I like my comic book stories dark…not grim but dark. It’s a subtle distinction. And writers sometimes err or veer into grim.

So DC Through the ’80s: The End of Eras sounds wonderfully dark…I mean this decade prompted Crisis on Infinite Earths which was wonderfully dark not grim (suck it

Barry Allen!!).

And bonus! The book “features the complete text of Alan Moore’s legendary, never-before-published Twilight proposal!” The best way to become a comic writer is to study the greats. Though poor Alan Moore DC continues to cash in on him; proving his low-opinion of them is indeed correct.

Thankfully there’s lots in this hardcover including essays J.M. DeMatteis and Andy Kubert and so much more. This should be a fascinating read as much as it’s a time machine back to a “simpler time.”

DC Through the ’80s: The End of Eras is on sale December 15, 2020. I’m in!

~ Sammy Younan

DC Comics handled their recent layoffs badly as they failed to explain their vision: what’s the direction of their compass? What does leadership look like for them?

And so the media just published rumours:
“How do rumors get started?
They’re started by the jealous people
And they get mad
Seeing something they had
And somebody else is holding…”

Here’s clarification. Facts Before Feelings. Now…now we can have a better informed discussion. Like I wanted to grasp the DC Comics business to better understand their current round of layoffs. This is a business not a tree house club of friendships. So my Batman feelings don’t count. This Motley Fool article was early March so pre-coronavirus but still current. This is a good start.

Layoffs are like NBA trades…it sucks to be on a winning team and then suddenly not…be.It takes time to know if it was a good move: for the people and for the org.

It’s not always a bad thing.

(We’ve all had moments we initially thought were devastating but looking back on them we see it was the start of something amazing.)

Netflix’s layoffs few years back seemed to have worked well (for more on check on that check out Marc Randolph’s book That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea).

We’ll see what happens to DC Comics.

DC FanDome is on August 22nd.

~ Sammy Younan

“Once upon a time there was a little boy named Gus. He had antlers and lived with his father in a little cabin in the woods,” reads DC’s description of the original Vertigo series. “Then his father died, and the big man with cold eyes took Gus away. Gus went on many great adventures, found friends, love, happiness, family, and acceptance.”

It sounds like Forrest Gump however Sweet Tooth is classic Lemire. (And I cannot articulate why or how but it is incredibly Canadian.) Highly Recommended Reading and I’m glad it’s coming back.

~ Sammy Younan

As a firm believer in comic book continuity I’m curious about The Other History of the DC Universe.

While I’m not sold on Black Lightning as the primary character I wanna see where this story goes; especially after I enjoyed the densely plotted Doomsday Clock.

~ Sammy Younan

Research:
“Inside the DC Universe Experience at Comic-Con International in San Diego. DC Entertainment used the interactive experience to promote its upcoming streaming service. Dark Horse Comics announced its service, Dark Horse Direct, which will focus on high-end products like statues. Image Comics, the publisher of popular titles like The Walking Dead and Saga, started a direct-to-consumer platform in 2015 to sell comic book subscriptions and apparel.