Continuity?

 

I can't help but notice that alternate universes and peripheral, out-of-continuity series are running rampant.

The sheer amount of all these stories begs the question: is continuity quite the cornerstone it sometimes seems to be? I like continuity and canonicity. I don’t care for all of these "multiverses" because, as far as the parent medium is concerned, they didn’t “happen” (Do we really need how many Iron Man titles?). Which I know is ridiculous, because none of these things happened anyway! They’re all fictional stories!

Still, I have to wonder whether continuity itself is soon to be a done deal. You practically need a degree in quantum physics to explain what the DC Universe has done with its continuity, but as we see, even Marvel...the original model of a shared superhero universe...is playing fast and loose with the idea now. Is it because books that take place in their own “universe” are more accessible to casual readers? Or is it because the interlocking nature of continuity actually restricts the storytelling potential of comics, and alternate universes are seen as a way around that? Either way, the signposting is clear: continuity is holding enough people back that they want to work outside it.

So why stick to it at all? Is it purely to keep the “old fans” happy? Perhaps. There’s business logic in it too, that says “buy one Marvel Universe title, and you’ll soon want to buy more.” Certainly, Marvel’s film division think it’s a good idea, as even now they’re weaving together the universes of various big-studio films with the aim of creating an “Avengers” story down the line.

It’s hard to say whether current models of continuity will ever go away. Logically, it’ll only stick around as long as it actually helps sell comics...but if the recent "Alternate Universes" are any indication, it seems like the day when it doesn’t might be closer than we think.