Reboots happen all the time with films and television shows, and even comic books have undergone numerous facelifts over the past century. However, the concept of completely starting the entire 60 year continuity over is a bold one. That’s exactly what DC Comics has done with the launch of its 52 new No. 1 issues.
The DC Comics’ relaunch of 52 superhero titles can be viewed as an attempt by the publisher to draw new readers in large numbers. The relaunch began with Justice League No. 1, which was released on August 31. It coincided with the release of the final issue of Flashpoint , an alternate reality tale meant to close out the old DC universe. Other titles in the new universe will roll out throughout the month of September.
“This is the first time that I know of a relaunch this large,” Jason Holcomb of Capitol Comics II said. “Initially, before the launch, there were some complaints I heard that this move was to simply get new readers, and make some quick bucks. But, it has been very well received. The orders received are sizable and some have even been made as backorders that we could not fulfill.”
In a recent story that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, it was reported that the pre-orders for Justice League No. 1 reached 200,000. The push for success has seen a lot of support, with DC even creating a television commercial to draw attention to “The New 52.”
“This is like nothing we have seen in the last 25 years,” Rick McGee, co-owner of Foundation’s Edge, said. “We have sold out every copy that we had. I brought in some of my personal copies today. The comics have already gone for a second print, and must be available next week.”
McGee attributes this upsurge in sales figures to two reasons.
“Readers are starving for a comic universe,” McGee said. “This launch gave them that. Also, I have observed, when comics get sold out everywhere, people want them more,” he explained.
While Justice League premiered on its own, last week saw a deluge of titles such as Action Comics, Batgirl , Animal Man, and Green Arrow were out last week. Batwoman and Batman and Robin, to name a few, will be out this Wednesday, and even more titles will be released throughout the rest of the month.
Comic book sales are said to have been steadily dropping for the past three years. It is reported to have gone down by an additional 7 percent this year.
“Sales of comics rise and fall, and depend on many factors,” Holcomb said. “With the internet, computer games and the technology that is available, it gets very difficult to grab young readers’ attentions.”
“The latest trend is of people being raised not to read,” McGee said. The digital media and the economy, pointed out McGee, are reasons for the decline. “[Foundation’s Edge] has been here [on Hillsborough Street] for the past 25 years. We are also close to a major university, and maybe it is the reason that we haven’t felt the slump. But yes, comic stores across the city have been on a decline.”
The comics can also be accessed and read on devices like an iPad the day they are available in the stores. It will surely help readers like Weihu Wang, a graduate student in electrical engineering.
“I prefer to surf the web, and often don’t find time for comic books,” Wang said. “Although I am not an avid reader, I am excited for the launch because these are characters that are familiar to each one of us.”
While readers continue to fight to get themselves copies of their favorite superhero titles, bookstores are keen to see if this demand sustains.
“How they will hold up is questionable,” Holcomb said.
“Strong storytelling and good art are two important parameters to keep the readership up,” McGee said.