DC Reboot: Final thoughts before it hits

[ctc]

>why not create a new character? One with potential to last?

Because the current crop of dedicated fans wouldn’t care. It’s true that new, timely and exciting characters are what make a company grow and prosper; but for the Big Two and a Half, their audience is pretty set in their ways. DC isn’t releasing 11 different permutations of “Batman” on a whim.... they know he’s a popular character, and their audience is gonna be much better inclined towards someone that ties into him than someone out of left field. It’s safer, for the company AND for the reader. And that’s been the crisis DC, Marvel, and their ilk have faced for 20 years: the “comic shop” crowd, who’re all pretty set in their ways, and incredibly nit-picky. (They missed an entire generation of comic fans because of that.)

>Creators know they CAN take their best ideas and self-publish, or publish through a company that won't retain rights.

That’s been a fly in the ointment as well. You may not get nearly as much exposure as you would working for Marvel or DC; but since the Image thing, folks are willing to take that chance. And the odds are pretty good that DC or Marvel might pick you up for a book or too anyway, so you’ll still cash in there.

Don C.

[johnnystorm]

So, creator owned characters aside, who would be the biggest name character to appear at the Big Two within the past few years?

Most of the better selling titles at Marvel have revolved around recycling mutants and chameleon Hulks. The Avengers are all revamped versions of old members. Winter Soldier is Bucky.

At DC, it's basically the same, revamping '80s & '90s storylines.

Can't think of anybody not a version of an existing character or a revival of an old one. Anyone?

[samurainoir]

I can see why DC and Marvel keep pushing their same old properties... they need to keep the trademarks in use or lose them. Also new characters give profit participation to the creators... why split that pie when they could just as easily keep the lion's share on the old stuff that has generations of brand recognition behind it?

In the age of Spawn and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, creators often hold back from inventing characters for the company... despite profit participation. I'm sure Rob Liefeld has probably made more money from Youngblood than Cable or Deadpool (at least prior to the big movie payday). He tells the story of seeing the Toy Biz X-force figures for the first time, asking if he could have some and being denied.

Kick *** was the best selling graphic novel the year the movie debuted I believe (although that could also be the Millar hype machine running off at the mouth again)

[ctc]

>who would be the biggest name character to appear at the Big Two within the past few years?

Deadpool. And even then, he's been around for 20 years.

Don C.