CBR TV @ WC12: Dan DiDio & Jim Lee on “Before Watchmen” & the New 52

DC Comics Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee journeyed to the world famous CBR Tiki Lounge at WonderCon 2012 in Anaheim, CA for a sit-down with Comic Book Resources’ Executive Producer Jonah Weiland. What followed was a lively discussion about sports, “Before Watchmen,” the New 52, their working relationship and much more.

After first touching on their favorite sports teams, the conversation moved to the upcoming “Before Watchmen” project. Lee explained that all the creators of the books have enjoyed an ongoing dialogue, sharing ideas and content with one another to build a more cohesive product in the “Watchmen” universe. DiDio said in addition to building camaraderie, that sharing is also helping to challenge each of the creators to step up their game. Asked about further “Watchmen” projects, DiDio explained there was already a 35-issue commitment to the current slate, and everyone is working to make it as amazing as possible before looking to the future.

The conversation then turned to DC’s New 52 and the role of the upcoming “Earth 2″ title in terms of providing answers about the DCU’s new status quo. DiDio explained that while the old Earth 2 was DC’s original Earth, the new version has been imagined in light of the current New 52 DC Earth.

DiDio and Lee discussed the shot in the arm the New 52 provided to comic sales in general, and the current state of retail sales in the comic book industry citing non-DC successes in addition to their own. The Co-Publishers also weighed in on recent and upcoming comic book film adaptations and the notion of “super hero fatigue.”

The interview ended with Lee and DiDio detailing their working relationship ten years in, and how that has changed since they took on their new Co-Publisher roles. Lee also revealed how the New 52 has reinvigorated him as an artist.