The DC Universe Reboot

[NeoCracker]

So I've never bought a comic before, and decided why not when DC rebooted their universe. Seemed as good a time as any to jump on.

Just finished reading the first one to come out, Justice League #1. I must say, it's not to shabby.

[Del Murder]

Yeah, this has sounded interesting. I may pick up JL #1.

I feel that comics universes can use reboots like this every once and a while. It keeps the characters fresh and allows new generations to get into them. Usually the best comic stories come from the early life of the character, and it is nice to see these adapted to a modern setting. Also, with all stuff that happens over the years, it is difficult to maintain a continuity while still providing gripping storylines.

[CimminyCricket]

At first I was kind of worried about this reboot, because I had heard nothing but negative reactions to it. Now that I think more about it, though, I'm finding that it'll be that much easier to get into it, because I'll be able to follow it from the beginning. And all the retcons that they've done in previous stories with all the super heroes will not matter because the whole scenario is new. I like that they're doing this. I'm excited to see what they do with GL.

[Slothy]

The trouble with this is that it's not completely a reboot. Some continuity is going, some is staying, and people like me who haven't read a lot of DC lately, but are pretty up on (and enjoy) the overall continuity have been left kind of wondering what the hell is going on. And to be honest, DC has had little reboots so often in the last 10-20 years that the whole thing is a little off putting to me. How long until all of this is undone too? It doesn't help that Justice Society is apparently undergoing major changes when it eventually reappears. Aside from that I've only read the Lex Luthor Action Comics arc and Flash recently, and I may not pick these series back up when I have the cash. The funny thing about supposedly perfect jumping on points for new readers is they're great exit points for existing readers.

And while I'm somewhat tempted to agree with you Del on the idea that starting fresh with characters is a good way to get new readers in, I'm not sure that actually matters at all. For the major heroes, most people are at least somewhat familiar with them, their history, and their status quo. In my experience, the best writers manage to make their stories, even the ones fairly heavy on continuity very accessible to new and old readers alike. And frankly, there are so many points in a comics run where it relaunches, or they start up with a new team or major story arc, that there are usually plenty of jumping on points for people that are perfectly fine. About the only thing I'd say a reboot has in it's favour for bringing in new readers is the perception that it will be easier to understand what's going on, but even then, if you're somewhat familiar with past established canon, you may just end up more confused as you try to figure out what is still valid and what isn't.

[NeoCracker]

Just default to assume none of it is.

Justice leauge starts off with Green Lantern not knowing Batman is real. It's safe to assume the vast majority of everything out now can be disregarded.

[Slothy]

From what I've read, the first Justice League story arc is an origin story for the new canon taking place years before everything else. If I'm not mistaken Darkseid is the main villain in that first arc but they've stated Final Crisis is still canon so he'd be a little too dead at the moment to show up (not to mention the Justice League not being formed would make that and other stories not make sense).

[NeoCracker]

Final Crisis? Really? Of all things they could keep cannon, THAT is something that might be kept?

Either way, if you just go in ignoring previous cannon, anything that is cannon is likely to be brought up in continuity, so trying to find out what stories are and are not in cannon is kind of irrelevant.

[Slothy]

While that's true, my favourite book I'd been picking up in trades lately was Justice Society. But apparently when that relaunches they're going to be on Earth 2 and completely separate from the rest of the DC Universe from what I've heard. So that doesn't leave me with a lot of incentive to keep going with it. Once I have the money again I may start picking up some more DC, but probably just because I love Geoff Johns writing.

And don't let me seem like a total downer here or anything. If anyone is thinking about jumping into DC with this relaunch, you really can't go wrong with pretty much anything Johns writes. The man is easily one of my favourite writers, even if I don't get to read a lot of DC.

[LunaRaven]

The trouble with this is that it's not completely a reboot. Some continuity is going, some is staying, and people like me who haven't read a lot of DC lately, but are pretty up on (and enjoy) the overall continuity have been left kind of wondering what the hell is going on. And to be honest, DC has had little reboots so often in the last 10-20 years that the whole thing is a little off putting to me. How long until all of this is undone too? It doesn't help that Justice Society is apparently undergoing major changes when it eventually reappears. Aside from that I've only read the Lex Luthor Action Comics arc and Flash recently, and I may not pick these series back up when I have the cash. The funny thing about supposedly perfect jumping on points for new readers is they're great exit points for existing readers.

And while I'm somewhat tempted to agree with you Del on the idea that starting fresh with characters is a good way to get new readers in, I'm not sure that actually matters at all. For the major heroes, most people are at least somewhat familiar with them, their history, and their status quo. In my experience, the best writers manage to make their stories, even the ones fairly heavy on continuity very accessible to new and old readers alike. And frankly, there are so many points in a comics run where it relaunches, or they start up with a new team or major story arc, that there are usually plenty of jumping on points for people that are perfectly fine. About the only thing I'd say a reboot has in it's favour for bringing in new readers is the perception that it will be easier to understand what's going on, but even then, if you're somewhat familiar with past established canon, you may just end up more confused as you try to figure out what is still valid and what isn't.

I'm inclined to agree. This reboot makes me more wary than excited, mainly because I'm not entirely sure what's going, what's staying, and how it will affect the things currently in continuity(or rather, used to be apart of continuity) that I've come to like. I've become so tired of these little "reboots" that DC has been doing these past few years--most of them lead to nothing eventful(atleast, not that I can remember) and it really does tend to add to the overall confusion fans face when trying to reengage with DC or when they're trying to get into DC for the first time.

Atleast my copy of Red Hood and the Outlaws will be ariving soon. I have something DC related to look forward to.

[Del Murder]

I guess they should have done something similar to Marvel's Ultimate universe. Completely started from scratch for each character but still retained the continuity of the classic titles.

[Slothy]

I was actually surprised they didn't go the Ultimate Comics route, especially since they basically set that up last year with the release of Superman Earth 2 which was pretty much a new, Ultimate style take on Superman. There were even plans for similar Batman and Wonder Woman stories to continue the Earth 2 line, though it's been so long since they'd been announced that I don't expect we'll ever see the now. It's a shame too because I actually liked Superman Earth 2 quite a bit.

[Slothy]

Let curiosity get the better of me since I had heard good things about them and picked up Action Comics and Detective Comics this week. I'm going to pick up JL #1 when there's an inevitable second printing as well. Enjoyed both of them a lot, though something felt a bit off about Action Comics. Some of the scenes were a little hard to follow. I find that a problem with Grant Morrison sometimes though, and generally I really love his writing. I'll probably stick it out with each of them until at least issue 2 then decide which to keep getting. I'm leaning towards Action Comics right now depending on how I like JL. I'm a big Superman fan and like the new take on a younger Superman.

The comic nerd in me still wants to know what is still in continuity and where the current books all fit in with eachother in the DC timeline. Clearly Action Comics takes place before Superman and JL, at least for now. I wonder if all of these books which are clearly telling origin stories will jump forward to catch up to everything else after.

[NeoCracker]

Having now also read Suicide Squad, Teen Titans, and Deathstroke here are some thoughts and me ranking them.

#4Suicide Squade # 1
Harle is pretty awesome in this. Dead Eye, however, is trying to hard to be a bad ass. King Shark is just silly. Could be good, but by Issue one's end Harle is the only part about this looking good.

#3Justice League # 1
Pretty good set up, characters are all fun, and the art and build up are all pleasant. While nothings amazing, I'm looking forward to number two.

#2Teen Titans # 1
Same as justice league, only more so on all counts. It feels like more has happened, and the characters are all funner and more interesging. Art is nicer too. Really it's point for point Justice Leagues superior based soley off Issue # 1.

#1Death Stroke # 1
Deathstroke is a Bad ass. Slade will forever own your soul due to his overwhelming awesome. Issue one has some very well done action scenes, great Dialogue, and a freaking awesome end to issue one, both solidifying Death Stroke and his awesome, as well as setting up for something big.

[Bolivar]

Interested in the Batman #1 since Greg Capullo was working on it. Can anyone comment on the art or if it's worth checking out?

[CimminyCricket]

I've read it (along with a majority of the #1's) and it is pretty good. You'll have to read all the Bat family #1's to get a real feel for where they're taking Batman this time around. There was a good few pages where he was Bruce and it was all boring dialogue, so if you're not into that it'll be difficult. Over all, though; it is a good read and the art is well done.