You know, it’s always the same. Retcons. Reboots. Characters missing. Questions about the timeline. “How did Batman have 4 Robins in 5 years?” “How come Earth’s had 4 Green Lanterns in 5 years?” “Why did they get rid of Stephanie Brown?” “Wait, so did X happen?” “I’m waiting for them to go back to the old continuity.”

I’ve decided that I just don’t give a fuck anymore. If everybody else wants to get hung up on the little snags in the timeline, then you know what? That’s fine. But I’m washing my hands of it. What happened to Batman and Green Lantern in the new universe’s first five years? I don’t care anymore. The characters that are missing will show eventually. Because really, the problem with continuity isn’t the number of plot holes and issues that can be found in it. The problem is how much people care.

Don’t get me wrong, I like a continuous timeline where events matter. I like a shared universe. I like changes and development. But I don’t read comics to keep a fucking chart of events that happen. I read comics to get good stories.

I’m going to name some of the most famous and well-loved Batman stories of all time. Tell me if you see a theme here. The Dark Knight Returns. Batman: Year One. The Killing Joke. The Long Halloween. Knightfall. Of these five, four of them are stand-alone works, not originally created as part of the main, ongoing Batman story, but just stories people wanted to tell. Two of them are part of the ongoing Batman story, with Knightfall being written as part of the ongoing Batman and Detective Comics, and The Killing Joke being made into canon after it was published (although I hear that Year One is often considered to be canon as well, but I’ve read it, and I don’t think it makes a difference whether it is or isn’t).

The point I’m making here is that people don’t love these stories because of what they mean as part of Batman’s continuing saga, even Knightfall. They like these stories because they’re good stories. And that’s what comics are: Stories. As a writer, I care more about experiencing a good story than anything. It’s why I love Geoff Johns’ work. Not because of what it does to the DC Universe as a whole, but because once you read a story of his in full, it’s absolutely fantastic. I don’t like Green Lantern: Rebirth, or the Sinestro Corps War, or Brightest Day because of how they set up later events. I like them because of the tales they tell, of redemption, and bravery, and making life count for something. The GLs taking out Parallax is a group of individuals literally combatting fear itself. The citizens of Coast City not fleeing from the alien invasion, but shining green lights, is an incredibly powerful moment. Deadman reconciling with his grandfather, and going on a motorcycle ride with him, is a reminder of just how wonderful life can be.

I get it. We’re nerds. We like to get caught up in the minute bullshit. It’s what separates us from other audiences. Where other audiences will just sit through something and move on, we pick it apart and make something of every little detail. It’s what we do. But you know what? There’s nothing wrong with just sitting back and taking something in once in a while. It’s what makes Kingdom Come great. It’s what makes Superman: Red Son great. It’s why Deadman: Twenty Questions is my favorite story in the New 52. Because it’s not important. Because it’s not a big name author doing a big name character in order to shape the rest of the DC Universe’s history, and to set a new status quo. It’s an unimportant standalone story about a C-list character and an experience he has. And that story is beautifully told, and incredibly high quality.

What will come will come. If you want to decry the way DC Comics is going about business right now because you truly think the stories are all horrible, well, that’s fine. I’m not going to argue with you on that. You pay money to get a quality product, and if you’re not getting one, then you’re getting ripped off, and I won’t say you’re wrong for wanting a good story instead of a bad one. But instead of constantly arguing about how not every single little tiny detail of the reboot has been planned out, just sit back and enjoy it for a bit. Your favorite character is missing? They’ll be back. Just wait. Spontaneity isn’t always a bad thing. If something confuses you now, it will probably be explained eventually. And if it’s not, is constantly being bitter about it going to fix anything? I don’t think so.

I’m not saying you’re wrong for thinking this kind of stuff is important. Because if it’s important to you, then I’m sure you have a very good reason for it. I love discussing this stuff with people. I like talking about stories and characters, and speculating on what’s to come, and listening to fan theories. But at the end of the day, it’s entertainment. So why not just be entertained for a bit?