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Alternate cover: Alternate Universes
James Hunt
You practically need a degree in quantum physics to explain what the DC Universe has done with its continuity
Is the Marvel multiverse getting out of hand? James is finding it hard to keep up with it…
As a comics reader, I’m no stranger to alternate universes. Indeed, as documented in the opening column here on Den of Geek, the first ever US comic I bought was set in one, so it’s not a tough concept for me to wrap my head around. However, looking at the shipping list for this week’s Marvel comics, I couldn’t help but notice that alternate universes and peripheral, out-of-continuity series were running rampant. Here are the Marvel releases coming out this week, stripped of collections, reprints and non-superhero titles:
Amazing Spider-Girl #26
Amazing Spider-Man #577
Avengers Fairy Tales #4 (Of 4)
Big Hero 6 #3 (Of 5)
Captain Britain And Mi 13 #7
Eternals Annual #1
Fantastic Four True Story #4 (Of 4)
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #45
New Exiles #14
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #4 (Of 5)
Wolverine #69
X-Men Magneto Testament #3 (Of 5)
The comics highlighted in bold are taking place out-of-continuity in one way or another. Surprisingly, for a week when no Ultimate book is even shipping, only 5 of the books are happening in the regular Marvel Universe. The others are either isolated in their own similar-but-different worlds, like Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, or a possible but not canonical timeline, like Amazing Spider-Girl. New Exiles even occupies the unique position of being an in-continuity look at alternate universes. Wrap your heads around that, if you can.
The sheer amount of such stories begs the question: is continuity quite the cornerstone it sometimes seems to be? Personally, I’m a big fan of keeping track of continuity and canonicity. I don’t care for Buffy novels or Star Trek comics because, as far as the parent medium is concerned, they didn’t “happen”. Which I know is ridiculous, because none of these things happened anyway! They’re all fictional stories!
Still, I have to wonder whether continuity itself is soon to be a done deal. You practically need a degree in quantum physics to explain what the DC Universe has done with its continuity, but as we see, even Marvel – the original model of a shared superhero universe - is playing fast and loose with the idea now. Is it because books that take place in their own “universe” are more accessible to casual readers? Or is it because the interlocking nature of continuity actually restricts the storytelling potential of comics, and alternate universes are seen as a way around that? Either way, the signposting is clear: continuity is holding enough people back that they want to work outside it.
So why stick to it at all? Is it purely to keep the “old fans” happy? Perhaps. There’s business logic in it too, that says “buy one Marvel Universe title, and you’ll soon want to buy more.” Certainly, Marvel’s film division think it’s a good idea, as even now they’re weaving together the universes of various big-studio films with the aim of creating an “Avengers” story down the line.
It’s hard to say whether current models of continuity will ever go away. Logically, it’ll only stick around as long as it actually helps sell comics – but if this week’s releases are any indication, it seems like the day when it doesn’t might be closer than we think…
James writes Alternate Cover every Monday at Den Of Geek. His previous column can be found here.
Users Comments
Re: Alternate cover: Alternate UniversesContinuity has been getting a lot of press these days - the "One More Day" storyline really brought it to the forefront.
I am also a fan of continuity - after all, why bother following a character who never develops? It's even more frustrating when they only SEEM to change or develop, then you later find out it didn't matter. I also agree that Marvel is likely getting into this because of the movies. I hope it doesn't take hold, though.
This is why I don't keep up with DC at all (well, I dig Green Arrow & Black Canary and a few Vertigo titles, but that's it) and also why I quit collecting X-Men many, many years ago. I understand it's a business and they want to "move units," but when Wolvie is developing one way in his own title, then in a completely different direction in X-Men, added to the stuff that's going on in the 23435674 mini-series he's in that month, ad infinitum, he really loses all credibility as a character - you don't know what he's about nor what to expect from him!
Maybe we are "old" fans, but the younger generation is missing-out on the joys of growing with these characters the way we did. Further, if nothing that happens really "counts," then why bother reading it? | |
Re: Alternate cover: Alternate UniversesThanks manodogs for mentioning the "Wolverine clone army" storming through the Marvelverse. I reached a point, where I don't get his popularity anymore. He's everywhere and everywhen (past, present, future) and always on the front line. Yet he sometimes lacks anything defining him as a person. Just the fact the new cartoon is called "Wolverine and the X-Men" makes me like it a bit less then the effort deserves.
Continuity is the most important thing. I can only agree to that. No point building a story with no foundation. And I wouldn't be interested in a series, that reboots every five years and goes back to zero. But the problem to me aren't just Alternate Universe books. Sometimes the writers don't seem to talk enough with each other. Just look at the beginning of Messiah Complex - you'll see Kitty running around in the Mansion. And then *boom* Whedon revealed that she never made it back home after Breakworld (an emotional scene to me).
But that doesn't happen that often, just like to whine about it...
When the Ultimate Universe was launched I was happy and still am. A re-start promises lots of new possibilities. What gets on my nerves is the inconsistency within. Again, look at the X-Men. They're supposed to be teenagers, but most of the time act almost like in the 616 continuity. Brian K. Vaughan nailed the title spot on. But get a new writer and everything blows. The stories go on, but sometimes it's just too bumpy a ride.
But what to expect from characters who are used over and over for decades? The reader sees time go by, but within the comics there has to be ret-con after ret-con or we would have to let go of the ones we like. The 20 year time cloud hanging over our heroes makes it hard to believe in any continuity at all.
Death isn't permanent, time doesn't matter. It often enough cheapens great moments, but still that's why I love comics. Can't help myself.
Since I love SMLMJ and am fond of the (New) Exiles, I can't deny the entertainment value AUs have. And for a couple of years Runaways is the book I read first of my Marvel stack now, when I get my monthly dose. A title set within the main continuity, with little ties to the east coast, where all the action is. |
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