At this point, it is not a secret that DC Comics September Villains #1s are on their way. If the rumors are to be believed, we should expect the villains to take over September each year. While I love the idea of the program, there are two issues DC Comics is going to have to deal with.
DC Comics September Villains #1s are coming.
DC Comics September Villains #1s?
A rumor has circulated for months about DC’s autumn swerve will bring September Villains #1 which will tell the story from the villain’s perspectives. This takeover will be line-wide and each of the New 52 titles will be taken over by a villain for one issue. We should assume that traditional numbering will continue after the DC Comics September Villains #1s.
The First Problem
By making a villain the headliner of one of the titles in the DC Comics September Villains #1, DC is essentially declaring a character as the main villain against the traditional headlining character or team. This will be one of those “you will never make everyone happy” kind of moves. If The Question headlines the DC Comics September Villains #1 issue for Phantom Stranger, some fans will argue about the demons of Hell being the Phantom Stranger’s greatest rivals or about how Pandora is often known as the character’s thorn. Superman’s traditional main rival is Lex Luthor. Should DC automatically give fans the expected rival, or highlight someone else who is being pushed at the time? It is really a no-win situation.
The Second Problem
The second problem with the DC Comics September Villains #1 issue series comes next year. Since we had the baddies take over this year, should we expect them this year? If so, if we see a Joker #1 this year, should we automatically expect to see Joker #2 next year? Should we expect to see another villain take over Batman and see (perhaps) Riddler #1 in 2014? DC will need to figure out a plan to keep some type of continuity with the swerve from year-to-year. The plan is to make the villain issue an annual event, but the Big 2 have been known for changing course mid-stream.
The Batman Exception
As a little aside, Batman’s greatest enemy is himself. Nobody can do as much damage to the Big Black Bat as the Big Black Bat. If Joker (the main villain of Bat’s stories) took over during the DC Comics September Villains #1, wouldn’t DC Comics miss their own symbolism?
If DC can pull this off, it could leave Marvel treading water for a month. This is the type of ingenuity could give a surge to the second-in-line company and help it gain some of the market share it has been losing recently. Of course, September is a long way off and anything can happen between NOW and then.
