“Justice League” No. 1 tops 2011 comic-book sales
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.
Former “Justice League” artist Kevin Maguire discusses his early days in comics
"Justice League" No. 1, drawn by Kevin Maguire
AUSTIN, Texas — While Wizard World’s Austin Comic Con featured an array of movie and television stars, comics also were a focus at last weekend’s show. In attendance were Nathan Edmondson (“Who Is Jake Ellis?,” “Grifter”), Greg Capullo (“Batman”), Robert Wilson (“Knuckleheads,”) Kevin Maguire (“Justice League”) and Freddie Williams II (“Captain Atom”).
Maguire and Williams entertained fans and would-be creators in a panel aimed at sharing tips on breaking in to comics. Maguire, who’s been professionally drawing since the mid-1980s, cracked up the crowd, saying he wasn’t sure how he got in and couldn’t really explain how he’d stayed in the industry so long.
“I haven’t broken in since 1986; it’s so different now,” he said. “I’m just here to provide color commentary.”
Tanga in "My Greatest Adventure."
Maguire sent in samples in the early 1980s to Marvel. That led to his becoming part of Romita’s Raiders, an internship-type program at Marvel doing corrections and working with art director John Romita. During that time, he also sent samples to editor Andy Helfer at DC, which led to Maguire’s being offered a comic book at DC Comics.
“I did a book for DC called ‘Wild Card’ that was never published,” Maguire said. “On the strength of that, I got offered ‘Silver Surfer’ at Marvel. And to counter that, DC offered me ‘Justice League.’”
“Justice League,” written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, became a best-seller in the late 1980s, featuring more humor than was typical for a superhero book of the time. Maguire’s expressively drawn faces were part of that.
“I do improv and acting on the side, just for fun, so I’m always thinking about, ‘What is the character feeling? How are they reacting to what’s going on?’” Maguire said. “How does that reflect how they stand, how they gesture, what’s going on with their face? To me, it just seems like an essential part of storytelling.”
Maguire currently is writing and drawing a story starring Tanga, a charming superpowered alien, in the anthology series “My Greatest Adventure.”
“I love writing my own stuff,” Maguire said. “It’s so much more satisfying for me to be telling my own stories and having my own sense of humor out there.”
- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
The New 52 puts 10 comics over 100K; Aquaman on cover to Justice League #4
DC Comics revealed Jim Lee’s cover to “Justice League” #4, showing Aquaman vs. Green Lantern, in a post at the Source blog about the sales success of The New 52.
Oklahoma City comic-book stores report strong sales of DC Comics’ The New 52
“Justice League” and “Action Comics” are leading the way as DC Comics introduces its “The New 52” lineup. Stores in the Oklahoma City area are reporting strong sales for all.
Captain America 2 could feature MODOK; Jennifer Lawrence’s naked paint job; Justice League sellouts
Captain America 2 could feature MODOK; Jennifer Lawrence’s arduous nude makeup process for Mystique; and Justice League a hit in the Planet 46/NewsOK Comics Podcast.
Fans, retailers excited by Justice League relaunch
DC Comics began relaunching its entire line of superhero comics on Wednesday, with the release of “Justice League” No. 1, by writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee.
Lee drew the best-selling comic book of all time, 1991′s “X-Men” No. 1, as well as three of the best-selling comics of the past decade.
Second printing announced for Justice League #1; reaction to The New 52 digital model
At DC Comics’ Source blog, they’ve unveiled the cover for the second printing of “Justice League” No. 1. The issue, which went on sale today, is already seeing strong sales at comic shops nationwide, and has sold out from the distributor. More than 200,000 copies were ordered by comic-book stores. The release date of the second printing has yet to be announced, but I would expect soon. (Edit: Sept. 14 release.)
“Justice League” #1 will kick off DC Comics’ The New 52
DC Comics will kick off its linewide relaunch, The New 52, on Wednesday, with the last pre-relaunch issue, “Flashpoint” No. 5, and the first issue of the new line, “Justice League” No. 1.
According to DC, “Justice League” will be set at the dawn of the age of superheroes. The first storyline explores the team’s origins as they ultimately become the world’s greatest superheroes, featuring characters including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. The new Justice League series is written by Geoff Johns (“Blackest Night”) and drawn by Jim Lee (“Batman: Hush”).
Justice League 1 will be published in combo pack format, which includes digital edition
The comic book news continues to come fast today. DC Comics has announced, via its DC Source blog, that Justice League 1, by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, will be released in a new “combo pack” format.
Each print edition of the “combo pack” comic book and an individual code for digital download will be wrapped in a poly bag and available for $4.99.
DC will also retail a standard print version for $3.99 and a digital version for $3.99.
“As we continue to expand our readership and make our titles more accessible to readers everywhere, we’re excited to provide our comic shop retail partners and their consumers with multiple formats of JUSTICE LEAGUE in one convenient place,” said John Rood, EVP Sales, Marketing and Business Development, at the Source.
DC Comics announced that digital and print editions will be priced the same for the first four weeks; after that, digital titles will drop to $1.99. Oversized titles will start at $3.99 and drop to $2.99 after four weeks. The combo pack plan on “Justice League” will continue along with the series, according to the blog.
- Matt Price
DC Comics to relaunch line; Geoff Johns, Jim Lee to create Justice League
As USA Today and the DC Comics Source blog are reporting, the publisher is relaunching its entire line starting in August, with 52 No. 1 issues across the line.
This relaunch will start with a new “Justice League” No. 1 on Aug. 31, and all DC’s superhero titles will be offered digitally on the same day from there forward.
“What’s the human aspect behind all these costumes? That’s what I wanted to explore,” Geoff Johns told USA Today. He’ll write Justice League, to be drawn by Jim Lee.
Another 51 No. 1 issues will ship in September.
“We really want to inject new life in our characters and line,” Dan DiDio, co-publisher of DC with Lee, told USA Today. ”This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today’s audience.”
More about the changes to come at USA Today.
What do you think of the announcement? Will you buy more DC Comics than before? Fewer? Are you excited or fearful?
- Matt Price
