Comments on: I WILL TELL YOU #20: Franchise Foundation

By: David Marchand

David Marchand — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:37:34 +0000

Soon, all DC comics will be Batman. But, as mentioned before, with the loss of so many other titles (oddly enough, including the Outsiders, which with its last issue readds the “Batman and the…”) it really is happening. A shame really, as I am enjoying bits of this Batman boom, and the Green Lantern titles overall, I also like Freedom Fighters, Doom Patrol and R.E.B.E.L.S.

By: Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:02:26 +0000

Thank you very much, guys!

Obviously, publishers certainly believe more is better, when it comes to quanitites of titles. I agree with Mike that fans of one title will not migrate to another if it is canceled, but I think it’s more because of the overall weariness that often sets in with oversaturation, as Doug indicates. Many fans just give up on a franchise entirely if the titles they’re reading aren’t doing it for them, rather than look for satisfaction elsewhere within the franchise.

Aquaman? Supporting multiple titles?! Bwah ha ha ha! Even Geoff Johns won’t be able to kick that off! The character has barely been able to support a single title over his lifespan, even during stellar runs like Peter David’s. If Aquaman can ever sustain multiple books, I’ll eat my swimtrunks!

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:02:27 +0000

Nice article, JJ.

Sometimes a franchise mindset can just completely kill a property too, like the Extreme Justice, Justice League International, Justice League America, Justice League Task Force days. Sure, there were some good stories there, but there were some high-powered stinkers too.

Batman Incorporated is justifying the expansion of the DC Universe within the DC Universe, just as the re-establishment of the Green Lantern Corps opened the doors for multiple Green Lantern titles.

Maybe with Geoff Johns helming an Aquaman title in the near future the seven seas might be ready to support as many titles. . .

By: Mike P

Mike P — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:57:59 +0000

Nice column, Zombo! I agree. The most telling and ironic part is your point about the growth of titles for a character expanding as sales for each of those has dwindled or remained flat! One cannot help but wonder if multiple titles were eliminated, would the remaining one(s) pick up the sales slack?

Assuming the creative is noticeably different in each, I would think not because each title has its fans. I would love to see an expansive survey of how many of the same and different readers buy how many X-Men or Batman titles.

As an old Tootsie Roll commercial once opined, the world may never know.

Best,
Mike