The Bullpen

[Adam O. Pruett]

I don't see why they can't just tell good stories.

Ding ding ding! Best post in thread.

I'm always skeptical when companies feed us this mantra like, "Once we do__X__, THEN our comics will be the hotness!" X can be some crossover, some major death or resurrection, a reboot, a renumbering, or any other big event or promotion. For us to expect any of these so-called "status-changers" will actually be game-changers... seems more than a little naive.

Don't get me wrong, I hope it's awesome. But they don't need to do any of these things to tell good stories. If continuity (or anything else) is such a major hindrance, good writers can ignore it.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

well some characters are being told with great stories but alot and how many batgirls have there been do we really need her not really

Since it's the best book DC is currently publishing, yes, we need her.

[JimN]

I think....  Ahh...who cares.  We'll find out in a month when the new solicits come out.  And then I'll decide what (if anything) I'm buying.

You are wise, Dean.

But, I would like to see DC do something that really jiggles the status quo.

I would too, especially it was something truly new, daring and original.

If DC is planning something big, we'll know soon enough. Until then, I'm not speculating.

Jim

[Invader Tim]

I always enjoy reading these speculation discussions, thanks Vince.
I haven't been reading any regular titles from DC or Marvel for the last couple years but I have to admit that this idea, for better or worse, is a little exciting. Maybe it's just the small chaos factor in me.

I love the scale and continuity in these universes but am always more than happy to throw it away for the sake of good stories. Plus continuity should be recycled, IMHO, to allow these timeless characters to adapt for each generation.

I triple-dog dare them!  

[JoeyN]

Since it's the best book DC is currently publishing, yes, we need her.

 Yep one of the best DC books out there, and I can say that confidently as someone who reads a lot of DC books.

[VinceB]

It was created (as a Milestone book, which was a DC imprint) by John Rozum & Denys Cowan, but I believe DC owns the character.

The second issue lists McDuffie as the creator.  

[Hassan T]

I can't really see DC relaunching every title in September with a new number one. I could see them launching a whole bunch of new number ones, but can't see every title restarting. First of all, it would mute the impact of a sales bump if every title is a new number one. Second, there are going to be a lot of new titles coming out in the fall from DC, some have been announced and some are still just rumors:

Aquaman
Batwoman
JLI
Red Lantern
Hawkman
Firestorm
Flash (There is going to be a new Flash book)

I am sure that there will be more new titles besides the ones I mentioned. I can't imagine that there wouldn't be a few Flashpoint characters that get a new series or a Swamp Thing series. Continuity might change for some minor characters, but the big characters continuity will not change. Morrison is still writing his epic Batman story and the effects of the War of the Green Lanterns and Brightest Day will still be seen over the next year.

If DC is going to relaunch any existing titles, I hope it is JLA. I still find it entertaining, but it isn't the flagship title that it should be. DC should relaunch it with the Satellite era members.

[Farrell]

Ding ding ding! Best post in thread.

Yeah, it's so obvious!

Also, every band should just play good music.  World leaders should just make good decisions.  People should just have good relationships.

No offense to Whirlwind, but I'm so tired of hearing that as an argument for anything.  Does anyone think that those making comics aren't trying to make good stories?  Does making a good story = sales success?  

Think of it this way: if you're a manager and you are giving a job evaluation to a problem employee, are you going to get the results you want if you tell him/her, "do a better job"?  If there are specific things that bug us about how DC produces comics our suggestions should be just as specific on how to fix them.  "Make good stories" means nothing, and a million things.

[David]

The second issue lists McDuffie as the creator.

I believe he is.  He's the creator (or co- in some cases) of many Milestone characters.  Even those he didn't write.  Just like Romita Sr. is the co-creator of The Punisher, yet Ross Andru penciled his first published appearance.

[anarkyspidey]

Since it's the best book DC is currently publishing, yes, we need her.

nah no way shes just a batman clone like x-23 is 2 wolverine

[deadcowaroma]

nah no way shes just a batman clone like x-23 is 2 wolverine

Wow.

[jack239]

nah no way shes just a batman clone like x-23 is 2 wolverine

Are we reading the same batgirl?

she is in no way a batman clone.

Stephanie Brown is batgirl now.

[Farrell]

nah no way shes just a batman clone like x-23 is 2 wolverine

You seem to be focused on the DC UNIVERSE, writ in large letters.  We don't "need" that book because it's not as important a character as Batman, and she's got similar costume, powers, etc. to Batman.

Ryan is talking about the book Batgirl, lowercase, as it is currently written by Bryan Miller and entertaining its fans with pretty much every issue.  We need it because it's well done and we need well done comic books, whomever they star.

[David]

nah no way shes just a batman clone like x-23 is 2 wolverine

Wow, you couldn't be more wrong.

Going by that criteria, Damian is more of a Batman clone than she is.


EDIT: Spelled with an 'A'.  As in 'dainty'.

[Jon O]

 

I don't want it to mess with Morrison's Batman, and I'm sure the upcoming JLI new this was coming already.  I do hope the fans of Xombi, Batgirl etc. get to keep the titles they're enjoying, but I'm excited about a high stakes Flash story.

[Adam O. Pruett]

No offense to Whirlwind, but I'm so tired of hearing that as an argument for anything.  Does anyone think that those making comics aren't trying to make good stories?  Does making a good story = sales success?  

Think of it this way: if you're a manager and you are giving a job evaluation to a problem employee, are you going to get the results you want if you tell him/her, "do a better job"?  If there are specific things that bug us about how DC produces comics our suggestions should be just as specific on how to fix them.  "Make good stories" means nothing, and a million things.

Not speaking for Whirlwind, but my points were:

1) It's rather foolish for us to expect that any "big events" are going to suddenly make the quality of the books better.

2) The publishers don't need to do big events to tell good stories, and their focus on the cycle of "Hype new event to death, promising change and improvement, lather, rinse, repeat" seems to supersede actually implementing change and improvement.