…We Thought They’d Never End

2011 was one hell of a big year for DC Comics, a year of bold moves against the grain of what Marvel was doing, proudly proclaimed with bold slogans on their comics’ covers: “Holding the line at $2.99!” and “The New 52!” But, as tends to happen with all well-meaning slogans, like “habeas corpus” and “I’ll pull out,” some things are easier to say than to live up to.

In an extensive interview with Newsarama’s Vaneta Rogers, DC Comics Vice President of Sales John Rood and SVP of Sales Bob Wayne announced that Batman and Detective comics will be bumping up to $3.99, while increasing their page count for additional “story and editorial content.” No word, however, on what “editorial content” means. Could be interesting backmatter… could be grainy photos of Grant Morrison’s junk.

In addition, have you gotten used to that big, bright, “The New 52!” printed on the top right on your comic covers? Damn, that’s too bad:

Fifty two is not a mandate. I’m pleased, and as far as I know, the co-pubs and the executive editor have been talking more about whether there are quality stories to be told beyond what’s been put out there so far.

So it’s been a magical number for us, but it’s not a leg irons that are going to make us put out substandard quality.

Well, thank God that DC was committed to not putting out substandard books. That certainly worked out.

Bottom line: they’re talking the first cancellations of the New 52. And when can we expect that, John?

I mentioned issue #8 because at the Road Show when we were announcing the New 52 last summer, we were talking about looking at it after issue #5. So that’s an exponential success to go this long without talking about replacements.

So what’s gonna go first? Well, As of November’s final sales figures, it looks like Blackhawks and Men of War are the two swirling at the bottom of the barrel. But it’s hard to tell; for years Jonah Hex wasn’t a big seller, and DC kept it going out of some kind of loyalty to western comics. And while Hawk & Dove isn’t doing much better (90th vs 115th), it’s probably safe because DC just announced they’re chucking Sterling Gates off the book so that Rob Leifeld can also write it… for reasons I can only speculate. Such as, perhaps, unless Rob is given plenty to keep his hands busy, he might wander the halls of DC, pulling at the crotch of his pants and jabbering about Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So, long story short: if there’s a New 52 book you’re liking, make sure you pick it up. because the free ride is coming to an end.