What is going on at DC Comics?
Today they had two big announcements:
1) They are re-numbering the entire DC Universe line of comics
"On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will launch a historic renumbering of the entire DC Universe line of comic books with 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. "
2) Digital and print copies of all of their titles will be available on the same day.
"The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1 will launch day-and-date digital publishing for all these ongoing titles, making DC Comics the first of the two major American publishers to release all of its superhero comic book titles digitally the same day as in print."
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| Dan DiDio, Jim Lee, and Geoff Johns |
"We really want to inject new life in our characters and line. This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today's audience."
To me, this sounds a bit like what Marvel attempted to do with their Ultimates line. The issue, though, is that this is an across the board reboot -- 52 titles in all -- the entire DC universe.
This strikes me, initially and without any real sense of what we are talking about here, as a bit of a slap in the face to long term fans of DC characters.
The USA Today story continues with, "In September, another 51 first issues will debut, introducing stories that are grounded in each character's specific legend but also reflect today's real-world themes and events. Lee spearheaded the costumes' redesign to make characters more identifiable and accessible to comic fans new and old."
This sounds a bit like the introduction of New Coke in 1985. How do you make iconic character more identifiable and accessible?
Reaction to this news has been mixed:
Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) tweeted to Ed Brubaker "@brubaker We've tried rebooting and renumbering. It doesn't work. Generally it causes confusion for new readers and alienates old readers."
Ryan Ottley (Invincible) tweeted "Good to see DC and others try things to get new readers. I do hope it works. I'd like Comics to last forever please."
Jason Aaron (Scalped) tweeted "Re: the big DC news, anything that gets people excited about going to comic shops or legally downloading comics is good for all of us..."
In terms of the Day and Date announcement about DC's digital offerings, this too strikes me as a bit confusing.
DC has long positioned itself as the one big comics publishing company that really wanted to work in tandem with the retail market. This announcement seems to me on the face of it to be at cross purposes with the desires of your local comic shop.
There's not a lot of information on how this all will work, so I don't want to cast any stones yet. Jim Lee is quoted as saying, "We're allowing people who have never bought a comic book in their lives to download them on portable media devices and take a look. Having the ability to give people access to these comics with one button click means we're going to get a lot of new readers."
It also means that these new readers will seemingly have even less incentive to go to their local comic shop.
Response to this part of the announcement has also been mixed.
Ed Bruebaker (Criminal) tweeted: "Anyone following the rise of digital piracy of comics could see Day and Date coming. Every book is online Tues. night now. #peopleruinthings"
Ben McCool (Choker) tweeted: "News about DC's 50-title revamp/same-day digital releases is as cool as it is smart. Nice work, everyone."
Jeff Parker (Hulk) tweeted: "I'm calling it, all the DC super dudes are going to have soul patches."
Andy Diggle (Rat Catcher) tweeted: "So is DCU continuity finally going to stop exploding? It's been a while."
This will be a story that we will be following as closely as we can as it develops.
But it does seem familiar...
Sources: USA Today, DC Source Blog, Twitter
3 comments:
I think it would be a blast. I would love to see the Justice League be the must-read DC title where everything cools happens. I would love to have a writer of John’s caliber and Lee's skill on the book. They just have a HUGE SKEPTICISM GAP to cross. Please prove me wrong.
I'm 1000% behind this for me comics should be about compelling stories not convoluted continuity. Of course you wanna have a long history with you're favorite characters but not to the point where it gonna hurt your ability to pick up new readers. The question is since this isn't the first time they've had to do something like this how are they gonna prevent the problem from cropping up again in another 5 to 10 years?
I'm really unsure about this it could either be great for DC or a flop. I mean what happens to all the backstories of all of the characters are they just going to be erased and forgotten? Like will Dick be Batman or will Bruce? It's a wait and see for me. Although I'll admit I am already liking the new League line-up
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