Happy Valentine’s Day 2012!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my Nerdage readers!
Archaia sent out a special Valentine’s Day card from the creators of “Mr. Murder is Dead” to celebrate the holiday. It’s in the style of the paper Valentines that grade school kids cut out and share, but with a “Mr. Murder” twist.
Here’s a description of the graphic novel from Archaia:
Mr. Murder Is Dead is an original graphic novel first published by Archaia in September 2011. There’s been a murder—Mr. Murder is found dead! Old Gould Kane, long into his retirement as a top cop, looks to be the #1 suspect with a motive so deep and intense even Gould’s old partner suspects him. But the truth is Gould’s the only cop worth a damn to solve the cryptic case. The clues could lead Gould to a new and perhaps even greater profession in his twilight… as a very bad man. Mr. Murder is Dead is a “who didn’t do it” set in the fading world of Golden Age comic strips. A criminal’s lament to all things past, present and meaningless. Written by Victor Quinaz and illustrated by Brent Schoonover (Astronaut Dad). Published in partnership with Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek,” “Heroes”) and Before the Door.
Click past the cut for the Valentine’s Day card!
- Matt Price
ComicsPRO 2012 meeting wrapup comments and thoughts
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.
Thomas Gaul elected to ComicsPRO board of directors
DALLAS — Thomas Gaul of Corner Store Comics and Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim, Calif., has been elected to the 
board of directors of ComicsPRO, the national comic-book retailer organization.
Gaul will replace Brian Hibbs of Comix Experience in San Francisco, a founding member of the board.
ComicsPRO president Joe Field announced the election at Friday’s breakfast at the ComicsPRO annual members’ meeting.
- Matt Price
Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson ComicsPRO keynote: change is constant
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 test the 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
ComicsPRO: DC Entertainment looking to maintain momentum
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
ComicsPRO Annual Meeting 2012 first thoughts
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
Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson to keynote ComicsPRO meeting
Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.
The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.
The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World. (more…)
Matt Price’s top 10 comic-book series of 2011
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.
DC Comics releases preview art of Batman: Earth One, Superman: Earth One, Vol. 2
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s “Batman: Earth One” will be released in 2012, and DC Comics has released preview art from the book at the DC Comics Source blog.
The book is a retelling of the Batman legend in a contemporary setting.
“Gary and I are tackling BATMAN from the beginning, before he knows what he’s doing and with a very different ultimate goal in mind,” said Johns. “He’s never left Gotham. And our Gotham and the people in it are very gray. Our heroes unlikely. Our villains hidden. Our story is only beginning with volume one.”
Also, the best-selling “Superman: Earth One,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis, will be getting a second volume in 2012.
“The overwhelming success of volume one of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE – 37 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list for graphic novels – meant we had to ensure that Volume Two was even better,” said Straczynski. Preview art for vol. 2 was also released at the Source blog.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut to see the preview art released for the two books.
Comics holiday gift guide: Comics fans may have a very batty Christmas
Batman: Noel
Comics fans could have a very Batty Christmas with the cool Bat-themed gifts available this year.
Inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” the hardcover graphic novel “Batman: Noel” ($22.99) features different interpretations of the Dark Knight from various eras. Different cast members from “Batman” take on roles from “A Christmas Carol,” including Robin, Superman, Catwoman and the Joker.
The story is written and drawn by Lee Bermejo, who drew the hit “Joker” original graphic novel in 2008.
(more…)
