Sundays are known for folks gathering around tables on television and pontificating about some of the hottest topics out there, offering their expertise. We bring that tradition to Graphic Policy as the team gathers to debate in our Sunday Roundtable.

On tap this week?

What lessons can comic creators and publishers learn from Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

Brett: First up, no spoilers, we’re talking big picture here.

Mr. H: That it is incredibly possible to make a continuation of a successful franchise without having to reboot it completely or slavish to the point where its pandering ala Superman Returns. New ideas do happen folks. Maybe they aren’t making any more land but new ideas are happening and some of them work!

Brett: To me the big thing I’ve noticed is its leads of Rey and Finn. A woman and a black male. My nieces all loved the film, and I’m convinced it was partially due to have a kick-ass woman on the screen. People have attached themselves to the characters I haven’t seen in pop culture characters in a long time.

I’d also say, we knew very little going into the movie. They did an impressive job of keeping the lid on things as opposed to comic stories being spoiled some times by the publishers themselves. Bring back the mystery!

Daphne: The biggest thing The Force Awakens accomplished was to make some sincere and respectful nods to the trilogy that came before it but also to usher in new plot threads and new characters who are just as interesting if not more so than those of the original films. They accomplished the feeling of passing the torch without going the route of either throwing out and ignoring all the original characters or piling Luke, Han, and Leia into the Falcon for One Last Adventure. It did a great job honoring the legacy that it builds off of and setting us up for new adventures. And it was actually fun and funny in a way the prequel trilogy never reached. It made me genuinely excited for Star Wars in a way I’ve never been before.

Alex: Pretty much what Mr H said, that you don’t need to reboot a franchise after a disastrous outing, whether it be a comic, movie or TV show, and you can continue the story in a way that brings a new life to a franchise. Hell, if you do make a Phantom Menace style miss step then don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith an continue the story. It might end up like The Force Awakens. I mean, honestly, can you tell me you won’t see that movie again?

Mr. H: Amen Alex thanks dude.

Brett: Straight and to the point. So what do you readers think? What lessons can be learned? Sound off in the comments below!