Roundup 12.9.11 – DC's New 52
[main image: “The Big Bang Theory” – OK, so it’s not the New 52…]
The first few months of the “New 52” from DC Comics have flown by, and the publisher has remained in the number one spot in sales since September. So we thought we’d collect the news that’s been news about the New 52 and put it at your fingertips.
Many of titles continue to get third and fourth (and in some cases, a fifth) printing, and sales have been higher for DC than they have for years. But it also indicates a boost in overall sales in the industry. One retailer I spoke with said that even if the New 52 turns out to be a dud, even in the face of fan backlash for the changes, the end result is that more people are walking into comic book shops. Which means that the New 52 may have been a kick in the pants the industry needed in this flagging economy.
Who’s That Girl?
Comics Alliance has done a bang-up job of analyzing the numerous appearances of the “Red Hooded Woman” who has been popping up in the background of most (if not all) of the titles since the beginning. Some have speculated this could be a version of the Time Trapper or Harbinger, while others remain open about who it could be. She’s appeared everywhere since Flashpoint, and could either hold the key to the big 75th anniversary event that’s inevitable, or she could be the “reset button” should the New 52 sputter and lose its momentum.
What’s Next?
The Grumpy Old Fan at Comic Book Resources has made his predictions about what DC has in store for 2012. Will DC go back into space? Where’s Adam Strange, Lobo, and the Doom Patrol? Is Karen Starr still Power Girl? These and other speculations can be found here.
In January, DC will also release a trade paperback called DC Comics Presents the New 52 #1, priced at $7.99 [via Previews World]. Judging by the title, this could be an overview of the new universe and how everything fits together. As we saw in CA’s analysis of the Red Hooded Woman’s appearances, the stories so far have been closely synchronized – whether by design or pure dumb luck – and this TP could give us more background on just what we have in the post-Flashpoint universe. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of Power Girl: Old Friends (TP). Could this be a precursor to her return to the DCnU?
What’s Old Is New Again?
According to Digital Spy, Man of Steel star Henry Cavill told the Associated Press that the new movie is a lot like the New 52, saying “When that came out, everyone went, ‘Arrhhh! Everything’s changed’. It’s part of the evolution of the character. There is a modernisation (sic) to it, and certainly our style is making him easier to associate with because it’s pretty tough to associate with an invulnerable alien.”
TG Daily has more from the Immortals press event, in which Cavill also dished on the new take on Superman.
