DC Reboots Universe 292
An anonymous reader writes "Bob Wayne, Senior Vice President of Sales at DC Comics, has written to comic book retailers saying: '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, some characters are going to be younger, some may be missing, relationships are being changed, and Grant Morrison will pen a new Superman title."
Re:Old fans (Score:4, Informative)
"Sounds like a good way to alienate old fans."
This is DC. Disregard Continuity. They were official labeling all their Golden Age characters as "from Earth 2" (Earth 1 being home to the new version who got to stick around) when Marvel was really starting to take off. Plus, DC also has the most successful elseworlds/what if books. Their characters are brands, so small changes don't really phase fans much. New Batman versus old Batman vs. golden age Batman vs. cowboy Batman vs Batman who fights Aliens and Predator are all basically batman. The stories, minor characteristics, and supporting characters all change from writer to writer anyway. I dare say there is no fanbase that would be affected less by such a major change.
Ignoring the real impact. (Score:5, Informative)
Everyone is looking at this and missing the real story. Yesterday's article had the following statement, which will have much greater impact on the industry.
"The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 will also launch digital day-and-date for all ongoing superhero comic book titles - an industry first."
Digital download, available the same day as the paper copies. Why buy a hard copy when you can read it on your PC /.phone/ tablet / whatever?
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32563
Re:Old fans (Score:3, Informative)
If you're going to reboot a universe, do it like Doctor Who did it, and not like Star Trek.
Yeah, Star Trek was a huge, unmitigated disaster that made $385 million in gross revenue. I can see how a corporation would find the Doctor Who model much more attractive.