Alpha Flight is return, according to Fred Van Lente...

[CMBMOOL]

I recently e-mailed Fred Van Lente over an idea of producing an Alpha Flight mini-series regarding the teams remaining members.

He wrote back to me telling me, that he couldn't take the idea, but there are plans in motion of bring back Alpha Flight in the 616 universe.

So what do you all say to that... :tongue:

[david r]

I would love for Alpha Flight to return. Who is writing it?

[Blade X]

Steven Faulkner said much the same thing. Who is writing it?

Maybe Claremont is writing it. After all, it was revealed in a recent interview with him that he writing a big project (or something like that) for Marvel next year.

[Eye in the Sky]

Maybe Claremont is writing it. After all, it was revealed in a recent interview with him that he writing a big project (or something like that) for Marvel next year.

If they want to sell, they won't, they'll put someone talented in charge.

[CaptainCanada]

Now there's a kiss of death if ever there was one.

[CMBMOOL]

Steven Faulkner said much the same thing. Who is writing it?
Actually it didn't say whom was writing the mini.

Sorry. :frown:

[Agent_Torpor]

If they want to sell, they won't, they'll put someone talented in charge.

Like who, Marc Guggenheim?

Claremont is the most talented X-scribe there is. Fact. Bar None.

That being said, i'd love a Van Lente AF book. He clearly loves the squad.

[Blade X]

If they want to sell, they won't, they'll put someone talented in charge.

If AF series sales like crap, it would be due to (a) how the book is written (b) which AF characters are in the book/on the team and (c) who is drawing the book, NOT WHO is writing the book.

An AF book that is written as a fun straight forward action packed superhero book, and features ALL of the original/old school classic AF team mebers and is drawn by a damn good popular artist, would sell like hot cakes.

[Eye in the Sky]

Like who, Marc Guggenheim?

Claremont is the most talented X-scribe there is. Fact. Bar None.

That being said, i'd love a Van Lente AF book. He clearly loves the squad.

He would be better than that crap that is New Exiles or Big Hero Six. He can do whatever he wants in New Exiles and the best he can come up with is more stupid possesion plot lines and a man loving a dragon.

Genius.

I want your drugs.

[jester1436]

Claremont is the most talented X-scribe there is. Fact. Bar None.


http://i37.tinypic.com/70dhkg.gif

[Patrion]

http://i37.tinypic.com/70dhkg.gif

I 2nd this, times a million, times a millions!

[oneshyguy46]

Like who, Marc Guggenheim?

Claremont is the most talented X-scribe there is. Fact. Bar None.

That being said, i'd love a Van Lente AF book. He clearly loves the squad.

I'm glad there's someone else but me that thinks Claremont is not as bad as everyone thinks he is. I mean i wouldnt call him the "most talented" but he's good.

As for the Alpha Flight, it sounds great.

To CMBMOOL : Would you happen to know which characters are being used?:confused:

[metalgorgomon]

I wouldn't mind Claremont and Jordan D.White co-writing the book. CC plots the story and Jordan writes the dialogue.

I also think Aaron Coliete (Ultimate X-Men) would be another great choice. He did some interesting things with the Ultimate AF.

[MartinRedmond]

http://i37.tinypic.com/70dhkg.gif

Wow! cool! This totally SHAMED me out of liking Chris!!! What will the internet nerds think of me!

[timbox]

I hope it is written by CC and their mission is to save Psylocke and Sage from Exile.

If not that, then I hope it is written by someone else, and features plenty of Aurora (psychotic).

[Grapeweasel]

In the beginning I liked Alpha Flight.

But the further they moved from the original team the less I liked it.

[CaptainCanada]

Claremont is the most talented X-scribe there is. Fact. Bar None.

Twenty years ago. Now he's a washed-up hack.

[LawGiver]

If AF series sales like crap, it would be due to (a) how the book is written (b) which AF characters are in the book/on the team and (c) who is drawing the book, NOT WHO is writing the book.

An AF book that is written as a fun straight forward action packed superhero book, and features ALL of the original/old school classic AF team mebers and is drawn by a damn good popular artist, would sell like hot cakes.

Right, because fans wait until after reading a book to make a judgement. It won't sell like hot cakes, Alpha Flight is not a top tier title, will it ever be? Maybe if you Millar/Hitch, Bendis/McNiven on it, but they won't waste them on an Alpha Flight book. Look at Captain Britain and MI13, it's one of the best books being put out, it's not a top 10, top 20 book and it's had SI-tie status for it's first 4 issues. Put CC on the book, instant 30-40k from the start.

I wouldn't mind Claremont and Jordan D.White co-writing the book. CC plots the story and Jordan writes the dialogue.

I also think Aaron Coliete (Ultimate X-Men) would be another great choice. He did some interesting things with the Ultimate AF.

Coliete has been a huge disappointment on Ultimate X-Men.

[Anna]

We don't need any more watered down versions of Alpha Flight.

[Blade X]

Right, because fans wait until after reading a book to make a judgement. It won't sell like hot cakes, Alpha Flight is not a top tier title, will it ever be? Maybe if you Millar/Hitch, Bendis/McNiven on it, but they won't waste them on an Alpha Flight book. Look at Captain Britain and MI13, it's one of the best books being put out, it's not a top 10, top 20 book and it's had SI-tie status for it's first 4 issues. Put CC on the book, instant 30-40k from the start.

I see you just made a judgment without having read the book first. Pot meet kettle.

FYI, when the first AF series was published back in the early 80's, it was the highest selling comic in the DIRECT MARKET at that time (AF #1 sold 500,000 copies). The book started it's steep sales decline after Byrne left the series. The 2nd AF series also started out selling very well (I think issue #1 either landed in the top 20 or top 10) but quickly started to loose sales once Clark stopped drawing the book and many fans was turned off by the books talking heads conspiracy theory storyline.

I find it funny that you say I was completely wrong in my post about what would make an AF book sell, then you say that a Millar/Hitch or a Bendis/McNiven creative team might make the book sale. I guess you agree with me about the "popular artist" factor in making the book sell well. Of course, the Millar/Hitch FF run hasn't been exactly setting the sales charts on fire.

Did you ever think that the reason why CB&MI-13 isn't selling well is because (a) most comic readers think the book is crap (b) because most fans have no interest in reading a Captain Britain book or (c) because Marvel should have waited a few years and released this series as a new version of EXCALIBUR.

[LawGiver]

I see you just made a judgment without having read the book first. Pot meet kettle.

I wasn't saying that is something I adhere too.

FYI, when the first AF series was published back in the early 80's, it was the highest selling comic in the DIRECT MARKET at that time (AF #1 sold 500,000 copies). The book started it's steep sales decline after Byrne left the series. The 2nd AF series also started out selling very well (I think issue #1 either landed in the top 20 or top 10) but quickly started to loose sales once Clark stopped drawing the book and many fans was turned off by the books talking heads conspiracy theory storyline.

Different times, different markets, doesn't apply now.

I find it funny that you say I was completely wrong in my post about what would make an AF book sell, then you say that a Millar/Hitch or a Bendis/McNiven creative team might make the book sale. I guess you agree with me about the "popular artist" factor in making the book sell well. Of course, the Millar/Hitch FF run hasn't been exactly setting the sales charts on fire.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say you were wrong, moron is the word I should of used.

As for the popular artist factor, well yea, it is still a visual medium. If David Finch was drawing Claremont's crappy stories I'd consider picking up the books.

Did you ever think that the reason why CB&MI-13 isn't selling well is because (a) most comic readers think the book is crap (b) because most fans have no interest in reading a Captain Britain book or (c) because Marvel should have waited a few years and released this series as a new version of EXCALIBUR.

Exaclibur is a dead concept, what Cornell is doing with Captain Britain is pulling him away from the crap that was New Exaclibur and Die by the Sword. Neither which were recieved well by fans, you want as much seperation from those titles as possible, that's why you don't call the book Exaclibur.

As for why it's not selling well I do not believe it is because the quality of the book is poor, it is simply because in the past Captain Britain has been so convoluted that most folks figure this will be no different.

[escapegoat]

If AF series sales like crap, it would be due to
(a) how the book is written
(c) who is drawing the book, NOT WHO is writing the book.


Congratulations, you just won the "I'm contradicting myself award."

[TJKernan]

BTW, it is a shame CB&MI-13 isn't selling because it is one of the best titles Marvel is producing right now. People should give this title a shot, but mainstream titles with a magical influence are traditionally a tough sell, and add in a bunch of fairly obscure characters, and you have a series that will, years from now, be a cult favorite in tb form...

As for Alpha Flight, there is just no way it will sell great numbers without a solid artist and a talented writer with a passion for the characters.

Unless you throw Wolverine into the series (UGH) or some other large star moves to Canada (and not crap like Beta Ray Bill or Julie Carpenter...)

Bring back Sabertooth and reteam him with Wild Child on the team (they had a fascinating relationship in X-Factor), maybe throw in Mystique (she needs to hide out), throw in original Sasquatch, Snowbird, Talisman (she is hotter than her dad), original Puck, and Vindicator, and for give them some descent villains. One of the things I always found irritating about AF is that their villain base is weak...

[Jack Flash]

Please oh Please include Wolvie's gayish son Flex in this reboot!

Please oh Please!

Please oh Please!

Please oh Please!

Please oh Please!

Please oh Please!

Please oh Please!

I'd lurve it to be Puck, Aurora, Sasquatch, Shaman, Snowbird, Ghost Girl, Murmur and Flex!

Guest stars Northstar and Wildchild!

[ExodusCloak]

One of the things I always found irritating about AF is that their villain base is weak...

Funny enough I always felt that their villian base was too strong. They fight Gods. Aren't The Great Beasts like skyfather level? And Madison Jeffries powerset is insane.

[Gene M.]

If Alpha Flight comes back as a mini or as guest stars in a book like Avengers, more power to 'em, but there's no way AF can carry an ongoing these days without names like Bendis, Millar or Brubaker attached. To most people outside of devoted AF fans, they're always gonna be "those Canadian guys that get beat up by the X-Men every couple of years." They book would need a drastic overhaul in the concept department to make it, and even that isn't a surefire fix if the Seagle series is anything to go by.

[Agent_Torpor]

Twenty years ago. Now he's a washed-up hack.

:rolleyes:

Yeah, because Bruction or Guggenheim are crafting such classic tales of X-wonder. We get thinly-veiled gimp softporn or some idiot character who likes to use the word "cuz" and not in an ironic way...

The only one near his level is Carey (who's doing SOLID work on Legacy, the thinking man's X-book).

[CMBMOOL]

I'm glad there's someone else but me that thinks Claremont is not as bad as everyone thinks he is. I mean i wouldnt call him the "most talented" but he's good.

As for the Alpha Flight, it sounds great.

To CMBMOOL : Would you happen to know which characters are being used?:confused:
I truly didn't ask and he didn't say.

Sorry again. :frown:

[escapegoat]

I truly didn't ask and he didn't say.

Sorry again. :frown:

No worries...it's not likely he would have been allowed to devulge any more information or details...especially if he's not involved with the possible upcoming revival of the team.

[LawGiver]

:rolleyes:

Yeah, because Bruction or Guggenheim are crafting such classic tales of X-wonder. We get thinly-veiled gimp softporn or some idiot character who likes to use the word "cuz" and not in an ironic way...

The only one near his level is Carey (who's doing SOLID work on Legacy, the thinking man's X-book).

Yes because a boy making love to a Dragon in New Exiles is really classic work. Mike Carey is writing on of the most boring stories in X-Men history too. Brubaker and Fraction and Yost and Kyle are carrying this franchise.

[timbox]

Imagine the freaky stories that CC could come up with for Aurora. It would be glorious.

[jarrod]

Yes because a boy making love to a Dragon in New Exiles is really classic work.
Claremont's just ahead of the times. While Bruction seem content to rehash his 80s S&M or Lobdell's gay culture, the Master's moving into bold new fetishes for the medium like bestiality. CC is cutting edge, Bruction are safe.

[LawGiver]

Claremont's just ahead of the times. While Bruction seem content to rehash his 80s S&M or Lobdell's gay culture, the Master's moving into bold new fetishes for the medium like bestiality. CC is cutting edge, Bruction are safe.

I am good at detecting sarcasm.

[Swashbuckler]

If this is the case jarrod, I hope CC plans to bring back Feral. Nothings more beastly then her.

[jarrod]

If this is the case jarrod, I hope CC plans to bring back Feral. Nothings more beastly then her.
We can only hope. She should lead neXiles after Betsy leaves.

[Excelsior]

CC for Alpha Flight, and I would have John Byrne handling the art hows that for serendipity.

[LawGiver]

CC for Alpha Flight, and I would have John Byrne handling the art hows that for serendipity.

Just as long as there are no blonde latinos in the group.

[Swashbuckler]

Just as long as there are no blonde latinos in the group.

Feral was a blonde/orange Latino. Are you dissing her? Don't irritate me mister!!

[LawGiver]

Feral was a blonde/orange Latino. Are you dissing her? Don't irritate me mister!!

I don't have a problem with them, ask Mr. Bryne.

[jester1436]

Wow! cool! This totally SHAMED me out of liking Chris!!! What will the internet nerds think of me!

http://i34.tinypic.com/15rmsnq.gif

[jarrod]

Minor point, but CB&MI-13 *is* selling well, beyond expectations actually. The first 3 issues all saw reprintings, with the first even going into 3rd prints. I was slightly irked with Lowe and Cornell's early decision to scale back the X-connections and drop the Excalibur relaunch concept, but now I think they absolutely made the right decision... though hopefully they still manage to work Tangerine and the London HFC in down the line. :wink:

It's top 10 in the UK unsurprisingly too.

[XaviersMisprint]

okay, say they did come out with a new alpha flight series... who would be the team? lets be realistic. "dead means dead".

i'd say a combination of new (to make it relevant to the times) and old (for real fans) would sell the book. with teams like omega flight out and the death of a bunch of classic members, its difficult to make a team of all old or all new.

i'd say:

sasquatch
aurora
northstar
snowbird
diamond lil
the collective (as guardian)

guest stars/supporting cast/potential villains:
talisman
flex
wild child
murmur

[LawGiver]

Minor point, but CB&MI-13 *is* selling well, beyond expectations actually. The first 3 issues all saw reprintings, with the first even going into 3rd prints. I was slightly irked with Lowe and Cornell's early decision to scale back the X-connections and drop the Excalibur relaunch concept, but now I think they absolutely made the right decision... though hopefully they still manage to work Tangerine and the London HFC in down the line. :wink:

It's top 10 in the UK unsurprisingly too.

No thank you on the plots you want, both sound wanktastic.

[Imraith Nimphais]

I'm all for the return of AF...if, and ONLY IF...the team consists only of the original vol1 cast and 2nd-ary characters...I was never interested in the bore-fest that was vol2 and 3...As much as I like CC...judging from wot he's pruducing now... he would never, ever do justice to AF...I would hope for someone who was never ever affiliated with ANY of the x-titles past and present...'cause I sure as hell do not want to read about the "Canadian X-men"...when Byrne initially started AF although he was an ex-X-scribe/artist...they had their own distinctive "feel"...I would like that to be maintained...and the ARTIST better be damn!Hott!.

[jarrod]

No thank you on the plots you want, both sound wanktastic.
Yes Tangerine and Ms. Steed are both imminently wanktastic!

[CaptainCanada]

:rolleyes:

Yeah, because Bruction or Guggenheim are crafting such classic tales of X-wonder. We get thinly-veiled gimp softporn or some idiot character who likes to use the word "cuz" and not in an ironic way...

False equivalence; I didn't compare Claremont to any other current writer, I merely said that he is currently terrible.

And I think Chris knows more than a bit about "thinly-veiled gimp softporn".:wink:

[DeadXMan]

:rolleyes:

Yeah, because Bruction or Guggenheim are crafting such classic tales of X-wonder. We get thinly-veiled gimp softporn or some idiot character who likes to use the word "cuz" and not in an ironic way...

The only one near his level is Carey (who's doing SOLID work on Legacy, the thinking man's X-book).

let's not forget the two year snooze fest that is Bru's run. Seriouly how can ^%$& up space stories?

C&C, Aaron and Gage are my picks to be CC's true X-sucesserior.

[jarrod]

C&C, Carey and Aaron have all been great, I want them all in the mix for some time to come. Cornell and PAD too.

Gage disappointed me with WWHX, it was pretty mediocre. Ellis has been mildly disappointing on Astonishing, Brubaker's been a trainwreck, Fraction's proving only marginally better, Way's frankly awful, Guggs is meandering, Claremont's LOL. The X-Office could stand to do some housecleaning imo.

[Jack Flash]

I'm all for the return of AF...if, and ONLY IF...the team consists only of the original vol1 cast and 2nd-ary characters...I was never interested in the bore-fest that was vol2 and 3...As much as I like CC...judging from wot he's pruducing now... he would never, ever do justice to AF...I would hope for someone who was never ever affiliated with ANY of the x-titles past and present...'cause I sure as hell do not want to read about the "Canadian X-men"...when Byrne initially started AF although he was an ex-X-scribe/artist...they had their own distinctive "feel"...I would like that to be maintained...and the ARTIST better be damn!Hott!.

I'd rather not have it only be about the past. I love some of the volume 1 folks, but there is room for more than just those characters. I'd rather it not come back at all than be a stale Byrne rehash.

[DeadXMan]

C&C, Carey and Aaron have all been great, I want them all in the mix for some time to come. Cornell and PAD too.

Gage disappointed me with WWHX, it was pretty mediocre. Ellis has been mildly disappointing on Astonishing, Brubaker's been a trainwreck, Fraction's proving only marginally better, Way's frankly awful, Guggs is meandering, Claremont's LOL. The X-Office could stand to do some housecleaning imo.


WWHX was the best damn x-fight I've seen in years

Both Hulk and the x-men were IC
and the greatest mercury moment so far

[Jeremi]

Am I the only one who'd like to see Yukon Jack again?

[DeadXMan]

Is he the one that fought Northstar when he came out cause he was treated better then his son was when he was dying of Aids?

[frog]

WWHX was the best damn x-fight I've seen in years

Both Hulk and the x-men were IC
and the greatest mercury moment so far

WWH:X-Men outshone the rest of World War Hulk. Good characterization by Gage, I wouldn't mind seeing him on an X-title.

[LawGiver]

WWHX was the best damn x-fight I've seen in years

Both Hulk and the x-men were IC
and the greatest mercury moment so far

Greatest Mercury fight? That's like saying a two year old's birthday is the greatest day of his short, short, short life.

[DeadXMan]

Greatest Mercury fight? That's like saying a two year old's birthday is the greatest day of his short, short, short life.

I said moment

not fight

She didn't fight the Hulk

She told him off.

basicaly she said to him "we've seen what monsters can do, we know what torture feels like. Do your worst"

[Imraith Nimphais]

I'd rather not have it only be about the past. I love some of the volume 1 folks, but there is room for more than just those characters. I'd rather it not come back at all than be a stale Byrne rehash.

I agree, quite. I would not want a Byrne re-hash either...introduce new characters by all means...but keep the core...the characters HE so very well introduced and solidly established...and give them a new and interesting direction...that is why I advocate a non-x-men writer for the book...I'm all for taking the characters where they are "now" and driving them forward and at the same time be conscious of "where" they came from.

[DeadXMan]

as long as it would have both pucks I'll be happy.

[Patrion]

Am I the only one who'd like to see Yukon Jack again?

No, you aren't! I would like to see him back too! His "Stone-Whips" were just too cool!

I think that a return to alot of the original cast, or analogs of them, would be the best bet. Talisman and Sasquatch too, of course! Mar, the little green "it" would be a good one to replace Marrina! Snowbird needs to be there as well!

[escapegoat]

okay, say they did come out with a new alpha flight series... who would be the team? lets be realistic. "dead means dead".


You don't really believe that, do you?

*points and snickers at XaviersMisprint*

Anyone who's read the final issue of the last series already knows about the loophole for bringing the original members back.

[XaviersMisprint]

You don't really believe that, do you?

*points and snickers at XaviersMisprint*

Anyone who's read the final issue of the last series already knows about the loophole for bringing the original members back.

i've heard about your little loophole.... lets just say i HOPE they stay dead because as many good characters as we lose, we also get rid of major mapleleaf and nuPuck.

[escapegoat]

i've heard about your little loophole.... lets just say i HOPE they stay dead because as many good characters as we lose, we also get rid of major mapleleaf and nuPuck.

Actually, they would still stay dead in this loophole.

It was only the original members of Alpha that had gone into space. None of the new ones.

[Jack Flash]

if we must have the oldies back, then I'd love to see Murmur, Radius, Ghost Girl, and Flex be Beta Flight.

[Anna]

if we must have the oldies back, then I'd love to see Murmur, Radius, Ghost Girl, and Flex be Beta Flight.

Except for the fact that three of the four are depowered...

[DeadXMan]

I want mac heather and Pucks back

and Northstar to be crazy again

[TJKernan]

Funny enough I always felt that their villian base was too strong. They fight Gods. Aren't The Great Beasts like skyfather level? And Madison Jeffries powerset is insane.

I didn't mean weak in terms of power, I meant weak in terms of being very interesting. They need more fascinating rivals.

[Jack Flash]

Except for the fact that three of the four are depowered...

hasn't been mentioned in a comic, so didn't happen.

[Blade X]

Different times, different markets, doesn't apply now.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say you were wrong, moron is the word I should of used.

Exaclibur is a dead concept, what Cornell is doing with Captain Britain is pulling him away from the crap that was New Exaclibur and Die by the Sword. Neither which were recieved well by fans, you want as much seperation from those titles as possible, that's why you don't call the book Exaclibur.

As for why it's not selling well I do not believe it is because the quality of the book is poor, it is simply because in the past Captain Britain has been so convoluted that most folks figure this will be no different.

1. Different market, different times, same rules apply.

2. WOW, name calling, that is so mature of you. I wonder if the moderators gave you a warning for that.

3. The WISDOM mini series (which CB&MI-13 is PARTLY based on) sold worse then NEW EXCALIBUR and DIE BY THE SWORD. So your logic is faulty.

Captain Britain's "convoluted past" has little or nothing to do with the less then impressive sales of this series.

[Jack Flash]

3. The WISDOM mini series (which CB&MI-13 is PARTLY based on) sold worse then NEW EXCALIBUR and DIE BY THE SWORD. So your logic is faulty.
.

The Wisdom mini was at a much higher price point, so thus you are comparing apples to oranges.

[Blade X]

Congratulations, you just won the "I'm contradicting myself award."

Actually, I didn't. Remember, a writer DOES NOT have to write every book the same way or in the same style. A writer can simultaneously write a talking heads superhero book and a separate action pack superhero book. the "who" is NOT always the same as the "how".

[Monty_Cristo]

Shortpuck...........

[DeadXMan]

Shortpuck...........

sexypuck and his daughter

They can be the wildcat and puma of the MU

[Blade X]

Minor point, but CB&MI-13 *is* selling well, beyond expectations actually. The first 3 issues all saw reprintings, with the first even going into 3rd prints. I was slightly irked with Lowe and Cornell's early decision to scale back the X-connections and drop the Excalibur relaunch concept, but now I think they absolutely made the right decision... though hopefully they still manage to work Tangerine and the London HFC in down the line. :wink:

It's top 10 in the UK unsurprisingly too.

It saddens me to say it, but the main reason why the first 3 issues of CB&MI-13 sold "beyond expectations" is because thise issues were SECRET INVASION tie ins. It's the non SI issues that will be the real test in terms of sales.

[Blade X]

Am I the only one who'd like to see Yukon Jack again?

No, I also want to see him back. he was a cool (and original) character.

[Blade X]

The Wisdom mini was at a much higher price point, so thus you are comparing apples to oranges.

True, and it was also a MAX title.

That being said, I don't think the book would have sold all that much better without the higher price point and the book being a MAX book.

[escapegoat]

Actually, I didn't. Remember, a writer DOES NOT have to write every book the same way or in the same style. A writer can simultaneously write a talking heads superhero book and a separate action pack superhero book. the "who" is NOT always the same as the "how".

Yes, but most do adhere to a personal style anyways. Readers know what to expect from a specific writer, pretty much in the same way they do with an artist. Therefore, knowing in advance who will be writing a new title will have an effect on the collector who will pick up a title based on the creative team - writer and/or artist. While the artist has a higher influence, in recent years the writer can also have a positive effect on the sales. People that are big fans of Warren Ellis will check out what Warren Ellis is writing. That factor clearly shows in the independent stuff that he does. If "someone else" was writiing those independent titles, then they would probably not sale even half as much as they do....unless the other writer was another big name writer, like Grant Morrison.

[Anna]

hasn't been mentioned in a comic, so didn't happen.

Murmur and Flex weren't on the Avengers list?

[Pach!]

http://i37.tinypic.com/70dhkg.gif

lmao this is the best one yet.

[jarrod]

It saddens me to say it, but the main reason why the first 3 issues of CB&MI-13 sold "beyond expectations" is because thise issues were SECRET INVASION tie ins. It's the non SI issues that will be the real test in terms of sales.
True, but the book's critical reception and word of mouth is overwhelmingly positive, and it's maintained sales better than most new series (crossover tie-in or not). And now they've added Blade to the book, one of Marvel's more popular characters... honestly, the outlook isn't exactly bleak.

[jarrod]

The Wisdom mini was at a much higher price point, so thus you are comparing apples to oranges.
It was also a MAX book, meaning automatically limited distribution and a no reprint policy. The trade's supposedly done well though.

[Jack Flash]

Murmur and Flex weren't on the Avengers list?

it was just mentioned in a handbook. At least I know Flex wasn't on that list.

[TJKernan]

Blade is one of Marvel's most popular characters?

Recognizable, yes, thanks to the movies, but I would hardly call him one of their most popular, at least among avid Marvelites. His series don't do especially well, nor does his addition to a team seem to generate that much of a sales increase.

That said, I do think he is an interesting addition to that team.

[Agent_Torpor]

Blade is one of Marvel's most popular characters?

Recognizable, yes, thanks to the movies, but I would hardly call him one of their most popular, at least among avid Marvelites. His series don't do especially well, nor does his addition to a team seem to generate that much of a sales increase.

That said, I do think he is an interesting addition to that team.
I hate the character, I hate the Wesley Snipes movies, and I hate that Cornell added him to the book (for whatever reason).

[Anna]

it was just mentioned in a handbook. At least I know Flex wasn't on that list.

I'm thinking of New Avengers 18-19. I know Murmur was there. They've come up with an explanation for Harpoon; how would you cover her?

[Jack Flash]

I'm thinking of New Avengers 18-19. I know Murmur was there. They've come up with an explanation for Harpoon; how would you cover her?

which murmur was it? Murmur from AF or from Emplate's Hellions?

[Pach!]

LOL. It really isnt a big deal, if a writer wants to use Murmur from AF, he'll just use him regardless of what was on the pages of New Avengers 18.

[Blade X]

Yes, but most do adhere to a personal style anyways. Readers know what to expect from a specific writer, pretty much in the same way they do with an artist. Therefore, knowing in advance who will be writing a new title will have an effect on the collector who will pick up a title based on the creative team - writer and/or artist. While the artist has a higher influence, in recent years the writer can also have a positive effect on the sales. People that are big fans of Warren Ellis will check out what Warren Ellis is writing. That factor clearly shows in the independent stuff that he does. If "someone else" was writiing those independent titles, then they would probably not sale even half as much as they do....unless the other writer was another big name writer, like Grant Morrison.

That's PARTLY true. However, as the sales charts have shown in both the past and the present, many books (both independent and company owned) written by big name writers don't always sell well. Heck, in many cases those books under perform. For example, NEXTWAVE was a sales flop and Ellis's Avatar Press books also don't sell all that well. The same was also true for Morrison's SEVEN SOLDIERS books. Even Mark Millar couldn't make the FF book sell much better then it was selling before he came onto the book.

On the flip side, CC's FF run was consistently a top 15 seller and Loeb's runs on BATMAN,SUPERMAN AND BATMAN,HULK,and ULTIMATES 3 have all been top 10 sellers despite many internet fans saying that they are both crappy writers.

[Blade X]

True, but the book's critical reception and word of mouth is overwhelmingly positive, and it's maintained sales better than most new series (crossover tie-in or not). And now they've added Blade to the book, one of Marvel's more popular characters... honestly, the outlook isn't exactly bleak.

The same was also true about NEXTWAVE and THE ORDER, and we all know what happened to those 2 series.

Trust me, the SI crossover is a MAJOR why CB&MI-13 has sold better then most new series. The same was also true about the last HEROES FOR HIRE series.

TJK has already said what I was going to say about Blade's popularity and his affect on the books sales now that he joined the team.

[Anna]

which murmur was it? Murmur from AF or from Emplate's Hellions?

Both actually.

[Jack Flash]

Both actually.

can someone post a scan? All I remember is that I scanned the page for Flex/Vincente/Mondo and was elated that all were safe.