WAITING FOR CONVERGENCE TO END

It does appear to be an interesting "event" based on the information that has floated around since DC Comics "Convergence" began. Azrael is still Batman, a mantle he claimed after the events of "Batman: Knightfall". Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane are not only still a married couple, but they are expecting their first child.  The list goes on. All interesting, but all apparently "irrelevant" to continuity. A continuity that is to remain intact as DC Comics ends their "New 52" imprint. And the apparent reason for "Convergence" was to almost "fill the void" as DC Comics moved their offices from the East coast to the West coast.

There are likely plenty of fans buying up their favorite titles and their stories, including the "Convergence" title itself. What about the rest of us? Those who have no real interest in something almost irrelevant? Two months is a long time for those who are strictly DC Comics fans, to not be in the comic book shops. Personally, back issues from both New 52 and titles from before the relaunch would be one thing, but what about those who have no other reason? That must put a small dent in the comic book shops profits.
Even those who will continually go to their local shops, they would now have money to spend else where. Possibly a competitors product. However, Marvel might be dropped due to a similar event taking place. But, there are other publishers, and whether it affects shops, it does simply mean less money in DC Comics pockets. Two months is also long enough for people's interests to change also.
DC Comics receives props for maintaining their continuity through their "soft relaunch". Who knows how many more fans, both new and old, they would have lost if they had. But, how will things look after "Convergence" ends? It is said that the general tone of things will be lighter than before. A decision that may please some, but may turn away others.

As with their movieverse, it is of course "wait and see". Hopefully things won't be too different than they were before "Convergence". The darker tones of the characters and their stories, made the world outside look a tad bit brighter for some. Perhaps expanding the '66 and '77 type worlds for those who seek the light. Those are the era's in which the majority refer to, when wanting a lighter DC Comics.


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CONVERGENCE: CONFUSING FOR SOME OF US

Convergence (noun)

-The process or state of converging.

Converge (verb-converging)

-Several people or things coming together from different directions so as eventually to meet.

For some fans, mostly those who chose the launching of the New 52 to jump on board with DC Comics, that is really all that is known. Now four years later, the new readers (mainly) are left in the dark so to speak. Titles have come and gone since DC Comics relaunch, so the dropping of the titles wasn't really a shocker. Although the number of titles, as well as some of the choices were another story. And of course, there is the fact that they are dropping the New 52 banner. That was easier to swallow after DC Comics stated that the continuity would go forward unchanged. The choices of course are a matter of opinion, but Batwoman? The title was able to set itself apart from the other Batman books. Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern: New Guardians, and Red Lanterns? Sure, the number of Lantern books needed to be rolled back, however, now the choices are only Green and Yellow. And yes the Bat-titles needed to be trimmed, but Arkham Manor just started really (although that makes sense given the premise). And lets be honest, how long until DC Comics relaunches Swamp Thing, again?

The point of all of this isn't so much the new, relaunch but not relaunch (what is this called? Other than Marvel-esque?). The point is, what are the new fans to do for the next three months? Sure the continuity from the New 52 will be carrying on after Convergence, but it is put on hold for 3 months. Yes, there are many titles that may intrigue fans. The Convergence title itself, "cross-over/tie-in" titles like Superman. Where Superman and Lois Lane are not only still married, but expecting their first child). Or a world where Azrael still dawns the mantle of Batman in Shadow Of The Bat. Should fans (those with no interest beyond the New 52's continuity) even pay attention to any of this? Will any of this massive, three month story "mean anything" in the end? Is this simply a "one off" while DC Comics transitions offices from the east coast to the west? Or possibly a sort of test to see if any of these characters or storylines are what the fans want within the continuity (Shazam?)?
Although the continuity will remain intact, how will the stories and overall tone of the titles be? Word has it that DC Comics is looking to give into the group that felt the books were too "dark", and lightening things up. Will this be a gradual change, or will everything revert back to the 50's to 70's immediately after Convergence? And what of the fans who were okay, and possibly enjoying the tones and directions before? To swipe from Marvel, What if...those fans outweigh the other? Will DC Comics once again switch things up again?

With Convergence having just started, a lot will "remain to be seen" or answered. Personally, the main question is how this effects "pull lists". Is this similar to the previous anniversaries where the titles were "swapped" for a period of time, or were fans to "update" them before hand? And would that mean they would have to also redo their lists afterwords as they possibly add some titles after some are removed? So many questions for the newer fans who haven't been through DC Comics previous revamps and relaunches in previous decades. When did The Riddler take over DC Comics?


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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: BREAKING OF THE BAT

It is "Flashback Friday" and figured while Thursdays are a throwback to comic book issues, Friday's would be more of a focus on events that have occurred within the annals of comic book history.

For the first installment, we'll take a look back at when DC Comics "broke" the goddamn Batman. It was when DC Comics decided it was time to shake things up with the 2 top dogs of their catalog of characters. With Superman, they killed him off, brought him back as four characters (who weren't him), and then gave him his phoenix rising moment. With Batman however, they opted to go a different route, which made for a great series of stories that of course lead into a tremendous return. Not taking away anything from Superman's moment (which will likely be covered on a future Flashback Friday), as it was a massive moment in comic books that has been tirelessly repeated on a higher scale since. But, with Batman, they gave him a fate that would be worse than death to some, they crippled him and replaced him before ultimately bringing him back.

Bane was new to the scene, having come to Gotham City upon learning of the legend that is Batman. At first it was mostly a watch and study approach, learning all that he could from his future opponent, even injecting Edward Nigma aka The Riddler with some Venom to see how Batman handles himself against the added muscle and strength. Bane showed us he was a legit threat when he came out on the winning end of a battle with Killer Croc, in which he showed how dominant he could be. Bane though opted not to face Batman at 100% and caused a mass breakout at Arkham Asylum unleashing Batman's rogues gallery upon Gotham City. From "small-time" villains like Film Freak (who falls at the hands of Bane) to the "big guns" like The Scarecrow and The Joker (who actually team-up to wreck havoc on the city). The Bat-family wasn't what it is now, mainly consisting of Robin (Tim Drake), Azrael (Paul St. Valley) and occasionally Nightwing and Catwoman, and Batman staying true to hero form attempted and mainly succeeded in running Bane's "gauntlet" taking down the bad guys. 
Exhausted and ready to be broken, Bane made his move and moved in for the "kill". Hoisting Batman above his head and smashing him down back first across his knee, breaking his back, breaking the Batman. With Gotham needing someone to step up and fill the void before Bane took over the city, Azrael aka Paul St. Valley would be the one to do just that. With a new Batman came a new suit and a new style, a very aggressive, not-Batman type of style. Although it succeeded in taking down Bane, it was tarnishing the name of Batman  to where even The Joker and others were noticing that it wasn't the same person beneth the cowl (read Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade for more). While this is going on, Bruce Wayne rehabilitates and is overseas trying to save his therapist and Tim's father, which he somewhat able to do (see Batman: Knightquest: The Search for how that ends). With his spine now healed, Bruce heads home to learn of how the new Batman kicked Robin out of the cave, took down Bane, and how lethal his path of destruction has been. Bruce himself is banned from the cave, and realized he needs to retrain himself before he can attempt to retake the mantle of the Bat, to which he asks Lady Shiva to assist him to returning to his top form. Bruce returns to the mantle of Batman, and amongst others, hunts Azrael down, who is almost killed at the hands of Nightwing, finally faces Bruce Wayne one-on-one at the Batcave. Outmatched "suit vs suit", Bruce uses his mental advantage to even the playing field, in the end Azrael admits defeat and acknowledges Bruce as the one true Batman (read Batman: KnightsEnd for how all this comes to an end). Leaving Bruce to restore Batman's name and relationship with Gotham City.

Although the "Death Of Superman" is more iconic in status, and they would eventually give Bruce Wayne his own "death" and "return", this was just as good if not better. Can't do much after your gone, death is more about the image we leave behind. Where in this instant we see someone who falls and claws his way back, and goes that extra mile to fully reclaim what is his. Batman didn't give up and throw in the towel like an average person would when literally broken both physically and mentally broken. Although comic books tend to be "dark" (more so DC than Marvel), sometimes we need to see our heroes in a dark place and continuing to fight and move forward, not giving up on finding that "light". Possibly went "deeper" than what was likely just a very well done money making story arc, but simply gave another way to look at things if anything. Or you're laughing and that is just as good.

Be sure to come back next week for "Flashback Friday" and we'll take another look back at another moment in comic book history. Which one? Tune in and find out!


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