Is This The Worst Batman Comic Ever?

3. What DC's All Star Imprint Was Meant To Be

When it started out, All Star was meant to be the imprint that would marry DC's most popular characters with their most talented creators, free from the restraints of mainstream continuity. Creators would be free to chart a new course for iconic heroes and villains, and for a while it seemed as though everything was going to plan.

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely marshalled the Man of Steel in the sensational All Star Superman, and the publisher's other, now cancelled All Star books were hotly anticipated by readers. Among them included an Adam Hughes fronted Wonder Woman comic, a Batgirl series from Geoff Johns and J.G. Jones, and a Green Lantern series helmed by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang.

For all that those other projects got fans excited, a collaboration between Miller and Lee on Batman was deemed the imprint's hottest prospect. Miller had the chance to reiterate his credentials after Strikes Again, while Lee had just enjoyed a phenomenal stint on Batman opposite Jeph Loeb. Pairing them together was a no-brainer - even for those apathetic to the duo's respective portfolios.

Of course, ten years on, and it's clear that DC's All Star imprint didn't work out. Those comics mentioned earlier became stuck in a permanent limbo, but the publisher has fashioned a spiritual successor over the last year in Black Label. It's been made with the same intent as All Star, and while DC threaten to dilute the overall intent of the imprint by bringing in older comics for... no reason, it's already proven to be a damn-sight more successful than its predecessor.

...Weird Superman/Mermaid sex aside.