April 2018 Sales Review

The sales numbers for April 2018 came out a couple of weeks ago and the numbers were a little bit surprising. This was the last month for a number of the super-titles. Action Comics #1000 was released. It basically is the beginning of the Bendis era.

So what did that mean for sales. Well, as always, you can head over to ICv2 for the actual sales figures. Here is a link: https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/40338/top-500-comics-april-2018

I had this post written before recent news in which I ranted about how sales this good shouldn't warrant cancellation. So with recent solicits, I needed to come back and edit.

So first up, Supergirl #20, the last issue of this volume of Supergirl.

This was known to be the last issue for some time. Usually sales plummet when a title is announced as canceled and readers jump ship. No one likes a lame duck.

This was the closing out of the renegade DEO storyline. And writers Steve Orlando and Jody Houser needed to sprint to the end to wrap things up (as well as introducing us to the Viking Judge).

So how did this last issue sell?

Review: Supergirl #20

Supergirl #20 came out this week, the last issue of this volume of the title, the last issue of the Rebirth era, the last issue for writer Steve Orlando who has been here since the beginning.

It is painful to write that.

I have written too many times on this site that DC seems to pull the plug on Supergirl titles just when they are cresting creatively. And that is so true here. Since the end of the Phantom Zone storyline, Orlando and current co-writer Jody Houser have really tightened up this book, bringing us a fantastic Kara who is trying to improve the world around her, helping people while she learns about Earth. And artists Robson Rocha and Dan Henriques have brought such compelling and gorgeous art. Everything was working, the book was selling well with Artgerm variants; DC cancels.

But I am not here to curse the darkness. I am here to light a candle.

This is a wonderful ending issue, doing what last issues should do. It wraps up the ongoing DEO storyline very quickly; it has to. It puts the character in a very good place for whatever comes after. And it shows utter respect to the character.

But there are plenty of things not finished. Things I would have loved to read. There had to be more planned for Ben Rubel. There had to be more for Belinda Zee. There had to be more for the Danvers. We hadn't seen Cat Grant in months. Those are all threads that probably won't be seen again. Much like the unwritten threads for Sterling Gates and K. Perkins/Mike Johnson, or the ninth grade with Landry Walker and Eric Jones, I will always wonder what could have been.

I can honestly say that this has been a wonderful run for Supergirl. I wish there was more time. On to this book.

Artgerm Supergirl #20 Variant

I have been pretty impressed with the variant covers that Artgerm has been producing for the ongoing Supergirl title. While it is abundantly clear that Artgerm is a 'good girl' artist, the pieces are so beautiful I can forgive if they occasionally veer to cheesecake.

And in particular, I have loved his more recent covers showcasing the different costumes the Supergirl character has worn over the years. I spotlighted the 70's hot pants cover for Supergirl #18  here. And didn't share the equally gorgeous 'white shirt' costume cover he is putting on Supergirl #19.

But when this variant for Supergirl #20 was out on the internet late last week I had to show.

People who have been coming to this blog for a while know that the belly shirt costume designed by Michael Turner is, without a doubt, my least favorite costume for Supergirl. In particular, when it was taken to it's extremes, growing ever tinier, I cringed.

But there is something about this cover that made me smile. So I want to tip my hat to Artgerm for honoring Michael Turner here. Because this pose by Kara is pure Turner.

April 2018 Solicits

The DC solicits for April came out and there was one big surprise that has me smiling. Otherwise, we are pretty much in a stable mode for the super-books. Here is the link:
https://www.newsarama.com/38272-dc-comics-april-2018-solicitations.html

And I am pretty happy with the solicit information which means April will be a nice month!

On to the books.

SUPERGIRL #20 
Written by STEVE ORLANDO and JODY HOUSER
Art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
Supergirl must fight both Mokkari and the out-of-dimension Viking Judge to save Director Bones from the fury of the Viking’s magical ax! Meanwhile, with Director Bones out of the picture, Cameron Chase and Lar-On must break into the D.E.O. to save Veritas before the clock counts down to zero and the psycho-redactor erases her memories forever! 

Sounds like an action packed issue. I like that Supergirl is out to save Director Bones. After all, he has been her nemesis since he joined the book. I don't know about the Viking Judge, so we'll see about that. And I am glad that Lar-On is still around!

Also, that Robson cover is all sorts of beautiful. Love the action, love the cast in the background.

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #37
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art and cover by DARIO BRIZUELA
Supergirl may be as invulnerable as her cousin, but even bulletproof skin can’t help her when she’s haunted by the ghosts of Krypton! Is it a hoax? A message from the Phantom Zone? It’s up to Scooby and the gang to find out…assuming that Scooby and Streaky the Super-Cat can set aside their cat-and-dog rivalry!

Here is the big surprise! I have loved Scooby-Doo Team-Up. I love Sholly Fisch. And you know I love Streaky! So this already makes me smile. But I wonder of the 'ghosts from Krypton' might be a take on Zor-El and Alura in the Survival Zone! Now that would be awesome!

ACTION COMICS #1000 
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Stories and art by an all-star lineup of top talent Retailers: This issue will ship with ten covers. Please see the order form for details. Celebrate 1000 issues of Action Comics with an all-star lineup of top talent as they pay tribute to the comic that started it all! From today’s explosive action to a previously unpublished tale illustrated by the legendary Curt Swan to the Man of Tomorrow’s future—this very special, oversized issue presents the best of the best in Superman stories!
FEATURING ALL-NEW ART AND STORIES BY:
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
JOHN CASSADAY
OLIVIER COIPEL
PAUL DINI
JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ
PATRICK GLEASON
BUTCH GUICE
GEOFF JOHNS
DAN JURGENS
TOM KING
JIM LEE
CLAY MANN
BRAD MELTZER
JERRY ORDWAY
TIM SALE
LOUISE SIMONSON
SCOTT SNYDER
CURT SWAN
PETER J. TOMASI
MARV WOLFMAN ...AND MORE!

DECADES-SPANNING OPEN-TO-ORDER VARIANT COVERS BY:
• STEVE RUDE (1930s)
• MICHAEL CHO (1940s)
• DAVE GIBBONS (1950s)
• MICHAEL ALLRED (1960s)
• JIM STERANKO (1970s)
• JOSHUA MIDDLETON (1980s)
• DAN JURGENS (1990s)
• LEE BERMEJO (2000s) ..PLUS A BLANK VARIANT COVER!

Now that is one long solicit. Those are a lot of creators. And a lot of covers!
I suppose the big news is Brian Michael Bendis now working for DC. I guess the historic news is a 'new' Curt Swan story. And let's not bury the lede ... it's Action #1000!

I'll be there despite the $7.99 price tag.

SUPERMAN #44
Written by PATRICK GLEASON and PETER J. TOMASI
• Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON
• Variant cover by JONBOY MEYERS
Gathered together from the cosmic recesses of the universe are the most powerful forces of bad ever assembled! Now the Super Foes face the Legion of Fun—and the only heroes who dare to stand against this intergalactic threat of the Bizarroverse are Superman and son! 

SUPERMAN #45 
Written by PATRICK GLEASON and PETER J. TOMASI
• Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON
• Variant cover by JONBOY MEYERS
“BOYZARRO RE-DEATH” finale! The challenge of the Bizarroverse continues as the Super Foes battle the Legion of Fun! As Superman and Son return to Hamilton for a quick recharge, they learn what the little town truly meant to them—and what they meant to the locals of the town.

How fantastic is that cover. A Bizarro Luthor with flowing locks? Brainiac with a dunce cap? Riddler with an exclamation mark? So much fun. And the classic 'two sides flying into a fight' is great too.

I'm totally ready for this arc. It looks like it will be an absolute hoot!

SUPER SONS #15 
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by CARLO BARBERI and ART THIBERT
Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“End of innocence” part one! Robin and Superboy have been to hell and back again, but this time their friendship must stand the ultimate test: the Amazo Project! Kid Amazo returns as the pieces of this deadly plan fall into place and reveal a secret that might tear apart Damian and Jon’s growing friendship.

I'm happy to see Carlo Barberi on art for the issue. We have seen the sons growing closer each issue. So this constant theme of them being 'torn apart' might grow old. We'll have to see how it is all handled.

NEW SUPER-MAN AND THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #22 
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
• Art by BRENT PEEPLES and MATT SANTORELLI
• Cover by PHILIP TAN
• Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
“SEAS OF CHANGE” part three! The saga of the Aqua-Man of North Korea crashes to a close! As the Justice League of China heads off an international incident on their shores, our heroes discover that sometimes villainy is only a matter of perspective—and reasoning with North Korea’s most menacing metahuman and his marine militia may be the only hope both countries have of survival!

I am very intrigued to see how this all plays out. This is the first arc with the JLC title. How long will this book have to stabilize or improve sales. Will it have one arc? Will we have the 'Final Issue' mark on the final part of this story?

SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER TP 
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
• Art and cover by JOELLE JONES
Kara Danvers isn’t any different than any other teenager in her hometown. Problems with school. Problems with boys. Problems with friends. But while growing pains shake up Kara’s world, a series of earth-shaking events hits her hometown, leaving her with with the choice of blending in with the crowd or being different. Being an outcast. Being super. This reimagining of Supergirl will appeal to fans of all ages and readers new and old, as the Girl of Steel flies face-first into the struggles that every teenager faces. Collects SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER #1-4.

I am glad this is being collected. I was worried that no trade really meant the book didn't sell any where near what DC wanted. The book never really clicked with me. I don't think I'll purchase the trade. But people should ... even if it is just for the lush Joelle Jones art.

So not a bad month.

Who's ready for the Scooby Doo book!