QUOTE: Although I enjoyed it as well, I was frustrated to finish the story in about 5 minutes. Man, it seems to me that it took longer to get thru a 17 pager in the 70s!

Thats why I love that my kids enjoy reading comics. We spend so much more time focusing on every panel, every line...and of course going back and rereading the books multiple times. Their favorite part was the double punch and the 'crime is doomed' line. Lots of fun

QUOTE: I enjoyed Wednesday Comics but that is just ONE title that is outside continuity.  I would much rather have DC figure out what is going on inside the continuity of the universe.  Seems to make more sense to me.  There is a lot of talent working on Wednesday that I would prefer working on the monthly titles

Folks can argue about whether they're interested in the titles that DC is putting out for sure. To each their own and all that, but it looks like DC has figured out what's going on in their universe and is doing a slow build and taking care of each little corner of their universe to build it up.

The Batman franchise was given to Morrison and he's certainly sparked interest in the character again. They've done a line wide revamp of the books and creative teams and added a few new titles. Batman and Robin and Batman were in the top ten and Detective and Red Robin were in the top 20 if I recal.

Green Lantern was a dead franchise years ago and has slowly been built up to where not only is the main book a top ten book each month but it's Corps title is also usually in the top 20 and both of those titles will only get strong with Blackest Night which is going to steamroll through the competition.

Flash has been revamped and is back in the top ten since Rebirth. And from what Didio indicates after the mini there will be multiple new Flash titles.

Superman has gone back to the triangle format in an effort to provide some continuity and while it isn't selling gangbusters right now Johns definately has a plan and the Secret Origin mini by him and Gary Frank is getting big buzz, as is the upcoming Adventure Comics starring Superboy.

They definately have a plan that seems to be working for the current fans regardless of what we all think of the current quality of the titles. I happen to enjoy them but I know others do not

"I'm having trouble with finding the "great idea" in having 16 different Bat-books out there, each with a different Batman. When I was introduced to the character, he was appearing in three or four titles, and he was the same guy in all of them. "

Simpler times.

I think there is soemthing to be said about audience complexity. It has changed from then to now, and people look for variety. There used to be one Snickers bar. Now we have dar and peanut butter and so on. There used to be one Coke, now there are dozens. Variety is a basic part of our cultural desire.

In terms of it looking like Batman, and being full of granduer, well you have an artistic eye that the audience doesn't. I see Batman in every one of those versions. So do my kids. My three year old goes back and forth from Mask of the Phantasm to Batman Beyond to Dark Knight to Adam West Batman. As far as he is concerned, they are all Batman and he loves them all.

If a three year old gets it, why don't adults?

The thing about Wednesday comics, like any other experiment being tried out, is that if it works they'll try to make it work more. I totally agree that Wednesday Comics would be a great idea for a weekly comics insert in newspapers, but they need to build interest in it. With a 12 issue series, sales numbers, experience with the editorial challenges, an overview over response to it in USA today etc, DC comic is better armed to approach newspapers with an idea for a syndicated package.

As a trial balloon, it's a great idea. But trying to get space in newspapers with an untested package, slowly building numbers over the course of years while the Direct Market is screaming bloody murder because they don't get theirs? That would be the hard way of doing it.

If it's succesful, I really hope they'll try to get interest from at least some major metropolitan newspapers. Personally I'll be being the oversized collected editions.