Written by Edwin Francisco
HBO Max is developing a TV series based on DC Comics superhero the Question.
The Question is an interesting choice. The Question is basically a detective and a martial arts expert.
But that makes him a unique character is through his personal quest for philosophical meaning through Objectivism and Zen.
What are the Question’s powers?
Nothing.
HBO Max Developing TV Series For DC Comics’ The Question
Image: DC Comics
In fact, the Question can only make his face blank. He uses an experimental material called pseudoderm. The Question has been a member of the Justice League, the Living Assault Weapons (LAW) and the Black Lantern Corps.
The Question looks like a typical classic detective with the fedora hat and the trench coat, just with a blank face.
Nevertheless, the Question stands out in DC Comics’ multiverse of characters. Writer Alan Moore liked the Question so much that he wanted him for Watchmen. However, DC Comics had just purchased his rights from the defunct Charlton Comics.
DC Comics didn’t want Moore to kill him off.
Thus, Moore and artist Dave Gibbons co-created Rorschach as a replacement.
DC Films has been speeding up their game. Indeed, DC Films has been pushing through with making a ton of material. This is after they canceled several movies in the past few years like New Gods and The Trench.
Lately, DC has been moving more films and projects into HBO Max like Peacemaker and Batgirl. On the other hand, unlike their DC Comics roots, most of these aren’t connected to one another.
Now, the question is who is the Question on HBO Max? Will it be Vic Sage, who is the original vigilante, the protector of Hub City? Or will it be Renee Montoya, Sage’s trained successor?
HBO Max Developing TV Series For DC Comics’ The Question
Image: DC Films
The Question is the brainchild of the late writer/artist Steve Ditko. Ditko co-created Spider-Man and Doctor Strange for Marvel Comics. He debuted in Blue Beetle No. 1 in 1967.
Sage’s successor is Montoya. Montoya initially appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series TV show. Interestingly enough, she already exists in the DCEU. Rosie Perez played her in Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (2020). In the film she showed that she was a skilled investigator.
Victoria Cartagena portrayed Montoya in Gotham and Batwoman.
It would be interesting to see the Question in a female role. I’ve been used to seeing the Question as a male mainly because he had more years. It was only during the events of 52 no. 48 (2007) where Sage gave Montoya the reins to be the new Question.
The Question is among DC Comics’ oddest and coolest heroes. Without question.