The DC 52

[BreakABone]

I know most of you aren't comic fans on here, and most probably never will be.

But like I said elsewhere, this forum isn't exactly over-running with activity at the moment.

Anyhow, DC has recently announced and begun to relaunch/reboot their entire line of comics with 52 brand new #1s. Now these stories run the gamut of the comic verse with a heavy focus on the capes.

The reason for this? Well mostly because they are losing market share to Marvel in an ever shrinking comic book industry.

The less cynical answer is they wanted to open up their universe to outsiders, by making a line of accessible comics. Now there is some difficult with that especially when they try and walk the line about what has and hasn't changed in this new verse, but neither here nor there.

It started last week with Justice League 1, which was an interesting read, that has had a mixed reaction

Over the next 4 weeks, they will introduce 51 new series as well. And here's a checklist/weekly breakdown.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2011/08/new52checklist-1.jpg

In addition I guess, some previews from Action Comics 1, which drops tomorrow

http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=44117

Detective Comics 1
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/63963709?access_key=key-143idax58qt9h18q2spm&loc=interstitialskip

Stormwatch 1
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/joshw24/news/?a=45913

Justice League International 1
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=9677

[Ginkasa]

I'm mostly excited for day and date digital releases. I mainly read the Batbooks, which aren't changing much, so the relaunch itself is a little less groundbreaking for me.

I am pretty excited for Morrison's Action Comics, though. I've really dug his Batman and Robin Inc. run over the past few years (along with All-Star Superman), so I'm really interested in seeing what he does with an "in continuity" Superman.

[Vampyr]

Friend of mine at work was telling me about this a few days ago...kind of crazy.

I'll probably get into Batman though.

[Professor S]

As long as they drop the multiverse concept I'll give well reviewed trades a try, but DC has burned a lot of bridges with me by creating universe where death and violence means less than nothing.

[BreakABone]

As long as they drop the multiverse concept I'll give well reviewed trades a try, but DC has burned a lot of bridges with me by creating universe where death and violence means less than nothing.

I'm not sure how that's much different than Marvel, who has openly admitted they use death as nothing more than a sales gimmick.

And plan on killing off characters, at least one per quarter.

At first thought that was a joke but in the last like 14 months, they've killed Nightcrawler, Human Torch and Spider-man. Seems like a fair schedule.

[Professor S]

I'm not sure how that's much different than Marvel, who has openly admitted they use death as nothing more than a sales gimmick.

And plan on killing off characters, at least one per quarter.

At first thought that was a joke but in the last like 14 months, they've killed Nightcrawler, Human Torch and Spider-man. Seems like a fair schedule.

This is all true, and yet Marvel didn't manufacture a ridiculous multiverse to completely excuse the practice, and in fact, encourage it. At least Marvel writers have to think for 3 seconds to create a plausible story behind a dead character's return, and sometimes it turns out pretty good. EX. Morrison's Magneto resurrection.

In DC? "Oh, that was another universe/here is the new [INSERT NAME] from the other universe who is exactly like the dead one."

[BreakABone]

This is all true, and yet Marvel didn't manufacture a ridiculous multiverse to completely excuse the practice, and in fact, encourage it. At least Marvel writers have to think for 3 seconds to create a plausible story behind a dead character's return, and sometimes it turns out pretty good. EX. Morrison's Magneto resurrection.

In DC? "Oh, that was another universe/here is the new [INSERT NAME] from the other universe who is exactly like the dead one."

I'm curious when was the last time (or first time), DC has used that technique.

And someone shouldn't tell you about Nightcrawler's Return....

[Professor S]

I learned a long time ago not to discuss DC Comics or Nintendo with you, BaB, so lets just agree to disagree... :D

[Teuthida]

Both companies are guilty of making death meaningless. DC had Batman "die" last year where he actually just got sent back in time. Marvel, as Bab mentioned, killed off Cap, Human Torch, Ultimate Spidey, and Nightcrawler recently. Most of which were spoiled by releasing that info to the news organizations before the comics came out, pretty much ruining any emotional impact the reader might have had.

Cap is back, Nightcrawler is from an alternative universe (oh noes!), and Human Torch is returning soon. The Ultimate Universe is pretty good at keeping people dead for the most part. They actually create legacy characters in much the same way DC does.

Also the Multiverse ceased to exist from 1985 to 2005. And now it seems like they got rid of it again with the reboot. Well, except for the JSA who are WWII heroes. Believe that will be separate.

EDIT: I reviewed O.M.A.C. #1 for NOTR: http://nerdsontherocks.com/review-shooter-o-m-a-c-1

[BreakABone]

I learned a long time ago not to discuss DC Comics or Nintendo with you, BaB, so lets just agree to disagree... :D

It wasn't an argument, you made a point. I asked for evidence. You are backing down.

[Professor S]

It wasn't an argument, you made a point. I asked for evidence. You are backing down.

Yes, you are right. DC is the best and Nintendo can do no wrong. Shall we move on?

[BreakABone]

Yes, you are right. DC is the best and Nintendo can do no wrong. Shall we move on?

This is bullshit.

You want to state crap, back it up. All I'm asking you to do. I'm not saying DC doesn't treat death poorly, but to say that Marvel does it any better is utter non-sense.

But if you want to hide behind, oh he won't listen to reason, so I won't post any example go for it.

To me, its just a cheap way to not prove your point.

[Professor S]

This is bullshit.

You want to state crap, back it up. All I'm asking you to do. I'm not saying DC doesn't treat death poorly, but to say that Marvel does it any better is utter non-sense.

But if you want to hide behind, oh he won't listen to reason, so I won't post any example go for it.

To me, its just a cheap way to not prove your point.

Okay, fine. Remember the Superboy-Prime bullshit?

It is later revealed that Jason indeed had died at the hands of the Joker, but when Superboy-Prime alters reality from the paradise dimension in which he is trapped (six months after his death), Jason is restored to life and breaks out of his coffin, but collapses thereafter and is hospitalized.

A bullshit alternate universe character changes a bullshit alternate universe resulting in the bullshit resurrection of Jason Todd's bloodied corpse. And PLEASE don't give me some lame excuse about this not really being a part of the multiverse concept. That's a cup of weak sauce.

You know, you try and be nice about things... ;)

A link to all resurrected DC characters (http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Resurrection)

[BreakABone]

Okay, fine. Remember the Superboy-Prime bullshit?



A bullshit alternate universe character changes a bullshit alternate universe resulting in the bullshit resurrection of Jason Todd's bloodied corpse. And PLEASE don't give me some lame excuse about this not really being a part of the multiverse concept. That's a cup of weak sauce.

You know, you try and be nice about things... ;)

But it isn't. But I wasn't gonna give you that excuse.

Now for a recent example, Marvel kills off Nightcrawler in X-men Second Coming.

He comes back in Nov as the alternate universe Nightcrawler from the Age of Apocalypse line.

Or Peter Parker sells his marriage to the devil, Harry Osborn is no longer dead, he's been hiding out in Europe for the past few years.

My point is... and continues to be, that both sides do stupid stuff when it comes to death and resurrection in their comics.

Pointing out one is "superior" at handling death is a crook of crap. No matter how you slice it.

[Professor S]

Well then we agree to disagree... and back to where I asked we move on. See? Would could have avoided this whole kerfuffle :D

[Teuthida]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dead_comic_book_characters#List_of_comic_book_characters_that_have_returned_from_the_dead

90 for DC. 95 for Marvel. Almost even. Feel free to comb through all of them and find out which is more ridiculous...because really, they all are.

[Professor S]

Please don't mistake my dislike of DC's record as an excuse for Marvel. I just happen to think they do a less awkward job of handling resurrections. Perhaps I just hate the multiverse concept more than anything, and its not really about deaths and resurrections at all?

As for what Marvel is doing now, I have no clue. I don't follow mainstream comics anymore. I buy mainly Image, Atomic Robo, and Mouse Guard, peppered with select anthologies for famous runs (recently BMB's run on Daredevil).

[Vampyr]

Mouse Guard is so great.

Did you ever check out Locke and Key?

[Teuthida]

Please don't mistake my dislike of DC's record as an excuse for Marvel. I just happen to think they do a less awkward job of handling resurrections. Perhaps I just hate the multiverse concept more than anything, and its not really about deaths and resurrections at all?

As for what Marvel is doing now, I have no clue. I don't follow mainstream comics anymore. I buy mainly Image, Atomic Robo, and Mouse Guard, peppered with select anthologies for famous runs (recently BMB's run on Daredevil).

Perfectly understandable if you don't like the multiverse.

Might find this interesting: <div style='width:650px;font-size: 12px;'><embed src="http://cdn2.themis-media.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.7.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.themis-media.com/videos/config/2568-1c849500d2c23b331bd4909b30a1d699.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" width="650" height="391" wmode="opaque"></embed><div><a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com'>The Escapist</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture'>The Big Picture</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/2568-Continanity'>Continanity</a></div></div>

Also, the new Daredevil, which is only two issues in, is really really good. Never read anything with the character before this.

http://i.imgur.com/Z0GAw.jpg

[Bond]

This is bullshit.

You want to state crap, back it up. All I'm asking you to do. I'm not saying DC doesn't treat death poorly, but to say that Marvel does it any better is utter non-sense.

But if you want to hide behind, oh he won't listen to reason, so I won't post any example go for it.

To me, its just a cheap way to not prove your point.
http://28.media.tumblr.com/EDttMR4qlqycefdaUW4LqO3to1_500.jpg

[Zen]

I have only read Action comics so far.

Personally I thought it was pretty good, I love how depowered superman is, going back to making big jumps, and actually getting hurt. I mean sure it takes a tank to do so but still...

I personally like superman topped off around animated series power level instead of godlike, so I am hoping it takes a looong time for him to get there.