The Power of Building Stories in the Comic Universe

In the ever-changing realm of comics, we generally observe a repeating pattern of reboots and resets, which can impart a sensation of excitement and confusion to readers. But is this constant reimagining in storytelling really the best approach for the comic book universe?

Although reboots sometimes introduce novel viewpoints and draw in new viewers, they run the danger of deadening the appeal of truly devoted fans who treasure the complex stories and character development that come with a well-managed continuity. What really engages me, as a fan, with writers and shows like Arrow or The Flash is when they work within the existing universe to tell their stories. Characters evolve, face real (and sometimes life-threatening) consequences, and form genuine relationships.

When we see characters grow and change over time, we are observing something fundamental to the art of storytelling. Characters are the vessels through which we experience different facets of life. They enter our imaginations, become part of our inner worlds, and then often exit as suddenly as they entered. But while they are with us, we share our thoughts, our hopes, our dreams, and our disappointments. Time, in a way, sort of paints this rich and meaningful tapestry that tends to really touch readers deeply. Seeing a hero wrestle with their past decisions, come face-to-face with their imperfections, and tackle new obstacles is that which adds layers of richness to the whole story they go through. Such storytelling usually not only makes us feel closer to the characters but actually also kind of ups the stakes quite a bit, making their adventures nearly irresistible.

Take legendary comic stories like “Watchmen” or “The Dark Knight Returns,” for example. These tales typically build upon what was already established about the characters’ backgrounds and struggles in other comics before them. By leaning into continuity more or less, writers could be crafting narratives that reach out to readers emotionally while encouraging them just a little to engage in the character's journeys.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on this? Could it be better for comic creators just as well focusing more on creating stories rather than redoing them over again? Drop your thoughts below! As I was saying earlier - thank you all so much every time; now go get creative!