DC Comics Introduces New Event: Convergence

Marvel has made big news recently, announcing their Phase 3 plans for the MCU and the reimagining of their most famous comic events that will hit the racks next summer. It all makes DC look a little outdone. Well rest assured they are not going to sit quietly by; DC Comics has announced that they are planning a major comic event for 2015, one that will tie their 80 year history together with their New 52 reboot. The event is titled Convergence and it will kick off next April and run through May immediately following the finales of both Earth 2: World’s End and The New 52: Future’s End. Comprised of an eight-part mini-series and 40 (yes 40) two-part mini-series that will highlight characters and worlds from the publisher’s history, the story will see Brainiac collecting and bottling cities from across the DC Multiverse and bringing them outside its confines. It will also introduce new villain Telos who is a product of Brainiac and this new planet. While all of this is already a big move, the really huge part of this news is that Convergence will pre-empt DC’s regular comic lineup.

This is a gutsy move by DC; their reboot introducing the New 52 in 2011, forced fans to let go of all of their pre-existing mythology. The New 52 was meant to be carte blanche, a completely fresh start on old characters. The idea that this new mythology can somehow link to the old feels like a DC is crying mia culpa and trying to bring old readers back. After all it’s no secret that readership dropped off after the reboot, if you visit any comic store on a Wednesday you’ll find the racks surrounded by people debating whether any post 52 DC title is worth their time. Now the publisher is running a huge risk. Those fans who loyally stuck with their favorite characters through the reboot will now see a two month interruption in their usual comics. Those who do enjoy the New 52, are likely going to see parts of it excused away. It’s a big gamble to hope that all of their readers are on board with the event, because they are not giving them a choice. It is an even bigger gamble to hope that any readers that fall off during Convergence return after the two month event is over. DC is making a huge move; do you think it will pay off?