The second big issue facing comic book creators is whether or not to age the characters. This is, of course, related to the idea of continuity. If you have a very soft, or absent, continuity, you never have to age the characters. For example, Archie, Veronica and Betty don't age, but at the same time, there is little reference to earlier adventures. Each month, the same "world" is built - Archie pines for Veronica, Betty pines for Archie, Moose is the jock, Reggie is the smarmy one, Jughead is the innocent - this doesn't change even if in a particular story, Moose shows he has a good handle on life, or Reggie does something meaningful.
Marvel pushed the limits on continuity in the '60's with explicit references to earlier stories (with footnotes and references) and this was part of their marketing plan with the readers - it made you feel "involved" when you got the reminder, or inside information, on when this character appeared before, or when this particular story took place with reference to another title or storyline.
However, there are costs to this strategy. As outlined in the "continuity" article, creating a fixed history does tend to cause creative issues with incorporating new events into existing history and may remove some options (e.g. once married, always married....unless you make a deal with the devil).
The other issue is how to provide lasting characters with the gravitas that comes with history (e.g. we don't always want to pretend this is the first day out on patrol, and the first time they've run into bank robbers) without having the characters become "old".
Basically, you are stuck - if you want gravitas (that is, if you want Superman to recognize that he's been around and is world-famous in the comics) you will run the risk of aging the characters.
However, it is a fictional world - you can keep them looking youthful, and still recognize growth (e.g. Peter can learn "responsibility" every few years, without looking like a slow learner, as you can recognize that time has elapsed in the readers world, and some fraction has occurred in the comic).
My pet "solution" is to keep an active, accurate and vibrant continuity for a period of about 5 years for most events, and "forever" for sentinel events - Uncle Ben's death (or Gwen's) shouldn't fade from Peter's mind, even if the character of Spider-Man is 50, 75 or 100 years, similar to Batman's parents. However, I think it is fair play to have other events fade from time, maybe have the "scarecrow" appear "new" for Batman if he hasn't appeared for a number of years - drawn from the nether-regions beyond the grey timescape of the comics. It's not so bad if Dr. Octopus "forgets" that he was engaged to Aunt May and it in effect stale dates out of continuity.
I think it would be great to have a solid, fixed, forever continuity, but realize that only us 50+ers remember the early '70s stories of our youth so fondly - they are still there, particularly the big events, but maybe it would be bettter for new readers to have many of the issues fade to keep the main and secondary characters fresh.
This is kinda' what happens to characters anyway - what war was Tony Stark injured in anyway - Vietnam in the original, but Iraq/Afghanistan in the movie - the main elements of the story remain - we can be hazy about the present-world linkages.
I think this is preferable to the 100th #1 of Spider-Man or the Fantastic Four. Or re-imaginging the Hulk as grey, smart, weak, with Banner's brain etc. constantly.
My fear is that the medium will move to short series (like Marvel seems to favour now) and graphic novels, and lose the monthly, sequential storytelling. My main fear for this is that we will lose the essence of the character if it is disjoint - like Tarzan, and not linear like Superman/Spider-Man.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
DC Digital First - List of titles
DC Digital First are comics initially designed for online (digital) reading. Some are collected and re-published in "paper" form. Here is a list of the Digital First comics:
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Monday, June 8, 2015
DC - Post New 52 World - Cancellations, new, continuing
I've grabbed these from a number of websites and news sites including:
Grand Comics Database (http://www.comics.org/)
IGN (http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/02/06/dc-comics-is-ending-the-new-52; http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/12/16/dc-to-end-14-comics-in-march-2015)
Series Continuing from DC New 52 to post Convergence:
Series Cancelled for Convergence:
Grand Comics Database (http://www.comics.org/)
IGN (http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/02/06/dc-comics-is-ending-the-new-52; http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/12/16/dc-to-end-14-comics-in-march-2015)
Series Continuing from DC New 52 to post Convergence:
| Title | Launched | |
| Action Comics | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Aquaman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Batgirl | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Batman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Batman/Superman | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Continuing |
| Catwoman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Deathstroke | Launched - Dec 2014 | Continuing |
| Detective Comics | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Gotham Academy | Launched - Dec 2014 | Continuing |
| Gotham by Midnight | Launched - Jan 2015 | Continuing |
| Grayson | Launched - Sep 2014 | Continuing |
| Green Arrow | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing at #41 |
| Green Lantern | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing at #41 |
| Harley Quinn | Launched - Jan 2014 | Continuing |
| Justice League United | Launched - Jun 2014 | Continuing |
| Justice League | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Lobo | Launched - Dec 2014 | Continuing |
| New Suicide Squad | Launched - Sep 2014 | Continuing |
| Secret Six | Launched - Feb 2015 | Continuing |
| Sinestro | Launched - Jun 2014 | Continuing |
| Superman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| Superman/Wonder Woman | Launched - Oct 2013 | Continuing |
| Teen Titans | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
| The Flash | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing at #41 |
| Wonder Woman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Continuing with #41 |
NEW Series for post-Convergence:
| Title | Launched | |
| Batman Beyond | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Bat-Mite | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Bizzaro | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Black Canary | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Constantine: The Hellblazer | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Cyborg | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Dark Universe | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Doomed | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Dr. Fate | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Earth 2: Society | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Green Lantern: Lost Army | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Harly Quinn/Power Girl | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Justice League 3001 | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Justice League of America | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Martain Manhunter | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Midnighter | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Mystic U | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Omega Men | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Prez | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Red Hood/Arsenel | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Robin, Son of Batman | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Section Eight | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| Starfire | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
| We Are Robin | Launch - Summer 2015 | NEW - Post Convergence Series |
Series Cancelled for Convergence:
| Title | Launched | Cancelled |
| Aquaman and the Others | Launched - April 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Arkham Manor | Launched - October 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batman and Robin | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batman Eternal | Launched - April 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batwoman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Constantine | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Earth 2 | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Earth 2 - World's End | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Green Lantern Corps | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Green Lantern: New Guardians | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Infinity Man and the Forever People | Launched - Aug 2014 | Cancelled at #9 with Convergence |
| Justice League 3000 | Launched - Feb 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Justice League Dark | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Klarion | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled at #6 with Convergence |
| New 52 - Future's End | Launched - July 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Red Hood and the Outlaws | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Red Lanterns | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Secret Origins | Launched - Jun 2014 | Cancelled at #11 with Convergence |
| Star Spangled War Stories featuring G.I. Zombie | Launched - Sep 2014 | Cancelled at #8 with Convergence |
| Supergirl | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Swamp Thing | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Trinity of Sin | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled at #6 with Convergence |
| World's Finest | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled at #32 with Convergence |
Series Cancelled since DC - New 52 first Launch:
| Title | Launched | Cancelled |
| All-Star Western | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #34 - Aug 2014 |
| Animal Man | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #29 - March 2014 |
| Aquaman and the Others | Launched - April 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Arkham Manor | Launched - October 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batman and Robin | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batman Eternal | Launched - April 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Batman Incorporated | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled at #13 - Apr 2013 |
| Batman: The Dark Knight | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with #29 - Mar 2014 |
| Batwing | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #34 - Aug 2014 |
| Batwoman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Birds of Prey | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #34 - Aug 2014 |
| Blackhawks | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| Blue Beetle | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (4th Wave) |
| Captain Atom | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (3rd Wave) |
| Constantine | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| DC Universe Presents | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| Deathstroke | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| Demon Knights | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (6th Wave - Aug 2013) |
| Dial H | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled (6th Wave - Aug 2013) |
| Earth 2 | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Earth 2 - World's End | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (4th Wave) |
| G.I. Combat | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled (4th Wave) |
| Green Lantern Corps | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Green Lantern: New Guardians | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Grifter | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (4th Wave) |
| Hawk and Dove | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| I, Vampire | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| Infinity Man and the Forever People | Launched - Aug 2014 | Cancelled at #9 with Convergence |
| Justice League 3000 | Launched - Feb 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Justice League Dark | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Justice League International | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (3rd Wave) |
| Justice League of America | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled with #14 - Jul 2014 |
| Justice League of America's Vibe | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled with #10 - Feb 2014 |
| Katana | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled at #10 - Feb 2014 |
| Klarion | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled at #6 with Convergence |
| Larfleeze | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Cancelled with #12 - Aug 2014 |
| Legion Lost | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (4th Wave) |
| Legion of Super-Heroes | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (6th Wave - Aug 2013) |
| Men of War | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| Mister Terrific | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| New 52 - Future's End | Launched - July 2014 | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Nightwing | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #30 - Apr 2014 |
| O.M.A.C. | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| Red Hood and the Outlaws | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Red Lanterns | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Resurrection Man | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (3rd Wave) |
| Secret Origins | Launched - Jun 2014 | Cancelled at #11 with Convergence |
| Star Spangled War Stories featuring G.I. Zombie | Launched - Sep 2014 | Cancelled at #8 with Convergence |
| Static Shock | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (2nd Wave) |
| Stormwatch | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #30 - Apr 2014 |
| Suicide Squad | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #30 - Jul 2014 |
| Superboy | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #34 - Oct 2014 |
| Supergirl | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled with Convergence |
| Superman Unchained | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Cancelled at #7 - Apr 2014 |
| Swamp Thing | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled at #40 with Convergence |
| Sword and Sorcery | Launched (3rd Wave - Aug 2012) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| Talon | Launched (3rd Wave - Aug 2012) | Cancelled at #17 - Apr 2014 |
| Team 7 | Launched (3rd Wave - Aug 2012) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| The Green Team | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Cancelled at #8 - Mar 2014 |
| The Movement | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Cancelled at #12 - July 2014 |
| The Phantom Stranger | Launched (3rd Wave - Aug 2012) | Cancelled at #22 - Oct 2014 |
| The Ravagers | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| The Savage Hawkman | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (5th Wave) |
| Threshold | Launched (4th Wave - Feb 2013) | Cancelled (6th Wave - Aug 2013) |
| Trinity of Sin | Launched - Dec 2014 | Cancelled at #6 with Convergence |
| Trinty of Sin - Pandora | Launched (5th Wave - April 2013) | Cancelled with #14 - Oct 2014 |
| Voodoo | Launched (1st Wave - Aug 2010) | Cancelled (3rd Wave) |
| World's Finest | Launched (2nd Wave - Jan 2012) | Cancelled at #32 with Convergence |
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