Should Comics Return to Legacy Numbering?

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[@mikehumpal3973]

Tyler's answer at the end was the best.

[@atomichound1868]

Great video guys! I agree with legacy numbers! A Batman 181, 232, 251 or 655 or Amazing Spider-Man 121, 122, 238, 252 or 297 is just as valuable, maybe even more so, than an arbitrary renumbering to 1. No idea when you recorded this, but I posted this question over on the Discord this morning! Anyway, thanks for answering my question - one of the many benefits of being a channel member and supporter on Patreon!!

[@TheComicsPals]

Yes exactly Hound. Outside of the issue 1 bump that I'm sure exists, what evidence is there to support that this strategy even works to prop sales up? I'm always hesitant to use my own experience when it comes to this, but when I started reading comics I just jumped right into whatever I was interested in. I hesitate because obviously the market isn't doing as well as we would like, but ultimately I think the industry should encourage people to jump in and find ways to make that enticing. Thanks for the kind words and support as always Hound, really appreciate it!

[@IzzysIssues]

Having worked with multiple library classification systems I actually dig the suggestion that Cale had about that. I prefer the legacy numbering because it gives more weight and gravitas to the fact that comics are modern mythology. However, if need be I feel like there are means to collapse it down since they've previously done that with like Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane getting wrapped into other series

[@bryanrickard7712]

You guys have one of my favorite comic channels on KZbin

[@TheComicsPals]

Thank you so much! Glad to have you here, Bryan!

[@kemmdog4444]

Legacy numbers ,yes, wholeheartedly.

[@ahmedbinbakr2198]

When It comes to trades, the numbering usually goes by creator runs/ years. for example James Tynion's batman trades are labeled as follow: "Batman (2016-) vol.1 Their Dark Designs" and in the spine it would say: "Collects Batman #86-94", Batman (2016-) Vol. 2: The Joker War and the spine would say: "Collects Batman #95-100.", and do on... this labeling mechanism is in 99% of new trades. I can attest to it as I am a trade/ omnibus guy.

[@TheComicsPals]

Then you have situations like the recent Scarlet Witch by Steve Orlando, that has rebooted at least twice, once under a completely different name. Or Daredevil, which is the exact same name and creative team, but randomly relaunches with a new number 1. The other issue is that in your example, it's volume 1 but it's also issues 86-94? So how is it volume 1 but also almost 100 issues deep? It's a tricky situation, but I still feel like the numbering/collecting systems are confusing and cumbersome, mostly for people who aren't that deeply rooted in comics.

[@ahmedbinbakr2198]

@TheComicsPals 100%. It's confusing af. But that's how they do it. With daredevil by zdarsky, the 2019 series was labeled vol 1. By zdarsky and so was the 2023 series labeled as number 1 by zdarsky. Only the year and title were different. So unless you knew what was up with zdarsky and marvel, you would have been lost.

[@jmillionz]

I like the way that Marvel does it(for the most part). It makes it extremely clear when there is a new creative team and a good jumping on point. If there’s a new creative team for a book I’m not reading and it’s numbered #352 I’ll probably ignored if it isn’t marketed properly.

[@HeroicAge616]

I would totally buy a legacy number variant lol

[@inquisitordrace8810]

100% yes.

[@bryanrickard7712]

I was trying to buy back issues up to current of the Dawn of DC Superman run and my LCS sold me two random virgin variant covers of like #3 and #5 that were from the Bendis run. I’m not new to comics. I follow the line reboots and everything, and I still ended up soaked for 13 dollars for the wrong books.

[@TheComicsPals]

Thank you for sharing that. It's a serious problem when the people behind the counter can't even get the right book in your hands.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Great video guys and honestly for me I think they should return to legacy numbers.

[@TheComicsPals]

Agreed. Thanks dude!

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@TheComicsPals your welcome 🤗

[@davidtronche875]

the problem right now is they don't communicate enough batman 125 is the beginning of Zdarsky run but just looking at the cover i would have no ideas at lest new #1 is a clear message

[@TheComicsPals]

Right. One thing I've seen that I sort of like is when they'll put a #1 on the cover to indicate the start of a new run, but it's actually say, in this case issue 125. It helps to send the message of "HEY, YOU CAN START HERE" without eliminating the legacy number.