IDW sales numbers thread

[STL]

I'm going to start updating numbers monthly on IDW's comics. Partially to help keep this in the mind of fans, even the casual ones who buy the trades. The reason being I hope that this will stimulate some interest in supporting comics. Many fans seem to take them as a given but like a lot of other things, they're not guaranteed so hopefully a few more comics will be bought as we need to support comics in order for them to keep being made. As those trades people like will start disappearing.

Maximum Dinobots
[Month/Year], [Place], [Comic],
DEC2008: 226 Transformers Maximum Dinobots#1 9,476


All Hail Megatron
DEC2008: 197 Transformers All Hail Megatron #6 11,840

ROTF: Alliance
DEC2008: 199 Transformers Revenge Fallen Movie Prequel Alliance #1 11,551

[U]Commentary:
I monitor comic sales when they come out so I have somewhat a grasp of how comics are doing so. This month, the TF comics ranged lower than there usual spots which is at normally about #120-#130. This had a lot to do with all the event related comics from both Marvel and DC that tied into their massive crossovers. This meant that books normally in the #120 to #130 range were pushed back. Also December is a large month for specials and one offs from the majors publishers with things like Christmas oneshots, What Ifs and random character spotlights. So the low position of the rankings isn't that alarming. It's more the units sold.

IDW's attempt at relaunching the TFs with AHM seems not to have succeeded. Too little too late, I'm afraid. AHM is reaching the end of Devastation's figures but still better than Revelations.

Maximum Dinobots shows that Furman needs to take a new direction. That's a #1 issue for crying out loud. Reboot or whatnot but his series has absolutely no legs. It's a joke. He's a celebrated writer who has done much for TFs but it should be clear by now that other than rabid 90s fans, he has no respect in the comic reading community. I loved his War Within, I've liked some of his UK stuff as well as his Beast Wars stuff. But this is just not acceptable. Sure the world economy is in decline but u only need to look at the other items on the list to see that he has fallen from appeal.

ROTF: Alliance did well. I suspect it will do better closer to the movie as the publicity machinery gathers pace. So against the usual trend in comics, I expect it to actually see a steady strength in the series over the next few months.

All comics have a downward trend. This is a fact. Event related or ongoing or limited series. It doesn't matter. So to judge a decline in comics, u have to also look at the rate of decline. AHM is the only comic that has a previous issue and you can see that there was a 4.42% decline. How good is this number. Decent. On average most decline in the long run (after issues #1 and #2 and #3) by anywhere between 3% and 8%/. Strong books with faithful core audiences are very steady and range in 1 and 2% falls.

Viewed in this light, AHM is doing okay. But I expect that by the end of the series it will be below 10K. Not a successful venture either in the final analysis if that proves to be the case. IDW need more press. They really do.Whether it be for Maximum Dinobots or Alliance or AHM, they aren't doing great.

For the direction, of Maximum Dinobots there is only 1 way from here. Down. Few books experience gains. The last that did I recall were all Robert Kirkman books. Walking dead and Invincible. But even those after the gains experienced declines so given Furman's track record, Maximum Dinobots will be very painful.

I think perhaps what IDW needs to do is take Marvel's model. A writer/artist team is never on a book for longer than 12 months. After that, they throw a new creative team on. This means we give up those broad expansive stories though but that way, at the very least, IDW can maintain interest and keep it fresh. That's what Marvel's model really is these days. Everything is status quo/new direction with a new creative team. This builds momentum which helps push the book and the brand. I'm not necessarily in favour of giving up the complex stories but business wise, something does need to be done b/c this is pretty darn pathetic. Transformers is such a popular brand now yet it hardly registers a bleep on comic readers minds anymore whereas it once did.

Notes
December 2008: Source:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19758

[i_amtrunks]

IDW need more press. They really do.Whether it be for Maximum Dinobots or Alliance or AHM, they aren't doing great.

I could not agree more. I don't know why but after the big push for AHM #1, IDW has been very quiet, actually except for AHM they have been very quiet, and AHM did not get any publicity at all when compared to any marvel/DC book launches.

Maximum Dinobots really got squat, perhaps since it is a direct follow on from the "-tion" books that it's numbers are a continual decline still from that series, certainly it got no media or push from IDW to promote it.

I know they are a small company, but it seems like they did not take advantage of the movie publicity much at all last year, if people didn't visit transformers boards, I doubt that they would even know about the comics, and IDW should have tried to use the movie to rope in new and casual fans.
An ad or two in the back of movie comics is just not enough.

[roller]

Minimum Deenobots is doomed from the start

we all know how its going to end

issue 1 didn't exactly hook me and make me get on my knees and beg for more

[kup]

Minimum Deenobots is doomed from the start

we all know how its going to end

issue 1 didn't exactly hook me and make me get on my knees and beg for more

I have to somewhat agree with that. Having AHM as part of the main continuity kind of hurts expectations on where Maximum Dinobots would lead particularly when the connection between the Furman side of IDW and AHM is so messy.

Even if Maximum Dinobots was the best thing ever, it is being set up as having a less than satisfying 'continuity damage control' ending. This is particularly bad for fans who are not into AHM.

I agree, at this point in time we need a reboot and I don't mean a half butt one like AHM where 'it is but it isn't' in continuity.

What's needed is something that is not extreme geewhun like AHM but not as Sci-Fi ish and 'out there' like Furman's IDW (which got way too convoluted).

We need something that starts off simple but with a strong story premise that is rooted on earth and begins to slowly introduce and discard characters as the plot progresses and eventually expands in a similar manner that the G1 Marvel comics did in order to reflect the then existing toy line (not random appearances and disappearances like the cartoon). Naturally there will likely be no toy directly associated with the comic but the paced method in which characters came and went also helped to keep things fresh without overwhelming the reader base with 'I don't know who anyone is'.

This way you give all the geewhunners (84-86, cartoon only fans) what they want at the same time that you give the more 'expanded' fans access to the 87-90-G2 characters they enjoy who are slowly introduced into the comic as either 'guest' appearances or replacements for fallen characters for more permanent roles. This way you don't overwhelm the Geewhunner with characters he does not know or care about but allows him to slowly begin to get to know them like it was done with Marvel G1 while they don't alienate the 'expanded' fan by still allowing strong possibilities to feature his/her favorite post cartoon G1 character in a more prominent role even if its for an issue or two to complement the present story.

When it comes to changing writing teams in an ongoing story, I think that is a horrible idea which for some reason the industry has adopted to their own loss. What is needed its not 5-6 issues stories or whatnot but ongoing series in which a core team of cooperative writers with a properly set up 'universe bible' begins to write 1-2 issue stories which are as a whole, part of an over arching story lines which comes together at the end of 6 months or so kind of like TV series (and comics in the past) have done. Most important, in order to maintain variety, having the 'Bible' will also allow them to contract in guest writers to write their own unique stories without the danger of it contradicting the present universe and situation like it happens too often in modern comics when they bring in a new writing team.

The problems with IDW are basically the same problems that ALL modern western comic book publishers have but its more pronounced here because the target audience is less mainstream than the rest. What is needed is to go back to the same storytelling model as the older more successful comics which aimed not at short term appeal but slowly building up a long term sustainable fan base.

[lcz128]

Does Marvel REALLY do that? :S
Just look at Avengers titles. (what I mainly read) that's had Bendis forever almost - which let him setup looooooooong spanning crazy things like Secret Invasion (which I loved) Also - I read Captain America - same deal - same writer - So yeah - I like havin the one writer on the book if they're doing a good job :)

And that said, I'm getting both AHM and Maximum monthly now :)

[Scattershot]

I just cancelled my comic orders from my local shop the other week cause I couldn't keep up with the cost. Every time I went in there I was forking over $50 - $100. I just couldn't keep up. I really enjoy reading them but at this point in time I have to give them a miss.

[STL]

And that said, I'm getting both AHM and Maximum monthly now :)

Awesome!


Does Marvel REALLY do that? :S
Just look at Avengers titles. (what I mainly read) that's had Bendis forever almost - which let him setup looooooooong spanning crazy things like Secret Invasion (which I loved) Also - I read Captain America - same deal - same writer - So yeah - I like havin the one writer on the book if they're doing a good job :)


The Avengers and Cap are the exception to the rule. This is b/c of the writers. Brubaker and Bendis are foremost among the writers in the industry. Plus, their titles have been boosted by massive events. THe Death of Captain America was huge. New Avengers/Miighty Avengers spun out of Civil War and now Secret Invasion and Dark Reign. Marvel is investing a lot. These titles did decline. Captain America fell to 40K prior to the Death of Cap in Civil War.New n Mighty Avengers closer to 70K. And Marvel constantly rotates the artists on the Avengers titles. look at the itinerary of talent that comes through that book.

If a quality book like Nova or Guardians of the Galaxy got those type of numbers, they'd be far more successful and get more interest and sell higher. Finch's Mook Knight is a perfect example of a book that had no legs after star talent left it. It's way down on the list now.

If you look at Black Panther where they haven't changed the creative team, its dead. After the peaks of JRJR, its snowballed into an ugly mess. Whereas books like Hulk, Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men, Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, the Initiative etc etc. and so on, they're rotating through new arcs and creators regularly. Of course it doesn't apply to every marvel title but a lot of them do that.

The days of long runs are gone. The reader seems far too interested in event driven comics, sensationalistic comics and continuity unencumbered books.



What's needed is something that is not extreme geewhun like AHM but not as Sci-Fi ish and 'out there' like Furman's IDW (which got way too convoluted).

When it comes to changing writing teams in an ongoing story, I think that is a horrible idea which for some reason the industry has adopted to their own loss.

The problems with IDW are basically the same problems that ALL modern western comic book publishers have but its more pronounced here because the target audience is less mainstream than the rest.

That wouldn't work. Firstly, the target audience is pretty large. A lot of them wanted to give TFs a chance and given the success of the movie, more should have been done to capitalise on its success. Look at Infiltration's numbers/Dreamwave's actual numbers. These are real numbers you're looking at. Fact is, Infiltration was a joke of a series. I

Thge problem with ur suggestion of an ongoing with a "bible" is that ur essentially thinking that your the 80s model would still work. It doesn't. It's a dinosaur of the past. Comics don't work like that anymore. As much as you or I would like it to happen, it isn't going to happen anytime soon. I think to get people interested, it needs a new writer, a new publisher and a massive marketing campaign.

But even if that were to happen, in this economic climate its thrwart with danger as who can pick up a licence and run it successful in this time to garner attraction from already struggling comic retailers? If I were a retailer, the track record of IDW's run is that its under promoted and sold pathetically. I wouldn't be that confident of anything new.

Most comics are written in arcs these days. The new arc often just taking the book in a new direction. That's what keeps people interested in comics like New/Mighty/Dark Avengers. There's constantly change of the status quo. To me, that sucks b/c its not about the characters or the stories anymore, it's about events.


I just cancelled my comic orders from my local shop the other week cause I couldn't keep up with the cost. Every time I went in there I was forking over $50 - $100. I just couldn't keep up. I really enjoy reading them but at this point in time I have to give them a miss.

Yeah, I know. I'm seriously considering cutting back. I spend close to $500 a month on comics. :o The falling exchange rate and economy means I'm probaly going to convert to trade or online reading - if I can be bothered.

[kup]

Although I did read comics as a kid, I only seriously followed a series as an adult so from that perspective I will say that when I really get into a comic book series and it suddenly radically takes a different direction with no logical reason other than 'the new writer felt like it' its a real turn off for me and a kind of slap in the face to me as an ongoing reader.

I think that there is a better way of gaining a wider reader base than alienating your loyal readers in favor of new ones.

[FFN]

Furman's books lately have been doing badly partly due to almost ZERO press. Nada. AHM, by comparison, has had a comparatively major push from IDW. I mean, McCarthy was on bloody Today Tonight to flog the book (they must have run out of asians to pick on that week).

For Maximum Dinobots to do those numbers with very little promotion, the knowledge that the outcome will lead elsewhere beyond the author's control, lacking the Revenge of the Fallen branding, and according to you :rolleyes:, a lack of respect for his readership :rolleyes:*; suggests that it is doing at least as well as IDW's other Transformers books, or as well as can be expected under the circumstances. However, for AHM to only do a bit better despite more promotion and a more new-reader-friendly format suggests that it is not doing that well and the honeymoon period since issue 1 is over.

*Kinda over the top there, sport.

[STL]

Furman's books lately have been doing badly partly due to almost ZERO press. Nada. AHM, by comparison, has had a comparatively major push from IDW. I mean, McCarthy was on bloody Today Tonight to flog the book (they must have run out of asians to pick on that week).

For Maximum Dinobots to do those numbers with very little promotion, the knowledge that the outcome will lead elsewhere beyond the author's control, lacking the Revenge of the Fallen branding, and according to you :rolleyes:, a lack of respect for his readership :rolleyes:*; suggests that it is doing at least as well as IDW's other Transformers books, or as well as can be expected under the circumstances. However, for AHM to only do a bit better despite more promotion and a more new-reader-friendly format suggests that it is not doing that well and the honeymoon period since issue 1 is over.

*Kinda over the top there, sport.

Did we really expect an Australian television show (I wouldn't call it current affairs) would be interested in Transformers if it wasn't for an Australian writer? When was the last time they even gave press to any comics? I'd hardly attribute Channel 7's "current affairs" show of flogging comics on account of IDW.

The argument from IDW I can see is that Maximum Dinobots is supposed to have its "dedicated" core audience It obviously doesn't.

That's not to say that there shouldn't be more press. IDW doesn't do enough of it across the board. If it weren't for the new Drift character, they'd hardly have had much press at all on the TF sites.

[i_amtrunks]

The argument from IDW I can see is that Maximum Dinobots is supposed to have its "dedicated" core audience It obviously doesn't.

That's not to say that there shouldn't be more press. IDW doesn't do enough of it across the board. If it weren't for the new Drift character, they'd hardly have had much press at all on the TF sites.

I think the fact that IDW are very good with their Trades hurts them as well. The dedicated readership knows they can save a fair bit of cash on buying the trade rather than each individual issue. At $8 a pop a 6 issue series sets you back $48. The Trade may only set you back $35. That is a fair saving for only getting to read the final issue 4-6 weeks later than it's original release.

To add more sweetness to the Trade deal is you get all 6 stories in one book, and a point made by many here (myself included) is that writers like Furman's stories are far easier to follow, and more enjoyable.

[Paulbot]

Not to mention that their recent trades, like Reign of Starscream, have attractive extras that make waiting for a AHM or MaxDinos trade seem like a better idea.

[griffin]

Trunks, you also have to remember all the varient covers and incentive covers in that 'total cost' you quoted. All of which is included inside that $35 single compilation.

For me, all the incentive covers and multiple cover varients, that were intended to *increase* sales, actually prompted me to stop buying the regular issues and get the compilations instead, to get all those different covers. I wanted all the different covers for the artwork, but have always hated having duplicate *whole* comics just for a new cover.
So the concept to increase sales, actually encourages people like me to not buy them in favour of the cheaper TPB option that includes all the 'expensive' extra cover versions in it for less.

[Pipesqueak]

Ssshhhh!!! Don't let IDW read these posts, they might stop the awesome trades!

[roller]

the trades are a stab in the back to me!

i buy all the single issues

and then a trade comes out and it has extra stuff like bonus sketches and in some cases a special mini comic

[STL]

Trunks, you also have to remember all the varient covers and incentive covers in that 'total cost' you quoted. All of which is included inside that $35 single compilation.

For me, all the incentive covers and multiple cover varients, that were intended to *increase* sales, actually prompted me to stop buying the regular issues and get the compilations instead, to get all those different covers. I wanted all the different covers for the artwork, but have always hated having duplicate *whole* comics just for a new cover.
So the concept to increase sales, actually encourages people like me to not buy them in favour of the cheaper TPB option that includes all the 'expensive' extra cover versions in it for less.

That's entirely not true. It's something they've started to do recently but before that they didn't. The other thing you still don't get is the incentive covers... which I guess is a good thing to make it an incentive.

File of Top 750 Bookscan Results (http://www.comicbookresources.com/files/bookscan08_top750.xls)

As you can see, the argument that IDW must do well in the other sales channel (Amazon, Walmart, Borders etc.) is completely incorrect. The top selling TF trades weren't any of the recent things but the ANIMATED cartoon screen grab digests.

It's strange to me and I don't like it but them the facts. The list above may have only 750 of the top selling trades but item 750 has sold only 4,293 units. Look at the item above it, an X-Men trade. That bodes not well for IDW's Transformers trades as well. So either way it doesn't look great.

[STL]

Sales Report for January 2009:
http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2009/2009-01.html

Items of Interest:

Rank: Item: Issue# Unit Price: Units Sold
147 Transformers Revenge Fallen Movie Pq Defiance #1 $3.99 10,466

150 Transformers Revenge Fallen Movie Pq Alliance #2 $3.99 10,270

211 Transformers Maximum Dinobots #2 $3.99 5,317

Before I begin, again I’d like to reiterate that these are the sales numbers to retailers. Not the actual retail sales. Obviously, it’s far harder to gauge retail sales given the fragmented nature of the retail market. These numbers are from Diamond Distributors and while not reflective of the actual retail sales for a month, they do reflect trends in customer demand as retailers adjust current orders based on their data from previous months.

In the comics industry, January is often considered one of the “dead” months of the year. This is the post Christmas season where sales are flat. The month was a flat one for comics but arguably much worse for our Robots in Disguise. There are two primary indicators we need to examine.

The first is the opening figure for Transformers: ROTF Defiance. It opened at 10, 466 units. With a movie in sight, one would expect the numbers to not be so flat. Perhaps we can attribute part of the reason to the fact that it is January. Retailers are reluctant to take a punt on a comic – even if it has a hype machine behind it. The impact on cash flow in a quiet month of slow moving stock is something that retailers don’t want. .Even more so given the state of the American economy.

That brings us to an interesting point. To what extent is spending in the comic industry responsive to changes in the broader economy. It’s an age old argument that comic sales are reasonably unresponsive to changes in the economy. The argument is that comic fans are obsessive. They persist with their comics as it one of their primary sources of entertainment. I’m inclined to agree with this view. But I place one qualification. It depends on the nature of the comic in question. If a comic is tailored to a strong fanbase, has a loyal following, expect this to be true. If this is more of a passing/special interest title then its sales success is far more likely to move with the fortunes of the economy.

Now, moving onto the second of the indicators aforementioned. Maximum Dinobots #2 closed at less than 5,371 units. Is there anyone, absolutely anyone, who can still defend this book? Where is the so-called loyal fan-base of Simon Furman? It’s been long argued that Mr. Furman is a venerated veteran. I think what these numbers show us that his time has past. These numbers are appalling. They’re pathetic. He was the driving force behind IDW’s version of Transformers and all he’s done is run it into a hole it won’t dig itself out of. Fact is, sentimentality isn’t enough. We need cold hard numbers and the only thing Maximum Dinobot’s cold hard number are telling us is that Furman’s titles are beyond hope. At the rate this title is going, it might not even be in the Top 300 Comics at this rate and that is deeply concerning for a franchise that used to be much stronger.

A notable absence is All Hail Megatron which failed to register an issue this month. This will of course hurt its sales too as the later a comic is released than its solicitation date, the more interest that is lost. Part of its momentum disappears. Given that IDW managed to find an artist by the name of Don Figueroa, no small name at all, for ROTF Defiance #3, it’s rather mind-boggling that they couldn’t fill in the gap for January. Sure, ROTF is movie related and TPB is due to coincide with the movie but there are plenty of artists in IDW’s stable who don’t seem too busy at the moment. It’ll be interesting to see how the next issue of AHM tracks.

The TF last item was ROTF: Alliance #2. Less than 500 units separated it from ROTF: Destiny. This seems to suggest that retailers are treating them as complementary to one another. It doesn’t bode well for either ROTF series then as given that ROTF Alliance #1 came in at 11,551, it would appear that we can only expect a further decline to below 10,000 units for the prequels. This is surprisiig especially when you recall that the first Transformers Movie Prequel actually sold out at Diamond and went back for a 2nd printing.

Trade Paperback Collections

Rank Title: Month Released: Unit Price Publisher Units Sold
117 Transformers Movie Prequel Saga of the All NEW $17.99 IDW 1,169

171 Transformers Armada Vol. 2 NEW $19.99 IDW 809

There were two trades in January 2009. The first were repaints from the exclusive UK magazine. It sold 1,169 units. Not the most inspiring of openings but its hard to gauge how it would have been received. The 2007 Movie has long gone and the momentum behind it is no longer there. Other than to the faithful, its appeal isn’t as broad.

The other item, Armada vol.2 performed poorly at only 809 units. It is a reprint of a series that is now long forgotten. Its only saving grace was that it was written by Simon Furman. But given his name doesn’t move as many units anymore, its unlikely that would have helped it.

[i_amtrunks]

Going on what I've seen on shelves, the shipping numbers are very misleading. The Alliance and Defiance comics are clogging the shelves at Kings Alongside the Allspark comics).

I think that Max Dino's has suffered thanks in part to the nature of Furman's story which while fantastic, was not an easy series for new readers to get into. The treatment of Revelations may not have helped, and there is plenty of negativity over AHM which may have also had something to do with it.

I have said it before, and I'll keep on saying it because it's true, IDW do not market their Transformers comics enough.
Sure there is a dedicated following from fans, but they are very obviously not bringing in new readers, and they wasted the interest in Transformers that the first movie generated by having such terrible movie based comics, and having very few other titles on the shelves around the movie's release.

[Lord_Zed]

Now, moving onto the second of the indicators aforementioned. Maximum Dinobots #2 closed at less than 5,371 units. Is there anyone, absolutely anyone, who can still defend this book? Where is the so-called loyal fan-base of Simon Furman? It’s been long argued that Mr. Furman is a venerated veteran. I think what these numbers show us that his time has past. These numbers are appalling. They’re pathetic. He was the driving force behind IDW’s version of Transformers and all he’s done is run it into a hole it won’t dig itself out of. Fact is, sentimentality isn’t enough. We need cold hard numbers and the only thing Maximum Dinobot’s cold hard number are telling us is that Furman’s titles are beyond hope. At the rate this title is going, it might not even be in the Top 300 Comics at this rate and that is deeply concerning for a franchise that used to be much stronger.


Your statment about Maximum Dinbots is confusing and frankly feels rather provocative, so alas I have to bite. Are we defending Maximum Dinobots against its poor sales numbers or against Simon Furmans writing in general? I certainly wont defend the book against the former, but against the later is a different story. Surely I don't have to like something just because it's a great succsess, If that were the case I'd have to like Titanic.

I think its a decent enough story, fast moving and exciting (Maximum Dinobots that is, not Titanic:D). Offcourse without having read the rest of the IDW series it's pretty hard to follow (the original TF movie flopped for the same reasons after all), and so I can definitely see how it might not go down so well with the casual readers.

You are probably right and Transformers comics did need a reboot like AHM to stay competitive and make it easier for the casual fan to follow, but I for one will miss the complexity and the interwoven nature of the books.

I wonder to though wether the 80's rehash that happened back at the end of the last century in comics is running its course, maybe we've come to the end I mean other than GI Joe it seems all the other 80's rehash's have dried up and gone now. It could just be a personal thing and I know the cost of comics these days is a factor (damn economic crisis) but I find my interest in Transformer comics wanning wether there written by Furman,Mcarthy or whoever.

[GoktimusPrime]

So AHM's a reboot now? Primus damn that series confuses me something chronic!

[STL]

Going on what I've seen on shelves, the shipping numbers are very misleading. The Alliance and Defiance comics are clogging the shelves at Kings Alongside the Allspark comics).


I think they're anticipating the movie to help things along once it gets off the ground. There's ironically a long delay between the prequels and the actual movie but I think that's b/c IDW is targetting the TPB market as it wants the TPBs of these prequels to be on the market at the same time the movie is released to maximise leverage on both traditional and non-traditional comic fans. So perhaps there we haven't seen the full extent of it.

But again, it didn't receive as much hype as it should've, being movie tie-ins and whatnot.



I have said it before, and I'll keep on saying it because it's true, IDW do not market their Transformers comics enough.
Sure there is a dedicated following from fans, but they are very obviously not bringing in new readers, and they wasted the interest in Transformers that the first movie generated by having such terrible movie based comics, and having very few other titles on the shelves around the movie's release.

I think additionally that a problem with the movie comics is they're starting down the road of building a long-stretching continuity which is very much akin to the problems that we've had with the Furman verse and means over time, it'll be dependent on hardcore fans. But given the quality of the 1st movies comics, as you point out, and the movie itself not having much story quality either - i honestly don't think it can afford to do that. Most people to me still are very casual about their movie-verse. And that's got a lot to do with we didn't get to develop very real charactesr in the 1st movie.


Your statment about Maximum Dinbots is confusing and frankly feels rather provocative, so alas I have to bite. Are we defending Maximum Dinobots against its poor sales numbers or against Simon Furmans writing in general? I certainly wont defend the book against the former, but against the later is a different story. Surely I don't have to like something just because it's a great succsess, If that were the case I'd have to like Titanic.


I take on board completely that sales don't necessarily reflect story quality. I've been a fan of plenty of Marvel series that fit that category. I've only really read #2 issues of MAximum Dinobots to date so can't say much about the story (though I don't think its been great thus far) but to me, there's a gnarling frustration with it b/c so many ppl across international boards and here seem to always say how good he's doing. He's not and I think at some point you have to look to the evidence and its irritating that a lot of people don't look at the numbers at all.




I wonder to though wether the 80's rehash that happened back at the end of the last century in comics is running its course, maybe we've come to the end I mean other than GI Joe it seems all the other 80's rehash's have dried up and gone now. It could just be a personal thing and I know the cost of comics these days is a factor (damn economic crisis) but I find my interest in Transformer comics wanning wether there written by Furman,Mcarthy or whoever.

Some very interesting broader industry issues there too. I think you're right about the price of comics though and the way Marvel is heading, it won't be long before IDW put there's up to $4.50, I imagine. The economic squeeze is definitely tightening their margins I imagine.


So AHM's a reboot now? Primus damn that series confuses me something chronic!

Should've been in the 1st place and that's the exact reason why they shoudl've made it one. Save all the confusion. Give it a fresh start. Not sure what they can do, really. Another reboot could still be too soon.

Anyways, the next round of numbers are actually already available and I should get to posting commentary on it soon enough. Some interesting numbers.

[FFN]

Maximum Dinobots is doing pretty badly in terms of sales, but then again, I put forward that part of the reason is that the outcome has already been decided. AHM says that the Autobots will lose on Earth. So even if you're rooting for Hot Rod, Sunstreaker and the Dinobots to triumph over Scorponok and his Machination Clones, you already know the Dinobots will mysteriously disappear, the Autobots will lose and Sunstreaker will want all the humans dead for no apparent reason.

Oh, and that recent AHM with Sunstreaker and Hunter = thanks a lot for spoiling the end of Sunstreaker's relationship with Hunter, jerks.

[Lord_Zed]

Maximum Dinobots is doing pretty badly in terms of sales, but then again, I put forward that part of the reason is that the outcome has already been decided. AHM says that the Autobots will lose on Earth. So even if you're rooting for Hot Rod, Sunstreaker and the Dinobots to triumph over Scorponok and his Machination Clones, you already know the Dinobots will mysteriously disappear, the Autobots will lose and Sunstreaker will want all the humans dead for no apparent reason.

Oh, and that recent AHM with Sunstreaker and Hunter = thanks a lot for spoiling the end of Sunstreaker's relationship with Hunter, jerks.

For the reasons you outline above, It's hard to see the proposed AHM Coda improving sales numbers. :(

[FFN]

And all because All Hail Megatron was never written with Furman's story in mind. That's why it was placed "a year in the future", so that it could deal with inconsistencies later on in the series.

So now they need the Codas to explain why things don't add up.