Well isn’t this an exciting day? Wake up, go about daily business, check Twitter… what? DC is announcing a new series? And it’s… oh my God. This is huge. This is HUGE. This is a huge change for one of the two biggest comic publishers in the world. In fact, dare I say it, but it somewhat redefinese their form of storytelling!
This is pretty big people, so I’ve got the whole press release from DC after the jump, along with pictures. Are you ready? You better be ready.
That major publishing event we mentioned earlier today? Well, here it is.
Original stories featuring Batman and Superman in graphic novel form from the biggest creators out there. But these aren’t one-offs. We’re talking ongoing series of OGNs in a new continuity, on a new Earth.
Sound appealing?
Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE and BATMAN: EARTH ONE, two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.
Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth’s greatest adopted son, as he grows from boy to Superman in SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis.
Watch from the darkest corners of Crime Alley as a young boy is struck by unbelievable tragedy that will forge the greatest crime-fighter to ever stalk the rooftops of Gotham City in BATMAN: EARTH ONE, by writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.
What does JMS have to say? Well, here’s a snippet from his first interview on the subject:
“What I’m trying to do is to dig in to the character and look at him through modern eyes. If you were to create the Superman story today, for the first time, but keep intact all that works, what would it look like?”
“It is monumental for us as comic readers to see Superman birthed for the first time,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to realize that you’re the artist that gets to draw it, better yet having the luxury to do it in an original graphic novel. This is going to be epic!”
What about Geoff Johns? Well, we happen to have a bit from his first interview as well:
“BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story.”
Want more? Sure you do. Why not check out the interviews AIN’T IT COOL NEWS just posted with the previously mentioned Johns and Straczynski?
Now for the commentary on our part: For DC, stand alone OGNs are not neccesarily new. DC has been releasing prestige format books for decades now, with stories like Killing Joke, DC: New Frontier and various Elseworlds titles all being presented in this format. They’ve even had several OGN in-continuity books, like Earth-2 or Virtue and Vice. However, what is new here is that, from my understanding, we’re not getting just a simple prestigious format book. We’re getting a full size OGN in a brand new continuity line by the hit writers and artists of today.
In other words? DC is finally REALLY making their own “Ultimate universe.” DC tried this with their All-Star titles, but only Superman ever took off. Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder was kind of a fizzled out title, and whether or not it will ever continue is beyond my knowledge. However, by getting people like Straczynski and Johns to write these books, DC is putting a lot of faith in not just good but GREAT hands. Both Straczynski and Johns are known for superb work, and both are hailed for their genius here at MC. Give them as much space as they want in a brand new continuity they can follow at their own pace? You’re sure to make a hit.
So am I, and we, excited for this? Excited doesn’t even cover it. Take a look at Frank’s designs for Batman. They’re pretty awesome. And pending the success of these books, I’m sure we can look forward to many titles with all our favorite characters. I’m hoping for a Shazam, Flash, and Green Lantern book myself.
Expect these books later in 2010, perhaps around summer time. I don’t want to start any rumors towards dates, but that would be my best guess as of now. Needless to say, DC is really bringing it this year with this announcement and the First Wave titles. Can’t wait to see how it pans out.
