DC the New 52. Marvel NOW!!! Massive changes across both lines and promoted fiercely. Every year now we have big crossover events that always promise to "CHANGE EVERYTHING". Last year DC had Flashpoint which proceeded New 52 and Marvel had AvX. Let us not forget Civil War, Skrull Invasion, Blackest Night etc etc (i won't even mention 52 and Countdown).
Now the question as posted above is, are the big events always needed? The big two (Marvel & DC) always want something to shout about and events like these are the best way to do this as well as the underlying reason, increase in sales/volumes and encourage new readers. But hey, what about us who have been reading for a while. Sure we like change, change is the only constant remember, but dam! I will sound old saying this but back in my day there was enough going on in a title to keep characters intrigued and happy.
Personally, Steve Englehart's run on the Silver Surfer was a huge favourite in the late 80s and subsequently Ron Marz run too. Silver Surfer developed as a character and we had enough interaction from across the Marvel U to keep everyone busy and entertained. And if we look at Dan Slott's run on Amazing Spiderman, this is exactly what we need more of. Here the character has grown and changed in his own title. We haven't needed a big crossover event to define the direction he moves in and the same thing is happening over in Batman, thanks to Scott Snyder.
I don't want people to get confused here, i am not saying scrap the big events, but lets maintain the character development in the personal monthly titles. Oh yes, i have remembered another good example, Geoff Johns run on Green Lantern: Rebirth and the subsequent 2 years after that.
The big events keep on bringing continuity into question and the number of relaunches has become farcical. Uncanny X-Men is reaching an milestone issue soon, but reverting back to #1 as part of Marvel Now! means it might be missed?...no chance but will sure as hell confuse customers when they make the shout about the milestone issue and then take us back a peg to the new numbering.
The comics market is demanding new readers and an influx in sales, however the constant change is just acting as a way of churn & acquisition rather than retention. I'm too old now to stop collecting, but the ever changing and update of timelines and characters make it that much easier for a reader to drop a title. To summarise, bring back the Silver Surfer - ha! Only kidding. Put the character first and sales, fans and popularity will follow. I have already mentioned the example of Amazing Spiderman and Batman as showing the way. Examples of Defenders and Aquaman point to why constant big changes do not help.
YEAH BOYCE!!!
Now the question as posted above is, are the big events always needed? The big two (Marvel & DC) always want something to shout about and events like these are the best way to do this as well as the underlying reason, increase in sales/volumes and encourage new readers. But hey, what about us who have been reading for a while. Sure we like change, change is the only constant remember, but dam! I will sound old saying this but back in my day there was enough going on in a title to keep characters intrigued and happy.
Personally, Steve Englehart's run on the Silver Surfer was a huge favourite in the late 80s and subsequently Ron Marz run too. Silver Surfer developed as a character and we had enough interaction from across the Marvel U to keep everyone busy and entertained. And if we look at Dan Slott's run on Amazing Spiderman, this is exactly what we need more of. Here the character has grown and changed in his own title. We haven't needed a big crossover event to define the direction he moves in and the same thing is happening over in Batman, thanks to Scott Snyder.
I don't want people to get confused here, i am not saying scrap the big events, but lets maintain the character development in the personal monthly titles. Oh yes, i have remembered another good example, Geoff Johns run on Green Lantern: Rebirth and the subsequent 2 years after that.
The big events keep on bringing continuity into question and the number of relaunches has become farcical. Uncanny X-Men is reaching an milestone issue soon, but reverting back to #1 as part of Marvel Now! means it might be missed?...no chance but will sure as hell confuse customers when they make the shout about the milestone issue and then take us back a peg to the new numbering.
The comics market is demanding new readers and an influx in sales, however the constant change is just acting as a way of churn & acquisition rather than retention. I'm too old now to stop collecting, but the ever changing and update of timelines and characters make it that much easier for a reader to drop a title. To summarise, bring back the Silver Surfer - ha! Only kidding. Put the character first and sales, fans and popularity will follow. I have already mentioned the example of Amazing Spiderman and Batman as showing the way. Examples of Defenders and Aquaman point to why constant big changes do not help.
YEAH BOYCE!!!