Captain America 600 goes to second printing
Marvel has announced that the much-hyped Captain America #600 has sold out at the distributor level. (Copies may still be available at retail.) Marvel will go back to press on the book, with a release date of July 15.
Judging from a Thursday sellout report, moving the release date to Monday was a gamble that paid off at least for Marvel. There have been mixed reports at retail, but the book looks to have performed to Marvel’s expectations, anyway. Marvel quotes large New York operations Midtown Comics and Jim Hanley’s Comics in the press release trumpeting the sellout, while the Robot 6 report quotes less excitement from San Francisco stores Isotope and Comic Relief. Could it be an East Coast vs. West Coast thing? My own conversation with Oklahoma stores indicated a reasonable amount of excitement about the news. Overall, I think “Captain America” #600 will be big with the existing Marvel Comics fanbase.
Craig Lopacinski, of Neptune Comics, praised Marvel’s attempt at creating a Monday buzz.
“People all day were excited and upbeat wondering what was in store for them when they read the issue,” Lopacinski said in the release. “A big thank you goes out to you and Marvel for making this possible. I know that thinking out of the box can be challenging in the selling of comic books, and not everyone is on board. However, it is nice to see a publisher try to make a historically slow sales day into a fun, and profitable one for us.”
David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice-President of Sales & Circulation, praised retailers for getting on board with the Monday release plan.
“Despite what might have been the largest overprint we’ve ever done for a book, copies sold out well before even the early on sale date,” Gabriel said in a release.
I assume that “largest overprint” means in recent history, in the direct market, as obviously books prior to the direct market system were overprinted much more heavily.
I think you have to call the Monday experiment a success for Marvel; was it a success for stores? It appears that at least some of the stores who participated received a significant boost. While the news of Steve Rogers’ planned return wasn’t earthshaking – and probably hyped the “Reborn” book more than “Captain America” #600 – it did catch quite a bit of attention. I don’t think anybody expected “Captain America” #25 numbers, but a quick sellout and healthy nationwide buzz are positive indicators for Marvel.
- Matt Price
Captain America Reborn trailer from Marvel
Marvel provides this snazzy trailer for the upcoming “Captain America Reborn” featuring Sharon Carter recapping what’s happened in Captain America, and hinting at what’s to come.
First look at Reborn
The Los Angeles Times has a first look at “Captain America Reborn,” shipping next month. Check it out here. My first thought is that it looks pretty similar to “Ultimates” #1 but given that it’s at least partially about the same character and time period, and by the same artist, Bryan Hitch, that’s not surprising. Overall, it looks good. Looking forward to checking out more of it. What do you think?
- Matt Price
Oklahomans react to return of Captain America
Oklahomans reacted positively to the planned return of the original Captain America, first hinted at in “Captain America” #600, released today, and confirmed by Marvel in a press release.
“Heroes don’t stay dead,” said Eric Neal, an owner of Second Chance Books and Comics in Warr Acres. “I’m sure people will like having him back.”
Bart Bush, of Atomik Pop in Norman, agreed.
“I think it’s just wonderful,” he said. “I’m glad to see him back.”
Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, was killed in the March 2007 issue of “Captain America.” The character first appeared in 1941 and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Bush said he felt comic-book fans were ready for the return of Rogers.
“More people were upset about him not being Captain America than anything I’ve seen of late,” Bush said. “We knew this was going to happen with the movie coming up.”
Marvel released “Captain America” #600 on Monday, two days ahead of the regular comic-book release date. In the issue, Captain America’s former girlfriend Sharon Carter says there’s a chance to save the original Captain America.
Neal said he thought how fans ultimately felt about Rogers’ return would depend on the quality of the “Captain America Reborn,” the five-issue miniseries beginning next month that would contain the return of Captain America.
“It depends on how well it’s done,” Neal said. “(Fans) always like their favorites to come back, but they want it done in a way that’s interesting and believable.”
Bush said he thought longtime fans, in particular, would rejoice over Rogers’ return.
“I think it’s good sales-wise and story-wise,” he said.
- Matt Price
Joe Quesada variant cover to Captain America Reborn
The Captain America news keeps coming from Marvel, who have now revealed the Joe Quesada variant for “Captain America Reborn” #1. “Captain America Reborn” is by the creative team of Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch.
- Matt Price
Original Captain America to return
According to the New York Daily News, the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, will return in a comic-book series later this year.
Captain America was killed in “Captain America” No. 25 in 2007. His former partner, Bucky, has taken on the role of Cap. The original will return in a five-part miniseries next month, “Captain America Reborn.” “Reborn” will be written by “Captain America” writer Ed Brubaker and drawn by “Ultimates” artist Bryan Hitch.
Death is rarely permanent in comic books, and with a big-budget Captain America motion picture on the way, the return of the original was perhaps inevitable.
Brubaker, editor Tom Brevoort, and editor-in-chief Joe Quesada discuss the motivations for the return at Marvel.com.
“‘Reborn’ is the next chapter in the larger story that I’ve been building in [CAPTAIN AMERICA] since issue #1,” said Brubaker, who began writing ‘Captain America’ with the 2004 launch of the most recent volume. “This is a chance to really explore how things have changed in the years since Steve’s death and really delve deep into who Steve Rogers is and why he became Captain America. It’s a really a [story] with two or three different plotlines that all intertwine, which is a lot of fun and allows us to have [both] in-your-face action and quiet character moments.”
- Matt Price
Epic flashback: Jason Latour’s Invaders pitch
Artist Jason Latour (”The Expatriate”) shares a look at his pitch for “The Invaders” for the 2003 Epic revival at Marvel at his livejournal.
Events conspired against this pitch being published, but Latour says he’s “a sucker for WWII Captain America.” Count me as interested in seeing more! Latour also shares a recent WWII Cap drawing in the same post.
- Matt Price
Captain America 600 preview
Comic book fans still await news on “Captain America” #600, which Marvel is releasing on Monday, June 15, two days ahead of typical comic-book release day.
While whatever the big news that’s expected to be announced along with the release of Captain America #600 remains secret, Marvel Comics has released these preview pages from the issue to whet appetites even further.
Kyle Baker art stokes Captain America speculation
This Kyle Baker art, which appears to be of Isaiah Bradley, from Baker’s Web site (and found via The Beat) is increasing speculation about the upcoming “Captain America” 600 and “Reborn.” Marvel has moved the release date for “Captain America” 600 up to Monday, June 15, from the typical Wednesday release.
Marvel has changed the final order cutoff for the “Reborn” series to after June 15, allowing retailers to see “Captain America” #600 before placing their final orders for “Reborn.” “Reborn” is by “Captain America” writer Ed Brubaker and “Ultimates” artist Bryan Hitch, and Marvel has indicated a major story will be released on the 15th about “Reborn.” Could it involve a black Captain America? Isaiah Bradley was an earlier test subject of “Project: Rebirth,” the World War II-era project that created Captain America. His story is recounted in “Truth: Red, White and Black,” by Robert Morales and Kyle Baker.
Other speculations about “Reborn” have included the possible return of Steve Rogers, the original Captain America; a crossover with the “Heroes Reborn” universe; or something tied in with a “Captain America” movie announcement. We’ll probably have to wait until June 15 to find out for sure.
– Matt Price
Click past the cut for images, including a preview of “Captain America” #600
NewsOK Comics Podcast: Supergirl 41, Captain America 50, Wolverine Weapon X 2 and Batman Battle for the Cowl 3
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review some of this week’s comics, including Supergirl 41, Wolverine: Weapon X 2, Batman Battle for the Cowl 3 and Captain America 50.
Below, see an image gallery from “Wolverine: Weapon X” 2, written by Jason Aaron with art by Ron Garney.
