Sales Review: April 2014

It is that time again where we look at the comic sales from the month prior and things just don't look good for DC.

I have to say that it is something of a nightmare for me to be a DC fan. I feel like all I have been doing recently has been complaining about the company and their direction. While I have praised titles in my reviews, it just feels that the company as a whole has sort of lost its way. The tone of the company, the 'events' that drag on and seem to have no lasting effect, the inability to have superstar books like Superman Unchained come out on time leading to cancelations, the snarky responses from some creators - it all feels wrong. I complain because I care about these characters. And it just feels like they are being mistreated. And I can't help but feel that the sales mirror reader dissatisfaction.

As always, ICv2 does a great job covering the market. Here is a link:
http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/28603.html

Of all the images and information that should shake DC to the core, it is this pie chart breaking down sales by company. Thanks to Diamond Distributors.

You don't necessarily need to see numbers to see that Marvel's red pie slice is gigantic to DC's dwindling blue slice. Can we even say 'Big Two' any more. Marvel simply dominates dollar share over DC by around 10%. Some of this month could be explained by the 500K Amazing Spiderman #1. But the truth is, these monthly gaps are a trend that is worsening.

Maybe .... just maybe ... DC needs to do something to bring readers back. New titles with varied tones? New creators? Maybe reach out to the top creators they alienated? Maybe shake-up the 'leadership'?

Supergirl #30 continued to Red Daughter arc and Kara's supposed redemption story. I have been pleasantly surprised with this story as both writer Tony Bedard (and Red Lanterns writer Charles Soule) have shown hidden depth in Supergirl as she deals with her depressing back story.

But, as I have said, the purpose of this story needs to be to redirect Supergirl's energy back to heroism and the S-shield. Let's hope that's true.

The story has been publicized and praised.

So I was pleasantly surprised to see sales increase on Supergirl, even is just a bit.  527 more issues sold. But in a world of comic erosion, any growth needs to be lauded.

I hope that DC doesn't look at this blip and think that Kara should be in the Lantern uniform longer.

I always try to help bring a spotlight to a title I have been enjoying whose sales are less than stellar.

Batwoman is a title that I have really been enjoying since the new creative team of Marc Andreyko and Jeremy Haun took over. When JH Williams was on the title, the book sure was pretty to look at. I mean Williams is really a visual genius. But I thought the stories were somewhat muddled and lacked a nice narrative flow.

The feel of the book has remained stable since the new team came on. But the stories are much more comprehensible. And Haun brings a nice clean style to the book.

But I fear this is another title which is suffering from DC administrative nonsense.

Williams left in a huff blaming (probably rightly) the editors for squelching the stories he wanted to do. DC backpedaled but it still looked like the usual nonsense that has plagued the New 52. And, my guess is, readers left the title in droves. It is true that I originally got the book simply to look at Williams art. Maybe he was all that was keeping people coming.

But this book is better than a 19K selling book. Andreyko and Haun are doing great work here. If you left Batwoman when Williams did you should come back and give it another shot.

Review: Supergirl #30

Supergirl #30 came out this week, the second part of the Red Daughter arc and the first issue with new artist Emanuela Lupacchino. I have been giving this arc and it's counterparts in Red Lanterns relatively high marks as it has felt that writer Tony Bedard (as well as RL scribe Charles Soule) has been moving Kara towards some revelation, some redemption, some understanding that she has to give up this anger and isolation. This issue, while decent, didn't seem to have the same progression towards wellness in Kara that I have seen in the prior issues.

And I have said all along that I will reserve the right to regrade this arc if the ending of Supergirl becoming likeable, relatable, and heroic isn't actualized.

That isn't to say there aren't nice moments in this book. There are. Bedard does a nice job of putting in subtle hints that Kara is still a bit confused, trying to figure things out. But there is still a harsh edge to her, harsher than I have seen in the prior issues, and that felt like a step backwards.

Lupacchino's art looks a bit more raw than her highly polished covers have been. But the work itself is very slick. Their is an energy to the art here that brought me into the story. There are maybe a few too many poses where Kara seems to have a broken back but nothing so insane as to drag me out of the plot.

And Kenneth Rocafort's cover is very eye-catching. I did cringe at the 'We're Red, you're dead!' tagline.

The issue starts with the Lanterns defending a planet called Grax from a group of warriors called Diasporans. The Diasporans have been given a belief from someone (I am assuming it will be World Killer #1) that destroying a race's planet and sending them to the stars makes that race stronger. So we see them slaughtering the Grax without care.

That is until the Reds show up.

The first thing we hear from Kara is that she finally feels like she belongs. She was chosen to be part of the Corps. So despite having powers and being Supergirl on Earth ... she just didn't fit in there. I wonder if this is rationalization a little bit by Kara. I think she is grabbing on to the fact that the ring chose her as equaling her fitting in. She didn't really try to fit in on Earth. And maybe she would have if she did try.

I do like the name Diasporans. Nice little play on diaspora.

But there are parts of Kara's interaction with the Reds that makes me think she actually doesn't fit in with this group. This is where I think Supergirl, being desperate for acceptance, is trying to convince herself this is where she belongs rather than feeling it.

For instance, Supergirl chides Skallox for yelling at this young Grax about the death of her mother. That sounds like what a Red would say. But Supergirl doesn't think so. And in the battle, Zilius notices that Supergirl is using her Kryptonian powers rather than her ring's powers to fight. Maybe she isn't totally accepting her new life?

The Lanterns drive off the Diasporans and accept the cheers of the Grax. It is good ... I suppose ... the see Supergirl defend something so passionately, acting heroically. She even talks about how she will pummel anyone that threatens this world again.

So ... this is where I have to wonder about long term characterization. Remember when she called Earth a sweating ball of mud? Where she said she didn't care about Earth at all as long as Krypton came back? Why does Grax rate higher?

I'm happy she wants to defend Grax. I just wonder why it has taken 30 issues for us to hear something like this from Kara. Why she didn't have the same resolve on Earth. I hope Bedard talks about this change of heart.

This is one of those 'brokeback poses' from Lupacchino.

Bedard does do a good job keeping the subplots smoldering.

Blaze not only is on the loose in the Block, she is able to use her magic to convert a computer into some sort of scrying device. She asks it to find the 'angry girl' and it answers Supergirl and Banshee. It then leads her to Queens and Siobhan's home.

I have to say it out loud. I am hoping that the search 'angry girl' is more about Siobhan and her internal demon than Supergirl. Maybe that is me being old fashioned.

The actions shifts back to Ysmault where Guy is trying to rally the corps around the impending fight with Atrocitus. Part of that means talking to Kara and trying to rein her in. This heart to heart talk gives Bedard some rope for some exposition. Supergirl tells Guy about all she saw when in the Blood Ocean. It is a nice way for us as readers to see Kara's true feelings.

Lupacchino really shines in this section, made even better but the muted colors in this section by Hi-Fi.

Much of the vision is a flashback to Krypton and Zor-El. She sees the World Killers in his lab. Finally, we hear some sympathetic words from Supergirl. She finds the very idea of World Killers abominable. As an orphan from a dead planet, she can't tolerate that. (Again, it flies in the face of the Supergirl who was willing to let Earth die in both H'El on Earth and Krypton Returns. But let's forget about those stories ... please??)

We also learn that she doesn't remember that Alura tried to 'save her' from being rocketed off.

I normally don't scan a whole page, but this was the key of the issue for me. And I counted it as 'three panels' in my internal barometer of what I feel comfortable sharing.

We relive the battle with the World Killers from way back in Supergirl #7. (I am pretty sure people in Manhattan cheered for her at the end like the Grax).

But here are the things I liked about this.

One, Kara says the Killers were goading her by saying only a World Killer could defeat one. Back then, I worried that Kara might therefore be the first World Killer. Heck, Mike Johnson certainly hinted at that. By changing it to a taunt, it makes it less likely. Hurrah.

Then we see that resolve of the 'daughters of the house of El'. Alura is a leader who doesn't quit. And Kara wants to live up to that example. That is also very good. We need to distance Kara more and more from the increasingly odious Zor-El.

But as great as these moments were ... Kara wanting to save people, using her powers not the ring, thinking differently from Skallox, thinking World Killers are horrible, wanting to be like Alura ... Bedard kind of pulled the rug out from under me.

Just when I think Supergirl is realizing her true nature, she devolves back to a snarling Red, vowing to burn the sector clean. I do like Guy's expression, realizing he has his hands full.

I know, this is a whole arc. I shouldn't expect things to be the way I want ... let alone in a couple of months. But I was hoping that the trajectory we saw in the earlier issues ... the trek back to a S-shield Supergirl fighting villains on Earth ... was maintained.

Still, there is progress here. And I guess I should be happy about that.

Overall grade: B/B+

April 2014 Solicits

The times they are a-changin' in April with DC Comics making some pretty significant changes in their lineup. I usually don't cover the solicits the day after they come out ... but there was too much news to wait.

New titles coming out include Batman Eternal, Secret Origin, Aquman and the Others, Sinestro, and Justice League United. I will be getting JLU. But Secret Origins (if a monthly) will only be an occasional purchase for me. And I won't be getting Batman Eternal. And I doubt I'll get Future's End either.

But a half-dozen books are getting canceled: Superman Unchained, Suicide Squad, Nightwing, Stormwatch, Teen Titans, and Justice League of America. I am sad to hear about Unchained. I have enjoyed the last few months of Suicide Squad. But I have no attachment to the others. Hopefully the next Teen Titans book will be something more classic.

Bottom line, the slow erosion of DC titles I am getting continues. While I don't comment on it here, Aaron Kuder is taking over writing Superboy. That is interesting. But until I hear it isn't JLK being evil, I am staying away.

Here is CBR's list of all the solicits.

And here are the super-ones I'll be getting. Amazingly, this is a great month for Supergirl, at least given the tone of the solicits.

SUPERGIRL #30
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
In “Red Daughter of Krypton” part 2 of 3, the newest, most powerful Red Lantern finally meets her match! Worldkiller-1 is a cosmic menace from the darkest recesses of Kara’s past, and he will gladly destroy every one of her crimson teammates to get to her…

While the cancellations and new titles might be getting the widest coverage, this solicit is the one that grabbed me the most. At last we learn the length of the 'Red Daughter' storyline. Three issues!

Maybe it was always supposed to be three issues. We may never know if DC originally thought it would be longer. But if it was originally going to be more protracted, I would like to think that some of the backlash from this idea, some of it recorded here, made the powers that be rethink it.

Of course I could be reading this all wrong. "Red Daughter" might be the name of the first arc of Supergirl as a Red Lantern. Maybe I am being overly optimistic.

But the news of her latest Rogues Gallery addition was just as big for me. Supergirl fights World Killer #1. This is the first step in Tony Bedard's rehabilitation of Supergirl because this means Kara isn't World Killer #1, something hinted at before.

In the 'toot my own horn' section of this post, I will remind people that I guessed Kara would fight World Killer #1 here when I said " And an new villain with a connection to her roots. It better not be Alura! Maybe it is the last World Killer, absolving Kara of that tag!"

RED LANTERNS #30
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by ALESSANDRO VITTI
 
 Guy Gardner’s got a missing comrade, a red-ring-wielding Supergirl, and a deeply pissed-off Atrocitus to deal with! The last thing he needs is another new Red Lantern – especially when this one may be the deadliest Red to ever wear the ring! But whose side will this new Lantern join? And will Rankorr survive his close encounter with Atrocitus and Dex-Starr?

I am assuming that Supergirl's part in the Red Lantern book will end when Red Daughter ends. So maybe this is a short guest-starring stint. Of course the same caveat as above exists. If Red Daughter goes longer, she will be here longer. This solicit makes her sound like a background character in the book as opposed to a driving force.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #0
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by MIKE McKONE
1:50 Variant cover by MIKE McKONE
 
 Top comics writer Jeff Lemire teams with superstar artist Mike McKone for the all-new monthly series JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED, starring the new team of powerful heroes Earth calls Justice League Canada!
In the aftermath of FOREVER EVIL, Adam Strange is caught up in an adventure across the far reaches of the cosmos that will unite an unexpected team of heroes including Supergirl, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Stargirl, Martian Manhunter and Animal Man – but if they’re on the team, who exactly is Canadian? Plus: Don’t miss the debut of a new Canadian hero who will have a huge effect on the group!

I covered this comic earlier. But the fact that Supergirl is on the cover in her usual costume and not all Red Lantern-y makes me think that Red Daughter may, in fact, just be 3 months long. 

I like this team as it is a nice mix of legacy heroes, classic JLA heroes, and some Strange Adventurers. If anyone can tie all this together, it's Jeff Lemire. Lemire talks about the book being a mix of Earth-bound and cosmic storylines. I wonder if Kara will come on board in the second arc, giving time for the Red Lantern stuff to run its course.

And I love Mike McKone's work.

SECRET ORIGINS #1
Written by TONY BEDARD, KYLE HIGGINS and GREG PAK
Art by PAULO SIQUEIRA, WILL CONRAD and others
Cover by LEE BERMEJO
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
 
 At last, the SECRET ORIGINS of the World’s Greatest Heroes in The New 52 can be revealed! This new series gets off to an awesome start with the origins of The Last Son of Krypton and Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, plus the first Robin, Dick Grayson.

I am assuming this is a monthly book. As a younger reader, I really loved the post-Crisis Secret Origins book. I sampled the characters I liked or was interested in. I bought books by interesting creative teams. And it worked for a post-Crisis world where some origins were new or updated.

So maybe this will work in the New 52 universe where I have no idea, for example, about Stargirl's origin if Starman never existed. 

And this issue includes both Superman and Supergirl. So I am on board. So, in theory, Supergirl appears in 4 titles this month. Not bad for a Supergirl fan. I hope in the future DC limits the issues to 1 or 2 heroes. Shoving three in seems like too much.

ACTION COMICS #30
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
 
Following the events of FOREVER EVIL, Superman confronts Lex Luthor – but the world has turned around for these two. The hero has become the villain and the villain the hero as forces beyond these two gather to destroy the Man of Steel, beginning with a dormant Doomsday who has crossed over from the Phantom Zone!

You know, as much as the Supergirl news is great news, a cause of celebration, the Superman news is kind of depressing. Remember, this month Lex Luthor becomes the leader of the Justice League. So of course, Superman has to be hunted now.

And it is apparently Doomsday month. Remember that in the Doomsday villains month issue, we saw a mythic scene reminiscent of Death of Superman and Reign of the Superman storyling.

SUPERMAN #30
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by KEN LASHLEY
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
 
 Every man, woman and child in Smallville has suddenly fallen into a coma while the citizens of the Bottled City of Kandor begin to rise again. Meanwhile, Superman has his hands full as Doomsday cuts a swath of destruction through the heart of the earth itself!

So this isn't the cover as that is a Rocafort picture and this states Andy Kubert is the artist.

I keep forgetting that Kandor is around and in stasis. I shouldn't forget given I love Morrison's run on this book. 

And we still have Lobdell on the book. We did hear that a new all star team with JRJR was coming. Guess not this month.

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #9
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and wraparound cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
This is it – the extraordinary finale of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee’s Superman saga, surrounded by an epic wraparound cover! It’s a battle in the sun as Superman and Wraith accept their destinies…and Lex Luthor pulls the trigger on his ultimate weapon!

In more bad news, Superman Unchained is ending as a title! This is the final issue of this storyline.

I am sad about this. I really enjoyed this book.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #10
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
 
Following the events of FIRST CONTACT, witness the last days of Batman and Superman of Earth 2 from a new perspective.

We have seen their 'deaths' in Earth 2. We saw them in action earlier in this title. Now we get to see those last moments again. Given the First Contact reference, I am hoping we see some Supergirl and Robin.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #7
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by PAULO SIQUEIRA
 
 Doomsday has awakened and the Earth and heavens tremble! And discover how Superman and Wonder Woman survived a nuclear blast!

I don't even know if I am going to be around for this title at this time. But again we hear Doomsday is around.

While I don't mind Paulo Siqueira on art, I don't like this cover with a skeletal Superman. A bit too much like the nuked Superman in The Dark Knight Returns for my blood.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: LANTERN #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by CAT STAGGS
 
 The Green Lantern ring for space sector 2813 was inactive for years after Krypton’s end, until the creation of the Argo colony recalled it to service. As none of Zod’s followers are suitable candidates, the ring’s search brings it to the nearest Kryptonian it can recruit! SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 continues in “Lantern” part 1 of 4!

Now this is a great solicit. I am pretty interested in the concept of this arc. We have seen Superman don the GL ring now and then but this sounds a little more permanent, at least 4 issues worth. So Kudos to Bryan Q. Miller for keeping this 'season' moving forward. 

But hearing Marcio Takara is on art is an added treat. Seeing his commissions on line makes me hope I'll run into him at a convention. And his Supergirl is so spectacular I hope she at least has a cameo in this arc.

And lastly, great cover by Cat Staggs.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #12
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by AGUSTIN PADILLA
Cover by ED BENES
 
 Superman has always stood for “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” but when a new vigilante known as the Demolisher starts cleaning up the streets of Metropolis in a way that Superman never could, the Man of Steel wonders if this new brand of hero is what his city truly needs.

Sounds a bit too much like 'What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way'. I mean, it really does. Hopefully Milligan can put a spin on it.

WORLDS’ FINEST #22
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by R.B. SILVA and JOE WEEMS
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
 
 Following their team-up with Batman and Superman, Power Girl and Huntress have some difficult choices ahead. What’s next for the Worlds’ Finest...and what world will they choose?

And now this little gem. Could this be the issue where Power Girl and Huntress head back to Earth 2? We heard there would be a new creative team on this book. Maybe this is the last issue before 'a bold new direction'!!

I do think this book could thrive with the heroes back on their home Earth.

So overall a very interesting month of solicits. Red Daughter is only 3 issues. Kara isn't the World Killer.  Kara on a Justice League. Kara in Secret Origin. It's all good!