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REVELATIONS 2012-02 (Feb)

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Todd Jensen writes...

Recently I noticed that Brooklyn wears an eyepatch over his left eye when he's dressed up as a pirate in "Eye of the Beholder" - and wears one over his left eye for real when he returns from his Timedancing in "Clan-Building". When you worked with the artists on Brooklyn's post-Timedancer look, did you have the Halloween costume in mind? Or is it just a neat coincidence?

Greg responds...

Yes. And that's not all.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Gothic-Cowboy writes...

Hello Mr. Weisman. In a recent question (circa mid-November, so by that time you have time for this, it will probably not be so recent) you said that you don't "get" the Speed Force concept. At the risk of seeming presumptuous, I thought I'd try to explain it, at least as far as I get the concept.
The Speed Force is, at it's heart, an attempt to make the Flashes' powers make more sense, from the standpoint of traditional physics. A lot of superpowers are a lot more complex than they might seem at first glance. Superspeed is one of them. The most basic problem is the forces involved. Assume that a person can somehow run at the speed of sound. Now let's assume that they can instantly start and stop at at least that speed. The problem (apart from how they were able to run that fast in the first place) is that the sudden acceleration and decceleration, from the speed of sound to or from a complete stop, would subject the human body to more stress than it can handle. None of the Flashes, as far as I know, have ever been depicted as having superhuman strength and/or durability. The use of their powers, as frequently depicted, would kill them. Then there's the intense friction caused by moving at these speeds. That would also kill them. There are other problems, but these are probably the most outstanding, since they would quickly end any speedster's career.
Under the Speed Force model, the Flash's power is not the ability to move a great speeds. That is merely the most obvious side-effect of his powers. The Flash can access, or, if you prefer, shift himself to the Speed Force. This Speed Force, which is admittedly nebulously defined, is some sort of "additional dimension" where the laws of physics are not quite the same. The best analogy I can come up with is that it's kind of like the Warp Drive from Star Trek (or any similar Sci-Fi property). By shifting himself/accessing this extradimensional space, the Flash may perform superhuman feats by taking advantage of the different ways that physics works there and how it interacts with the "normal" world. He's not really "drawing his speed from an outside source." He's shifting himself along dimensions not normally observable and performing feats that would otherwise be impossible.
In another, behind the scenes, way, the Speed Force allows the creative team to justify increasing numbers of speedsters. Given that the comics were up to Jay, Barry, Wally, Bart, Max Mercury, Jessie Quick, and others, there needed to be a justification.
This is all the Speed Force really is, a new interpretation of the nature of the Flash's powers, in a manner that at least makes a show of addressing the real-life physics involved. Admittedly, it may be overthinking, but few superpowers are as easy as "he just runs really fast," or "he can shrink/grow (don't get me started on the many problems there)." It's what happens when kids who love comics get older and take physics classes, they create the Speed Force to explain why the Flash can survive his powers, or "tactile telekinesis" to explain how Superman can lift things that should collapse under their own weight (or fly without having any clear means of doing so).
Thank you for your time. I don't mean to instruct you or suggest that you take any course of action. It's your show (at least partially) and clearly not mine. I just felt compelled to submit this entry. As a disclaimer, a lot of what I've said was at least inspired by James Kakalios's The Physics of Superheroes, easily the definitive guide to physics in the comic book universe(s). It certainly changed the way I look at a lot of characters.

Greg responds...

I haven't read James' book, but I've met him, talked with him and attended some of his panels. And I admire him and his work. What I love most is how he infuses his panel discussions with HUMOR.

(Likewise, I DO appreciate the tone of your post. It's informative without being confrontational or condescending. Thank you.)

Personally, I think there's an element of over-think to all this Speed-Force stuff, especially if one takes it too seriously. (I could argue that the physics of super-strength don't make a hell of a lot of sense either. But I would never advocate for a "Strength-Force".) But to each his or her own. Again, if folks want to think that Earth-16 has the speed-force, but no one on the planet knows about it, then I'm fine with that compromise.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Dopey writes...

Is there any reason that the Young Justice comics are a few months behind than the show? And is it necessary to read the comics to absolutely understand all the dynamics of the show?

Thanks!

Greg responds...

1. We have stories to tell (and an unreliable airing schedule). I don't want to skip over stories, just because that puts us behind vis-a-vis airdates that are subject to change. Does it truly matter if we're behind by a couple months?

2. Nope. You don't need to read the comic to enjoy the show or vice versa. But you get more out of both, I believe, if you follow both.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Richard Jackson writes...

In the series, Demona gave several phony explanations of how she managed to live so long. Such as, stone sleep (Awakening) and stealing minutes of life from humans (City of Stone). Of course, also in City of Stone we found out that her link to Macbeth is the secret of her immortality.

But that was revealed in season 2 before the introduction of Oberon's Children. Demona let it slip in "Temptation" that she had survived through the centuries, but didn't elaborate.

When in production on the first season, did you know what the secret to her immortality would be? And were there other explanations you thought of but ultimately didn't use?

Greg responds...

Pretty much by the time we wrote "Enter Macbeth" we knew the basics. Didn't work out the details until "City of Stone".

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Artemis writes...

Is the Teen Titans show coming back, or is that just a rumor?

Greg responds...

No idea.

Is that even really a rumor - or are YOU trying to start a rumor here?

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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TorTor writes...

First off, let me say Young Justice is just outstanding-it has a healthy continuity and keeps me eager for the ability to time-travel so I can watch the next episode. I would like to ask a few questions, though, about the great show.

1. First off, don't let the "Hello Megan" criticism take you down-I find it amusing and sweet on her part because she still needs to explore more of earth. But were you aware there was going to be issues over the catchphrase?

2. Is there any reason why you picked Roy's Arrow identity and not Arsenal, which was his second following 'Speedy'?

3. You said you had mixed feelings of fanfiction, but what do you think of fanart?

4. Why use Artemis instead of Arrowette or the second Speedy?

5. How far do you plan to take the show? (i.e. in regards to death, sex, etc. We already saw a character die, but that was a first)

6. Which voice actors did you know before production?

7. What's the best comment about the show you've received?

8. What was with the 6-month hiatus?

9. Did you ever discuss heroes' children being born in the show?

10. Who came up with the idea to include the classmates in "Targets" and "Home Front"?

11. What do your children think of the show?

12. Was Black Canary often your idea of a fierce or gentle figure (she did show a motherly side with her therapy sessions)?

13. How fat do you want to take Conner/Megan's relationship, as relationships that start early often end early.

14. Which member of the team would you be most eager to meet?

Greg responds...

1. "Issues", no? A response, yes.

2. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

3. Generally, I'm a fan of fanart.

4. ASKED AND ANSWERED.

5. I'm not really sure what you're asking here. We're taking the show where it leads.

6. Uh... a lot of 'em. More than I can count off the top of my head. Of our six leads... none. Of our Justice Leaguers: Phil LaMarr (Aquaman), Kevin Michael Richardson (Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern), Vanessa Marshall (Black Canary), Jeff Bennett (Red Tornado). Of The Light: Miguel Ferrer (Vandal Savage), Mark Rolston (Lex Luthor), Marina Sirtis (Queen Bee), Corey Burton (Brain), Thom Adcox (Klarion). Of the Injustice League: Steve Blum (Count Vertigo), Brent Spiner (Joker). And of course, Edward Asner (Kent Nelson), Bill Fagerbakke (Bear), Grey Delisle (Whisper, Dreamer), Kath Soucie (Mera, Joan), Cree Summer (Tula, Mary), Lacey Chabert (Zatanna), Crispin Freeman (Guardian, Speedy/Red Arrow), and more, I'm sure.

7. I don't know off the top of my head. Gotten a lot of nice comments.

8. Don't know.

9. Sure. Mera's pregnant, remember?

10. Brandon and I.

11. They seem to like it.

12. Both.

13. How "fat"? I don't understand.

14. Any or all.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Anonymous writes...

Wanted to tell you that Disordered is perhaps my favorite episode yet. Faux-apocalypse stories have been done before, even though I did really enjoy the previous episode, but I've NEVER seen anyone dedicate time to the emotional fallout from such traumatic experiences. I love that YJ keeps defying expectation. It made the previous episode seem meaningful too, rather than just an excuse for shock value, which is all I normally expect from similar stories.

The dialogue and deliveries in Canary's sessions were pure gold. I loved Wally's the most. Do you ever get impressions on scripts from the voice actors? Get any feedback on this one?

Greg responds...

"Impressions on scripts"? I'm not sure what that means. If you're asking about actor feedback, in general it's been positive. I don't have a specific memory about this one, but keep in mind we recorded it back in September of 2010. My memory's just not that good, I'm afraid.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Anonymous writes...

Elisa sleeps in a t-shirt and panties in the comic, gargwiki says you said Dominique sleeps nude, so does Fox always wear that hideous yellow granny gown to bed or was that just for the benefit of her parents when Alex was born?

Greg responds...

Probably the latter. (And it was probably a gift from her father.)

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Tiger & Bunny writes...

Hello~

I was wondering if you've heard about the recent phenomena known as 'Tiger & Bunny'. Its a show about superheroes having their own tv show. Recently, there have been many 'cameo appearances' by some of those characters in other series. (Like just walking passed, or a poster, etc.)

Would you ever consider the addition of cameo appearances of heros from other shows? (Not necessarily heros from Tiger & Bunny either. Maybe even real-life people look-alikes.) Like Easter eggs for those of us on the web that nerd out over everything!

Greg responds...

We've had our share of Easter Eggs, I suppose. Flaming C (or a guy dressed as him) appeared in episode 118, and character designer Phil Bourassa was frozen while barbecuing in episode 101.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012

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Comet writes...

Sorry if this has already been asked. I searched the archives but didn't find what I was looking for.
Gargoyles can dream in stone sleep, but what happens if they have a nightmare that would a human cause to wake up? Gargoyles can't normally wake up outside of their biological rhythm, as far as I know.

Greg responds...

True.

Response recorded on February 10, 2012


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