DC to REBOOT???

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I get that it will be easy. But, the thing is, you're already a comic reader, or were... So, it's not a stretch to see you returning. You're still involved in the world.

Emphasis on "were." The only superhero comics I've read in years have been gifts from a family member who shares my enthusiasm for several characters and so knows that trade paperbacks or story runs on those are a valued and much appreciated gift.

Forget "new readers" for a moment, or simply define "new readers" as anyone who hasn't bought a comic in five years or so. How many guys like me do you think it would take to significantly boost DC's monthly sales?

Look, sales figures on these books are in the five figures - and for the most part, in the low five figures. So I ask you this:

How many online buys per month, many generated by immediate online publicity, do you think it will require to make this move completely and totally successful for DC?

Forget "new readers" for a moment, or simply define "new readers" as anyone who hasn't bought a comic in five years or so. Here's another question:

How many old guys like me do you think it would take to significantly boost DC's monthly sales?


You can debate numbers, but the general answer to both questions is: not too many. Not many at all.

 

[JD]

As I've mentioned in several threads over the past few months, I've just started reading comics on a more regular basis, solely through digital means, first on my PSP and now on my PC through Comixology. Last week I just started reading Green Lantern, and I planned on starting some of the Bat-family and Super-family series once I finished GL: Secret Origin. So, now my question is, should I follow through with this plan, or just focus on non-DC stuff and come in with the reboot? I guess, what I basically want to know is if the storylines from the current comics will have any impact after the reboot. I'll admit, I just jumped into the last couple pages of the thread, so if this was covered more clearly before that just point me in the right direction.

 

[Broccoli]

There will be new "Batgirl" and "Nightwing" #1's as well. It looks like Babs will be back as Batgirl. I'm guessing Dick will return to being Nightwing which will be a shame.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/01/dc-relaunch-batgirl-1-and-nightwing-1/

While I am not surprised, I am saddened by the relaunch of Batgirl. Batgirl is currently the only title I read monthly. No real reason why other that it's fun. Stephanie Brown if a fun character (even if she was written as Babs-light). Another odd thing about this reboot is that Bryan Miller relatively recently was interviewed about the series and he claimed that he had at least 3 years of story currently planned out. Why would he plan 3 years of story when he probably knew before beginning (and, definitely by the time of the interview) that the series would be cut off at the end of 2 years?

Maybe he didn't know... Is that possible? I wonder when the powers that be told those who follow about this reboot...

It is possible he didn't know. But I would figure his bosses would at least say something like "Hey, we are doing something big in 2011, so this book will only go for two years." At least by the time of the interview (which was about 2-3 months ago - I'll dig it up later) I would imagine that he would have been let in on it and would have been vague on his answers when asked about his plans for Batgirl.

And what was the reaction?

Miller's reaction? I don't know. The interview was before the announcement.

He then quickly retracted and said he was just asking to ask (since he knows that this was the only series I buy). I wonder this was a coincidence or if shop owners were, for some reason, partially in the know (I suspect the former). Next time I go into the shop, I'll have to ask him.

Coincidence. Speaking as someone inside the industry, yesterday's announcements by DC blindsided the industry.

No doubt. I just found it funny in retrospect, so I plan on ribbing him about it.

 

[Mysterion]

Just realized: 2013 will be the 75th anniversery of the first appearance of Superman. Is DC just doing all this to lead up to something else tied in to that in 2012/13?

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ The lawsuit is still ongoing as well.


Steph is a great character...I've a bad feeling Damian is going to be erased. He's been my favorite character in comics and has evolved tremendously since he was first introduced and become a really fun character who was finally just starting to interact with the rest of the DCU.

 

[Broccoli]

Just realized: 2013 will be the 75th anniversery of the first appearance of Superman. Is DC just doing all this to lead up to something else tied in to that in 2012/13?

If they do a Superman, line-wide event, I'm sure it'll have some ties to this. It seems like all the line-wide events have some linkage of story.

 

[Professor Zoom]

I get that it will be easy. But, the thing is, you're already a comic reader, or were... So, it's not a stretch to see you returning. You're still involved in the world.

Emphasis on "were." The only superhero comics I've read in years have been gifts from a family member who shares my enthusiasm for several characters and so knows that trade paperbacks or story runs on those are a valued and much appreciated gift.

Forget "new readers" for a moment, or simply define "new readers" as anyone who hasn't bought a comic in five years or so. How many guys like me do you think it would take to significantly boost DC's monthly sales?

Look, sales figures on these books are in the five figures - and for the most part, in the low five figures. So I ask you this:

How many online buys per month, many generated by immediate online publicity, do you think it will require to make this move completely and totally successful for DC?

Forget "new readers" for a moment, or simply define "new readers" as anyone who hasn't bought a comic in five years or so. Here's another question:

How many old guys like me do you think it would take to significantly boost DC's monthly sales?


You can debate numbers, but the general answer to both questions is: not too many. Not many at all.

Without debating the numbers, how can you say not many at all? I don't know, you don't know. DC probably knows how many they want to attract through the digital change over.

Ultimately, the question about those "were" readers, why did they go? Why did you leave? I left because it wasn't fun anymore. The stories just weren't catching me in the same way, maybe I changed, or they changed, I don't know. And things got more expensive... So I left.

But, to be honest, even cheaper comics probably won't bring me back in as an ongoing reader. Because the reason I stopped wasn't about the money--it was a good excuse. So, unless there's something that catches me in the same way they did for me in the past....

Will some return, sure. Will all those return stay? Probably not. Who knows?

Those are the ones who used to be readers, like you and me.

But, I DO want to talk about new readers--whether you do or not--because the industry, like all entertainment industries--needs new readers. Will this digital revolution attract the new readers to continue on after you and I are dead--which might just be in a few years.

I came to it as a new reader because a friend lent me a copy of a DKR, which might be harder to do as a digital file--legally anyway.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I've made a decision to stick with the reboot when it comes out. I'm curious to see what they actually do with these characters. I'll stick around long enough until something starts to piss me off.

Also...there's a Grifter #1 coming. It looks like the Wildstorm Universe will be incorporated into the rebooted DCU.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/01/dc-relaunch-wildstorm/

 

[Captain Craig]

Good luck DC getting that 14yr old to buy 8-10 books at $3 a pop when he can get a video game instead.

It's not about that. It's about laying the groundwork for shifting the epicenter of periodical publishing from print to digital.

I agree. And, besides, I haven't been seeing to many 14 year-olds at the comic book shop. Mostly, it's folks in their 20's ans older.

That's part of my point. Teens don't seek this out now, a sudden relaunch isn't going to suddenly make them converts to something they've never sought out.
If they buy the occasional book it doesn't make them a "new reader" any more than my occasional itune purchase(which is very rare) makes me a consumer the music industry cares about due to my inconsistency.

Going digital as the basis for this isn't suddenly going to bring an influx of weekly readers, it just isn't. Consumers are creatures of habit and if it's not a habit now it's not going to be due to some gimmick. A gimmick that after a few months is old and "omg, where would I jump on" takes affect all over again.

Admiral Young I'm with you on Steph as Batgirl, it's shame to see her series get cut short due to editorial fiat. She'll have about 30 issues under her belt though and it wasn't ended due to poor sales at least.
The Wildstorm piece is interesting. Does DC now wholly own them? This being used to incorporate them ala the Charleston Characters is a good move if there is no concern about them being yanked back out.
Also, anyone know if any of the Milestone imprint characters will be getting some exposure? A few should I think?

This whole de-age thing is a clusterF*&k though with so many legacy characters floating around that are enjoyed.

 

[Admiral_Young]

These two are Batman covers. The first is for Detective Comics #1 and the other could be from Batman #1.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/01/dc-relaunch-detective-comics-1-and-batman-1/

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Without debating the numbers, how can you say not many at all? I don't know, you don't know.

Yes, I do know.

The answer to "how many readers will it take to make a difference?" is "not many at all," because the answer to "how many people buy comics now?" is "not many at all."

But, I DO want to talk about new readers--whether you do or not--because the industry, like all entertainment industries--needs new readers.

And you miss my point.

I'm a new reader - because anyone who buys a comic online who wouldn't have bought a comic otherwise is a "new reader" as far as the business is concerned.

Now, of course, "new reader" is also reasonably understood to mean "young reader," which I ain't. That said, there's not one reason at all to believe that if young readers are necessary to keep the superhero comic business alive that they're going to be found in direct sales stores or perusing drug store racks and not on the Internet.

If new readers are anywhere, they're reading and buying on the Internet. If they won't buy here, then there are no new readers to be found.

Parenthetically, I'm expecting my monthly comics purchases to rise in September to about four a month - up from none a month.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Without debating the numbers, how can you say not many at all? I don't know, you don't know.

Yes, I do know.

The answer to "how many readers will it take to make a difference?" is "not many at all," because the answer to "how many people buy comics now?" is "not many at all."

cute.

But, I DO want to talk about new readers--whether you do or not--because the industry, like all entertainment industries--needs new readers.

And you miss my point.

Christ, Dennis, I'm not missing your point. I actually AGREE with you that it will bring in some of those who have left. I'm trying to talk about something else. If you're not interested, fine, but don't claim I'm missing your point, when I'm not.

I'm a new reader - because anyone who buys a comic online who wouldn't have bought a comic otherwise is a "new reader" as far as the business is concerned.

As far as the DIGITAL business is concerned, yes. Your'e new. But, you're a returning customer, someone who has bought from them in the past and left for whatever reason. You aren't NEW ground.

Now, of course, "new reader" is also reasonably understood to mean "young reader," which I ain't.

Which is MY point.

That said, there's not one reason at all to believe that if young readers are necessary to keep the superhero comic business alive that they're going to be found in direct sales stores or perusing drug store racks and not on the Internet.


If new readers are anywhere, they're reading and buying on the Internet. If they won't buy here, then there are no new readers to be found.

EXACTLY. My question for DC is why do they think it's access that has prevented them from finding New...er young readers. Comic stores have been around for awhile, yet it's ebbing. Why do they think merely being able to purchase online will reach these new young readers?

Yes, they are internet savvy, but are THEY purchasing ebooks? emagazines? I don't know, I'm sure DC does.

Parenthetically, I'm expecting my monthly comics purchases to rise in September to about four a month - up from none a month.

You're a guy who's read comics in the past. You've been a part of it for a long time. So, I'm not surprised. And yes, you're gonna add some cash to their bottom line. However, and I don't mean to sound crude, but you're old. You and I are no longer who advertisers are really after. They are aiming at a younger market.

Will this younger market now start reading comics? When they really haven't before? Maybe they will. I'm curious what the publishing industry sees is happening in that young market as far as actual purchases.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

I think everyone is completely misinterpreting this. It doesn't look like this is a reboot at all. DC continuity is staying. It's just some housecleaning. They're renumbering the existing books (which happens all the freaking time,) dropping some, and bringing in some new ones. That's it.

 

[Admiral_Young]

It's possible people are misinterpreting it because DC it's self is not exactly been clear about the relaunch. Bleeding Cool went and stole the thunder from Geoff Johns and Jim Lee who were supposed to make their big announcement next weekend at the Hero Complex Festival. I'm sure DC was pretty pissed that they were forced to deal with this sooner than possible. Geoff Boucher stated on his facebook page that he knows what DC intends with this and it's bigger than what has been revealed so far. Due to Bleeding Cool wanting to get the scoop before anyone else this has literally come out of no where (the announcement I mean).

 

[Sindatur]

I think everyone is completely misinterpreting this. It doesn't look like this is a reboot at all. DC continuity is staying. It's just some housecleaning. They're renumbering the existing books (which happens all the freaking time,) dropping some, and bringing in some new ones. That's it.

From what I've read in this thread so far, it seems you also need to add in the cavaet, that any inconvenient continuity can be ignored/wiped, as Moffat did with Doctor Who's Time Crack.

IE: This is the way Continuity is now, deal with it and follow the story

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

I think everyone is completely misinterpreting this. It doesn't look like this is a reboot at all. DC continuity is staying. It's just some housecleaning. They're renumbering the existing books (which happens all the freaking time,) dropping some, and bringing in some new ones. That's it.

No, it's not just a renumbering of the books with no reboot. They've said that some characters will have their origins rewritten, many will be de-aged, some characters will cease to exist, some parts of continuity will be kept while others won't. That's not speculation. It's what DC's head honchos have said in interviews. So there's at least a soft reboot in the works.

 

[Professor Zoom]

I think everyone is completely misinterpreting this. It doesn't look like this is a reboot at all. DC continuity is staying. It's just some housecleaning. They're renumbering the existing books (which happens all the freaking time,) dropping some, and bringing in some new ones. That's it.

Emphasis mine.

Renumbering Action Comics, Batman, and Detective Comics has never been done. That's unusual.

 

[Captain Craig]

I think everyone is completely misinterpreting this. It doesn't look like this is a reboot at all. DC continuity is staying. It's just some housecleaning. They're renumbering the existing books (which happens all the freaking time,) dropping some, and bringing in some new ones. That's it.

Emphasis mine.

Renumbering Action Comics, Batman, and Detective Comics has never been done. That's unusual.

And worth the outrage imo.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

The Wildstorm piece is interesting. Does DC now wholly own them? This being used to incorporate them ala the Charleston Characters is a good move if there is no concern about them being yanked back out.

DC has owned Jim Lee's Wildstorm characters outright since he sold his studio to DC in '98. Or was it '97?

So, if the Wildstorm characters are going to be part of the new DCU, imagine a world where the Justice League and the Authority co-exist.

Also, anyone know if any of the Milestone imprint characters will be getting some exposure? A few should I think?

That would be a great idea. A world that has Gotham and Metropolis has room for Dakota, surely?

This whole de-age thing is a clusterF*&k though with so many legacy characters floating around that are enjoyed.

A number of people have said that Superman and Wonder Woman look younger in the Justice League artwork. Maybe they do.

What if the new DCU is a world where the major heroes didn't all debut at roughly the same time? We're used to thinking of Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern as being all roughly the same age, but then when you start to think about their careers, it doesn't fit any longer. If they're doing a reboot and starting from scratch, perhaps DC will use the opportunity to decouple the debuts of Batman and Superman. Clark could be in his mid-twenties, but Bruce could be in his mid-forties and on his fourth partner.

I'm just spitballing an idea. I don't know anything, truly.

 

[Hound of UIster]

I'm choosing to believe the Babs-as-Batgirl thing isn't true, on the grounds that Bleedingcool was wrong about Nicieza writing the new TT book.

Where was this confirmed (that he was not writing TT)?

I think likely JT Krul is still the writer given how he is still building up the team on the book.