Simon Furman Q&A.

[STL]

In fact, AHM issue 1 sold one copy less than Devastation issue 1 in the same period of time, though Ryall and McCarthy dispute these independent sales figures, claiming IDW's own are far more impressive.

I have a few friends who run comic shops in the US and they tell me that IDW's trades might have more alternative avenues but definitely not their comics. I think AHM's lack of success is really people just being sick and tired of IDW. It's sad, really.

EDIT:

Thinking about it again, I do wonder what the reorder capacity on IDW's trades are b/c I guess that's where a lot of money can be made by other sources than the Direct Market (the comic market). It seems from recent solicitations that many of IDW's have gone into 3rd or 4th printings IIRC so that's potentially a good sign that their series have longevity. And it makes sense too as it seems more TF fans only are randomly comic fans these days.

That or most of them read it online.

[i_amtrunks]

Trades are the way to go, and IDW are very good at getting trades out fairly soon after the series finishes. I've tried to get the trades as well as the comics, but the trades are ordered in such small numbers, and sell so well (except the Movie related stuff, cant polish terds) that some of the trades are quite hard to track down. (The Beast Wars stuff, Stormbringer and Infiltration in particular)

[Golden Phoenix]

Trades are the way to go, and IDW are very good at getting trades out fairly soon after the series finishes. I've tried to get the trades as well as the comics, but the trades are ordered in such small numbers, and sell so well (except the Movie related stuff, cant polish terds) that some of the trades are quite hard to track down. (The Beast Wars stuff, Stormbringer and Infiltration in particular)

I know, I've been trying to track down Escalation for ages. Although I found some, they are at Borders and I'll be damned if I'm paying $45 for it

[GoktimusPrime]

I've pre-ordered the Animated TPB for whenever that comes out. I'm otherwise too impatient to collect them.

[bassbot]

man, the Reign of Starscream trade was awesome, aside from being a cool story and a great new take on Starscream, there was some awesome extras in there.
If I was on this board earlier and more often I could have mentioned this q&a coming, good on Griffin for posting the thread!!!

I've organised 3 q&a's with Simon now, since early 2007 I think. He can never really give too many spoilers or hints, but just talk in general terms.
I think it's cool he's writing the 2009 movie adaptation and has some new things in the pipeline beyond the 13 series and Max Dino's.