Straczynski On Monthly Superman and Wonder Woman

This just came in: DC announced that J. Michael Straczynski will be taking over both the Superman and Wonder Woman monthly series - as of Superman #701 and Wonder Woman #601 (immediately after the anniversary issues).

I remember several years ago that JMS mentioned in a Wizard interview how he'd willingly crawl naked over broken glass and vomit for the chance to chronicle the monthly adventures of the Man of Steel. Guess this really is a dream come true for him. My take on JMS is that he's really a very good writer when he puts his mind to it. His run on "Amazing Spider-Man" is still a highlight for me. I also read his "Supreme Power" but was a little underwhelmed and ended up giving away all the hardcover collections - primarily because he did not finish what he set out to do. Speaking of that, JMS has this annoying habit of not finishing series that he started - case in point, the aforementioned "Supreme Power/Squadron Supreme" series, the earlier "Rising Stars" stuff from Top Cow and also "The Twelve" at Marvel. He can also be uncooperative and egotistical at times - as evidenced by his not-so-graceful exit from the critically acclaimed "Thor" because of his unwillingness to be part of the "Siege" crossover. A writer's writer, to me, is someone like Peter David who could work his magic no matter what is thrown his way - see how he seemlessly work his wonders on the monthly "X-Factor" even when the title crosses over with the other X-books in "Messiah CompleX".

Well, all in all, I'm hoping that JMS will be a little more committed to the Superman title seeing as this is his childhood dream come true. I'm not so confident about his take on Wonder Woman though. Gail Simone was doing the best run on the title since Greg Rucka and now she's been taken off the book to make way for JMS. Wonder Woman is a difficult book to write, no matter how you cut it. Probably DC thought that JMS could do a good combo of the everyday-world-meets-mythology as he did over on "Thor"? I'm just hoping that he doesn't come up with humongous ideas (as he is known for) and then abandon the title when he runs out of steam...

For more on JMS's take on the two DC icons, check out this article over at Comic Book Resources. Also, read an original essay by JMS on Superman at Newsarama.