Much of the comic book world shook with god-like righteous indignation when DC COMICS announced their plans to relaunch, renumber and reimagine
EVERY SINGLE COMIC BOOK in the DCU line-up and streamline them down to 52 titles. Comic shops around the country gave out copies of
DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 #1 on Wednesday, giving fans yet another window into a world that is familiar yet totally different.
But in my opinion...equally
sad.
I've pulled out various quotes from this book that I'd like to address. As follows:
52:
"Not only will this initiative be compelling for existing readers, it will give new readers a precise entry point into our universe."
Me:
MARVEL'S disaster HEROES REBORN titles, which all lasted 13 issues, wasn't compelling, and I have yet to see how this will be overall. And as far as giving new readers a precise entry point? How many entry points do they want to give us? Any #0 from ZERO HOUR? 52?? Countdown?? Any number of reprinted trades or hardcovers??? Please.From 52:
Jim Lee says ..."Justice League #1" is really the ultimate book. Me:
Exactly. It would be like Marvel's ULTIMATE universe, had Marvel cancelled all their mainstream titles and went all "Ultimate".From 52:
Francis Manapul says about FLASH #1: "If you don't know who Barry Allen is, and who the Flash is, then this is the perfect comic for you."Me:
I have news for you, sir. Comic readers who don't know who Barry Allen is AREN'T going to pick up the book, and the ones that did and didn't care in the first place STILL aren't going to buy FLASH #1. I've been picking up the book because I KNOW who Barry Allen is.Finally, from 52,
Grant Morrison says: "We want to do a take on Superman that's so different that noone can expect what might happen next."Me:
And so different that readers who love Superman will be so disenchanted with the changes (like...say...blue jeans and a cape) that they stop buying the book at issue #3.Another thing that concerns me is the number of ARTISTS that appear to be given writing chores on many of these books...such as the aforementioned Francis Manapul, Scott McDaniel, and George Perez to name a few. Can they not only fill the shoes but wear the hat as well? We'll see.
I didn't pick this book for review because I think it'll be particularly valuable in the future, but because it could make
you decide whether or not to continue to buy DC COMICS after the NEW 52 are released...which could save you hundreds of dollars. I'm also curious to find out if DC stayed true to form and created a digital version of this book for download, a tactic they intend to use on every NEW DC 52 title as well.
You can still pick this book up at many local comic book stores for free, and you can see this comic for yourself at ComicCollectorLive.com. Simply type "New 52" in the library search and you're off and ready to go.