In a recent interview, Stormwatch writer, Paul Cornell has revealed that in the rebooted DCU, Stormwatch will have a deep history that effects a lot of what happens in the present day. One of the biggest indications that he's not just blowing smoke, is the fact that Martian Manhunter, will be member of Stormwatch and not the Justice League. Currently, the team consists of Manhunter, Jack Hawksmoor, plus Apollo and Midnighter (one of comics earliest super-hero gay couples). More DC characters will probably be on the team as Cornwall revealed that the team will interact with DC big names, like Superman and Batman but only those 4 have been revealed thus far. Here's further background that was recently revealed by Cornwall:
"There's a certain attitude that those books have and that's what we're keeping - along with many other things," he explained. "There's arrogance. Stormwatch tend to look down on the universe. And that's quite appealing, in a way."
Cornell continued: "So that's kind of what 'The Edge' (DC adult titles) means for us. The ability to experiment, to be completely mad. This is the maddest book in a really good way. It's kind of extreme, and it's extreme in all sorts of ways. It's got that flavor that the Authority family of books had. I hope.
"This is seen as a really important book in the new wave of titles, because it's a capstone. It's where a lot of things come together and we're reflecting things in other books immediately in a very natural way. We're a place where you can find out about what's happening in all sorts of other books in the DCU."
"Stormwatch has always been part of the DC Universe," he said. "They've always been here. And when I say, always, I mean, way, way back. There are all sorts of interesting historical things here."
Many fans are outraged that DC is effectively "retiring" the JSA, in the words of Dan DiDio. The JSA has long been the launching point of DC's superhero community, often training young heroes and passing down mantles. Without the team, it will be interesting to see how the JLA forms and how certain character back-stories like the Flash (Jay), Green Lantern (Alan), Black Canary, Wildcat, Obsidian,Jade, and Doctor Fate are created without the team that brought them to the forefront of the DCU.
Keep in mind that Stormwatch was first created in 1993 for Image Comics by Jim Lee. With Lee now one of the big shots at DC these days, some fans feel that he's trying to push one his ideas into the mainstream to further his own legacy. Time will only tell whether fans take to Stormwatch or these guys get put back into one of the alternate DC universes.
In closing, looks like DC is giving up nostalgia for "Edge". How do you guys feel? Will the new DCU suffer without the backbone of the Golden Age heroes or are you looking forward to a new, "darker" team as the world's first crime fighting ensemble? Personally, I am looking forward to the inevitable Stormwatch vs Justice League showdown.