Why hasn't Daredevil ever sold more than it has?

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

I'm confused... Throughout most of it's lifespan, the book has had numerous of either big-name/superstar or, at least, continuously well-reviewed talent. In addition, it's had a good number of critically-acclaimed runs. Also, out of all of the Marvel ongoings, the book has been regarded as one of the most consistently written since its inception.

Yet, none of this has resulted in higher sales. How come Daredevil has never been a top-selling book?

[Jake V]

I'm confused... Throughout most of it's lifespan, the book has had numerous of either big-name/superstar or, at least, continuously well-reviewed talent. In addition, it's had a good number of critically-acclaimed runs. Also, out of all of the Marvel ongoings, the book has been regarded as one of the most consistently written since its inception.

Yet, none of this has resulted in higher sales. How come Daredevil has never been a top-selling book?

He's a serious vigilante that isn't Batman.

The limitations of his powers limit the kind of stories that can be told about him to mostly low-level super-crime and street-based organized crime.

His personality limits the light-heartedness and "fun" that a character like Spider-Man brings.

Historically, gritty street level comics don't have mass appeal.


Don't get me wrong, I think DD is a great character, but he's never gonna be the face of any company or the centerpiece of a universe-spanning saga. He's not gonna save the world from a mutant apocalypse or defeat an invasion from another dimension.

But really, being a mid to upper level superhero aint all that bad. Beats being Darkhawk.

[a-spidey]

i wonder what would happen when they get a superstar artist on the book for a run. Don't know Jim Lee or Michael Turner or David Finch would be great. Really liked his art for Moon Knight. I guess it would push the sales at least for that period.

[kitamu re]

I'm confused... Throughout most of it's lifespan, the book has had numerous of either big-name/superstar or, at least, continuously well-reviewed talent. In addition, it's had a good number of critically-acclaimed runs. Also, out of all of the Marvel ongoings, the book has been regarded as one of the most consistently written since its inception.

Yet, none of this has resulted in higher sales. How come Daredevil has never been a top-selling book?

dd was a top ten book when queseda and smith were on it:rolleyes:

[Lanowar]

It's because Daredevil is a very distinct book it's a crime thriller but with gritty superheroes. Spider-Man when he has shown up is never happy go lucky his humour seemed to morph in order to fit the mood of the book. If you like crime thriller and that dark undertone of the Marvel U you'll like this book. Bendis run was totally different to how Bendis writes most of his other books and Bruebaker taking it over was a perfect match to fit his writing talents.

If you read "Daredevil Vs Punisher" the Daredevil in that book is a different breed to the one in his own solo series. I think why it has'nt sold extremely well is a mixture of the type of book it is also the fact it's Daredevil and some people won't think of Daredevil as he is in this book but just that blind dude.

[vazel]

I thought Daredevil was a good selling book?

Edit: Found this site, Daredevil was #41 in sales for February(46,765 issues). Suppose that's not 'top-selling' but still good. http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1974

[Lanowar]

I thought Daredevil was a good selling book?

Edit: Found this site, Daredevil was #41 in sales for February(46,765 issues). Suppose that's not 'top-selling' but still good. http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1974

I think the poster means how come a book that has great critical success been around for so long without a massive dive in content has never had that big sales wise. Unless I'm mistaken thats what we're talking about.

[Frank]

noir doesn't sell

To turn this around, It would need to turn it into an adventure book for a while and get a hot artist to draw it. Remember when Jim Lee used to draw ninjas in the pages of X-Men in WWII? I could this happening that would make this book and character a best-seller.

[vazel]

I think the poster means how come a book that has great critical success been around for so long without a massive dive in content has never had that big sales wise. Unless I'm mistaken thats what we're talking about.

dd was a top ten book when queseda and smith were on it:rolleyes:

Well if this is true then it has had huge sales.

I don't see why you people are trying to turn Daredevil into an underdog comic. That Daredevil is still doing so good so many issues in is great for a comic book. Most comic books never do as good as the initial issues where they then go through a gradual decline until they are finally cancelled and replaced by new comic book series. I'm just happy Daredevil has joined the likes of other characters that are ensured due to their popularity that they will have an endless run. Can't say the same for Moon Knight which I'm sure will end one day(then a few years later be restarted in a new series).

[chrismileslord]

Daredevil is the best written book out right now. And I love the art. I wuoldn't change a thing, and the reason I think it doesn't sell is a lot of people don't give it a chance. At least that is the case at my LCS. Daredevil is my favorite character and I love the way he is written.

[Karl O'Neill]

manhunter is well-written too, but sells nothing, maybe 17 k,

Daredevil is well written and is a cool. well-known hero, i guess spiderman/ hulk and xmen are just that much more important to marvel,

it's a travesty when the best books don't shift the numbers, but as they say it is the bigger books that allows for the smaller books to come out.

[Katerine]

On the Marvel.com boards, every single time somebody asks for comic recommendations, Daredevil always comes up as a recommendation. Always. Often by several people. I don't think that's true of any other comic. If that's not popularity, I don't know what is.

[Lanowar]

On the Marvel.com boards, every single time somebody asks for comic recommendations, Daredevil always comes up as a recommendation. Always. Often by several people. I don't think that's true of any other comic. If that's not popularity, I don't know what is.

That that’s Critical successes the point people are asking is how come that it isn’t economic successful more so then say Amazing Spider-Man or the X-Men

[vazel]

Because those other characters are the archetypes. The original gangstas.

[Omega Alpha]

All the reasons Jake V gave are true. Plus, the book is mostly detached from the rest of the MU regardless of who is writing. Also have in mind that, except for Spider-Man and Wolverine's books, Marvel's solos usually are not among the top selling titles, even when they sell very well. Cap. America, Iron Man or Hulk only are among the top-selling if they are tie-ins to crossovers or have huge events going on, and the other ones sell even less.