IDW sales numbers thread

[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. 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.