Comic Book Guy: DC No. 1s

On 31 May, DC made a historical announcement that would change the shape of not only the DC Universe, but of DC Publications as a whole. Via their blog they informed the world that on Wed 31 August 2011, DC would launch a renumbering of the entire line of DC comics with an epic 52 titles.

This comes as a result of the DC event Flashpoint which altered the timeline and continuity of their universe. The final issue of the series is to be released on 31 August, accompanied by the release of just one other title that week: Justice League #1 by writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee.

In a blatant ploy to attract new readers with contemporary origin-retelling, and old readers with a host of collectible first issues, DC has one other ground breaking motive to consider. Beating Marvel to the punch, DC will be the first of the 'big two' to publish its comic book titles and release them day and date with the digital versions.

Though fans of the medium will no doubt admit that print is flagging and that embracing the digital format is a must in today’s iPad-accessorised world, rebooting the continuity for a new audience renders a host of DC's greatest storylines non-existent. In an interview with USA Today, DC Editor Dan Didio indicated that this move does not wipe the slate clean, but rather travels back in time, exampled in Johns and Lee's Justice League which will contain the original seven members.

As internet message boards light up in discussion of the overhaul of one of the biggest comic book universes, time will tell if DC's sink or swim plan of action works. Look out for Justice League #1 this August and a further 51 #1s this September.