It’s almost impossible, and a little foolish, to judge “Wednesday Comics” in the same way as any other comic. I know the size and the anthology approach to this title are hardly new, but the whole exercise feels fresh and exciting. Mainstream comics have been geared toward a collector-minded fanbase for so long that it’s easy to assume that’s the way comics are intended to be consumed: read, bagged and boarded, and filed away all the while making sure that everything fits into an over-arching continuity. Now, I am not saying that’s a bad thing at all, but it sure is nice to see something different every once and a while.
Of course, a comic this size would simply be a gimmick if not for the amazing talent assembled here: every story here is clearly crafted with love, and the unique approach of each writer and artist comes through. For me, that is the real value here: fifteen different and unique takes on great characters. It was like getting a little (or big as the case may be) sampling of different styles I normally might not have been interested in. As tempting as it may be to rank or list my favorite features, I’ll
resist since each story is unique. Gaiman and Allred’s take on
“Metamorpho” was fantastic, but it is so different from Kyle Baker’s
“Hawkman” that comparing them would be silly, just as comparing “Wednesday Comics” to any other series would be moot.
This comic is in many ways the anti-digital comic: it is meant to be held and read slowly and carefully. I was already excited about this title from the images DC posted on The Source, but when I had the actual, physical thing spread out on the kitchen table it was something completely different. It was like a whole different experience of reading comics: the tactile feel of the pages and even the smell of the newsprint seemed like a part of the whole package (how often do you think about smelling your comics???).
I really hope the becomes a regular event for DC. Imagine it: for three months every summer we would have top-tier and up-and-coming talent working on your favorite (and some forgotten) characters free from the constraints of continuity and page size. Sign me up for more!