Pittsburgh Comics Bustles at Midnight for Release Party

Early morning Wednesday, DC Comics figuratively and literally went back to the drawing board, relaunching its entire line of comics—debuting with an all new Justice League #1.  

At midnight, Pittsburgh Comics owner and operator Colin McMahon handed out copies of the iconic first issue.

Inside, author Geoff Johns and illustrator Jim Lee present a modern retelling of the classic superhero team.

In the first issue, Batman, Green Lantern and the Superman meet again, but for the very first time. In the coming months, Johns and Lee will retell the origin of the iconic super hero group. The 76-year-old publishing company wiped away decades of continuity with this modern retelling of the tale.

For the midnight release party, McMahon offered 52 percent off all DC back issues—a huge savings coinciding with the 52 issues the publisher plans to release in the coming month.

Another bold move, the publisher, in a concerted effort to attract new readers, will release all comic books digitally on the same day as the print copies release.

In a public statement, Jim Lee, illustrator and co-publisher at DC Entertainment said, “It’s really about re-introducing the concept of superheroes in the DC universe and doing it in a more contemporary way.”

At the store, customer Miles Messmer, 19, of Canonsburg, said, “I read indie (independent) comics like 'The Walking Dead,' but I’m interested enough in this to give it a shot.”

Messmer perused the comic. “So far, there are a lot of ads,” he said.

Mark Kutch, 19, of Canonsburg, said, “I’m really curious about the reboot.”

Zach Funk entered the store. He was also eager to see the comic book. “I love the classic team," he said. "It’s a good way to get to meet a lot of superheroes in one place. Say you like Batman and you find another character like Aquaman really interesting. You might not normally read an Aquaman book. You might think the characters a joke, but over in the team book you get to know him better and think 'maybe he’s not such a joke anymore.'"

Ryan Sargent, a longtime DC Comics fan said he's excited about all 52 new #1 issues.

"I love all of these guys and I’m curious to see what they’re going to do," he said. "I am a huge Batman fan. I love the Justice League. I like that some giant planet-shattering event comes along and the Justice League steps in and takes care of it. I love how they’re all different. Superman is a straight forward hero guy. Batman works from the shadows. The Green Lantern is all about hope. And Wonder Woman wants to bring peace to the world of man. She’s a warrior but for peace. That’s just a cool concept.”

McMahon looked around the store—busy for it being midnight.

“Judging by the interest I think they really have something here," he said. "This Justice League book is the highest order I have ever placed for a single issue of a comic book. I ordered 125 issues and I’m thinking I’m going to run out.”

With a summer full of superhero movies, "," "Captain America," "The Green Lantern," and the relaunch of 52 new first issues, it’s a great time to be a comic book fan.

Click here for a review of the comic book.