2011 Comic Book News Archives
July 1, 2011: DC's FAQ For The New 52
DC Comics sent out the following FAQ to answer the questions readers and retailers alike have asked about the relaunch of the DC Universe of comic books. Below is an edited version of the complete FAQ.
THE NEW 52 AND YOU
Key Messages"DC Comics - The New 52 is the DC Entertainment publishing initiative that is an aggressive undertaking of launching the entire line of 52 DC Comics character series with all-new #1 first issues in September, accessible to both new and current readers.
The lead book is Justice League, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Jim Lee, in-stores August 31st.
Timely delivery of our books - top titles, week in and week out - is paramount to this new publishing initiative.
As partners, our goal is to provide brick-and-mortar retailers with world-class product (books with innovative stories and artwork that feature iconic characters) and world-class service (unrivaled marketing support, the industry's only co-op program, personal account service, etc.), and that is what we're going to continue to do.
48 of the 52 titles in September are $2.99, the standard price for a 20 story-page art & editorial book, showing our unrivaled commitment to making comics affordable for new and existing readers alike.
DC Entertainment is diversifying its distribution platform by being the first major publisher to launch same-day digital - making periodical titles available digitally the same day as print, at the same price, beginning August 31st.
GENERAL
Q: Why do it? There is a lot of speculation out there, are you "rebooting" the titles?
This is an epic and ambitious initiative that ushers in a new generation of comics for DC Comics and will set the tone for storylines and characters for years to come. With all of the titles starting at #1, our creative teams have the ability to take a more modern approach - not only with each character, but with how the characters interact with one another and the universe as a whole, and focus on the earlier part of the careers of each of our iconic characters. A time when they didn't have as much experience defeating all their nemeses. A time when they weren't as sure of their abilities. A time when they haven't saved the world countless times. It's this period that is rich with creative opportunity as we show why these characters are so amazing, so iconic and so special.
We think fans will be excited by this approach and The New 52 will provide DC Entertainment an opportunity to aggressively reach the widest possible audience worldwide, through captivating stories and an accessible entry point. We see great opportunities to tell new, contemporary, cutting edge stories building off the best known, classic stories that make up each of the title's back histories.
Q: DC Comics has had a number of reboots, what makes this one different?
This is not a reboot, it's a launch. This is a historic initiative for DC Entertainment and the DC Comics characters - and a first in the company's publishing history. This next era of DC Comics characters will see 52 all-new #1 issues of its super hero titles at the same time AND same-day digital across the board. In addition to the number changes, our talented creative teams are working behind the scenes to create compelling storylines and new costume designs for many of our iconic DC Comics characters.
Q: Why not call it a reboot?
It's not a reboot. A reboot is typically a restart of the story or character that jettisons away everything that happened previously.
This is a new beginning which builds off the best of the past. For the stories launching as new #1s in September, we have carefully hand-selected the most powerful and pertinent moments in these characters' lives and stories to remain in the mythology and lore. And then we've asked the best creators in the industry to modernize, update and enhance the books with new and exciting tales. The result is that we retained the good stuff, and then make it better.
Q: Does The New 52 undo events or continuity that I've been reading?
Some yes, some no. But many of the great stories remain. For example - Batgirl. The Killing Joke still happened and she was Oracle. Now she will go through physical rehabilitation and become a more seasoned and nuanced character because she had these incredible and diverse experiences.
Q: So will all titles be entry points or will you need to know back-story for some?
Each title will read as a #1 issue that will make jumping into the story extremely accessible for all types of readers. The stories are designed in a way that new fans will be able to pick up a book and immediately be drawn into the story, while at the same time existing fans will be engrossed by the new and epic moments that take place.
Q: Do the new #1s mean that the previous stories didn't take place?
Our creative teams have a firm understanding of the storied heritage of characters and titles. The new #1 issues will introduce readers to a more modern, diverse universe of DC Comics characters, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will map to real world situations, interactions, tragedies and triumphs.
Overall, DC Entertainment is focused on putting out the most innovative storylines, featuring the most iconic characters, created by the most creative minds within the industry.
Q: Might you just introduce a new DC "Ultimate" line and give it the spotlight for a few months, then have the opportunity to bring back the other continuity? Will this all be put back to "normal" after a few months?
No - this is the new universe of DC Comics characters. This is an epic and ambitious initiative that ushers in the next era of the DC Comics characters and will set the tone for storylines and characters for years to come. This is not an "event," because events expire.
Q: Why are you changing the costumes?
DC Entertainment is led by some of the biggest fans of comics out there. We know that if Geoff and Jim are excited about the stories and artwork, we're on to something big. While there may be some naysayers, when we thought about starting the entire DC Comics universe line of comics with #1/first issues we looked at the benefits for the long haul, not just a year or two. Our goal is to create a watershed moment for DC Entertainment - and the industry as a whole - where fans will remember this as a time of innovation while maintaining DC Entertainment's commitment to creating entertaining and masterfully created stories.
Q: Do you not care about your company's history? If you do this right, what do you want your legacy to be 75 years from now?
The legacy of DC Entertainment, and DC Comics before it, is based on the creativity of our editors and our creative talent, and our commitment to the best storytelling possible. DC has always been about character development and growth.
Take Batman for example. In the early days he was a vigilante who brandished a gun. Then he morphed into a whimsical character and then in the 1960's he became more of the gritty, grim avenger of the night. We can all agree that we are glad Batman evolved.
Our goal is to create a watershed moment for DC Entertainment - and the industry as a whole - where fans will remember this as a time of innovation while maintaining DC Entertainment's commitment to creating entertaining and masterfully created stories.
Q: Specifically why end Action and Detective before they reach their 1,000th issues? Action Comics is the longest running American comic book, followed closely by Detective Comics, the company's namesake. Isn't renumbering these series actually a retreat from the love of "comics as comics"?
Our Co-Publishers and editors thought long and hard about this. It was an extremely important decision that was not taken lightly. But executing this unprecedented event meant taking creative risks on every level and pushing forward with big, new ideas. A partial renumbering would not have had the impact we needed to showcase the amazing changes and direction we have planned for the new DC Comics universe of characters. Counting issue numbers is focusing on the past, not the future.
Q: Can this event fix/undo an event I don't like from the past?/ Can this event bring back a character from the past that I miss?/ Does this event change the status of (insert pretty much any character here)? What would you say to someone whose favorite superhero no longer exists?
Characters are always evolving in the DC universe and part of the evolution means that characters come and go. While not all current characters will be part of the new DC Comics line of books, we are confident the ambitious plan we are creating will introduce a new generation of protagonists and antagonists that will captivate readers.
We are kicking things off with our best and brightest characters and what makes them so compelling and great. Simply because you don't see a personal favorite in the September launches doesn't mean your favorites are gone. This is just the beginning.
Q: Which of the 52 titles are not $2.99?
Four of The New 52 are $3.99 with additional pages of content. They are:
JUSTICE LEAGUE
ACTION COMICS
ALL STAR WESTERN
MEN OF WAR
Q: Why are you going to same-day digital if digital is just "dental floss"?
To recall the analogy, same-day digital is dental floss compared to a sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper representing brick-and-mortar (i.e. over 95% of our business now and in the foreseeable future). Our goal is to expand both the size of the paper and the floss.
We believe the excitement we build through our marketing and promotional campaign benefits greatly from having immediate access to our content from every kind of reader. This exposure will benefit the sheet of paper more than the dental floss, so to speak.
For decades, the industry has bemoaned the fact we are not striving to bring in new readers. We feel day and date will bring the level of online chatter and excitement about storylines and books to new highs and having same-day digital titles will allow every kind of fan to participate in that excitement. In the end, more readers of comics whether in print or digital benefits the entire industry.
Q: Will the $4.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE polybagged combo have the same cover as the standard edition or will it have a variant cover?
The cover on the polybagged Justice League will feature the same art as the standard edition, however it will have a different color scheme and a color burst calling out the digital code inside.
Q: Is the $4.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE polybagged combo pack only for JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, or will this continue to be offered each month?
Each month.
Q: Is DC Entertainment going to offer the polybagged digital combo option on any titles other than JUSTICE LEAGUE?
We are only rolling this out on JUSTICE LEAGUE for now.
Q: Are the print and digital the same price?
Yes, for the first 4 weeks, a $2.99 print comic will be a $2.99 digital comic. After 4 weeks, the digital price will drop to $1.99. Following that pattern, for the first 4 weeks, a $3.99 print comic will be a $3.99 digital comic. After 4 weeks, the digital price will drop to $2.99.
Read the complete FAQ at ComicsBeat.com.
2011 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2011.- January 5, 2011: Fan Letters Return to DC Comic Books
- January 5, 2011: Details and Cover Image for Action Comics #900
- January 5, 2011: DC Comics Look at Superman in 2011
- January 6, 2011: Chris Roberson on Writing Superman
- January 7, 2011: Supergirl and Superboy vs Doomsday
- January 11, 2011: Eclipso Rises in Epic JLA Saga
- January 12, 2011: Superman in Des Moines, Iowa
- January 20, 2011: DC Comics Drops Comics Code Authority
- February 1, 2011: DC Joins Forces with Hero Initiative
- February 1, 2011: Reign of Doomsday
- February 2, 2011: Superman Variant Cover for DC Universe Online Legends #1
- February 2, 2011: Joe Shuster Award Nominees Announced for 2011
- February 10, 2011: Superman Skips Omaha in Grounded Comic Story
- February 11, 2011: A Call to Arms! - Dark Knight Over Metropolis
- February 21, 2011: DC Wins Big in 2010 Diamond Gem Awards
- February 24, 2011: Roberson Talks About Grounded Superman Comics
- March 1, 2011: Eddie Berganza Talks Reign of Doomsday
- March 7, 2011: Meet New Action Comics Artist Kenneth Rocafort
- March 10, 2011: Jeff Lemire Talks Superboy vs. Doomsday
- March 11, 2011: Cullen Bunn Talks Superman/Batman
- March 23, 2011: Paul Cornell Talks Action Comics #900
- March 23, 2011: James Robinson Talks Doomsday vs. JLA
- March 24, 2011: No Love for Lois Lane: Girl Reporter
- March 27, 2011: MegaCon Panel - A Spotlight on DC Comics
- March 28, 2011: A Look at Action Comics #900 and Superman After Grounded
- March 30, 2011: Paul Cornell Talks Action Comics
- March 31, 2011: Details on Action Comics #900 Short Stories
- March 31, 2011: Panini Comics Presents Special Superman Comic in Brazil
- April 4, 2011: Retro-Active Superman Comics
- April 7, 2011: Paul Cornell Talks Action Comics
- April 7, 2011: Kelly Sue DeConnick on Writing Supergirl
- April 8, 2011: Utah Comic Stores Prepare for Superman
- April 14, 2011: Tiny Titans Turns the DC Universe Pink
- April 26, 2011: Lost Mastermind Takes on Superman in Action Comics #900
- April 26, 2011: Pete Woods Talks Action Comics #900
- April 28, 2011: Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship
- May 3, 2011: Happy 73rd Birthday Superman!
- May 4, 2011: Jeff Lemire's Superboy Nominated for Eisner Award
- May 5, 2011: Young Justice Part of Free Comic Book Day Sampler
- May 8, 2011: Superman Rated No. 1 Comic Book Superhero
- May 9, 2011: Paul Cornell Talk About Reign of Doomsdays
- May 12, 2011: DC Announces Superman Beyond One-Shot
- May 12, 2011: Marty Pasko Talks Retro-Active Superman
- May 23, 2011: Bombshell Superman Announcement Coming From DC
- May 25, 2011: Joshua Hale Fialkov Puts the Crime in Superman/Batman
- May 31, 2011: DC Comics to Relaunch DC Universe
- June 2, 2011: DC Comics Announces Printed/Digital Combo Packs
- June 2, 2011: Dan DiDio's Open Letter to Comic Book Fans
- June 6, 2011: George Perez to Write Superman #1?
- June 8, 2011: New-Look Superboy and Teen Titans
- June 9, 2011: New-Look Superman, Supergirl and Superboy
- June 10, 2011: DC Comics Announces Relaunch of Superman Titles
- June 10, 2011: Brett Booth Talks Relaunch of Teen Titans
- June 13, 2011: Grant Morrison Talks Action Comics Relaunch
- June 16, 2011: Missed Opportunity - Supergirl in the 9th Grade
- June 16, 2011: Berganza and Harras Talk New DCU
- June 17, 2011: The Marriage of Lois & Clark - Is it Over?
- June 20, 2011: Kelly Sue DeConnick Talks Supergirl
- June 21, 2011: Christopher Jones Talks Young Justice Comic
- June 22, 2011: New Contents Announced for Superman #712
- June 24, 2011: Can DC Comics Relaunch On Schedule This September?
- June 30, 2011: DC Comics - The New 52 Presentation
- June 30, 2011: Two New Men of Steel, But Only One's a Keeper
- July 1, 2011: DC's FAQ For The New 52
- July 6, 2011: Tom DeFalco Talks Superman Beyond
- July 7, 2011: DC Comics Announces SDCC Schedule
- July 7, 2011: Lobdell and Booth Talk Relaunching Teen Titans
- July 7, 2011: Comic Books - Digital vs Print
- July 11, 2011: Join the Justice League at Comic Con
- July 11, 2011: Brandon T. Snider Talks DC Comics: The Ultimate Character Guide
- July 13, 2011: Grant Morrison's Bruce Springsteen Superman
- July 13, 2011: DC's The New 52 Free Sampler Comic
- July 13, 2011: New Justice League Artwork on SDCC Souvenir Book
- July 14, 2011: Justice League and Teen Titans Comics for October
- July 15, 2011: Exclusive Interview with Joshua Hale Fialkov
- July 18, 2011: DC Comics Introduces the New Superman
- July 18, 2011: Dan DiDio on Making Superman More Accessible
- July 18, 2011: Green & Johnson Talk Supergirl
- July 18, 2011: Hardcover Publication of DC: The New 52
- July 18, 2011: Another Look at New Action Comics #1
- July 19, 2011: DiDio and Lee Discuss Superman, Marriage, Death and More
- July 19, 2011: David Goyer Talks Superman and "Action Comics #900"
- July 19, 2011: Grant Morrison Talks "Action Comics"
- July 21, 2011: SDCC - Grant Morrison Panel
- July 21, 2011: Lois Lane's New Boyfriend Revealed
- July 22, 2011: SDCC - Superman Panel Report
- July 24, 2011: Superman Family Preview Art from Comic Con
- July 25, 2011: Lobdell Talks "Superboy" and "Teen Titans"
- July 25, 2011: Mahmud Asrar on Supergirl's New Costume
- July 28, 2011: Grant Morrison Says We Should Emulate Superman
- July 30, 2011: Superman 101 Digital Comics Sale
- July 30, 2011: New DC Comics House Ads and Preview Art
- August 1, 2011: Jim Lee Talks "Justice League #1"
- August 2, 2011: "Justice League #1" Variant Covers
- August 3, 2011: Grant Morrison Talks Superman and "Action Comics #1"
- August 5, 2011: JMS Talks "Superman: Earth One" and Sequel
- August 9, 2011: "Action Comics #10" Sells for Record Price
- August 11, 2011: Three Comic Book Covers for November Releases
- August 14, 2011: Jim Lee's Rejected "Action Comics #1" Covers
- August 17, 2011: DC Comics The New 52 TV Commercial
- August 23, 2011: DC Pre-Order Sales Rise as Comic Stores Die
- August 23, 2011: Rags Morales Talks Action Comics
- August 23, 2011: Chris Roberson Talks Superman, Sharif, Grounded and More
- August 25, 2011: Interior Artwork from Superboy #2
- August 27, 2011: Don't Be Afraid of the Relaunch
- August 29, 2011: Grant Morrison on Reinventing Superman
- August 31, 2011: Geoff Johns and Jim Lee on ABC News
- August 31, 2011: It's Here! DC Comics - The New 52
- September 3, 2011: Super Sneak Peek Action Comics #1
- September 7, 2011: DC Reveals Variant Cover for Action Comics #2
- September 12, 2011: Justice League #1 is Top-Selling Comic Book of 2011
- September 13, 2011: Chris Conroy Talks Superboy and Teen Titans
- September 19, 2011: Johnson and Green Talk Supergirl #1
- September 20, 2011: DC Comics Panels at New York Comic Con
- September 27, 2011: All 52 First Issues of DC's New Comics Sell Out
- September 29, 2011: Grant Morrison Talks Action Comics
- September 29, 2011: DC Brings Graphic Novels to New Kindle Fire
- September 29, 2011: The Changing Face of Clark Kent in Superman #1
- September 30, 2011: Giffen & Jurgens to Replace George Perez on Superman
- October 3, 2011: Grant Morrison Looks at Action Comics #2
- October 9, 2011: Andy Kubert on Action Comics
- October 11, 2011: Green and Johnson Talk Supergirl
- October 11, 2011: Nicolas Cage Copy of Action Comics #1 at Auction
- October 13, 2011: DC Sells Over 5 Million Comics in 6 Weeks
- October 16, 2011: Superman Panel at New York Comic Con
- October 17, 2011: Dan Jurgens Explains New Superman Direction
- October 26, 2011: The Superman Comic Marvel Wanted to Publish
- October 26, 2011: Jim Lee on Why You Should Read Comic Books
- November 1, 2011: If you're not a comic book reader, why not?
- November 2, 2011: Nicola Scott Provides Art for Superman Comics
- November 2, 2011: Superman Plays Christmas Spirit in Batman: Noel
- November 4, 2011: DC Comics Overtakes Marvel For Top Sales
- November 8, 2011: Steel Debuts in Action Comics #4
- November 11, 2011: Lost & Found Action Comics #1 For Sale
- November 15, 2011: Supergirl is Still Relatable Say Writers
- November 22, 2011: DC Announces Launch of Amazon Storefront
- November 22, 2011: Dan Fraga Unveils Unpublished Superman Story
- November 22, 2011: Alvin Schwartz Dies Aged 95
- November 22, 2011: Best New Costume Design - Poll Position
- November 29, 2011: Superman Comic Set to Smash Expensive Record
- November 30, 2011: Action Comics #1 Smashes Expensive Record
- December 1, 2011: The Changing Face of Superman
- December 2, 2011: The Many Styles and Faces of Lois Lane
- December 6, 2011: Sholly Fisch Talks Action Comics Back-Up Stories
- December 12, 2011: DC Announces Superman Family Adventures Comic Book
- December 20, 2011: Johnson and Green Discuss Supergirl Comics
- December 20, 2011: Greg Weisman Talks Young Justice Comic Books
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