27 years here! 27 comic loving years. A little less when it comes to DC since I started as a Marvel Zombie. It was the Bwa-ha-ha League that made me a DC fan for ever after (got my feet wet with COIE). Comics come and go. My tastes change from one year to the next. I was down to 5 titles before the New 52 announcement. The DCnU has me more excited then I have been in a long, long time. Can I go with the flow? Most definitely, it's just comics!
Seeing the vast array of talent displayed as well as my love for B and C list heroes getting a spotlight and the sheer span of different genres being represented is icing on the cake. As it stands so far I'll only be getting three traditional super-hero books. The rest are from either Edge or Dark. Back in the day DC was all about diversity in genres and it's great to see that form returning. Be it paper or digital DC is going to see my money for a good many years to come. Sure, I may not get the Steph/Cassandra/Misfit/Black Alice mini I always hoped for nor another shot at Manhunter. But there is always something new around the corner. THAT'S what has me most excited, the DC Universe seems like undiscovered country again.
Continuity is a wonderful thing, but it's also a writer's worst barrier to expressive thought using a shared universe. This is why Elseworlds was invented. When Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola created Gotham by Gaslightthey gave us a fresh new vision of Batman. This was followed soon by scores of excellent stories involving our fave characters in ways we've never imagined them in, allowing writers and artists free reign with their imagination. Well, now we have the chance to see the imagination of creators run wild and actually have a lasting impact in the mainstream DC. Granted Wonder Woman is not a western Marshall, but we Do have an amazon in Paul Cornell's Demon Knights and I'm sure other surprises are on the way. The unknown is scary, I'll grant you that. Of course you don't know if you'll like the comics as much as you love the current status quo. But then you likely didn't know that with your current crop as well.
I'm giving the DCnU a chance since I've been a fan for so many years and I feel I would be short-sighted if I didn't give a few titles a try. Comics about heroes should feel like an adventure and of late most of the adventures have felt "been there done that." I'm anxious to see what's in store for the future and what surprises have yet to appear.
Pull List so far:
Demon Knights
Stormwatch
Voodoo
Legion Lost
Batwoman
Resurrection Man
As I said to a wise man very recently, I'm loving the DCnU because I love being proven right.
I hope everyone enjoys the new line of books and that it's a smashing success that lasts for 5 years without a universe wide reboot.
I also hope for a full head of hair and Scarlett johanssen to start stalking me, so my hopes should be guaged accordingly.