DC Universe Relaunch
May 31, 2011 - 6:46pm
WTF???
http://www.sidekickcomics.ca/blog/rob/dc-universe-ending-and-then-restarting
Just thought I'd share this.
A LETTER ON THE DC UNIVERSE AND SEPTEMBER 2011
To our comics retail partners,
In the time I've worked at DC Comics, I've witnessed any number of industry defining moments. But today, I bring you what is perhaps the biggest news to date.
Many of you have heard rumors that DC Comics has been working on a big publishing initiative for later this year. This is indeed an historic time for us as, come this September, we are relaunching the entire DC Universe line of comic books with all new first issues. 52 of them to be exact.
In addition, the new #1s will introduce readers to a more modern, diverse DC Universe, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations, interactions, tragedy and triumph.
This epic event will kick off on Wednesday, August 31st with the debut of a brand new JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, which pairs Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, together for the first time. (Yes, this is the same week as FLASHPOINT #5.)
We think our current fans will be excited by this evolution, and that it will make jumping into the story extremely accessible to first-time readers - giving them a chance to discover DC's characters and stories.
We are positioning ourselves to tell the most innovative stories with our characters to allow fans to see them from a new angle. We have taken great care in maintaining continuity where most important, but fans will see a new approach to our storytelling.
Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes. Our characters are always being updated; however, this is the first time all of our characters will be presented in a new way all at once.
Dan DiDio, Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza have been working diligently to pull together some of the best creative teams in the industry. Over 50 new costumes will debut in September, many updated and designed by artist Jim Lee, ensuring that the updated images appeal to the current generation of readers.
The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 will also launch digital day-and-date for all ongoing superhero comic book titles - an industry first.
On Wednesday, June 1st, this initiative is expected to be announced in a nationwide feature article, and we're hopeful the news will be picked up by media outlets around the world. Throughout the month we'll reveal more details of our plans with articles in both the mainstream and comics press and on June 13th the Diamond catalog solicitations for all of the September titles will be released, followed by the June 29th street date of the print version of Previews.
DC Comics will support this initiative with an innovative mix of publicity, promotional efforts and retailer incentives designed to maximize your opportunity to increase your DC sales. We will discuss additional details of these incentives when we get closer to solicitation later in June.
We'll be updating you more through email as September nears. But today, I hope your share our enthusiasm for this historic news!
Sincerely,
Bob Wayne
SVP, Sales
DC Entertainment
http://www.sidekickcomics.ca/blog/rob/dc-universe-ending-and-then-restarting
Just thought I'd share this.
A LETTER ON THE DC UNIVERSE AND SEPTEMBER 2011
To our comics retail partners,
In the time I've worked at DC Comics, I've witnessed any number of industry defining moments. But today, I bring you what is perhaps the biggest news to date.
Many of you have heard rumors that DC Comics has been working on a big publishing initiative for later this year. This is indeed an historic time for us as, come this September, we are relaunching the entire DC Universe line of comic books with all new first issues. 52 of them to be exact.
In addition, the new #1s will introduce readers to a more modern, diverse DC Universe, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations, interactions, tragedy and triumph.
This epic event will kick off on Wednesday, August 31st with the debut of a brand new JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, which pairs Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, together for the first time. (Yes, this is the same week as FLASHPOINT #5.)
We think our current fans will be excited by this evolution, and that it will make jumping into the story extremely accessible to first-time readers - giving them a chance to discover DC's characters and stories.
We are positioning ourselves to tell the most innovative stories with our characters to allow fans to see them from a new angle. We have taken great care in maintaining continuity where most important, but fans will see a new approach to our storytelling.
Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes. Our characters are always being updated; however, this is the first time all of our characters will be presented in a new way all at once.
Dan DiDio, Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza have been working diligently to pull together some of the best creative teams in the industry. Over 50 new costumes will debut in September, many updated and designed by artist Jim Lee, ensuring that the updated images appeal to the current generation of readers.
The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 will also launch digital day-and-date for all ongoing superhero comic book titles - an industry first.
On Wednesday, June 1st, this initiative is expected to be announced in a nationwide feature article, and we're hopeful the news will be picked up by media outlets around the world. Throughout the month we'll reveal more details of our plans with articles in both the mainstream and comics press and on June 13th the Diamond catalog solicitations for all of the September titles will be released, followed by the June 29th street date of the print version of Previews.
DC Comics will support this initiative with an innovative mix of publicity, promotional efforts and retailer incentives designed to maximize your opportunity to increase your DC sales. We will discuss additional details of these incentives when we get closer to solicitation later in June.
We'll be updating you more through email as September nears. But today, I hope your share our enthusiasm for this historic news!
Sincerely,
Bob Wayne
SVP, Sales
DC Entertainment
May 31, 2011 - 10:43pm
#2
The silver age was ushered in by the Flash (Barry Allen) its oddly appropriate that Barry Allen usher in a new age again.
Great googly moogly, what's been going on over there?
June 1, 2011 - 6:40am
#3
Yeah... some of the podcasters I'm networked with have been discussing this via Tiwtter. Lots of different reactions, of course.
Most of us are a bit jaded and cynical of the marketing machine, some of us are afraid to lose our favourite heroes or versions thereof, some are just resistant to change, and some are looking forward to it if it means better written stories.
I'm not convinced of any of these points, personally... looks like more of a stunt that could actually lose them a lot of market share after the initial surge in sales while everyone checks things out. Either way, there's no going back and we'll have to see where things stand in six months or so.
Most of us are a bit jaded and cynical of the marketing machine, some of us are afraid to lose our favourite heroes or versions thereof, some are just resistant to change, and some are looking forward to it if it means better written stories.
I'm not convinced of any of these points, personally... looks like more of a stunt that could actually lose them a lot of market share after the initial surge in sales while everyone checks things out. Either way, there's no going back and we'll have to see where things stand in six months or so.
June 1, 2011 - 7:08am
#4
Yeah... some of the podcasters I'm networked with have been discussing this via Tiwtter. Lots of different reactions, of course.
Most of us are a bit jaded and cynical of the marketing machine, some of us are afraid to lose our favourite heroes or versions thereof, some are just resistant to change, and some are looking forward to it if it means better written stories.
I'm not convinced of any of these points, personally... looks like more of a stunt that could actually lose them a lot of market share after the initial surge in sales while everyone checks things out. Either way, there's no going back and we'll have to see where things stand in six months or so.
Most of us are a bit jaded and cynical of the marketing machine, some of us are afraid to lose our favourite heroes or versions thereof, some are just resistant to change, and some are looking forward to it if it means better written stories.
I'm not convinced of any of these points, personally... looks like more of a stunt that could actually lose them a lot of market share after the initial surge in sales while everyone checks things out. Either way, there's no going back and we'll have to see where things stand in six months or so.
Yeah, I'm having all of the feelings above. Part of me is excited to see what they come up with, part of me is upset that all the characters and storylines I've been following since I was a kid are being put to rest, but mostly I feel like this will only be a huge marketing stunt and after a year or so, everything will revert back to status quo. In any case, if they really cancel such long running titles as Action Comics and Detective Comics, I'll be pretty sad. Action just got to #900 and I was looking forward to the milestone 1,000th issue in a few years.
June 1, 2011 - 7:40am
#5
That was a shared sentiment... if they renumber 52 of their titles, they should do everything they can to not renumber Action and Detective. Those two books are unique in comic history. It would be like tearing down a historic building, not because there's something wrong with it, but simply to put up some marketing billboards.
It's a little confusing what they mean by trying to keep continuity while starting everything over... I'm still not sure how that one works. If it is a true reboot, and not just a costume redesign and book renumbering, then they can't really go back without another complete reset later.... ugh!
It's a little confusing what they mean by trying to keep continuity while starting everything over... I'm still not sure how that one works. If it is a true reboot, and not just a costume redesign and book renumbering, then they can't really go back without another complete reset later.... ugh!
June 1, 2011 - 8:15am
#6
What do you think of the 'new costumes'?
Looks like Ryan Reynolds and Adrianne Palicki costumes a bit for those two.
Not sure why Johns is so hot for Cyborg right now. He's a significant part of both Flashpoint and Justice League.
Also, while WW, Supes, GL, and Aquaman all look younger, Cyborg doesn't...... If they took out WW and GL and replaced them with Canary and Green Arrow I would think this was the Smallville League.
Looks like Ryan Reynolds and Adrianne Palicki costumes a bit for those two.
Not sure why Johns is so hot for Cyborg right now. He's a significant part of both Flashpoint and Justice League.
Also, while WW, Supes, GL, and Aquaman all look younger, Cyborg doesn't...... If they took out WW and GL and replaced them with Canary and Green Arrow I would think this was the Smallville League.
June 1, 2011 - 8:26am
#7
Most of us are a bit jaded and cynical of the marketing machine, some of us are afraid to lose our favourite heroes or versions thereof, some are just resistant to change, and some are looking forward to it if it means better written stories.
I'm definitely experiencing every one of those emotions.DC still has an image of being, old, and boring, and while most of that image is undeserved in 2011 they still haven't been able to gain market share. They've been second to Marvel in market share and revenue pretty much forever, including the 90s when Marvel was murdering the industry and DC was creating Vertigo.
I agree that Action and Detective should not be renumbered. Issue renumbering is an old marketing trick that most long-time comics readers recognize as such. New number ones bring in new fans and cause controversy, then the next time the series would have reached a numbering milestone they return to the old numbering to get another hit of sales. Rinse, repeat.
Fanboy nitpicking: Why does every male hero have that collar? It looked good on Aquaman, mostly because no one else wore it.
June 1, 2011 - 8:31am
#8
Technically, if you don't nitpick, wouldn't you end up with something even lousier?
June 1, 2011 - 8:57am
#9
Technically, if you don't nitpick, wouldn't you end up with something even lousier?
Wow, that's a really bad... actually that's pretty clever. Carry on!
June 1, 2011 - 9:07am
#10
Heheheheheh... my 'best' comments seem to get that mixed reaction! 
June 1, 2011 - 9:09am
#11
More news is trickling in...
From Comic Book Resources:
Grant Morrison on Superman? Color me interested.
From Comic Book Resources:
Included in the 52 series will be:
A new title starring Superman written by Grant Morrison.
Birds of Prey #1 - This new ongoing series will not feature the work of longtime "BoP" writer Gail Simone. In fact, many tried and true approaches to books will be getting a second look at DC in September.
Teen Titans #1 - The new start for the teen team will be written by "Red Robin" scribe Fabian Nicieza.
Justice Society of America #1 - Only one of a number of current titles that will welcome a creative team shift, the future of the original superhero team will apparently not involve current writer Marc Guggenheim.
Wonder Woman #1 - Don't expect the recent changes from writer J. Michael Straczynski to stick when the Amazing Amazon sees another new #1 hit.
Green Lantern #1 - Even with a new #1, Green Lantern remains in Johns' hands, and readers can expect the effects of major crossovers like "Blackest Night" to stay in place moving forward.
Hawkman #1 - While fans have known a "Hawkman" series by James Robinson has been in the works since the writer mentioned it on a panel at New York Comic Con, Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston has been reporting the rumor that the book will be drawn by "Batman & Robin" and "Outsiders" artist Philip Tan.
Aquaman #1 - No surprises here. The already announced series featuring the sea king by Johns and Ivan Reis will be part of the relaunch wave.
The other seismic shakeup that remains unconfirmed is whether long-standing titles "Action Comics" and "Detective Comics" would also renumber with brand new first issues. However, at this time, CBR has found no confirmation one way or the other on the fate of those titles. DC Comics offered no comment on the above information.
A new title starring Superman written by Grant Morrison.
Birds of Prey #1 - This new ongoing series will not feature the work of longtime "BoP" writer Gail Simone. In fact, many tried and true approaches to books will be getting a second look at DC in September.
Teen Titans #1 - The new start for the teen team will be written by "Red Robin" scribe Fabian Nicieza.
Justice Society of America #1 - Only one of a number of current titles that will welcome a creative team shift, the future of the original superhero team will apparently not involve current writer Marc Guggenheim.
Wonder Woman #1 - Don't expect the recent changes from writer J. Michael Straczynski to stick when the Amazing Amazon sees another new #1 hit.
Green Lantern #1 - Even with a new #1, Green Lantern remains in Johns' hands, and readers can expect the effects of major crossovers like "Blackest Night" to stay in place moving forward.
Hawkman #1 - While fans have known a "Hawkman" series by James Robinson has been in the works since the writer mentioned it on a panel at New York Comic Con, Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston has been reporting the rumor that the book will be drawn by "Batman & Robin" and "Outsiders" artist Philip Tan.
Aquaman #1 - No surprises here. The already announced series featuring the sea king by Johns and Ivan Reis will be part of the relaunch wave.
The other seismic shakeup that remains unconfirmed is whether long-standing titles "Action Comics" and "Detective Comics" would also renumber with brand new first issues. However, at this time, CBR has found no confirmation one way or the other on the fate of those titles. DC Comics offered no comment on the above information.
Grant Morrison on Superman? Color me interested.
June 1, 2011 - 9:34am
#12
Not enjoying the V-Collar on all the costumes. Many of the new #1s sound interesting. I'll taking a wait and see attitude on all this. At this point I don't know if I'll be picking up all 52 new issues just to try them out, or using this as an opportunity to stop collecting many titles, or something in between....
June 1, 2011 - 9:57am
#13
I've not been a big fan of what Morrison has done in the last couple of years... not completely repulsed or anything, but, not being a Superman fan anyway, this doesn't immediately capture me.
June 1, 2011 - 11:29am
#14
I'm a fan of Grant Morrison 
June 1, 2011 - 1:11pm
#15
Not enjoying the V-Collar on all the costumes.
It's tough to see on my phone, but it looks like they've all got the Nehru-jacket-thing going on in the collar, is that it?
June 1, 2011 - 2:43pm
#16
Not enjoying the V-Collar on all the costumes.
It's tough to see on my phone, but it looks like they've all got the Nehru-jacket-thing going on in the collar, is that it?
Yes. Superman, GL and Aquaman...
June 1, 2011 - 10:15pm
#17
Not enjoying the V-Collar on all the costumes.
It's tough to see on my phone, but it looks like they've all got the Nehru-jacket-thing going on in the collar, is that it?
Yes. Superman, GL and Aquaman...
That's just not fair. Big Blue got through the entire 1960s without wearing that, only to get tagged with it in 2011? Harsh.
-Gate
June 2, 2011 - 6:35pm
#18
Me and Hitler have a lot of the same thoughts...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpUh_Yl49l4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpUh_Yl49l4&feature=player_embedded
June 2, 2011 - 7:54pm
#19
June 3, 2011 - 8:48am
#20
Lots of questions as to whether or not the last few years of stories will matter.
One article said that 'Blackest Night' will stick but other semi-significant story arcs will not.
I assume that means they're sticking with the different coloured lanterns, etc.
Hard to say if Batman Inc will or won't be one of the items that 'stick'.
Also looks like the Firestorm setup is new but is the combination we saw in Blackest Night/Brightest Day.
My issue with this is that it seems a bit random as to what gets to stay and what doesn't. It's obviously not the complete reboot that some people were hoping for and some were dreading, but yet some characters are going to be younger and have 'altered' origin stories, so there are still literally thousands of favourite characters and dozens of titles with uncertain statuses.
One article said that 'Blackest Night' will stick but other semi-significant story arcs will not.
I assume that means they're sticking with the different coloured lanterns, etc.
Hard to say if Batman Inc will or won't be one of the items that 'stick'.
Also looks like the Firestorm setup is new but is the combination we saw in Blackest Night/Brightest Day.
My issue with this is that it seems a bit random as to what gets to stay and what doesn't. It's obviously not the complete reboot that some people were hoping for and some were dreading, but yet some characters are going to be younger and have 'altered' origin stories, so there are still literally thousands of favourite characters and dozens of titles with uncertain statuses.
June 3, 2011 - 9:26am
#21
Lots of questions as to whether or not the last few years of stories will matter.
I've seen this phrase used a lot lately and it kills me. THEY'RE COMIC BOOK STORIES! OF COURSE THEY DON'T MATTER! Attention internet comic book fans: Seriously, if you enjoyed reading those stories then they matter to you. Just because those stories aren't "true" anymore doesn't mean you have to retroactively undo your enjoyment of them. They can't "reboot" the pleasure you got from reading comics for the last few years.
June 3, 2011 - 10:03am
#22
There are fundamental things about a person's favourite characters that they don't want to see changed and right now we don't know how much 'playing' the new creative team will be doing. This is the kind of thing that is so subjective that for some fans the new version of the character just won't 'feel' right, even if they can't put their finger on it.
On top of that, we generally want to see our favourite characters develop over time, and be able to depend on some consistency in the the stories. For instance, in one story, Batman's parents were killed by Joe Chill and in another the killer was never caught. When Jeph Loeb writes that Metallo may have been the Wayne's killer it's like hitting a speed bump that messes up the flow of the story for me..... I wasn't aware up until that point that there had been any changes to that origin.
This is a fairly minor example, but fans right now are anxious that a bit of story or a character's trait that helps define them will be changed or removed making them an essentially different character... one that they don't find appealing.
There's no question that it doesn't ruin previous stories, but we want those previous stories to remain relevant.
On top of that, we generally want to see our favourite characters develop over time, and be able to depend on some consistency in the the stories. For instance, in one story, Batman's parents were killed by Joe Chill and in another the killer was never caught. When Jeph Loeb writes that Metallo may have been the Wayne's killer it's like hitting a speed bump that messes up the flow of the story for me..... I wasn't aware up until that point that there had been any changes to that origin.
This is a fairly minor example, but fans right now are anxious that a bit of story or a character's trait that helps define them will be changed or removed making them an essentially different character... one that they don't find appealing.
There's no question that it doesn't ruin previous stories, but we want those previous stories to remain relevant.
June 3, 2011 - 10:10am
#23
Lots of questions as to whether or not the last few years of stories will matter.
I've seen this phrase used a lot lately and it kills me. THEY'RE COMIC BOOK STORIES! OF COURSE THEY DON'T MATTER! Attention internet comic book fans: Seriously, if you enjoyed reading those stories then they matter to you. Just because those stories aren't "true" anymore doesn't mean you have to retroactively undo your enjoyment of them. They can't "reboot" the pleasure you got from reading comics for the last few years.
I suspect people's agitation on the matter stems from reasoning that says that if some story I cared about just got retconned out of my favorite character's history, then DC must not give a damn about it, and then it's easy to start doubting, gee, why did I ever care...?
Just Devil's Advocating,
Gate
June 3, 2011 - 10:16am
#24
I suspect people's agitation on the matter stems from reasoning that says that if some story I cared about just got retconned out of my favorite character's history, then DC must not give a damn about it, and then it's easy to start doubting, gee, why did I ever care...?
Just Devil's Advocating,
Gate
Yeah... I felt that way with the current story arcs. We've been seeing some minor arcs that could mean major changes for smaller characters, but not for the DCU as a whole. We're anticipating that and that is part of the enjoyment of the story, but then this announcement comes out and we're like, "should I bother getting the last few issues if the major changes will just be 'rebooted' in a couple of months?"
The other possible reaction is, why should I care about the new stuff that's coming out if what mattered to me was removed?
June 3, 2011 - 10:31am
#25
I suspect people's agitation on the matter stems from reasoning that says that if some story I cared about just got retconned out of my favorite character's history, then DC must not give a damn about it, and then it's easy to start doubting, gee, why did I ever care...?
Just Devil's Advocating,
Gate
Yeah... I felt that way with the current story arcs. We've been seeing some minor arcs that could mean major changes for smaller characters, but not for the DCU as a whole. We're anticipating that and that is part of the enjoyment of the story, but then this announcement comes out and we're like, "should I bother getting the last few issues if the major changes will just be 'rebooted' in a couple of months?"
The other possible reaction is, why should I care about the new stuff that's coming out if what mattered to me was removed?
I agree. I think I will probably try out a few titles of some characters who haven't had their own series in a while, such as Aquaman and Firestorm, but I'll probably use this relauch as a jumping off point for most of the titles I've been buying out of habit.
June 3, 2011 - 10:35am
#26
Yeah... I'm cancelling all DC stuff not as a way to say "Screw you DC!" but as a way for me to re-evaluate what stories and characters I really want to follow come September. If they want it to be a new start, that's exactly what it will be.
They may loose some of my monthly cash simply because I wasn't following the JL, Supes, Batman, etc., but more obscure characters that may or may not make the cut....
They may loose some of my monthly cash simply because I wasn't following the JL, Supes, Batman, etc., but more obscure characters that may or may not make the cut....
June 3, 2011 - 10:37am
#27
More info.
There will be Four Green Lantern titles as part of the relauch. Personally, not excited.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32612
There will be Four Green Lantern titles as part of the relauch. Personally, not excited.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32612
June 3, 2011 - 10:39am
#28
So far, I'm interested in giving Aquaman, Hawkman, Firestorm, Mr. Terrific and possibly the DC Comics Presents a chance.
June 3, 2011 - 11:44am
#29
I'll take a look at the GL: New Guardians. Kyle has always been my GL but the stories can sometimes be a little too dry or a little too dependent on the other GL titles.
June 3, 2011 - 12:46pm
#30
I should probably stop hoping for a new Ambush Bug ongoing, shouldn't I?
I knew the end of Flashpoint would bring some crazy shit but a universal reboot? Wow.
Makes sense, though. The silver age was ushered in by the Flash (Barry Allen) its oddly appropriate that Barry Allen usher in a new age again.
Stop American Censorship!