Of all the things which define a nerd, perhaps the most visible sign is that of continuity rage. The nitpicking, obscure fact quoting, raging of a nerd has become a stereotype. A writer or artist screws up a detail, then Heaven help them. The Internet will explode with thousands of angry fans; fanboys will stand up in rage, and then sit down quickly, out of breath.
I’m not here to change that.
I’m here to support the nitpicker, to uphold the continuity-pornographer, to hold true this evident truth: without continuity, there cannot exist comics. As Peter David said, “A shared universe, like any fictional construct, hinges on suspension of disbelief. When continuity is tossed away, it tatters the construct. Undermines it.” Without continuity, the pillars of comics would fall. And yet, continuity is a double-edged sword. Without it, nothing would make sense. But too much continuity, and comics become inaccessible. Even today, DC Comics suffers from the stigma of its complex Multiverse and the multiple attempts to rectify the situation. What can a fan do?
In what I hope to be a weekly or more frequent column, I’m here to do the hard work. I’ll be answering questions like “What was/is the DC Multiverse,” “Does Marvel have a similar system,” or “What’s the deal with Superman?” I’ll guide you through things like the history of the Green Lantern Corps, the various Protectors of the Universe, and more than a few obscure characters. And I’ll take requests, too. So let me know if there’s something that’s been bothering you, from the comic book murderer, to the untimely death of one of the best editors Marvel ever had, I’ve got it all.
