Tag: forever evil

Observations on Forever Evil and Villain Month

Now that all of the secrets are out in the open, I guess it is time for me to make my observations on Villain Month and Forever Evil. This major attack from DC Comics during the September War is sure to shake everything up. There are some aspects of Forever Evil and Villain MOnth which surprise me, some which upset me, and some which just make me shake my head.

Forever Evil

Forever Evil

The Forever Evil Promotional Picture

Where in the heck is Joker? He should be right next to Lex Luthor leading the masses. Also, note that both Harley Quinn and Deadshot, of the Suicide Squad, are both in the picture along with Catwoman – all of which are supposed to be superheroes now.

The Reasoning Behind the Higher Price of Villain Month Comics

The special 3D covers are more expensive to create than regular covers, but DC Comics did not need to put those 3D covers on in the first place. I am not going out on a limb by saying that most fans would have picked up a larger number of DC Comics in September without them. On top of that, DC Comics could not figure out a less-expensive way to create the tens of thousands of covers they are putting on the comics to save the reader money?

The Lower Criminals

I do like the idea of giving some extra face time to some of the lower criminals in the DC Universe during Villain Month. Joker’s Daughter, The Ventriloquist (he will never be a A-lister, or even a B-lister, no matter what DC tells me), Parasite, and Dial E are all welcome characters. It is good that DC Comics is not just touching upon the main evil characters from each title.

The Lost Titles

I wish DC Comics would have included some of the other titles in some major way during Villain Month. Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Earth’s Finest, and the Suicide Squad are just a few of the titles which missed this bus. How many fans will feel disenfranchised during September?

My Opinions on Villain Month and Forever Evil

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

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.

DC Comics Forever Evil Crossover Event is Coming

Buzzfeed posted an interview with Dan DiDio and Jim Lee where the two minds at DC Comics discussed the upcoming Forever Evil crossover event. Some very interesting points were made which you need to know.

This is Big News people!

This is Big News people!

What is the Forever Evil Crossover Event?

The Forever Evil crossover event will be the first major crossover event of the New 52. DC Comics Villain Month will lead into the Forever Evil crossover event and the event will focus on many (if not most) of the major villains in the DC Comics Universe. Forever Evil will be a seven-issue miniseries. There will be three other major events taking place in other titles which will draw these other titles into direct connection with the Forever Evil crossover event.

Who Will Be in the Forever Evil Crossover Event?

While DC Comics has months to announce the players in the Forever Evil crossover event, Dan DiDio did confirm that Joker and Lex Luthor will be present in the series and that Hush will also be appearing later on the event. I would go on the assumption that many of the villains used in the DC Comics Villain Month would also play some role in the event. The two DC representatives stated that the focus of the series will be on the villains and that some might not make it out alive. At least one major character will be changed forever.

When

While the definitive date for the Forever Evil crossover event has not been officially announced, we do know that it will happen sometime after Villain Month which would put it (at earliest) in the October time frame. We also do not know if the miniseries Forever Evil will be monthly, biweekly, or weekly. My assumption would be that it would either be biweekly or monthly. Only time, and DC Comics will tell.