In Defense of Comics Rotating Creative Teams (Part 1)

Ask any comic book fan who even occasionally goes on Social Media to discuss their fandom, and if they're honest, they'll tell you that comics has a long way to go when it comes to a lot of important factors in the market of today. These include topics such as in-universe and creative diversity, treatment of marginalized people, and several feminist aspects. Todays' readers are going elsewhere to find what they're looking for and the mainstream is having a hard time playing catch-up.

Recently, I came across one of these threads that got me thinking. A lot of what readers are looking for now can be found readily available in Manga. 

Japanese anime/manga is an eons ahead, as far as being good at catering to female fans' interests. But where else do they win w/ US fans?

— Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 4, 2017

With the question posed, I saw several answers I agreed with, such as the fulfillment of niche interests and the desire for a complete story that has a beginning, middle, and end which most Big Two characters lack. This can be daunting to newer fans who might want to get into a book, but feel they haven't the "prerequisite knowledge" to fully grasp the current events. Those are understandable concerns.

However, there was one criticism of comics that I disagreed with.

I like the continuity, characters don't become completely different people every few issues whenever a new team takes over.

— Pluiedautomne (@pluiedautomne) July 5, 2017

While, I understand where the apprehension for a new creative team on something you've been enjoying, I actually think this is one of the strengths of comic books and what can bring more readers to a book. In fact, I would even argue that Manga could benefit from such a practice (in some respects), for a couple of different reasons. A good team can turn a floundering character/series around, for one.

Jeff Lemire & Andrea Sorrentino created one of the best Green Arrow series of all-time, after several lackluster runs.

The idea that comic book fans don't like change isn't really a myth. More something, we learn to live with as a fandom. It's also something that I think applies to Manga fans as well. Mangakas craft these worlds and stories with everything (presumably) planned out well in advance. The idea of changing the creator of a world can lead to some...interesting results. But, I don't think that the medium is one that can't find value in this practice.

These include Kim Yale and John Ostrander taking the events of The Killing Joke and using it to further Barbara Gordon, rather than end her or Jeff Lemire expanding on the origin of Oliver as the Green Arrow in his run on the series, and essentially revived a series that, as a GA fan probably should have been cancelled and made it a top book at DC during their run.

And while I do agree with the sentiment that creative changes can sometimes be jarring, that isn't necessarily bad. Deathstroke from both the New 52 and Rebirth lines is a completely different series, but both are enjoyable to read.

Gail Simone has turned Secret Six into a cult-hit. Her interpretation of Catman has also done the character well.

While I would hardly say that every change in Creative is good, I think it's important to note that there are many talented individuals that could bring any number of ideas to iconic characters that are woven into the tapestry of our popular culture. From both the writers and the artists involved, any number of creative teams can be the team to really highlight and develop characters and plot points where needed.

Bad stories can be forgotten, but great stories with great art, can become classics that people revisit for years to come. I think that's a risk worth taking.

Authors' note: This is part one of two in a series, highlighting the effectiveness and positive aspects of Creative Changes in Comics vs. Creator owned material of Manga. Part 2 is a available here.