I decided to keep up with this ongoing story a little better just because I want to be able to say "I told you so" - even though, technically, I already can... and did.
According to ICv2, sales were down almost 10% from this time last year and that's basically been true throughout the year, so far. Sales were up slightly from the previous month, but that is probably due to the success of the Iron Man movie more than anything else (with kids begging their folks to get them some Iron Man comics after they leave the theater and/or old dudes like us telling their kids, "Back in my day..." and setting-off to recapture some of their fading youth); when that's over, the slight rise will be, too.
An interesting side-note: Marvel's Secret Invasion #2 sales were down over 25% from the first issue! It still outsold DC's Final Crisis (No We Really Mean It - Seriously!) debut. I told you these event things were wearing-out quickly - as well they should! In the article cited, even ICv2 calls the multitude of covers and other horseshit "fan exploitation," though lamentably notes such gimmickry still results in sales. Further, sales of Amazing Spider-Man continue to slide, after the One Last Day debacle.
As I noted, none of what I said in the earlier post - none of what I am telling you now - is "news" and all of this could have easily been avoided if those who run these companies cared about what we, the fans - the audience, the readers, the purchasers - want to see!
Of course, I don't mean they should cater to our every (perceived) whim - after all, that's what led to the monthly Wolverine and Punisher appearances in every title on the stands in the early 90s - but when all of Comicdom (well, maybe not all, but close enough) continues to bemoan the price, the (lack of) quality, the direction of the title/character(s) - basically every facet of the hobby and industry - why doesn't anyone bother to listen!? It's too obvious the cats what run this industry are completely out of touch with it; their best idea as to what we want to see is culled from sales reports - they obviously do not listen to the conversations around them at the conventions they attend (solely to shill their inferior product) or bother to read a single forum or trade!
Sales are declining, stores and publishing houses are closing, and the entire industry is about to have one of its regularly-schedule, trademarked "recessions" yet again. I give the whole superhero movie genre another year - two, tops - and then it's out the door (though high-concept graphic novels and series will still attract Hollywood) and what's left then? Video games?
Not likely.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
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