DC and Comic Book Resources continue their Convergence-fueled trek through the decades. Now they’re at the 1980s. While I was introduced to comics in the 70s I really got into them in the 80s. It’s when I started collecting. It’s when I had my first subscription (although it was to The Transformers and not a DC book). It’s also when I saw some friends folding pieces of paper in half to make their own comics, followed suit because it looked like fun, and just kept going long after they stopped. So this is one of the important decades of my comic book life.
Marv Wolfman, mostly known for revitalizing the Teen Titans, joins Dan DiDio (who has approved the elimination of them from continuity) to discuss DC Comics in 1980s versus DC Comics in the 2010s. Thankfully, Watchmen and Frank Miller are only mentioned in passing, but they do bring up Crisis On Infinite Earths.
I’ve already brought up my issues with Crisis and the changes to the DCU that were poorly thought out and not universal, resulting in a number of confusing things going on, especially if your name was Donna Troy or Karen Star. But my problem is more the poorly thought out and arbitrary changes (some things never change, eh New 52?) more than the reboot itself. One thing I was surprised I agree with is Wolfman’s defense of “dark” stories, but the problem is that my and similarly-minded fans complaint, and not just in comics, is that you’re only getting dark. The fun moments are snuffed out when little girls are blown up by bombs or the supporting cast is tossed aside. Taking on some more serious storylines doesn’t make a story less fun, or reduce hope to “at least it didn’t get worse” when it should be “hey, we’re better than we were before or at least back at square one, with only minor lasting damage”.
Also, the idea that comics need to age with the reader. I’m of two minds on that one, since I’m all for a universe and characters evolving as time goes on. It’s something I like about pre-Crisis Bronze Age comics. That said, when younger readers are left so far behind that they will never become new readers, increasing the odds that DC superheroes won’t be part of the next generation and will soon be bred out of our culture if we don’t at least give them their own superhero titles and commit to them without a cartoon to tie in to (which DC doesn’t have right now except for a sitcom pretending to be the continuation of the beloved Teen Titans cartoon) it may be time to rethink your approach. Think of the future, guys. All ages isn’t some dirty word. Marvel had the right idea with their Max line and DC still has Vertigo. Kids nowadays have jack for superheroes, except for Archie’s take on Mega Man and some indie titles that only get sold online or at conventions if the parent doesn’t drag their kid away to see some old favorite that is no longer kid-friendly. Something to consider.
I’m guessing next week will be the 1990s, which is where I had the funds to regularly collect comics for the first time. So we’ll be back.
BW Media Spotlight 