www.ComicBookPage.com

It seems like Marvel’s up to their usual tricks and will be relaunching a number of titles with new number 1s......so much for Legacy numbering!

While Marvel throwing a 180 comes as no huge surprise I am amazed it is so soon after the much hyped Legacy launch.

Funny how so many big numbered anniversary issues fell in the 6 month or so period Legacy lasted....you would almost think they manipulated the numbers to sell numerous $5.99 issues! [WebWiz2]

So, new number 1s for Avengers (Jason Aaron and Ed McGuiness) shipping 18 times a year, and Venom (Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman) when the new team takes over

Slott is on AMS until 801, so no doubt we’ll get a new number 1 for that title and not a number 802.

The problem is that even hardcore comic readers can't really tell you the main idea of Legacy. Something vague like "back to basics" I guess (if someone held a gun to my head)??? Aside from new numbering, absolutely nothing was different in the books I read (which were the same books I always read - Legacy did not alter my pull list in any way). And that lackluster direction got the EIC fired. So they had to try something new because that's the #1 reason CB got his new position, to right the ship.

However, if "Fresh Start" is as nebulous and ill-defined as Legacy was, it won't last very long either. They need it to mean something besides creator shuffles and new #1's. It needs to be cohesive, compelling, and to connect with readers in a way far beyond "Look! New! Shiny!"

Marvel have clarified the initial press release and confirmed that each issue will feature dual numbering.

So Avengers #1 will also be Avengers #691. I seem to recall they did this back in the early 2000s for a while.

Personally I prefer this to the Legacy numbers disappearing completely....but I expect that will only be a matter of time.

Good luck with your number crunching system John!

I agree that it's preferable to the legacy numbering completely disappearing. I had no issue with the dual numbering in the late 90's early 2ks. I mean, it was stupid, but it was better than ignoring the long time large issues numbers I suppose.

But with how often Marvel seems to relaunch, rebrand, renumber, change seasons, or whatever you want to call it this week, having both numbers on the cover is almost identical to back in the 80's early 90's when floppies had the issue number in the box and the story part number in the banner. Since most series now seem to only last an arc or two, I've gotten to the point that I look at the small issue number as the part number for the story arc. The legacy number can continue to be just that.

Dual numbering causes confusion and problems. The number on the solicitation isn't always the one that is prominent on the cover. Some of the Catalyst Prime titles like Noble have done this recently and I find it confusing to see a Catalyst Prime: Noble #8 on my order while it says Catalyst Prime v2 #4 on the actual comic book.

Finally! New #1s!! Just what we need