The Fallacy Of #1

For years I have patrolled the stacks on Wednesdays to find each week's new titles. It should come as no surprise that the big two have vastly different marketing strategies. All the way down to numbering of the issues, both companies' divergent philosophies lend to an interesting debate. Should continuity matter?
DC's flagship titles (Action Comics, Superman, Batman, Detective Comics) have cruised along since their premiere issues, quietly ticking off issue after issue toward landmark thousandth issues. The approach is methodical and helps the hardcore fan knowing exactly which place his reading has left him. Casual fans also have the ability to see exactly how many issues may have eclipsed since last picking up the book.
Marvel employs a much more chaotic approach to numerical chronology. The House of Ideas thinks that counting patiently in order is, indeed, madness. Marvel employs every new story arc, costume change, lineup change, bowel movement, and change in narration to press the reset switch and revert the book back to #1. Then like a freshly waxed used car, Marvel rolls their "#1" onto the showroom floor. But wait, isn't it the same character? Same villains? Same history? Shouldn't this just be part one of a new storyline? No my friends, this here is a fancy new Marvel #1, hot off the presses and complete with 13 overpriced variants.
Well, its not much of a debate. There are positive features to a constant state of flux. It gives potential new readers the luxury of a place to begin their collection and exposure. But these aren't true first issues, with their back story development and exposition to explain the ground rules of what you need to know to participate in this adventure. A Marvel "#1" in the modern age is a false face, a promise left unkept. I have bared witness to more Avengers #1's than I could possibly begin to list. For a popular, high-selling character like Wolverine to be on his fourth volume "#1" is an insulting joke.

Simple Seven: 7 Great Non-Superhero Reads

Welcome to the Simple Seven, a series of quick lists that I will be throwing up from time to time. Today I will give you seven great comic reads that have nothing to do with a hero or super power.

-> I Kill Giants

I had to fight rabid fanboys off with a discarded intercostal clavicle at last year's NYCC to secure this gem. Comic vet Joe Kelly delivers a touching story about a young girl coming to grips with a horror she just can't wrap her head around. Jm Ken Niimura delivers a sleek anime style that leaves the work feeling lighter than its weighty subject matter.

-> The Essex County Trilogy

Jeff Lemire's magnum opus follows three generations of a Canadian family struggling to cope with both the world and each other. At times it seems the only genuine connection they share is a love of Maple Leaf hockey. Each chapter reveals more and more of the full canvas Lemire has painted this poignant tale upon.

-> American Vampire

Yet another in a long line of vampire mythos force fed due to newfound popularity, American Vampire does alot of things right. Basically think of the new vampire race in Blade 2 in the Old West, and their weaknesses are still shrouded in mystery. Did I mention Stephen King is writing half the book? That's enough reason right there.

-> Northlanders

Brian Wood has consistently churned out enthralling storylines concerning the Norse world since the series' inception. A rotating stable of quality artistic talent add variety to a series that lacks a main character to focus the book's energies, but this in no way inhibits Wood's storytelling.

-> Scars

A black and white crime drama, where a detective who lost his own child goes above the law to capture a child murderer. Warren Ellis depicts the stark and shocking fracturing of a man unequipped to deal with the horror presented him.

-> Fortune and Glory

Brian M Bendis' autobiographical first encounter with the ridiculous Hollywood movie machine. Will make you laugh out loud to find that in Hollywood, stereotypes are not the exception, but he rule.

-> We3

Grant Morrison's commentary on animal testing. Three house pets are outfitted with state-of-the-art weapons of war. When they escape, their animal natures take hold... high tech explosion soon to follow. Visual master Frank Quitely brings these animals' fantastic adventure to life.