So, the announcements were made today about the DC Comics Villain Month and the Forever Evil crossover event. This might come as a surprise, but I have some definite opinions on the announcements made.
DC Comics Villain Month
Note
I am writing this under the assumption that you have read the news statements so far. If you have not, you can read the news about DC Comics Villain Month by following this link, and read the statements about the Forever Evil crossover event by following this link.
My Thoughts on DC Comics Villain Month as a Whole
Personally, I love the idea of DC Comics Villain Month. The company has done a very good job over the years of making memorable characters we shudder over. They have also done a very good job in modernizing many of these characters. Give us the opportunity to look into the heads of these baddies in their updated form. September will remind us that a great superhero story is made up of a great superhero and a great villain. Give the baddies the time to shine.
The 3D Covers for DC Comics Villain Month
During the interview, it was stated that this type of cover has never been done before. Really? I have seen 3D covers before and know that they can either be impressive or annoying. The specific format for creating these covers might be new, but I have 3D covers in my collection from the 1990s. As someone who will usually have a few adult beverages while reading comics in the evening, I am a little nervous that the motion might cause undesired impacts.
The Prices of Comics During September
You might not have noticed this but the cover price on all of the DC Comics Villain Month titles are $3.99. This is a good way to squeeze an extra few dollars out of people during the month. From a retail aspect, I think it is great. From a collector’s stance – I see it as an annoyance. Unless there is a huge push for these covers in the future, I don’t see the price automatically increasing in value over the sort or long term. Obviously, DC Comics wants to reign supreme in all of the possible industry ratings over at Diamond. Too bad that “Drawing the Line at $2.99” was talking about a squiggly line.
The Printing of the Title
When I first started hearing about the possibility of villains taking over the comics during September, I was a little nervous about how the titles would be printed. Take Justice League for example. Would Darkseid’s name be the only title appearing that month, or would DC Comics use another method? I am happy that they are imprinting the name of the villain over the traditional title. This will help retailers and help fans know for sure which comic is for which line. Thanks, DC! You got that part right!
Why So Scared DC Comics?
Notice that there was not an announcement about the titles of DC Comics Villain Month coming out later in some type of trade format. I understand why. It might discourage some collectors from buying as many of the comics as they can carry. Smart move from a corporate aspect, but not from a comic book community aspect. Rumors have circulated about all of the covers being in one book or an omnibus collecting all of the DC Comics Villain Month issues. I don’t see that option as feasible because if each comic was 26 pages long, we would have an omnibus with over 1350 pages. A series of trades might be the most likely.
The Idea of the Forever Evil Crossover Event
I HATE company-wide crossover events that go into dozens of different titles. I hated it when they did it for Secret Wars II, and I still hate it all of these years later. The Trinity War crossover is one thing since it comprises about five titles each month. I am fine with that. I don’t like when companies decide that you car payment should go to them for a few months straight. Some people like it, but it is a Marvelish formula which has turned me off even more in the last few years. I was hoping we would never see it at DC Comics, but my nightmare is now a reality.
The Redeeming Factor of the Forever Evil Crossover Event
The one redeeming factor of the Forever Evil crossover event is that the focus will be placed on the villains of the DC Comics Universe (according to the original interview). I have always been a sucker for villain crossover and issues which take the focus away from the superheroes and give it to the bad guys and gals. I might end up having to start saving money now.
