What characters would you use in an anthology book?

[jgphenom]

There's been a lot of talk around DC about two new anthology books.

"Countdown to Adventure" is one of them with the space heroes (Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire) and the other untitled anthology has "Countdown" in its name and will feature Dr. Strange.

DC just finished "Mystery in Space" and "Tales of the Unexpected". Does this mean DC is looking to publish more anthology books? God, I hope so.

Characters in anthology books don't usually have their own title and aren't part of a team with their own title either. That being said, who would you like to see as part of an anthology?

My wish list:
The Question
Ralph and Sue Dibny
Space Ghost
Kamandi
Lobo (hell, yeah)

That's so far off the top of my head...

[Carter Hall]

I would definitely read an antohology series with rotating artists and writers, especially one that was set in space, because DC has an awesome sci-fi universe.

However, what I would prefer to see is the stories be totally independent of one another, rather than have the stories tie into one another, like the recent Mystery in Space. I feel like it makes the universe feel smaller. I would have preferred Captain Comet and the Weird to be in totally unrelated adventures.

[Shellhead]

They could use Morrison's Seven Soldiers in an anthology format, continuing his idea that they will never meet up as a team.

[tony2074]

rotating characters and creators. seemingly a randomn set of stories that builds and builds. again a la seven soldiers.

[Jack Zodiac]

They could use Morrison's Seven Soldiers in an anthology format, continuing his idea that they will never meet up as a team.

I thought of that before, how awesome it would be to have a "team book" featuring the Seven Soldiers, where they all collectively save the world from threat after threat without ever actually meeting each other to stop these threats.

At the very least, though, I'd love to see Tales of the Unexpected get an ongoing featuring DC's seldom-used but very awesome characters, like The Phantom Stranger or Dr. Occult. Maybe even Vigilante now that he's dipped into the supernatural genre, and Dr. 13 with all the attention he's gotten and is about to get when Brian's back-ups are collected in a trade this year. Oh, and Swamp Thing, since D Didi fought so hard to get him back from Vertigo.

[jgphenom]

Oh, and Swamp Thing, since D Didi fought so hard to get him back from Vertigo.
Hadn't realised that SW was now in the DCU proper. Sweet, add him on to my list :)

[jgphenom]

I would definitely read an antohology series with rotating artists and writers, especially one that was set in space, because DC has an awesome sci-fi universe.
Yes it does. I'm really liking the way DC is fleshing out their sci-fi universe with Adam Strange, Omega Men, GL Corps, etc. Maybe the anthologies could serve as a way to flesh out certain parts of the DCU through the eyes of certain characters (like 52 did).

Maybe...

Mystery in Space - Sci-Fi
- Adam Strange, Omega Men, Space Ghost, Comet, L.E.G.I.O.N.

Tales of the Unexpected - Horror & Occult
- Spectre, Dr. Thirteen, Dr. Fate, Ralph & Sue Dibny, The Creeper

Adventure Comics - Superhero
- The Question, OMAC, Lobo, New Gods, Seven Soldiers

Wierd Worlds - Fantasy
- Warlord, Swamp Thing

Tales from the Multiverse - Multiverse stories
- Legion of Super-Heroes (old legion), Kamandi

[Hatut Zeraze]

Check out the Dr. Fate thread.

On Steve Gerber's blog, he gave out that there will be another Countdown title, a companion to the Countdown to Adventure one already announced. This Countdown title (Gerber wouldn't give out the whole name) will feature Gerber and Justiniano's Dr. Fate stories (originally supposed to be in their own comic) as the lead and some other character as a backup.

Gerber hinted that the other character was around in the Silver Age, and Gerber liked the character then, but also likes the newer version as well. I believe he referred to the new version as creepy.

I'm guessing maybe he's talking about Klarion the Witch Boy.

[Pól Rua]

I have to say that, while I really didn't dig 52 all that much, I love the format. It's an anthology without being an anthology.
I think the best way to go about it would be to avoid nailing down a specific cast. Don't feel you HAVE to have Adam Strange (for example) in EVERY issue.

Arak, Son of Thunder? Why Not?
Man-Bat? Sure!
Space Cabbie? Knock yourself out!

Sounds very promising.

[JoeK32880]

I'd love to see an all-Legion Anthology. Two or three stories about solo or small team adventures of various characters to help flesh out that universe more.

[Babylon23]

Any magic anthology featuring Zatanna, the Spectre, The Phantom Stranger, Deadman or Dr. Fate would get my money.

I'd love to see a sci-fi anthology featuring Adam Strange, Captain Comet, Kamandi or OMAC (Kirby version).

Actually, an anthology book might also be a good way to explore the new earths that make up the multiverse. The books could be named after the earth in question ie "Earth-4" featuring the Question, Nightshade, Captain Atom, Blue Beetle and Peacemaker.

[marshal99]

Anthology books typically never do that well saleswise , they had the showcase comics in the 90s that lasted about 4 years (i think) which had some good stories. I remember in one year , the main stories was batman related , with stories of bat villains , catwoman , robin etc and then one year , the main stories was superman related , lois , jimmy , mongul , gangbuster etc and one year , the main stories focused on team-ups , superboy & demon , guy gardner & steel , green arrow & thorn , etc. It was nice but sometimes you have no interest in the other stories other than the main one and sometimes you have no interest in the main one but the backup stories so it kind of balance out.

[glennsim]

They have to convince me that the stories are going to "matter". That characters could die, or go though major changes that would actually be acknowledged in other books.

I remember in the Showcase book, when Jade's powers changed to enable her to control plant life. A change that was never heard from again.

[Nintendite]

I think it'd be cool if they revived some of the old Anthology's. I haven't been reading TOTU or MIS, but they are both great ideas (although the execution, I understand, has been mixed).

Adventure Comics: Green Arrow (and Black Canary should she accept his marriage proposal) and Plastic Man

House of Secrets: Secret Six and a in-DCU Swamp Thing

House of Mystery: Ralph and Sue Dibny (maybe some snappy title like "Ralph and Sue, Ghost Detectives) and Zatanna

[jgphenom]

Gerber hinted that the other character was around in the Silver Age, and Gerber liked the character then, but also likes the newer version as well. I believe he referred to the new version as creepy.

I'm guessing maybe he's talking about Klarion the Witch Boy.
I'm leaning more towards the Creeper with that "creepy" hint.

[jgphenom]

Anthology books typically never do that well saleswise...
They have to convince me that the stories are going to "matter". That characters could die, or go though major changes that would actually be acknowledged in other books.
I think you're both right. An anthology series could sell well if it had some sort of impact on the DCU community. I wouldn't go as far as saying that characters had to die or go through drastic changes, but the book would definitely have to matter.

An anthology series would be perfect for DC's "next big crossover". Instead of doing what they usually do, one mini and several crossovers into the regular titles, they could use one or all of the anthology series to tell the additional crossover stories. Depending on what the event was about it could cross into any of the themed anthology books.

Huge events like the CoIE or IC or even Zero Hour would have to cross over into all the comics. But smaller events could have side stories in the anthologies. Just a thought...

[marshal99]

Huge events like the CoIE or IC or even Zero Hour would have to cross over into all the comics. But smaller events could have side stories in the anthologies. Just a thought...

Actually the Zero hour event did have a somewhat signficant story on Showcase which showed you how Monarch was transformed into extant.

[Hatut Zeraze]

They have to convince me that the stories are going to "matter". That characters could die, or go though major changes that would actually be acknowledged in other books.

I remember in the Showcase book, when Jade's powers changed to enable her to control plant life. A change that was never heard from again.

Why does a story have to "matter?"

On its face, I know that is a silly question, applied to anything other than superhero comics. But with superhero comics, this drive and desire for constant change, this utter disregard for and boredom with maintaining a status quo, runs absolutely contrary to a serialized comic companies need to maintain characters over numbers of years.

I know I may be overstating your position a bit, but you do reflect, in general, the trend I'm talking about.

Most of my favorite superhero comics aren't afraid to chronicle a simple hero vs villain superhero story. There was a time that these stories were the be-all, end-all of superhero comics, the meat and potatoes, that which was most crucial.

Now, what appears to be most crucial are deaths and big changes. If a story doesn't have one of these, continuity nuts figure they might as well have skipped it. With American comics sales as dismal as they are, comics companies can't afford to lose anyone as devoted as the continuiry nuts. So Marvel and DC serve up these deaths and big changes as much as they can, as often as they can, whenever they can.

How many comics come out every week? How many big changes happen every week? How predictable was it that all of us would quickly become jaded about these "big" changes and "deaths?" Now, because of that, Marvel and DC have to up the ante. More big changes and more deaths. The sharks circle, wanting more and more blood. I remember when a superhero could just have an adventure. It didn't used to be like this. As I'm typing, I feel a little queasy about how much I've contributed to this ugly, painful cycle.

Sorry for the rant, Glennsim. I know it sounds like I'm blaming you. I don't mean to do that. What you said just reminded me of something I've been seeing more and more.

[Cayman]

DC's Young All-Stars

This Anthology would spotlight some of the young characters who don't have their own titles or star in the teen teams.

The Adventures Of Speedy
Writer: Jay Faerber
Artist: Marcos Martin

Aquagirl
Writer: Will Pfeifer
Artist: Derec Donovan

Black Alice
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Tara McPherson

Hawk and Dove
Writer: Jen Van Der Meter
Artist: Brad Walker

[Cayman]

Extreme Justice

Yeah, terrible name, but I don't have a better one right at the moment. This gritty anthology focuses on some of the more grim & gritty characters in the DCU.

Faust

The son of Felix Faust, a dark hero without a soul, strives for redemption.

Writer: Jamie Delano
Artist: Dennis Calero

Crimson Avenger

The current female version with the guns that never miss. I find her somewhat intriguing.

Writer: Jimmy Palmiotto & Justin Gray
Artist: Renato Arlem

I, Spyder

From the pages of Seven Soldiers

Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Peter Gross

[Cayman]

Secret Six/Doom Patrol

Gail Simone's Secret Six has been one of the better received reimaginings of the last few years.

Doom Patrol, meanwhile, has had two recent attempts as an ongoing that both ended with less than two years of issues. However, the current team has at least one fan favorite in Beast Boy and seemed to evoke a fairly enthusiastic response when they appeared in Teen Titans.

Secret Six

Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Steve Sadowski

Doom Patrol

Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Eddie Barrows

[MWGallaher]

What Steve Gerber said about Dr. Fate's co-star in the upcoming Countdown to _____ anthology:
At this point, I’d better hang back and let the rest of the news — the overall title of the book, the name of the second feature, etc. — come from DC. I will add, though, that I’m very pleased to be sharing a comic book with this character. In its Silver Age incarnation, it was one of my favorites, and I like the current, decidedly more twisted version a lot, too.

I can't picture Gerber being all that impressed with the recent Creeper reboot, and I don't think it was a big seller. The only feature I can think of that would merit DC revising its plans for the Dr. Fate solo is "Ralph and Sue Dibney, Ghost Detectives." Betcha.

[Magneto_X]

Adam Strange, Batgirl III, Huntress (when she's not working with the Birds), Etrigan the Demon, the Question, Black Alice, Dr. Mid-Nite, Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt), L.E.G.I.O.N

[Hatut Zeraze]

The only feature I can think of that would merit DC revising its plans for the Dr. Fate solo is "Ralph and Sue Dibney, Ghost Detectives." Betcha.


My guess was Klarion, but as much as I'd like that, the Dibneys would make this comic even hotter.

[BoosterBronze]

They could use Morrison's Seven Soldiers in an anthology format, continuing his idea that they will never meet up as a team.

I agree indubitably.

[Cat-Scratched-Victim]

There's been a lot of talk around DC about two new anthology books.

"Countdown to Adventure" is one of them with the space heroes (Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire) and the other untitled anthology has "Countdown" in its name and will feature Dr. Strange.

DC just finished "Mystery in Space" and "Tales of the Unexpected". Does this mean DC is looking to publish more anthology books? God, I hope so.

Characters in anthology books don't usually have their own title and aren't part of a team with their own title either. That being said, who would you like to see as part of an anthology?

My wish list:
The Question
Ralph and Sue Dibny
Space Ghost
Kamandi
Lobo (hell, yeah)

That's so far off the top of my head...

I agree, it's about time that DC brought back it's anthology titles!
I wish Mystery In Space and Tales Of The Unexpected were an ongoing instead of a minis. I also wish they'd resurrect Adventure Comics as an ongoing title again. Anthologies are the way to go for trying out characters and giving us solo stories with "b" or "c" string characters that we all may like.

What I'd like to see, what with the new multiverse, is an anthology title for each universe. One for the Charlton characters, one for the Fawcett characters and so on.

Otherwise, I agree with your choices for The Question and the Dibnys; as mentioned (sort of) I'd love to see more Spectre, Captain Comet and perhaps some of the other seldom seen-on-their-own characters. Maybe even see some stories on the golden-age characters set in their prime.

Good Idea, pity it probably won't happen. :mad:

[jgphenom]

I agree, it's about time that DC brought back it's anthology titles!
I wish Mystery In Space and Tales Of The Unexpected were an ongoing instead of a minis. I also wish they'd resurrect Adventure Comics as an ongoing title again. Anthologies are the way to go for trying out characters and giving us solo stories with "b" or "c" string characters that we all may like.

What I'd like to see, what with the new multiverse, is an anthology title for each universe. One for the Charlton characters, one for the Fawcett characters and so on.
With the way that DC is pushing their "B" and "C" list characters into the spotlight, it looks like they almost have to put out some anthologies to keep the fans happy.

Not sure about one anthology per universe, though. But I would definitely want to see a multiverse anthology with stories from all the 51 other earths.

[Cat-Scratched-Victim]

With the way that DC is pushing their "B" and "C" list characters into the spotlight, it looks like they almost have to put out some anthologies to keep the fans happy.

Not sure about one anthology per universe, though. But I would definitely want to see a multiverse anthology with stories from all the 51 other earths.

OK, one anthology per universe is not enough, I agree. However, it has to start some how and starting out slow and testing the waters is a good idea.

What I'd really like to see is several imprints like Wildstorm for some of these universes. It seems to be what Grant was trying for, I think.
Whiz Comics for the Fawcett characters, anyone?! :D :p There are plenty of old anthology titles to use for imprint names.

I also agree with you on the single anthology that covers all the known universes; lets give the creators room to play with the others not described yet. No rushing please, not there creator-folk!

Man do I ever want to see more of these other Earths!

[glennsim]

Why does a story have to "matter?"


Sorry for the rant, Glennsim. I know it sounds like I'm blaming you. I don't mean to do that. What you said just reminded me of something I've been seeing more and more.

No offense taken. I suppose I should restate my point. If the story is just a stand-alone hero vs villain story, that's cool. It should be a darn good story, but then they all should.

But I think the Jade power-change example I gave was the most telling. If Jade had developed the new powers in an issue of Infinity Inc., the next write who used her would have at least had to deal with it. But when the story shows up in an anthology, in many cases the writer might not have even read it, and nobody is paying attention. It's too easily ignored.

Or to put it another way, anthologies are a tough sell anyway. It would be better to make it something people will actually regret not reading.

I like the suggestion to create an anthology book around a crossover, to tell additional stories tied to that crossover.

[Taskmaster]

Personally I'd love to see any characters in anthologies as long as the writer has a good story to go with it, things like Mystery in Space could show Adam Strange and the rest of the space characters stories, while an Adventure comics like book could tell stories about some of the characters that get stuck in limbo, but i'd rather they didn't, like the Secret Six, Power Company and many more. I'd even love to see a Green Lantern Anthology about some of the lesser known and unknown GLs out there similar to G.L. Quarterly. Oh yeah, i'd also LOVE to see the idea of Tales from the Multi-verse