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Wayne Markley
by Wayne Markley
Perhaps the most talked about topic at the comic store in numerous years, if not ever, has been DCs recent statement that they are relaunching their entire line with top issues. This only applies to the superhero titles as well as does not apply to the kid’s line or Vertigo. The reason for this relaunch or reboot depending upon whom you speak with as well as what you checked out (DC insists this is not a reboot) is the comic market is stagnant as well as it needs something to produce enjoyment as well as restore visitors they have lost over the last 10 years. While I can completely comprehend the logic behind this relocation I do not believe it is necessarily a great move. So I am going to just make a few points, pro as well as con, about this radical modification as well as then sit back as well as see what happens.
Before I begin let me point out my own prejudices about this whole thing. very first of all, DC had up until the last few years always been my preferred publisher going back practically 40 years. In my eyes they might do no wrong. (Well, that statement is as well strong, however I did greatly admire them.) I likewise helped DC Comics a couple of lifetimes back as well as for practically 15 years I dealt with them while I was at funding City distribution as well as FM International. I still have a big number of buddies at DC. I still want to like DC’s present titles, as well as Jonah Hex is my preferred book that is published monthly. So my opinions on this topic may be less that completely objective. And, as always, these are my opinions as well as do not show the thoughts of Westfield or their employees.
Action Comics #1
Pro: DC, by re-numbering the primary books of their line as well as introducing 52 new titles over the program of the month of September, provide new visitors a starting point to checked out DC books. Or if they stopped reading comics, this is a possibility to come back without the continuity as well as back story making it challenging to comprehend what is happening. It likewise provides DC a possibility to clean up continuity as well as modification around the condition quo.
Con: By renumbering the books all at number one, you are breaking the collectors psychologically of having a run of book all in a row. I cannot tell you exactly how numerous clients have come into the store as well as stated “well, now I can stop purchasing this title because it is no longer in the sequence.” Yes, it is an strange quirk of comic book fans, however the concept that you have a sequential run is important. I believe this is a character quirk that draws people to gather comics in the very first place, as well as I am as guilty of it anybody else. as well as yes, I will purchase fewer DCs with the relaunch of number ones, as I no longer have forty years of numbering to maintain.
Justice league #1
Pro: This relaunch provides DC an chance to provide its characters a fresh as well as much more contemporary look. DC has compared this to what Julie Schwartz did in the late 1950s when he restored traditional characters such as the Flash, eco-friendly Lantern, as well as Hawkman as new incarnations with the names of characters from DCs past. (But they did not re-number the huge three, Superman, Batman as well as question Woman, or even Flash for that matter). They have likewise modified the costumes of practically all the characters to make them much more contemporary as well as hip.
Con: What DC did in the 1950s was take a name of a pre-existing character as well as produced a whole new character to in shape that name. It was a fresh as well as new handle the character. For example, outside of the sound the Silver Age eco-friendly lantern had practically nothing to finish with the golden Age eco-friendly Lantern. exact same with the Flash. Hawkman was the closest to the golden Age character however it was still different sufficient that it was “new.” With this new relaunch you still have Superman, younger now, perhaps no longer married to Lois Lane, however it is still Superman from Krypton, etc. It is not like it is a whole new character with the name Superman. It is not a re-imagining like DC did in the 1950s; it is much more of a cosmetic as well as retrofitting which will only serve to rage long term fans as well as does not address the core issues of why contemporary visitors do not purchase comics. (Which I will talk about in one more blog down the road.)
I, Vampire #1
Pro: This relaunch will diversify the DC line-up as well as offer a wider spectrum of titles for new visitors to select from. With much more genres being represented, there is much more for the new as well as laid-back visitor to select from. With whatever from contemporary war stories to vampires to fantasy. all of which is absolutely true. as well as by providing day as well as date digital downloads of the all their books starting in September they can reach a much wider as well as ideally newer audience than the conventional pamphlet reader.
Con: While I am all for the diversification of the publishing line, as well as a few of the titles I am looking ahead to the most are the titles I suspect will be canceled first, such as JL Dark or I, Vampire. The issue DC is going to have is these titles will have a difficult time discovering an audience. Comic book stores purchase what they believe will offer for their private store as well as that is typically superheroes. many of the time they will not provide a non-traditional title, such as I, Vampire, much of a chance. as well as it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as to why it won’t sell, because sellers did not purchase it, fans cannot try it, as well as sales drop. To be fair though, DC is doing much more for sellers to get them to try these new titles as well as to stock them than practically any type of publisher has ever tried before, including TV commercials as well as a number of behind the scenes promotions. however my cynical side says, “Hey, Malibu did TV commercials as well as that did not work.” however I provide DC all the props in the world for trying as well as I hope their advertising efforts work as well as persuade sellers to provide all of these books a try for at least six months or so as well as not provide up on the title after the third issue.
All-Star Western #1
Pro: DC will no longer have writers compose stories to full six problem arcs to they will in shape well into a trade collection. Writers will be motivated to compose great stories no matter if it is one problem or 10 issues. Editorial will figure out exactly how to gather it down the road.
Con: I do not have one. I have complained about this for many years as well as I cannot praise DC extremely sufficient for lastly putting the story first.
I might go on as well as on about the pros as well as cons of this re-start, relaunch, re-boot, whatever name you choose, however my editor would get mad at me for being as well long. DC has stated various times part of the plan is to draw back 18-35 years old to comics, as well as I believe the download concept is a great very first step towards that. however my worry is you have already lost that audience to video games as well as other attractions as well as the conventional comic book will never provide them the exact same value for their money, no matter exactly how great the stories. I am likewise scared that this will alienate the older visitors who have been the backbone of the comic book market the last twenty years. I applaud DC for taking this radical step as well as trying something new, however in my cynical old age, I worry it will do much more damage than good. I hope I am wrong. comments as well as criticisms can be sent to MFBWAY@AOL.COM.
Thank you.