Alongside TV marathons, yule logs, and Jewish families taking trips to the movies, Multiversity has its own Christmas Day tradition: we share what we want Marvel and DC to bring us under our Christmas trees next year. We never feel it is quite fair to demand changes from creator-owned or smaller companies, so we keep our focus on the Big 2.
So, pour yourself some egg nog, put on those comfy footie pajamas, and read on!
Marvel
“Secret Wars” needs to be much better than “Original Sin” and “Axis”
I’ve found Marvel’s main events to be putrid, with “Infinity” being the lone exception, pretty much as far back as “Secret Invasion.” As much as they have trumped DC Comics with their overall line of comics, Marvel’s favored style of event comic usually amounts to the antithesis of everything I like about comics. I typically don’t like the “event comic” art that Marvel chooses (though I guess it sells). Beyond that, I find them to be poorly thought-out, under-scripted, over-indulgent on carnage, and typically harboring some ulterior motive for Marvel’s status quo branding going forward. In recent years, that has meant aligning them with their own movies, and volleying their comic book properties further away from the other movie studios that have a stake in them. More on that in a bit.
In 2015, with “Secret Wars” as the huge, end-all-be-all product tie-in event to end all events, I just need it to be better than that. I know Jonathan Hickman can pull it off. – Vince Ostrowski
Less straining for corporate synergy
Watching Marvel vs. Fox Studios spar this year was like that episode of Mad Men where Don Draper is confronted in the elevator by Ginsberg, who tells him “I feel bad for you.” Except instead of cooly responding with “I don’t think about you at all”, like the Don did, Marvel used their centerpiece event of 2014 to turn Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver into Inhumans and also dumped Marvel’s First Family like they were hot garbage.
I actually don’t think that matching the movies up with the comic books is an inherently bad thing, I think it makes for putrid comic booking when you’re using full miniseries and events for basically the sole purpose of re-aligning the comics with the films. Let’s not pretend that you’re coming up with a decent story-based reason for de-mutanizing Magneto’s on-again, off-again offspring. We don’t need a limp 6-issue miniseries to explain that Nick Fury is black and Phil Coulson is a thing that’s in the comics now. I’d actually prefer that Marvel print a half-assed post-it note in the front of their comics each week that shows Stan Lee with a rictus grin and a speech bubble that says: “Greetings, true believers! Nick Fury is black now and Magneto never had kids. Excelsior!” – Vince Ostrowski
Calm down
One of the most prominent things that you notice when you’re a big Marvel fan is how often Marvel acts like it has to be in your face all the time always. Whether it’s a cavalcade of weekly announcements or the frantic pace to which the stories run or titles end, Marvel seems to be under the impression that they can no longer allow their characters or creators to relax. “All-New!” has become the new “Extreeeeeme!”, and it’s a bit ridiculous.
Well, here’s the thing, Marvel: you really don’t have to do that. In fact, all things considered you’d probably be better off if you just calmed down and didn’t treat everything with such a frantic nature as if the world is ending (though I guess with your case, everything is ending). But when was the last time characters got the chance to stop and smell the roses? When did the X-Men last get the chance to play basketball and chat about their feelings? When was the last time Brian Michael Bendis got to write characters sitting around a breakfast table?
Marvel, I love you but you’re bringing me down. Matt Fraction and David Aja and Annie Wu showed us what Hawkeye’s life was like when he wasn’t an Avenger, and it became a critical darling and an awards magnet. Maybe it’s okay to have a few more comics take the same relaxed and humorous nature as that book, no? – Matthew Meylikhov
Continued belowPut some effort into your constant claims of diversity
Here’s a funny little tidbit about Marvel: if you open up their books, you’ll find a fairly interesting cast of characters. However, if you just walk into a shop and scan the covers? Well, then you don’t find much. Yeah, there’s some prominent female-led solo titles, but overall Marvel is pretty disappointing — and what makes it worse is that when it comes to prominent black characters, everyone is just kind of pushed into one title.
So what Marvel would do well to do in 2015 is give us more books like “Storm.” Black Panther and Luke Cage will likely get books in 2015 thanks to their respective upcoming films and shows, but go beyond that — give us a Blade book, a Misty Knight book, Brother Voodoo, Iron Patriot/War Machine, Prodigy, Sunfire, the Immortal Weapons, Amadeus Cho, Blue Marvel, Isaiah Bradley, Cloak (and Dagger), or even Sunspot! And they don’t have to be ongoings, you can have more minis, but don’t just rely on these characters being supporting cast, or not being able to carry a book with their name prominently on the cover.
And not only that, but lets see some diversity behind the scenes. Hire more women, hire more people of color, don’t just rely on the same five names to be the only people you can sell books with. There are a lot of great creators out there, and you’re pretty good about finding different artists to come in and bring these characters to life — but it’d be wonderful if the same opportunities were there for new writers as well. – Matthew Meylikhov
Produce better quality collections
I think all of the things on our wish list are “big” things, but dammit if this isn’t one of the biggest because — and I’m just being blunt here — your trade collections are pretty garbage.
If I go into a comic shop and am faced with the decision of buying a new trade from, say, Image Comics or Dark Horse vs. buying a trade from Marvel? Not even based on content, the collections produced at other companies are going to be worth my time way more. Better paper stock, better presentation, better money value — buying a Marvel trade at this point is about the equivalent of buying the kind of DIY comics you’d get from kids in high school, that’s how bad they are. I tradewaited a few stories this year, and while I was excited to buy “All-New Doop,” boy was I disappointed when I saw what the collection looked like.
I’ll give you a bit of credit: those Epic collections you’ve done are pretty nice, and some of your hardcover books clearly show some effort; I particularly enjoyed the “Moon Knight: Bad Moon Rising” trade and “Original Sin” hardcover this year. But for crying out-loud, put a little bit of effort into the rest of your books or let me have some shelf-porn over here at least, because right now I’m afraid to read some of the trades I buy for fear they’ll fall apart in my hands, so why even bother buying them? – Matthew Meylikhov
Stop double shipping
I’ve lost count at how many Marvel books I’ve had to drop just to save some money. It becomes even more of a necessity to cut books when you’re charging $3.99 – $4.99 for a book that comes out every two weeks. You can do compelling stories on a monthly basis. If I’m going to pay $4 for a single comic then give it a couple extra pages and ship it once. The smaller publishers do it so why can’t a big corporation like Marvel do it? I love you Marvel but we can’t keep doing this. –Jess Camacho
Learn From Dark Horse When it Comes to Star Wars
Star Wars is awesome and there’s little reason to expect that the new comics won’t be awesome. While it’s an exciting time, I’m starting to think about the future. This year, I’d like to see Marvel launch one totally new series following a brand new set of characters set in the Star Wars world. Dark Horse was so successful for so long because they opened up the world more. With the new movie coming out, you could create a new book that takes place in that time frame but stands on its own two feet. There’s no reason Marvel’s Star Wars verse can’t be as big as Dark Horse’s was. This year could be the beginning of that and I hope it is. –Jess Camacho
Continued belowDon’t Waste James Robinson’s Talents
I’ve written about why James Robinson’s departure from DC matters, and at first, Marvel appeared to be willing to make his defection important to their line. “Fantastic Four” was relaunched and handed to Robinson, and an Invaders title was announced under his pen as well. I honestly can’t think of two properties better suited for Robinson at Marvel, and he has done his part to make each book consistently good and worth reading.
Until this happened: “Fantastic Four” gets cancelled, and “All-New Invaders” slips to the background. Now, the “Invaders” thing isn’t really anyone’s fault – it was never going to be Marvel’s biggest seller, nor would it compete for hype with some of the hipper books on the market.
But what once felt like a coup now just feels like another wasted opportunity. Cancelling “Fantastic Four” altogether is a bad idea; not giving Robinson a new place to shine would be an even worse one. Find a way to let him make his Marvel week feel as significant as what he did for the competition. –Brian Salvatore
Don’t Give Up on Mutants
While Marvel will never give the X-Men the completely shitty treatment that they are giving the Fantastic Four, they certainly seem content to shift the focus of their non-Avengers books from mutants to Inhumans, for reasons that have to do with movie rights more than actual storytelling.
The problem with this is that it reasons that Inhumans can be what mutants simply because Marvel decides that is how they want to proceed. But here’s the reality: terrigen mist or not, the faces of the Inhumans are detached gods with limitless powers and limited charisma. This is coming from a guy who would count Black Bolt in his top 10 Marvel characters, too.
Can Marvel build up the Inhumans to be something special? Absolutely. But if they are trying to make them into mutants, why not just use mutants? Sure, mutants won’t be in a Marvel Studios film anytime soon, but Marvel still makes money off of non-Marvel Studios films. There will always be the Marvel logo at the start of the Fox X-films, and as long as that is the case, good X-movies are good for Marvel. But we don’t even need to go that far – just let mutants in the comics be what they can’t be on screen: an important part of the overall Marvel landscape. There was a time when the X-Men were the center of Marvel’s publishing line – now, they feel like the remote island off the coast of Marvel comics. Build a bridge – bring ’em back to the mainland. –Brian Salvatore
Help Fraction Find His Marvel Groove Again
When I started to give Marvel the time of day after a long break, it was because of people like Matt Fraction getting a chance to tell stories that felt both personal and epic. Fraction was the face of what Marvel could become until, one day he wasn’t anymore. 2014 was a lost year for Fraction at Marvel – aside from a few issues of “Hawkeye,” he was nearly absent from the House of Ideas.
Granted, he was doing plenty of work at Image, and some of the best work of his career, now that I mention it. But there is something about Fraction and Marvel that are like peanut butter and chocolate – two great tastes that taste great together. The idea of Fraction at DC, although intriguing, doesn’t feel right at all. So, Marvel, this is on you: find something that he can really shine on, and offer it to him. –Brian Salvatore
DC
Let Mark Doyle and Geoff Johns take over DC
Allowing Mark Doyle and Geoff Johns to become co-publishers would inject DC Comics with a new perspective and renewed life throughout the entire publishing line. Johns brings an enthusiasm for and a love of DC’s legacy and its amazing characters while at the same time contributing a freshness to that history. He accomplished that feat with his past “Green Lantern” run and his reinvigoration of Aquaman and Shazam. Along with his job as co-publisher, he could also find the time to write one particular hero’s monthly book with the one and only Gary Frank: Shazam!
Continued belowDoyle brings a fresh and independent sensibility from his time at Vertigo and which he has brought to the Batman line of books. He could attract up and coming creators and hire writers and artists who have never before been associated with DC. He could inject DC with the unexpected. Doyle has proven the ability to bring his own unique touch to every project that bears his name. He could bring an edge to the DC Universe and might even push for spinoff books from Grant Morrison’s “The Multiversity” and place quality writers and artists on them. And speaking of talent, Doyle would not feel obligated to continue hiring such veteran creators as Ann Nocenti and Scott Lobdell. – Keith Dooley
Launch DC Unlimited
Like Marvel Unlimited, an online subscription site with DC’s vast library of current and past comic books would be a stunning thing. Although I prefer reading my comics in floppy form, I would love to own stories digitally that have not or will never be released in a physical collection. It would be awesome to read issues (which I still have) of comics that I read as a kid on my iPad in all their HD glory. The rich history of comicdom’s greatest universe(s) would be available to old timers such as myself and young, new, tech savvy readers as well. – Keith Dooley
Course-correcting after “Convergence”
In 2014, DC Comics made a lot of strides toward shaking off (or at least lessen) their image as the humorless, grim, publisher with the worst public relations policies in the business. They did it through diversifying their line with different types of books, even if they mostly ended up in or around Gotham City somehow. There was a point during 2013 (let’s say, around “Forever Evil” time) where most of the comics that DC was putting out all felt like the same thing – dark, grim, overly rigid, corporately-mandated, and afraid to take risks. They’re clawing out of it as of late, and grabbing the goodwill back from both fans and the press.
You’ll never get fans and critics to get behind 100% of your books 100% of the time, but DC’s batting average improved over 2014, and a soft-relaunch after a two-month dalliance with “Convergence” should give them an opportunity to reflect on what really worked for them over the last year. – Vince Ostrowski
Utilize the Multiverse even more
Let’s be honest – no one is going to outdo what Grant Morrison has done with the Earths he’s been visiting in “The Multiversity.” Apologies to Scott Lobdell, but those Earth-4 characters should have been put back on the shelf for a while after Morrison and Quitely knocked our socks off with them.
That doesn’t mean that DC can’t pull from several of the 52 Earths we’re going to learn about from the “Multiversity Guidebook” and set new ongoing series on them. Imagine a writer and/or artist pitching to the DC offices, telling them they want to set an ongoing series on the “Gotham by Gaslight” Earth – and the DC brass said “yes”?
DC has 52 Earths to work with. The possibilities are “effectively” endless, considering the number of characters and teams and variations that DC has in their stable. So why are we limited to books from two Earths? Maybe in 2015, after “The Multiversity”, after “Convergence” – we won’t be. – Vince Ostrowski
Stop treating Wonder Woman like a B-List Character
I really hate that I have to bring this one back, but man, out of all the various things we see DC bungle, their treatment of Wonder Woman is chief amongst them.
Look: the importance of Wonder Woman should in every way be self-evident. She’s ostensibly part of DC’s main trinity of characters, yet they never seem to treat her with the gravitas that that title comes with; there is no Wonder Woman line of comics like there are Superman or Batman ones, and Wonder Woman’s own book went from A-List title to Burn After Reading when the Finches took over. DC’s “Superman/Wonder Woman” titles is alright, and “Sensation Comics” brings in some really great talent, but if Wonder Woman can’t be treated right in her own book then we’re in an awful place.
Continued belowSo I think one of the chief things that DC needs to do in 2015 is re-evaluate what their plans are for Wonder Woman. One of the most important characters in their line-up, let alone in all of comics, DC should be aiming to give Diana the same prominence and relevance that they do Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. Get a new team on her solo book ASAP, take “Sensation Comics” from a ‘side-canon- digital book to a full-on in-continuity ongoing and show us that she is as important to you as she is to us, DC.
Wonder Woman is an inspiration. Please endeavor to make her inspirational. – Matthew Meylikhov
Use “Thunderworld” as a guide book
“The Multiversity” has pulled the DCynical like myself out of the sidelines and back at the company, eagerly anticipating each and every issue with ardent fervor. And, hey, so far every issue has felt like it really should be part of an ongoing series; “Society of Superheroes” is a great throwback, “#earth-ME” is just sarcastic and cynical enough to be fun for more tongue-in-cheek romps, and holy crap could you even imagine what more “Pax Americana” would be like?
Yet despite all that, all things considered, “New Thunderworld Adventures” should be the gold standard for what DC’s comics should look like linewide. Don’t get me wrong, I like dark books on occasion, and I like complex mysteries with flawed characters in dire situations. Yet what I don’t like is that DC’s line seems like it’s central mandate is a teenager version of what adult content should be, and a lot of it feels flaccid to me on the few times I try to step back into a DC comic based on the excitement “The Multiversity” gives me.
But if there were more comics like “Thunderworld,” I’d have no hesitation. If there were more bright colors and smiling superheroes going up against impossible and ridiculous tasks then comics would not only be fun for me, but could easily appeal to a new generation — and I think that’s what DC has forgotten when it abandoned the legacy heroes that used to define it. So let “Thunderworld” become the new basis for what all of your comics should be like, and man, DC could really recapture the magic that many felt they lost when the New 52 came about. – Matthew Meylikhov
Variation is Key
With space to launch new books, something DC needs to keep in mind is that no reader is the same. You have people who enjoy more dramatic or darker stories while others want to laugh and read something that screams fun. Mark Doyle has done this with the Batman line but it needs to extend further. DC can’t continue to be the overly gritty publisher it gets tagged as. DC has to continue to push boundaries and do different things. While I’m not a fan of “Gotham Academy” I value what it does and the kind of readers it can bring in. “Catwoman” was another book that went through a change this year and now it’s basically a Vertigo book. Keep doing this. Shazam could be an all ages book like the recent issue of “The Multiversity” was. The Question could have a title that is a combination of “Detective Comics” and “Gotham By Midnight”. New Gods could be an insane science fiction tale that reads like something from the 60’s. People flock to Image Comics so quickly now because there is literally something for everyone in every genre. DC has the characters and the talent. 2015 is the year to do these things.Jess Camacho
Where the Ladies At?
DC does some things better than Marvel (lack of events & needless tie ins FTW) but Marvel is doing much better at getting female led series off and running. DC needs desperately to catch up. We need a new “Birds of Prey” book in 2015. It’s been very weird without one. “Batwoman” should also be relaunched with a new team and direction. Like Marvel, there’s a lack of diverse backgrounds. There are very little characters of color leading teams or their own books and that has to change. Like Marvel, if you don’t have the characters, create them. If the creators you have can’t do it, then hire people who can. –Jess Camacho
Copy the Bat-Line Diversity In Other Areas
Mark Doyle has done an incredible job bringing a “Bat book for every fan” into stores this year – let’s kick that concept down the road a bit. There isn’t a true romance comic being published by the Big Two – make “Superman/Wonder Woman” one. Take the ideas behind “Gotham Central,” move it to Metropolis, and last season of The Wire it up – give us a “Daily Planet” book. You just cancelled three Green Lantern family books – relaunch one as a hard sci-fi story. Use the popularity of The Flash to turn that book into something way more fun and playful.
Here’s the thing – your characters are infinitely more recognizable than Marvel’s are, and yet Marvel can sell a “Ms. Marvel” book, featuring a brand new lead character, to the tune of 7 printings. I bet my Mom can tell you the name of the newspaper Clark Kent writes for – DC’s characters are such pop culture institutions that they should be an easy sell. Use that to your advantage, and make the books as appealing as they are recognizable to fans new and old. –Brian Salvatore
Let Jeff Parker and Doc Shaner Do Whatever They Want – But Pray They Want “Shazam”
One of the most anticipated “Convergence” tie-ins is the “Shazam” book by Jeff Parker and Evan “Doc” Shaner, the creative team behind “Flash Gordon,” one of the most fun and satisfying comics of 2014. Parker and Shaner have an undeniable chemistry in their work but, more than anything, their work reflects a love of comics as a medium. Their stories aren’t comics trying to pass as movies, or as fine art – they are comics, through and through. Their work wouldn’t feel out of place in a floppy from 1938 or 2138 – they might be making the best “pure” comics today.
“Pure” comics are something that DC has really been missing over the past few years; yes, the last six months or so have brought a few titles that get much closer to that descriptor, their line still only has a few comics that are content to just be great comics. Shaner and Parker can give you that pure comic goodness on a monthly basis – good lord, DC, let them.
Also, let that be “Shazam.” Please. –Brian Salvatore
