So, this Tuesday DC Comics made an announcement that has the internet all a buzz: At the end of August they are renumbering their entire line of comics. Everybody is getting a new #1. It's kind of like Oprah: You get a #1! You get a #1! EVERYONE GETS A #1!
Also a lot of characters are getting "new" costumes courtesy of Jim Lee. What was the last costume design he did? Wonder Woman (You know. The one with pants & the bolero jacket). Since then I've been reading some reactions of my friends (mostly on Facebook), the reaction on the Comic Book news site Comics Alliance & the announcements that DC has been posting to it's own blog: The Source.
What do I think of the renumbering? To but it bluntly: It's stupid. What follows is my own opinion. If you want some more well thought out opinion & commentary on the subject, I suggest going to the the Comics Alliance's website. I suggest going there anyways. It's pretty cool Comic Book related website.
But back to DC: 1 reason they are renumbering it is to get new readers in because the high number might seem daunting to these newbies (Action Comics just past Issue 900, Detective Comics is at Issue 878, etc.). Well, tough cookies! It's how it's been for years & That hasn't stopped people from reading comics before. I think more of the problem for people isn't coming into comics with a high number, it's where do I start? It's a problem every comic book reader has faced & one question basically every new readers has asked at least once. There is no clear answer. You ask 10 different people & you might get 10 different answers.
My answer is: Find somewhere & start there. It might not be the answer they want but it's my answer. Do some research, ask people what out there, find something you like & start reading there. Then expand out. Read what's new, what's old. Enjoy the spectrum comics has to offer!
It might seem daunting but look through the back issue bins at a Comic Book store or attending a Comic Book Convention & look through those bins! There is more then 50 years worth of comics to look for, find, read & enjoy! You are bound to find something you like but that old stuff: What about new stuff?
Well, it's a similar story. Look at what's out there. Find your local comic book store & browse the shelves, look at what's there. Ask the people who work there. They can help you. If you don't live in area that has a comic book store: go online! Read up on what's out there & buy something. From Amazon, Barnes & Noble or the best I've found for buying single issues comics: mycomicshop.com. I'm always amazed at what they have. They sell new (& old) comics. They will ship them to your house! Find a place a comic that interests you & read it. Then, find another & another & another. :)
Also, you don't need to read every issue to understand what going on. You don't need to start at Action Comics #1 to understand what is happening to Superman in Action Comics #900. Most people know who & what Superman is about. Most people have some understanding on who many of the Super Heroes out there are. And if you don't, a simple search on the Internet should tell you all you need to know is a few sentences.
Relabeling a book with a #1 number has been done many times before. Most of the time is to get people to read your book because it's a good "jumping on point" but it's also a "good jumping off Point" for people who had been reading the books before the renumbering. The better idea is keep the older numbering on put something on the cover about it being a good jumping on point, a new storyline is starting, something other then a just a renumbering.
People who have read the announcement might be saying "But Brian: you are thinking about the other part of the announcement. What about the digital publishing?" The "going back to #1" factors into that & it's that the mostly the reason why they are doing it. They think it'll look at lot better in the digital marketplace having Superman #1 then Superman #715. But I think most people would be wise enough to that a Superman comic (a character who has been since 1938) would have a large number of issues associated with it. Also, in the information associated with the comic that could say it's a great jumping point for new readers.
There! No need for renumbering!
I'll be back with another post about the recostuming of DC.
Until then: Stay Jazzy!
- Brian
2 comments:
I really think it’s just a stunt. I mean 52 new books? Why not 43 or 29 or 56? Why the exact number for alternate universe at DC? I think it’s a fake reboot tied into a Crisis story. They’ll bring it all back.
Well, it is a stunt. I think most people can see that. Most things done in comics are stunts. :)
I also thought the having the number of relaunched titles be exactly 52 was kind of suspicious. They are adding a number of new books as part of this reboot. Are they doing that to get it to that number or did they just happen to reach that number accidently? I say the first option is more likely.
As for it being a Crisis tied in reboot: I'm not sure. They didn't reboot after Final Crisis (which they could have) & there isn't one going on at the moment unless you consider Flashpoint to be a Crisis story.
As for bringing it back: it all comes back eventually. :)
Thanks for replying!
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