DC Plans New Launches, More Superman As 2013 Sales Hit

[CBR News]

With January sale in, DC's John Cunningham and Bob Wayne discuss what's next for the New 52 after six cancellations, why Superman graphic novels will reign in 2013 and what "Injustice: Gods Among Us" says about digital sales.


Full article here.

[Librarian of Justice]

So if Superman is ramping up with new titles and storylines--why did DC ditch their one title aimed at getting a new generation of readers: Superman Family Adventures?

It's too bad that there's no longer a Supes title suitable for all ages (both in content and approach). Superman is perhaps the perfect character (even over Batman in that regard) to get kids hooked on comics and superheroes.

Talk about missed (or ditched) opportunities!

[flottanna]

I would love more superman titles. But they need to fix the "Superman" title.

[Mr. Holmes]

So if Superman is ramping up with new titles and storylines--why did DC ditch their one title aimed at getting a new generation of readers: Superman Family Adventures?

It's too bad that there's no longer a Supes title suitable for all ages (both in content and approach). Superman is perhaps the perfect character (even over Batman in that regard) to get kids hooked on comics and superheroes.

Talk about missed (or ditched) opportunities!

They announced All New Adventures of Superman, which fills that role. And it has a much better distribution model (digital first) than Family Adventures, which clearly didn't reach the potential audiences it could have.

[El Sombrero]

So if Superman is ramping up with new titles and storylines--why did DC ditch their one title aimed at getting a new generation of readers: Superman Family Adventures?

It's too bad that there's no longer a Supes title suitable for all ages (both in content and approach). Superman is perhaps the perfect character (even over Batman in that regard) to get kids hooked on comics and superheroes.

Talk about missed (or ditched) opportunities!

I don't really get the love for the Franco & Baltazar comics (Superman Family Adventures). That's not an "all ages" comic to me, it's like a toddler comic. It feels like it's written and drawn for kids under six. There is a difference between stuff that is okay / safe / appropriate for kids (say, like Star Wars), and something directly made FOR kids (Blues Clues). Superman Family Adventures felt like the latter to me.

[Alton]

With January sale in, DC's John Cunningham and Bob Wayne discuss what's next for the New 52 after six cancellations, why Superman graphic novels will reign in 2013 and what "Injustice: Gods Among Us" says about digital sales.


Full article here.

Hysterical interview.You mean DC can't coordinate cancellation announcements with new release announcements and save the aggravation? Additional titles for Superman when the main title has slipped to the number 20 slot? Oh wait, we're going to tie in with the movie.Hope it's a hit.The gamer oriented books being mentioned as having brought in non traditional readers (gamers) to the market,but Cunningham isn't sure.How about the fact that Injustice is still another standard storyline about characters that already have a fan following and see it as another JLA book? I buy a number of gamer related books just for something different and I don't play any of the games.At least the Superman graphic novels and hopefully trades will be available soon.Other than that how much do they pay Cunningham and Wayne to just spin the wheels at DC?

[Bruce Kent]

Hysterical interview.

Hysterical interpretation.

You mean DC can't coordinate cancellation announcements with new release announcements and save the aggravation?

They probably can, but why would they announce them now, with so much time until the book is actually released? They will do it when they have to, next month before the solicitations. Seems logical.

Additional titles for Superman when the main title has slipped to the number 20 slot? Oh wait, we're going to tie in with the movie.Hope it's a hit.

Read it with a little more atention. Those are digital sales.

[Dr. Cheesesteak]

"So believe me, I'm an inquisitive mind, and I get the desire to look at one tea leaf and see the flow of the universe." - John Cunningham.

I think I'll make that my new sig... some day.

[Librarian of Justice]

Sombrero--have you read the comic? It's filled with references that only older fans would get--clearly meant for parents or at least a generation older (New 52 references). The artwork is meant to be simple, for sure, but it's also very energetic with great attention to character form (clean lines, minimalistic approach). I encourage you to actually give a few issues a chance--while you can still grab them.

[Librarian of Justice]

They announced All New Adventures of Superman, which fills that role. And it has a much better distribution model (digital first) than Family Adventures, which clearly didn't reach the potential audiences it could have.

Digtial is great an all--and I know that's where it's all heading. But kids really love holding comics in their hands--especially one filled with pictures. We give out tons of free comics and Fam Adv. is the most popular. I love digital comics (for the convenience and fidelity of the color) but there's nothing like the presence of having the art right in your hands and turning the page.

[El Sombrero]

Sombrero--have you read the comic? It's filled with references that only older fans would get--clearly meant for parents or at least a generation older (New 52 references). The artwork is meant to be simple, for sure, but it's also very energetic with great attention to character form (clean lines, minimalistic approach). I encourage you to actually give a few issues a chance--while you can still grab them.

I've read the first issue and previews of all the other issues. I caught the references, but to me, that's all they are -- references. Would be like if Sesame Street referenced the dada art movement. It's still Sesame Street.

It's not so much that I think Franco & Baltazar's stuff is bad, it just doesn't hold any appeal for me beyond comic books for preschoolers, and I'm at a total loss for the critical acclaim their work receives.

[Mr. Holmes]

Digtial is great an all--and I know that's where it's all heading. But kids really love holding comics in their hands--especially one filled with pictures. We give out tons of free comics and Fam Adv. is the most popular. I love digital comics (for the convenience and fidelity of the color) but there's nothing like the presence of having the art right in your hands and turning the page.

Nah, kids are all over the internet today.

In any case, the digital-first books are just that, first. Not only. They get into print down the line.

[Librarian of Justice]

Nah, kids are all over the internet today.

In any case, the digital-first books are just that, first. Not only. They get into print down the line.

There's plenty of kids not online--and even more that don't have tablets on which to view them. Marvel and DC are going where the money is, and I'm aware of that--but neither of them has stuck with a solid plan for getting kids involved in their material. It's haphazard at best, often just choosing to go with YA and adult audiences.

[Librarian of Justice]

Fair enough then, it's not your thing. I feel the same way about Deadpool! ;)

[babybro]

There's plenty of kids not online--and even more that don't have tablets on which to view them. Marvel and DC are going where the money is, and I'm aware of that--but neither of them has stuck with a solid plan for getting kids involved in their material. It's haphazard at best, often just choosing to go with YA and adult audiences.

That's not entirely true, as you know the average age of manga readers are 14 years old. This is attributed to a slew of reasons but one of them is that you can read tons
of manga over the internet in front of your computer, they don't care that they don't have a tablet, as long as they can read it from their laptop or home computer, they are fine, of course it doesn't help that so much manga out there is free but that's another story.