IGN Comics: Eddie, we're rapidly approaching the halfway mark of Blackest Night. One set of mini-series will be wrapping up in a few weeks, and today we're going to touch upon a few new projects. Wonder Woman, JSA and Flash are all set to receive their own mini-series - what led to these particular titles receiving their own three-issue projects?
Eddie Berganza: As with all things Blackest Night, we wanted to devote more space to the characters and the stories that mattered, that had an emotional chord. This was the case with each of these.
Wonder Woman has a very unique story to tell, especially with what will be happening to her. Flash as you see is a very important part of BN, and his coming back has some definite ties to the event, Then there's JSA, which has a lot of dead members and much history to explore.
IGN Comics: One thing fans learned last month was the presence of eight tie-in titles. Editorially how do you determine what books work better as a quick one-shot tie-in and what works better as a more long-form project?
Berganza: Again this has to do with what room we need to tell the story. We don't want to stretch things out, so if it's a cool one issue story then that's what we'll do and conversely if there's more to say then we look to where we can expand. That has happened with the Titans, there's so much to explore with them.
IGN Comics: We know at least Adventure Comics seems to have another tie-in coming in December. Can fans expect more tie-ins in the closing months of Blackest Night, or will the new mini-series effectively "replace" those titles? Is there still a strong focus at DC to limit the number of ancillary titles for this event?
Berganza: I'll remain a bit vague on this to avoid some spoilers, but basically we have taken advantage of having these tie-ins and specials grow to suit the needs of the main story. It's why Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps are working so well. They can delve deeper into things we don't have the space for in BN itself. It really helps to enhance the whole reading experience on BN. They give you the "director's cut" of the event, if you read it all together.
IGN Comics: Are there any more Blackest Night mini-series projects or one-shot specials that will be coming in 2010 as the event draws to a close?
Berganza: Yes.
IGN Comics: Let's discuss the three minis on the way. First up, Wonder Woman. Which creators are working away on this one? Can you give us some hints as to the plot or focus of the series?
Berganza: This is written by Greg Rucka, returning to a character he very much cares about and to a major event that he wrote in Diana's life that really changed things around. The art is being handled by Nicola Scott, who is currently handling Secret Six.
IGN Comics: We know Flash will feature Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins as the creators. What's the focus here? Fans can expect elements from this project and Flash Rebirth to spin into the new Flash series in 2010, correct?
Berganza: Good guess. With Mr. Flash himself behind it all, you bet that this mini will have some serious ramifications for Barry Allen' life.
IGN Comics: Lastly, the Justice Society of America Which writer and artist are on board this project? Will it tie to events in both of the JSA titles? What else can you tease fans with here?
Berganza: Another great return here is James Robinson going back to JSA, and this time we'll see how he uses their history to bring them down. Eddy Barrow's will be following James from Blackest Night: Superman to this, as well as some... Oh, that would be revealing too much.
IGN Comics: Is there anything else you'd like to add about Blackest Night - either what's already come out or what's to come? Any cool teases you can provide for the future?
Berganza: Just that the Dead rising was just the beginning of what's to come. Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis have set up such an amazing pace on the main series, it's so cool seeing the rest of the talent rise to the challenge of keeping up with them. Kudos to our first round of guys like Peter Tomasi, newcomer Ardian Saef, J.T. Krul and Ed Benes along with James and Eddy. Now, it's gonna be a dead heat to the end!