A Whole New DC Comics? Maybe

In the last 24 hours, the comic book industry has been abuzz about DC’s game-changing announcement: Beginning August 31, the publisher will relaunch its entire line of DC Universe titles with a total of 52 first issues. While rumors of such a renumbering have been circulating within the industry for some time, the real bombshell comes with a second, arguably more surprising component to the announcement: each of the newly-launched titles will be available for digital release on the same day as its print counterpart.

Official details continue to emerge from the company’s own website:

Coupled with coverage in the mainstream press:

USA Today.

Meanwhile, discussions about the implications for publishers, readers and especially retailers are already in full swing among industry websites; the following are just a small sampling:

Comics Beat

Bleeding Cool

Comic Book Resources

Of all the questions raised, at their core remains the subject of what attracts readers to comics. For any of us with an interest in both comics and kids, a unique set of considerations presents itself. Would a “#1” on a comic book cover make you more likely to read it, buy it, or introduce it to kids? Will digital availability make you more likely to try something new? How can we welcome new innovations without alienating the struggling retailers whose work has been instrumental in keeping this industry alive?

In a business that struggles to maintain a balance between appealing to longtime fans and attracting new audiences, an effort of this caliber has far-reaching repercussions, and the discussions are just beginning.