DC Comics' New 52 line begins on August 31. Apparently, orders for Justice League #1 have already topped 200,000, making it the biggest comic book of the year. Which I guess is great, but the obvious question is what happens for issues #2, 3, and so on?

So is anybody excited to check the relaunch out?

DC Comics hopes revamped heroes and digital will save the day

DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio was at a comic-book store in New Jersey when he noticed something alarming. Over the course of an hour, only two customers came in. And, this was a Saturday — the busiest day of the week for most retailers.

“The walk-in, casual fans have gotten away from us,” DiDio observed. “We are down to just the die-hard buyers.”

Comic-book stores have become increasingly barren, with sales dropping consistently over the last three years and down an additional 7% so far in 2011.

Theories abound as to why. Some blame convoluted story lines, while others point to cynical publicity stunts like killing key characters only to bring them back a few months later. But the main culprit more likely lies beyond the page: Today’s youth is far more interested in spending its leisure hours in the digital worlds of YouTube, Xbox and Twitter.

The generational shift is not lost on DiDio and his associates at DC. For the first time, the comic-book company will now make each of its issues available on digital devices such as iPads the same day it arrives in stores — a jarring departure for many retailers that only have to look at the fate of record stores to see the dangers that digital downloads present to brick-and-mortar merchants.

As part of a two-pronged strategy to try to revive its moribund business and draw newer, younger readers, the nation’s oldest and best-known comic-book publisher has also decided to start over from scratch. Beginning Aug. 31, DC launches its “New 52,” with well-known titles such as “Wonder Woman” and “Batman” as well as more obscure ones including “Static Shock” and “Blue Beetle” starting at No. 1 and featuring a mix of new costumes, new origins and simplified story lines.

The strategy is a calculated risk by the Warner Bros.-owned company to keep superheroes alive in comics as they become more important than ever on the big screen and in other media.

“Publishing is the engine that creates and incubates ideas for the other divisions of Warner Bros.,” said DC co-publisher Jim Lee. “We need to streamline our comics so new fans can come in and know exactly what’s going on.”

It’s crucial to Warner that the gambit succeeds, but not because the tiny publishing business makes a big difference to the bottom line of Hollywood’s biggest studio or its corporate parent, Time Warner Inc.

Warner in 2009 reorganized its comic-book business into a new unit called DC Entertainment, headed by the studio’s former “Harry Potter” guru Diane Nelson, and moved its headquarters from New York to Burbank, down the street from the Warner lot. The move came just a few weeks after Walt Disney Co. agreed to acquire DC’s larger competitor Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4.2 billion.

The goal for both entertainment giants is to build on the success of such superhero blockbusters as “The Dark Knight,” “Spider-Man” and “Iron Man.” Despite the failure this year of the costly “Green Lantern” movie and an aborted “Wonder Woman” television pilot, Warner has multiple DC-based movie projects in the works, including next year’s “The Dark Knight Rises” and 2013’s Superman film “Man of Steel.” There’s also a slew of planned video game releases, animated series and direct-to-DVD features.

Warner needs DC’s comics to stay culturally relevant and generate new ideas. At the same time, the millions of movie fans are seen as potential comic-book buyers.

Rest of article here: http://herocomplex.latime...t=63378#/8

[Edited 8/25/11 11:31am]

I hope they have better luck than Marvel did. When Marvel set about relaunching/restylizing everything after the success of the first 2 X-Men films, I lost hope of the books ever being interesting to me again. Now I stick to graphic novels.

Never been a big DC fan, but hopefully they lean on their artistic credibility a bit and really turn it out.

So far, I haven't been excited much by any of the artwork I've seen. A lot of it looks a lot like that '90s style that Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee really popularized--big, flashy stuff without focus on little details and with little understanding of human anatomy. I know 12-year-olds love it, but I hate it.

If these new #1s follow the normal DC trend of the past several years--20 or so pages filled with splashy art and very little story, all of which can be read in less than five minutes--then I'll be out right away. I'm not wasting my money on things like that.

But I'll give some of the books a chance and hope for the best.

swamp thing!!

Spinlight said:

I hope they have better luck than Marvel did. When Marvel set about relaunching/restylizing everything after the success of the first 2 X-Men films, I lost hope of the books ever being interesting to me again. Now I stick to graphic novels.

Never been a big DC fan, but hopefully they lean on their artistic credibility a bit and really turn it out.

The best X-Men run in decades came after the films--Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men #1-24. I'd rank it up there with the Dark Phoenix saga as one of the best X-Men stories ever.

Efan said:

So far, I haven't been excited much by any of the artwork I've seen. A lot of it looks a lot like that '90s style that Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee really popularized--big, flashy stuff without focus on little details and with little understanding of human anatomy. I know 12-year-olds love it, but I hate it.

If these new #1s follow the normal DC trend of the past several years--20 or so pages filled with splashy art and very little story, all of which can be read in less than five minutes--then I'll be out right away. I'm not wasting my money on things like that.

But I'll give some of the books a chance and hope for the best.

Rob Liefeld actually is drawing one of the new books--Hawk and Dove, right?

I'm not a big DC fan, but I will try out some of the titles for a few issues at least.

I've really missed the simple pleasure of comic books since I stopped regularly reading them in undergrad. This seems sort of a natural place to maybe get back into them. I hate starting in the middle of a series or story arch and being totally confused.

I shit on this. All over it.

I'm not buying anymore

sextonseven said:

Spinlight said:

I hope they have better luck than Marvel did. When Marvel set about relaunching/restylizing everything after the success of the first 2 X-Men films, I lost hope of the books ever being interesting to me again. Now I stick to graphic novels.

Never been a big DC fan, but hopefully they lean on their artistic credibility a bit and really turn it out.

The best X-Men run in decades came after the films--Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men #1-24. I'd rank it up there with the Dark Phoenix saga as one of the best X-Men stories ever.

I should go back and give that a try. I was so annoyed by the White Queen storyline that I was very resistant to the story as a whole. Maybe I treated it unfairly. And I guess I'm kind of a nerd, but I like Scott and Jean together. I've always hated the whole Logan-Jean-Scott triangle, and it only got worse with Scott falling for Emma. The telepath fetish seems odd to me.

Lammastide said:

I've really missed the simple pleasure of comic books since I stopped regularly reading them in undergrad. This seems sort of a natural place to maybe get back into them. I hate starting in the middle of a series or story arch and being totally confused.

DC hopes that many fans will be thinking like you, but there are lots of current cynical readers that consider this event to be the perfect jumping off point.

sextonseven said:

Efan said:

So far, I haven't been excited much by any of the artwork I've seen. A lot of it looks a lot like that '90s style that Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee really popularized--big, flashy stuff without focus on little details and with little understanding of human anatomy. I know 12-year-olds love it, but I hate it.

If these new #1s follow the normal DC trend of the past several years--20 or so pages filled with splashy art and very little story, all of which can be read in less than five minutes--then I'll be out right away. I'm not wasting my money on things like that.

But I'll give some of the books a chance and hope for the best.

Rob Liefeld actually is drawing one of the new books--Hawk and Dove, right?

I'm not a big DC fan, but I will try out some of the titles for a few issues at least.

Yeah, Hawk and Dove. I've never been a huge fan of those characters anyway, so I'll probably not buy that one, unless I hear great things about it.

sextonseven said:

Spinlight said:

I hope they have better luck than Marvel did. When Marvel set about relaunching/restylizing everything after the success of the first 2 X-Men films, I lost hope of the books ever being interesting to me again. Now I stick to graphic novels.

Never been a big DC fan, but hopefully they lean on their artistic credibility a bit and really turn it out.

The best X-Men run in decades came after the films--Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men #1-24. I'd rank it up there with the Dark Phoenix saga as one of the best X-Men stories ever.

The last arc I really enjoyed was Age of Apocalypse. I have not finished reading the M Day shit yet.

The Onslaught arc was a bit bloated and confusing to me. Felt like it ran for too long and in too many books. It really turned me off. That and seeing movie costumes in the books, the depowering stuff, and other things really discourages/bothers me.

Efan said:

sextonseven said:

The best X-Men run in decades came after the films--Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men #1-24. I'd rank it up there with the Dark Phoenix saga as one of the best X-Men stories ever.

I should go back and give that a try. I was so annoyed by the White Queen storyline that I was very resistant to the story as a whole. Maybe I treated it unfairly. And I guess I'm kind of a nerd, but I like Scott and Jean together. I've always hated the whole Logan-Jean-Scott triangle, and it only got worse with Scott falling for Emma. The telepath fetish seems odd to me.

I can't understand how any classic X-Men fan from the Claremont and Byrne days could not like the Joss Whedon issues. The characterization is spot on. And the art by John Cassaday is beautiful.

This has nothing to do with the DC relaunch, but it seems kind of silly to start another comic book thread, so I'll put it here.

I got an advance copy of Craig Thompson's Habibi, which comes out in September, and I think it's absolutely brilliant. It totally blew me away. It's easily the best graphic novel I've read in ages.

From the internationally acclaimed author of BLANKETS (“A triumph for the genre.”—Library Journal), a highly anticipated new graphic novel.

Sprawling across an epic landscape of deserts, harems, and modern industrial clutter, HABIBI tells the tale of Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, by circumstance, and by the love that grows between them.

At once contemporary and timeless, HABIBI gives us a love story of astounding resonance: a parable about our relationship to the natural world, the cultural divide between the first and third worlds, the common heritage of Christianity and Islam, and, most potently, the magic of storytelling.

Spinlight said:

sextonseven said:

The best X-Men run in decades came after the films--Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men #1-24. I'd rank it up there with the Dark Phoenix saga as one of the best X-Men stories ever.

The last arc I really enjoyed was Age of Apocalypse. I have not finished reading the M Day shit yet.

The Onslaught arc was a bit bloated and confusing to me. Felt like it ran for too long and in too many books. It really turned me off. That and seeing movie costumes in the books, the depowering stuff, and other things really discourages/bothers me.

Astonishing X-Men #1-24 & Giant Size #1 is better than all those. Don't bother reading beyond that though.

sextonseven said:

Efan said:

I should go back and give that a try. I was so annoyed by the White Queen storyline that I was very resistant to the story as a whole. Maybe I treated it unfairly. And I guess I'm kind of a nerd, but I like Scott and Jean together. I've always hated the whole Logan-Jean-Scott triangle, and it only got worse with Scott falling for Emma. The telepath fetish seems odd to me.

I can't understand how any classic X-Men fan from the Claremont and Byrne days could not like the Joss Whedon issues. The characterization is spot on. And the art by John Cassaday is beautiful.

Yeah, I didn't give it a fair chance, to be honest. I picked up one trade and that was it. I should get them all and really give it a shot.

sextonseven said:

Efan said:

I should go back and give that a try. I was so annoyed by the White Queen storyline that I was very resistant to the story as a whole. Maybe I treated it unfairly. And I guess I'm kind of a nerd, but I like Scott and Jean together. I've always hated the whole Logan-Jean-Scott triangle, and it only got worse with Scott falling for Emma. The telepath fetish seems odd to me.

I can't understand how any classic X-Men fan from the Claremont and Byrne days could not like the Joss Whedon issues. The characterization is spot on. And the art by John Cassaday is beautiful.

Astonishing X-Men nos. 1-24, eh?

I think I have a new autumn project.

Lammastide said:

sextonseven said:

I can't understand how any classic X-Men fan from the Claremont and Byrne days could not like the Joss Whedon issues. The characterization is spot on. And the art by John Cassaday is beautiful.

Astonishing X-Men nos. 1-24, eh?

I think I have a new autumn project.

If I may suggest a second autumn project: I think you would really like Habibi.

Efan said:

This has nothing to do with the DC relaunch, but it seems kind of silly to start another comic book thread, so I'll put it here.

I got an advance copy of Craig Thompson's Habibi, which comes out in September, and I think it's absolutely brilliant. It totally blew me away. It's easily the best graphic novel I've read in ages.

From the internationally acclaimed author of BLANKETS (“A triumph for the genre.”—Library Journal), a highly anticipated new graphic novel.

Sprawling across an epic landscape of deserts, harems, and modern industrial clutter, HABIBI tells the tale of Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, by circumstance, and by the love that grows between them.

At once contemporary and timeless, HABIBI gives us a love story of astounding resonance: a parable about our relationship to the natural world, the cultural divide between the first and third worlds, the common heritage of Christianity and Islam, and, most potently, the magic of storytelling.

i'm really looking forward to this. i just purchased online anders nilsen's 'big questions' and am looking forward to that, as well.

on topic...i stopped buying new super-hero comics over a 1 1/2 years ago and haven't looked back. once i realized i wasn't enjoying the stories, only succumbing to my completist mentality, halfway through blackest night. there are MUCH better comics out there. who cares who the characters are, tell me some good stories.

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Lammastide said:

sextonseven said:

I can't understand how any classic X-Men fan from the Claremont and Byrne days could not like the Joss Whedon issues. The characterization is spot on. And the art by John Cassaday is beautiful.

Astonishing X-Men nos. 1-24, eh?

I think I have a new autumn project.

The story wraps up in Giant Size Astonishing X-Men 1. You can get the entire arc in an omnibus book

or as two hardcovers or four trade paperbacks.

peedub said:

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Opening a comic book shop at this time is very bold. I wish you the best of luck.

sextonseven said:

peedub said:

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Opening a comic book shop at this time is very bold. I wish you the best of luck.

thanks. i'm hoping that this will have all played out by the time i'm ready. i have a feeling the current distribution system is going to collapse and i'll be on the ground floor of whatever comes after (and that it is successful). buying direct from the publisher would be ideal, but tedious.

there're just too many comics out there that people are unaware of, and i think the medium is only going to become a more legitimate art form. i don't think super-heroes should be the standard bearer. i'm one of those 'there's a beatles song for everybody' types. that's the kind of shop i want to operate. if you come in, we'll find something that you like...now BUY IT!

I admire you for doing it, peedub. I would love to own a comics shop. I even "mentally designed" it years ago, but I don't think I could ever go through with it.

peedub said:

sextonseven said:

Opening a comic book shop at this time is very bold. I wish you the best of luck.

thanks. i'm hoping that this will have all played out by the time i'm ready. i have a feeling the current distribution system is going to collapse and i'll be on the ground floor of whatever comes after (and that it is successful). buying direct from the publisher would be ideal, but tedious.

there're just too many comics out there that people are unaware of, and i think the medium is only going to become a more legitimate art form. i don't think super-heroes should be the standard bearer. i'm one of those 'there's a beatles song for everybody' types. that's the kind of shop i want to operate. if you come in, we'll find something that you like...now BUY IT!

I think the future of comic books will be like how vinyl records are today--catering to a smaller but loyal demographic while most fans convert to digital.

First, I hate you for getting an advance of Habibi. A deep, ugly hate that will not subside anytime soon.

Second, screw this DC nonsense. Its too desperate and too fast. I could see it making more sense if the ended everything and then slowly re-introduced a bunch of number ones over the next couple YEARS. But that's not what they're doing and the way they're doing it, I believe, is going to drive off far more long time readers than the new ones it attracts.

In regards to the actual books, all I care about is the Batman titles. Otherwise, I'm a Vertigo guy and they've said Vertigo will remain its own thing, fully intact (Karen Berger deserves that, too). So long as it does, I'm good. I'm sure they'll screw with it sooner or later, though.

peedub said:

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Why? What possible logic could you have for that line of thinking? If all you're going to do is stock trades why wouldn't you have a wall, or a section, for indies? Their trades sell exceptionally well and their books, as a whole, are far more interesting and original.

I don't understand how digital is expected to help retailers, either. Its going to mean less foot traffic in their shops, which means less sales. Its a pretty easy equation.

Cerebus said:

peedub said:

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Why? What possible logic could you have for that line of thinking? If all you're going to do is stock trades why wouldn't you have a wall, or a section, for indies? Their trades sell exceptionally well and their books, as a whole, are far more interesting and original.

I don't understand how digital is expected to help retailers, either. Its going to mean less foot traffic in their shops, which means less sales. Its a pretty easy equation.

I think he meant that he wants to carry trades from all companies, including indies, but that trades are all he wants to stock from DC and Marvel. He doesn't want to deal with monthly issues from the Big Two.

Cerebus said:

peedub said:

i'm hoping that the same day digital release will alleviate some of the pressure for retailers, and they can become less dependant on the wednesday rush for their income. i'm planning on opening a comic book shop next year and would like to only stock trades from the big 2.

Why? What possible logic could you have for that line of thinking? If all you're going to do is stock trades why wouldn't you have a wall, or a section, for indies? Their trades sell exceptionally well and their books, as a whole, are far more interesting and original.

I don't understand how digital is expected to help retailers, either. Its going to mean less foot traffic in their shops, which means less sales. Its a pretty easy equation.

my plan is to have my stock sorted by genre, rather than publisher. there are plenty of super-hero comics out there, and indies will be as well represented as any other publisher; but i'm not going to dedicate the bulk of my space to marvel and dc. i'm (hopefully) not going to depend on them as my main source of revenue. it's sort of the reverse of traditional comics shops. rather than have marvel and dc be the destination, they'll just be another side street. the amount of quality comic books out there far out numbers the output of dc and marvel. people just need to have it shown to them. continuity junkies and completists are not going to be my market.

Efan said:

Lammastide said:

Astonishing X-Men nos. 1-24, eh?

I think I have a new autumn project.

If I may suggest a second autumn project: I think you would really like Habibi.

I'm totally up for it. I'll be on the lookout.

Efan said:

Cerebus said:

Why? What possible logic could you have for that line of thinking? If all you're going to do is stock trades why wouldn't you have a wall, or a section, for indies? Their trades sell exceptionally well and their books, as a whole, are far more interesting and original.

I don't understand how digital is expected to help retailers, either. Its going to mean less foot traffic in their shops, which means less sales. Its a pretty easy equation.

I think he meant that he wants to carry trades from all companies, including indies, but that trades are all he wants to stock from DC and Marvel. He doesn't want to deal with monthly issues from the Big Two.

this.