My Promised Land

If you read my blog at all it’s easy to figure out I’m a huge DC Comics fanboy. So when Vertigo/DC writer Bill Willingham invited me to take a tour of their offices in New York City I screamed, I cried, I jumped up and down…ok I’m in a wheelchair, I didn’t jump up and down but I did shake and buzz excitedly. In case you didn’t know, they have the coolest office EVER.

There are some things, when you’re offered, you just don’t turn down. Like wearing Doctor Fate’s helmet. I actually said no at first because I have a rather large head and was worried it might get stuck. And not in that cool, I’m the new Doctor Fate sort of way either. More like, oh shit someone is gonna have to call the fire department kind of way. Surprisingly, it was a perfect fit. Fate?

Covers and panels from all kinds of books hang on just about every inch of wall available in the building. I actually have a lot more pictures but this is just an example. One of the most interesting side-trips we took on the tour was to the library. It’s the room where they keep archived copies of…everything. The first thing I saw when I walked in was bound, hard-cover, encyclopedia style books of the Legion of Super-Heroes. As if being around all that history wasn’t enough, the best part of the room was the man in charge of it. He could keep you engaged for hours with the amount of knowledge in his head.
Besides your normal cover shots or movie memorabilia one of the greatest parts about roaming the DC halls is running into a cardboard cutout of Lobo.
Where’s Waldo? I mean, The Nerdy Bird. This is one of a few murals in the building and a really entertaining one at that. It’s an impressive sight but once you start to look closer you discover some interesting details. Like the fact that Wonder Woman’s hand is CLEARLY on Superman’s ass. You know, that kind of stuff.
I wasn’t able to fit the very last piece of this wall hanging in but it’s a great look at the progression of a comic book from script to finished product.
Mad Magazine also shares the building with DC and while there was a giant flying Superman in the one lobby I could have shown you, I thought this had better comedic appeal.
My girl! Besides saying hello to the many DC employees I already know, I got to meet a bunch of new people all of whom were really nice. One of the perks of working at DC is not having to buy anything to decorate your office with. I don’t think I saw one office whose shelves and walls weren’t lined with action figures, statues and comics. It’s majorly nerd-jealousy inducing stuff. Speaking of cool stuff, I also got a sneak peak at some DC Direct items while I was there. Now that is an enviable job to have.
The best was saved for last on the tour. The Batman floor!!
This is the Christian Bale Batman suit of course but I like that the mannequin face is his and not just generic dude. Why does he have to be like 6-feet tall? Bill Willingham was totally willing to help me hoist him onto my scooter but it would have been a little tough sneaking a man in a cape out the door past security.
Holy shadow Batman!
There’s a few things I’ve left out because of their super-secret-awesomeness status but fear not, you’ll eventually see most of it down the road. Thank you to everyone at DC for opening your doors to me and being so generous, especially Bill Willingham of course who set the whole thing up. I’m happy to come back anytime you need a crazy fan to tell you what a great job your doing. :)

23 Responses to “My Promised Land”

  1. Anonymous says:

    awesome! nice tour Jill! :)

  2. Jason says:

    I envy you so much right now. Argh!

  3. Anonymous says:

    SWEEEETTTT! No, really – it was extremely sweet of Mr.Willingham & DC to give you a tour…. I'm sooooo geeked out on your pics…
    Good thing Supes' hand is on Bruce's shoulder – didn't wanna think the Big 3 of DC were into experimental living, eh? You have any pics of yourself posing as Oracle with a life size image of Nightwing ?? Anyways, thanks so much for sharing the adventure – & more power to ya, fanboy !!
    – TEMPLAR

  4. Chris Field says:

    Wow. I envy you so much. The tour looks like amazing amounts of fun! Hey, what kind of cool comics swag was in that bag on your lap?

    And I think I would of spent all day in the Legion room!

  5. Next time you see Bill, tell him Stu says, "Hi." Bill and I go way back. Just ask him how many poker hands he's lost to me!!

  6. Great Pics Jill! such a great day for you thanks for sharing! and you made Doctor Fate Sexy!!! hve a great day

  7. Bill D. says:

    Wow, that Alfred E. Neuman statue is from the one (and only) ill-fated Mad Magazine movie, Up the Academy. I always wonder what happens to props like that.

  8. Mart says:

    Wow, nice one Jill. What a treat (for DC too!). That helmet suits you (er, that came out wrong). I note that 'Jill Pantozzi,' does actually contain the name Inza.

    Is the pith-helmeted gentleman the famous Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, founder of DC Comics?

    And I'm with Tommy in asking if the librarian is still Allan Asherman. Lois Lane's Mystery Columnist!

  9. Very cool. You should totally offer to take some stuff off of their hands if they run out of room.

  10. wita says:

    Whoooo awesome, Jill!

  11. TommyRaiko says:

    Is the guy in charge of the DC Comics archive room still Allan Asherman, the guy who wrote the once-definitive resource on all things Star Trek? He's like the Mr. Atoz of all things fandom, it seems.

  12. Thanks Michael, maybe one day!

    @Psychotronic, I actually prefer it over fangirl. :)

    @TS, geeked out the entire time. I sincerely tried to play it cool but it just didn't happen.

    Glad you all enjoyed the sneak-peak! It was so much fun!!

  13. TS Hendrik says:

    That's so awesome. Were you able to pull off cool, or did you just salivate over everything?

  14. Looks like a lot of fun.

  15. Randy says:

    Man, just when I thought you couldn't get ANY cooler!! You always have to up the ante there, Jill!

  16. AmyR says:

    Wow, that is just ultimate in so many ways. I can't believe there is a Batman floor. Amazing!

  17. Mister Hobbs says:

    Jill Pantozzi, I see your Fate.

  18. Curt Russell says:

    I've never been there, but the pics I've seen before, it is definitely one the coolest places on earth

  19. So jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I am happy for you :)

  20. Sawyer says:

    I am extremely jealous, but in a good way supportive of you kind of way. Great pictures, thanks for shring them

  21. Dave says:

    I think the way Batman is bent over, Superman's giving him a super wedgie

  22. Psychotronic says:

    That is so awesome! I'd love to visit there someday. One small quibble though… "fanboy"? I certainly wouldn't describe you as a boy by any stretch.

  23. Michael says:

    You're correct: Wonder Woman is CLEARLY cupping a Super-right butt cheek.

    Nice little adventure you had there at the DC offices. Your writing is very good, perhaps one day you'll get a job there.