Sales Review: February 2011

I have been doing my best over the last year to quell my concerns of Supergirl cancellation. But the problem is that every month I get to review comic sales over at ICv2. And frankly, the sales numbers worry me about the business in general, let alone Kara's title. ICv2 is must reading for me, especially the sales posts.

As always, it is worth looking at the sales chart in total to look at the hard numbers. Here is the link:
http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/19570.html

It is interesting to look at other titles and try to gauge how they are doing. Superman #708, the best of 'Grounded', was the best-selling super-title breaking 40K. Action Comics, nearing the end of Lex's story, sold around 32K. And Superboy is dropping a bit selling 27K.

Supergirl #61 was the second issue with the new creative team and the first to be solely written by James Peaty. Would there be a big drop-off on the title without the buzz of Nick Spencer?

Well, Supergirl #61 sold 22,048, down nearly 3% from the prior issue. It is small drop-off to be sure but it is another month of dwindling returns. And so, 'cancellation concerns' continue.

As for Spencer's leaving the book, here is link from Bleeding Cool: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/03/08/whatever-happened-with-nick-spencer-and-supergirl/ . As always, definitely worth reading the whole post.

Spencer told people that the reason was that editorial just didn’t like what he was giving them, which is why he only wrote two thirds of the issue, having it finished by the now-ongoing writer James Peaty. However on release, he says the positive reviews saw them change their mind – but by then Nick had signed by Marvel. He told people “it was a hard a choice and for a while it could have gone either way, but in the end Marvel just love what I was doing far more.”

Figured I'd put this at the bottom of a post the same way DC announced his leaving the book. Spencer sounds quite sure of himself and certainly is riding a wave of popularity. He couldn't work with the editors more at DC? I suppose if they were opposing his vision, I respect his artistic integrity. But they are the editors.

Ugh ...

Makes me wonder if DC would leave Sterling Gates on the book if they could do it over again.

I think we are still in a dark time for the title, a period of uncertainty. Are Peaty/Chang inheriting the title long-term? Is a new creative team just around the corner? With 8 DC titles getting the axe in the next few months, is Supergirl nearing the chopping block?

Review: Supergirl #61

Supergirl #61 came out this week, the second issue with the new direction for the title and the first issue with James Peaty as the sole writer. Nick Spencer is gone after (I suppose) one half of one issue.

Last issue seemed to calm some of the concerns many had with the title and the loss of Sterling Gates as writer. Supergirl #60, while a bit talky, set the table for this arc, laying out the pieces and the overall plot. It wasn't a perfect issue but it was pretty good. Would this issue pick up on the momentum of the first issue? Would the lack of Nick Spencer hurt or help the story?

For me, most importantly, the thing I want to see is the characterization from the Gates' run pulled forward. I don't want to see a regression in Kara's characterization, how she acts, or what she's like. So far ... so good ... sort of.

Last issue, 4 heavyweight Superman villains teleported in and attacked Supergirl, seemingly overwhelming her. And they should defeat her. I mean, Silver Banshee, the Kryptonite Man, Metallo, and the Parasite can all give Superman a run for his money in a one-on-one battle. So the four of them should defeat any Kryptonian. That's why I was somewhat surprised initially to see Supergirl take all four of them out so easily. It is a very lovely splash page by Bernard Chang. And it definitely made me raise an eyebrow about the villains and if they are truly who they appear to be.

One thing I did like about these first pages is the opening line of the book: 'My name is Kara Zor-El and this is my life.' Of course these were the opening and closing lines of Sterling Gates' run so I thought it was a nice little technique to make this feel familiar. It also gives us some insight into Supergirl's inner thoughts.

Alex, the villain of the piece and presumed Cadmus super-clone, is impressed with Supergirl's abilities to defeat these villains. And with this initial test run of his Flyover app a success, he decides to leave the hallowed halls of Harvard and move on.

To make sure he is able to walk away without leaving a trail, he seems to mindwipe the students he was chummy with last issue. So the guess someone made last month that maybe some Maxwell Lord is in Alex' genetic mix seems much more plausible.

But this is where I have to question last issue a bit. Apparently we aren't going to see these kids anymore. So why devote so much time to them last month. In fact, why the heck would Alex even be in Harvard anyways? Why would he befriend these people? I wonder if this is the first shakedown of Nick Spencer not being on the book anymore. It seemed that the presence of these college kids served two purposes. One, it provided an easy path to exposition, explaining the Flyover app and Alex' thoughts. Two, it showed that Nick Spencer can write snappy young dialogue. The first might be valid. But the second just wastes page space if it doesn't impact the story.

Still, even if we are not seeing them again, it doesn't explain what Alex was doing there in the first place.

Of course, the mind-wiped students are befuddled.

And her lips, which recently kissed Alex, taste like chalk. Hmmm ... sounds like he might be an unstable clone, going the way of the Bizarro.

Meanwhile, the villains that Supergirl defeated disappear as quickly as they arrived, teleported away.

In what I thought was a nice piece of characterization, I liked how Supergirl dealt with the two teenage boys who got her up on that roof to begin with. When they continue to pester her for her phone number, and refuse to clear the scene, she gets all 'Dark Supergirl' on them playfully, showing off the glowing eyes of an 'evil alien'. It seemed playful and confident. It felt right, even in the post-New Krypton world where people still might not trust Kryptonians.

Supergirl needed to roof cleared because she knew that Lois was arriving via helicopter to talk to her. I like how Lois brings her a coffee!

Lois lets Supergirl in on the news of Cadmus' super-clone plans, asking Kara to help out since Superman is still walking all over. In a bit of characterization that felt a little off, Supergirl says she might not be the right person for the job, saying she isn't in Superman's league. While I am happy that Lois stops that train of thought by saying that others should judge Supergirl. Still, even if Supergirl doesn't think she is as good as Superman, I think she would say 'I'll help out any way I can.' I don't need Kara to be awash in self-doubt again. This felt like a little step backwards.

That said, this is the book that Lois fans should be reading. She is being portrayed spot on in Supergirl.

Lois tells Supergirl that she found Kara by using the Flyover app. I thought that showed just how prevalent this thing has become already.

But Supergirl not knowing what a smartphone is? I mean, she is a teenager and a member of the Science Guild. While the 'so like her cousin' was a cute comment, this felt a bit off too.

The app seems everywhere as Linda Lang is browsing it while enjoying a bowl of ice cream. Even the waitress notices and says that she is also on Flyover, trying to snap some pics of heroes.

I can't say how happy I was to see Linda again. I really hope that Linda Lang (and Lana for that matter) remain a big part of this book.

But I also wondered if this scene might be a subtle insight on another part of this arc. Linda eating ice cream alone? Maybe part of this arc is to have her connect (or re-connect) with the younger heroes in the DCU, to create friendships with these heroes so that she isn't eating sweets by herself. Or am I over-thinking this?

While in the ice cream shop, the Flyover app shows Damien in Gotham City ... and then suddenly Damien being flanked by Clayface and Mr. Freeze.

It's a nice little parlay between Damien and Supergirl initially, with him asking her why she is there and maybe she should make herself useful. Together they take out the villains quickly, Supergirl even wondering why Clayface didn't put up more a fight like he did the last time they faced off. Is that from Superman/Batman #19 or Superman/Batman #62? I can't think of another encounter.

I did like how Supergirl is able to figure out pretty quickly that the Flyover app is probably behind these recent attacks. She has seen too much of this app too soon. Even if Damien doesn't buy it, Supergirl is sure. Sure enough to know that Blue Beetle is in danger in El Paso.

I don't think it's a stretch for Supergirl to realize that this app is like a GPS for attacks.

And then we see just how the villains are being defeated so (relatively) easily. They aren't the villains but some sort of android mimicking the powers of the villains. That explains why Supergirl was able to defeat the big guns in the beginning of the issue.

Throughout the issue we see Alex in his secret lab, scheming, and realizing that Supergirl is the biggest threat of them all, and might be worthy of special attention.

So overall, I thought this was a pretty good issue. I think that there were a lot of ups in this book, with a couple of missteps. Still, I think the characterization of Supergirl here was more right than wrong. I think James Peaty is doing his best to pick up right where Sterling Gates left Kara. Yes, the 'I'm not Superman' comment didn't seem right and stood out as being off.

And I'll say it again, I am glad that the college student angle seems to have been removed. Issues are shorter these days as a way to keep the price $2.99. That means I will have little tolerance for wasted space. And the dialogue and back story of those guys last issue now seems meaningless.

Bernard Chang continues to do stellar stuff here. I am glad he has remembered the new short haircut Kara is sporting. And his action sequences have always been top notch.

Will this book remain Peaty's after this arc? When will DC let us know? Or is the 'fear of cancellation' still in the air such that DC isn't going to name anyone long term. I'd love to hear Peaty come out and talk about the character.

Overall grade: B

Supergirl #61 Cover Change - Editted

Supergirl #61 comes out tomorrow and the solicited cover is seen above.

I think this is a fresh composition for a comic. The title name is in the middle of the cover rather than at the top, bisecting it. The top portion shows Supergirl using her heat vision on Clayface. The bottom panel shows Damien punching Mr. Freeze. It has the flavor of a Silver Age team-up book, especially with the oversized sound effects.

But this wasn't the originally solicited cover.

Back when the February solicits were first released in November, this was the solicited cover. This has a completely different feel to it. I like how the heroes here seem to be streaking towards a threat. And, of course, this cover has Batgirl in it. Boy, Reeder does a great Steph!

So why the change? Could it be that the story has changed now that James Peaty is acting solo? Maybe Nick Spencer's initial plot had Batgirl in it and Peaty's doesn't?  I can't think of anything else. Certainly this is a beautiful cover too. I'll be honest, I was hoping to see Batgirl in this issue/storyline. The prior Supergirl/Batgirl stories have all been great.

I have loved Reeder's covers so far. I would love to see her process in cover creation, from thumbnail to pencils, to finished work. I loved when Josh Middleton would do that on his blog.

Edit- I tweeted Amy Reeder about this yesterday. Just checked and got this response from her.

@dranj70 Yeah, basically the story was tweaked and didn't have Batgirl in it any longer! So I made a new cover.

So question answered. Thanks to Amy Reeder for the response!

I still would love to know what happened to the original art of the other cover.

February Solicits

The February solicits for DC Comics were released this week and are available over on Newsarama. Here is the link: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-february-2011-solicitations-101115.html

There a couple of surprises in February. Some are new titles or issues. There is one older title that might be inexplicably luring me back. And there is a nice closer look at the Supergirl portion of the Superman Family statue which is coming out next summer.

As usual, here are the super-specific titles I am interested in with some comments.

SUPERGIRL #61

Written by NICK SPENCER

Art by BERNARD CHANG

Cover by AMY REEDER & RICHARD FRIEND

Continuing the new arc by the freshly minted creative team of writer Nick Spencer (JIMMY OLSEN, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, Morning Glories) and artist Bernard Chang (WONDER WOMAN, SUPERMAN)! Someone has set his sights on killing the next generation of heroes, and his latest targets are Robin and Batgirl! Who is this new foe, and how is he connected to some of Superman's deadliest foes? Supergirl had better find out fast, before it's time for another Bat-related R.I.P. story!

Supergirl has pretty different relationships with these members of the Batman Family. Certainly the friendship between Kara and Steph has been nicely built up. And her more prickly relationship with Damien has been seen a couple of times. So the three of them together in one issue should be a fun time.

There still aren't any hints about who the villain is in this arc so I am wondering if we are dealing with a new threat or an established villain here.

The cover seems to be a little rough with Supergirl's cape streak looking a little odd. Hopefully the final issue version will look a bit more polished.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by BRETT BOOTH & NORM RAPMUND

Cover by BRETT BOOTH

1:10 Variant cover by DAVID MACK

“The Rise of Eclipso” begins here as the dark energies that have surrounded Earth are harnessed once more to usher in the great Lord of Darkness! And it looks like the corruption of all mankind starts with the members of the Justice League! When things go dark, which teammate poses the greatest threat to mankind – Obsidian or Jade?

We saw a glimpse of Eclipso in Jade's visions when she was a White Lantern so it isn't a huge surprise to see him seen here. Perhaps most reassuring to me is that we see a Supergirl in the classic blue/red uniform on the cover. There were some hints that 'Dark Supergirl' was taking over here. This cover seems to belie that rumor.

The cover is pretty striking here and  is done by the title's new artist Brett Booth. I don't know where Mark Bagley has gone but I had come to really appreciate his pencils. I hope he lands somewhere within the DCU. I don't know Booth's work at all but this cover shows he has talent.

SUPERMAN #708

Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & CHRIS ROBERSON

Art by EDDY BARROWS & J.P. MAYER

Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

1:10 Variant cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE

Superman meets the new Wonder Woman for the first time! But why can't he shake the feeling that he already knows her? The Man of Steel will have to figure that out later, as the two heroes have their hands full defending Omaha, Nebraska from the evil Keres, a supernatural force determined to rid the town (and the world!) of all Amazons - and they're not too crazy about Kryptonians, either.

Well, we finally have a solicit for an issue of 'Grounded' that matched the Wonder Woman cover we have seen over and over.

I didn't post about JMS' abandoning monthly comics for more graphic novels so this is as fine a place to rant about it as any. Straczynski basically walked onto Superman and Wonder Woman and took these tentpole characters in pretty radical directions, rewriting Wonder Woman's history and sending Superman out on a walk. His visions for these characters was widely publicized. His name was put on promotional posters.

And now, with the need to write 'Superman Earth One, part two', JMS has been allowed to walk away from these stories smack dab in the middle, handing his outlines and notes to Chris Roberson and Phil Hester.

For me, I would have hoped that Straczynski would put his nose to the grindstone and finish these arcs AND write the next graphic novel. If he (as he says), has outlines and notes that he is handing over to the new writers, isn't he close to finishing these scripts? Doesn't he want to complete his visions for these characters? It just doesn't seem right to take these characters in a strange direction, ones that haven't necessarily been lauded or universally love, and then drop these arcs into someone else's lap. I don't envy Roberson or Hester. If the arcs are loved in the end, they are simply writing JMS' stories. If the arcs crash and burn, they go down with the ship.

I understand I am not a professional writer so I don't particularly understand the work effort behind doing all these things. So maybe I am expecting too much from JMS. But if these arcs were his visions, you think he would want to bring them to completion.

ACTION COMICS #898

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art by PETE WOODS

Cover by DAVID FINCH &RYAN WINN

First his own action figure, then his own Christmas special - now GREEN LANTERN's Larfleeze wants to take over ACTION COMICS?! Not if Lex Luthor has anything to say about it! Tune in for the rematch that's been brewing ever since Lex tried to steal Larfleeze's Orange Lantern back in BLACKEST NIGHT!

From the beginning of this Luthor-centric arc, Lex has been reaching for power, the power of he tasted when he wore the ring of the Orange Lantern Corps. This match-up was almost inevitable, no?

The more I read this arc, the more interesting I think it is. There are small things in every issue that shine.

SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT 2011 #1

Written by JOE CARAMAGNA, STEVE HORTON, ABHAY KHOSLA, NEIL KLEID,

AUBREY SITTERSON, BEAU TIDWELL and others 

Art by EDDY BARROWS, CAFU, DAN MCDAID, ANDY MCDONALD and others

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

Get ready for seven fresh and exciting stories spotlighting Superman and his friends and foes by some of the industry's most promising talent! In one story, either Twilight-mania has finally hit Smallville, or Superboy has a vampire problem on his hands. Meanwhile, when a lab full of Jimmy Olsen clones escapes and runs amok in Metropolis, it's up to Superman and Jimmy to round 'em all up before things turn even more bizarre! And speaking of bizarre, take a trip to Bizarro World for "Bizarro Grounded"! Plus, stories of Supergirl, Krypto, Jor-El, and more!

A 2011 Superman 80pg Giant. This was a nice surprise.

I remember the 2010 80pg Giant pretty vividly with great stories by Ben McCool, Mike Raicht, and Kathryn Immonen.. There was slick art by Charles Wilson, Matt Camp and Tonci Zonjic so I am looking forward to this issue a lot. Supergirl wasn't in the last Giant so I am glad she is getting some exposure here. And while I don't recognize the writers, there is art by Eddy Barrows and CAFU. I love both those guy's art.

The cover by Dustin Nguyen has a very nice composition. I didn't even notice the Doomsday face at first. There are layers here, with pieces of all the corners of Superman's mythos seen. I don't know if I like the way Supergirl looks here, but it is nice that she is so prominent.

SUPERBOY #4

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by PIER GALLO

Cover by EDDY BARROWS

1:10 Variant cover by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU

Step aside, Superboy, Smallville's got a new hero - Psionic Lad! Except, well, it's cool he's helping Superboy protect the town from bad guys and all, but what's that he keeps saying about, um, assassinating someone? Hmm, Superboy, you may need to be more choosey about your friends... All this, plus the mystery of the Hollow Men deepens!

Nice cover by Stanley Lau. That guy's stuff is unreal.

Superboy is still an unknown commodity for me. I am hoping the potential that I sensed from the first issue is realized.

DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #1-2

Written by TONY BEDARD &  MARV WOLFMAN

Art by HOWARD PORTER & LIVESAY and ADRIANA MELO; NORMAN LEE

Issue #1 wraparound cover by ED BENES

Issue #1 1:10 Variant cover by RYAN SOOK

Issue #2 cover by ED BENES

The DC event of the year begins, coinciding with the release of the wildly anticipated DCU MMO! Get ready for the ride of a lifetime with this immense, 26-issue biweekly series!

In issue #1, Lex Luthor’s obsession with destroying Superman reaches fever pitch when he cuts the ultimate Devil’s deal with Brainiac...but with the shake of a hand, has Luthor consigned humanity to genocide?

In the startling second issue, The Lex Luthor of a post-apocalyptic future scrambles to escape Brainiac’s invasion of Earth, but he must gather an army to stop the invasion. Who will he recruit? And in the present, Brainiac’s first assault on Earth has begun, which recaps the incredibly rare DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #0!

Okay, I don't know if I am up for a biweekly comic based on a video game I won't be playing. The problem is that Superman seems to be the center figure of these early issues.And the talent is pretty solid. Bedard and Wolfman are writing and Howard Porter and Adriana Melo are on pencils. That's some pretty big names.

Are these in continuity?

I don't know. I might flip through the first issue. But I don't know if I am going to get this.

OUTSIDERS #37

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art by KEITH GIFFEN & MICK GRAY

Cover by PHILIP TAN

“Reign of Doomsday” roars on from the pages of January’s STEEL #1!

In Markovia, the Eradicator struggles in battle against the murder-machine known as Doomsday! It’s a fight to the death with the lives of Geo-Force, Katana, the Looker, Halo and the Olympian all hanging in the balance! Don’t miss this brutal chapter as the “Reign of Doomsday” storyline stomps toward an explosive summer event!

Meanwhile, under arrest by the U.S. government, Black Lightning and his Outsiders team find their backs against the wall as they’re forced to choose between a lifetime of imprisonment or leading an invasion of their former home base in Markovia!

Every time I think I am out, they pull me back in.

I just stopped collecting the Outsiders. But an issue where the Eradicator goes toe-to-toe with Doomsday? How can I say no? Looks like there might be one more Outsiders review in me after all.

At least the 'Reign of Doomsday' tease we saw on the DC Source blog recently is being explained a bit.

SUPERMAN FAMILY MULTI-PART STATUE: PART 2: SUPERGIRL AND STEEL

SCULPTED BY JOSEPH MENNA

Super!

This multi-part statue is a must-have for Superman fans. High atop the roof of a

Metropolis skyscraper, a family born from the ashes of Krypton stands tall, guardians and hope bringers to the people of the city.

The statue is made up of three separate pieces (sold in two parts) which form a single statue.

Solicited this month is Part 2 of the SUPERMAN FAMILY MULTI-PART STATUE featuring Supergirl and Steel, with the lower half of Superman and eagle base detail. Part 1 (solicited last month) features Power Girl and Superboy and the upper half of Superman.

The bases of each piece slide together to form a multi-tiered rooftop on which all the characters stand. Each of the two parts includes a piece of the third portion of the statue, which can be easily assembled to form Superman, who rises up from the center of the piece. Both parts of the statue are needed to make Superman.

This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 9.5” high x 5.5” wide x 6.9” deep, while the entire multi-part statue measures approximately 10.15” high x 17” wide x 8.9” deep when fully assembled.

As I said last month, I don't think I am going to get all three parts of this statue.

But how can I say no to this segment. I really love the way Supergirl comes off here. Cute and confidant!

Looks like I'll be starting a new layaway plan at my comic book store. It is very good to see Supergirl showcased in DC Direct items like this. And I love that there is a Superman Family again.