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From DC's The Source blog:
"Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil 'Superman: Earth One' and 'Batman: Earth One,' two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity."
"Superman: Earth One" is coming your way courtesy of J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis, while "Batman: Earth One" features the creative team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.
It's a pretty sound concept for a lot of fans (although the "Earth One" label might confound the multiverse-inclined, it won't likely matter to the potentially new target audience) and I'm personally pleased to see some chutzpah behind skipping single issues and going straight for the jugular (so-to-speak) by behaving a little more like Vertigo and releasing full trades right out of the gate.
Although Johns has written his share of Batman appearances, I must admit, I had to triple check the creator info on the books to make sure they hadn't been accidentally swapped. I really expected the teams to be the reverse of what's listed, but the rosters seem even more exciting now. Also: Batman without black briefs on the outside? Weird, but strangely logical.
We'll see how it shakes out in 2010, but I, for one welcome this tactic.
Comments:
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Monday 07 December
By Jamie
Of the many ways to try capturing new readers, this one's the ultimate...
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Tuesday 08 December
By Stephen
Heh, love the subtle jab there...
This should work more like the Ultimate line if done right... All-Star had too much of a "limited series, Elseworlds" feel. You knew it wasn't ongoing, and it was only half-good in a non-ironic sense anyway. This, on the other hand, if they can pepper in some of the main players in OGN format, then release even just a "DCU: Earth One" ongoing, it could hold some interest.
Personally, I haven't been too into the Superman or Batman books in the last couple years, so this could be worth my time for my "fix" of both characters without having to suffer through the "in-continuity" direction they're headed.
Monday 07 December
By Nick
The idea is just as good for DC now as it was for Marvel 10 years ago, and I'll probably give at least the Batman one a shot. I guess this means they're officially giving up on the All-Star line, though. That one really didn't work out the way they hoped.
Better luck this time!
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Tuesday 08 December
By jin_akira
Yeah this is definitely a smart move for DC. Considering the reception it got for Blackest Night this is a great time to try something new. They should approach Harvey "two Face" Dent the same way Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb did. It'll also be interesting to see how well the standalone graphic novel does for one of the major comic book companies. If this works Marvel is going to jump at it in a second.
P.S: Anyone go over to the DCU blog and look at Alfred? He's jacked! I wonder if they'll say Alfred was the one who showed Bruce how to fight.
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Friday 11 December
By Martin
Meh, isn't this like the billionth time DC's tried this, though?
Also, is this the best time to offer jumping on points to Superman and Batman when they're, y'know, not in the books?
DC does a lot of things well. Throwing off the shackles of continuity and creating fresh jumping on points is rarely ever one of those things.
Also...I have to just admit disappointment on the creative standpoint. I want fresh voices, and Geoff Johns is not one for superheroes, and JMS...could be one, but not one I like. I don't mean "new creators", not necessarily like Bendis and Miller were on the Ultimate line, just guys more in the vogue. Imagine Matt Wagner on Batman, for example.
If this turns out well, I'll be pleasantly surprised. I'm just not expecting it to be anything special, and soon enough forgotten.
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Thursday 24 December
By neuronsinmybrain
I can see JMS intially making an impact with the Superman story and it is an obvious setup for the JLA relaunch from Lee/Johns (which probably will be published every 2 years if it all knowing Jim Lee's last attempt with Wildcats World's End).
But it will probably be forgotten if he doesn't at least write the main Superman book. If it falls to James Robinson, you'll just see more of the same crap they've been doing these past few years and no radical changes.
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