Comic Book Resources and others are reporting the death of classic comics artist John Severin.  The Marvel and EC artist, known for titles including “Two-Fisted Tales” and “The Incredible Hulk” was 90.  Severin was also a major contributor to “Cracked” and “MAD.”

Comics professionals responded to the news on Twitter.

“It was one of the highlights of my career to write pages he drew in Iron Fist,” wrote Ed Brubaker. “He was still great, still working, at 90.”

Artist Tony Moore related his childhood memories of Severin, and encouraged everyone to read the artist’s work on EC and MAD.

“Severin was one of my earliest favorites, picking up his stuff in Cracked as a kid,” wrote Tony Moore. “I’m so close to his work, i feel like i’ve lost family.”

“Astronaut Dad” artist Brent Schoonover also shared his reaction.

“RIP John Severin.  I’ll always have a stack of MAD magazines that you worked on and made me laugh like crazy,” Schoonover wrote.

A statement from the family has been released at The Beat.

- Matt Price

Writer/artist Terry Moore and managing editor Robyn Moore discuss "Rachel Rising" and other books from Abstract Studio at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in Dallas.

DALLAS — The ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting for 2012 has closed, and many attendees touched on the importance of stability.   After the tumult of the past few years, retailers seem to be refocused on improving their stores and maintaining profitability.   While some stores are looking at expansion, it seemed that the plans for some publishers’ lines were becoming tighter and more focused.

Consistency was seen as key to success; Terry Moore attributed much of his success in “Strangers in Paradise,” “Echo” and “Rachel Rising” to putting out a comic every six weeks on a consistent schedule.  The gathered retailers were extremely receptive to Moore and excited to continue working with him.

Among the reasons retailers believe the DC “New 52″ has been such a success is the consistent shipping schedule.  DC announced the vast majority of the books shipped on time, with only two slipping from their planned date (including the most recent and an upcoming issue of “Justice League”).   Those could have shipped on time, but would have involved shipping part of the story arc out of order, and it was determined by DC that pushing the books a week each would be less harmful to sales.

Image’s Eric Stephenson gave a great speech celebrating creativity and independence.

“Creativity starts with people,” Stephenson said.  “The reckless spirits who can’t stand still, the fearless minds who refuse to play it safe.  At Image Comics, we believe in creative people.  For 20 years, we’ve made a home for them. A place where they can be creative – on their own terms.”

He said Image’s safe harbor for creativity on its own terms should resonate with the direct market, where each independent store celebrates creativity on its own terms as well.

Diamond Comics reported that the direct market was up overall 1.8 percent in 2011, and 1.2 percent in the comics category.

The event was again incredibly well-run and organized; kudos to the ComicsPRO board of directors and executive director Amanda Emmert.

Short takes

- DC plans to work with retailers to market “Before Watchmen” using some of the same tools that were used with great success on “The New 52.”

- Dynamite plans an extensive sales push for “The Shadow,” including hand-drawn variants by Jae Lee (1:200) and Alex Ross (1:250).

- Avatar plans to market “C-Day” on March 14, with a reissue of “Crossed” #0 called “Get Infected.”

- DC’s Vertigo plans a free preview comic of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” graphic novel, which should be in stores in time for Free Comic Book Day.  The graphic novel will go on sale in April 2012.

- Image’s recent string of successes could very well continue in the upcoming “Glory” and “Hell, Yeah” from Joe Keatinge.   Pages from Brian K. Vaughan also looked very impressive.

- Distributor Baker and Taylor will continue its web hosting program and is rolling out an additional stocking program for ComicsPRO members.

- Boom! Studios again entertained retailers after-hours in the Boom! RV, and showed retailers art from its upcoming “Fanboys vs. Zombies” at its Saturday breakfast presentation.

- Diamond reported that the number of Free Comic Book Day comics ordered has increased in 2012, from 2.77 million in 2011 to 3.34 million so far in 2012 (with some time still available for advance reorders).

- Valiant Comics has extensive marketing plans for “X-O Manowar” No. 1, including what looks like a very cool and interactive store poster using a QR code.

- Marvel was pleased with the response for the “Avengers vs. X-Men” parties and reiterated that comic will have huge interest to Marvel fans.

- Papercutz reported that the “Ninjago” LEGO tie-in graphic novels have more than 200,000 copies in print and have been a huge phenomenon for the publisher.

- IDW reported that 2011 showed the largest sales in the company’s history. Upcoming for the publisher include a second “Rocketeer Adventures” anthology and a Steve Niles/Bernie Wrightson “Frankenstein” project.   IDW also plans an upscale Artists Edition of “Daredevil: Born Again.”

- First Second showed a copy of its upcoming “Baby’s In Black” graphic novel, which tells the story of Stu Sutcliffe and the Beatles.

- Graphitti plans an Animal Man shirt that will tie directly into the comic book, as one of the characters is wearing the shirt in an upcoming issue.

- Bonfire Agency continues to develop possible plans for retailers and national brands to interact.

- Studio 407 showed previews of its upcoming projects, including “Heroes Unlimited,” the first issue of which is slated to cost just $1.

- BioWorld showed retailers upcoming products and designs in apparel and accessories, including a TMNT backpack.

- Archaia showed off previews of its impressive hardcover line and talked about the upcoming Archaia FCBD hardcover edition.   This edition is Archaia’s highest-ever ordered FCBD comic.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images from the meeting.

DC's Bob Wayne at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in 2012, with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award. Photo by Annette Price, for The Oklahoman

DALLAS — Bob Wayne, DC Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Sales, was honored with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award in an afternoon ceremony.

The crowd of retailers, publishers and industry figures stood for an extended standing ovation as Wayne was named the recipient of the award, which is intended to honor those who help bring comic books to market.

“I would venture to say that no one in this room knows more about comics or the comics industry than Bob Wayne,” said ComicsPRO president Joe Field in his introduction of Wayne.   Given that executives from most of the larger comics publishers and more than 100 comic retail operations were in the room, that’s a nice compliment.

“With his 25 years at DC Comics, now DC Entertainment, we’ve seen tremendous things happen, in large part because of what Bob Wayne’s been instrumental in making happen for us,” Field said.

The other nominees for the award were Cindy Fournier of Diamond; David Gabriel of Marvel; Robert Kirkman of Image and Eric Stephenson of Image.

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award was awarded to the late Phil Seuling, who founded the direct-market method of comic-book sales.  Bill Schanes of Diamond Comics Distributors, a former customer of Seuling, accepted the award on his behalf.  Julius Schwartz of DC Comics was the other nominee in this category.

Wayne was classy, funny and at times emotional in his acceptance of the award, which is voted on by the comic book retailers who are members of ComicsPRO, the national comics retail organization.

“I’d like to thank all of the members of ComicsPRO for your continued support,” Wayne said in accepting the award. “Many of you are friends, and, I think, extended family.”

Wayne graciously thanked his bosses and co-workers through his years at DC.

He recounted his years in the industry, including starting to sell comics in 1973 at comic-book conventions.

“Yes, I know that was before some of you were born,” he said. “There’s no need to come up later and point that out to me.”

Wayne opened a comic-book store in 1980, which he ran for seven years.   He joined DC Comics in August of 1987.

“The people who placed bets 25 years ago as to how many weeks or months I’d last in corporate America … no one asked me for odds.”

In closing, Wayne gave recognition to a special family member.

“When you work in a comic shop, when you work in comics, you hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, they still make comics?  My mother threw mine out.’  And my mother did not throw mine out.”

- Matt Price

Tony Moore, the original artist of “The Walking Dead,” has filed a lawsuit against the writer, Robert Kirkman.  The two were behind what’s one of the biggest comic-book success stories of the past decade, but now find themselves on opposite sides of this lawsuit, THR reports.

Moore drew the first six issues of “The Walking Dead” before leaving and being replaced by Charlie Adlard.

Moore claims he’s owed money from “The Walking Dead.”  Kirkman’s attorney says the suit is frivolous.   The Beat has the court documents posted and more information is in the link.

“The Walking Dead” TV series on AMC, based on the comics, is currently one of cable’s top-rated series.

- Matt Price

Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.

DALLAS — Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson gave the keynote address at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting this morning, speaking to the history and possible future of comics.

“For the comics industry, changes have been a constant and necessary partner,” Richardson said, tracing the medium’s early beginnings, to the success of Superman, to the censorship of the 1950s and the efforts of Frederic Wertham.

“The comic book industry essentially muzzled itself,” he said.

Comics came back in the 1960s, but the low cover prices eventually found comics being forced out at newsstands and retail stores.   Phil Seuling’s establishment of the direct comics market saved comics, Richardson said, and directly allowed companies like Dark Horse to exist.

The Dark Horse publisher recounted his origins in comics as a retailer, leaving a good job as a commercial artist to start a comic book store, a choice that led to an intervention from several of his friends.  After a few hours, he eventually told them he’d give up his comic-book dreams — but of course, he did not.

His plans to start a comic shop came from his own difficulties buying comics, having to stake out gas stations and try to avoid being judged by other patrons.

“It came to me that there might be a better way to sell comics,” he said.

Once he started his store, he not only saw the kids, teens and young adults he expected, but also plenty of adults, he said.

“All they needed was a destination — a place to go talk comics.”

That can’t completely be replaced digitally, Richardson said, but he sees a huge opportunity to grow the comics market through a digital strategy.

“Comics specialty stores are our lifeblood,” he said. “The last thing I would want to do is harm that market.”

Richardson cited a study that there could be 1 billion tablet computers in circulation in 2016.

“Would 1 percent of tablet readers download a comic?” Richardson asked.  That could be as many as 10 million people.  If 10 percent of those samplers sought out a comic book store, that could double the size of the existing comic book market, Richardson estimates.

“If we want to grow our industry, we need to take some chances,” Richardson said.

One of those chances that need to be taken is publishing a wider variety of comics, Richardson said.

“Publishers need to create new titles that will stand the test of time,” he said.

Going forward, Richardson said the direct market will be a key market for keeping comics vibrant.

“It was you who allowed comics to flourish when the bookstores were not interested,” he said.  He said the few thousand direct-market retailers, in a market created to solve a particular problem, have become the engine through which future market problems can be solved.

“I came to listen to what you have to say,” Richardson said.

He said he moved into comics as a career out of love, and that he loves reading, making and selling them.  And he closed by holding up a recent Dark Horse comic.

“And I love to hold them,” he said.

- Matt Price

DALLAS — DC Entertainment executives at the annual ComicsPRO meeting spoke of wanting to maintain momentum from The New 52 relaunch in 2012, as those products are released in graphic novel format. The publisher also plans for big things in 2012 from the “Watchmen” prequel and graphic novels tied to the release of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The publisher will release six new titles as part of the “Second Wave” of The New 52, replacing six cancelled titles. Four of those titles will be released on 5/2/2012, which is a tie-in of sorts to the “52″ number.

The Free Comic Book Day 2012 book from DC will include new content tied to the New 52, including a four-page spread by Jim Lee, which was shown briefly onscreen at the meeting.

DC’s Bob Wayne said he expected “Batman, Incorporated” to be the biggest launch of the second wave, but heaped praise on another title, “Dial H,” written by novelist China Miéville.

“What I said was, it was the best proposal I had seen since Neil’s proposal for ‘Sandman,’” Wayne said, referring to the best-selling comic-book series from Neil Gaiman.

DC showed a list of quotes related to the “Before Watchmen” announcement, including Alan Moore’s statement that the idea was “completely shameless.”   DC execs said the announcement was covered across a wide swath of media.

John Cunningham of DC said the publisher had an extensive marketing plan for the “Before Watchmen” titles.

“Our goal is to build the interest in order to get people in the stores on day one,” he said.

“Before Watchmen” will also have tie-in DC Direct merchandise, including 9” resin statues of the Comedian and Rorschach.

“The Dark Knight Rises,” the last film in Christopher Nolan’s Bat-trilogy, is set for summer release, and DC’s Bob Wayne reminded retailers to be sure to have related Batman graphic novels in stock, including the new printing of “The Long Halloween,” which has a Nolan quote on the cover.

Wayne also encouraged retailers to check out the upcoming “Batman vs. Bane” graphic novel and the repackaging of the “Knightfall” trades for readers interested in Bane.  He also suggested the upcoming Chip Kidd “Death by Design” and the Geoff Johns-Gary Frank “Batman: Earth One” as good tie-ins for the summer of “Dark Knight Rises.”

- Matt Price

Kyle Roberts talks to Matt Price from the ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas. Expected topics of discussion include the Image Comics resurgence, including “Thief of Thieves”; the new Smallville comic book series; and the Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men comics.

The world of the TV series “Smallville” will continue in a comic-book series from DC Comics, it was announced today.

The series, which focused on the adventures of a young Clark Kent as he learned how to deal with his origins and amazing powers, ended after 10 seasons.  It starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent.  At series’ end, Kent had donned a Superman costume and become the familiar Man of Steel.  That story will now be picked up in a new comic-book series.

According to DC Comics’ Source blog, the series will be written by former Smallville show scribe Bryan Q. Miller. The series will hit digital first, with an April 13 release, with new chapters weekly.

The online chapters will be offered in a print periodical, along with an episode guide to TV series.  The first print issue is set for a May 16 release.

“Six months after Clark Kent donned the cape and took to the skies to save Earth from Apokolips… enter Season 11!” Miller told the Source.  “New allies abound!  New enemies afoot!  And old friends return where they’re least expected!  Pere and colorist Chris Beckett have done a fantastic job of capturing the look of the show and the players, and Gary and Cat are knocking it out of the park on covers. I couldn’t be more excited to help give seasoned viewers and new readers an all-access pass to Clark’s first year in the cape.”

- Matt Price

DALLAS — How will the rest of the comics market strike back?

That was one of the questions being asked around tables and in small groups at an informal meet-and-greet prior to the kickoff of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting.

Since last year’s ComicsPRO meeting, DC Comics has shaken up the sales charts with its Sept. 2011 relaunch.  In January, 5 months into the relaunch, DC Comics claimed all 10 of the top 10 comics in Diamond Comic Distributors monthly sales charts.

Because the comics market is often reactive, some retailers at the meeting openly wondered how DC’s competition might react to DC’s 2011 moves.

In early 2012, one company already seems to be shaking things up: Image Comics.  Retailers reported very strong sales for the Image title “Fatale” and also for “Thief of Thieves,” released in comic shops today.

“Thief of Thieves” is co-written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer.   Kirkman is the co-creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series, which has had great success adapted for television on AMC.  Some have suggested there’s a “Walking Dead” spillover effect that’s helping the entire Image line, especially those properties tied to Kirkman.

There was also talk about Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers vs. X-Men” promotion, and the promotional idea allowing stores to sign up as supporting the Avengers or the X-Men.

At last year’s preview night, stores said some of the major problems facing the market were generating excitement, late-shipping books, and the still-lagging economy.  This year, many of those problems have been addressed.  While the economy overall is still recovering, DC’s relaunch helped generate excitement and prove that a major publisher could stick to a largely on-time schedule.    Retailers remain interested in DC’s upcoming plans, including those about DC Comics’ just-announced “Before Watchmen” program. Many retailers are curious about how the series will be marketed in comic-book stores.

Thursday at the meeting will be a day of programming from DC Comics; other sponsors will share their programming on Friday and Saturday, in addition to retail-focused discussion and programming.   The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will hold the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at 9 p.m. Friday.

With even more stores expected to attend the meeting than last year, it’s up to the gathered sponsors to get these decision-makers on board with their upcoming projects.  With many stores feeling on firmer footing than in 2011, they’re actively looking for the new product or title that will get more people in the door and their money in the register.

- Matt Price

Marvel has released a preview of April’s “Avengers vs. X-Men,” written by an all-star cast of Marvel writers with art by John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel.

Here’s how Marvel describes the series, which goes on sale April 3.

This April, prepare for the biggest super hero war in comics history as Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Avengers Vs. X-Men #1! From the powerhouse creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel comes a groundbreaking event pitting Earth’s Mightiest against the X-Men with the entire Marvel Universe at stake. Cyclops and his team believe the arrival of the Phoenix Force will save mutantkind, but Captain America is convinced it will destroy the world! But who is right? Don’t miss out on all the action in Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app this April!

This 12-issue series will feature many of Marvel’s most popular characters, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Magneto.

Click past the cut for the full 7-page preview!

- Matt Price

Watchmen prequels, X-Men First Class sequel, and Avengers assemble this week on the comics podcast.

MORE ‘WATCHMEN’
DC Comics is returning to the world of its best-selling graphic novel, “Watchmen.”
The new prequels will fill out story elements occurring before the events of “Watchmen.”

“Before Watchmen” is an event with six mini-series — 35 total issues — that will serve as a prequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ story WATCHMEN.
Creators involved include original series editor Len Wein, as well as writer/artist Darwyn Cooke and writer J. Michael Straczynski.

QUESTION OF THE DAY
What do you think of the idea of the “Watchmen” prequels? Will you buy them? Are you excited?

X-MEN FIRST CLASS 2
Deadline reports that Fox has just closed a deal with Matthew Vaughn to come back and direct the sequel to X-Men: First Class; Bryan Singer will also be back as producer.

Most of the major characters are expected to return, including James MacAvoy as Professor X and Michael Fassbender as Magneto.

AVENGERS TEASER
Marvel will release a commercial for its “Avengers” film during the Super Bowl.
The film, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, is set for a May 4 release. It’s directed by Joss Whedon.

REVIEW FILE: Matt and Kyle review Winter Soldier #1, by Ed Brubaker, Butch Guice and Bettie Breitweiser; Fatale #2, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips; and Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes #4, by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman.

On the Planet 46 Comics show: Supermodel Miranda Kerr is Wonder Woman, “The Crow” reboot gets a director, and a Green Arrow show is on the way.

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the new DC Comics logo, Popeye making it back into comics, and an Amazing Spider-Man press conference in Tokyo on the Planet 46 Comics show.

Happy Groundhog Day and happy birthday to me — we celebrated by giving away a Lone Ranger cake at my store, Speeding Bullet Comics.   The second issue of Dynamite’s new “Lone Ranger” comic is out this week.

See previous comic-related cakes decorated by my wife, Annette Price, here and here.

- Matt Price

Congratulations to Image Comics on its 20th anniversary.  The company, formed Feb. 1, 1992, was a key part of my teenage comic-book reading, and is still a vibrant and exciting company many years after the skeptics assumed they’d be long-gone.  The company also should be commended for its work in promoting creator-owned comics.

- Matt Price

DC Comics’ much-rumored “major news” was announced today on DC Comics’ Source blog, as a series of prequels to the best-selling graphic novel “Watchmen” were announced.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee in a news release. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

“Before Watchmen” includes:

• RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

• MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

• COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

• DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

• NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

• OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

• SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

The series will be released weekly, with a back-up story in each issue from original series editor Len Wein, called “Curse of the Crimson Corsair.”  The art for this story will be by original series colorist John Higgins.

There will also be a final epilogue issue.

Dave Gibbons shared his thoughts at the Source blog.

“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.

Alan Moore, the writer of “Watchmen,” reacted about as may have been expected, to the New York Times:

“I tend to take this latest development as a kind of eager confirmation that they are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago.”

The reclusive Moore no longer deals with DC Comics and has largely sequestered himself from the industry, with the exception of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” graphic novels released through Top Shelf.

- Matt Price

Marvel has released a teaser for what it calls “the next big Spider-Man epic.”  Part one of  “Ends of the Earth” begins in Amazing Spider-Man #682, by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli.

Here’s how Marvel describes the issue:  The Sinister Six, led by the vengeful Doctor Octopus, is back and they’re looking for revenge! Can Spider-Man & Earth’s Mightiest save the world before Doc Ock’s explosive endgame is revealed?

“Amazing Spider-Man” #682 s set for a March 21 release.

- Matt Price

DC Comics’ Source blog has revealed Mike Choi’s variant cover for “The Flash” #6, on sale Feb. 22.

“’The Flash’ is one of my favorite books right now, so it was a real pleasure and honor to get the chance to work on a cover for the title,” Choi told The Source. “I’m good friends with both [series writers and artists] Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, whom I’ve known pretty much my entire career, my first professional gig being the follow-up to Francis’ run on WITCHBLADE for Top Cow, with Brian being my colorist on the book, so of course this was a title I was definitely rooting for. Hopefully I’ve done just a little bit to add something to their book and its run.”

As hinted at in this variant cover to issue #6, Captain Cold returns in issue #7 of “The Flash.”

- Matt Price

Meet some local comic-book creators and vote on your favorite “death” in a local arts event hosted by Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave. in Norman.

From the Speeding Bullet newsletter:

We’re issuing the ultimate challenge to Oklahoma comic creators … we’ll give you 20 minutes. Kill off a character right before our very eyes!

I’ll be attending the event as well, so stop by and say hello. (Full disclosure note – I am one of the owners of Speeding Bullet Comics.) I look forward to seeing what kinds of awesome comics are created!

- Matt Price

DC Comics’ revamp of its superhero line was a sales success, with titles from DC’s “The New 52” making up nine of the top 10 titles in the year-end sales list of the comic industry’s primary distributor.

Diamond Comics Distributors Inc. reported that “Justice League” No. 1 topped all comics sold in 2011.

Diamond does not release sales numbers, but DC Comics released sales numbers for three of its top titles to The Hollywood Reporter. Through mid-December, “Justice League” No. 1 sold 361,138 copies, “Batman” No. 1 sold 262,379 copies and “Action Comics” No. 1 sold 250,898 copies. Those comics rank 1, 2 and 3 on Diamond’s end-of-year sales report.

Marvel Comics, typically the industry’s top publisher, slipped behind DC in the months following DC’s revamp. Marvel’s top comic for 2011 was “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man” No. 160, which featured the death of Peter Parker in the “Ultimate” line of comic books. The Hollywood Reporter indicates that issue sold 159,355 copies, and Diamond’s rankings put it at No. 6.

The rest of the top 10 includes the second issues of “Justice League,” “Batman” and “Action Comics” at Nos. 4, 5 and 9. The first relaunched issues of “Green Lantern” and “Detective Comics” landed at Nos. 7 and 10. And the third issue of “Justice League” took the No. 8 slot.

Despite DC’s cluster at the top, the larger number of comics published by Marvel helped it remain the No. 1 publisher for the year from Diamond Comics.

While “Justice League” sales were undoubtedly good, they weren’t record-setting. “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 583, from 2009, which guest-starred President Barack Obama, was the best selling comic of the 2000s, with more than 500,000 sold. And all modern comics sales records pale in comparison to the off-the-charts numbers of the 1990s, when “X-Men” No. 1, drawn by “Justice League” artist Jim Lee, shipped more than 8 million copies in 1991.

‘Second Wave’

Not every “New 52” title was a hit; DC Comics has announced the cancellation of six of the titles to make room for six new titles in the “New 52” lineup.

“The excitement of the initial launch of ‘DC Comics — The New 52′ was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment editor-in-chief, in a news release. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

The “Second Wave” includes:

“Batman Incorporated.” Writer Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham update the stories of a globally franchised Batman.

“Earth 2.” The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth are the Justice Society of America in this series by writer James Robinson and artist Nicola Scott

“Worlds’ Finest.” Artists George Perez and Kevin Maguire will alternate arcs on this series by Paul Levitz, featuring the characters Huntress and Power Girl, who are trying to find their way back to Earth 2.

“Dial H.” Best-selling novelist China Mieville joins artist Mateus Santoluoco for a more psychological take on a classic DC property about an everyman who gains the powers of a hero.

“G.I. Combat.” A selection of war titles from DC will be updated in this new series, including “The War That Time Forgot,” “The Unknown Soldier” and “Haunted Tank.”

“The Ravagers.” The first “New 52” spinoff features four superpowered teens on the run in a series developed from elements in “Teen Titans” and “Superboy.” Writer Howard Mackie and artist Ian Churchill are the creative team.

The six new series are set to replace “Blackhawks,” “Hawk and Dove,” “Men of War,” “Mister Terrific,” “O.M.A.C.” and “Static Shock.” Those series will end with their eighth issues in April. The “Second Wave” will begin in May.

Top graphic novel

The top-selling graphic novel through Diamond Comic Distributors in 2011 was “The Walking Dead” Vol. 1. Six different volumes of Robert Kirkman’s survivalist horror series placed in the top 10.

Also ranking in the top 10 were new editions of “Fables,” and “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” as well as the Christmas carol tale “Batman: Noel” and the creator-owned “Morning Glories.”

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

X-O Manowar 1 cover by Esad Ribic.

Valiant Entertainment has announced the creative team for its first title, “X-O Manowar,” to be released on May 2.  The writer will be Rob Venditti (“The Surrogates”), and the artist is Cary Nord (“Conan”).

This is a solid announcement: both of these are talented, Eisner-nominated creators.   Comic Book Resources has an interview with Venditti and editor Warren Simons.

“X-O Manowar” will be a reboot, but follow the basic concept of the original series: a barbarian who receives a scientifically advanced suit of armor.

- Matt Price

Larry Latham writes that the 1970s' "The Shadow" was a high point for the character in comics.

I asked writer/artist/director/pulp expert Larry Latham for his take on the news of the revival of “The Shadow,” and what he sent me was so interesting and informative, I’m sharing it all here for Nerdage readers!  You can follow Larry’s excellent web comic and his well-researched posts on pulps, mysteries, comics and more at www.lovecraftismissing.com.  “Lovecraft is Missing” is set in 1926. It follows three strangers who are drawn into a web of horror when a little known pulp author, H.P. Lovecraft, mysteriously vanishes.  Now, on to “The Shadow”:  

It’s always fun when someone tries to revive one of the iconic hero characters like The Shadow; fun, at least, until you have the book in your hands and find that, once again, the concept just doesn’t quite work. The Shadow is one of those characters, and a number of truly talented creators have taken their shots with him, both in film and comics, but the track record isn’t good.

The Shadow started as the host of a radio show, Street & Smith’s Detective Story Hour. At first, the character did no more than introduce each weeks story, much as Raymond performed the same honors on Inner Sanctum and Uncle Creepy, Cain, The Crypt-Keeper, Vault Keeper, Old Witch and dozens of other hosts did in their respective books. The Shadow’s eerie laugh and the famous tage line, “Who knows what eveil lurks in the hearts of men?,” proved more popular than expected. Several two reel Detective Story short films put the character on the screen for the first time, and in 1931, to capitalize on the character’s popularity and protect their creation, Street & Smith introduced The Shadow magazine, dated April 1, the first of the great hero pulps. Magician turned writer Maxwell Grant dashed out the first story; the magazine was issued so quickly that they didn’t have time to have a cover painted. The editors pulled one from the shelf that featured a Chinese man recoiling in horror, which caused Grant to rewrite part of his story to work in a Chinatown angle.

The magazine was so popular that it went to twice monthly status in 1932; the last issue was published in 1949. For the first several years the Shadow was a true mystery man, who left most of the work up to his aides. By wartime, he had settled down into a more conventional crime fighter.

Like any popular character, the Shadow was licensed out to anyone who showed an interest. The first film versions, The Shadow Strikes (1937) and International Crime (1938), were basically B detective pictures, with the Shadow only appearing in a single scene in the first film. Lamont Cranston was the real start of the pictures. In 1940, Columbia made a 15 chapter serial, but by that time they were well into their “silly” phase, and though Victor Jory looked perfect as both Cranston and the Shadow, the serial is full of hokey thugs who play pattycake while waiting on the crime boss; in addition, almost half of the cliff hangers in the film have the roof collapsing on the Shadow. In 1946, Monogram Pictures made The Shadow Returns, Behind the Mask and The Missing Lady, all starring Kane Richmond as the Shadow. All were low budget.

The radio show, probably the most famous incarnation of the character, started in 1937. It differed significantly from the pulp in that Lamont Cranston didn’t wear the slouch hat and long cape of the pulp version, but instead had’the power to cloud men’s minds so that they could not see him.”

Street & Smith got into the comic book publishing biz, publishing 101 issues of The Shadow plus a short lived newspaper strip. There were three big little books featuring the character, but the short eight page format and conventional crimefighting approach make these pretty humdrum reading to fans of the pulps and the radio show.

In the 1960s, Archie Comics published eight issues of a character named the Shadow, whose alter-ego was Lamont Cranston, but you’d never recognize him in his green and purple super-hero outfit.

The high-point for the Shadow in cmics, at least thus far, is the mid-1970s version by Denny O’Neill and Mike Kaluta. Staying true to the original pulps, and setting the stories in the correct period,, the duo created one of the classiscs of mid-70s comics. They only did the first six issues, and the magazine was cancelled after issue 12.

Howard Chaykin stepped up to the plate in 1986, modernizing the character in a four-issue mini series that later carried on into a regular series. It was exciting, bloody, pulpy, but once Chaykin left the series, it shrivleled quickly and died.

There have been numerous revivals since: DC’s The Shadow Strikes (1989) returned the characters to his roots in the pulps, but the art lacked atmosphere; Dark Horse published a slew of mini-series and one shots through the nineties.

In 1994 the big-budget film, The Shadow, came out. It almost worked.Visually it was perfect, and Alec Baldwin ideal as the Shadow, but a weak script and weaker direction caused it to underperform. One particularly annoying plot problem:everytime the Shadow shows up, he is spotted (because he casts a Shadow) and defeated. Shades of the collapsing ceilings in the 1940s serial.

So now we have a new Shadow series being announced, as well as rumors of a new Shadow movie. Garth Ennis is the writer for the comic series and I confess, I’m leery. Ennis is a good writer, but leans to the psychotic, bloody anti-hero side of things. The promotional cover art is wonderful but does nothing to relieve my anxiety.

Perhaps the Shadow just doesn’t belong in comics. He’s a creature of the pulps and of the radio, and he loses so much of his mystery when tied down in illustrations. Perhaps if he went back to being the mastermind behind the scenes he could regain that mystery, but it’s doubtful fans want to read the adventures of Harry Vincent, Burbank, Shrevvie and co.

Unfortunatley, I’m not the Shadow. I don’t know.

- Larry Latham

Dynamite Entertainment has announced the return of the pulp hero The Shadow in a new ongoing comic-book series to be written by “Preacher” creator Garth Ennis.

Artist Aaron Campbell joins Ennis on the creative team for the comic, which will feature covers by artists Alex Ross,  Howard Chaykin, Jae Lee and former Oklahoman John Cassaday.  “The Shadow” No. 1 is scheduled for release in April.

The series will be set in 1938.  The character wears a wide-brimmed, black fedora and a crimson scarf, has scores of secret operatives, and was last played in films in 1994 by Alec Baldwin.  A new film version of the character is in development, with producer Sam Raimi attached.

“The Shadow is probably the last established character I like that I haven’t gotten around to writing yet, certainly on this side of the Atlantic,” said writer Garth Ennis in a news release. “It makes a kind of bloody, bullet-riddled sense: I always had a feeling our paths would cross sooner or later.”

The Shadow was created in pulp magazines; the character debuted on the radio in 1930.   The gunslinging character has since appeared in novels, television, films and scores of comic books.  The well-known introduction from the radio show stated, “”Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

In addition to the new series, Dynamite will be reprinting Howard Chaykin’s take on “The Shadow” from 1985.  The story, “Blood and Judgment,” will be re-released as a trade paperback in April.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images.

If you’re looking for a creepy comic to read on Friday the 13th, you can’t go wrong with “Twisted Tales” from 1980s publisher Pacific Comics, featuring artists including Berni Wrightson (as shown) and stories by Bruce Jones.

Need more recommendations?  Check out my Friday the 13th recommendations from 2009 and 2010.

- Matt Price

This May, DC Comics continues its “New 52″ lineup with a “Second Wave” of titles.  Six new titles will replace six of the original “New 52″ titles.

Novelist China Miéville comes to comics as part of this initiative, as does the return of Grant Morrison’s “Batman Incorporated.”  I’m personally thrilled about the “Worlds’ Finest” comic, which will feature artists George Perez and Kevin Maguire.  Another exciting piece of this news is a new book from James Robinson, “Earth 2.” Both “Worlds’ Finest” and “Earth 2″ look as if they’ll deal with the alternate-earths version of DC’s superheroes, which could be quite intriguing.

“The excitement of the initial launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief at the DC Comics blog. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

From the blog:

DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “Second Wave” includes:

* BATMAN INCORPORATED – Writer: Grant Morrison. Artist: Chris Burnham. The acclaimed ongoing writer of ACTION COMICS, Grant Morrison, presents a fresh take on BATMAN INCORPORATED, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally in preparation for a major international threat.

* EARTH 2 – Writer: James Robinson. Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society combats threats that will set them on a collision course with other worlds.

* WORLDS’ FINEST – Writer: Paul Levitz. Artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. Stranded on our world from a parallel reality, Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back to Earth 2. Perez and Maguire will be the artists on alternating story arcs.

* DIAL H – Writer: China Miéville. Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first ongoing series from acclaimed novelist China Miéville, this is a bold new take on a cult classic concept about the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero.

* G.I. COMBAT – Writer: J.T. Krul. Artist: Ariel Olivetti. Featuring the return of a classic DC Comics series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT, along with rotating back-up stories and creative teams – including THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Dan Panosian; and THE HAUNTED TANK, with writer John Arcudi and artist Scott Kolins.

* THE RAVAGERS – Writer: Howard Mackie. Artist: Ian Churchill. Spinning off from TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, this series finds four superpowered teens on the run and fighting against the organization that wants to turn them into supervillains.

The series ending to make room for these six new titles are “Blackhawks,” “Hawk and Dove,” “Men of War,” Mister Terrific,” “O.M.A.C.” and “Static Shock.”   Those series conclude in April with their eighth issues.  Harras said at the DC blog that many of the characters from these books will appear in other New 52 titles.

USA Today and Comic Book Resources have interviews with Harras and additional information on the launches.

What do you think of the new titles?  What about those going away?  Which of the new titles are you most intrigued by?

- Matt Price

I talked to writer Joe Keatinge today, of the upcoming “Glory” and “Hell Yeah.”  Look for an article in an upcoming Weekend Look, but in the meantime, I just wanted to point out this great cover for “Hell Yeah” by ELEPHANTMEN’s Andre Szymanowicz. I’m really looking forward to picking this one up.

Here’s how Image describes the comic:

Twenty years ago, the world was rocked by the emergence of real-life superheroes. Sports and entertainment industries collapsed overnight as people run across the planet and punch through walls changed the word forever. A new global culture formed around these bigger-than-life beings and now the generation raised in its wake must fight to find a place in this brave new world! By pairing the energy and excitement of the original Image superheroes with modern, innovative storytelling, Keatinge and Szymanowicz have crafted a modern superhero epic that could only begin on Image’s 20th anniversary.

You can check out a preview of “Hell Yeah” No. 1 in the upcoming “Chew” #23.

- Matt Price

DC Comics regained the public’s attention — and the lead in market share — with a publicized revamp of its superhero line, but not all of the year’s best comics involved capes and tights.

The following are 2011′s best 10 periodical comic books.

1. “Detective Comics 871-881,” Scott Snyder, Jock and Franco Francavilla.

The new Batman, Dick Grayson, is put to the test as a series of brutal murders puts him up against one of Gotham City’s oldest evils.

In the second story, “Hungry City,” the corpse of a killer whale is found in an upscale Gotham City bank, sparking a deadly new mystery.

Snyder’s opus, which includes the mystery of Commissioner Gordon’s son, is a candidate for best Batman tale of the current decade. DC was suitably impressed with Snyder, tabbing him as the writer of its relaunched “Batman” title.

2. “Criminal: The Last of the Innocent,” Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips.

Brubaker (“Captain America”) is one of comics’ finest writers, and this is among his best books, a mixture of noir and nostalgia that’s part twisted take on “Archie”-style characters, part dark secrets and murder. Artist Phillips creates compelling stories in two completely different styles for “Innocent.” Riley Richards seems as if he had it all, marrying the hottest girl in town and moving on to the big city. But now, he can’t forget his simpler life in Brookview. He’s willing to do anything to roll back the clock — including murder.

3. “The Red Wing,” Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra.

Hickman (“Fantastic Four”) writes a story of fighter pilots in the future who fight their battles not only in the air, but also through time. Art by Pitarra.

4. “Action Comics,” Grant Morrison, Rags Morales

In Morrison’s much-hyped revamp of “Action Comics,” a young, brash Superman goes about his business in work boots and blue jeans, rustling up corporate criminals and raising the ire of everyone from the police and military to Lex Luthor, a brash industrialist who doesn’t much cotton to the idea of a superhuman.

Superman’s a bit arrogant, but very much easy to root for, as he attempts to stand up to bullies of all stripes.

5. “Daredevil,” Mark Waid, Pablo Rivera, Marcos Martin.

Writer Waid and artists Rivera and Martin brought Daredevil back to his swashbuckling past in the 2011 relaunch of “Daredevil.” Waid also shows the keen legal mind of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who is Daredevil. Murdock tries to keep his legal and vigilante worlds separate, despite his secret identity being somewhat known.

6. “Who Is Jake Ellis?,” Nathan Edmondson, Tonci Zonjic.

The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Edmondson and artist Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.

7. “The Rocketeer Adventures,” various creators.

Dave Stevens created the Rocketeer in the early 1980s, a tribute to the serials of the 1930s and 1940s as pilot Cliff Secord finds a jet pack that allows him to race through the air. He, his mentor Peavy and girlfriend Betty (modeled after Bettie Page) starred in several adventures by Stevens and a 1991 motion picture. Stevens died in 2008, but IDW brought back his character The Rocketeer in 2011, with an anthology series that in part benefits hairy cell leukemia research.

That would be reason enough to buy “The Rocketeer Adventures,” but the all-star lineup of creators has made a book that’s one of the year’s best. Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Jonathon Ross, Mike Allred, John Cassaday, Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm, Kyle Baker, Gene Ha, Michael Wm. Kaluta and Chris Weston contribute to this lovely taste of 1930s-style adventures.

8. “Animal Man,” Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman, Dan Green.

Writer Lemire joins artists Foreman and Green for DC’s revamp of “Animal Man,” which became one of the breakout hits of the New 52. Lemire is channeling Morrison’s take on the character, so readers of the 1980s Buddy Baker will find much to enjoy. The art’s a little different from the DC norm, but conveys the story’s mix of domesticity and dread.

9. “The Sixth Gun,” Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt.

An Oni Press Western with supernatural horror elements, “The Sixth Gun” follows the path of six cursed guns during the darkest days of the Civil War. Bunn and Hurtt are the creative team.

10. “American Vampire,” Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque

Also written by Snyder, “American Vampire” follows the exploits of a new breed of “American Vampire” that has the ability to feed in the sun. The 1880s outlaw Skinner Sweet and 1920s actress Pearl Jones make their way to Las Vegas circa 1935; later the series follows Pearl and her husband into the World War II era.

- Matt Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Click here for the best graphic novels of 2011.

The World War II zombie anthology “FUBAR” releases its second volume this month, with a national signing tour as part of the launch.  Creators including Rafer Roberts, Mike Imboden, Jeff McClelland and Oklahoma’s Mario Wytch will sign on Jan. 7 in support of the book.

Artist Mario Wytch will be at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave. in Norman, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7  for the Oklahoma premiere of “FUBAR 2: Empire of the Rising Dead.”  Wytch will sign copies of “FUBAR 2,” as well as his work in other comics, including “Josh Howard Presents: Sasquatch” and the Speeding Bullet-published “OK24.”   Copies of the first “FUBAR” anthology will also be on hand.

Here’s how the publisher describes this war/horror anthology: The indie smash hit is back with its second stand-alone volume. From the harbors of Hawaii to the streets of Tokyo, this zombie-smashing epic, FUBAR II: Empire of the Rising Dead follows a full-blown zombie outbreak in the middle of the Pacific theater of World War II as the allies come face to face with the walking dead … again!

- Matt Price
(Disclosure note: Matt Price is one of the owners of Speeding Bullet Comics.)

I was a fan of the now-defunct Gorilla Comics, which published great titles, including Kurt Busiek’s “Shockrockets” and Mark Waid’s “Empire.”   One of the titles from the line, “Section Zero,” by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett, is being revived online at Karl Kesel’s Mad Genius Comics.

The planned six-issue miniseries saw three issues released in 2000.  Kesel will post the previously released, but tweaked and re-lettered, pages on his site, with new material to follow, Robot 6 reports.

“Tom and I are working on new SECTION ZERO material now, squeezing it in around our day jobs,” Kesel writes at Mad Genius Comics. “At the same time we’ll be posting all the previously published storyline— starting with today’s 5-Page Prologue, followed by 3 pages every Thursday. By the time all that’s posted, we’ll have a ton of new stuff ready. If you haven’t read these comics before, this is your chance.”

- Matt Price