http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=23954

DC Comics has never shied away from exploring multiple versions of its biggest heroes and villains. From its classic multiverse continuity which remixed characters from the Justice League to the Justice Society across parallel earths to its popular "Elseworlds" series, some of the publisher's best-known projects grew out of exploring its iconic building blocks in new settings.

This morning, DC got back into that game in a "back to basics" manner as the publisher announced a new series of original graphic novels under the banner of "Earth One." Starting a new thread of continuity starring the classic DC superheroes, the "Earth One" books will develop an ongoing serial adventure for both Superman and Batman within the pages of new stand-alone graphic novels, as announced today on the DCU Blog The Source.

The program starts with "Superman: Earth One" by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis and "Batman: Earth One" by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. In an interview with Ain't It Cool News, both writers acknowledged the challenge of presenting such well-known stories in a new light but had faith in the format and their collaborators to offer something new.

"This is probably one of the most often told and re-told stories in comics history, so you have to be careful to preserve what's established while trying to find areas where you can bring a fresh approach," Straczynski said. "In the case of Superman, you take all those elements that work, and infuse them with a modern sensibility, how it would be written today, this minute, if it had just been created for the first time."

Johns explained "'Batman: Earth One' is more in line with the European idea of releasing chapters of an ongoing series in graphic novel form. We’re planning on doing two novels a year and set in this new universe, we’re getting unlimited creative freedom that we couldn’t have in current continuity."

And while the Source did not mention the exact launch date of the first "Earth One" volumes, the news was accompanied by the label "DCU in 2010" foretelling a string of similar announcements for next year's full publishing plans. Be sure to check back to CBR throughout the rest of the week for more info on both "Earth One" and all the news on "DCU in 2010!"

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There might be some good stories in this, but the "high concept" is nothing but the punchline to every DC joke since the first Crisis. I don't know why "you take all those elements that work, and infuse them with a modern sensibility, how it would be written today" isn't simply the way ALL comics are written, rather than having to shunt them into yet another continuity with yet another branding and yet more interviews and slogans to explain it.

Pass.

I kind of like the idea of standalone OGNs, continuity free, designed to sell to a mass audience. Kind of like the Alex Ross oversized books that he did.

Interesting that these are OGNs and not comics. Wonder if DC will start to head that direction for everything.

Wonder how Quesada will respond to this. "Marvel Core"?

Hmm, they're not standalone, but rather two a year continuing stories. Odd.

I'm reserving final judgement until I see the product, but yeah I agree with you Linda.

The fact is, these will sell well, which is the primary goal of course. I will be astonished if we see anything new here. It amazes me how much they can dress up the same stuff and sell it over and over again.

I expect these will be Hollywood versions of the characters. Sorta Ultimate DC if you will. That is my impression. However, I thought the same thing about the All Star line when it was first announced so who knows.

They will if they're smart. My guess is that this is where the print version of comics will survive.

The Japanese model in action! They say it's the Euro model so I guess that applies too.

Earth 617.

This sounds like what they originally had in mind for the All-Star books. JMS seldom impresses me but I am interested in the Batman Book with Johns and Frank. This format will eliminate the problem of delays between issues I guess.

Hopefully they won't sell for much more than TPBs even though the opportunity cost is higher.

I'm interested.
I'll be even more interested if there's a Babs as Batgirl there.
And Dick as Robin.

The yellow oval is back?

Additional seams on Superman's costume /= a fresh approach.

Although, I do like the head design on Batman's costume.

Superman needs a haircut.

Did someone tell Johns that it will be harder for Bats to rip off the villains arm and beat him with it than Supes?

I like the yellow oval.
The Batman of my childhood had the yellow oval.
No yellow oval is only good for stuff like Year One. Stories about a time where Batman didn't had the yellow oval on his costume yet.
But earth one Batman without yellow oval wouldn't feel right.

Where are his black trunks?

Ok ok, He may looks a bit paramilitary.
BUT HE HAS THE YELLOW OVAL.
And in the end, that is what matters.
Overall and joke apart, This costume is cool.

I want the black trunks, dammit.

Do like Byrne with his statues.
Take your marker and color every panel.