The relaunch of DC Comics' line of comic books with it's "New 52" initiative has been quite successful so far, with many first issues selling out in stores based on our observations. The campaign of renumbering titles back to issue number one has driven collectors as well, to capture as many comic-books as they can, for profit and value someday.
One aspect that may have been overlooked is the added ratings system for these titles. Most of the flagship titles have "Rated Teen+" on the covers. Which is interesting because having read comic-books since the early 1980s, the rebooted Animal Man, Superman and Wonder Woman comics never had these ratings! Titles from the New52 initiative like Wonder Woman, Catwoman and Action Comics have content that clearly demonstrate graphic violence and sexual themes not readily portrayed in these particular titles, which feature prominent DC Comics characters, especially Wonder Woman! A panel from Animal Man shows him bleeding from his eyes and in the Wonder Woman comic, a horse is beheaded with scenes depicting a figure rising from it. Another scene has Wonder Woman slicing an opponent's arm in battle.
If DC Comics is starting a new era of mature themes and subject matters within their mainstream comic-books, I have no problem with that. I have long enjoyed Swamp Thing, Preacher and other stories from the Vertigo imprint. However, by placing labels on popular titles that restrict minors from enjoying these comic-books, I hope DC Comics doesn't lose an audience that would have otherwise enjoyed them just as much, for the sake of sales.
Images courtesy DC Comics. With thanks to DC Wikia
Above: Three classic comics which premiered without a ratings system
Granted, DC Comics has clearly labeled these titles with ratings, but are they leaving out a younger audience altogether with these types of themes and storylines? I was only 10 when I started enjoying Justice League of America, Superman and Batman. Based on my age group at the time and if this ratings system would have been in place back then, I clearly wouldn't be able to read these New 52 titles! With these restrictions in place, I could never have my own children pick up any of these comic-books either.
Above: The New52 rebooted titles with ratings system on covers
If DC Comics is starting a new era of mature themes and subject matters within their mainstream comic-books, I have no problem with that. I have long enjoyed Swamp Thing, Preacher and other stories from the Vertigo imprint. However, by placing labels on popular titles that restrict minors from enjoying these comic-books, I hope DC Comics doesn't lose an audience that would have otherwise enjoyed them just as much, for the sake of sales.
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