Tag: dc wtf

WTF Certified – DC Comics Dropped the Ball

Mar. 30 Comics no comments

I remember a time, only a short time ago, when we were being bombarded with information about the DC Comics WTF Certified events. Speculation ran rampant online and in our Detroit comic book store about what might be going on in our favorite titles and what might happen to draw us to the titles we have neglected. We are now entering the WTF Certified period, and DC Comics has dropped the ball on marketing.

DC's WTF Certified

DC’s WTF Certified

WTF Certified is a Big Event?

By looking through the Diamond Previews last month, almost every page about DC Comics had something about WTF Certified. Where are the inserts for comic book stores to place inside bags to get customers excited? Where are the banners and window hangs to invite customers in? Where are the special imprinted bags with the DC Comics WTF Certified logos? Where is the WTF Certified swag? As of this writing, DC does not even have a headline or the slightest of teasers about WTF Certified on their website.

Marvel Off and Running

Did you happen to know that Marvel is in the Age of Ultron? Chances are good that you might have given a little chuckle reading the previous line. We have bag inserts, swag, window hangers, and Marvel has been talking about the crossover event nonstop. I have even heard the publisher is running ads on Serius Radio over the last few weeks. This is the type of marketing DC Comics should have embraced with WTF Certified.

What DC Needs to Do

DC Comics would love to reassume the top spot in the market, but the bronze ring is just out of reach. WTF Certified marketing is a perfect example of what DC could have done to prove tot eh fans and the market that it knows what it takes to reach for the ring. Sadly, this was not meant to be as DC forgot that sometimes you need to inundate readers with information to get them excited. Instead of being excited, I am asking “WTF DC?” And that, my friends, is certified.

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Pre-New 52 Reversion a Possibility for DC Comics?

Mar. 05 Comics, News no comments

Ever since DC Comics brought their characters in the New 52, fans have worried about a reversion back to the pre-New 52 days. Any little “disturbance” which comes along gets fans wondering. Fans need some kind of guarantee from DC Comics that the company will not revert back to the pre-New 52 storylines.

DC's WTF

DC’s WTF

DC’s WTF

One of the rumors I have seen floating around is that somehow DC’s WTF will hint at a possible reversion back to the pre-New 52 days. Maybe the reintroduction of Booster Gold will place some type of break in the new reality. We know that a team will disappear, but where will they disappear to? Could this simply something pointing to how Justice League Dark is trapped in another reality, or something more?

The War of the Trinity of Sin

War is brewing between the three members of the Trinity of Sin. The Question, Pandora, and the Phantom Strange could destroy reality in their upcoming battle. Could that send the comics back into the pre-New 52 era?

What DC Needs to Do

I would love DC to make some type of symbolic move to state once and for all that the New 52 is here to stay. They can state their intentions to keep the New 52 as the status quo, but there will still be rumors. Fans need a definitive action from the company to ensure the rumors or a pre-New 52 reversion finally die once and for all.

Why DC Need to Do It

I spoke with a customer recently who is leery about continuing with titles in the New 52 because of his worry about a reversion. He worries his collection might become worthless if the publishing company reverts back to where the storylines were a few years ago. For every one fan like this I talk to, I can almost guarantee there are hundreds more out there with the same concern. The concern will continue to grow until the pre-New 52 DC Universe is gone.

How DC Could Do It

May, during the war among the Trinity of Sin, the Trinity could open up a portal to the pre-New 52 era. Somehow, they would need to destroy it or completely lock it off. Either way, fans need to know that “door” is closed for good.

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DC’s WTF: Concerns About a Dismal Tomorrow

Feb. 13 Comics Comments Off on DC’s WTF: Concerns About a Dismal Tomorrow

DC’s WTF is sure to be one of the major talking points over the next few months in comic book stores across the country and is sure to bring the company at least a slight uptick in market share. There are aspects of DC’s WTF which concern me and fear for negative potentials for the comic book industry over the next year.

DC's WTF

DC’s WTF

Importance of Change

The New 52 and Marvel NOW have proven how a massive revamp of a comic book universe can cause a major shift in the industry. We could argue, though, about how crossover events such as Civil War and Death of the Family can also cause for a major shift in the market without having to change or reboot nearly every title at a company. Occasionally, the comic book companies need to shake things up a little bit in order to keep the product fresh and reassert themselves into the market. How much, though, is too much?

Macro vs. Micro Crossovers

I am not personally a fan of having a major crossover event every single year. I am of the belief that if Marvel continues to have one “universe changing” event after another, fans will eventually become burned out by having to purchase massive amount of titles ever six months. Just as we were winding down from the Chaos War, we were hit with Fear Itself. When we were winding down from Fear Itself, we were hit with AvX which turned into Marvel NOW. Too much action within a short amount of time.

DC, on the other hand, had been playing the cards correctly by having smaller crossover events since the dawn of the New 52. While Death of the Family has major impacts on the members of The Family, the event is leaving Superman and Green Lantern titles alone for their own definitive crossover stories. Don’t worry, I have not forgotten about DC’sWTF.

Change for the Sake of Change

On the surface, DC’s WTF appears as change for the sake of change. Soon after Gail Simone was ousted from DC, word made rounds about DC execs making statements about more major changes coming soon and about shakeups on the surface of DC and in the background. The goal is apparently to take as much market share back from Marvel as possible. I see the idea of having major shakeups a way to infuse a company stronger into the market as flawed as they are only temporary fixes to companies which pay closer attention to market share than what fans actually ask for (more on this in a moment).

The Near Future

If DC’s WTF does well, Marvel will have to respond with another shakeup as soon as possible (Marvel NOWer?). The two will be stuck in an odd chess match of back-and-forthing which could alienate fans who had been away from comics for even a short time as they try to figure out what in the hell is going on with their favorite characters.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst case I could foresee is that DC’s WTF starts a chain reaction where Marvel and DC can’t even keep up with their own “universe changing” events and begin having crossovers within crossovers. How many issues of Chaos Infinity Secret Initiative War would you want to buy? In the worst case – fans will burn out.

Best Case Scenario

In the best case, DC’s WTF will make both DC and Marvel open their eyes to how the smaller publishing companies are upticking their own market shares. Many of the smaller companies know comic book fans want solid stories with characters they can relate to in some way. A little changeup here and there to keep things fresh is one thing. When you leave the fans who have missed one or two issues out to dry, we should all ask WTF?

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