m quite skeptical when it comes to re-tellings, retcons, etc.

I´m not saying that it can´t be executed perfectly, I just wish that we get believable, in character Rogues stories.

....and I want to see more of JJ. Even if he is ...life-challenged at the moment.