New DC Annuals! (SPOILERS!)

[Lex]

Spoiler space!











Okay, if you picked up your books today, you may have noticed that the DC in Demand section actually revealed new information. DC is bringing back Annuals!

The first one, debuting on Valentine's Day, is Teen Titans Annual #1. It focuses on Superboy and Wonder Girl's budding relationship.

The second, Batman Annual #25 (continuing the old numbering) deals with the Red Hood and his return.

When Marvel's Ultimate line brought back annuals this summer, I was hoping that they would continue. But I didn't think DC would be doing them this soon! This is great news. And, by the looks of it, they will be continuing the philosophy of making the stories in the annuals a special treat.

[The Wayner]

I think this is great news, too! I've missed the annuals, and eagerly welcome them back. :)

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Damn as long as these annuals kick ass I'll pick them up. That Batman Annual 25# sounds promising.

[Babylon23]

While I'm cautiously happy to see the return of Annuals, I really hope we don't see a return to the 90's-style Annuals. I like my annuals to be conclusions to big stories, or stories that in some way relate to what's happening in the regular title. I don't want them to be part of an Annuals x-over event.

[Blueferret]

While I'm cautiously happy to see the return of Annuals, I really hope we don't see a return to the 90's-style Annuals. I like my annuals to be conclusions to big stories, or stories that in some way relate to what's happening in the regular title. I don't want them to be part of an Annuals x-over event.


The only Annual I can think of that was a conclusion of a major storyline was The New Teen Titans and the Judas Contract. I wish more writers did things like this because it enhanced the books value other than being just another story.

[Captain Jim]

As long as they're something special, it's okay with me. I'm not interested in annuals by fill-in creators telling throw-away stories.

[Lex]

But why would you want to buy an extra book to find out how a story arc ends? I prefer annuals to have single stories that are special and impact the series by itself.

[Captain Jim]

Well, in the old days, that's the only way you'd get an extra-long story. Today, of course, the publishers change issue size & price at the drop of a hat.

[Blueferret]

But why would you want to buy an extra book to find out how a story arc ends? I prefer annuals to have single stories that are special and impact the series by itself.

I think it creates extra emphasis on the stories in the Annuals, otherwise you end up with JLApe. Also, it creates momentum(sp?) for the next issue as well as a jumping on point for new readers.

[Babylon23]

The only Annual I can think of that was a conclusion of a major storyline was The New Teen Titans and the Judas Contract. I wish more writers did things like this because it enhanced the books value other than being just another story.

The All-Star Squadron Annuals used to do this as well. You'd get the conclusion to a story, usually drawn by a guest artist/s. One of the All-Star Annuals featured a really cool Hourman section drawn by George PErez.

[Sean Whitmore]

While I'm cautiously happy to see the return of Annuals, I really hope we don't see a return to the 90's-style Annuals. I like my annuals to be conclusions to big stories, or stories that in some way relate to what's happening in the regular title. I don't want them to be part of an Annuals x-over event.


I'll be honest, I really liked the annual crossovers. In theory, if not always in execution. Yes, even "Bloodlines". :)

There was just something about the forumla that appealed to me. Some force attacks Earth, all of the heroes confront it one at a time, and then team up at the end in a short mini-series for the final battle (Eclipso, Bloodlines, 2001).

If nothing else, it kept the crossovers out of the monthly books. Plus, it wasn't like you had to buy all the annuals to get the full story. If all you like is Flash, just buy the Flash annual, and you'll learn all you need to about the story. And if you don't want anything to do with the story...just skip the annual altogether. It's not like it's integral to the monthly series.


SEAN

[Lex]

I think it creates extra emphasis on the stories in the Annuals, otherwise you end up with JLApe. Also, it creates momentum(sp?) for the next issue as well as a jumping on point for new readers.

No, I don't mean the cross-over types like JLApe. That stuff was dumb.

What I'm talking about is making the annual the final part of a story arc. I'd prefer the main arcs be contained in the regular series, while the annuals be special stories. The Ultimate annuals did this well this summer. They all had self-contained stories that were special and had an impact on the regular title. I've never bought an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, but I didn't need to to follow the annual. And that made it a better story.

There's a lot more you can do with the format than cross-overs and story arc finales.

[Blueferret]

No, I don't mean the cross-over types like JLApe. That stuff was dumb.

What I'm talking about is making the annual the final part of a story arc. I'd prefer the main arcs be contained in the regular series, while the annuals be special stories. The Ultimate annuals did this well this summer. They all had self-contained stories that were special and had an impact on the regular title. I've never bought an issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, but I didn't need to to follow the annual. And that made it a better story.

There's a lot more you can do with the format than cross-overs and story arc finales.

I agree with you about that last part. I think in recent years, this has been done pretty well by Secret Files series. You get a short story that possibly has implications down the road in the monthly and some extra goodies. Another thing is that while the Ultimate Annuals are a good example of Annuals done right without crossing over,I think eventually those good stories tend to get passed up for an Annual and made into graphic novels or mini-series nowadays instead of an Annual. IMO, this has to do more with storytelling becoming "decompressed" these days, instead of the way they used to be. Someone on another thread mentioned how dense Crisis was after he re-read it recently and said that if Bendis or someone like him had to tell the story by today's standards, Crisis still might be going on.

[Forsaken_One]

I think the recent Marvel annuals are great examples, especially the Ultimate Spider-Man annual. It was still part of the overall plot and an extra-long story but also a standalone story. If the DC annuals are like this I'll be happy.

[Pól Rua]

The All-Star Squadron Annuals used to do this as well. You'd get the conclusion to a story, usually drawn by a guest artist/s. One of the All-Star Annuals featured a really cool Hourman section drawn by George PErez.

That story kicked major arse.

[noodleboy]

I am pretty much in agreement with everyone here, no X-overs and we will be just fine. Also, don't put in 8-10 pages of character sketches, that is probably the biggest gyp in comics today. They are so unnecessary.

[Windbreaker]

If the Annuals are anything like the recent 2005 Secret Files, I'll be happy.

[Andy S.]

The second, Batman Annual #25 (continuing the old numbering) deals with the Red Hood and his return.


March is a long time to wait for an explanation. I thought that was supposed to be addressed in Infinite Crisis? You just watch, it won't be self-contained and will probably just kick off another 6-issue story to get more mileage out of Red Hood. :rolleyes:

Still, it is cool that Annuals are coming back. I agree with Paul's statement above about them not being just throwaway stories or poorly-done crossovers.