Anybody remember when DC was going to launch a line of...

[Patch]

... characters with powers but no costumes?

This was several years ago. Did any books ever come out and what was the name of the line?
With the success of NBC's Heroes and the current state/look of some comic book superheroes, it seems a little like an idea that could have worked but was just before its time.

[Ashwin Pande]

uhh... I forgot what the line was called...

but HARD TIME was a result of this.

[TheTravis!]

They should still do it. Heroes hsn't worked well enough or become universal enough to prohibit others from doing a similar idea.

[Criden]

Yes, the FOCUS line. The titles were Hard Time, Fraction, Touch, and Kinetic.

Hard Time was a terrific series by the late Steve Gerber with stunning Hurtt art. It ran for 12 issues, then there was a 7-issue "season two."

Fraction had an interesting premise--bunch of guys have to share an Iron Man-esque for criminal purposes--but was pretty dull.

Touch was pretty interesting, too: superpowers jump from one character to another, from an actor to his agent and so on. Pretty good, but the star was the Wes Craig art.

Finally, Kinetic was a lot of fun, kind of a fascinating take on the Spidey origin, but with the Indie sensibilities of Kelley Puckett and Warren Pleece. It reads particularly well as a whole.

[Henry!]

[TheTravis!]

Is any of this collected in trade?

[Adrian B AWESOME]

uhh... I forgot what the line was called...

but HARD TIME was a result of this.

Yep. DC Focus came and went. Massive failure, financially.

Four titles, the only good one being Hard Time (which was actually great).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Focus

[Criden]

Is any of this collected in trade?

Yes:

Hard Time: Vol. 1

and

Kinetic: The Complete Series

were the only ones, I believe. Neither is currently in print, but you can find both at the links above.

[Patch]

They should still do it. Heroes hsn't worked well enough or become universal enough to prohibit others from doing a similar idea.

Could create a variety of new characters.

Even if they were half-costumed/half-norm (like the Titans in that NYCC photo thread), it'd be interesting.
Devin Grayson and I once kicked around the idea of a female Martian Manhunter who appeared human but, of course, had amazing powers. Her heritage was going to be a reveal around the 12th issue.

Now they have Martian Girl, so -shrug-

[Patch]

Yes, the FOCUS line. The titles were Hard Time, Fraction, Touch, and Kinetic.

Hard Time was a terrific series by the late Steve Gerber with stunning Hurtt art. It ran for 12 issues, then there was a 7-issue "season two."

Fraction had an interesting premise--bunch of guys have to share an Iron Man-esque for criminal purposes--but was pretty dull.

Touch was pretty interesting, too: superpowers jump from one character to another, from an actor to his agent and so on. Pretty good, but the star was the Wes Craig art.

Finally, Kinetic was a lot of fun, kind of a fascinating take on the Spidey origin, but with the Indie sensibilities of Kelley Puckett and Warren Pleece. It reads particularly well as a whole.

Thanks, Criden.
It sounds almost like a science-fiction line. Wonder if they stressed any gonzo, adventure-esqe aspects.