DC Comics unveiled their new line of graphic novels today, aimed toward providing new comic readers with an accessible point of entry to some of DC's most famous icons. Under the banner Earth One, these stories are designed to be free of the regular DC Universe's intricate continuity, an element that may have confused or deterred prospective readers in the past. J. Michael Straczynski, longtime comic writer and creator of the television series Babylon 5 will collaborate with Shane Davis (Final Crisis: Rage Of The Red Lanterns) on Superman: Earth One while the Superman: Secret Origin team of superstar writer Geoff Johns and Gary Frank are attached to Batman: Earth One.
The Earth One stories will retell the origin stories of both Batman and Superman, but not just to add contemporary window dressing."This isn't just the story of Bruce Wayne becoming Batman in a world where people have cellphones and wi-fi", explains artist Gary Frank. "It's not just the old story in a modern setting. This is a young guy who has a long way to go before becoming the Batman that we all know and love." New characters will be introduced in both series, while older, more familiar ones may appear in forms very different to what longtime fans may be accustomed to.
As mentioned earlier, the Earth One stories will not be serialized in monthly periodicals and later collected in trade paperbacks but will instead be presented as a series of graphic novels, akin to the comic albums published in Europe. In what form exactly these graphic novels will be published has yet to be revealed.
Earth One isn't DC's first attempt at presenting more user-friendly material featuring their biggest characters; in 2005, the company unveiled the All Star line, which debuted with All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder by Frank Miller and Jim Lee and All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. While All Star Superman was received with massive critical and commercial kudos, Miller's All Star Batman has come under huge amounts of criticism during it's run, which, three four years after beginning has yet to publish its 11th issue. It's been speculated that the All Star line's mixed reception led to the revamping of the core concept of that imprint to make the new Earth One series.
A release date for the Earth One books has yet to be announced, but is expected sometime next year.
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