Great White North

Trav had a conference this week so he asked me to handle the blog posts.

With the first month of the New 52 a quarter of the way done, I’m already getting swept up in the excitement of the new universe. It’s very similar to the feeling I had when I first picked up an issue of Marvel’s Ultimate universe. I might not know all the secrets and nuances, but that’s part of fun. It’s an interesting feeling; I’ve always enjoyed hunting through the thick web that is comic continuity, but I’m definitely enjoying the mystery and newness that comes with the New 52.

My favorite book from the first week is easily Animal Man, with Action Comics being a close second. Animal Man is the perfect blend of the old and the new. Buddy has a varied history that is touched upon in the book, with the added help of the “news article” at the beginning of the issue, but everything you need to know is laid out for you in the book. That’s what the New 52 should be about, and more importantly, that’s what every issue of every comic should be about.

Comics need to stop being this impenetrable wall of fandom, continuity, and history. DC is possibly taking the first steps toward this with the relaunch, but the fans also need to step up to get this industry back on the path to success. It’s not about DC vs. Marvel vs. Indy vs. Creator Own. No, it’s about bodies in the shops, books in peoples hands, and people spreading the word. Comic fans should stop arguing and finding little things to complain about and start spreading the word, sharing books with friends, and speaking out about what they want in their comics.

I saw more people at our LCS shop this past Wednesday than I have ever seen on a Wednesday. This could be an issue #1 anomaly, but this could also be a sign of things to come. I plan on monitoring it as best I can. I want comics to thrive, not just because I enjoy them, but also because I believe they are a truly unique and powerful medium that can convey a story in completely different way than a book or movie. If the slow downward trend of comic sales isn’t stopped, it might become another victim of the economic downturn and the changing times, like physical music or book stores.