The Multiverse is a pivotal concept in DC Comics. Over the years, it has gone through many changes, and has nearly been destroyed on a few occasions, but always ends up intact.
I saw this on the comic book resources forum and thought it would be a good idea to bring it over to here. What characters would you give a new book to? What characters would you kill off or bring back? What creative teams would you put on a specific book?
I would:
1. I'd give Damian Wayne his on solo book with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely handling the writing/art. 2. I'd have Greg Rucka writing the main Green Lantern title and as creative head on GL Corps. 3. I'd give Alan Scott his own solo book written by Peter Tomasi and I'd have Doug Mahnke do the art. 4. I'd leave Dick Grayson in the cowl for AT LEAST 4 years. 5. I'd bring back Aquaman and have JMS write the book with J.H. Williams III providing the art. 6. I'd give Superboy a solo book and have Greg Rucka/Francis Manapul as the writing/art. 7. I'd put recap pages in all books so new readers can easily catch up. (Similar to what Marvel does.) 8. I'd launch a new Spectre mini series with a more horror oriented tone to it. 9. I'd bring Swamp Thing back into the DCU and try a new ongoing series, and the flag title of a new horror line of DCU books, along with other mini series and ongoings starring Spectre, Dr Fate, Etrigan, Deadman, and the Phantom Stranger.
One of the first things I would do is sit every writer down in a room(or conference call) along with the editors. I would hand out a DC Encyclopedia for everyone. It will be homework. LEARN YOUR CHARACTERS. You don't have to write like the writer before you, but you have to know the character.
I'd also do the same for the artists. I'd reassure them that they have artistic freedom, but coloring and costume mistakes will not be tolerated. And while some artists prefer their personal colorists, my staff will decide whether he/she has the look we want for your art. Too long have some artists been held back by lackluster coloring.
Before these meetings take place, I would make sure my editors knew exactly what we are doing. I want them to be breathing down the creative teams necks. I don't want them harassing the creators over deadlines, but I want absolutely no word bubble problems. I don't want any unnecessary/unplanned retcons to ANY story that hasn't received the go ahead from our staff. While fans generally hate the word and usage of "retcon", I can not say that they should never be used. However, under my administration, it would be used very sparsely, maybe once per year, if that...
" One of the first things I would do is sit every writer down in a room(or conference call) along with the editors. I would hand out a DC Encyclopedia for everyone. It will be homework. LEARN YOUR CHARACTERS. You don't have to write like the writer before you, but you have to know the character. I'd also do the same for the artists. I'd reassure them that they have artistic freedom, but coloring and costume mistakes will not be tolerated. And while some artists prefer their personal colorists, my staff will decide whether he/she has the look we want for your art. Too long have some artists been held back by lackluster coloring. Before these meetings take place, I would make sure my editors knew exactly what we are doing. I want them to be breathing down the creative teams necks. I don't want them harassing the creators over deadlines, but I want absolutely no word bubble problems. I don't want any unnecessary/unplanned retcons to ANY story that hasn't received the go ahead from our staff. While fans generally hate the word and usage of "retcon", I can not say that they should never be used. However, under my administration, it would be used very sparsely, maybe once per year, if that... M "
I toetaly agree with all of this and Marvel should do it to I hate it when writers and artiest F S*** up because ignorance
I want to lay out my plan for 2011. Let's assume that I know what the post-Blackest Night world will be, and the conclusion to the annoying Superman/New Krypton event. This is how the DCU would look under my editorial pen for an entire year. Clicking on the artists' name will give you a sample of their work in case you are not familiar with their work by name. Now please, enjoy:
Co-features I have to admit, I love the co-feature idea. Its a great plan, but only if its not widespread or does not hinder the main feature of the title. My plan as Editor would to make sure these titles took advantage of a great idea. None of these have titles but instead characters, but they would of course have a central story that may or may not coincide with its main feature.
~Donna Troy(in Wonder Woman)- Kevin VanHook w/ Francis Manapul ~Martian Manhunter(in Adventure Comics)- David Hine w/ ChrisCross ~Huntress(in Outsiders)- J.T. Krul w/ Tom Mandrake
Miniseries I'd want the DCU to have a nice corner of one theme, I believe the DCU needs a magic theme yearly. Separate but interconnected stories, similar to Seven Soldiers. So among these miniseries, you'll see 4 different series for each quarter of the year, with a special one shot bringing it all together. The other miniseries are pretty self explanatory.
~The Spectre(3 issue series)(1st Quarter)- Neil Gaiman w/ Frazer Irving ~SHAZAM!(3 issue series)(2nd Quarter)- James Robinson w/ CAFU ~The Fate of Doctor Fate(4 issue series)(3rd Quarter)- Bill Willingham & Mark Millar w/ JG Jones ~Zatanna(4 issue series)(4th Quarter)- Paul Dini w/ Cameron Stewart
~More Than Magic(Oversized One Shot)- Bill Willingham w/ Ed Benes ~Hawkman(6 issue series)- Brian Azzarello w/ Ryan Sook ~Arsenal(Oversized One Shot)- Matt Sturges w/ Ardian Syaf ~TITANS: Prophecy(4 issue series)(3rd Quarter)- Dan Abnett w/ Jose Luis ~Brave and the Bold(6 issue series)Starring Jay Garrick & Alan Scott- Greg Rucka w/ Pete Woods
Not launching any ongoing series/miniseries until we have enough issues in the can to prevent delays. They really can take away some of the momentum of a story depending on how big they are.
Support for ongoing/miniseries featuring more obscure character for other genres to keep DC from becoming exclusively a superhero comics Company. EX: Jonah Hex and Warlord ongoing series, Sgt. Rock's recently wrapped up miniseries.
Keep the events into the format of the main miniseries, a few extra miniseries and the ocasional tie-in with an ongoing series, at the same time make sure that the writers who get to do the tie-ins are on the same level as the writer of the event and that they can indeed add something to the story instead of just doing it for the sake of it.
Things I would do:
More cohesive connection between the DC Comics' comic distributor and the DC Comics' tradepaperback/hardcover distributor. Didio has expressed in the past how they are not connected and how he has no say in which titles are or aren't collected. The lack of cohesive between the two has both taken away the opportunity for the company to make great money and deny the fans of some of the great and forgotten stories. Perfect examples: When Bart Allen died it would have been the perfect opportunity for DC to collect the adventures of the hero under his first ongoing series as Impulse. The lack of number of Aquaman tps and hardcovers is patetic, how is DC going to do the so desired push for the King of Seas in popularity when most of his stories aren't in paperback? Better yet is not having John Ostrander's Spectre, Martian Manhunter and most importantly Suicide Squad collected in any shape or form, John Ostrander right now needs money for a surgery to save his sight, various talent of the medium has been apporting the best they can but that won't be enough so far. If DC collects any/all of these runs and gives a part to John Ostrander for his surgery they'll get good money, will help fund an audience for those characters and will have the image that they helped someone when he needed them the most, why don't do it?
The return of Mystery in Space with Adam Strange and Captain Comet as the ongoing stars.
Mark Waid back to the DCU, he has expressed his interest in doing so and is one of the best talents in the series.
Judd Winnick, Adam Beechen and Sean Mckeever out
More support for the Milestone characters no matter if Dwayne Mcduffie is directly connected to the project or not. I would love to see new Static and/or Icon ongoings.
Captain Marvel and the complete family back into prominence, preferably with Geoff Johns in the head considering the great love and handling he has for them.
Attempt to return such classic heroes like the hawks, the Atom, Firestorm, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman into the prominence and popularity they once carried.
Wonder Woman is a member of the trinity, she won't EVER be threated as less than that and maybe most importantly; less than Superman or Batman
Doctor Fate's new ongoing along with the already expected to be released next year Zatanna ongoing. Those as the series that help rebuild the magic side of the DCU
New Aquaman and Martian Manhunter series. They are two of the favorite Justice Leaguers and two of the founding members as well as some of the most powerful heroes on DC's Earth, they should be threated with respect.
Hawkman new book with Atom as the co-feature
Elseworlds story featuring the New Gods
Cancellation of both the Teen Titans and Titans books until I can find writers that actually know what to do with the characters.
Every single new ongoing series has the first issue on .99 cents like Vertigo does, it's a shame that so many series aren't given a chance because they aren't fan favorite characters such as Secret Six, The Shield, etc.
The return of "DC Comics Presents:" as an ongoing series featuring the various characters of the DCU varying on arcs as well as creative teams, preferably the characters that don't have already an ongoing series. Sad fact is that there are characters that no matter how good they are, they simply can't sustain an ongoing series on their own so many times writers keep the ideas on their heads. This is an opportunity to expose their ideas without making it such a hard way to invest in it.
Relaunch Justice League International with a new selection of characters, make a real international team using people like the Geo-Force and Kimiyo Hoshi, and make them work all around the planet dealing with people in Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, give a real inter-cultural aesthetic to the comics.
Make a 6 issue book name "JLA Old Guard" in which I would bring back the original members of the JLA from the old days!
Create a Superman / Batman Family comic book. - All the people behind Batman and Superman, in missions together, also with characters outside of the family but more closer to them than the regular superheroes, like Diana.
Create something like Wednesday comics, but ONLINE!
Writing and Drawing contests one time per year for the Fans!!!
Ooh I like the idea of choosing the creative teams. Let's assume first that every single ongoing series currently published by DC is still in distribution by then:
Co-features Ravager (in Teen Titans) Cancelled because I fired Mckeever Legion of Superheroes (Adventure Comics) Cancelled because the Legion will become the star of the book Metal Men (Doom Patrol) Blue Beetle (Cancel if I get to make it an ongoing again) Manhunter (Look above) The Question (Detective Comics) Black Canary Cancelled because of new series Captain Atom Inferno Hangman (Could I have it my way, Hangman would replace the Web as the main feature)
New Co-features Wally West (Flash) Announced recently, if I could I would make it the main feature while Barry becomes the co-feature Connor Hawke (Green Arrow) Atom (Hawkman) Valor/Mon-El (Guardian) Suicide Squad (Secret Six)
" I saw this on the comic book resources forum and thought it would be a good idea to bring it over to here. What characters would you give a new book to? What characters would you kill off or bring back? What creative teams would you put on a specific book? I would: 1. I'd give Damian Wayne his on solo book with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely handling the writing/art. 2. I'd have Greg Rucka writing the main Green Lantern title and as creative head on GL Corps. 3. I'd give Alan Scott his own solo book written by Peter Tomasi and I'd have Doug Mahnke do the art. 4. I'd leave Dick Grayson in the cowl for AT LEAST 4 years. 5. I'd bring back Aquaman and have JMS write the book with J.H. Williams III providing the art. 6. I'd give Superboy a solo book and have Greg Rucka/Francis Manapul as the writing/art. 7. I'd put recap pages in all books so new readers can easily catch up. (Similar to what Marvel does.) 8. I'd launch a new Spectre mini series with a more horror oriented tone to it. 9. I'd bring Swamp Thing back into the DCU and try a new ongoing series, and the flag title of a new horror line of DCU books, along with other mini series and ongoings starring Spectre, Dr Fate, Etrigan, Deadman, and the Phantom Stranger. One of the first things I would do is sit every writer down in a room(or conference call) along with the editors. I would hand out a DC Encyclopedia for everyone. It will be homework. LEARN YOUR CHARACTERS. You don't have to write like the writer before you, but you have to know the character. I'd also do the same for the artists. I'd reassure them that they have artistic freedom, but coloring and costume mistakes will not be tolerated. And while some artists prefer their personal colorists, my staff will decide whether he/she has the look we want for your art. Too long have some artists been held back by lackluster coloring. Before these meetings take place, I would make sure my editors knew exactly what we are doing. I want them to be breathing down the creative teams necks. I don't want them harassing the creators over deadlines, but I want absolutely no word bubble problems. I don't want any unnecessary/unplanned retcons to ANY story that hasn't received the go ahead from our staff. While fans generally hate the word and usage of "retcon", I can not say that they should never be used. However, under my administration, it would be used very sparsely, maybe once per year, if that... M "
I agree with everything but number 2, but that's mainly because I like what Johns is doing with the GL book. But Rucka would probably do very well on that book.
" I saw this on the comic book resources forum and thought it would be a good idea to bring it over to here. What characters would you give a new book to? What characters would you kill off or bring back? What creative teams would you put on a specific book? I would: 1. I'd give Damian Wayne his on solo book with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely handling the writing/art. 2. I'd have Greg Rucka writing the main Green Lantern title and as creative head on GL Corps. 3. I'd give Alan Scott his own solo book written by Peter Tomasi and I'd have Doug Mahnke do the art. 4. I'd leave Dick Grayson in the cowl for AT LEAST 4 years. 5. I'd bring back Aquaman and have JMS write the book with J.H. Williams III providing the art. 6. I'd give Superboy a solo book and have Greg Rucka/Francis Manapul as the writing/art. 7. I'd put recap pages in all books so new readers can easily catch up. (Similar to what Marvel does.) 8. I'd launch a new Spectre mini series with a more horror oriented tone to it. 9. I'd bring Swamp Thing back into the DCU and try a new ongoing series, and the flag title of a new horror line of DCU books, along with other mini series and ongoings starring Spectre, Dr Fate, Etrigan, Deadman, and the Phantom Stranger. One of the first things I would do is sit every writer down in a room(or conference call) along with the editors. I would hand out a DC Encyclopedia for everyone. It will be homework. LEARN YOUR CHARACTERS. You don't have to write like the writer before you, but you have to know the character. I'd also do the same for the artists. I'd reassure them that they have artistic freedom, but coloring and costume mistakes will not be tolerated. And while some artists prefer their personal colorists, my staff will decide whether he/she has the look we want for your art. Too long have some artists been held back by lackluster coloring. Before these meetings take place, I would make sure my editors knew exactly what we are doing. I want them to be breathing down the creative teams necks. I don't want them harassing the creators over deadlines, but I want absolutely no word bubble problems. I don't want any unnecessary/unplanned retcons to ANY story that hasn't received the go ahead from our staff. While fans generally hate the word and usage of "retcon", I can not say that they should never be used. However, under my administration, it would be used very sparsely, maybe once per year, if that... M "
Lady Shiva would get her own book and become one of Batman's most recognizable villains. Cassandra Cain would become Shiva's right hand, once again returning to her evil roots.
I would revamp Penguin so that he's in the same league as Joker and co. Because I love his character, and want others to appreciate a classic bat-rogue.
I dunno, the New Gods idea didn't click with me too well. Maybe that'd be something to work on - making the New Gods a part that can be appreciated by everyone. Superman's rogues gallery needs a bit of beefing up too - maybe remove Lex Luthor for a while and allow some other enemies to show their colours.
@aztek the lost: did you read the Final Crisis Sketchbook ? it was fantastic all these ideas for revamping the fourth world into the Fifth, like changing the Forever People from Space Hippies into Space Goths! lol but the stuff for Granny Goodness and Desaad were very good, disturbed/inspired Morrisony revisions
" I would revamp Penguin so that he's in the same league as Joker and co. Because I love his character, and want others to appreciate a classic bat-rogue. "
You agree with that idea Drafta? lol, I've had this idea for 'Ultimate DC' xD and I revamped the Penguin a bit for that. Dunno if it'd go down so well in the normal books, but the guy needs a bit more menace.
Penguin is one of the most prominent crime bosses of Gotham. I love the character but can't see him as anything more than a mob boss. Maybe take away Two-face and Black Mask from those positions to make Penguin the absolute crime lord in Gotham once more
For some reason, I've never seen Two-Face as really being the type for mob-bossness... maybe if Dent decided to work in a similar way to Dark Knight - or, in his own twisted way, try to continue what he was doing before One Year Later but with the coin, to try and earn Batman's respect or even undermine him. Black Mask I feel could work as a rival to Penguin - both of them trying to destroy each others operations.
lol, alright then Drafta ^^ alongside my Penguin revamp, I'd increase the importance of the other superheroes. Honestly - you think of Marvel and you think of about 7 heroes and maybe a couple of teams, think of DC and it's only about 5.
" lol, alright then Drafta ^^ alongside my Penguin revamp, I'd increase the importance of the other superheroes. Honestly - you think of Marvel and you think of about 7 heroes and maybe a couple of teams, think of DC and it's only about 5. "
for the general public?
I can think of:
Superman Batman Wonder Woman Robin Aquaman Flash Green Lantern Wonder Twins Martian Manhunter Hawkgirl Justice League Teen Titans Legion of Superheroes
Those I can assure you for a fact taht people know
You can definately assure? Okay, okay. Maybe I was just thinking of the ones that DC would really consider turning into films. And if that's the case, then out of all those ones listed there only Batman, Superman, Flash, GL, maybe Robin, Aquaman and Wonder Woman (she's had a film in development hell for almost centuries, lol) could work. So the Wonder Twins, the Hawks, Martian Manhunter, Teen Titans and the Legion need a bit of work, as well as the ones that I listed could maybe work (R, A and WW).
Give Hawkman back an ongoing and focus on his lesser known foes like Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray did during one of the last story arcs we need more Satana and Hummingbird
Teen Titans and JL have also been under imaginary production (No matter how many times they say it is, I won't believe so until I see a trailer) If the movie is the only criteria I add Blackhawks, Congo Bill, Captain Marvel and the Spirit, all of who have had movies in the past, although most people probably have never heard of them. The world is also going to see the debut of Jonah Hex this year. Oh I forgot Catwoman and Supergirl lol, never sure if she counts as a hero or villain for the mass audience.
For Marvel the characters I think they knew before all of the movies were Captain America, Iron man, Hulk, Spider-man, the Fantastic Four and the X-men. Seriously, I doubt anyone knew of Punisher, Daredevil., Ghost Rider and/or Elektra before the movies came.
I think people may have heard of Punisher. I also think they might have known about Thor (my dad who doesn't know comics knows about Thor) and a couple of others.
I'd re-launch Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 5, with the Earth-Prime Legion. Writer would be Jim Shooter, artist Barry Kitson. Adventure Comics would still feature New Earth's Legion, and would be written by Paul Levitz (like announced?) and drawn by George Perez...the post-Zero Hour/Earth-247 Legion would make guest appearances in various titles. Superman's main title would be written by Geoff Johns (note: he'd be told to cut down on the retcons and stick with official continuity!) and drawn by Gary Frank. Supergirl - writer Sterling Gates, artist Jamal Igle (don't really have much complaints with that team). Action Comics - would feature Conner Kent (writer: Geoff Johns, artist: Mike McKone), and co-feature Nightwing and Flamebird (assuming they're still alive/present after the New Krypton event next year; written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Pere Pérez).
Yeah..I'm not really caught up with the rest of the DCU at the moment :P
" If I ran DC I would never let Frank Quietly get work on any comics. "
Best idea hear. I hate that guy. "
An amazing artist that gets a lot of unfair hate. "
I don't believe it's unfair. He made Wolverine look Italian and Emma look Asian and every girl had camel toe so bad it looked like they had packages so if that's what you want to look at more power to you.
" Give Hawkman back an ongoing and focus on his lesser known foes like Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray did during one of the last story arcs we need more Satana and Hummingbird
"
This is an excellent idea the story that Humming bird was in was awesome
This edit will also create new pages on Comic Vine for:
Beware, you are proposing to add brand new pages to the wiki along
with your edits. Make sure this is what you intended. This will likely
increase the time it takes for your changes to go live.
Comment and Save
Until you earn 1000 points all your submissions need to be vetted by other
Comic Vine users. This process takes no more than a few hours and we'll
send you an email once approved.
Log in to comment