Free Imagine Blogs

So I'm sure you all heard about the onging Magog series that DC has announced. Like me your reactions was probably thus: "Magog? Really? Magog?"

I understand to a degree what DC is trying to do here. It's the old "throw it at the wall and see if it sticks" method. They're basically going to toss as much stuff out there as they can and see if any of it catches fire (to mix metaphors). You can see the same thing with the Red Circle ongoings and the new Azrael.

Now, I'm not saying these are bad characters per se. Heck, they might not even be bad books. Even Magog sounds kind of interesting based on what Keith Giffen has to say.

But it's a simple problem. Books that don't star big names rarely last long. Now, that's not always true. A good example might be Birds of Prey. But consider if you will how Birds of Prey came to be launched. There were several mini-series and one-shots before the ongoing was green lighted. They were able to prove that the concept had legs before they ran with it.

Will Magog have legs? I don't see any reason to expect that it will. The problem with launching a new series is that few people are willing to invest in a theoretically indefinite set of stories on an unproven character. But they might sample a one-shot or a mini. Try that first, DC...

So. That wacky Keith Giffen is writing a series called "Reign in Hell." Upon reading the interview I have to say: I'm looking forward to it. A lot.

Keith Giffen has been writing comics for a long time. And there's a reason for that: he's very good at it. And now he's delving into a subject that I find absolutely fascinating (yes, I am one of those weirdos who is into angelology and demonology).

Even more than that, though, it's Keith Giffen's motivation for taking the project that makes me the most excited. Namely, World-Building. Keith Giffen says he loves world-building. And you know what? So do I. I literally spend hours most days building complicated worlds in my head on the bus, on the train, and when I'm supposed to be working.

And unlike some things, this is one of those things that I like watching other people do as much as I like doing it myself. It's one of my favorite things about Fables. I am entranced as I watch Bill Willingham build this amazing world from everything he can lay his hands on.

I have no doubt that watching Keith Giffen build a mystical world will be just as entrancing. I'm greatly looking forward to seeing how he recreates these characters and steers the DCU's hell away from Dante's (something long overdue). It'll be a wild ride, no doubt...

I find the whole "DiDio has a vendetta against the Giffen Justice League" idea a little silly. I mean, has anyone actually taken a good hard look at what most of the characters are doing now? Sure, some of them are dead. But how did the end up that way?

Sue Dibny: Was murdered by Ray Palmer's nutty ex-wife.

Ralph Dibny: Was a major player in the biggest DC event ever. Went out with one hell of a bang, outsmarting the freakin' Devil in the process. Well played, Mr. Dibny.

Blue Beete: Was shot in the head by Max Lord, which kicked off the countdown to Infinite Crisis.

Max Lord: Shot Blue Beetle in the head, then got his head twisted around by Wonder Woman.

Guy Gardner: Is currently headlining an ongoing series.

Booster God: Is a major player in the biggest DC event ever. Is slated to headline an ongoing series after that event comes to a close.

Fire: Is a major supporting character in an ongoing series.

Captain Atom: Is shaping up to be an extremely pivotal character in the things that DC has planned.

Martian Manhunter: Just wrapped up a solo miniseries.

Batman: Is still the goddamn Batman.

So yeah, it seems to me that the vast majority of the Giffen League is making out pretty well. I mean, they're getting more play now than they were before Dan DiDio started running the show.

Am I forgetting anyone?