Comics are using “legacy numbering” more and more! Do fans really want that?
WHAT’S THE DEAL?
That word “legacy” sure is getting bounced around a lot these days! Star Trek fans want a new series called Legacy so it can use characters we’ve seen on the show before! So, what’s up with “legacy numbering?”
Here’s a definition from the Marvel Database website:
“A legacy numbering refers to the accumulated number of issues of a given series which has been relaunched one or several times. When a series is relaunched, its issue number is reset, and the legacy number keeps track of the overall number of issues. Although legacy numberings were first used in early 2000s, the term was coined with 2017’s Marvel Legacy.”
Here’s a little more clarification:
“In most cases, rather than keeping track of just the overall issue number of a series, a legacy numbering will account for the overall issues of a character’s main title.”
Apparently, that’s true some of the time, but not all!
Often, that’s been happening when a BIG number is involved, like a hundred or fifty or so. That kind of thing always attracts fan attention rather than a ten or a twenty-five.
Both the House of Ideas and DC in particular use that numbering system. What’s kind of jarring is when a renumbered title suddenly returns to the “legacy numbering” system, like an issue #24 suddenly becomes issue #650. Where did the others go?
For instance, DC recently renumbered Batman #135 into Batman #900 before returning the next issue to being called Batman #136.
Like many comics changes, this is meant to appeal to many fans, but mostly to collectors, who really like those kinds of numbers on an issue! They’ll buy multiple copies of an issue with that kind of labeling on it so they have plenty when their value increases!
For the rest of us, though, is this really a big deal?
DO YOU BUY MORE COPIES BASED ON THE ISSUE NUMBER?
Maybe I’m different, but I rarely know what the number of an issue actually is. Yes, I do check that when I look at my list to make sure I have the correct one that’s new that week. But I don’t really worry what number it is beyond that!
I might also be different since I’m a story person! What I really want is a good story, not a certain-numbered issue each week. I realize there are many fans who are making sure they have a complete collection when it comes to the books they buy. Some friends of mine never even crack open the bag and board to actually read their purchases. I always chide them that they may have a comic with a cover that’s printed correctly, but blank pages the rest of the way! They’d never know if that’s the case or not since they don’t look at it!
I often also tell them that what makes the comic so appealing and interesting is the story, not the condition! (My collector friends wince when I say that!) People want a good copy so they can open it up and enjoy reading that engaging tale again!
I know comics shop owners will hate it when I say this, but I simply don’t buy more copies based on the issue number! I realize many shops order extras when that’s the case, but if I really enjoy the book, I’ll save my money so I can buy a hardcover edition later when it’s available rather than buy more individual issues that can all-too-easily get damaged! I hate it when that happens!
LET’S BE REAL HERE!
I’ve asked several of my friends if the issue number matters at all to them, and maybe I have good friends, but they all said NO! It’s different when I talk with collectors, though! That’s important to them, for sure!
Since I read my comics, I’d rather buy ten different books than ten copies of the same issue! I want to read different stories than have multiples of the same issue I already read! Really!
Don’t get me wrong, though! I’m extremely happy when a series gets to a big number, like the recent Wonder Woman #800! That’s a sign of success!
My brother, though, felt it was important to buy multiple copies of a book he wanted to support. He’d often buy five of each issue, and that came in handy when a friend couldn’t find a copy of that issue. He’d sell or even give one of his copies depending on how good a friend it was who needed it. (Okay, collectors, you can pick yourself up off the floor now!)
Sadly, when he passed a couple of years ago, he literally had stacks of comics left that he never got to sell or give away. That was a warning to me!
I’M COOL WITH BOTH NUMBERINGS AT THE SAME TIME
I’ve noticed that several issues are being released with BOTH numbers on them. I’m down with that! I’m okay with Marvel’s inserting an “LGY” in front of the number!
Collectors get to know how many issues they have in a row while readers like me just get to make sure they have a new book to read this week! Everyone wins!
I would highly recommend, though, that the companies be consistent if they are going to make that happen. Don’t do it once in a while, then stop doing it when the numbers are declining when it comes to sales. You just can’t tell when something is going to literally take off and be popular! (Rocket Racoon, anyone?)
It only takes a few minutes and a small amount of space on a comic cover to make this into a win for everyone! Marvel and DC, what do you say to that?
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