Lack of 'Previously...' Pages

[Paj Meen Ah]

As someone just coming back into comics (but with an extensive knowledge of both DC and Marvel history anyway), and as someone on a student budget, I'm trying to buy as much as I can, both print and digital, but have to be v. discerning. I really want to read Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Animal Man and a few others from DC, but instead at the comic shop yesterday I left with a handful of Marvel titles.

Why?

Because I knew I would be jumping into issues with no idea what happened previously if I bought DC! Now as someone who has read comics all their life (21 years) and knows a lot about both universes etc, I'm sure I'd be fine, and I could look up things here, get past issues digitally I guess... but that's not really the point. For a casual reader, surely just *some* form of catch-up thing should be provided? It just seems obvious to me.

Why haven't they done this? Is there a reason I'm missing? It's not like these are Claremont-ian comic full of fill-in exposition (thank goodness).

[also I haven't tried every DC comic so come may have this sort of thing that I just haven't seen]

[nightrider]

I think the "previously" page is a nice touch but unnecessary since you can find everything you need to know about the series online. Also, DC's comcis are cheaper per page since 2.99 gives you 20 pages in DC while 3.99 gives you 20 page + a recap page, so if budget is a concern you should consider this. Alas, all DC comics will be digitally cheaper after 1 month, they'll reduce their price from 3.99 to 2.99 or 2.99 to 1.99 so catching up on prior runs are easier.

Alas another point to take note is Marvel just started the Marvel now so its relatively easier to jump unto a run than DC because DC rebooted 2 years ago so it might need a little catching up, but Marvel double ship their books quite often so it could be a bad thing if you want variety in your comic books. One way to go about saving money is to get trades which are much much cheaper and you seem pretty well read because Wonder Woman, Batwoman and Animal Man are all the great titles that I'm sure you heard tons of people saying it. My advice is to mix and match between reading trades, digitally one month later and buying only those that you love in single issues.

Another way is to check out any jumping on points like since Lemire took over Green Arrow, it'll be a great point to jump in since you don't really need any prior knowledge. Likewise all the Green Lantern books will be getting new writers and it'll serve as a good jumping on points. They are also releasing issue 1 every few months, 2 in June another 6 more in July, so these new books should be relatively easy to jump on. Not to mention, there are also new books releasing this month, last month and next month. Do check out Katana, Justice League of America and Constantine.

[Paj Meen Ah]

I actually did just use Lemire's entry to GA as a reason to get on that. It was awesome! Yeah, I buy some things in trade and think I'll do it for Wonder Woman at least. I just think it would help to have even a half-page thing...I guess I just like them. Especially with the ones that show you the team roster etc. It's cool :p

[El Sombrero]

I've heard that Dan Didio (DC's previous Editor in Chief) really dislikes recap pages. I think his reasoning was that having a recap page implies that you've missed a lot and would therefore NEED a recap page to get caught up, and I know that DC editorial said that they wanted to ensure that with the New 52, each individual issue could be new reader friendly. I don't really think the latter has come true, but with the oldest New 52 series at only 17 issues long now, it's not like you have that much to catch up with.

For someone on a budget, you've got two great options. Buy trades on Amazon, which will run you a mere ten dollars each, or buy digital from Comixology, where DC books drop a dollar after they're a month old, so you're looking at 2 bucks per issue for a standard title.

I understand and agree that not having a recap page is a bit of a bummer, but these series are fairly new and you could have it a lot worse in the "playing catch-up" game.

[Eric Chang]

Trades bro. Trades.

[CaptCleghorn]

As someone just coming back into comics (but with an extensive knowledge of both DC and Marvel history anyway), and as someone on a student budget, I'm trying to buy as much as I can, both print and digital, but have to be v. discerning. I really want to read Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Animal Man and a few others from DC, but instead at the comic shop yesterday I left with a handful of Marvel titles.

Why?

Because I knew I would be jumping into issues with no idea what happened previously if I bought DC! Now as someone who has read comics all their life (21 years) and knows a lot about both universes etc, I'm sure I'd be fine, and I could look up things here, get past issues digitally I guess... but that's not really the point. For a casual reader, surely just *some* form of catch-up thing should be provided? It just seems obvious to me.

Why haven't they done this? Is there a reason I'm missing? It's not like these are Claremont-ian comic full of fill-in exposition (thank goodness).

[also I haven't tried every DC comic so come may have this sort of thing that I just haven't seen]

I used to advise people to jump in and read. I remember starting to get into series and wondering who this person was or why this happened. But this is a different time. Back in the day, every issue was meant as something that could be read on its own, even if it was part 2 of 3. Now part 2 of 3 is more like pages 21-40 of a 60 page story. There is a difference and it's probably tougher to dive in now. But there is the internet, wikia on characters, and threads here regarding individual issues.

If you go with individual issues, try number ones (numbers one?) and issues that state they are prologues or part 1 of ___. Otherwise sticking with trades will get you a more complete experience with each book, although there will still be subplots and themes carrying over throughout the trade series.

[henrymalredo]

Unless it's part of a multiple title cross over, recaps are a waste of pages. Just pay attention to monthly solicitations and tpb solicitations and you'll have a good idea of when storylines begin an end and where to job on.

[MajorHoy]

I like the idea of a "previously, . . . " or recap blurb that can easily be tucked in on a non-story page (like those pointless promo pages they usually have for the last two-or-three pages of an issue).
But people evidently feel if you're not willing to look up that info yourself on the internet, well, screw you you miserable loser!

[[Trigger]]

Wonder if flashback issues would be worth it? Maybe every 12 issues have a book that talks about what has happened to this point. If not then they could do a DCU's GL/Batman/JL/Dark/Edge/etc Annuals that recaps what has happened in that line of books. Could be seasonal, bi seasonal or even yearly.

[glennsim]

I sent DC a suggestion that they put a QR code somewhere on the issue that takes someone directly to a recap page on the Web. I don't guess they thought it merited doing...

[nightw1ng]

I think it's foolish to basically say to a new reader "you do the extra work to find out what's going on" instead of having the company do it for you. Consumers are more fickle these days and comics are competing with other mediums for entertainment. Why give the consumer a reason to drop it? I read a lot of titles, so I also occasionally forget certain things of what happened previously. Besides, have you seen some of the wikipedia entries for many comic characters? It's like trying to read a novel for each one. These aren't professionally written articles. Some of them are unnecessarily detailed and confusing.

At least a half-page recap is appreciated, and they can use the other half of the page to continue the story. I think with the way comics are written these days (decompressed stories, no thought bubbles, less exposition) writers have gotten lazier in treating every issue as if it was someone's first (like it was editorially mandated back in the day).

If they aren't doing a recap, I agree with glennsim that there should at least be a webpage dedicated to each title that's written by DC themselves.

[MajorHoy]

I sent DC a suggestion that they put a QR code somewhere on the issue that takes someone directly to a recap page on the Web. I don't guess they thought it merited doing...

But do those things work if you don't have a smartphone/iphone/cellphone?

[nightrider]

I think it's foolish to basically say to a new reader "you do the extra work to find out what's going on" instead of having the company do it for you. Consumers are more fickle these days and comics are competing with other mediums for entertainment. Why give the consumer a reason to drop it? I read a lot of titles, so I also occasionally forget certain things of what happened previously. Besides, have you seen some of the wikipedia entries for many comic characters? It's like trying to read a novel for each one. These aren't professionally written articles. Some of them are unnecessarily detailed and confusing.

At least a half-page recap is appreciated, and they can use the other half of the page to continue the story. I think with the way comics are written these days (decompressed stories, no thought bubbles, less exposition) writers have gotten lazier in treating every issue as if it was someone's first (like it was editorially mandated back in the day).

If they aren't doing a recap, I agree with glennsim that there should at least be a webpage dedicated to each title that's written by DC themselves.

Would you rather pay a dollar extra for the recap page?

[glennsim]

But do those things work if you don't have a smartphone/iphone/cellphone?

No, but they could print the Web address too. But you'd go directly to the one for that book using the QR code.

Plus, let's face it, smartphones will pretty much take over in the next few years.

[4thHorseman]

I've tried getting into Marvel and I never found their recap pages to be helpful.

Now what Marvel did in the 90's with that fold out cover? That I loved. The explanation of the plot was lengthy, but I also enjoyed them explaining the characters in the book. Especially X-Men. Hated jumping into that series and not knowing any of the characters, but at least those character descriptions gave me an idea of who they were/motivations/powers/etc.