SECRET WARS has finally ended...with a shocking sales twist!
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Secret Wars, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 70
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Marvel, Sales Charts, Star Wars, X-Men, darth vader, Top News, Squirrel Girl, Secret Wars, All-New All-Different, Sales Chart, marketing, Add a tag
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, Deadpool, Secret Wars, All-New All-Different, marketing, Sales Charts, Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Add a tag
Magic is the new trend at Marvel!
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, kelly thompson, Top News, G. Willow Wilson, Top Comics, Secret Wars, a-force, ben caldwell, Add a tag
Fans got the chance to read the brand new A-Force #1 last week but Marvel has already announced a brand new creative team for the series. Writer Kelly Thompson (Gem and the Holograms) is joining artist Ben Caldwell (Prez) to take over the series from writers G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel), Marguerite Bennett (Angela: Queen […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Secret Wars, Digital Comic Readers, Lapsed Fan, Marvel, Retailing & Marketing, Digital Comics, Top News, Top Comics, Add a tag
We talk to someone who's been waiting for Secret Wars to end before picking up any new Marvel titles. How has he been biding his time?
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Top News, Esad Ribic, Jonathan Hickman, Top Comics, Secret Wars, #Marvel, Add a tag
The first issue of Marvel’s brand new Secret Wars shipped in May of this year and was originally scheduled to conclude in eight issues. However, it now looks like Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s epic has been delayed into next year. According to the Diamond Distributors, Secret Wars ninth and final issue now has a January 6th street date. […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, Secret Wars, battleworld, #Marvel, Last Days Of, Marvel, Sales Charts, Star Wars, Add a tag
We look at the quietest month for Marvel in a very long time. Despite the lack of new series, there's some surprising reprint activity! What does it mean for All New, All Different Marvel?!
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: disruption '15, Marvel, Top News, Secret Wars, #Marvel, Add a tag
“It’s the story that has the world talking.” Yes that’s right. I guess it must be FOC for Secret Wars #8, the next to last issue of Marvel’s 2015 event which was supposed to have come out…well Issue #1 came out in April, so I guess a month ago. Marvel’s late sipping issues have slid […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Spider-Man, Avengers, Relaunch, Iron Man, Dan Slott, brian michael bendis, Top News, Point One, Top Comics, doctor strange, Secret Wars, contest of champions, #Marvel, All-New All-Different, Add a tag
The weirdest thing happened in Marvel last week. The publisher’s landmark Secret Wars event has been delayed repeatedly, but Marvel is moving ahead as scheduled with their full line relauch, giving birth to the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe. We at Comics Beat are dedicated to praising great comics, and with so many potential winners out there it […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Axel Alonso, Secret Wars, Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Top News, Editor-in-Chief, Top Comics, Add a tag
As great as Secret Wars has been over the past couple of issues, the story isn’t going to be the end of the Marvel Universe as we know it — the series will also not serve as the last event ever told by the publisher. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso confirmed the existence of a new […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Last Days Of, Marvel, Sales Charts, Star Wars, Top News, Top Comics, Secret Wars, battleworld, Add a tag
by Xavier Lancel Welcome to a new analysis of the Marvel sales. I’m French, that’s why I’m talking funny. Please address your complaints to my home-of-human-rights-but-not-of-migrants country. Reminder: those sales are estimates, sales to comics shops situated in North America. American comics do get sold somewhere else in their original floppy edition. Keep in mind […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Top News, chris sims, Top Comics, Secret Wars, X-Men '92, Chad Bowers, Add a tag
Sitting atop Doom’s throne as the surprise hit of Secret Wars is an X-Men series loosely based off of the cartoon, X-Men ‘92. The mini-series is becoming an ongoing after the marquee crossover. The new title will begin in 2016 announced via Newsarama. The tale will be written by the same creative team on the […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Nathan Edmondson, Top News, Dalibor Talajic, 1872, Secret Wars, All-New All-Different, Jeffrey Veregge, Red Wolf, Diversity, Marvel, Add a tag
Marvel already teased the fact that Native American character Red Wolf was on his way to get his own comic book, but today the first images and creative teams have been announced via Mashable. Nathan Edmondson (Black Widow) is writing the brand new series that features covers, design and consulting from Jeffrey Veregge, a Native American artist who recently contributed covers to G.I. Joe from IDW. Dalibor Talajić, recent artist from Secret Wars spin-off comic Master of Kung Fu is drawing the interiors. Jake Thomas will be editing the brand new series starting with Red Wolf #1 -- the first new solo title for the character in several decades. Red Wolf recently spun out of Marvel’s Secret Wars title 1872, an oddball tale that took place in the past. The hero was also in the All-New, All-Different Marvel teaser as seen below, which has allowed for fringe character in the Marvel Universe to remain relevant and receive their own quirky comic books. The series will take place in the American Southwest.
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Marvel, Commentary, Op-Ed, Batgirl, DC Comics, silk, Continuity, Top News, Ms Marvel, Top Comics, spider-gwen, Secret Wars, battleworld, Batgirling, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Add a tag
On my lunch break today, I decided to catch up on a few books I had fallen behind on. Among them was Silk. I picked up the latest issue, branded with the “Last Days of…” banner given to all Marvel mainline Secret Wars tie-ins, and while I missed the cleanliness of regular artist Stacy Lee’s lines, I found […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Marvel, Retailing & Marketing, Data, Sales Charts, Top News, Ms Marvel, Last Days, Secret Wars, battleworld, xavier lancel, Marvel Sales Chart, Sales Analysis, Add a tag
by Xavier Lancel Welcome to a new analysis of the Marvel sales. Reminder: I’m French, and that’s why I’m talking funny. Please address your complaints to my French-people-are-never-happy country. Reminder: the sales data referenced below is an estimate of sales to comics shops located in North America. American comics do get sold elsewhere in their original floppy […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Breaking News, Marvel, Image, Phonogram, Top News, Top Comics, Secret Wars, Add a tag
After a hard week at the mansion the Beat Staffers (authors of the world’s premiere comic book website The Beat) went out for ice cream. A brand new ice cream shop had just surfaced near the Beat headquarters…a perfect place to enjoy the night off after some truly hard work. The team each got their very […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Sales Charts, Star Wars, Fables, Diamond, Top News, Secret Wars, july 2015 sales, Add a tag
You know, maybe the narrative about Dark Horse losing the Star Wars license to Marvel wasn’t DH’s loss but Marvel’s gain: sales of Star Wars comics seem to be what’s propelling them to stay on top by a comfortable margin. But Secret Wars #4 was the #1 comics of the monht—the Fables wrap up in the trade […]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Marvel, Sales Charts, Top News, Secret Wars, xavier lancel, month to month sales May 2015, rising prices, Add a tag
Welcome to yet another Marvel Sales Analysis. Reminder: I'm French, so that's why I'm talking funny. Please address your complaints to my let's-scare-Courtney-Love-with-our-mean-taxi-drivers country. However, one thing seems sure: following the conclusion of Secret Wars, all titles will be renumbered at #1—even titles that didn’t reach double-digit issue numbers. This includes books like Hawkeye, Howard the Duck and the armada of female spider characters.
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Top News, Jonathan Hickman, Top Comics, SDCC '15, Secret Wars, The Eternals, Add a tag
Friday kicked off Marvel’s Secret Wars panel that sported a presence from author Jonathan Hickman. With the announcement that the author planned on leaving/scaling back his Marvel work, this could be the last we see of Hickman from a very long time with an official Marvel presence. Included among the panelists was Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, who spent some time chatting with Hickman before the show proper began. Kieron Gillen was noticeably absent to the panel — after being listed on the Marvel.com description. Josh Williamson of Illuminati joined the fray, and Charles Soule arrived late to the party with editor Wilson Moss, editor Sana Amanat and Jake Friedfeld, Sales Communication & Event Coordinator moderated the panel.
NOTE: Brevoort and Hickman teased that they were working on more Marvel series together and…possibly…a new title featuring The Eternals, no artist is attached as of this moment. What follows is basically Marvel sharing some new covers and dates for their upcoming titles which had to be mostly shuffled around to not spoil anything about Secret Wars.
–Secret Wars #5 is dropping August 12th — or so it seems, “It’s kind of a suggested date” said Brevoort, “A bunch of your questions are answered and then shit goes wrong” said Hickman
–Red Skull issue #2 is launching on August 5th. Red Skull is supposed to be dead in Secret Wars, Williamson’s book focuses on the rumors surrounding Doctor Doom’s team sent to explore the location in search of the Red Skull sent by Magento.
-The new issue of The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows is shipping on August 19th “it’s a soft date” said Brevoort acknowledging that the comic was a “Dan Slott” book.
–Civil War #3 is coming on August 26th focusing on Tony Stark never actually surrendering, chronicling what happened if the event had simply continued. The Blue and The Iron led by Captain America and Tony Stark respectively. I like putting She-Hulk in stories said Soule. The comic is a five-issue mini-series.
-Weirdworld #3 is coming August 19th.
-Sana Amanat joined the panel later, however, author Kieron Gillen was nowhere to be seen.
-The New Old Man Logan #4 on August 26th sees Logan explore Battleworld further, and featured on the Andrea Sorrentino drawn cover is a group of spiders including Peter Parker, Miles Morales and more.
–A-Force #3 is launching August 12th.
–Inhumans Attilan Rising #4 is coming August 12th, which contains the the creative team of Charles Soule and John Timms. Black Bolt is leading the resistance within the Quiet Room of Battleworld. Medusa has been sent by Doom to stop his operation. Soule acknowledged that the comic is a Casablanca riff taking place in a bar.
–1872 #2 is launching on August 19th with Gerry Duggan and Nik Virella that has covers from Doc Shaner. Brevoort exclaimed that he had positive feelings for this issue.
-This is one of the few rooms that would clap when asked if anyone had read Squadron Sinister, the third issue is launching on August 19th. Brevoort referred to the story a s noir crime drama.
–Hank Johnson, Agent of Hydra is coming August 26th which was referenced as a title that Axel Alonso wanted to publish for a number of years. Hank Johnson is an everyman that simply works for Marvel on the side.
-House of M #1 with Dennis Hopeless and Marco Failla is coming on August 19th with a cover from Kris Anka. Mutants are the higher race of characters.
-Friedfeld asked if fans liked Howard the Duck, but seemed confused when the next book on the slideshow was Howard the Human, who is a human living in a world full of animals. Skottie young and Jim Mahfood are launching the title on August 19th.
-Secret Wars: Secret Love #1 is shipping on August 19th.
–Ant-Man: Last Days #1 is coming August 26th from Nick Spencer and Ramon Rosanas with a cover by Mark Brooks.
–Secret Wars: Agents of Atlas #1 is coming in October from Tom Taylor and Steve Pugh.
The panel led to fan Q&A:
-A fan asked if the pieces of Avengers and New Avengers from Hickman would see more of a payoff following Secret Wars. “You might not get everything you want, but you’ll get an ending” said Hickman.
-When asked what drew Hickman to the characters of Reed Richards and Doctor Doom Brevoort explained: “Reed is like Jonathan in the morning, Doom is like Jonathan at night.”
-Brevoort shared that Hickman is interested in doing something with The Eternals followed by Skottie Young’s named directly referenced as an artist — but it could have been in a joking manner?
-Joshua Williamson explained that he wanted to write The Punisher eventually during his time at Marvel. Soule shared that he has a good “Steve Rogers book” in him.
-Amanat elaborated that she wanted to try out writing Squirrel Girl. Someone asked Hickman about Starjammers, and the author shared that he wanted to do that and an “X-book” as well.
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Top News, Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez, Top Comics, spider-gwen, Secret Wars, Add a tag
Call it a reboot. Call it a marketing ploy. After her massive Spiderverse debut and five solo book issues, Spider-Gwen is getting a new comic. It will debut this fall after Secret Wars under Marvel’s “All-New, All-Different” relaunch banner. However, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Despite being renumbered, Spider-Gwen will continue to keep its creative team of Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez and will pick up from where Spider-Gwen #5 left off. It will even take place on Earth-65, indicating that Secret Wars may join the long line of events that promises to change everything but doesn’t end up changing much of anything– at least we get Battleworld out of this one.
According to Latour in an interview with IGN:
The aim with this first couple of issues is to give folks who are new an entry point into Gwen’s world but to also fill in a little back story for people who’ve been with us awhile.
So with that in mind we begin with Gwen discovering that someone has re-created Peter Parker’s LIzard formula. This of course is a terrible realization for her, in that becoming The Lizard is what killed Peter and branded Gwen a fugitive. So as she sets out to figure out just who is behind all of this she’s torn between her chances to clear her name and the great debt of responsibility she feels toward Peter’s legacy. It’s a story that will take Gwen down memory lane a little and we’ll see just how a lot of this came to pass.
Of course there are still a lot of loose ends from “MOST WANTED?” (our first volume) and we haven’t forgotten them. Captain Stacy is still the only thing standing between Gwen and Frank Castle’s NYPD and “Matt Murderdock” is still out to, I guess you could say, “get” Spider-Woman.
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Sales Charts, convergence, Top News, bravest warriors, Secret Wars, May 2015, may 2015 sales, night nurse, Add a tag
Secret Wars thumped Convergence in May’s sales, according to numbers just released by Diamond. Secret Wars #1 was the top comic for the month, and overall Marvel achieved market share dominance of DC ~40% to ~25%. However Batman Earth One Vol. Two was the top graphic novel. Image was #3, breaking 10% of unit share again.
I’m a bit surprised by the #2 titles in both categories. Boom’s BRAVEST WARRIORS: TALES OF HOLO JOHN #1 was the #2 periodical overall beating out many issues of Secret Wars and Convergence—I’m told this was a Loot Crate comic, but Secret Wars dominated even Loot Crate.
The #2 graphic novel was even more surprising: NIGHT NURSE??? This was a one shot reprinting the cult 70s comic by Linda Fite and Win Mortimer, and it was more a big comic than a true GN, but still…I guess the Daredevil Netflix show had some influence here, as Rosario Dawson’s character was based on Night Nurse.
Sales remain robust for the year over 2014. (May is down against April as it was a five week month.) YTD sales are up 15% overall in units and 12% overall in dollars—perhaps this is evidence of the “Variant Era” sales?
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
PUBLISHER | DOLLARSHARE | UNITSHARE |
MARVEL COMICS | 40.17% | 41.11% |
DC ENTERTAINMENT | 25.43% | 26.04% |
IMAGE COMICS | 8.89% | 10.28% |
IDW PUBLISHING | 5.06% | 3.82% |
BOOM! STUDIOS | 3.96% | 7.16% |
DARK HORSE COMICS | 3.83% | 3.43% |
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 2.22% | 1.82% |
EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS LTD | 1.16% | 0.27% |
VIZ MEDIA | 1.01% | 0.33% |
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC | 0.85% | 0.92% |
OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 7.43% | 4.81% |
NEW TITLES SHIPPED
PUBLISHER | COMICS SHIPPED | GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED | MAGAZINES SHIPPED | TOTALSHIPPED |
MARVEL COMICS | 71 | 35 | 0 | 106 |
DC ENTERTAINMENT | 74 | 25 | 0 | 99 |
IMAGE COMICS | 58 | 10 | 0 | 68 |
IDW PUBLISHING | 42 | 21 | 0 | 63 |
DARK HORSE COMICS | 33 | 17 | 0 | 50 |
BOOM ENTERTAINMENT | 28 | 6 | 0 | 34 |
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 26 | 2 | 0 | 28 |
EAGLEMOSS | 0 | 0 | 27 | 27 |
VIZ MEDIA | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS | 11 | 2 | 0 | 13 |
OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 93 | 91 | 17 | 201 |
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
DOLLARS | UNITS | |
MAY 2015 VS. APRIL 2014 | ||
COMICS | -10.58% | -9.60% |
GRAPHIC NOVELS | -21.11% | -19.41% |
TOTAL COMICS/GN | -13.81% | -10.38% |
MAY 2015 VS. MAY 2014 | ||
COMICS | 19.94% | 19.53% |
GRAPHIC NOVELS | -0.29% | 9.90% |
TOTAL COMICS/GN | 13.49% | 18.78% |
YEAR-TO-DATE 2015 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2014 | ||
COMICS | 16.48% | 16.90% |
GRAPHIC NOVELS | 3.41% | -1.13% |
TOTAL COMICS/GN | 12.31% | 15.35% |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS
RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
1 | SECRET WARS #1 | $4.99 | FEB150650-M | MAR |
2 | BRAVEST WARRIORS: TALES OF HOLO JOHN #1 | $4.99 | MAR151109-M | BOO |
3 | SECRET WARS #2 | $4.99 | MAR150618-M | MAR |
4 | STAR WARS #5 | $3.99 | MAR150683-M | MAR |
5 | DEADPOOL’S SECRET SECRET WARS #1 | $4.99 | MAR150644-M | MAR |
6 | A-FORCE #1 | $3.99 | MAR150665-M | MAR |
7 | OLD MAN LOGAN #1 | $4.99 | MAR150656-M | MAR |
8 | DARTH VADER #5 | $3.99 | MAR150688-M | MAR |
9 | CONVERGENCE #5 [*] | $3.99 | MAR150155-M | DC |
10 | CONVERGENCE #6 [*] | $3.99 | MAR150159-M | DC |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS
RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
1 | BATMAN: EARTH-ONE VOLUME 2 HC | $24.99 | JAN150232 | DC |
2 | NIGHT NURSE | $7.99 | MAR150754 | MAR |
3 | RAT QUEENS VOLUME 2: THE FAR REACHING TENTACLES OF N’RYGOTH TP (MR) | $14.99 | SEP140647 | IMA |
4 | SOUTHERN BASTARDS VOLUME 2: GRIDIRON TP (MR) | $9.99 | FEB150542 | IMA |
5 | CIVIL WAR TP | $24.99 | JAN072436 | MAR |
6 | SAGA VOLUME 4 TP (MR) | $14.99 | OCT140644 | IMA |
7 | LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST GN | $19.99 | MAR151495 | VIZ |
8 | DEADPOOL VOLUME 8: ALL GOOD THINGS TP | $24.99 | MAR150804 | MAR |
9 | THE VALIANT TP | $9.99 | MAR151614 | VAL |
10 | SAGA VOLUME 1 TP (MR) | $9.99 | AUG120491 | IMA |
TOP 10 BOOKS
RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
1 | DRAGON AGE: THE WORLD OF THEDAS VOLUME 2 HC | $39.99 | DEC140101 | DAR |
2 | ATTACK ON TITAN: BEFORE THE FALL: KYKLO NOVEL | $14.95 | MAR151665 | RAN |
3 | ESSENTIAL EVANGELION CHRONICLE: SIDE A SC | $39.99 | JAN151635 | UDO |
4 | LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE HISTORIA HC | $34.99 | SEP120055 | DAR |
5 | THE WORLD OF THE WITCHER HC | $39.99 | OCT140122 | DAR |
6 | MARVEL: AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON POP-UP BOOK HC | $14.99 | MAR151735 | HAC |
7 | THE FANGIRL’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: A HANDBOOK FOR GIRL GEEKS HC | $15.95 | MAR151759 | RAN |
8 | TH ECOMPLETE GUIDE TO SELF PUBLISHING COMICS SC | $24.99 | MAR151750 | RAN |
9 | WOMEN OF WONDER: CELEBRATING WOMEN CREATORS OF FANTASTIC ART | $24.95 | MAR151727 | PUB |
10 | BRAVEST WARRIORS: THINGS TO DOODLE & DO SC | $12.99 | MAR151492 | VIZ |
TOP 10 TOYS
RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
1 | MARVEL NOW: DEADPOOL ARTFX+ STATUE | SEP142328 | KOT |
2 | THE DARK KNIGHT: THE JOKER MAF EX FIGURE | APR148224 | MED |
3 | DC COMICS: THE NEW 52: HARLEY QUINN ACTION FIGURE | DEC140434 | DC |
4 | BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT: BATMAN ACTION FIGURE | SEP140356 | DC |
5 | BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT: HARLEY QUINN ACTION FIGURE | SEP140357 | DC |
6 | MARVEL: WOLVERINE DANGER ROOM SESSIONS STATUE | AUG142465 | KOT |
7 | DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS: MERA STATUE | NOV140352 | DC |
8 | BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT: SCARECROW ACTION FIGURE | SEP140358 | DC |
9 | THE FLASH ACTION FIGURE | OCT140413 | DC |
10 | DC COMICS: SUPERMAN & BATMAN BOOKENDS | NOV140347 | DC |
TOP 10 GAMES
RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
1 | MARVEL HEROCLIX: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE BOOSTER BRICK | MAR152655 | NEC |
2 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: DRAGONS OF TARKIR BOOSTER PACKS | JAN158366 | WIZ |
3 | YU-GI-OH! HEROCLIX SERIES THREE | SEP142619 | NEC |
4 | HARLEY QUINN PUZZLE | MAR152470 | NMR |
5 | THE WALKING DEAD: PRISON BOARD GAME | JUN142630 | MEG |
6 | STAR WARS ARMADA: VICTORY CLASS STAR DESTROYER EXPANSION | JAN152641 | FAN |
7 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: DRAGONS OF TARKIR FAT PACK | JAN158368 | WIZ |
8 | STAR WARS ARMADA: ASSAULT FRIGATE MARK II EXPANSION | JAN152634 | FAN |
9 | MINECRAFT: OFFICIAL MOJANG COMBAT HANDBOOK HC | FEB142547 | SCH |
10 | MINECRAFT: OFFICIAL MOJANG CONSTRUCTION HANDBOOK HC | FEB142548 | SCH |
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ratchet & Clank, Secret Wars, 505 Games, Overkill's the walking dead, PlayStation Blog, STARwars battlefront, Marvel, Video Games, Sony, playstation, EA, E3, Add a tag
Last year, tons of comic book publishers made major announcements to avoid being drowned out in the noise that is Comic-Con. Looks like gaming is following suit. In the last few days we’ve had major gaming news surprise audiences and things we speculated would be revealed at the show be announced days before. Tonight, let’s talk about Star Wars Battlefront, Ratchet & Clank, and The Walking Dead. Let’s Go! ( Secret Wars books at the bottom)
DICE, the developer behind this November’s highly anticipated Star Wars Battlefront game, released a new screen shot in anticipation of their showing at E3 next week.
The image reveled through the game’s twitter account shows rebels fighting off the empire on what looks to be the ice planet, Hoth. A planet that was revealed to be one of the Battlefront’s 12 multiplayer maps alongside locations like Endor and Tattoine.
Our Thought:
With Titanfall 2 being kept quiet, Battlefront will have a strong presence possibly showing off a nearly ready for launch version of the game. With Star Wars happenings announced for SDCC, this could be the beginning of a tour that will see Battelfront hit locations like D23, SDCC, and Gamescom. And why not… with the movie to come out shortly after EA’s Star Wars there’s never been a greater opportunity more quality synergy between different mediums. With Sony’s presentation being light on first party exclusives we could see some gameplay during EA’s event and an announcement about more exclusive content during the PlayStation press conference.
In 2016, Insomniac Games partners with animation company Blockade to bring a feature length Ratchet & Clank movie to the big screen. Today on the PlayStation Blog, the developer released a trailer for the original Ratchet & Clank game re-imagined for the PS4.
The game will feature new planets, boss fights, and gameplay not seen in the original PS2 title. This might be the first time we’ve seen a game, based on a movie, based on a game. Ratchet & Clank the game comes exclusively to the PS4 in Spring 2016 alongside the film coming to theaters at the same time.
Also for any LA area readers, PlayStation Blog also announced plans for their E3 meet up:
E3 Community Event
If you’re lucky enough to live in SoCal, we’ve got a treat for you. You’re invited to swing by the San Diego Studios E3 Community Meetup located outside of the West Hall entrance of the L.A. Convention Center (at Figueroa and Pico) on Wednesday, June 17th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm — it’s free and open to the public! Just look for the MLB The Show “Trophy House” tent.
You’ll meet San Diego Studios developers and be among to first to play:
- MLB 15 The Show
- Drawn To Death
- Guns Up!
- Killstrain
There will be opportunities to give feedback to developers, too, including a gentleman by the name of David Jaffe. You won’t wanna miss that!
Nearby, you’ll also be able to go hands-on with Star Wars Battlefront, try out the Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing Experience, and pick up PlayStation gear from the merchandise store. Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!
Our Thought:
The original PS2 platformer was one of the experiences that allowed PlayStation to overtake Nintendo and Xbox in the early console wars. Loaded with off the wall weaponry, action, and comedy; R&C is regarded by many as one of the best games of all time. I’ve consistently complained about companies porting over old games, but this is different for various reasons. Sony isn’t bringing over a game consumers already bought as recently as 2012, it’s been 13 years since the original game came debuted on the PS2. Additionaly, Insomniac isn’t handing over anything to another developer. Insomniac is giving fans more than just a visual upgrade, they’re loading this old favorite with a buffet of new additions. While the developer has promised to keep the beats of the story intact, they’ll be delving much deeper into the characters to be on par with the upcoming film. I believe it when they say it isn’t just a remaster. While we’ll see a ton of the game next week, it’s still too early to talk about price.
Global videogame publisher 505 Games today announced its line-up of titles and announcements that will be showcased at the 2015 Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in Los Angeles. Notably, they’re working with Overkill. If you played the ultra violent first-person shooter Payday you know their work well. Payday put you in the shoes of a team of bank robbers as you staged heist and went to war with the police.
While the company is concurrently working on another Payday title, they’ll also be showing off their new game based in the world of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comics.
OVERKILL’S THE WALKING DEAD marries two of the most vibrant and rabid fan-bases in the world to create a true co-op, first person shooter experience. OVERKILL has conceived new characters, plots and story-arcs that will live in the ever expansive world of The Walking Dead graphic novel series.
OVERKILL’S THE WALKING DEAD is in development by OVERKILL – a Starbreeze studio, along with Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead graphic novel series. The game will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in 2016.
Our Thought:
Activision’s Walking Dead Survial Instinct wasn’t quite what we were hoping for out of an action themed game in Kirkman’s universe. With limiting Overkill’s game release to the newer consoles, the studio has a chance to create an action experience worthy of the stories told in Walking Dead. This was the last thing we saw about the game a year ago, and I for one can’t wait to see what where they’re at a year later.
Monday, we’ll be on the ground at the Xbox, EA, and PlayStation events. Then as the show opens Tuesday we’ll be getting hands on time and talking to developers for:
- Rockband 4
- Lego Marvel’s Avengers
- Starwars Battlefront
- Disney Infinity 3.0
- And more…
In the meantime enjoy some of this week’s Secret Wars comics from Marvel
Marvel.com/redeem (1st come 1st served)
Ghost Riders #1: FMCR9WSS7AT0
Mrs.Deadpool & the Howling Commandos #1: FMC48U99AM1X
Captain Marvel & the Carol Corps #1: FMCSE0FKIRYR
Marvel Zombies #1: FMCN6X442PXV
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: NYCC, brian michael bendis, Top News, Top Comics, Marguerite Bennett, Special Edition New York, Charles Soule, Secret Wars, Lando, Comics, Marvel, Conventions, Fashion, Breaking News, Fandom, Add a tag
There were quite a few announcements the NYCC Special Edition Marvel panel. We learned of the fall launch of a new line of $1 comics featuring women of Marvel, saw new pages from the upcoming Lando Calrissian limited series, and were told of a new post-Secret Wars Iron Man series from Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez.
But perhaps the most interesting moment of the panel was when Bendis, speaking on the dais with Marguerite Bennett (A-Force) and Charles Soule (Inhumans: Attilan Rising), said that Secret Wars was “never planned to be a reboot” to the Marvel Universe, and that “no continuity would be damaged or reversed.” Bendis explained that Secret Wars was always meant to be part of on-going continuity.
Bennett received loud applause when speaking to a fan during the Q & A portion of the panel who asked her what advice she had for women and girls interested in the comics industry. “Don’t be scared,” Bennett replied, “I’ve had one of the worst weeks of my life with hate mail and it doesn’t matter.” Bennet said she would “prove through her work, I’m not going anywhere.”
Sound issues plagued the presentation, which alternately found Bendis yelling into his mic and audience members having to approach the panel and speak into their mics to be heard over a panel in the adjacent space (separated only by a curtain).
Keep reading for panel exclusive images of forthcoming series, including those never before seen pages from upcoming Charles Soule penned series Lando!
The new “True Believers” line of $1 comics debuts in September 2015, and will feature a women of Marvel theme for it’s first 10 issues.
Marvel also showed art from their forthcoming variant covers, including several images from an upcoming line of Manga variants. A House of M variant cover was shown, drawn by Katsuya Terada (Blood: The Last Vampire).
Marvel’s variant announcements continued with images of a line of variant covers honoring the fast-growing cosplay scene.
Artist Alex Maleev joins Soule for the upcoming Lando limited series. Soule said the series would have “a lot of twists and turns” but that it would be the charming, “smarmy” Lando we all know and love, as Con-exclusive images were shown on the big screen.
“New Armor, new villains,” promised Bendis of his upcoming Invincible Iron Man series, scheduled for release following Secret Wars. He promised the series’ first issue would have a “whopper of a last page,” and reveal the identity of Tony Stark’s biological parents. He also confirmed that, despite internet rumor, it was indeed Stark inside the Iron Man suit. Though he wouldn’t confirm how many limbs Stark still had following the events of Secret Wars.
When a fan approached the panel to ask “how important are the X-Men” after Secret Wars, Bendis joked, “it’s almost like Marvel is screwing around with people who have X-Men paranoia.”
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, Archie, DC Comics, airboy, batman beyond, Samurai Jack, Top News, Top Comics, Dan Jurgens, Secret Wars, Bernard Chang, Color Kid, Color King, Add a tag
This week at The Beat our staff members were particularly swamped with new books — between Archie comics ending their titular title and DC in the midst of a huge line-wide reboot, we had our work cut out for us at the Stately Beat Manor. After a hearty week of article writin’, when we heard that Ulu Vakk (A.K.A. Color King) was in town, we actually decided to go seek out his company. Vakk’s color ability is a scream to utilize in public. He’s always turning random things different colors! Unfortunately, he went a bit too far when he toyed with our comics, making us believe that the coloring of the individual issues of some our favorite collections were wrong. However, the act that which actively banished the Color King from the Stately Beat Manor was when he spoiled this week’s Archie #666. Folks, avoid these spoilers and be sure to pick up all of our titles in the upcoming staff picks:
Alex’s Picks:
Archie #666
Writer: Tom DeFalco Art: Dan Parent, Fernando Ruiz, Pat and Tim Kennedy
On the eve of the game-changing ARCHIE #1, an all-star cast of Riverdale’s finest creators join forces to celebrate one of the longest-running comic series ever in the much-loved Archie style! Take a look back at Archie’s wonderful life and the many lives he’s lived in a zany, heartfelt and hilarious adventure that will be a must-have for fans old and new—and a can’t-miss, one-of-a-kind collector’s item. A dazzling journey through the world of Archie with plenty of winks and nods to what’s come before, ARCHIE #666 caps off a legendary run of comic excellence while opening the door to the next thrilling chapter—featuring six covers celebrating Archie’s vibrant history.
Even if this issue was spoiled by the Color King, this comic is worthy of critical reception for a number of reasons — the first being that the title is the last entry into the Archie franchise after the titular character took a bullet for Kevin Keller. The second including that it’s now time to reflect on the history of the character before the massive relaunch happens with Mark Waid and Fiona Staples.
Secret Wars #3
Writer: Jonathan Hickman Penciller: Esad Ribic
ALL THE DEVILS DANCE!
I hate to be a Marvel zombie, but even the Color King can’t get enough of Secret Wars by Jonathan Hickman. The series has been breaking some new ground in the Marvel Universe, really taking advantage of how to bend mythology that is already established into incredible new directions. Let’s see if this newest issue of the event can live up to the praise.
Airboy #1
Writer: James Robinson Artist: Greg Hinkle
When acclaimed comics author JAMES ROBINSON (Starman, Fantastic Four) is hired to write a reboot of the 1940s action hero Airboy, he’s reluctant to do yet another Golden Age reboot. Just what the hell has happened to his career–?! His marriage?! His life?! Hey, it’s nothing that a drink can’t fix.
Having read the first installment of Airboy, I can say for all intensive purposes that this comic is not for children. It is however, for fans of James Robinson, who has had a very interesting career from coming back to comics after his legendary Starman run in the 90’s. The story is all about him breaking the landscape of comics in a really interesting way. I guarantee that this first issue will include at least a few aspects of the creator that you didn’t see coming.
Public Service Announcement: DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN NEAR THIS COMIC BOOK!
Matt’s Picks:
Samurai Jack #20
Writer: Jim Zub Art: Andy Suriano
FINAL ISSUE! A scribe named Mako has heard many strange stories of the great hero known only as ‘Jack.’ Mako’s journey to record the truth of the samurai reveals a fascinating look at his legacy and possible future: Jack the King. Jack the General. Jack the Legend.
Because I had an interview with artist Andy Suriano this week and have one with writer Jim Zub next week, I was privileged enough to receive an advance copy of the last issue of the newest iteration of Samurai Jack. It does not disappoint, great for fans of the comic, but also perfectly suitable for fans of the animated series, even if they skipped the previous nineteen issues. It impressively offers closure without necessarily being a final chapter. Highly recommended.
Dave’s Pick:
Batman Beyond #1
Writer: Dan Jurgens Art: Bernard Chang
At last, Batman Beyond gets his own ongoing series in THE definitive future of the DCU! But this isn’t the Beyond you think you know! With the Justice League missing and without Bruce to guide him, this new Batman will need to explore this bizarre world on his own while fighting to raise humanity from an opponent that’s already won.
The heroes Batman knew have failed, the world he knew has been turned on its head, and every step he takes will lead him either toward finding home – or further down the road of disaster!
Admittedly, I stayed away from all the DC weeklies. After 52 everything seemed gimmicky. From my understanding, future Tim Drake has taken over because DC can’t stand to have an Irish Batman. However this week I’m also not looking to do a ton of scrutinizing reading, so the more familiar the better. Jurgens and Chang fit the bill. From the preview this will be some of Bernard Chang’s sharpest work since Deadman. The world of Batman Beyond has been one of those things that feels fresh while at the same time being easy to connect to a world you already know and I can’t wait to see how this creative team ventures through it.
Torsten’s Picks:
BAT MITE #1 (OF 6)
BIZARRO #1 (OF 6)
THE ART OF DISNEY/PIXAR`S INSIDE OUT HC
—
BORB GN
—
THE LEAGUE OF REGRETTABLE SUPERHEROES
[Are these actual heroes from the Golden Age? So they might be in the public domain?!]
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comics, Marvel, Breaking News, Publishers, brian michael bendis, Top News, Top Comics, Andrea Sorrentino, Secret Wars, Old Man Logan, Add a tag
Brian Michael Bendis
Artist:
Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist:
Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer:
VC’s Cory Petit
Wolverine is grizzled, dirty, and tired — but Old Man Logan is downright nasty. Logan’s resolve is killing now in the midst of Secret Wars, his motivations are questionable, his ‘costume’ is covered in blood — welcome to the new Old Man Logan #1.
Author Brian Michael Bendis has a knack for writing characters like this, likely affected by the heroes of his youth portrayed on the big screen. It’s impossible not to feel the vibes of characters like Sam Spade of The Maltese Falcon burning off the pages of this issue. This incarnation of Old Man Logan doesn’t even pretend to care that it’s walking in the footsteps of the original series with Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, the comic is devoted to getting down to the core of the Wolverine character and reminding us why he’s so damn cool in the first place.
Andrea Sorrentino’s art was always stylish — incorporating elements that pushed the medium further with really dynamic color flourishes and poses. Steve McNiven’s more polished pencil set is really hard to live up too from the previous series, and that’s where Sorrentino’s really shines as a creator — he forges his own path in this comic. In fact, the different tricks of the medium and elements of coloring and lettering that make this tale so organic is perfectly weaved within the narrative. I’m not sure where the talent of colorist Marcelo Maiolo and Sorrentino intersect, but I never ever want them to stop working together! When the story breaks free of the regular style of art and thrusts into the lush splash page, we’re introduced to the versatility that Sorrentino’s own art that has grown ever since his time spent on projects like Green Arrow. He’s become more bold since then, and is now unafraid to take even more risks as the story goes on with Maiolo.
One of the best parts of this issue is how the reader really isn’t sure if Logan has gone crazy or not in this story. He definitely seems to be pushing against some line of morality, seemingly now playing the role of The Punisher within his own story. It’s also great to see the character of Logan finally get a bit of a break. We’ve been living in a culture with a Logan on virtually every team within the Marvel Universe. When Charles Soule finally let wolverine die, the character may have found the solace that he needed. Now that we have Logan back in a different sort of capacity I can actually appreciate the character for who he is.
Old Man Logan isn’t a particularly nice dude, but with his family ripped apart and evil continuing to prevail, he doesn’t really have a lot to be happy about. Thankfully, this story isn’t a nuanced character study, it’s an exploration into the dark parts of Wolverine’s psyche that allows him to kill. It’s interesting to see how the Marvel Universe at large is integrated into this story, at the same time, the way that the greater Marvel world was developed within the original story was some of the greatest strengths of the original volume. We need to see the pieces of the Marvel Universe sparingly, but we still need to see them lightly developed within the story structure of Old Man Logan. The only gripe I have in this comic is that one scene in particular plays a little too close for comfort in how it adapts Emma Frost into the Wolverine mythos — other than that, it’s all peaches and cream.
The light ties to Secret Wars are standard at the moment, but effective. Just a slight mention of Secret Wars seems to legitimize whatever sort of tie-in currently inflected within the titles themselves. Sorrentino and Bendis have crafted a tale worthy of Millar and McNiven’s tenure on the title. If we had to have any sort of continuation of Old Man Logan, this is an excellent new path for the title to embark on. Through utilizing circumstance and really making use out of the little moments of mythology conducted in the Marvel Universe during Secret Wars, Old Man Logan #1 is a successful tie-in. Continuing the legacy of one of the grumpiest and oldest superheroes ever further utilizes the strength of Marvel’s flagship event that is dedicated to exploring the outcasts, rebels, and Sam Spades of the Marvel Universe.
Blog: PW -The Beat (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Top News, Jim Shooter, Top Comics, Secret Wars, Mike Zeck, Add a tag
Reading about the original Secret Wars from 1984 is fascinating on many levels. Between Sean Howe’s excellent retelling of the story behind the story (of Secret Wars) in Marvel Comics: The Untold Story and Marvel’s massive reboot of the saga, there’s a lot to be curious about. Thankfully, former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief and Secret Wars writer Jim Shooter is joining the series penciller Mike Zeck and inker John Beatty for an upcoming convention convention circuit. Their tour was announced on the sly via Zeck’s website, here’s a look at Beatty’s website as well. With the imminent 30 Year Anniversary of Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars fast approaching, uncovering more news about the behind-the-scenes info that the panel may announce is going to be a must for comics historians. Here’s Zeck on the tour and a list of shows that the group will be attending:
It’s been about 30 years since I last appeared at a convention with Jim Shooter. Starting this summer we’re going to be tour buddies again! Once Shooter, Beatty, and I committed to appear at the Florida SuperCon, other organizers saw the benefit of bringing the Secret Wars team together again. This being the 30th anniversary of the original Secret Wars and this being the year that Marvel is publishing a new Secret Wars series, it only makes sense. So something of a “Secret Wars Tour” is forming!
- HeroesCon: Jun 19-21 With John Beatty
- Florida SuperCon: Jun 25-28 With Jim Shooter + John Beatty
- Kansas City Comic Con: Aug 7-9 With Jim Shooter + John Beatty
- Connecticut Comic Con: Aug 14-16 With Jim Shooter + John Beatty
- Cincinnati Comics Expo: Sep 18-20 With John Beatty
- Baltimore Comic Con: Sep 25-27 With John Beatty
- Wizard World Tulsa: Oct 23-25 With Jim Shooter + John Beatty
- Wizard World Austin: Oct 30-31 With Jim Shooter
- The Akron Comicon: Nov 7-8 With John Beatty
- Wizard World Reno: Nov 20-22 With Jim Shooter + John Beatty
For further reading start with Tom Spurgeon’s interview piece with Sean Howe, then go purchase Marvel Comics: The Untold Story.
View Next 25 Posts
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE. Sigh.
12/15 Weirdworld #1 – 30,288
01/16 Weirdworld #2 – 17,759 (-41.4%)
This book is so excellent. It’s honestly better than a zillion tons of the other crap Marvel is putting out right now, but alas, that never seems to matter. It isn’t an event title (wait, aren’t fans tired of those?! Until there isn’t one, then they whine they need one!) and no one dies (only to return six months later) so I guess there are no reason to buy it. Great art, wow story? Eh, I’ll wait for Civil War 3, please.
Fans are a fickle lot. They complain about event books, but hate when they don’t have one to complain about. They hate cheesy death announcements, and then help sell the book into the six figures! And do we need to at least give Marvel some props for attempting to put out niche books and see what would stick? Apparently, nothing. For that, again, I blame the fanboys (and girls.) I mean, how many times does everyone also complain about all the Spider/Bat/Super/Wonder books out there in comics land? But whenever the big two attempt something new, no one buys them. I’ve heard this complaint so many times it makes my ears bleed. It’s like we all literally ignore the complaining we aim towards comics on a daily basis. It’s maddening! I want something diverse, unique, cool! But when I’m given it, I’m gonna whine and want the same tried and true I’ve gotten the last umpteen years! No one wins, no one wins…
Spidey/Deadpool is ongoing? Okay. Looking forward to seeing what the sales drop to when Kelly and McGuiness leave the book within six issues.
@Nathan Aaron – one thing to bear in mind is that the people who say they want things probably really do want them and buy them – it’s just that there are a whole lot more people who aren’t saying anything at all but they are buying the opposite of what the first group wants.
Nathan Aaron, what did you think of G0dland, and Bitch Planet? Have you read Shark-Man? What about Bendis/Gaydos’s Alias? Have heard of Joe Sacco? Or that run by Lutes, Unstable Molecules? What do you think SLAM!-c’mere, do you want to see me make this pencil disappear….? Just only spend on the stuff that counts; stop buying the repetitive crap, unless you are at a used book store, or a flea market, or at a serious discount.
‘Comic Books’ are too small, and flimsy, and look like they are strictly for kids any way -it would be cool if there were more ‘Rollingstone’ sized magazine like sequential anthologies. People would spend on that as much as they wait in lines for a cheap Tshirt from China that has a trendy brand name on it. Americans love to be pretentious, spending, bigots that would love to show off their Punisher *magbook* if it was done right, if it looked cool, and functioned sequentially in a way that was bad ass… for example.
Hey Nathan Aaron, FYI:
It Will Never Love You Back: Marvel Entertainment, Ike Perlmutter, and Why the Corporation Cannot Be Your Friend
by Charlotte Finn February 1, 2016 12:00 PM
http://comicsalliance.com/ike-perlmutter-marvel-entertainment-consumers-and-corporations/
Read More: Marvel, Perlmutter, And Why Corporations Aren’t Your Friend | http://comicsalliance.com/ike-perlmutter-marvel-entertainment-consumers-and-corporations/?trackback=tsmclip
Why I’m Boycotting Marvel Comics
by J.A. Micheline August 4, 2015 2:00 PM
http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-boycott-axel-alonso/
Read More: “Why I’m Boycotting Marvel Comics” | http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-boycott-axel-alonso/?trackback=tsmclip
Nathan, perhaps start a petition to boycott -what do you want to boycott today, NAy? NAy?
Hey Nathan Aaron, FYI:
It Will Never Love You Back: Marvel Entertainment, Ike Perlmutter, and Why the Corporation Cannot Be Your Friend
by Charlotte Finn February 1, 2016 12:00 PM
Why I’m Boycotting Marvel Comics
by J.A. Micheline August 4, 2015 2:00 PM
Nathan, perhaps start a petition to boycott -what do you want to boycott today, NAy? NAy?
Marvel makes comics starring Marvel characters. People who read Marvel Comics usually want to read about Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, etc… A lot of what they are publishing nowadays is chasing away the loyal fan who just wants to read about their favorite characters. Yeah there’s room for Weirdworld but if fan’s aren’t buying the A-List books (excluding Star Wars) you can’t expect sales for B and C level titles to be great. Marvel, for the last decade, have invested more on the names under the title than the title itself. That makes for creator loyalty, not brand loyalty. Why read a Marvel book trying to be an Image book when you can just read an Image book?
FWIW, with DC and Marvel both putting out so many new series all the time (including renumbered ones), I’m not sure it’s possible for any series to “stabilize” for long.
About Star Wars sales, maybe we should also consider that the book started with John Cassaday on art and covers, and now it’s Deoadato or Leinil Yu. All of them are A list artists sure, but well, some are more A than others. I personally stopped after Immonen’s arc, maybe some other readers did. Looking forward to know who will be the next artist. Maybe they’ll be back on major ones, or slightly slipping on the B list ones.
Also, the fact the comics didn’t gain any new buyers (and worse, lost buyers) since the movie is out is not a good sign. Maybe the star wars mania is a already a bit passé, Marvel was definitely wise to launch the book nearly two years before the movie, but they’ve got to find another big hit now. It won’t be Star Wars for a while, at least not before the next movie – so a long while – and even then, it will never come back to those first issues sales.
@Nathan
The way I see it, Events and big names are creating a lot of static through which even very good titles have a hard time emerging. Maybe Marvel ought to create a Vertigo-like imprint for all the odd ones out to find a nest.