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REVELATIONS 2012-09 (Sep)
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An Old Joke
Back in the old country, an old man limped into the Old Synagogue. Slowly, he lowered himself onto a bench and prayed to God. God, he said, you know I have led a very hard life. You know I was orphaned as a boy. You know I struggled all my life to make a living, and yet I did good works. I looked for love, but was never blessed with a family. Now, in my old age, I am racked with pain in my legs and back. Always, I have observed your commandments, your guidelines, everything. I came to minyan every morning, rain or shine, and though I prayed for peace and good will, I never asked for anything for myself. I have tried my best to lead a righteous life as one of your chosen. Now, as I near my final breath, I need something from you. I know it is wrong to ask, but I need some proof that there can be happiness, joy in this life. I ask you now, let me win the lottery. As you know all, you know there is a weekly lottery here in this old city, where a winner is chosen every Wednesday afternoon. Let me win, God, please. Let me experience that joy. I will not keep the money. I will make the entire prize a mitzvah to the poor and the hungry. But let me win the lottery, God, please.
And so a week passed, and Wednesday afternoon came, and the old man did not win the lottery. So Wednesday night, he returned to the Old Synagogue to lower his old body down on the old bench, and again he prayed. Please, God, he said, let me win the lottery. It is my only dream, my last dream, to feel that simple pleasure of a victory, of success. Not a single coin will I keep for myself, God. But please, oh, please, just this once, let me win the lottery.
And so a week passed, and Wednesday afternoon came, and the old man did not win the lottery. So that night, once again, he returned to pray. Please, God, he said, I am a desperate man. I cannot go to my end without this. Let me win the Lottery. And God spaketh onto the old man, and God said: "Listen, you old fart, meet me half way, buy a damn ticket!"
That's the story, as I've heard it, handed down over years and years.
But, of course, the story doesn't end there. For on the next Wednesday, first thing in the morning, the old man did indeed go to buy a ticket to the Lottery. And as he was shelling out his last coin for the price of the ticket, he heard the storekeeper chuckle and say, you old fools and your lottery tickets. Don't you know that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than of winning the lottery. And as this seemed reasonable to the old man, he put his coin away.
That's the story.
But, of course, the story doesn't end there. That afternoon, the old man did not win the lottery. But he was struck by lightning.
That's the story.
But, of course, it doesn't end there.
The old man died and was sent to heaven, where he found God rather sheepishly apologizing for taking his life. God said, you just really frustrated the hell out of me. But at least you're here in heaven. To which the old man asked, Do you have a lottery?
And that, of course, is the end of the story.
Derek writes...
You seemed to imply that White Martian were at the bottom of a caste system on Mars. If this is the case then Miss Martian having natural abilities exceeding a powerful green martian could potentially make her politically dangerous?
Greg responds...
In the sense that Paul Robeson was politically dangerous to bigots in the fifties, sure. But it's nothing new or unusual. There are no real biological between White, Green and Red Martians beyond the relatively superficial trait of skin color.
Anonymous writes...
Cartoon Networks usually limits most of their series to 65 episodes, despite how popular they are. Look at Teen Titans or Batman Brave and the Bold. Do you think that Young Justice will continue past 65 episodes or is there some requirement that production will cease after episode 65?
Greg responds...
I have no idea. I'm happy to have 46, and I'll take as many more as their willing to give us.
J writes...
I tried reading the bazillian questions alrardy asked & answeted, but I cannot find my first question anywhere (if it has been, I appologize, just skip to the second) and I do realize I will most likely get a spoiler message...but here goes:
1. Are the Hawks Carter & Shiara (sp?) or Katar & Shayla (heres hiping hoping for Katar)?
2. In previous answers you stated many times that keeping with early DC tradition was the main reason for using Dick & Wally - even once saying "it wouldnt make sense not to use Dick...my question is, where is that logic when it comes to Aqualad or Wondergirl? Dont get me wrong, I LOVE the new Aqualad (really wished Donna was going to br on the team, though), but it seems like this flies in the face of your own logic.
Greg responds...
1. If you're asking about their Thanagarian names, they're Katar & Shayera.
2. It doesn't. Look at the origins of ALL the other Robins. They depend on Dick already existing. Look at Nightwing's origin. It depends on him having been Robin first. In contrast, look at Aqualad's origin. It doesn't depend on Garth having already been Aqualad. It only depends on him taking heroic action, and Aquaman wanting a protege. Look at Cassie . The fundamental thing about her origin is her parentage, not her predecessor. Sure, Donna influenced Cassie's early appearances in the old comics, but her origin doesn't depend on Donna. In any case, I'm neither confirming or denying Donna's status on Earth-16.
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg,
I've never done this kind of thing before but I'm actually extremely curious about a topic regarding to the series Young Justice. Sorry if this may seem confusing, but I'll try and get it out as simply as I can make it:
In the episode "Misplaced" when all of the kids and adults are separated into two different dimensions, Robin states that he can't even contact Red Arrow, letting the audience know that Red Arrow is either eighteen years old or possibly older. I also read a question that you had answered where you clarified this as being true.
However, after the episode Auld Acquaintance, it's revealed that Red Arrow is indeed a clone and has only been around for three years. So if I'm getting this right, the original Roy Harper is eighteen and thus is why the clone looks to be that age. But because the Red Arrow clone is really only three years of age, how come he's not in the same dimension as the kids? I don't know, maybe Klarion's magic took in the factor that physiologically, he is 18 years old.
Sorry for my ranting, but I'm just curious. Thanks!
Greg responds...
Basically, I think you answered your own question.
Nicole writes...
Dear Greg, I think you are an absolute genius with what you have done with Young Justice. As a twenty year old female college student, there isn’t a lot of things that will get me up early on a Saturday morning. But I cannot lie, Young Justice has tugged on the heartstrings of my inner child and I have truly enjoyed every episode. I love how the show is intended for a younger audience but throws in witty lines & scenarios for mature viewers too. I also really enjoy the “dark/edginess†of the plot that keeps you wondering even after the show has ended. The creativity, thoughtfulness and talent that you and your team put into every episode shows each week.
Wishing you continued success,
Nicole, (a dedicated fan hoping for a season 3!)
Greg responds...
Thank you so much!
meksters writes...
Hey Greg! I can't wait to see Wonder girl and the other new young heroes!
My question is about the original Roy, not the clone, while he was in the pod for three years(?) did he grow up and learn new things from the genomes? Or did he stay 15 y.o? I really can't wait to see what you guys do with this! I have a feeling his personality might differ slightly from clone Roy! Thanks! :D
Greg responds...
SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.
Jordan Wade writes...
Did vandal savage had any famous historical identities such as Caesar, Jack the ripper, and etc over his 50000 years?
Greg responds...
Yes, a couple.
Captain Fan writes...
Someone in a Captain Action discussion group, found a clip from a Gargoyles episode entitiled "Eye of the Beholder". There is a brief appearance by Action Boy, who is the sidekick of Captain Action, a 1960's action figure from Ideal toys. His emblems were blacked out, I'm sure for copyright purposes. I was wondering if someone envolved with the show was a Captain Action or Action Boy fan. Anyway, it was a cool thing to see.
Greg responds...
I have no memory of this, I'm afraid.
Todd Jensen writes...
The first season of "Young Justice" takes place over the course of half a year, starting on the Fourth of July and continuing to New Year's Eve in the Season One finale (with episodes set on Halloween and Thanksgiving along the way). I remember that the first season of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" similarly stretched from the start of the school year in September to Thanksgiving (with a Halloween episode along the way), and that the second season got up at least to Valentine's Day. The time progression in "Gargoyles" was more vague, but we had two Halloween stories ("Eye of the Beholder" and the Double Date story) and three wintry episodes in New York ("Her Brother's Keeper", which ends with a snowfall, "Re-Awakening", and "The Price"), as well as a clear timeline for the Stone of Destiny story.
I like this sense of the year's progress through the seasons and landmark days (like the Fourth of July and Halloween), but it doesn't seem that common in animated series outside your own work. I've seen two speculations on why that element is so rare in animated series. One is that a lot of the people who engage in such creative work aren't big on continuity and change, far less than you are. Another is that most people involved in creating animated television series live in or near Los Angeles and other parts of California, where the climate is pretty much the same year around and there's less a sense of four seasons than in other parts of the United States. I was wondering what your thoughts were on these theories.
Greg responds...
Both these theories seem valid to me, but they probably pale from the economic explanation: if you progress through the seasons then you have to redress backgrounds and characters, and that's expensive. Me, I believe it's WORTH the expense. But that's only true if you're really going to DO something with it. If you're not, then there's not much point. (We also did it on W.I.T.C.H. by the way.)
Shadow Mission writes...
Just a quick question. Is the game Young Justice: Shadow Mission, a game on Cartoonnetwork.com which has Robin trapped in a shadow dimension by Klarion and has cameos by Blue Beetle, Wonder Girl, Miss Martian, Beast Boy, and Superboy canon?
Thanks.
Greg responds...
Uh... probably not.
BHZ writes...
1- Do you feel all this people asking "how old questions" are doing it to annoy you?
2- Do you feel DC fans are different from Marvel ones?
3-How do you feel about the fact that there have been multiple characters with the Robin title and so many similar cases? I feel it just gives fans more reasons to be unhappy. For me Dick is my Robin!
Greg responds...
1. No. That's a subject that matters to me, so I can see why it would matter to others.
2. Not particularly. I'm a fan of both, myself.
3. "Similar cases?" I'm not sure what you mean.
Anonymous writes...
1. How old is Monsieur Mallah?
2. How old is Mr. Tawny?
3. How old is Red Inferno?
4. How old is Beluga Boy?
5. How old is James Gordon?
Greg responds...
1. Don't know.
2. DITTO.
3. When the robot Red Inferno was destroyed, it had been 68 years since her construction.
4. That's not one of my characters. But I'd guess he was between 12-15 during Season One.
5. Gordon is 49.
Anonymous writes...
1. How old is Red Torpedo?
2. How old is Sphere?
3. How old is Teekl?
4. How old is Brick?
5. How old is Hawkwoman?
Greg responds...
1. I guess Red Torpedo (i.e. the robot) was 70-years-old at the time of his destruction, i.e. he was built 70 years prior.
2. NO COMMENT.
3. NO COMMENT.
4. Brick was 29 by the end of Season One.
5. Hawkwoman was 28 by the end of Season One.
Sam writes...
First off, I'd like to apologize on behalf of the abuse you've recieved, Mr. Weisman. You give us the chance to have you personally answer our questions, and your rewarded with rants from the disgruntled fanbase. I'm sorry for this, and understand the added rules because of this outlandish behavior.
Anyways, I was wondering about the Light. How exactly did you come up with this evil cabal of villains? I'm not asking for spoilers, just what made you decide to take these select villains, and organize them into such a secretive, manipulative, and mysterious way of organized crime. The Secret Society and the Injustice League in the comics they weren't anywhere near as badass and secret as this group is! Did the Illuminati from Gargoyles influence their creation a bit?
Thanks for your time, if you decide to answer this! Keep up the excellent work, can't wait for Season 2 of Young Justice!
Greg responds...
The Illuminati may have been an influence, but mostly it was Brandon and I (and later Kevin) sitting down and figuring out what kind of opposition we wanted for our series and what their motivations would be and what their goals would be and finally, who would be chosen to carry those banners. As always, we looked for diversity, personality, power ranges - but mostly CHOPS.
Jordan Wade writes...
Is klarion immortal?
Greg responds...
Klarion is a concept, so ... yes.
EXALT writes...
In W.I.T.C.H., why some of the Hearts, like Lillian and Elyon, have sentient forms, while others are simply majical objects?
Greg responds...
That's just the way it works.
EXALT writes...
Hello, Greg! I have some W.I.T.C.H. questions.
1)In the series finale, when the C.H.Y.K.N escaped from the jewel, why did Nerissa remain young, while the reverted back to their original forms?
2)Why Cassidy stayed alive, instead of becoming a ghost again?
3)Does Nerissa know that her fantasies (when she remains trapped in the jewel) are just fantasies, at least deep down, or she really believes they're real?
Greg responds...
1. Nerissa didn't ever really escape from the Jewel. But in her imagination, she was still young.
2. Because that magic had been accomplished. It was a done deal.
3. I'll leave that to your interpretation.
Vanessa writes...
Hi I think you have done an amazing job with Young Justice Mr Weisman but since I live in the UK I have to watch and appreciate online so I was wondering if and when Young Justice was coming to the UK. If it is please reply so I can note it down.
Thanks :)
Greg responds...
I'm afraid I don't know. Sorry.
Zachary Bishop writes...
1. How much would say past cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited influenced your work on, Young Justice?
2. Were the six Leaguers in "Auld Acquaintance" who were unaccounted for(Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkwoman and John Stewart) a reference to the Justice League cartoon, since the show featured an near identical line-up, or was it just a coincidence?
Greg responds...
1. Batman's been a big influence since back in the Gargoyles days. Nothing specific, but it's probably still floating around in my brain. I'm less familiar with JLU, so I'm sure it's had less of an influence. I know early on we did some things intentionally differently to distance ourselves from that great show. But for example, the six Leaguers chosen to be missing for 16 hours was definitely influenced by the cast of the original Justice League series.
2. Yes. By now you probably realize that Flash was NOT included because we needed him back on Earth for our Impulse intro.
ern writes...
I'm sure that you must be frustrated with fans and might even want to shut this website down. But if you do shut it down, I hope that despite that you will still post updates on the progress of any of your works. Whether Young Justice or any future show. It'll still be more than enough =) Thanks for the updates. Nice to know how any of your show's progress is =)
Greg responds...
Thanks. I've backed away from thoughts of shutting the site down for now.
Jack-Pumpkinhead writes...
Dear Greg,
Watched the season finale, and WOW. What an ending. Here I've been telling my friends the mole was a Starro-controlled Red Arrow. Boy was I half-wrong. And the fate of Original Roy-OK, that was cool. It's a way to get the cybernetic arm in without the needless killing of a baby, very nice. And the team taking on the league, very cool. I'm glad Clark made peace with Connor, very cool. Honestly, my favorite part of the whole episode? Tying up the romantic plots. Thank you, especially for Zatana grabbing Dick like that, very funny. And if the clips they showed for season 2(hopefully starting next week) are correct; Oh, you just went up beyond my top 5 favorite creators. Thank you for an amazing first season of Young Justice, please pass this on to the rest of the cast & crew, and I eagerly await more of the Team!
Greg responds...
Wow, thanks. Glad you liked it!
Dr. Spanky writes...
Greg! You are my hero (professionally at least. I mean, face it, I don't know you. You could be an axe-murderer). I want to spend my life doing what you do. Any pieces of advice for an aspiring writer? What are good ways to train myself / further my writing skills / develop confidence in my voice (or my character's voices)? How did you get your start professionally, and what are some good avenues towards putting your work out in the world?
I thoroughly look forward to seeing the rest of your work, because all of it has been great. Thank you and adieu.
Greg responds...
At the risk of losing my heroic status, I'm going to demur here, since all this information is already available in the ASK GREG archives. (I've been asked this MANY times before.) For example, check out "Animation", "Behind the Scenes", "Biz, The" and "Weisman, Greg" for starters.
Jordan Wade writes...
1. Did sportsmaster worked for the light before paula kicked him out?
2. Was krypton xenophobic and was there every a kryptoian green lantern?
Greg responds...
1. Yes.
2. NO COMMENT.
Marvelman writes...
Hi Greg.
1) In Agendas, in your opinion, which leaguers would have voted to expel Captain Marvel had it been put to a vote?
2) With which leaguers is Captain Marvel especially friendly with?
Greg responds...
1. I'll leave that either to your imagination or to a future story (maybe in the comics).
2. All of them, really. He's a friendly guy. But I do think he's a bit closer to Batman, Red Tornado, Superman, Black Canary and Wonder Woman than some of the others.
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