DC Relaunch Story Discussions ONLY (no market info or spec)

[Draco]

SO underwhelmed by DC so far... but that is no surprise as I am not a DC fan (only like Batman, but not enough to like JLA or the JLI).



I am still hoping I get another company to really like but aahhh.... not so much.

I hope the DC fans out there are happy but I wonder... are they ? WHAT is making these books so special ? And will anything in these books becoming an enduring thing ?

I dont think overall that any of the books are special, just that the new start point itself is exciting and a fair few people got carried away ensuring they get 1st prints on some key titles.
DC was considered unapproachable in terms of continuity and sheer volume of pasts events to absorb, so this whole New DC 52 is naturally right up alot of peoples street, easily accessible and more user friendly than at any point since 1985.
I can see that not all the titles rec's praise, even some of the key titles rec'd average feedback from hardcore loyal long term fans, but we have seen only a glimpse so far. In 3 to six months we will know if their is an overall quality to the DCU and then we might have a winner on our hands or just someone else like Marvel putting out too man books that no one really gives two hoots about, hopefully there will still be some winners regardless.

[400yrs]

I hope the DC fans out there are happy but I wonder... are they ?

I think they are very happy. How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

WHAT is making these books so special ? And will anything in these books becoming an enduring thing ?

I haven't read every book, but from what I see so far, not really.

The Auntee monitor thing or whatever she is called has me worried that she is the trick they are going to use to revert everything back to the old ways 8 months from now if interest wanes. I still don't know what she is and I haven't seen her in any of the books, but the only ones that seem to care about it are hard core DC fans. I thought the idea behind these books was to drop all the old continuity quagmires that came with DC, but I guess not.

[ian_house]

I hope the DC fans out there are happy but I wonder... are they ?

I think they are very happy. How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

WHAT is making these books so special ? And will anything in these books becoming an enduring thing ?

I haven't read every book, but from what I see so far, not really. The Auntee monitor thing or whatever she is called has me worried that she is the trick they are going to use to revert everything back to the old ways 8 months from now if interest wanes.

I don't think so mate. I think she's been placed there to tie together the multiverse stuff that is on its way next year. Eg. The JSA, Fourth World, Captain Marvel.

[xodacia81]

I hope the DC fans out there are happy but I wonder... are they ?

I think they are very happy. How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

WHAT is making these books so special ? And will anything in these books becoming an enduring thing ?

I haven't read every book, but from what I see so far, not really. The Auntee monitor thing or whatever she is called has me worried that she is the trick they are going to use to revert everything back to the old ways 8 months from now if interest wanes.

I don't think so mate. I think she's been placed there to tie together the multiverse stuff that is on its way next year. Eg. The JSA, Fourth World, Captain Marvel.

I think DC is going for a full out multiverse, I think the hooded woman is key to sorting it out and I think the current DCU is a storyline that will last 2 or 3 years, but I don't think we'll see the "current" continiuty obliterated. If anything, it will be woven into the old or, more likely with a multiverse, allowed to exist on its own. I hadn't heard anything about next years crossover. What have you heard, since it appears you've heard something?

[Knightt]

This hooded chick... I remember seeing a comic panel (I forget the title) where this chick was hanging out up in the air, nothing heard, nothing said, just 'there'. Is this the 'monitor' thing ?

How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

[xodacia81]

This hooded chick... I remember seeing a comic panel (I forget the title) where this chick was hanging out up in the air, nothing heard, nothing said, just 'there'. Is this the 'monitor' thing ?

How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

I haven't been excited for superhero comics in a long time. I anticipate Chew and Fables a whole lot more every month than, say, GL or any event book.

[caxiotis]

Just read Wonder Woman over lunch and really enjoyed it. So far I would have to say that I am going to keep reading:

Batman
Batwoman (I am on the fence with this one)
Detective
Wonder Woman
Annimal Man

Titles I thought were okay

Action Comics
Green Lantern

Titles I read and was not impressed with:

Justice League
Batgirl
Green Arrow

Upcoming titles that I am excited to read:

Aquaman

[Knightt]

This hooded chick... I remember seeing a comic panel (I forget the title) where this chick was hanging out up in the air, nothing heard, nothing said, just 'there'. Is this the 'monitor' thing ?

How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

I haven't been excited for superhero comics in a long time. I anticipate Chew and Fables a whole lot more every month than, say, GL or any event book.

Doesn't that suck ? I sometimes wonder if it is ME, getting older and harder to please but then look at the comics out there and ground myself in the harsh reality that this is a bad time for comics. Even the old superhero formulas aren't working for writers or they just don't know how to use them. It used to be easy, wake up, put on your mask, kick the $h!t out of Mandrill, watch Gwen Stacy giggle her *SQUEE*, have some 'alone time', get sleepy and go to bed. Wake up and repeat.

[cplsimon]

Just finished Captain Atom, as with all the books I have read just feels like an incomplete book. There was like no plot. I do realize I am reading a bunch of #1s. I just wished the line was planned out better togeather. I hope the #2 are better DC has an opportunity, but they need to start hooking people with great story lines or fans will walk away very quickly.

[400yrs]

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

Did you try the new Batman yet?

[400yrs]

The Auntee monitor thing or whatever she is called has me worried that she is the trick they are going to use to revert everything back to the old ways 8 months from now if interest wanes.

I don't think so mate. I think she's been placed there to tie together the multiverse stuff that is on its way next year. Eg. The JSA, Fourth World, Captain Marvel.

Yeah, that's what I mean ----> continuity crazy. When I think of DC, I think Continuity Insanity. That's probably a part of the reason I never got into it too much.

You see...... all that stuff you referred in that post? I have no idea what any of that refers to. AND I don't care to know. AND I don't think new readers should have to know or are even going to want to know. Them going continuity intense isn't going to keep any new readers. Why bother changing in the first place?

That may be why I've pretty much just stuck with the outsider type titles (aside from Batman which is just AWESOME by Snyder!).

[sd2416]

I didnt see the chick from Flashpoint in
Batman
Wonder Woman
nightwing

[Dr. Solar]

Just finished Captain Atom, as with all the books I have read just feels like an incomplete book. There was like no plot. I do realize I am reading a bunch of #1s. I just wished the line was planned out better togeather. I hope the #2 are better DC has an opportunity, but they need to start hooking people with great story lines or fans will walk away very quickly.

For the most part, I feel the same way.

I've only read one book so far that felt like a complete issues worth of story, and that, oddly enough, was Superboy. Granted, I haven't read all of the second week books yet, and none of the third week books.

[400yrs]

I didn't read Superboy, but what makes you feel like it was a complete story?


I'm fine with the stories in the three books I'm continuing with - Batman, Animal Man and Swamp Thing. All three started with an introduction to the world and characters and then brought the plot in with the last few pages. For a first issue, I think that's perfect.

[Cyberstrike]

This hooded chick... I remember seeing a comic panel (I forget the title) where this chick was hanging out up in the air, nothing heard, nothing said, just 'there'. Is this the 'monitor' thing ?

How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

I haven't been excited for superhero comics in a long time. I anticipate Chew and Fables a whole lot more every month than, say, GL or any event book.

Doesn't that suck ? I sometimes wonder if it is ME, getting older and harder to please but then look at the comics out there and ground myself in the harsh reality that this is a bad time for comics. Even the old superhero formulas aren't working for writers or they just don't know how to use them. It used to be easy, wake up, put on your mask, kick the $h!t out of Mandrill, watch Gwen Stacy giggle her *SQUEE*, have some 'alone time', get sleepy and go to bed. Wake up and repeat.

So heterosexual characters can have some alone time but homosexual characters can't? Hypocrite.

[Knightt]

This hooded chick... I remember seeing a comic panel (I forget the title) where this chick was hanging out up in the air, nothing heard, nothing said, just 'there'. Is this the 'monitor' thing ?

How non-DC lovers and new comic readers feel about it 6 months from now is what is really going to tell the tale here.

I can totally understand that. I guess I am saying that I read my Batman titles FIRST off, every month and am excited about them (well not 'so much' when it was not Bruce under the cowl) and with the new books, I am not getting anything out of them. I am more excited reading the new Rucka Punisher title than I am any Bat-title right now.

I haven't been excited for superhero comics in a long time. I anticipate Chew and Fables a whole lot more every month than, say, GL or any event book.

Doesn't that suck ? I sometimes wonder if it is ME, getting older and harder to please but then look at the comics out there and ground myself in the harsh reality that this is a bad time for comics. Even the old superhero formulas aren't working for writers or they just don't know how to use them. It used to be easy, wake up, put on your mask, kick the $h!t out of Mandrill, watch Gwen Stacy giggle her *SQUEE*, have some 'alone time', get sleepy and go to bed. Wake up and repeat.

So heterosexual characters can have some alone time but homosexual characters can't? Hypocrite.

Yes, that is totally fine with me. The heterosexual characters don't make a big deal about it, it just is. But if we have a gay character, well that HAS to be in write up and used to try and sell the story. Like it is thrown up in your face. Not really sure if I have ever seen a story about The Flash, a heterosexual struggling with his 'being straight' and wondering if he should tell his sidekick about the fact he, 'likes girls' (gasp). Lets just organize a huge 'straight parade' and get all non-flamboyant.

Odd to see you are 'so up in arms' about this but you are usually on your period anyways, 24/7. Are you gay ? For being one of the most intolerant members on this board, yer pretty tolerant to the whole gay thing. If you are offended by my personal views, you are more than welcome not to read my posts.

[Knightt]

BTW, went to Hastings last night and they had what looked like every single New 52 book on the stand. Most of them in untouched shape (I say that for collectivity because my LCS can't even keep their issues looking that good).

[cplsimon]

BTW, went to Hastings last night and they had what looked like every single New 52 book on the stand. Most of them in untouched shape (I say that for collectivity because my LCS can't even keep their issues looking that good).

Yes the Hastings near me has all of the books still. I guess its all about who's hoarding. I don't have a lcs near me only Hasting. Really blows I missed out on the last 3 issues of solar, I always get there to late. I did get a few copy of the tmnt #1 variant.

[Knightt]

I seem to remember a board member saying they would need to wait for a 2nd printing on one or a few of the titles. I thought that odd as a "#1" like these have got to be printed over abundance. It is the #2 issues that take a hit on the orders or so I have seen in the past on certain titles.

Either way, I still feel that in six to eight months you will be able to buy these in bundles for the cost of a hand job by a Detroit hooker. Thats right, $.45 cents... $.50 cents if you want to see some boob.

[xodacia81]

I seem to remember a board member saying they would need to wait for a 2nd printing on one or a few of the titles. I thought that odd as a "#1" like these have got to be printed over abundance. It is the #2 issues that take a hit on the orders or so I have seen in the past on certain titles.

Either way, I still feel that in six to eight months you will be able to buy these in bundles for the cost of a hand job by a Detroit hooker. Thats right, $.45 cents... $.50 cents if you want to see some boob.

Naw, man, times are tough....prices went up. The cost for that is now...ONE DOLLAR!

[400yrs]

So no one else has read Batman yet?

[caxiotis]

So no one else has read Batman yet?

I loved it. They have been doing a great job with the mainstream batman books

[Knightt]

So no one else has read Batman yet?

I might take the time tonight to give it a read. I think it will be hard to beat Detective Comics #1 especially as I have seen the Capullo art. I am glad he left any element of his Spawn art out of Batman #1.

I think one of the most catching pieces of his work is how Two-Face has this great gory detail and Batman looks like a Batman the Animated Series plastic action figure.

But the 'story'... ah seems a well written three first read pages.

[Dr. Solar]

I didn't read Superboy, but what makes you feel like it was a complete story?


I'm fine with the stories in the three books I'm continuing with - Batman, Animal Man and Swamp Thing. All three started with an introduction to the world and characters and then brought the plot in with the last few pages. For a first issue, I think that's perfect.

I don't quite mean "complete story" in the sense that it was a "done in one" issue, it is more that the amount of story contained in the comic, compared to the number of pages, seemed much better in Superboy than in other comics.

I have felt like the "story to pages" ratio in almost all of these books has been really low.

I haven't read Batman yet, but I did like Animal Man and Swamp Thing quite a bit. Animal Man felt pretty good in terms of the amount of story that was contained in the comic, but Swamp Thing felt really short. I felt like the event on the last page should have been about half way or two-thirds through the comic, in terms of the amount of story that had been told before.

I feel like most of the stories in these comics could be told with the same effect and same quality, in about two-thirds the number of pages. In fact, I've got a little project I am working on to illustrate the point.

[400yrs]

No doubt that most of these stories are decompressed. These are just more examples of comics being written for the trade. I do agree on Swamp Thing. That's the main reason that I initially thought I'd wait for the trade.

There have been 16 page comics that have more story and more completeness to them than these - Fell and Casanova. Both were done in a 16 page format and were a dollar less. Of course, if you give a full story in 16 pages, you are kind of making the single issue more important than the trade and we wouldn't want that now, would we?