Comic fans will be lining up at Midtown Comics in New York City’s Times Square on August 31st—many of them in costume—for the midnight launch of the New 52, the fresh start of nearly the entire line of DC Universe super hero titles. The revamped favorites include new plot lines, fresh characterizations, and of course, updated wardrobes for the heroes and villains alike (spoiler alert: Superman will NOT be wearing his undergarments outside of his clothes). The New 52 will begin with Justice League #1, the DC Comic’s opener for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and more. Thirteen issues a week from various DC genres will be released through the end of September.
The real news associated with the iconic relaunch of the entire series is that the comic books will be available on tablet PC for the first time with the new digital day-and-date, meaning the tablet version of a comic will release on the same day as the hard copy version. Until now, comics from major distributors and publishers have been made available for iPads and iPhones, but they tended to be more midlist back issues, not current new releases. DC Comics’ re-release issues will be available for immediate purchase on iOS and Android devices, as well as through WP7 apps, Comixology, and various sites like the DC Universe Online site.
The move to integrating tablet PC and app users is innovative, but it has been a long time coming. Fans of comics and graphic novels tend to be a more technologically adept consumer niche of society, so it just makes sense that these fans would enjoy reading their favorite story lines on high-tech devices; avid collectors may still choose to purchase hard copy editions of the comics for the intrinsic and investment value of the titles, but now readers will not have to choose which format they prefer. While DC Comics has reinvented and upgraded its characters and story lines over the years to keep up with a changing culture and new generations of reader fans that have come along, the technology behind this re-release will mean greater access for fans of any ilk, no matter the geographical barriers to purchasing the comics on issue day.
[showhide type=’pressrelease’]**MEDIA ADVISORY**
Super Heroes To Descend Upon Times Square
In Celebration of DC Comics’ Historic Launch of All-New #1s
Costumed fans to line-up at Midtown Comics in rush to be first to buy
Justice League #1 and meet comic book legends Jim Lee and Geoff Johns
WHO: Calling all super hero fans! Join the crowd of comic book faithful and costumed fans and be the first to see the future of Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and all the DC Comics Super Heros
Comic book icons, Geoff Johns & Jim Lee of DC Comics
The writer and artist of Justice League #1, starring the world’s greatest super hero team
WHAT: Hundreds of eager fans are expected to line up at Midtown Comics in Times Square in anticipation of DC Comics’ historic launch of The New 52 – a series of 52 new editions of classic comics, each updated, modernized and launching as new No. 1s. The first of The New 52, Justice League #1, will go on sale at midnight.
The “Midnight Madness” event will give fans an exclusive opportunity to purchase Justice League #1, the first title from DC Comics — The New 52, starring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and more.
Fans will also have the chance to meet the comic book icons behind the comic book, Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. The remaining 51 titles starting at #1 issues will be available throughout September.
Costume contests to take place each hour from 2pm through midnight. Giveaways and additional Midnight Madness festivities to begin at 10:30pm.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 2:00PM EDT: Line & costume contests starts
Additional festivities begin 10:30 PM
Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 12:01 AM EDT: First sale
Press check-in Tuesday: Beginning at 9:00 AM EDT, flexible
Interviews, photos with Geoff Johns & Jim Lee Tuesday: Beginning at 9:00 AM EDT, upon request
WHERE: Midtown Comics Times Square
200 West 40th St. @ 7th Ave (NYC 10018)
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Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
