I don't buy into the whole big numbers scare people off narrative. If someone wanted to read Superman or whoever, they would. A new #1 every few years is not going to get a whole mess of people to finally get interested. I started reading comics in the middle of Infinite Crisis (05-06) and what attracted me was the endless stories and the interconnecting universe that never seemed to end. Yes it was a lot to take in, but I did my research. That means I used the internet and I wasn't confused after awhile. I started with Crisis on Infinite Earths and made my way through, making sure I read the first trade of a book first. A little research goes a long way.
I have also been to stores with friends who dont read comics, they seemed to just pick up whatever looked cool, issue number be damned. They were probably a little confused but I think the problem was that it was in the middle of a story, not that it wasn't a #1. I think comics should start advertising storylines on their covers. Superman #900, but here's the start of a new story and if you like it there are 4 more parts to get.
Anyway, if Flashpoint is the beginning of an "Ultimate" DC line, awesome, but making these characters the main universe would just be confusing. "I know who Superman is, but who the heck is this?" This is not a new beginning, this is more additions to a longer story because to understand Flashpoint, like any alternate universe, you need to have knowledge of the original universe to really understand the weight of the story and the changes to the character. It's not like the Flashpoint universe is the Wildstorm universe or a completely unconnected world of characters, it is simply a darker version of the "real" characters.
If DC has any sense they could build this out to be a new line of books, but not replace the old ones. Lets face it, 90% of comic book readers are the loyal nerds who know the ins and outs of continuity (myself included) this whole "every day person" thing is such a small part of the market that they are nearly none existent. Bring in new readers with tv shows, movies and cartoons, not slapping the majority of your readership in the face for the sake of some made up statistic the business uses to explain why people just don't read as much as they used to. That being said, I am excited for Flashpoint and I think the ending of storylines in August is just part of the gimmick.
Everything you said. I'm beyond sick of the asinine statement that people make saying "Big Numbers" scare people!!! Get out of here with that foolishness. When I first began buying comics in a weekly format again about 3 years ago I could care a less about that. I went to the store and I bought characters I was interested in. Issue number had nothing to do with it, all I needed to know was where was a good place to start. I found a story arc, did a little research to understand the prior info I'd need via older readers, the net, and dived in. Making new number ones and scrambling numbering is idiotic and stupid. And all this "everyday man", new reader crap is also total gobshite. Guess what, they don't exist!!! Like you said these people are drawn in by films, shows, toons, etc. and even then their percentage of the market is so minuscule that they're not even worth pursuing. Especially if their courtship comes at the expense of alienating longtime readers. You have a 99% chance of getting a current reader to read a new title. But you have a 1% chance of having a non-reader suddenly say "I heard Dc's rebooting their titles/Superman/Batman is at issue 1/etc." I'm totally going to buy comics now. I'm a good example of the "man on the street" but even I had been exposed to toons/movies/games/collected toys/and heavily read comics as kid. I went to the local comic shop really to look at toys and I was at first confused when I went to the display of titles. I had no idea which Spidey, Batman, X-Men title I should be reading. I mean there was so much! But guess what, I read old trades that were recommended and then I had authors who I trusted. So when I started going to the shop I'd buy trades, chat it up with the other guys and staff there and ask them about ongoing stories. I asked what was good and similar to the works of authors I had come to enjoy. Next thing you know I now have a pull list and have caught up on most of the continuity I missed from about 99/00-08. No gimmicks, no reboots, no pandering got to me here. Great writing past and present, personal dedication, and a genuine love of the medium has created the loyal reader before you now.
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