Comics aren't doing anything different than prime time tv and
cartoons. We complain that comics don't have any easy jumping on
points, but many of the popular cartoons over the past two decades.
And I am not sure many manga books do either, esp those aimed at
teens.

***

I see a few big differences. TV is not a dying industry desperately in need of new customers. Also, watching a TV show does not require a person to go to the store and/or pay several dollars each time he wants to watch an episode. And, while some shows may be difficult to understand without having seen previous episodes, I don't see the networks pulling stunts that try to bring the whole line of shows together for "events" and creating big entangled messes in the process. I can watch CSI, for example, if I want to without having to watch the other two CSIs, and HOUSE and FRINGE and LOST just to get the whole story.

And then even children's/young adult books tend to be serial and you
have to buy book one before book 3. But from Harry Potter to the
Hunger Games, serial novels sell well. (And they like manga; are not
always easy to find the beginning, because except for the big ones,
Walmart and the like only carry the latest edition.)

Star Trek novels used to be stand alone stories, but now they all build
on each other and Star Wars novels are all interconnected storylines.
And they are still selling.

ADDED: And the funny thing is, the same things we complain about
comics--impenetrable to new readers, forcing me to buy too much,
etc, are true with these items too. These are reasons I gave up on Star
Wars novels or don't start buying manga. But they still sell in the
market place because they do attract enough buyers to sustain
themselves.

Edited by Kip Lewis on 04 June 2011 at 7:18am

Here's the updated Superman costume

*****************

Ok, prepare to hate me, one and all, but I actually like the update (assuming that truly IS the costume) except for the collar.  That, however, can always disappear easily.

it looks more like a slightly tweaked Ultra-man (Crime Syndicate) costume to me

That superman costume is ok. It really could be worse and isn't bad at all.

Yet it's far from being as good as the classic version.

By the way, about  Jason's post on the hiden reasons behind the reboot

http:://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/04/the-great-dc-relaunc h-conspiracy-that-just-happens-not-to-be-true/  

Hey everyone..sorry about posting the Superman pic.  I saw it on another message board being discussed and assumed it was official.

So that's my bad.

I think DC is rebooting because they're utterly terrified Shuster and Siegel are going to get even more control over Superman, since they will own the rights to ACTION COMICS #1 and most of the core tenants of the Man of Steel. Eventually S/S may reclaim even more of Superman, and the best way for DC to keep their character is to remove him even further from what he's been.

"I think DC is rebooting because they're utterly terrified Shuster and Siegel are going to get even more control over Superman, since they will own the rights to ACTION COMICS #1 and most of the core tenants of the Man of Steel."

The parts that Siegel and Shuster's estates are able to reclaim are not worth anything to anyone but DC comics. Most of the entire mythology of Superman, including the trademark on the name, logos and emblems, are still owned outright by DC comics.

What they can reclaim is a strongman in a blue and red suit with a sketchy, sort of triangular ,emblem who can jump tall buildings and the names Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane. They can't use the names "Action" or "Superman" on the covers, nor Clark Kent and Lois Lane, as they are trademarks.  They have absolutely no access to the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olsen, Superboy, Supergirl, Lex Luthor, Kryptonite etc. They can make no alterations to that original character that incorporates any of the things added to the character as part of work-for-hire. Such as his powers.

In fact, the peculiar circumstances of the case mean that they cannot do things with their reclaimed version of the character that other people can do with pure rip-off (or "homage") characters like Supreme.

Essentially, what you have is a less powerful Wonder Man with a cape. And we all know how much licensing money that character's worth.

The character is only worth money to DC Comics/ Time Warner because they own all the other 99.9 % of the property, a large library of Superman comics and related media products.

This whole case is about the Siegel and Shuster estates getting enough leverage to claim more of the Superman profits. Of course, business being what it is, that money is probably ultimately going to come out of everybody else's royalty checks.