Sideways: the dimensional hero who came and left too soon
In 2018, DC Comics introduced a new face to its universe: Sideways. Under the civilian identity of Derek James, this character was born from the minds of Dan DiDio, Justin Jordan, and Kenneth Rocafort for the New Age of DC Heroes line. His origin stems from a cosmic event that transforms an ordinary student into a being with the ability to manipulate space, allowing him to create openings to other realities and teleport to distant places. His aesthetic and narrative, which balance teenage life with the burden of enormous powers, evoke clear reminiscences of archetypes like Spider-Man. 🌌
A promising trajectory cut short
The solo publication of Sideways started with positive reception and generated expectation among readers, who connected with the young hero and his world. However, the initial momentum did not hold. After only thirteen issues, the publisher decided to cancel the series. The character failed to attract a wide enough fanbase to sustain its own title. This fact relegated Sideways to a secondary role, with sporadic appearances in crossover events or as an ally in other stories, drastically reducing his presence in the DC cosmos.
Key details of its cancellation:- The main series was published for a short period, ending in 2019.
- The lack of a consolidated audience was the decisive factor in stopping publications.
- Since then, the character has been used mainly as a narrative resource in team plots.
Maybe it just needed a portal to a reality where series last more than thirteen issues.
The enduring narrative potential
Despite his own title ending, the central premise of Sideways left an interesting mark. His unique ability to open and control interdimensional portals opens up a huge array of possibilities for storytelling. This power positions him as an ideal candidate to interact with other heroes who already navigate the DC multiverse, such as Flash (especially in his variants that travel through the Speed Force) or groups like the Justice League Incarnate.
Possible future paths for the character:- Join a team of heroes dedicated to multidimensional crises.
- Star in a limited series or special that explores the limits of his powers.
- Act as a nexus or guide in events that require traveling between alternate realities.
A legacy in waiting
Currently, Sideways remains a creation with untapped potential within DC Comics' vast catalog. His concept offers a unique narrative tool to expand and connect different corners of the multiverse. While some fans hold out hope that he finds a new space, whether in a superhero team or a miniseries, his story serves as a reminder of how volatile the mainstream comic world can be. His essence, that of a young man with the power to bend reality, is still there, waiting for someone to open the right portal to bring him back to the center of the action. 🌀