As a lifelong comic book enthusiast who has spent countless hours flipping through the pages of my favorite titles, I must say that the upcoming DC All In Special is shaping up to be a truly unique and immersive reading experience. The flipbook format, which is something I’ve never encountered before in comics, adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to this story.
As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but feel the thrill of a brand-new gaming level unfolding right before my eyes! October is about to witness the start of an exciting new chapter in the DC Comics universe with the highly anticipated DC All In Special #1. True to its name, this special issue doesn’t disappoint – it not only tackles the repercussions of Absolute Power #4 but also weaves a grand tale that lays the foundation for both the main and Absolute universes in the pages ahead.
Embracing Everything
The New 52, which aimed to introduce new and creative versions of characters, and Rebirth, which celebrated the rich, continuous narrative that has been developed over centuries. While these two approaches had different sensibilities, Snyder believes that by combining them, they could create a powerful and inclusive movement that caters to readers who crave daring, unique takes, those who love classic stories, and those who enjoy epic storytelling in general.
As a gamer, I can’t help but be thrilled about this fresh take on things. Unlike before, we get to explore different avenues, seeking innovative ways to mesh these elements together. We’ve dubbed it the ‘core line side’, but when it comes to the DCU side, it’s been a blast watching creators experiment with new concepts, as Scott likes to say, taking big swings.
According to Snyder, for any major project we embark on, it’s crucial that the journey begins with an engaging narrative. This tale should be both epic and straightforward, appealing to newcomers while also resonating with the rich tradition of storytelling cherished by long-time readers.
Enter Darkseid
In the vast and perilous realm of the DC Universe, there are numerous potential dangers, yet few can rival the menace posed by Darkseid. Zack Snyder and Jim Lee shared a vision to explore this concept more deeply, as they stated, “So we began crafting a tale centered around Darkseid. Darkseid has always been the villain who resonated with both me and Josh as the fundamental antagonist at the heart of the entire DC Universe.” Over the past few years, Darkseid has been featured in numerous compelling stories such as Final Crisis and The Darkseid War, but Snyder and Lee felt it was time to elevate him even further.
Williamson explained, “Superman symbolizes hope and teamwork, while Darkseid embodies despair, decay, and disorder – and he tends to work alone. What makes Darkseid intriguing is his recent shift from upholding order to embracing chaos. Although Darkseid has always been associated with order, following his experiences over the past few years, he’s now leaning towards chaos, a transformation you will witness in this upcoming special.”
A World of Heroes
Essentially, what Snyder is expressing in the superhero universe is a contrasting perspective. He’s stating the core principle that underlies the entire project – survival and success require inclusivity. The Justice League expands dramatically, becoming the Justice League Unlimited, welcoming every hero on board. This is a fresh approach, emphasizing unity and collective strength. As new heroes emerge, even those unfamiliar to established ones, they must adapt to this changed world together. All these elements need to converge to defeat Darkseid in the end. Snyder’s point is that diversity, variety in storytelling, and a wide range of superhero comics are crucial in this inclusive superhero universe.
“In essence, it serves as both a grand climax shaping the DC Universe for the upcoming year or more, and a declaration of purpose. The narrative underscores the importance of diverse superhero storytelling and reaffirms why comics have been erroneously thought to be in decline. This misconception can be challenged due to the incredible events portrayed within these pages, fueled by the fervor of fans, creators, retailers, and everyone involved in this community,” Snyder explained.
Making It Special
As the narrative unfolds in a dual-narrative style, these interwoven tales remain closely linked and are destined to intersect by the final pages. Moreover, their connections become evident at various points within the storyline, an aspect that the creative team meticulously planned as the plot progressed.
Williamson explained that while these stories are distinct from one another, they share similarities and influence each other in unexpected ways, making it challenging to manage their sequences. He recounted instances where he had to adjust one scene because an addition in another sequence would cause a ripple effect, requiring careful planning and coordination.
Later, Williamson passed the work to both Wes and Daniel. Just as in Dark Crisis, we’d hop on Zoom calls, discuss certain matters, and Daniel was truly excelling in his artwork. There were instances where I had to… there’s one page in particular that required me to delve into Photoshop and essentially draw without a clear plan, saying something like “I’m just going to try and sketch it here” while on the Zoom call. I actually sketched it live on Zoom, then passed it to Daniel who reacted with “ooohhh”, and then proceeded to complete it flawlessly. Both Daniel and Alejandro handled the more unusual aspects we attempted in this issue exceptionally well. The storyline gets quite wild.
“Sampere stated that the specific page at hand seems unique; he hasn’t encountered anything similar before, and he believes it represents an impressive achievement given today’s comic book landscape. He is confident that this innovative approach has never been attempted in a comic book page, and thus, he thinks readers will appreciate it.”
One of a Kind
The narrative structure of the tale resembles a flipbook, which lends itself exceptionally well to the ambiance of a comic bookstore. While enthusiasts have the option to obtain the entire story digitally if they choose, there is an undeniable charm in visiting a comic store and perusing the tangible edition.
Williamson shared an interesting observation during their signing at San Diego Comic-Con: “The fascinating aspect about this special is its unique nature. I discovered this when Daniel and I were there. You see, what makes the flip book stand out is that it’s optimized for a print reading experience. While you can still grasp the story digitally, the true essence of it is lost if you don’t read it on paper. I believe it’s an experience to be had, and to truly appreciate it, you need to visit your local comic shop, pick up the book, and see for yourself how it operates and why it’s a flipbook. The effort we’ve invested in creating this unique format makes it the best way to enjoy it, especially if you get a physical copy from your comic book store.”
Initially, creating a flipbook-style project proved to be somewhat difficult for Sampere since he hadn’t previously tackled such a style. However, upon viewing the completed project, one would find it hard to imagine that this was his first experience with this format, and he distinctly recalls receiving the initial email about it.
“When I received the initial email with the concept of a flipbook, I found myself scratching my head in confusion. I hadn’t come across this before, so I wasn’t quite sure what it entailed. The pitch was intriguing yet perplexing – create a double cover that functions as it would in regular view, but also upside down simultaneously. I couldn’t help but chuckle and say ‘what?’ (laughs). It’s been an engaging and enjoyable rollercoaster ride from the get-go,” Sampere expressed.
You can read the DC All In Special when it hits comic stores on October 2nd.
Are you looking forward to All In? Feel free to chat about comics with me on Threads and Twitter (@mattaguilarcb)!
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2024-09-06 19:10