Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DC Relaunch! Starting Over at #1


Wow. I had JUST been coming around to the idea that DC was relaunching their titles at #1, but this. Wow. We don't know much, but we know some after USA Today broke the story on the relaunch of the DCU.

So here's what we know. Geoff Johns and Jim Lee are launching a new Justice League title, and it looks like it will feature re-imagined, revamped characters. The dreaded words "a more modern and diverse 21st century" certainly carry a lot of weight! I have no problem with diversity, but this looks to me like the type of revamp that tosses out the old continuity. It seems Johns' Flashpoint series is going to change, well, everything about the old DCU.

And this is a huge change. Over 50 issue ones are shipping in September. That's a wholesale gamble on a scale I can't believe. DC better be darn sure that the core fanboy market is willing to make this leap. Geoff Johns and Jim Lee are banking on new readers outnumbering the folks who jump away.

I'm fascinated at the implications of the digital releases. DC is going to release these books digitally on the same day they appear in the store. As a new Android tablet owner, I love the concept, but if the prices aren't lower, I don't see how it will make a difference to most consumers. The problem is, if the price is lower, then DC is spitting in the face of the direct market.

Obviously, we'll know more when the new solicits come out, but I've gone from interested to worried. This may be a good jumping off point for me. But thinking about it, maybe that's ok. There should be accessible versions of these characters out there for my kids, it just means that my era of DC might be over.

We'll see!

5 comments:

Jeff said...

I'm a lifelong DC fan, but my interest over the last few years has been waning. There are still some titles I love (Batman Inc., Detective), but for the most part, my interest has leaned more Marvel in the last couple years.

This has pushed me all the way in that direction. I really don't see myself going through yet another DC relaunch. Marvel doesn't relaunch every five years, so that's where I think I'm going to be hanging out now.

Home Inspector Expert said...

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.

Timbotron said...

I see both your points. I want to get excited. Johns on JLA? Morrison on Superman? Sounds awesome! But not if Superman is a kid and the JLA is forming for the first time in September (and without the Martian Manhunter).

Reno said...

But why do they all have collars?!?!

Timbotron said...

JLC! Justice League of Collars!