Say What?! - Crossing Over Into Event Fatigue
We want to hear from YOU, the intrepid PK reader!
Leave a comment or two and start discussing these issues that affect the four color worlds we live in.
________________________________________
Events are a staple of the industry at this point. There is little getting around them as sales always spike when they go into effect. It's hard to argue with the publishers when the events turn a profit and are the rare upswing in monthly sales.
So given the premise that events and mega-crossovers are an integral part of the mainstream industry, what do you all think is the best way to go about it? Here are a few examples ...
DC's model - Several summer and/or year-long events that all tie together to form one omni-event spread over several years.
Marvel's model - Events every summer with a minor crossovers spread throughout. The events are connected, but not tied closely enough together to be exclusionary.
Wildstorm's model - An event joining the biggest books every few years with the occasional company crossover.
Image's model - Basically never have a crossover unless it's of utmost importance as a story.
There are also most Indie publishers whose books don't usually occupy the same space, but since that set-up would not apply to the companies mentioned above, we'll leave that for another column.
So which model works best for you and your wallet?
For my wallet - what works for me is...GOOD MATERIAL
I will spend money for good stuff doesn't matter the form of crossover. If the story and character development is compelling I will be the first in line.
For instance: 52 and the effects had be hooked. Since then DC has blown it and I have gone back to individual title buys only and ignored the overall arc.
It makes me a terrible DC knowledge base these days but a much happier wallet.
My issue with the folks at Marvel is that I have found that it is very seldom easy to simply leap into a book. They have such depth and such backstory that a newbie could get easily lost.
I find Marvel's crossovers easier to digest. While there are some tie-in issues, they're usually confined to one part of the Marvel universe and easy to ignore if you wish. It's usually an X thing or an Avengers thing with the occasional World War Hulk crossover thrown in.
DC gets a little out of hand...I had no interest in buying a 52 issues limited series lead up to a 7 issue series. Or the obligatory co-mini series. Or any of the one shots. Or any of the co-mini series tie ins to Coutndown. Well, except for that thing with Dr. Fate 'cause Fate is cool. It's all a bit much.
The tie-ins to Secret War seem much less scatter shot. You have your dependable Front Lines series. Your Young Avengers/Runaway series. It's kinda nice to keep that consistency.
Remember when crossovers used to be special? I wish Marvel would do another Atlantis Attacks type of crossover, planted in annuals. A big event than won't get in any creative team's way.
Make mine Marvel. Though, this year with SI, which I enjoy a lot, there is a lot of good stuff in the tie-ins that is eating up my cash. But I feel the money worth it because so far I have enjoyed it a lot.
Plus, bonus I read a lot of Marvel titles so some get to be part of it. This year it hasn't felt so much intrusive on some since it's been planned for years. And with X-men they got a separate mini instead of derailing their own plans. FF did the same thing.
As for DC, very few titles interest me over there. But I am getting the main FC series and couple of the minis related. Supporting Question and Batwoman on Revelations :-p.
I do like that they kept their event pretty much self contained from the other titles and the minis aren't required for the main title. So far anyways. I think they learned from GL: Sinestro Corps and they should keep doing that.
Now my favorite crossover from the past few years as the Top Cow one. 3 issues for one event comic! Sure some tie ins with Witchblade but they weren't needed at all. So I just got the 3 issues and was pretty damn happy. I think they are doing the same this year.
So this year, I'm good with it, but I think it's time for a break. Fatigue will settle soon. Happened in the 90's it will happen again this time around. Just a matter of time.
I'm not sure which is the best, but DC's certainly does not work for me. The weekly series are overkill imo.
I'm pretty casual so Marvel's event pacing is too frequent. I skipped WWH and MC completly because I was so much into Civil war and following Captain America.
So I pretty much pick and choose, regardless of what pace the publisher's set.