DC's Superman Plans: I Am Having None Of It

[40footwolf]

"When the events of SUPERMAN and ACTION started to cross over, the two of them became incredibly animated, conveying in incredible detail how Minor Event A in SUPES would impact Major Event B in ACTION—they were threading not just stories, but a true Superman franchise, a line where the books (along with SUPERGIRL and a special miniseries we've got cooking) would all be must-reads. We discussed just how Supergirl would fit into the picture (in no small way, thank you), where story threads would creep over into JLA and GREEN LANTERN, how the books would begin to connect more than they have the last couple of years… you get the idea."

-DC Nation Column 113

Oh yeah, Minor Event A will impact Major Event B, but here's the thing: THERE WILL BE NO MINOR EVENTS. I can almost guarantee you that it's going to be a "Civil War: Front Line" sort of thing: "Oh, no, you don't HAVE to read Front Line, it'll just be incredibly majorly super important and you're missing like 40% of the story if you don't. No big." They're going to come out later and say that you can read one without reading the other, but the truth is that you won't be able to without having your reading experience severely impaired.

Now, it's not that I don't think the comics are going to be good. Far from it; they seem like they're going to be excellent. But I resent the fact that I would have to triple my spending money to get 100% of an experience that could be contained in one ongoing title. After the whole Countdown fiasco, I have no doubts as to what DC will do to rip money out of your ass, and the people who just want to read Action Comics because they don't find Superman that interesting, or Superman because they don't find Action that interesting, or Supergirl because they don't find the other two that interesting...those people will either have to by other titles they don't care about in order to get the whole story or just stop caring about Superman altogether. In other words, the casual reader gets fucked. Again.

Does anybody else agree with me, or do you think I'm overthinking the whole thing?

[Chad]

"When the events of SUPERMAN and ACTION started to cross over, the two of them became incredibly animated, conveying in incredible detail how Minor Event A in SUPES would impact Major Event B in ACTION—they were threading not just stories, but a true Superman franchise, a line where the books (along with SUPERGIRL and a special miniseries we've got cooking) would all be must-reads. We discussed just how Supergirl would fit into the picture (in no small way, thank you), where story threads would creep over into JLA and GREEN LANTERN, how the books would begin to connect more than they have the last couple of years… you get the idea."

-DC Nation Column 113

I recall reading recently - if not online then in one of those DC Nation columns - that this would be happening. A comparision was made to the triangle era with the comparison meant in a flattering way.

I may be getting off topic here 40footwolf but do most posters regard the mid-90's era with as much sentimentality? I admit that I stopped reading the titles around 1995/96 but I don't recall the Electric Superman, Red/Blue Electric Superman, etc storylines that followed being highly regarded then or now.

I really look at 90's Superman as the worst period of the character's history with a lot of the blame due to anchoring the titles together. I remember it getting to the point that because Superman was thought of as a character whose stories were told in weekly installments, DC felt that they needed to add a fifth title to come out on those weeks when Action, Superman, Adventures, or Man of Steel weren't being published.

Of course this isn't the 90s and DC doesn't seem to be adding titles left and right to give Superman those weekly installments, but I just associate the formula itself with an era that definately needs to be forgotten.

[40footwolf]

From what I can tell most people despised the nineties. I was too young to notice, but it seems like the best things that came out of the 90's were the Vertigo Renaissance and Grant Morrisons JLA.

[Sean Whitmore]

Does anybody else agree with me, or do you think I'm overthinking the whole thing?

Well, I agree that if it's something that's going to upset you, you should definitely vote with your dollar and not buy any of it.

On the other hand, you like Superman, and I assume you like the creative teams (since you say the upcoming books look good), so I don't see the affront in having to get two books you'll enjoy each month instead of one.

...unless they spend a lot of time crossing over with Supergirl, then I'll be right there with ya.


SEAN

[Cayman]

Have they said if Mon-El is going to be important in this new run of stories?

[40footwolf]

Well, I agree that if it's something that's going to upset you, you should definitely vote with your dollar and not buy any of it.

On the other hand, you like Superman, and I assume you like the creative teams (since you say the upcoming books look good), so I don't see the affront in having to get two books you'll enjoy each month instead of one.

...unless they spend a lot of time crossing over with Supergirl, then I'll be right there with ya.


SEANThat's where I'm conflicted. I really dig this idea of a newer, creepier Braniac, and Atlas looks interesting. To be honest, I sort of WANT to get both of them. It's the principle of the whole thing that troubles me.

[Kid Kyoto]

I have some good feeling towards the late 80s early 90s triangle era. I dropped around 94 or so after Reign of the Superman but that was certainly a high point for Superman and DC.

It was a weekly story, long before 52 or Countdown that planted seeds months and years in advance. The Exile storyline, the Gangbuster story, the Legion of Super-Heroes/Supergirl storyline all were great and all kept my coming back week after week.

The mid to late 90s were bleak. Electric Superman, Conduit, Milennium Giants, whatever else... Although I would love them to reprint the arc where Superman had Golden Age, Silver Age, 70s and future adventures. That was fun.

[J. Robb]

I have some good feeling towards the late 80s early 90s triangle era. I dropped around 94 or so after Reign of the Superman but that was certainly a high point for Superman and DC.

It was a weekly story, long before 52 or Countdown that planted seeds months and years in advance. The Exile storyline, the Gangbuster story, the Legion of Super-Heroes/Supergirl storyline all were great and all kept my coming back week after week.

The mid to late 90s were bleak. Electric Superman, Conduit, Milennium Giants, whatever else... Although I would love them to reprint the arc where Superman had Golden Age, Silver Age, 70s and future adventures. That was fun.
I agree with all of this.

Weekly adventures are great as long as the stories hold up. From about '89 to '94 the latest Superman book was my first-read every week. But once the quality drops it becomes harder to keep readers hooked into buying four inter-locked titles a month.

[Mon-el]

Have they said if Mon-El is going to be important in this new run of stories?

I haven't heard anything yet, Cay.

I think they have used him considerably though the past 3 months (a little in 2 Superman's,a little in the Action Annual).

I'm crossing my finger's though just to have him explained in Legion of 3 Worlds.

[carabas]

the people who just want to read Action Comics because they don't find Superman that interesting, or Superman because they don't find Action that interestingHow does this work, with both books telling parts of the same story.

[40footwolf]

How does this work, with both books telling parts of the same story.
I'm saying that for the benefit of people who don't want to spend a bunch more money if they only want to read one Superman story. If, for example, something happens in Superman that will effect something in Action, and they don't care about Superman, they're going to get screwed out of their reading experience, and either have to buy all the Superman titles or none of them.

[Supermancho]

Does anybody else agree with me, or do you think I'm overthinking the whole thing?

From what I can tell most people despised the nineties. I was too young to notice, but it seems like the best things that came out of the 90's were the Vertigo Renaissance and Grant Morrisons JLA.

DC is telling you, right from the start, what's going to happen. Superman crossing with another titles...
You don't buy one Superman title, because is not good enough as the other book.
On your own, you think is going to be good a good intertwined story....http://www.smileyhut.com/confused/busted.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com)
I don't get it. People complains about Superman stories are not compelling and you are complaining because DC is going to give you a good story!!!http://www.smileyhut.com/angry/annoyed.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com)

I'm so sure you spend money in another book that don't serve it as much as this new arc.http://www.smileyhut.com/angry/dry.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com)

Be carefull what you say. Lots of people, including me, remember Mike Carlin years (90's) in Superman books as a very strong and good period. And people who talk about it, despise it because they didn't tried all the books.

http://www.yelims.com/IPB/Invision-Board-France-234.gif

[40footwolf]

Do you have problems with English? That's not meant to be snarky, it's a legitimate question. I just...have a really hard time figuring out what you're trying to say.

[WorstThingUS]

From what I can tell most people despised the nineties. I was too young to notice, but it seems like the best things that came out of the 90's were the Vertigo Renaissance and Grant Morrisons JLA.

Then you obviously missed the thread where we were discussing that period as a great Superman time. With four books a month, not including Supergirl, Steel and Superboy.

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=218840

I'm saying that for the benefit of people who don't want to spend a bunch more money if they only want to read one Superman story. If, for example, something happens in Superman that will effect something in Action, and they don't care about Superman, they're going to get screwed out of their reading experience, and either have to buy all the Superman titles or none of them.

This still doesn't make sense. If the story is good, then instead of waiting a month for part 2, you're waiting just two weeks. And if it's self-contained then it doesn't matter. The only way it's a problem is if you only wanted to spend a $2.99 a month on Superman, period. If so, then yeah, you're kinda screwed.

[40footwolf]

Well... yeah, that's kind of my point.

[WorstThingUS]

Well... yeah, that's kind of my point.

Oh. Then yeah, DC is not going to be your friend in the upcoming months. Sorry. I hate to see anyone interested in the Man of Steel be forced out. And personally, I'm not looking forward to be forced into the lame-than-lame Supergirl. But it could be worse. They could be forcing me into Batman/Superman too. Shudder.

[40footwolf]

Hey man, I hate to get forced out myself. But what are you gonna do? I've gotta stick by my principles.

And my budget.

[WorstThingUS]

Hey man, I hate to get forced out myself. But what are you gonna do? I've gotta stick by my principles.

And my budget.

"$2.99 for Superman and not a penny more! This is my creed! This is my code!"

[40footwolf]

Look, dude, I don't have a Benjamin tree in my backyard. I have to pick the comics I get very carefully and I just don't have the scratch to keep up with another three titles. Another one, sure. Another three, along with some of the other stuff I'm going to be getting in the comic months? I just can't swing it right now.

[WorstThingUS]

Look, dude, I don't have a Benjamin tree in my backyard. I have to pick the comics I get very carefully and I just don't have the scratch to keep up with another three titles. Another one, sure. Another three, along with some of the other stuff I'm going to be getting in the comic months? I just can't swing it right now.

I can dig it. Fortunately, I just dislike so many books, my funds get freed without me having to choose. I love Nightwing and Robin, but thankfully The Outisders and Teen Titans sucked so much I had to drop them. I love Superman, but Superman/Batman sucks and JLA is just disappointing.

[40footwolf]

Same here, actually. I try not to spend more than 50 bones a month on comics, if I can help it.

[cpahl2000]

I´m enjoying Superman comics these days, specially Johns´ run on Action Comics. I read Robinson´s interview and I liked his plain for both Superman and Supergirl, which I think needs a improvement . Since John took over Superman is a little better, specially after Rucka and Simone`s run, which for me were bad. I like waht Busiek did, he could be better but it was a good run.


I hope nothing strange or any retcon came in the coming months (With final crisis around the corner), I have a little impression Superman comics will be great( I hope so).

[carabas]

This is not even a matter worth debating: if you buy one and only one superman title, go for All Star Superman.

[Kilgore Trout]

It certainly not a question of money...

I hated the triangle era. I didn't care for what I felt were jarring differences in the writing styles and characterizations, not to mention the differences in the artist styles from book to book...

I didn't care for the idea that if you didn't like the story, you had to suffer through 8 issues to get a new one...

I have 30 Joe Kelly ACTION comics that make NO SENSE alone. And this wouldn't be a problem if I liked Joe Kelly, but I don't. Still, how much sense did it make to skip it and buy 3/4 of a Superman story?

I'm over being a completist and over supporting books I don't like.

I stopped reading after Busieks debut story. I thought I'd come back after he left and after DC had figured out which version of Superman they had finally decided on...

But I'm not coming back to buy 3 Superman books when all I want is one. I'm NOT interested in reading a Supergirl comic to figure out what's happening in Action comics because I don't want to read either one.

Is ONE Superman comic, too much to ask?

[JCAll]

I don't really mind them meshing Action and Superman, frankly because I get then anyway. But why bring Supergirl into this? Let's just get Steel, Krypto, and Jimmy Olsen their own books to drag us through as well.

I have no interest in Supergirl, and never have, and I know the money is going to have to come from one of the books I actually LIKE to get each month. DC isn't increasing sales, they're just killing Blue Beetle!

[Mr. Palmer]

Just to get the dust settled:

I'm now going to have to start reading Supergirl, too, to get the full Supes storylines?

[40footwolf]

From what I understand, yeah.

[BoosterBronze]

I hated the triangle era. I didn't care for what I felt were jarring differences in the writing styles and characterizations, not to mention the differences in the artist styles from book to book...


That is my complaint with the triangle era (and I dont have that much cash).

[TROUBLEZ]

I don't think that's a good idea.

I know it sounds like a great money making idea, having all the Superman related books, be intertwined story-wise, so it entices the possible consumer to buy, not just his regularly favorite comic, ACTION COMICS by Geoff Johns, but to buy all the other comics he wouldn't normally buy, just so as to keep up with the story.

I for one, don't like that. Sometimes I forget the newest issue of Project Superpowers came out, or Astonishing X-Men. I don't like or buy comics when the parts of the story all mixed throughout specials, annuals, other titles etc.

I think it's better for comic fans, if DC puts two good creative teams on ACTION and SUPERMAN, but have them go in different directions. ACTION could have bigger story-arcs, more action etc, while SUPERMAN might have more self-contained stories, and deal more explicitly with the Superman mythos. So you give readers the chance to buy 2 different takes/directions of Superman and have a little variety.

AND/OR the readers who aren't pleased with the direction that SUPERMAN is going in, can always buy ACTION.

[TROUBLEZ]

Not only that, but I would imagine it's would hinder writers from telling their best stories, if they have to worry about how this particular issue connects with a plot element from 2 months ago in Supergirl, or Action, etc.

The only Superman book I buy is All-Star Superman. I'm not a big Superman fan and it's not so much that I'm crazy about the Silver Age (although it's better than the Byrne revamp) but it's got great art, very nice covers that standout, and good stories that are mostly self-contained but have a larger story looming in the background that makes you look forward to the next issue.

[Theophilus]

I think the idea of all three titles being connected could potentially damage the Superman line in soft economic times, discouraging new readers.

I mean, I was shelling out $50 a week on comics and $120 a year in subscriptions in the 90s "triangle format." But then I was a teenager with no rent, no children, and no responsibilites aside from filling up my car when gas was a $1 per gallon.

Now...I'm going to be more attracted to titles like "The Flash" that I don't have to read several other titles to feel like I'm getting the whole story. I mean, I've liked Flash since Waid's run...but now it's an economic consideration as well, because I feel confident that I can keep following his adventures.

[willywilly99]

For those who don't know, Mushi are creatures that are neither plant nor animal. They are spirits that haunt our everyday lives and sometimes cause us problems.