The comics market in February did not slip as much as it had the month before. The 9% freefall in January trickled to a 2% decrease in February. Numbers were still a bit falsely bolstered by another month dominated by the Obama Spiderman issue which held the #1 spot for a second month selling just under 150,000 books.
As for Supergirl, despite the overall sales dip, the book continues to hold its own. Here is the ICv2 link to check out sales: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14518.html.
Supergirl #38, the second part of the 'Who is Superwoman?' arc and sporting that mesmerizing Josh Middleton cover sold 34,225 issues, logging in as the 47th best selling title in the market.
Supergirl #37 sold 34,060 issues. This month actually saw 165 more issues sold. Okay, in essence the book's sales remained the same. But in a dwindling marketplace, this has to be looked at as good news.
Supergirl #38 was also the second issue post-New Krypton. People buying the book are buying the book on its own merits, not any crossover bump. 34,000 in sales is solid and 25% more in sales than the last issues of the Kelley Puckett run.
The second issue sold 6,488 meaning sales slipped around 5%.
I don't have a good feel for what DC considers to be 'good sales' for a Johnny DC book but hopefully they think the product is as great as most of us think it is and green light a sequel. I have to think that the DC editorial board must be tickled to see Cosmic mixed in with the other titles selling this much.
Despite solid sales for both titles, word of mouth and good press helps. I try to talk up both in my local comic store.
I think the Supergirl title may suffer from the introduction of other 'feminine' titles. Power Girl being the big one but also Batgirl and Gotham City Sirens. I say we have a tough year ahead.
ReplyDeleteI disagree (politely), with Superman out of his core books 2009 is thick with possibilities for Kara Zor El in terms of moving up in sales and in the ranks in general.
ReplyDeleteI just wish she had a team affiliation...that is a sore point with me teams are an important indicator of the editorial worth of the character.
I wish someone somewhere inside DC would ask for the use of her in a team book.
BTW, if there are BG & PG books in the offing so much the better for our girl, more team up potential.
:D
John Feer
I think the Supergirl title may suffer from the introduction of other 'feminine' titles. Power Girl being the big one but also Batgirl and Gotham City Sirens. I say we have a tough year ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
This is interesting. So you think there are only so many purchases for titles starring women and so these new titles thin out sales. Intriguing.
My guess is the feel of the books are all going to be different so I hope Supergirl's sales stay strong.
I just wish she had a team affiliation...that is a sore point with me teams are an important indicator of the editorial worth of the character.
ReplyDeleteBTW, if there are BG & PG books in the offing so much the better for our girl, more team up potential.
Thanks for the post.
I am disappointed that the Robinson JL has been downgraded to miniseries because I thought Supergirl would shine in that book.
As for team-ups, I would prefer there not be a PG cross-over for a while. I have read how Palmiotti writes Kara ...
DC should have kept Kara in the Teen Titans. It would be nice to see her team up with Oracle (Batgirl again maybe?) or Mary Marvel at least. How about a Brave and the Bold team up with Green Arrow?
ReplyDeleteI don't want to wish doom on any of these new titles starring women but if that means Supergirl surviving then I'll happily do it. I think that we will find people who prefer these other female characters to Supergirl, and to add them them are more likely to drop the other feminine title than something like JSA. Hopefully the prospect of the 2010 Super title event will prove an incentive. And hey, we are still above Wonder Woman and if I'm not mistaken DC's highest selling starring female character. (for the last few months at least)
ReplyDeleteDC should have kept Kara in the Teen Titans. It would be nice to see her team up with Oracle (Batgirl again maybe?) or Mary Marvel at least. How about a Brave and the Bold team up with Green Arrow?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
I think an Oracle team-up would be fantastic.
I think the Titans idea has unfortunately been played out.
I think that we will find people who prefer these other female characters to Supergirl, and to add them them are more likely to drop the other feminine title than something like JSA.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. We'll have to see if the women-centered comics cancel each other out for sales.
My guess they will all have different 'feels'. The Power Girl title by Palmiotti will be different from Sirens by Dini which wil be different than Supergirl by Gates. Hopefully all will thrive.
As long as Supergirl stays above the so called "safety mark" level then I couldn't care less which other Superheroine/villianess is given their own mini/maxi or ongoing. Heh.
ReplyDelete