On May 31st, USA Today reported major changes coming for DC Comics. Starting at the end of August, the publisher will be re-numbering its entire DC universe titles. Not only is DC going to start everything back at #1, but the characters themselves are getting the revamp treatment.
In the comic community, this caused quite an uproar. The biggest surprise is hearing that Action Comics and Detective Comics, the two longest running comics in the industry, will also be reverting back to #1.
Sometimes, change is good. Per Diamond Comics Distributing, DC Comics has been second to Marvel in market share since 2002. But since 2007-2010, the average difference went from 4.5% to 10.93%. So far in 2011, Marvel averages a difference of 13.29% more market share than DC. That's a huge difference when you put into consideration that the publishers combine for nearly 70% of the market.
I think a big factor with Marvel's increase the past few years is the success of their movies as compared to DC. Outside of Batman, most DC movies in recent years have fallen flat on their faces. And although it's a different media, one would have to assume that the success of a movie will in turn bring in new readers.
I for one am torn by the change. On one side, I see the need to take 75 years of practically the same characters and stories, and revamp it and give it a 21st century makeover. On the other hand, we are talking about 75 years of some of the most iconic characters in the industry.
With the explosion of digital media, one hopes that this change can bring new life into the industry, not just in digital format, but for the printed work that ultimately is not just the source of living for the artists, but also for the comic shop as well.
