Transformers IDW discussion thread [SPOILER WARNING]

[STL]

TRANSFORMERS: INFILTRATION
N/A - OCT05 #0 >100,000
030 - JAN06 #1 45,468
053 - FEB06 #2 35,828
074 - MAR06 #3 30,344
068 - APR06 #4 28,835
083 - MAY06 #5 27,264
088 - JUL06 #6 25,303

TRANSFORMERS: ESCALATION
138 - NOV06 #1 20,625
139 - DEC06 #2 16,363
129 - JAN07 #3 15,616
127 - FEB07 #4 14,737
131 - MAR07 #5 14,932
148 - MAY07 #6 14,446

TRANSFORMERS: DEVASTATION
148 - OCT07 #1 15,704
161 - OCT07 #2 13,854
164 - NOV07 #3 13,334

The sales are emphatic. Look at those drops between mini-series. They're jaw dropping. If you are catering to a niche market, it'd mean you'd probably be able to maintain more consistent sales levels. IDW isn't doing the franchise justice from a sales and marketing perspective.

I agree with Paulbot especially on the accessibility issue. You have new mini-series with #1s but none of them start off with a jumping on point. You jump and go WTF? Pretty dodgy storytelling. And then you go, oh so there's some Spotlight this came from. Makes sense but... Damn those bastards trying to get me to buy more.

I also agree with I_amtrunks. Furman as headwriter can be good or bad. But it's the equivalent of putting all your eggs in one basket. I think it's going the wrong way.

I think they need two G1 titles. One with more flash and zip with recognisability; one for Furman's world. I may be a critic of Furman but the primary issue is his pacing and shoddy story-telling at times. The universe he is crafting is unique. And I want more.

Another possible path is having two artists on alternating mini-series. This allows them to have less breaks between mini-series. They could have a one month gap between the mini-series, drawn by different artists. They've got a stable of motivated creators who are also fans.

If anyone knows comicbook sales, there is only one trend. Down.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ne...m.cgi?id=12917

Looking at the present sales figures, by the start of the next arc, IDW could be selling only 10,000 units. A severe decline. Especially at a time when fandom is experiencing an influx or returning fans and new fans.

"All Hail Decepticons" or whatever it'll be called is due this year. And it's supposed to be big and invigorating. There's very little buzz around it though. Ryall needs to do more. Unlike independants, IDW has the fan communities where they can get exposure. They aren't maximising their penetration in the markets. They can talk straight to the fans. They can create buzz on the internet. It isn't happening. Me, I only care b/c I don't want to have no TF comics. They're the pinacle of my collecting b/c they're the only places I can really rely on a consistent basis to give me stories about the characters I care most about. G1. I just don't want to see it disappear.