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REVELATIONS 2012-05 (May)

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Richard Jackson writes...

Which would you rather watch?

The entire series run of "The Pack" or "Hello Megan?"

Greg responds...

Oh, God. That's tough. Really tough.

LOL. I'm stumped.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Greg Bishansky writes...

So, I've got to ask.

Does "Hello Megan" have a small but dedicated fanbase that petitions for the series to be released on DVD, that has held at least ten conventions celebrating it with Greg Vietti and Branden Weisman as guests... and which actor from the show drops his pants at conventions?

;)

Greg responds...

"Hello, Megan!" does have a small but dedicated fanbase that petitions for the series to be released on DVD. But no conventions.

Curiously, the president of the "Hello, Megan!" fan club is Edmund Tsabard.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Anonymous writes...

1. After "Misplaced" does Zatanna still zeta-beam to go to school in Manhattan, or did she transfer schools to Happy Harbor?
2. Who becomes Zatanna's legal guardian (since she's still a minor) after "Misplaced"?
3. What responsibilities did Batman take on when he gave Zatara his word that he'd take care of Zatanna?

Greg responds...

1. She finishes the semester in Manhattan but decides to transfer to Happy Harbor High School in December.

2. Batman offered - even offered to reveal his secret identity and have her move in with him and Robin - but Zatanna insisted that Zatara remain her legal guardian and elected to move into the Cave rather than Batman's home. Batman agreed on the condition that she agree to view Batman, John Smith and Dinah Lance as her surrogate parents until Zatara could be recovered.

3. Parental, shared with Tornado and Canary.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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beeftony writes...

Not sure if this was intentional on your part or not, but I'd like to thank you for making "Image" a perfect metaphor for what it's like to be Trans. Obviously M'Gann is transspecies rather than transgender or transsexual, but I know a few transpeople and the attitudes are almost exactly the same, in that what she presents herself as is who she really feels she is inside, though obviously it's easier for a shapeshifter to make that a reality.

I like that M'Gann completely rejects Psimon's insinuation that her white martian form is her "true form," and insists that she really is Megan on the inside. I also enjoy how she made it a point to mention that she keeps herself in that form for *her*, because while she desperately craves acceptance from the others, she wants to be in control of her own identity rather than live in a predefined role based on how she looked like when she was born.

Whether you intended it or not, it sends a very powerful message that people can be free to present themselves as who they are inside instead of letting society dictate their "true form." It's one I certainly didn't expect to see on a show on Cartoon Network, and it's one of the many reasons I love this show.

Greg responds...

I'm not sure if we had any specific transgender metaphor in mind. (In fact, I honestly wish I could say definitively that we did. It was probably there in the background radiation of my brain, but I'm not sure how conscious I was of it.) But you definitely hit on what we were trying to get across: this is her, who she is inside.

Transforming into "Megan Morse" may have started off for her (back on Mars) as a fantasy or an escape. And I think when she first got to Earth, "Miss Martian" was her attempt at "trying to pass" to use a metaphor for a whole different idea. But the green-skinned, red haired M'gann M'orzz is now how she sees herself: It's her self-image. Which makes it honest and real - even if it doesn't encompass her whole history or visually reveal every aspect of the truth.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Greg Bishansky writes...

Image

The fourth episode in a row to completely knock it out of the park. I am speechless. I suppose I shouldn't be, as I never disliked the show, I just didn't love it. But the creative team behind it has long ago earned my trust, and that trust has been paying off. This episode was great.

Let me be honest, up until now, I didn't care for Miss Martian, or that catch phrase. I wasn't complaining about it like other people were, because I knew that there is no way this team would put something as annoying as M'Gann crying "hello, Megan!" into the show without a damn good reason. While I saw the twist coming, I wasn't quite prepared for just how dark and disturbing the revelation would really be. In one fell swoop, she's become one of the darker characters on the team... a role that, for the most part, was held by Artemis. They weren't kidding when they said the theme of the season was "secrets and lies" and M'Gann is a pathological liar. Frying the brains of her friends, and maybe mindwiping Psimon just to keep her secret.

I figured she modeled herself after a sitcom star, but I was unaware of just how much. She even named Connor after "Megan's" love interest in the sitcom. Cute theme song for that sitcom, by the way. Very 1980's. But Garfield was wrong, it can't be that rare a series, since it was on TV in Artemis' apartment several episodes back. Marie Logan was justified in being put off by her at first. Although it was touching when Marie finally came around after M'Gann saved her son's life.

And here's a quick note, Connor and M'Gann are kinky teens. I don't know how far they've actually gone together, but I tend to think they've done more than kiss by now. Who else has she transformed into when they've gotten busy? Okay, enough of my verbal voyeurism... but that was a pretty big entendre.

I enjoyed the return of Psimon, especially when he got into M'Gann's head and tore down all her defenses laying all of her secrets out in front of her. Her true form is... hideous. Monstrous even. I feel bad saying so about what we've been told in the past is an oppressed minority... but I am curious as to exactly how much Martian Manhunter knows about her. And what else has she lied about? Her entire life is, at this point, a lie... and now she is beginning to feel the consequences of those lies, and it's only going to get worse for her. But, suddenly, I like this character. I didn't like her before now, but... talk about a one-eighty.

The conflict between Bialya and Qurac was nice, and pretty topical considering current events in the Middle East. We've gone through Arab Spring and the toppling of tyrannical regimes. I know Bialya is an acronym for Libya, and sadly they haven't had a chance to put down their own dictator, but as a political junkie, this made it even more fun to watch.

I can't end this review without mentioning Queen Bee, and Marina Sirtis. I've been waiting to see, and hear, more of her and I was not disappointed. The way the episode ended, I know we'll be seeing and hearing even more from her and I cannot get enough of Marina's voice. But I've been a big fan of Marina Sirtis for longer than either of us would care to admit, which is funny considering I never much cared for the character of Deanna Troi. Marina may have been put on the map by playing the nicest character in the universe, but villainous roles like Demona and now, Queen Bee, are where she shines. I definitely cracked a smile at that line about how Queen Bee can enthrall "most men and some women" although, I tend to think that's a Marina Sirtis ability more than anything... fifty-six years old, and still gorgeous.

Loved it, can't wait to see what comes next.

Greg responds...

Thanks.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Anonymous writes...

Do Green and Red Martians 'true/natural' form look like Miss Martians?

Greg responds...

Pretty much. I don't want to say all Martians look alike, but frankly to a human they probably would. Even distinguishing males from females would be tough to the untrained human eye. (Then again to the untrained Martian eye, I'm sure all humans tend to look alike too.) If you saw J'onn's true form, the obvious main differences between him and M'gann are that J'onn's green and bigger.

The only real difference between Green, White and Red Martians is skin color - which is a pretty superficial difference, of course, genetically, but a significant difference historically and culturally on Mars.

Of course, on Mars-16, the White Martians aren't a separate species - and they're only a different "race" if you are using the word "race" the way we Earthlings do to distinguish Caucasians from Africans from Asians. And certainly, the White Martians are not monolithically evil.

Oh, and for the record: M'gann IS J'onn's niece. She didn't lie about that. M'gann's mom (i.e. J'onn's sister) is green. Her dad is white. Most of M'gann's siblings are also green, though she has one white brother.

Wow, why did I suddenly give all that away?

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Jack-Pumpkinhead writes...

Hi Greg, so I watched Image today, man that was amazing. First off, thank you for the cameo by Garfield. I'd ask if the transfusion could have 'unexpected side effects', but I know you won't answer. As for the use of Queen Bee and Psimon, very nicely done. I thought Robin did great for his first time as team leader. And I like the design for Megan's true form (no offense, but not much of a reveal there). Honestly, my favorite part of the whole thing was the opening to "Hello Megan!" I know it's purposely corny but I enjoyed all the name drops and especially Greg Vietti and Brandon Weisman, very cute.

Please keep up the good work and I can't wait for next week!

Greg responds...

Thanks. We were all very proud of that opening title.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Eagle-Owl writes...

YJ question:

"Created by Greg Vietti and Brandon Weisman" Clever, Greg. You always outdo yourself.

Here's the question: In the opening credits for the "Hello Megan" show in "Image", are some of the names references to other staff members of YJ? Or are they existing characters in the DC Universe? If they're YJ staff members, who are they?

Greg responds...

They're all pre-existing DC characters.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Cameron writes...

What nationality are Gar and Marie? Are they from Qurac?

Greg responds...

No; they're Americans.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012

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Chaz! writes...

First of all, I'd like to say that the last two episodes "Coldhearted" and "Image" have been fantastic. They just blew me away. Please keep up the good work and pass my complements on to the writers & directors. as for questions
1) How have the ratings been since the six month hiatus? Enough to keep yj healthily on the air I hope.
2) Can we get any episode titles for season 2 yet?
3) Has the justice league or any of it's members encountered any of the New Gods yet (aside from the incident in “Disordered”?
I thought this had been asked but I searched the unanswered questions file and the archive to no avail. maybe I used the wrong wording. If that's the case, I'd like to apologize.

Greg responds...

1. Ratings have been good since we came back this year as part of DC Nation. And even better since "Invasion" launched. I don't think there's any fear we won't finish our season.

2. Sure. Here's the first half-dozen:

201. "Happy New Year"
202. "Earthlings"
203. "Alienated"
204. "Salvage"
205. "Beneath"
206. "Bloodlines"

3. No.

Response recorded on May 22, 2012


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