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 Spoiler Alert! this doesn't happen

A couple times a year, the “Big Two” put out some end-all-be-all story that is so epic that it takes over all the single issue comics. I remember reading Ghost Rider, loving the book, but I ended up throwing a fit when World War Hulk was out because the WWH tie-in issue was worthless. It was a whole issue of Ghost Rider riding his bike around, until the final page, which is burned into my memory forever. It’s Ghost Rider stopped in front of Hulk. The final page of a supposed tie-in issue. The second tie-in for it was 20 pages of fighting, followed by Hulk and Ghost Rider looking at each other and Ghost Rider riding off. 100% worthless. I really enjoyed the main storyline of World War Hulk, but all the tie-ins I read seemed not only forced but pointless. I feel this time every year when DC or Marvel puts out a “summer blockbuster” story. I usually enjoy the main storyline, but sometimes these tie-ins just become too much.

 Where's Batman and Superman?

I’ve noticed this problem even more with Blackest Night. I’ve waited for this storyline as long as everyone else has. I’ve been very excited, and, for me, this book lives up to the hype. At first, the stories didn’t force their way into other books. Superman, Batman, and the Titans all had 3-issue arcs that didn’t affect those main titles. However, a few months after that I noticed that Blackest Night leaked its way into numerous books. Some of them are understandable, especially books like Booster Gold, JLA, and Teen Titans. I don’t understand why books like Superman/Batman are tie-ins. The book is about Bizarro, Solomon Grundy, and Man-Bat. No Superman or Batman in sight. A few others are just not that great overall. The stories feel forced.

Why does this upset me?

Well let’s say you’re reading your favorite book. You’re really enjoying the current story, and then half-way through, you get a 3 month break so a new writer and artist can come in and tell the main even storyline going on. Your book now becomes a tie-in and you’re stuck with mediocrity for 3 issues waiting to get back to the story you’ve been enjoying. It’s not fair to the fans. If they want to read about how their characters are affected within this storyline, they should separate it like Blackest Night: Batman, Superman, and Titans did. It makes more sense. Also take into consideration that people like myself and others want to read every tie-in involved with Blackest Night. I’m getting a couple tie-ins a week that aren’t that great. That’s a lot of not-so-great reading that tie-in to a story that is really great. This brings the awesomeness average per book down.

Summer events are a lot of fun. They always involve very intriguing and controversial storylines that keep people talking; however, when it comes to all the issues involved, it tends to get a little crazy. What do you guys think? Do you like random tie-ins? Or are you like me, full of the Red Lantern’s Rage?