January 08, 2005

Fanboy radio (note corrected time)

I'll be doing an appearance tomorrow, Sunday, on Fanboyradio.com at 7 PM EST, 6 PM Central time.

I'll be announcing some stuff.

PAD

Posted by Peter David at January 8, 2005 06:53 PM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 8, 2005 07:06 PM

I [b]love[/b] stuff! Can't wait!

Posted by: Karen at January 8, 2005 07:51 PM

Well, hopefully it will work better for me tomorrow. I just went there and clicked on the link to listen to the station and got nuttin. Will you put your "stuff" on the blog after the show for those of us who may not be able to listen?

Posted by: TallestFanEver at January 8, 2005 11:24 PM

*Puts on Carnac the great headgear*

Madrox ongoing, longer commitment to Hulk and wearing a monacle.

*pulls out envelope*

What Peter David will annouce tomorrow while talking with a funny accent.

Posted by: dark schneider at January 9, 2005 11:28 AM

Well, I've posted a few questions in their page

Posted by: dark schneider at January 9, 2005 11:29 AM

can someone tell me which hour will be in Spain when the program starts?, thanks

Posted by: Michael Pullmann at January 9, 2005 01:55 PM

Spanish fans tune in at midnight.

Posted by: Nate at January 9, 2005 04:27 PM

I hope he announces he's staying on Hulk for 12 more years... :)

Posted by: dark schneider at January 9, 2005 04:57 PM

Thanks Michael

Posted by: david at January 9, 2005 06:41 PM

And of course, if anyone misses the live airing of the show, you can always download the mp3 file from Fanboy Radio archives for a few quarters.

Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 9, 2005 07:11 PM

I'm getting some kind of RealPlayer error when I try to listen. Shame, I'll have to check back here later to find out the announcement(s).

Posted by: The StarWolf at January 9, 2005 07:14 PM

Can someone please explain to these guys that "standardized formats" are that for a reason???

Every other Internet radio station I've gone to, from Paris to Tokyo works fine on Windows Media Player.

This one? "Unrecognized Format."

*sigh*

Posted by: Nivek at January 9, 2005 07:15 PM

Im also getting real player errors through the site. Guess I'll have to keep checking back here later.

Posted by: Jay Tea at January 9, 2005 07:38 PM

PAD's 2 big announcements:
1) On Hulk through the end of the year.
2) Abomination limited series.

Great news, on both fronts.

J.

Posted by: Sarik at January 9, 2005 07:46 PM

I loved the Stan Lee impression.

Posted by: Ian Sokoliwski at January 9, 2005 07:54 PM

I'm really looking forward to the Abomination mini-series!!

Maybe Collin could end up being, oh, I don't know...an alternate personality for the Abomination?

A cyborg ninja velocirapter from the future?

A renegade from Bete Noire?

Excellent interview! I'm having a great time listening to it!

Posted by: Karen at January 9, 2005 07:59 PM

Bad news about Fallen Angel. Everyone buy 10 copies!

Oh, and in reference to the begining of the interview: You don't suck!

Posted by: Karen at January 9, 2005 08:02 PM

Ok, it's over. Great interview. Lot's of humor. And even though there were plenty of disclaimers, I know people out there will twist your words about some of the subjects. I thought you were great.

Posted by: Michael Pullmann at January 9, 2005 08:03 PM

Fun way to kill an hour. Shame about Fallen Angel. If I had $11,800, I'd buy the four thousand extra copies myself.

Looking forward to more Hulk, New Frontier, and whatever that new project is.

Posted by: Nate at January 9, 2005 08:03 PM

He also announced he has a mystery ongoing title launching in September for Marvel.

Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

Posted by: Michael Cravens at January 9, 2005 08:05 PM

So, a rundown of what was announced for those who weren't listening:

1.) Peter David is on Hulk at least until the end of this year.

2.) He's writing a new Abomination 4-issue limited series.

3.) No new issues of Fallen Angel have been ordered past issue 20. The book sells 11,000 copies approximately, and needs to sell at least 15,000 to be profitable. (Note from me: This is one of the top five comic series on the stands right now. People, do everything you can to save this book. If people can mobilize to save Spider-Girl, another great book, four or five times, we can mobilize to save this title.

4.) No announcements about Madrox becoming an ongoing.

5.) Peter will be writing a new Marvel ongoing, set in the Marvel Universe. No specification on what the new ongoing will be, but more details will be forthcoming when the artist is finalized and pages are drawn.

Hate to hear about Fallen Angel. Everything else rocked.

Posted by: Tim Lynch at January 9, 2005 08:20 PM

I don't know how many people tend to read here ... but if each of us orders an extra 2-3 copies of Fallen Angel 19 and 20, would that put it over the top? I'm certainly happy to do my share in that regard.

Good news on the other fronts, though!

TWL

Posted by: dark schneider at January 9, 2005 08:31 PM

My Realplayer didn't get any problems, sad about Fallen Angel but this new project in September keeps me intrigued

Posted by: dark schneider at January 9, 2005 08:37 PM

Sorry but I didn't hear the first minutes, did he say something about hisDreadstar being collected?

Posted by: Jeff In NC at January 9, 2005 08:41 PM

Nice interview. Just enough "geekyness" for fans, but not too much to turn off any casual listeners.

Sad news about Fallen Angel. Maybe, hopefully, the book will find enough new readers to get a second chance. Especially when you stated that if comic stores all bought one or maybe 2 additional issues, there would be enough sales to keep the book going.

I'm not worried about New Frontiers as much, since books have a longer shelf life than new comics. I'm still enjoying the series, and hope it stays with us as long as you have stories to tell.

But, the biggest news really came as no surprise. Congrats on the continuing of Hulk!

It will be interesting to see how the fan press reports the interview though.

Posted by: Aron at January 9, 2005 09:01 PM

Well, poop!

I'm here local to the broadcast station in DFW, but didn't get in until just a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the updates. I am excited about Pete's continued efforts on the Hulk. Yea! Pantheon, anyone?

An Abomination book, too. The hits just keep coming.


Aron


Posted by: DF2506 at January 10, 2005 01:22 AM


PAD on the Hulk through this year is great! I still need to get that first issue! *sigh* I just haven't been able to keep up with my comics as much lately. *double sigh* If I was, I'd definitly be getting Fallen Angel!! I'd get Hulk, Fallen Angel, and lots of other books. But I've been getting very behind. Haven't had the money..

As for Madrox, I heard that the mini is coming to TPB in March!! I gotta get that! I read the first issue on-line and it was pretty good!

Also need to pick up a Fallen Angel TPB #1.

DF2506
" Hopefully I'll be able to get some of this stuff soon..*sigh* "

Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 10, 2005 01:38 AM

Okay, it goes without saying that the Fallen Angel news is not good. I just got my hands on the trade and have become interested, it can't go away now! Money's a little tight right now, but I'll see if I can get down to my local shop and skip right to the newest issue.

Posted by: James Tichy at January 10, 2005 01:56 AM

Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time?

Posted by: Scott Iskow at January 10, 2005 03:14 AM

I'm really glad PAD still has projects after Fallen Angel and Madrox. I was actually pretty worried for a while. Right now there are only three writers that are keeping me into comics, and he counts for approximately 33.3333333333333% of them.

Everyone, be sure to pick up PAD's Hulk Visionairies trade coming out on the 19th! I missed PAD's run the first time through and I'm not the kind of person who goes digging for back issues, so this paperback is perfect for me... so long as Marvel keeps on putting out subsequent volumes.

Posted by: Bill at January 10, 2005 04:56 AM

if anyone missed it, it appears to be available to Download now. (for 75 cents)

Posted by: Ian Neve at January 10, 2005 05:34 AM

Iam sooooooo happy I've started salivateing with the prospect of what those issues will bring. It will not disappoint us Iam sure!!
Iam really looking forward to see what PAD makes of all the stuff which happened after his departure. I think he'll have the least trouble ironing out Paul Jenkins run, as it was the closest to PAD's vision of the Hulk.
Here's to seeing the Hulk in his own book for a change- The Incredible Hulk is back! Thank GOD!

Ian

Posted by: s yarish at January 10, 2005 07:13 AM

PAD, any idea who the artist is going to be for the rest of the year on the Hulk book?

Great, great, great news by the way.

Posted by: Benjamin A. at January 10, 2005 09:13 AM

An "Abomination" mini-series? Intriguing. If it's a success, I hope Peter follows with a "Leader" mini-series, and perhaps even a "General Ross" mini-series, as a kind of trilogy exploring the Hulk's more popular adversaries.

Posted by: isaac at January 10, 2005 09:24 AM

Peter
Is there any possibiliity of Fallen Angel being published elsewhere? I really love this series.

Posted by: Paul Anthony Llossas at January 10, 2005 09:28 AM

I'm really sorry about "Fallen Angel." While this has been one of my top five titles to look forward to each month (actually, its my favorite outside the "Superman" titles), I feel that this was the pet project closest to your heart. It seemed to me that it was a labor of love for you,IMHO. Is there ANY possibility of it being published through another independent press? Hell, I'll even purchase it if >ackack ack

Posted by: Paul Anthony Llossas at January 10, 2005 09:29 AM

My last statement was supposed to read "I'll even purchase it if even (ack) Marvel (ack, ack) publishes it."

Posted by: Saul at January 10, 2005 10:52 AM

I second Isaac's comments. I don't know how the business works, but if DC doesn't think it's profitable to publish, is there any way for them to sell it to some smaller outfit who would love a book that sells 11,000 copies? Claypool, for example?

Posted by: DneColt at January 10, 2005 11:07 AM

Well, a good new, bad news, good news kinda thing, I guess. Good news about the Hulk and the Abomination. Nice to know I'll be able to read the Hulk for a year, at least. Bad news about Fallen Angel, though not unexpected. To be honest, this book has outlasted even my most optimistic guesses as to how long it would last, and that it'll get to #20 is, frankly, pretty amazing. Hopefully, it will prove me wrong again, becoming DC's version of the seemingly unkillable Spider-Girl. Finally, good news about the Myster Series. New Madrox? I hope. Dr. Strange? Might be fun. Howard the Duck? Why not? (actually, I kinda like that idea -- Howard's satiric humor needs a trenchant social critic pulling his strings). How about Avengers? Just as long as it's not, like, Deadshot.

Posted by: DneColt at January 10, 2005 11:08 AM

By which, of course, I mean DeadPOOL.

Posted by: Chris Grillo at January 10, 2005 12:52 PM

Paul, I just thought that you started to speak Martianese*.

*Martianese as spoken in "Mars Attacks".

Posted by: Zach Kinkead at January 10, 2005 02:09 PM

Great show, PAD. I missed the first five minutes though (my computer takes for-freaking-ever to load). What did I miss?

"Posted by Benjamin A. at January 10, 2005 09:13 AM
An "Abomination" mini-series? Intriguing. If it's a success, I hope Peter follows with a "Leader" mini-series, and perhaps even a "General Ross" mini-series, as a kind of trilogy exploring the Hulk's more popular adversaries."

The Leader? Nah, I'd rather have the U-Foes ;)

Posted by: JonWes at January 10, 2005 03:26 PM

I'm not "kinda upset" or thinking "too bad" about Fallen Angel. I'm totally pissed off. :(

I want this series to continue! Somehow! Some way! I think it's too good for DC anyway. It's the only DC book I read right now and it seems its getting screwed over just like Supergirl (the only DC book I read back then.) Is it possible to move it over to say.... Marvel's Icon imprint?

Posted by: Doug Hahner at January 10, 2005 03:59 PM

Ongoing PAD from Marvel is great news. PAD on Hulk for the year is great news.

I'm not dwelling on Fallen Angel because it is too sad. New ideas just don't get the readership support that they deserve.

Speculation on new ongoing PAD:
Dr. Strange or Namor.

No reason for Strange other than he doesn't currently have an ongoing.

Namor because there is a movie coming out, and PAD made Aquaman cool.

Peace,
Doug

Posted by: Chris Grillo at January 10, 2005 04:28 PM

My comics pusher Matt Price at Speeding Bullet Books & Comics in Norman, OK ordered extra copies of FA #19 specifically because George Perez is doing the cover.

Posted by: J. Alexander at January 10, 2005 04:53 PM

Damn, this is sad news regarding FALLEN ANGEL. I really enjoyed reading it and constantly listed it at my comic store as one of my top three books for the weeks that it was received.

This hurts more than CAPTAIN MARVEL.

Posted by: dark schneider at January 10, 2005 06:21 PM

>>The Leader? Nah, I'd rather have the U-Foes ;)

I'd rather have the Pantheon, i think the U-Foes should face someday the Fantastic Four

Posted by: J. Alexander at January 10, 2005 06:39 PM

As for Peter's new Marvel monthly, I am guessing SPIDER-MAN? Now, I would prefer that the new title would be something that we have never seen Peter write for during his time at Marvel. I would like to see him take a tired concept and revitalize it. POWER PACK, CLOAK AND DAGGER, STARLORD, for example.


Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 10, 2005 06:48 PM

Perhaps someone can enlighten me...does DC own the rights to Fallen Angel? I suppose it's too much to hope that he can take the project elsewhere...

Posted by: J. Alexander at January 10, 2005 07:41 PM

It is my understanding that Peter owns the rights to FALLEN ANGEL. Unfortunately, I bet that DC has the rights for a number of years to publish the title. This means that Peter is screwed.

Posted by: Zach Kinkead at January 10, 2005 09:32 PM

"Posted by dark schneider at January 10, 2005 06:21 PM
>>The Leader? Nah, I'd rather have the U-Foes ;)

I'd rather have the Pantheon,"

That'd be kinda cool too but when he was on FBR PAD covered why we won't see them for a while. When people ask if they have to read his old Hulk to get his new Hulk he wants to be able to say "no" and mean it.

" i think the U-Foes should face someday the Fantastic Four"

But that's so ... obvious. Then again that same obviousness causes me to think "why HASN'T Marvel done that?"

I can't come up with a good reason.

Posted by: Peter David at January 10, 2005 10:33 PM

"I would like to see him take a tired concept and revitalize it. POWER PACK, CLOAK AND DAGGER, STARLORD, for example."

I appreciate the enthusiasm for such notions. Now allow me to describe what will happen:

"Peter David is writing Power Pack!"

"Hurrah!" say lots of people on the web.

Retailer orders come in placing issue #1 ranked somewhere around #85. By the time issue #1 is hitting the stands, #3 has already dropped out of the top 100.

By the time it's cancelled with issue #6, internet fans bemoan how quality books don't sell while the "Peter David's book's all get canceled"-sayers get another notch in their belts.

There are certain titles that are going to be consistently revived, netfans will be happy, and they'll be canceled. They just don't sustain readership. I've been in the business for decades, and I have NEVER seen a marketplace as toxic to second string or new "unaligned" titles as this one.

PAD

Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 10, 2005 11:37 PM

Well then, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the new title is going to feature an established character(s).

Posted by: Jeff Lawson at January 10, 2005 11:37 PM

^ Make that "established and popular.

Posted by: Jonathan (the other one) at January 10, 2005 11:52 PM

Well then, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the new title is going to feature an established character(s).
^ Make that "established and popular."

Peter David's going to write "Wolverine"?

:-)

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 11, 2005 01:47 AM

Didn't get to hear the radio show, but here are my opinions on the "announcements":

FALLEN ANGEL - Guys, from my understanding, the series has not been officially cancelled, right? Issues 19 and 20 are still "make or break" and can still be ordered.
So for all those in "mourning", snap out of it! If you really want to save this book, get some green or the plastic out and order some more copies. Easy to say and hard to do, you say? Not if you really care about the book as much as some of you say you do.
"Spider-Girl" has been saved numerous times. One of the reasons is that it is more accessible to a broader audience than "Fallen Angel". In the past month, I have given "Spider-Girl" comics to my 7-year old cousins, a friend's teenage daughter and a woman I am dating who is in her 30s and has always loved Spider-Man and was not ever aware that "Spider-Girl" existed and loved it. (I also enjoy the book and consider Tom DeFalco one of the more talented and nicest guys in comics, so that is extra incentive).
I can't do that with "Fallen Angel" because of A.)the Mature Content B.)it is hard to follow if you have not been reading it and C.) there is not one character that is remotely likable.
I read it because it IS different and to support PAD, since he obviously has his heart in the series. But I can understand why others do not.
And others obviously do not, because if they did, sales would slowly be creeping upward as word-of-mouth spread. Instead the opposite has happened, which means fewer and fewer people are inclined to follow Lee's adventures.
Instead of bashing DC if it does get cancelled after #20, why not give them credit for sticking with the book even though it has not sniffed the Top 100 for at least 7 issues? They obviously did care about the book to some extent or they would have pulled the plug far earlier in the run. In fact, it is definite that only DC being such a corporate entity allowed them to continue publishing the book this long. Marvel - and certainly anybody else - would have had to cancel a series that was #168 in sales last I looked -much earlier.
DC has tried supporting books like "Gotham Central", "Fallen Angel" and others. Sometimes they catch on and sometimes they don't.
But if this IS it, at least PAD was able to do his big arc (to #18), was able to create hs own world so to speak and have it published, was able to do a project that was unique and one that was obvously dear to him. He got to do it for over a year and a half, as well as a Trade Paperback, as well as write Sachs and Violens again.
If this IS it, can we all take some solace in that?

Posted by: JonWes at January 11, 2005 01:53 AM

Peter David's going to write "Wolverine"?

My head just exploded! LOL

I don't care where and I don't care how but I want more Fallen Angel. Even if it was just a series of graphic novels published by some small company like Avatar or something. ANYTHING.

Onto other, more uplifting topics... well, I'd loved Peter to write FF. JMS seems to have a pretty good vision of the characters, I just hope he doesn't weigh them down needlessly. It feels like too many creators are so busy trying to make their mark on characters they lose sight of the characters themselves. I'm all for change though, just sensible change that seems internally consistent.

But I digress. I would love if it was Dr. Strange. He really deserves his own ongoing. "Strange" has been posting good numbers, so hopefully it'd be a good segway to a new series. The only one I might wish for is Silver Surfer, but he just had a comic book that went nowhere.

Man, when I think about how so many of my favorite characters are homeless and just don't seem to be the flavor for today's market.... it gets me decompressed.... I mean... depressed.

Posted by: JonWes at January 11, 2005 02:02 AM

Guys, from my understanding, the series has not been officially cancelled, right? Issues 19 and 20 are still "make or break" and can still be ordered.

Actually, no. That's not the way it reads. It seems that DC has already made it's decision. I would never mindlessly bash DC. They just seem to have a habit of making bizarre decisions. There has been an upswing in sales after they made any effort at all to promote the book (wow imagine that - promoting a book that isn't Batman or Superman?!?!?) and then they decide to pull the plug.

It's irritating. If it hadn't happened before, I could forgive it more easily. But it did happen. At DC. To PAD.

Supergirl was utterly neglected by DC. You ever remember seeing an ad for Supergirl when her 50th issue came up in Wizard or even one of DC's own titles? Nope. The most they did was slap some silly company-wide crossover logo on the book and make it so that PAD once again had to slow down his own plotlines to accomodate "Final Dark Laughing Crisis of the Joker" or what-have-you. Blah.

BUT... around time for #75, with the return of Kara they finally give it a bit of publicity and the book shows signs of life. What do they do? Celebrate? Nah, they just cancel it in favor of some Supergirl that lasted for like, 5 seconds only to be replaced by... Kara as Supergirl!

Oh man, how smart it was to bring her back! Huzzah to all the writers who thought of that. If only we'd thought to bring her back before... oh... wait... OOOPS.

Grrrrr.

I don't mean to be bitter but I like decisions that seem to have some iota of common sense in them.

Your point that other companies might not have supported it is probably true. If it was a normal Marvel universe book, it might not have survived. Which makes me think that Peter really should shop it around to a smaller publisher that will do right by it. I don't care if it's just published in black and white with color covers. I think it deserves to live on.

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 11, 2005 02:06 AM

As for the other announcements:

PAD ON HULK UNTIL END OF THE YEAR - Bravo! Five or six issues is entirely too short a time to judge. Although underwhelmed by the first issue of the new arc, that cliffhanger was cool. I see your run picking up steam, and now, even if "Tempest Fugit" tanks, you will have time to say, "OK, you didn't care for THAT, how's THIS?" and go in an entirely new direction.

ABOMINATION LIMITED SERIES - Way cool! With what has transpired between the two since you left, this has a myriad of possibilities, especially with your imagination.

PAD's NEW MARVEL ONGOING - Well, with "Spectacular" ending, I think the time would be right for you to write some witty dialogue for the web-head in a new "Spider-Man" ongoing, complete with #1 issue. THAT would be cool. Spidey isn't written funny that much anymore in ANY of his books (except "Ultimate").
You also write strong women. I've aways thought you would do a killer "Rogue" series, or "Mystique". Those characters already have series, but Joe Q is always ready for a "relaunch", right? What about "Storm"? She's been rumored for an ongoing for quite a while. Hmmmmm...Now, that would be interesting.
I've always said you would do an interesting Batman, and the closest thing to him in the Marvel U. is..."Moon Knight", which Joe Q has been waiting for the "right pitch" for. Did you find the strike zone with this one, PAD?
Then again, with a movie coming, might you be writing a "Power Man/Luke Cage" series?
those are my guesses/hopes for now, PAD. You'll obviously tell us soon enough.

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 11, 2005 02:18 AM

JonWes,
Upswing in sales? Really? When did this happen?
Seriously.
As far as "Supergirl", I really loved the book. But, again, the sales weren't there. The Return of Kara story was magnificent.
But here, you can blame retailers for missing the boat, since they were conservative in their orders for the first issue of the arc. Once DC saw the orders for #75, they cancelled the book, which, again, had been out of The Top 100 for a bit.
Or maybe PAD could have done that story earlier. It's always easy to say shoulda/woulda/coulda after the fact.
But the fact is, despite excellent stories, sales were low, and despite low sales near the end of the run, PAD was able to do 80 issues of the book. That is remarkable for any bok in this day and age, more than all the other "Supergirl" book's runs combined, and more than 20 issues greater than any run of a Marvel book with a female lead until "Spider-Girl". So again, mourn the loss, but also feel happy for the stories you got. A LOT of books would kill to have an 80-issue run.

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 11, 2005 02:32 AM

As far as the other "Supergirls". Well, the one that lasted 5 seconds lasted five seconds for a reason, she was a lame (IMO) character in a lame (IMO) Superman story by Steven Seagle that I can't even remember the plot of right now.
But she didn't have her own book, did she?
Thankfully, no.
As far as the "new Kara" Supergirl in "Superman/Batman", I've said this a million times:
1.) The book was at or near the top of the charts from issue #1. It's not like 50,000 Supergirl fans all of a sudden started picking up the book.
2.) I have yet to run into someone who picked up the book BECAUSE of the Kara character. They picked it up because it had Superman and Batman! They picked it up because of Wonder Woman or Darkseid! They picked it up because of Jeph Loeb! They especially picked it up because Michael Turner was drawing it (and therefore hot versions of Kara and Diana).
So comparing the two books is apples and oranges.

Posted by: JonWes at January 11, 2005 02:43 AM

From my understanding (and I could be wrong) the orders started improving after #75 once retailers saw the response.

I'm not fond of blaming retailers. Sure, I wish they'd take more of a chance on books - but the truth is some of them don't have a lot of room for that. I think being annoyed that they seem more responsive with ordering and not as proactive with it won't help much because with the market being the way it is now I'm not sure they have much choice. At least the retailers I've talked to feel that way. Maybe they're full of it.

To me, DC should have given the book a couple issues at least, especially after having neglected it for so long. It's amazing the book made it to 80, you're right. I think that's more a testament to David's writing then to DC.

Can anyone think of ONE instance of DC promoting the book after it's initial launch?

In any case, that's water long under the bridge. I do enjoy my full run of Supergirl. I don't think being annoyed at the way it was ended diminishes that.

I think rather then say "Oh well, that's the way it is... let's move on" we should say "What's wrong with this picture? What could DC do to avoid this in the future?"

I don't think it's limited to DC either. I would say Marvel is just as bad at times. I find it odd when the latest X-book or Superman or Batman is advertised up the wazoo when there are so many struggling books that deserve a spotlight shone on them. I think, in the end, comic book companies need to take a good, hard look at the way they promote their books.

If we're not careful, all comic books will be is a series of "big events" and "shocking universe-changing stories" that can be hyped to the nth degree and all wonder, all hope, all spirit, and all humanity will be lost from them. In my mind, that is what too many comic books were in the 90's.

For a while there, I felt like it was shifting for the better... but now it seems like we might be slipping back into that particularly black chasm in the name of profitablity. In any case, I don't seem any harm in a few people ringing those bells in a constructive manner on occasion.

Posted by: dark schneider at January 11, 2005 04:09 AM

>> I have yet to run into someone who picked up the book BECAUSE of the Kara character. They picked it up because it had Superman and Batman! They picked it up because of Wonder Woman or Darkseid! They picked it up because of Jeph Loeb! They especially picked it up because Michael Turner was drawing it (and therefore hot versions of Kara and Diana).

Well, if rumors are true and Loeb and Churchill do a new Supergirl ongoing based on the character that appeared in S/B we'll see if people are REALLY interested in the character for a long time

Posted by: KET at January 11, 2005 07:08 AM

Jerome said: As far as the "new Kara" Supergirl in "Superman/Batman", I've said this a million times:
1.) The book was at or near the top of the charts from issue #1. It's not like 50,000 Supergirl fans all of a sudden started picking up the book."


Actually, these WERE the readers who DID put that book at or near the top of the charts. While the previous arc initially racked up some hot numbers (due to the book being a new vehicle for DC's top two franchise characters), it was the combination of incessant mega-hype over the return of Kara and Michael Turner's overrated reputation that delivered the REAL knockout punch last year.

"2.) I have yet to run into someone who picked up the book BECAUSE of the Kara character."

Then you simply haven't been paying much attention. Many readers also hopped right OFF of SUPERMAN/BATMAN as soon as the 9-month Kara tease ordeal was FINALLY OVER, although some may have lingered around afterward to test out the Carlos Pachero story arc (due to the hype over the parade of character cameos that would be appearing). I think the next couple of month's sales numbers for S/B will probably reflect on the slight drop-off posed by this trend.


"So comparing the two books is apples and oranges."


Not really. The only difference is STILL that S/B gets way too much publicity (that it simply DOESN'T NEED, due to its already built in tentpole-franchise factor, which automatically draws in the WIZARD zombies), while secondary or new titles almost always get shafted by the inept monkeys at DC Marketing.

dark schneider said: "Well, if rumors are true and Loeb and Churchill do a new Supergirl ongoing based on the character that appeared in S/B we'll see if people are REALLY interested in the character for a long time."

It's not just a rumor. Jeph Loeb's already flogging the upcoming series, which even won't start appearing until July (although a Kara "stand-alone" story is being marketed as SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19). Although to be honest, I really don't know how long Loeb can keep up the ruse that he'll be going anywhere with his idiot PARODY of the Silver Age Supergirl. Especially since Churchill's merely a second-rate Liefeld.


KET

Posted by: Julio Diaz at January 11, 2005 11:35 AM

Jonathan (the other one) posted: Peter David's going to write "Wolverine"?

Wouldn't be the first time. PAD's written a couple of memorable Wolvie stories over the years, including a run in MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS (with Sam Kieth, introducing Cyber and inmmediately following "Weapon X") and the one-shot "Rahne of Terra."

Posted by: kingbobb at January 11, 2005 11:40 AM

Not to throw in a negative comment on Fallen Angel, which I love and is the only comic I buy, but will its 11,000 odd readers buying extra copies really make an extended difference? I know it sounds like an additional 4,000 books need to be sold (that's less than half current buyers picking up/ordering a second copy), but are you prepared to continually do that? Because if 15,000 is the profit mark, then the book has to sell that on a regular basis to be kept. And unless you're going to either A) keep buying that second copy into perpetuity, or B) give it to a comic-inclined friend in order to convince them to add the book to their pull list, then the boost in sales is going to be termporary and we'll be in the same "cancellation is nigh" boat we are now.

As much as I'd like to buy mutliple copies, I can barely justify buying one copy of Fallen Angel. If 4,000 of PAD fans can afford that, I'll be grateful for more issues. On the other hand, if it's time, I'd rather PAD had some advance warning, so that he could write a decent "The end...for now" story that doesn't leave us with a Blake's 7 ending.

Posted by: Saul at January 11, 2005 12:46 PM

Jerome Maida writes:

"FALLEN ANGEL - Guys, from my understanding, the series has not been officially cancelled, right? Issues 19 and 20 are still "make or break" and can still be ordered."

Actually, on the webshow, PAD said that DC told him they're not going to be continuing it past #20, *even though the sales figures for #19 weren't in yet.* This didn't make sense to him, and doesn't make sense to me, either.

Posted by: latterdayknight at January 11, 2005 03:06 PM

Not to sound cheap for not wanting to download a 75 cent copy, but having missed the interview I was wondering if anyone could post any news on the most neglected portion of PAD's work, the New Frontier stories. I noticed many people mentioned that there was news about it, or that it was mentioned in the program, but don't give any details. Thanks.

Posted by: Scavenger at January 11, 2005 05:56 PM

Ket sez Especially since Churchill's merely a second-rate Liefeld.

I've always felt he was a second-rate Arthur Adams, myself.

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 12, 2005 01:02 AM

Saul,
I said: "Guys, from my understanding, the series has not been officialy cancelled, right? Issues 19 and 20 are make or break and can still be ordered."

You said:
"Actually, on the webshow,PAD sad that DC told him they're not going to be continuing it past #20, even though the sales figures for #19 weren't in yet.
This didn't make sense to him and doesn't make sense to me either."

Okay. I didn't realize that. Well, at least PAD gt to create this unique universe and tell his unique tales therein for over a year and a half. In this market, that is a significant accomplishment.

Posted by: Peter David at January 12, 2005 01:21 AM

"Well, at least PAD gt to create this unique universe and tell his unique tales therein for over a year and a half. In this market, that is a significant accomplishment."

Yeah? Tell that to the "More proof that Peter David's books don't sell" brigade.

PAD

Posted by: Will McCaffrey at January 12, 2005 01:27 AM

Of course, the 'Fallen Angel' news just makes part of me more torqued-off towards the "I'll just get the trade when it comes out..." crowd.

This just nicely illustrates the "No monthly sales, no trade" point that Peter was trying to hammer into some rather thick heads. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the suits at DC decide it's "Simply not worth it" to collect the remaining issues, since the monthly sales sheet doesn't count all the "I'll wait for the collection" good intentions.

Posted by: Ian Neve at January 12, 2005 02:45 AM

The Over scrutinisation of Hulk seems a shame, I think. We got what we've wanted for years- PAD back on Hulk, lets go with the flow, buy it in our droves because it won't be forever. Of course Iam not saying we shouldn't critisise, but issue one I feel has been disected which is a shame.
One point about Fallen Angel that I don't get, most people seem to be commenting as if it's already gone; surely PAD only commented on poor sales which could lead to cancellation. It's not beyond redemption yet!

Ian :(

Posted by: Johnny Fuller at January 12, 2005 09:27 AM

Apparently Mark Paniccia will be editing HULK after issue #82. Anyone familiar with him?

Posted by: Jerome Maida at January 12, 2005 10:34 AM

Me: "Well,at least PAD got to create this unique universe and tell his unique tales therein for over a year and a half. In this market, that is a significant accomplishment."

PAD: "Yeah? Tell that to the "More proof that Peter David's books don't sell" brigade."

Well, if any of them are posting here, I already have.

Posted by: Chris Grillo at January 12, 2005 05:11 PM

So why is it that they don't switch FA from being a mature DC title to a regular Vertigo title?

Posted by: J. Alexander at January 12, 2005 06:06 PM

I suspect that one of the reasons Peter is not allowed to take FA to Vertigo is simply office politics. Editors at Vertigo are not going to want to take over the handling of a book that they did not have a hand in developing.

Posted by: Zach Kinkead at January 12, 2005 08:26 PM

"Posted by Will McCaffrey at January 12, 2005 01:27 AM
Of course, the 'Fallen Angel' news just makes part of me more torqued-off towards the "I'll just get the trade when it comes out..." crowd.

This just nicely illustrates the "No monthly sales, no trade" point that Peter was trying to hammer into some rather thick heads. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the suits at DC decide it's "Simply not worth it" to collect the remaining issues, since the monthly sales sheet doesn't count all the "I'll wait for the collection" good intentions."

I think that's pretty unfair. It isn't the fault of those of us who often wait for the trade that Marvel and (to a much lesser extent) DC are charging a lot more money for a lot less story. We aren't all made of money and paying three bucks for, say, some X-book that we can finish in a few minutes and only tells part of a story doesn't make a whole lot of sense. At least with a trade we get a whole story (unless we're talking about Jones' Hulk run ;) ) and have a chance at getting a discount on Amazon.

Of course even after saying all that...there's no way I'd wait for a trade to read Fallen Angel because I know damn well it has a snowball's chance in hell of being collected again (I'm shocked that DC put out the first one). Books like Fallen Angel, She-Hulk, and New Thunderbolts need all the monthly sales they can get because they don't get free rides like, say, Superman's comics do due to people buying stories they don't like because they like the character in them.

"Posted by Chris Grillo at January 12, 2005 05:11 PM
So why is it that they don't switch FA from being a mature DC title to a regular Vertigo title?"

Because that'd make sense?