DC reboot

[Missy]

Bleeding Cool has started a DeadPool, and it could be fun to do something similar here, so here's the list BC has:

But rather than debate the pros and cons endlessly, we though we’d put out money where our mouth and organise a deadpool. From the list, make your choices…

1. Which book will first skip its solicited week of shipping?

2. Which book will first have a mismatch between digital and print availablity?

3. Which book will first skip the month it is solicited in?

4. Which book will first feature an unsolicited fill-in?

5. Which book will be cancelled first?

Despite solicitations, Rags Morales will not be drawing Action Comics #2. Instead, Brent Anderson will be the artist.

[tglancy]

1. Which book will first skip its solicited week of shipping? Justice League

2. Which book will first have a mismatch between digital and print availablity? Justice League

3. Which book will first skip the month it is solicited in? Justice League

4. Which book will first feature an unsolicited fill-in? We know this one.

5. Which book will be cancelled first? Something from the Dark or Edge groups. Grifter maybe. Or the Western one.

[Missy]

5. Which book will be cancelled first? Something from the Dark or Edge groups. Grifter maybe. Or the Western one.

It'll be All-Star Westerns. Supposedly the orders are exceptionally low, and the price increase from $2.99 to $3.99 isn't helping.

[SuaveStar]

5. Which book will be cancelled first? Something from the Dark or Edge groups. Grifter maybe. Or the Western one.

It'll be All-Star Westerns. Supposedly the orders are exceptionally low, and the price increase from $2.99 to $3.99 isn't helping.

To be fair, Jonah Hex sold poorly, but still got 60-70 issues in it's current run.

Rags Morales already dropping out of Action Comics is a shame, but at least DC is keeping to it's word and trying to stop delays in books.

So, updating the list:

1. Which book will first skip its solicited week of shipping?

2. Which book will first have a mismatch between digital and print availablity?

3. Which book will first skip the month it is solicited in?

4. Which book will first feature an unsolicited fill-in?

5. Which book will be cancelled first?

Edited August 9, 2011 by SuaveStar

[Missy]

Rags Morales already dropping out of Action Comics is a shame, but at least DC is keeping to it's word and trying to stop delays in books.

This might only be a one-issue change. Until we hear more, we can't assume Rags is off the comic completely.

[SuaveStar]

Rags Morales already dropping out of Action Comics is a shame, but at least DC is keeping to it's word and trying to stop delays in books.

This might only be a one-issue change. Until we hear more, we can't assume Rags is off the comic completely.

You have a point. The problem is, this isn't the 5th, 6th or 7th issue in the series, it's the 2nd, which is not a good sign for him being able to put the book out monthly, and on time.

[dc20willsave]

So, looking at the Batman #3 cover, it's obvious that Mike and Dan need to cover that issue for Grumpy Old Fans along with a Spider-Man comic featuring the Spider-Man villain White Rabbit.

[Missy]

Here's something to ponder: If they didn't give their creators enough lead time to draw the first and second issues, how will they ever catch up to create monthly books and / or consistent storylines?

[Dan]

Yeah, needing a fill-in artist on the second issue is not the signal they want to be sending. Of course, I like Brent Anderson and think he needs more high profile work, so I'm not complaining too much.

[SuaveStar]

Yeah, needing a fill-in artist on the second issue is not the signal they want to be sending. Of course, I like Brent Anderson and think he needs more high profile work, so I'm not complaining too much.

Isn't he doing the new Astro City series in October for DC?

Here's something to ponder: If they didn't give their creators enough lead time to draw the first and second issues, how will they ever catch up to create monthly books and / or consistent storylines?

The only book that I think has been given enough lead time to stop fill-in artist delays is Batwoman, which has had since last November (When did #0 come out?) to be written and drawn by JHWIII.

I think DC will have to break their "No more delays" promise before the end of the year, with at least two books, but I still have to commend them on actually trying to get the books out on time. I just wished they'd find a happy medium between putting out quality books, and having them come out on time.

[Dan]

I think DC will have to break their "No more delays" promise before the end of the year, with at least two books, but I still have to commend them on actually trying to get the books out on time. I just wished they'd find a happy medium between putting out quality books, and having them come out on time.

I know Jim Shooter had a STRICT "no delays" policy at Marvel and ALWAYS had a fill-in issue ready to go if there was even a HINT that the next month's issue might not come out on time. Maybe DC is going to do the same thing.

[tglancy]

They are advertising books with art by Jim Lee AND Rob Liefeld. That right there pretty much assured me that they will be breaking their no delay promise.

[SuaveStar]

Dark #3 cover previews.

Villain series covers

Again, most of these aren't that good to me, and they don't make me say "I like that cover, I might give the comic a look."

The Deathstroke cover in particular, is bloody awful.

[Dan]

Rags Morales now posts “The only truth to the rumor is that Brent has 5 pages, and that’s it. I had to make time for 29 pages of the first issue.”

So there we have it. Brent Anderson drawing five pages of issue 2, Rags drawing the other fifteen, and onto issue 3…

[SuaveStar]

Rags Morales now posts “The only truth to the rumor is that Brent has 5 pages, and that’s it. I had to make time for 29 pages of the first issue.”

So there we have it. Brent Anderson drawing five pages of issue 2, Rags drawing the other fifteen, and onto issue 3…

And I've fixed my Deadpool post with that information. I don't think partial fill-ins count.

[Mister R]

My question(s) are this:

With all of the re-booting and re-numbering going on, how easy would it be for a novice (like me) to get into these titles?

I do have an understanding of some of the characters based on the television (live-action and animated) and films that were based on their books. But as far as individual back stories go, I'm a bit lost.

The other question, is this:

Is this a tabula rosa, in terms of story? Are we starting with a complete blank slate here? If so that is fine. However, if there are lingering continuity or story-lines from the other books, would I need to read them in order to understand what is going on with the new stuff?

[Guest]

With all of the re-booting and re-numbering going on, how easy would it be for a novice (like me) to get into these titles?

In theory, they're supposed to be super easy to get into now, as people like you are the target audience for this.

Is this a tabula rosa, in terms of story? Are we starting with a complete blank slate here? If so that is fine. However, if there are lingering continuity or story-lines from the other books, would I need to read them in order to understand what is going on with the new stuff?

That's where it gets tricky. Some books, like Green Lantern, are remaining pretty untouched, others are being heavily changed, and some are being wiped out entirely. It's kind of a mess, honestly.

[Missy]

The plan is to make their comics fully accessible to new readers. However, some bits of continuity are being held over in the Batman and Green Lantern comics.

[Venneh]

Welcome to the forums, Mr R!

It's not so much a tabula rasa as it is a selective pick and choose from character's histories, as far as I can tell. I don't know how accessible the #1s are going to be, I haven't really seen that much in terms of previews beyond JL #1.

So, right now, the best I can give you is ??, sadly.

[Mister R]

With all of the re-booting and re-numbering going on, how easy would it be for a novice (like me) to get into these titles?

In theory, they're supposed to be super easy to get into now, as people like you are the target audience for this.

Is this a tabula rosa, in terms of story? Are we starting with a complete blank slate here? If so that is fine. However, if there are lingering continuity or story-lines from the other books, would I need to read them in order to understand what is going on with the new stuff?

That's where it gets tricky. Some books, like Green Lantern, are remaining pretty untouched, others are being heavily changed, and some are being wiped out entirely. It's kind of a mess, honestly.

Glad to know I'm wanted in someone's demographic.

That' s what I've been seeing. Hence the confusion.

The plan is to make their comics fully accessible to new readers. However, some bits of continuity are being held over in the Batman and Green Lantern comics.

I guess that wouldn't be too bad. But there is going to be some poor reader who is confused when a C-list villian shows up. Lol.

Welcome to the forums, Mr R!

It's not so much a tabula rasa as it is a selective pick and choose from character's histories, as far as I can tell. I don't know how accessible the #1s are going to be, I haven't really seen that much in terms of previews beyond JL #1.

So, right now, the best I can give you is ??, sadly.

The most I've seen is the cover art of the #1s. That's it. I am going to get the JLA one, since I do like the Justice League, but I hope I'm not in for a world of confusion here.

And hello to you as well.

[Dread]

So, what I've heard from the panel podcasts is that there is a five year timeline and the books take place in different spectrums across that timeline (Action #1 is 5 years ago and Superman #1 is now). That's a pretty confusing way to start things.

[SuaveStar]

My question(s) are this:

With all of the re-booting and re-numbering going on, how easy would it be for a novice (like me) to get into these titles?

I do have an understanding of some of the characters based on the television (live-action and animated) and films that were based on their books. But as far as individual back stories go, I'm a bit lost.

The other question, is this:

Is this a tabula rosa, in terms of story? Are we starting with a complete blank slate here? If so that is fine. However, if there are lingering continuity or story-lines from the other books, would I need to read them in order to understand what is going on with the new stuff?

Everyone else has already given some indication, but here's what I say:

Get Justice League #1, that should introduce you to the new Universe, and because it comes out a week before anything else, you can read it and say "I quite like Green Lantern/Batman/Wonder Woman/Superman. I'll read more of their stories in their own books." Geoff Johns is writing it, so it should be quite accesible, but still be enjoyable to old DC readers. Which is what they want.

Also, if possible, just take the time to go to your comic shop, and flip through the books, and decide which ones will take your interest. DC is usually quite good about having preview pages posted on their blog (DC Source, google that, and you should get the blog) you can look at the preview pages and decide if the book is worth your time from that.

Don't go into the books thinking you will be caught up in serious continuity, and just go in wanting to read a good story, and you should be fine.

Also, don't forget to look back at this thread and every comic you've read in 2011, to see forum members post what they think of the books as they come out, to gauge if the books will be interesting to you or not.

Welcome to the forums as well Mister R.

[KnightWing]

It seems like pretty much all the books are going to start from a new point, even if they're holding on to continuity. The only ones that take place in the past (aside from the medieval- or western-era stories) are Action Comics and Justice League, since those are doing origin stories for the first several issues.

It seems like the only thing you might want to avoid at this point is Green Lantern, since everything we've heard from that seems to indicate that it's just the start of a new "season" rather than a new series, so it won't be any easier to jump into.

The Batman books are keeping most of their continuity from before, but it looks like they're all starting at a new point storyline-wise, and it wouldn't take much for them to explain all the important stuff for each book.

"I'm Batman. I fight alongside the newest Robin, who's also my son."

"I'm Dick Grayson. I was the original Robin, then I became Nightwing, then I took over as Batman for a year. Now I'm Nightwing again."

"I'm Barbara Gordon. I was Batgirl, but then I got paralyzed by the Joker. Now I can walk again, apparently."

So, aside from GL, it seems like everything is fair game. If, by chance, there is something you get confused by, there's always Wikipedia, or you can ask us. We're usually friendly.

[Mister R]

My question(s) are this:

With all of the re-booting and re-numbering going on, how easy would it be for a novice (like me) to get into these titles?

I do have an understanding of some of the characters based on the television (live-action and animated) and films that were based on their books. But as far as individual back stories go, I'm a bit lost.

The other question, is this:

Is this a tabula rosa, in terms of story? Are we starting with a complete blank slate here? If so that is fine. However, if there are lingering continuity or story-lines from the other books, would I need to read them in order to understand what is going on with the new stuff?

Everyone else has already given some indication, but here's what I say:

Get Justice League #1, that should introduce you to the new Universe, and because it comes out a week before anything else, you can read it and say "I quite like Green Lantern/Batman/Wonder Woman/Superman. I'll read more of their stories in their own books." Geoff Johns is writing it, so it should be quite accessible, but still be enjoyable to old DC readers. Which is what they want.

Also, if possible, just take the time to go to your comic shop, and flip through the books, and decide which ones will take your interest. DC is usually quite good about having preview pages posted on their blog (DC Source, google that, and you should get the blog) you can look at the preview pages and decide if the book is worth your time from that.

Don't go into the books thinking you will be caught up in serious continuity, and just go in wanting to read a good story, and you should be fine.

Also, don't forget to look back at this thread and every comic you've read in 2011, to see forum members post what they think of the books as they come out, to gauge if the books will be interesting to you or not.

Welcome to the forums as well Mister R.

Hello there! Thank you for the welcome. The advice you have given me is pretty much what I've told my sister. She wants to get into Green Arrow & The Spectre (The Jim Corrigan version) after we viewed the DC Showcase shorts on the newest animated films.

It is really good advice. But like you said, it is easier to focus on the stories and not the continuity.

I will definitely be back in this thread as well.

It seems like pretty much all the books are going to start from a new point, even if they're holding on to continuity. The only ones that take place in the past (aside from the medieval- or western-era stories) are Action Comics and Justice League, since those are doing origin stories for the first several issues.

It seems like the only thing you might want to avoid at this point is Green Lantern, since everything we've heard from that seems to indicate that it's just the start of a new "season" rather than a new series, so it won't be any easier to jump into.

The Batman books are keeping most of their continuity from before, but it looks like they're all starting at a new point storyline-wise, and it wouldn't take much for them to explain all the important stuff for each book.

"I'm Batman. I fight alongside the newest Robin, who's also my son."

"I'm Dick Grayson. I was the original Robin, then I became Nightwing, then I took over as Batman for a year. Now I'm Nightwing again."

"I'm Barbara Gordon. I was Batgirl, but then I got paralyzed by the Joker. Now I can walk again, apparently."

So, aside from GL, it seems like everything is fair game. If, by chance, there is something you get confused by, there's always Wikipedia, or you can ask us. We're usually friendly.

Thanks for the info.

And for the Bat-family, that seems about right. Lol.

I think the main issue for a lot of readers (new or old) is continuity and backlog. Continuity, because if you want to why the Joker and Batman hate each other, you should have read issue #385 or something. Backlog, because there is so much back story to have with some of these characters.

That being said, I don't mind the reboot. I am looking forward to starting fresh. I just hope that this doesn't blow up in their faces or something.

Also, the lot of you have been extremely nice so far.

[SuaveStar]

If your sister still wants to get into Green Arrow and The Spectre, I've heard the Jim Ostrander Spectre run is meant to be fantastic, though it is not traded, and would involve looking for back issues.

Green Arrow on the other hand is easier. Read the Green Arrow series by Kevin Smith, and just continue with that series in the trades, the writer goes from Smith, to Brad Meltzer to Judd Winnick, who all love Green Arrow. Smith's run is just two trades, so not to much to get into, but still a fantastic read, with a great story.

She would need to know small things about Green Arrow, like that he was dead when the series starts, and his son Connor, who he barely knew is the current Green Arrow, and Ollie is just coming back to life, and he has a grown up sidekick, who has a daughter and has dealt with drug issues in his past before joining the Justice League and becoming his own hero.

I'm starting to get why DC wants to simplify their comics now.