DC Comics Shuts Down Message Boards!

[MIB41]

I think comics are at a critical crossroads right now. The printing industry as a whole is in dire straits. Emeraldknight works in this field and can articulate that point far better than I. But between online advertising and the Kindle, the printed page is quickly becoming obsolete. It's with this perspective in mind, that I was surprised to see DC pull such an obvious (and possibly desperate) move by re-branding all of their heroes. Such a risky proposition just to have it's customers pick up a bunch of all new number ones. Were sales hurting THAT bad, on every title, that it warranted a complete overall? It spat in the face of customer loyalty. But even worse, it challenged that loyalty by making fans buy an endless stream of comics they otherwise wouldn't have. And that's where customer loyalty finally hit traction in reality - Cost. DC asked alot from the consumer's wallet for this move and now their feeling the heat of buyer's remorse. So where does DC go from here? They've revamped their entire product line and made long time customers reassess their loyalty to the brand. People want quality for that investment DC asked of them. And their not getting it.

[samurainoir]

I can understand why they shut them down. Moderating and maintaining a formum undoubtably takes a certain amount of time and effort better served in other more effective means of marketing. Never saw the DC forums as a very interesting place to hang out anyways as most creators have their own forums or venues to communicate with fans elsewhere.

Some interesting things inferred from the George Perez chat at The Toronto Comic con this weekend. Perez left Superman to focus on hired gun drawing gigs due to "too many chiefs and not enough Indians" and that he wanted to create comic books, "not storyboards for movies". He was also kind of unhappy with the creation by committee and constant last minute changes and tweaking going on... Citing Power Girl's outfit is changing again on the cover of World's

From what we've seen of how the new 52 operates, there really is a toss stuff at the wall and see what sticks mentality. No opportunity for books to find an audience... Like Sandman or Starman did in the past. I'm sure with the studio driving the bus now, there is a real desperation for finding movie and tv friendly material to adapt. Perez also stated that there is a great deal being dictated by the tv and movie production... Citing the shorts less superman as an example.

[MIB41]

I can understand why they shut them down. Moderating and maintaining a formum undoubtably takes a certain amount of time and effort better served in other more effective means of marketing. Never saw the DC forums as a very interesting place to hang out anyways as most creators have their own forums or venues to communicate with fans elsewhere.

Some interesting things inferred from the George Perez chat at The Toronto Comic con this weekend. Perez left Superman to focus on hired gun drawing gigs due to "too many chiefs and not enough Indians" and that he wanted to create comic books, "not storyboards for movies". He was also kind of unhappy with the creation by committee and constant last minute changes and tweaking going on... Citing Power Girl's outfit is changing again on the cover of World's

From what we've seen of how the new 52 operates, there really is a toss stuff at the wall and see what sticks mentality. No opportunity for books to find an audience... Like Sandman or Starman did in the past. I'm sure with the studio driving the bus now, there is a real desperation for finding movie and tv friendly material to adapt. Perez also stated that there is a great deal being dictated by the tv and movie production... Citing the shorts less superman as an example.

Good points. Something else worth adding is that successful film franchises normally only have a life span of three films before they reboot. Comics demand a storyline that is nonstop. If comics continue to interrupt their continuity and constantly reinvent themselves to endorse movie product, they will cease to have validity for the reading audience.

[aquatroy]

Kind of like the Mego Museum's Comic Book forum right?

Even more so. The old DCU boards were an angry place. We have strong opinions. Those cats were zealots.

[palitoy]

Even more so. The old DCU boards were an angry place. We have strong opinions. Those cats were zealots.

Yeah, that was my take too. Lots of "Nerd Rage" there, not my thing.

As for DCU, I saw this before, it was called "New Coke". I'm not at all upset about it because I haven't been on board for years, so there is nothing but apathy on my end. It's nice to hear Aquaman and Animal Man are kicking a little butt, hope it lasts long enough to launch some other media.

They should take the Japanese approach, create a new version of Batman every 12 months.

[Figuremod73]

I kinda wonder if they should have gone the magazine route. Bring back the way the comics were done back in the 40's (maybe on a bi-monthly basis). Example: Action comics with Superman and then rotating stories with minor heroes as features; Dectective with Batman, etc.
At some point something will have to give....

[Type Two]

They should take the Japanese approach, create a new version of Batman every 12 months.

LOL! Yeah, somewhere along the way someone might come up with a Batman that is actually interesting again!

[boynightwing]

Kind of like the Mego Museum's Comic Book forum right?

hahaha! You beat me to it!

[samurainoir]

They should take the Japanese approach, create a new version of Batman every 12 months.

true given the cycle of toy/product/media, you've got the Power Rangers taking advantage of the audience churn in age by constant turnover and "reinvention", which is now a twenty year legacy in north America, and twice longer than that in Japan.

[samurainoir]

hahaha! You beat me to it!

I miss your grandpa Simpson sig.

[Riffster]

so, the new boards are shut down? i thought they just relaunched the DC comics site

[BlackKnight]

Kind of like the Mego Museum's Comic Book forum right?

I try to really not get involved in ***** Threads like this..., or any lately... I really do. But sometimes it's just so very hard, when you Loved something , and it just goes a different Direction than what you wanted and it just leaves you dumbfounded, trying to grab onto just something you like ....

I read comments on the Mattel Forum ..., and Tons of posters there, just pretty much **** Off Every Bad Idea DC Has with the new 52 like it's the Greatest thing since Shaved Snatch. I feel like I need a Bath after some of the comments.

I am really confused about it all, still myself ..., but have found some stuff I do personally am able to enjoy ....., although it seriously isn't as much as I used too ....., But I can Actually Read Batman Again.

[madmarva]

I'm sure with the studio driving the bus now, there is a real desperation for finding movie and tv friendly material to adapt. Perez also stated that there is a great deal being dictated by the tv and movie production... Citing the shorts less superman as an example.

Sounds like the fear everyone had with Disney taking over Marvel has finally come to roost with DC and Warner.

Didio and Lee said last fall that the streamlining the characters to their core while refreshing them for exploitation by other media was an impetus for the New 52. So what Perez is saying shouldn't be a huge surprise but it is validation of a lot of people's worst fears.

Didio has been using the throw it against the wall rational since he was made DCU editor. How many Doom Patrol and Metal Men revamps have we seen under him? In the past it seemed like he was giving creative teams a year to gain traction, now it's more like a 4 to 6-issue arc.

Who knows what would have happened with Green Lantern if Johns' revamp had not have taken? I'm sure another creator would have been given a shot at GL had Johns' failed.

I follow characters more so than creators, although there are certain creators that I do follow, so I don't mind a rotating role call of creators as long as I enjoy the stories. I liked what Perez was doing with Superman — more than I like Morrison's Action book — because he was doing old-time comics. He was developing a cast with their stories being as interesting as the main character, but I'm interested in what Giffen and Jurgens will do, so I'll stick around.

I'm of the opinion, DC should have done a total reboot instead of the soft reboot or relaunch approach. By doing so DC would have alleviated all the continuity questions fans have. DC could have introduced material or old continuity however it wanted like Byrne did with Superman in 1986, instead of everyone wondering did this happen or how does this fit.

[madmarva]

Even more so. The old DCU boards were an angry place. We have strong opinions. Those cats were zealots.

You hit it on the head. The DC boards got ugly. I haven't read any comic book discussion on this board that got that heated. Some other topics may be a different story.

[MIB41]

I read comments on the Mattel Forum ..., and Tons of posters there, just pretty much **** Off Every Bad Idea DC Has with the new 52 like it's the Greatest thing since Shaved Snatch. I feel like I need a Bath after some of the comments.

I have to say that is one of the more colorful analogies I've read in some time. Jason go get yourself cleaned. That was great.