I think you mostly hit the nail on the head, and I do agree with you that comic companies always need to create new jumping-on points for readers. At the end of the day, they need to grow the readership, but I often find that the key to their success often lies in easy accessibility, having a strong creative vision, believing in that vision, and being able to carefully execute it. When those bases are covered, it shows in the quality of the overall product.
This is what I think is contributing to the success of both the Absolute and Ultimate lines at DC and Marvel. The new universe setting for both means it’s a complete fresh start, and readers (whether they’re new, casual, or longtime fans) can just come in without any prior knowledge of the stories that came before. The fact that these new versions of DC and Marvel characters are not replacing the more classic versions and their more iconic core mythologies also makes it easier for people to invest in these versions with open minds.
I think as long as you tell new stories without erasing and replacing what came before is key to avoiding backlash and seeing a significant drop in sales. I would argue it was the controversial decision to erase and replace characters and stories that people loved that ultimately doomed both the Crisis on Infinite Earths and New 52 reboots. What hurt both initiatives was cherry-picking what characters and stories ‘mattered more’ from the previous DC continuity, and which ones could be sacrificed and thrown out.
Erasure never sits well with long-time readers in particular and often alienates them. Even when the characters and stories they loved get reinstated into the main canon, they may not still get their expectations met because they no longer fit organically within the fabric of the main universe as it currently exists, or they get changed completely from what they know. This is the mistake that both the Absolute and Ultimate lines avoided, which is resulting in better reception, in addition to getting high-quality stories from amazing creators who are themselves invested in their projects.
I fear that insisting on creating a "shared universe" is exactly what prevents new readers to come on board. Look at manga: you pick up a title, you read that. That's it. Many potential readers don't feel like being forced to have to read multiple titles to even *understand* a single one they showed an interest into.
That is, IF we want to expand the reach beyond the usual direct market readers and give these potential new readers something easily manageable to read and collect when -for example- these story arcs are collected and sold in libraries.
Hi Scott, thanks for this! I liked your take on the approach to Absolutes/Ultimates. Are you suggesting maybe 'Seasons', similar to television? This way stories can be told but also buttoned up with a sense of competition. Wonder what you thought of that!
Awesome points! I think it’s certainly important to have jumping on points for new readers. Comics and comic related properties really are having a moment right now- with the success of absolute DC, ultimate Marvel, Manga, Marvel Rivals, and invincible.
I feel like the more we can demystify canon, the more folks who read weekly manga or watch YouTube recaps will feel more inclined to check out comics directly. These characters have such deep and lasting appeal, it’s just about finding a clear and easy way for new readers to make the jump!
I think you mostly hit the nail on the head, and I do agree with you that comic companies always need to create new jumping-on points for readers. At the end of the day, they need to grow the readership, but I often find that the key to their success often lies in easy accessibility, having a strong creative vision, believing in that vision, and being able to carefully execute it. When those bases are covered, it shows in the quality of the overall product.
This is what I think is contributing to the success of both the Absolute and Ultimate lines at DC and Marvel. The new universe setting for both means it’s a complete fresh start, and readers (whether they’re new, casual, or longtime fans) can just come in without any prior knowledge of the stories that came before. The fact that these new versions of DC and Marvel characters are not replacing the more classic versions and their more iconic core mythologies also makes it easier for people to invest in these versions with open minds.
I think as long as you tell new stories without erasing and replacing what came before is key to avoiding backlash and seeing a significant drop in sales. I would argue it was the controversial decision to erase and replace characters and stories that people loved that ultimately doomed both the Crisis on Infinite Earths and New 52 reboots. What hurt both initiatives was cherry-picking what characters and stories ‘mattered more’ from the previous DC continuity, and which ones could be sacrificed and thrown out.
Erasure never sits well with long-time readers in particular and often alienates them. Even when the characters and stories they loved get reinstated into the main canon, they may not still get their expectations met because they no longer fit organically within the fabric of the main universe as it currently exists, or they get changed completely from what they know. This is the mistake that both the Absolute and Ultimate lines avoided, which is resulting in better reception, in addition to getting high-quality stories from amazing creators who are themselves invested in their projects.
I fear that insisting on creating a "shared universe" is exactly what prevents new readers to come on board. Look at manga: you pick up a title, you read that. That's it. Many potential readers don't feel like being forced to have to read multiple titles to even *understand* a single one they showed an interest into.
That is, IF we want to expand the reach beyond the usual direct market readers and give these potential new readers something easily manageable to read and collect when -for example- these story arcs are collected and sold in libraries.
Hi Scott, thanks for this! I liked your take on the approach to Absolutes/Ultimates. Are you suggesting maybe 'Seasons', similar to television? This way stories can be told but also buttoned up with a sense of competition. Wonder what you thought of that!
Awesome points! I think it’s certainly important to have jumping on points for new readers. Comics and comic related properties really are having a moment right now- with the success of absolute DC, ultimate Marvel, Manga, Marvel Rivals, and invincible.
I feel like the more we can demystify canon, the more folks who read weekly manga or watch YouTube recaps will feel more inclined to check out comics directly. These characters have such deep and lasting appeal, it’s just about finding a clear and easy way for new readers to make the jump!
Excited for class Wednesday! Have a good one.