Comic sales in general took another beating in November with sales being down 10% from the same time period last year. The top comic did not break the 100K mark in sales. Sales went down for 20 out of the top 25 comics in sales. That is rough. This news from ICv2: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/18920.html
Here is the link to the top 300 titles in sales: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/18918.html
In the first of interesting wrinkles, DC basically was in a dead heat with Marvel for overall sales for the month ( http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/18913.html ).
As always, my compliments to ICv2 for breaking all this stuff down.
Perhaps the most interesting wrinkle was sales on Supergirl #58. In this absolutely dismal month, Supergirl sales went up 6 % from 23,842 in sales in October to 25,412 in November.
I can't explain it. Could it be that some readers who left the title missed it enough to come back? Readers who left a while ago decided to come back to see the resolution of the Cat Grant story? Amy Reeder's angelic cover mesmerized people into giving the book a shot? Casual fans have heard about the quality of the book for so long they decided to give it a shot? People who are interested in Nick Spencer's story decided to pick up the book early to get an understanding of the character? All of the above?
I can't explain it and to be honest I don't care. I am glad sales rebounded a little. And I am glad that Gates/Igle will leave on a high note. This was like an early Christmas gift.
I am wondering if the 25K mark is the sort of water level for the young female hero book. Batgirl, Supergirl, and even Spider-Girl all were hovering there.
And the underdogs? Well sales on R.E.B.E.L.S. and Doom Patrol mirrored the state of comics.
Both R.E.B.E.L.S. #22 and Doom Patrol #16 bled a bit, losing 1K in sales, about 10%. That can't be good.
But let's not dwell on the negative. Let's accentuate the positive! Supergirl sales went up 6%!
13 comments:
You pose a few questions about the sudden uptick in readers: "Could it be that some readers who left the title missed it enough to come back?" I don't think those who dropped the Gates/Igle run would suddenly jump on for their penultimate issue.
" Amy Reeder's angelic cover mesmerized people into giving the book a shot?" It's a fine enough cover, but I doubt it.
"Casual fans have heard about the quality of the book for so long they decided to give it a shot?" Again, I doubt this would cause people to suddenly pick up the book now, at Gates' penultimate issue. Besides, the praise of this book is guilty of being part of an echo chamber among the initiated just as much as the reviews that are completely hostile. There have been few honest reviews of this series since issue #1.
"People who are interested in Nick Spencer's story decided to pick up the book early to get an early to get an understanding of the character?" This sound like your likely answer, as this is the variable-- this is what's different. I think some fans want to jump on with Spencer/Chang and want to see something a little different with the character (artistically/writing). Besides, Spencer is praising both Loeb and Gates, so I think he may be trying to bridge the gap between 1-19 fans and 20-present fans-- I think some fans who quit this title long ago will peek their heads in and see if some of what they liked about the earlier issues returns. Bridging the two elements of this fan base may be the only way to protect her sales long term, but has DC already done too much damage and driven too far a wedge between these two elements for their to be compromise?
Oh well. I'm hoping for upwards of 30,000 in sales and a Supergirl book I'm interested in.
I'll say again... Gosh that cover is wonderful.
Besides, the praise of this book is guilty of being part of an echo chamber among the initiated just as much as the reviews that are completely hostile. There have been few honest reviews of this series since issue #1.
Thank you for the cogent comment about my post.
Sounds like you think I am being dishonest when I write a good review.
And an 'echo chamber among the initiated' sounds a bit nefarious. Trust me, my life isn't that exciting.
I think I call them like I see them. I also know I am an easy grader (letter wise) even as I point out things I don't like.
Besides, Spencer is praising both Loeb and Gates, so I think he may be trying to bridge the gap between 1-19 fans and 20-present fans-- I think some fans who quit this title long ago will peek their heads in and see if some of what they liked about the earlier issues returns. Bridging the two elements of this fan base may be the only way to protect her sales long term, but has DC already done too much damage and driven too far a wedge between these two elements for their to be compromise?
I do understand that at times the Supergirl fanbase can be fractionated. Between different incarnations, costumes, and runs we all probably have our favorite.
And I do think Nick Spencer is on a hot streak and probably will bring in new readers. And that is a good thing.
But recently I haven't felt there was still a strong pre/post Gates rift. I mean, #19 was over 3 years ago! There were 14 issues between #19 and Gates/Igle first issue.
And since Gates/Igle, Supergirl has been portrayed in the most stable way that she has since her reintroduction. We have seen this characterization of her in New Krypton and Justice League. There is a foundation now. I guess, what I am trying to say is that I don't this isn't a broken product that Spencer needs to fix. I think he is in a place where he can build on things, moving forward, rather than looking behind.
Besides, the Supergirl from 1-19 is just radically different from the Supergirl of #58. The best writer could not merge those two personas. I don't know if there is an easy bridge.
Again, I want to thank you for the comment and sticking to the topic. I enjoy discussing the character.
I'm wondering if the current comic book market of monthly $3.00-5.00 comics is becoming obsolete. People may simply be holding off and waiting for the trades which are cheaper and take up less space in the long run.
Does the future of comic books rest in digital downloads and Original Graphic Novels? Time will tell.
I do think Comics in their current form are living on borrowed time, and it pains me to say that.
But without a means for getting the books into the wider retailer supply chain and renewing the audience the writing is on the wall - I got into comics purely through reading reprinted material, finding old comics at flea markets and then finding the new/current issues at the newsagents. ANY newsagents!
Today none of those means exist anymore really so I would never have got into comics...
I think with Supergirl we have to aknowledge that the book is now 58 issues old, that's a very good run for such a book but also ages it.
Current trends always see such books start flagging in the sales but I dont see it as a worry here, Supergirl is a solid book and has a strong following so DC most likely will eventually decide on a relaunch. I'm really not worried.
Ang. Anonymous is Larry Gardner.
I got into comics purely through reading reprinted material, finding old comics at flea markets and then finding the new/current issues at the newsagents. ANY newsagents!
Today none of those means exist anymore really so I would never have got into comics...
I think with Supergirl we have to aknowledge that the book is now 58 issues old, that's a very good run for such a book but also ages it.
Thanks for the post. I also grew up buying comics at the 7-11 down the street. I wouldn't have got into comics either. My own children only got introduced because I go to the comic store.
It amazes me that in this day and age making it to issue 58 is a great accomplishment. I am hoping for a #100 rather than a new #1. but we'll see. I do think Supergirl has a big enough following to keep the character going.
Yeah but the frequency between relaunches has become ridiculously fleeting these days, in fact it's become the norm to either relaunch or fiddle with the numbering of the books so you can get a nice #600 anniversary as with Wonder Woman. In short It's madness. We're living through desprate times with desperatly low audiences for their product.
I don't think Supergirls placing is bad at 69th , far from it, but the quality of the title exceeds at least half of what's above it!
Since the end of the New Krypton arc the book has really been building in confidence and quality, I've read issue 58 three times it was that good - that's a tribute only Birds of Prey, LSH and two or three others achieve in my pile of monthly reading.
Really if it bothers you so much try putting the supposed 'poor' sales of Supergirl into context on the chart, look at the books beneath it - there's some quality stuff amidst the garbage lurking down the magic #100 mark. Green Hornet and Power Girl deserve better, so does Rebels,
It says it all that the once 'hot' Authority festers at the #225 mark with Wildcats below it...
In that context Supergirl is doing just great! I'm still shaking my head at Gates and Ingle being removed when they have shown that they are the single finest team working on the Superman books in the last few years, So why weren't they at least given a Superman book as reward...?
Really if it bothers you so much try putting the supposed 'poor' sales of Supergirl into context on the chart, look at the books beneath it - there's some quality stuff amidst the garbage lurking down the magic #100 mark.
Thanks again for the post. I agree that some of my angst was looking at the quality of the books above Supergirl and wondering why they outsell.
But the bigger thing for me was the slow erosion on sales from a pretty consistent 28-29K down to 23K. I think stability is important so I am glad to see this month's uptick in sales. If the book continued to dive I would be more worried.
I shouldn't say 'poor sakes' anymore. As you said, in this market, they are pretty healthy.
Yeah i have a feeling that floppies are a doomed venue, but what will replace them I cannot say. Overall I'm pessimistic that whatever supercedes floppies will be good news for the c-listers or scrappy legacy characters like Supergirl.
***
Well what of it? We've passed thru a short happy golden age with Supergirl, we must be satisfied with that. The book and storyline are in excellent shape (truly the best of all the super books) the new team is taking over at a creative high.
I'll take that much as good news.
John Feer
Sales change over time, but I'm not too worried about Supergirl other than within the big picture of what's going on with the sales of comics in general. ANJ, as you say comics are down across the board but the Supergirl title got a boost with this issue. Here are a few other things that might be added to the "why" list:
* More orders from comic shops due to having seen the Amy Reeder cover during the ordering process as well as shoppers picking it up like ANJ mentioned. The product looks attractive, and since you only sell comics to customers that are on the store shelves perhaps there was just more product to buy. I know that I'm having a harder time these days spot buying comics, it's tough economics all around these days and store owners are buying less that they haven't pre-sold through customer boxes and shelves.
* Not everyone likes the massive cross-overs and some readers may have dropped out during New Krypton (I almost did, and I'm a fan!) In the end I assumed I wouldn't get much of what I wanted in a comic from NK, and my assumption was confirmed as it seems to have disappeared with few ripples. I like continuity, characters I can care about, and the knowledge that the story made a difference. I get all of that from Gates own work. In the end everyone I was introduced to in the NK storyline is dead and gone. The Supergirl title is the only one touched by the storyline that seems to be showing long-term effects other than Superman having a pity party, not over the thousands of deaths but over his connection to humanity. Meh. Hero. Meh. Sorry, hot button, that's a different topic.
* Buyers drifting in again now that the storyline is back to being about the title character. The most important stories about a character should be in that character's title or they'll get missed by the readers that really care. When it doesn't happen they get mildly annoyed, and enough of that will eventually get a title dropped from their buy list. As an example, which comic showed Supergirl finding out that her parents were still alive? In which one did she have the joyous meeting? Considering how Alura was portrayed, was it joyous? I don't know, it didn't happen in her comic, and if many are like me they weren't quick enough on their feet to get the right pre-order to their comics shop. I'll probably find it in the back-issue boxes at some point, but that doesn't help the sales figures.
* Supergirl is getting some mojo from positive appearances in other titles. People become interested when a character they like has positive connections with one they've just been introduced to, and dislike characters that make their fav character look bad, incompetent, or stupid (that's supposed to be reserved for the villain.) Supergirl is now being portrayed in a sympathetic light in other comics. If you're a fan of Batgirl you might be tempted to look at Supergirl after the fun she and Kara had with Dracula, and just maybe another Bat fan or two dropped in after the Halloween escapade with Damian, her adventure with Tim at Arkham, or the nice friendship she's developed with Dick Grayson in JLA. These are non-title appearances done right and I'll bet they generated interest.
Well what of it? We've passed thru a short happy golden age with Supergirl, we must be satisfied with that. The book and storyline are in excellent shape (truly the best of all the super books) the new team is taking over at a creative high.
I'll take that much as good news.
Nice summation. This has been a great year for Supergirl and I haven't always been able to say something like that.
The thing about floppies is that allows me to drop things without the $$ commitment of the trade. It is sort of like saying that episodic TV will fail because people can always buy a DVD box set. You might not purchase that set if the first 2 episodes stink.
Supergirl is now being portrayed in a sympathetic light in other comics. If you're a fan of Batgirl you might be tempted to look at Supergirl after the fun she and Kara had with Dracula, and just maybe another Bat fan or two dropped in after the Halloween escapade with Damian, her adventure with Tim at Arkham, or the nice friendship she's developed with Dick Grayson in JLA. These are non-title appearances done right and I'll bet they generated interest.
Thanks for the post.
You are right that all those other appearances have been great issues with Supergirl being portrayed in a positive light.
I mean, I discovered (and now collect) Batgirl because of the Supergirl appearances. The reverse could be true.
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