Editorial Issues I'm starting to have with the NEW 52

I think enough time has gone by and I've read all the new 52 and have a fair idea of what DC is calling their new universe. I couldn't really put a finger on what was wrong with this reboot. Yes we all have nit-picking things. But I couldn't figure out a way to put into words my biggest problem with this "relaunch". But I just saw an ad for the Omnibus Collection of Geoff Johns' run on Hawkman. And I thought about all the hard work and great story telling that went into his issues... and it clicked with me. DC is doing to the DC Universe what they did to Hawkman. In short... really F' it up.

Now I'm not going to go through all of Hawkman's history. I don't have the patience or time to document each incarnation. Here is a wiki link that show some of it. It lists some of the history revisions, but I doubt you could argue that any character has had as many corrections and changes as Ol'Hawkie. So whats the issue? Find me one person who knows what the hell is going on with Hawkman. I don't mean just now. I mean ever. Is he the Alien from Thanagar? The archeologist? The hawk God? The Wind Element? The Son of another Hawk person? I have no clue. Which in small doses seems fine. If this was one many reboots... sure. But its not. This is who Hawkman has been since the 1985 Crisis. The man is all over the place. Geoff Johns did the best condensing and fixing ever on Hawkman. And I'd highly recommend this Omnibus. But even Johns messed things up for Hawkman in Brightest Day, by resurrecting them... turning them into Air elements, and then killing Hawk woman. (Don't get me started on Hawkwoman)  Then to re-re introduce Hawkman in the NEW 52. Confused? ME TOO.

Ok, DC is in fact doing this to everyone of its characters with this latest reboot. When I feel like it should have wiped the slate clean. Why, WHY WHY... keep a few things and not others? Why fix characters like Firestorm, Blue Beetle, Oracle, and Supergirl... when there was nothing wrong with them? Yet keep something like Batman Inc? Superman died and but there was never a Justice League International, All the Batman Inc off shoot characters like Bat-wing and Australia Dingo-batman get financial support from Bruce... BUT BARBARA can't afford rent? I feel like we have 3-4 different Supermans. One in Action... is amateur and cool and unsure and new, One in Superman that is cold and brooding and quiet, one in Justice League that is fun and zippy and a bit of a bragging showoff, and finally the compassionate one in Supergirl. Which one is right? I understand they may be different timelines... BUT COME ON. This was a unified launch and a change to sync continuity... and you blew it!

Ok, some books, (even the ones that didn't need to be re-introduced) were great. Some stunk. Some are ok. But I'm missing the point of the relaunch... other than to make a quick buck and confused the hell out of all your readers. Really, can you argue that this new universe is somehow less confusing. Cause, its WAY more confusing. I'm annoyed DC. I'll lay odds on a re-reboot within the next 5 years. Where we can get the next version of Hawkman.

Robb's Comic Book Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #8

DC Comics... Please please please... Leave Todd James Rice ALONE! The character known as Obsidian... was a hero. Was... a long time ago. But every other time we see him in the DCU he's a Good Guy, He's a Bad Guy... He's a Good Guy, He's a Bad Guy. JUST LEAVE HIM A HERO AND CALL IT GOOD! Its getting old DC, real old!

(example:: Justice League of America #56!!!!)

Robb's Comicbook Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #7

Please don't spoil the surprises, twists, or deaths in an event, movie, and/or comic book. In this day and age the internet and "must report first" news groups have ruined the ability for anyone to have an Empire Strikes Back moment ever again. Be considerate and don't ruin the ending for those who enjoy the ride rather than jumping to the end. At the very least, Put up Spoiler Warnings!!

(example:: Fantastic Four's Death TODAY!!!!)

Robb's Comic Book Code

Robb's Comic Book Code # 6

When a comic event makes it to the "mainstream", it really sucks that those loyal and regular readers miss out because poser prospector want to jump on the band wagon. We love new readers, and events are meant to pull us in, but it just sucks to have been there all along and have to miss out because the store only ordered the normal 5 issues!

(example:: Death of ?? in Fantastic Four, Any big mainstream eye catching event)

Robb's Comic Book Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #5

If you want people to jump onto a title because you are taking it into a new direction… just give it a new number one. Don't worry in a year or two you can change the number back to what it originally was. Or better yet, have both numbers on the cover.

(example:: Adventure comics, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Thor, Daredevil, Hulk, etc.)

Robb's Comicbook Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #4

Nothing is more infuriating than someone who doesn't know their basic superhero/comic book characters.

(example:: The Flash runs fast, Flash Gordon fights in space and has an awesome Queen soundtrack)

Robb's Comic Book Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #3

The best way to make a comic book title/character successful is to add more color.

(example:: Hulk: Red, Blue, Gray, etc. or Green Lantern: Red Lantern, Blue Lantern, Indigo Lantern, etc. or Superman: Superman Red, Superman Blue)

Robb's Comic Book Code

Robb’s Comic Book Code #2

If a title sucks... drop it. Do not pick it up out of habit.

(example:: Justice League of America by James Robinson)

Robb's Comicbook Code

Robb's Comic Book Code #1

If a character is back from the dead. Publishers shall not use him/her in any other title, until that resurrection story is complete!

(example:: Bruce Wayne: Batman, Steve Rogers: Captain America, Barry Allen: Flash)