Superman is already getting a new direction from writer Brian Michael Bendis via his six-part Man of Steel miniseries and Superman #1 July 11th. Today, Bendis continues to mold the character further with Action Comics #1001. I spoke with Bendis two weeks ago about the character and other topics, and today his answers that potentially spoil a bit of Action Comics #1001 are below.

We delve into the newsroom of the Daily Planet, discuss whether or not there were stories that were off limits, and discuss the new challenges that are inspiring Bendis every day.

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AiPT!: In Action Comics you’ve got a character named Trish who is basically a gossip rag writer — I would assume — and then you’ve got Lois writing a novel in space. You’ve got Clark trying to find the truth. How deeply are you going to be probing writing in general in this series?

Brian Michael Bendis: There are a few projects, now that I look, where I go, “Oh, I’m writing about writing.” Or writing about creating or writing about looking for truth. They are all writers so you can’t help but be writing about writing. What I’m really writing about is everyone writing about truth. And their truths and what is important. Trish gets into it with Clark in a couple issues about what a story is to her versus what a story is to him. Someone like Clark wouldn’t think gossip is a story. But there is actually an art form to it and a reason for it when done well, like everything else.

I used to work in a newspaper newsroom. It’s probably what I would be doing if this didn’t work out, so that’s a big part of my DNA. And I don’t think there’s anything more interesting right now than a newsroom. In society, what is going on there? I have literally ghosted modern newsrooms this year. Sat down and took it all in just to watch it happen.

AiPT!: Can I ask you a riddle? A man is found dead lying in a field next to a rock. The rock has killed him but there is no blood on the rock or around the body. Who is the man and how did the rock kill him?

BMB: I don’t know.

AiPT!: It’s Superman and the rock is kryptonite.

BMB: Awww, very good. Can I use it?

AiPT!: Yeah sure. [Both laugh] I had a question about Red Cloud — just sort of about the character herself. What’s the one thing she can never forgive?

BMB: Stupidity. You’re going to find a lot out about Red Cloud very, very soon. I really like her. It’s based on something in the real world. There’s a truth there I’m excited to get into. A villain and their mindset you can believe in is one of my favorites. Like with Lex Luthor where you can go, “Yeah I see your point.”

“Some of these projects that are coming are not only exciting to me creatively but they’re actually like a challenge.”

AiPT!: Has DC told you if there’s anything that is off limits as far as the series? Can you not kill Superman off or anything like that?

BMB: I am not allowed to use Miles Morales. I did not know that when I signed on. I don’t know if I would have…no I’m joking.

AiPT!: [Laughs]

BMB: In our very first meeting it was like, “Oh, we’re on the same page. We want the same things. Think about what stories mean and why we should be telling them.” So we hit the ground running with Dan Didio and Jim Lee and myself with a, “Oh we’re on the same page right now.” I don’t know if 10 years ago we would have been. It feels like we met each other at the right time. It’s not like saying no because I kind of know what I need to do.

It’s going pretty well. If anything Dan likes to call me up and challenge me with a creative challenge. Like the Batman Wal-Mart project, I think he could tell I was fearful of Batman, right? He goes, “You’re doing Batman.” And I was like, “What?! What about Tom [King]?” He goes, “No, no, no!” A perfect example is how I was like, “I would like to read the Tom King Superman.” And he goes, “Well you’re going to get to so…”

Some of these projects that are coming are not only exciting to me creatively but they’re actually like a challenge. More like they are challenging me than vice or versa at the moment.

AiPT!: That’s exciting.

BMB: Honestly it’s fantastic. It’s the freedom to do it, “Here, everyone is out of your way. Now go! Work your ass off.”

AiPT!: That’s like every writer’s dream.

BMB: And having dreamt it for years, and listen Marvel was great to me too, but there’s something going on here where literally everyone clears the lane so I can go nuts. And I have wanted it for so long that I can’t help but feel like Superman, like OK, everyone is expecting me to really deliver. Roll up your sleeves and do it.