DC Continuity and Connectiveness in the Universe

[jetter_cheeze]

One thing that i enjoy about DC comics is the shared community that the titles have. If something happens in one book, it can affect others. We can also see books crossover into each other if the storyline merits it. Countdown has done so.

Examples of this include the red hood reference in Countdown to the current storyline in Batman. In the latest issue of Teen Titans, Speedy tried to tell the Titans about her condition, but got cut off. We also saw Green Lantern make his appearence in Countdown. In the next couple of months we will have Outsiders and Teen Titans crossover. Some things may happen in some comics, such as Identity Crisis, and we can see it eventually have an affect on the other titles (see Flash and Robin, among others).

While the timing of the event might take a few months before it will hit the book it affects, in the end we can get the big picture and admire all the pieces and the work that went behind them. THis is one thing i really enjoy about DC comics, the knowledge that it has the shared community among its comics.

[Paradox]

Don't get too used to it. According to interviews, this whole "Infinity Crisis" event is there to give DC a "looser continuity".

Not that that's a bad thing in and of itself...all depends on how it's executed.

[stevelabny]

Don't get too used to it. According to interviews, this whole "Infinity Crisis" event is there to give DC a "looser continuity".


which is what baffles me... why have a few years of super-tight continuity and interconnected titles that makes some fans (like myself) extremely happy and pisses off others... just to build up to doing the exact opposite of whats going on.

baffling.

[Paradox]

Because the going theory is that it's all the continuity stuff that's scaring off "new readers". The feeling that if they pick up a book, that they have to know a bunch of stuff that's gone before, not just in that book, but in all of the ones in that universe, to know what's going on.

Right or wrong, that's the prevailing corporate thought, anyway.

[Polar Bear]

Hope that "looser continuity" thinkg is misinformation.

The lastest issue of Superman (214?) had a big OMAC reveal that implied that the whole Azarello/Lee storyline fed into the new IC.

Also, the first Superman/Batman story by Loeb/McGuinness held about the first mention of an "upcoming crisis" that I've seen.

And Identity Crisis is a no-brainer for "leading in" to the new stuff.

[jetter_cheeze]

Because the going theory is that it's all the continuity stuff that's scaring off "new readers". The feeling that if they pick up a book, that they have to know a bunch of stuff that's gone before, not just in that book, but in all of the ones in that universe, to know what's going on.

Right or wrong, that's the prevailing corporate thought, anyway.

I really don't buy the theory that it is scaring off new readers. By the one, maybe two pages that comics interact with each other, it can be just a enough to add to the story. I see the outsiders interact with Teen Titans, but it hasn't scared me off that title or had me running to get Outsiders.

I think the shared comminutiy is what keeps more people reading DC comics. Marvel might have the top ten, but then they have a lot of comics that go down, down, down. DC, i always notice, has consistent selling numbers. Maybe not always the best each month, but i feel the quality of DC books are better. Marvel might have hot writer of the month, but DC has what Marvel is desperately trying to have, and that is iconic characters. (see SUperman, Batman, Wonder Woman) that have been around much longer.

[jetter_cheeze]

Hope that "looser continuity" thinkg is misinformation.

The lastest issue of Superman (214?) had a big OMAC reveal that implied that the whole Azarello/Lee storyline fed into the new IC.

Also, the first Superman/Batman story by Loeb/McGuinness held about the first mention of an "upcoming crisis" that I've seen.

And Identity Crisis is a no-brainer for "leading in" to the new stuff.

I think the IC thing was that DC is trying to say that the "modern" or 'bronze" of comics are over, and they are trying to send comics into a new direction. Much the same way how the intro of Flash way bakc when ushered in the silver age, and frank miller's batman ushered in the modern age. The way i see it, things have to get darker, thus the current murders in IC and countdown and the heroes all acting like pricks as some describe, before things can get better for the heroes.

[sikkbones]

what exactly is speedy's condition... i'm not a regular reader of titans and havem't seen GA here.

[Bat-Mite]

Speedy (the new one, Mia, not Roy) has AIDS. That's pretty much her condition.

[sikkbones]

Speedy (the new one, Mia, not Roy) has AIDS. That's pretty much her condition.
thank you... what's the story behind it? as i said hard to follow GA here as the university bookstore where i buy my comics doesn't have it.

[Aaron King]

She used to live on the streets. I don't know much more but I'm guessing that she was either a prostitute or into doing drugs and sharing needles.

[Matches Malone]

Just to note: Mia has HIV, not AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

[glennsim]

I think, right now and for the last few years, any connectiveness between the titles has been because a) the same guy was writing both books and though it would be interesting to cross them over b) the writers knew each other and thought it would be cool to reference each other or c) the editors/marketing thought they could sell more books by tying lesser-selling books into major-selling books (such as the Flash crossover with Identity Crisis).

I don't think there's any feeling at DC that this is in any way a mandatory.

I'd also want to remind that there's a difference between actively crossing over and just being consistent. That is, it's one thing to have Superman cross over with Batman. But even if that doesn't happen, you shouldn't have Batman say something like "there aren't any aliens on Earth."

Or, more specifically, that time travel isn't possible...

[pureclint]

Don't get too used to it. According to interviews, this whole "Infinity Crisis" event is there to give DC a "looser continuity".

Not that that's a bad thing in and of itself...all depends on how it's executed.


Curious what have you read that leads you to think this? Everything I have read seems to hint at the opposite where they are making everything thighter.


Besides this what your implying is exactly why they created the All Star line, non continuity tales.

[jetter_cheeze]

I think, right now and for the last few years, any connectiveness between the titles has been because a) the same guy was writing both books and though it would be interesting to cross them over b) the writers knew each other and thought it would be cool to reference each other or c) the editors/marketing thought they could sell more books by tying lesser-selling books into major-selling books (such as the Flash crossover with Identity Crisis).


Flash is a low seller? I would think the other crossovers with other titles would be a better example. Just a little nick pick from a flash fan.

[Expletive Deleted]

Flash is a low seller? I would think the other crossovers with other titles would be a better example. Just a little nick pick from a flash fan.I wouldn't say low, but it's been pretty middle-of-the-pack. If it weren't for the crossovers, it'd be in the low-40k/high-30k range.

Besides, Glenn said "lesser" not "low." Compared to something like IDENTITY CRISIS, that's wholly accurate.

Here's the most recent chart analysis: DC Sales February 2005 (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D00 3609)

[The Shadow]

I wouldn't say low, but it's been pretty middle-of-the-pack. If it weren't for the crossovers, it'd be in the low-40k/high-30k range.

Besides, Glenn said "lesser" not "low." Compared to something like IDENTITY CRISIS, that's wholly accurate.

Here's the most recent chart analysis: DC Sales February 2005 (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D00 3609)
Thanks for the link!

Flash is one of the best titles out there right now... I'm surprised it's not selling higher.

[Forsaken_One]

Thanks for the link!

Flash is one of the best titles out there right now... I'm surprised it's not selling higher.
As in most mediums, I don't believe quality of product and quantity of sales have a directly proportional relationship in comics. :)

[Zero Hunter]

The way I see it is DC is getting more like Marvel was in the 80's with a tighter universe feel where stuff from one book might lead inot something down the road.
On the other hand Marvel is now like the early Image universe where you have all the little fiedoms having major world shattering events every three or four issues, but it never seems to touch anything out side of their own little corners. which to me kind of weakens the shared universe aspect of things.

DC feels like one cohosive universe.
Marvel feels like 3 or 4 little universe squeezed into one.

[Kid Seven]

This is kinda tangential, but I had a question. I've always assumed that Superman/Batman was a strong seller, but in the most recent Diamond Charts released it clocks in at one hundred something.

Seems kinda low. Was it just Michael Turner (god forbid) that led to a sales spike on the book?

[Forsaken_One]

This is kinda tangential, but I had a question. I've always assumed that Superman/Batman was a strong seller, but in the most recent Diamond Charts released it clocks in at one hundred something.

Seems kinda low. Was it just Michael Turner (god forbid) that led to a sales spike on the book?
I think S/B is a solid seller but not top 10 huge. It's still one of DC's bigger books though, just look at the list Expletive Deleted posted. Marvel still all but owns the top ten list as I recall.

[Kid Seven]

Below the Top 100 though? That seems awfully low.

[Paradox]

pureclint doubts:

Curious what have you read that leads you to think this?

Um, the fact that they actually used those words in an interview? I can go find it, if you want, but it'll take me a while.

Everything I have read seems to hint at the opposite where they are making everything thighter.

I certainly don't deny that it kind of looks like that...but it also kind of doesn't. Lots of things going on in both directions, if you ask me.


Besides this what your implying is exactly why they created the All Star line, non continuity tales.

True, but the quote was linked SPECIFICALLY to Infinite Crisis.

Now, certainly, I'm the one that's usually telling people to not take interviews and hype so literally, so there's certainly a possibility that they were just talking smack, but it is what they said.

[Sharcque]

Hope that "looser continuity" thinkg is misinformation.

The lastest issue of Superman (214?) had a big OMAC reveal that implied that the whole Azarello/Lee storyline fed into the new IC.

Also, the first Superman/Batman story by Loeb/McGuinness held about the first mention of an "upcoming crisis" that I've seen.

And Identity Crisis is a no-brainer for "leading in" to the new stuff.

I don't read any Superman titles.....so, what exactly did it reveal about the Hush storyline tieing in to IC?

[Paradox]

..........

Damned intenet.

I found the "interview". Seems all this time I was quoting that crappy "Insider" message from back in January that even I said not to believe. **hangs head in shame**

For what it's worth (which probably isn't much), here it is...

Earlier this week, frequent ATR contributor, John Voulieris scored some interesting info from a source within DC. “The Insider” had this to say about DC’s Crisis 2:

They're not sure if it will actually be called "Crisis 2" in its final form, although "Crisis" will definitely be in the title. This will be overseen by Geoff Johns, who is already setting the table for the event in Teen Titans and JSA. (Diligent readers will note the references to this "Crisis" in the Titans' future hiding in the storyline currently in shops.) Expect both books to play major roles in Crisis 2. The goal this time is not so much to streamline and simplify the DCU, but to establish a new status quo for DC characters which will feature a looser adherence to strict continuity, a more classic and distinct appearance for each major character, and hopefully attract more readers as a result. (Dan Didio has been touting this approach for several months. Expect Crisis 2 to heavily underscore it.)

Man, is MY face red... :o

[Forsaken_One]

..........

Damned intenet.

Man, is MY face red... :o
Are you serious? You have nothing to be embarrassed about, you actually admitted a fault and took responsibility. On the Internet. :eek:

[jetter_cheeze]

Besides, Glenn said "lesser" not "low." Compared to something like IDENTITY CRISIS, that's wholly accurate.



Well, wouldn't most titles compared to IC be lower sellers for DC?

[Paradox]

Forsaken_One exposes my flaw:

Are you serious? You have nothing to be embarrassed about, you actually admitted a fault and took responsibility. On the Internet. :eek:

Yes, I'm kind of a heretic that way. :p

[Matches Malone]

I think S/B is a solid seller but not top 10 huge. It's still one of DC's bigger books though, just look at the list Expletive Deleted posted. Marvel still all but owns the top ten list as I recall.

S/B has consistently been a top 5 book, and it was generally #1 when Turner was drawing it.

Keep in mind there was no new issue in March. The issue that's listed below #100 is re-orders from the issue released in February. Look for the book to be back in the top 5/ top 10 in April.

[hondobrode]

S/B has been, and will continue to be, the sweet & sour of DC Comics. What a great dicotomy !

Infinitie Crissi will show the mutilple personality structure of the DCU as a living entity, as Grant Morrison has alluded to, thus having many different branches off of the same, main branch.

I can't wait !!!!