Marvel Downgrades Wolverine and the X-Men. Beginning of the End?

[Quinnhop]

So, Wolverine and the X-Men has always been collected in hardcover first, and trade paperback further down the line. But as of Volume 5, it looks as if the series will start being collected in paperback form first. It's not just Volume 5, but Volume 6 as well. It's not a huuuuuge deal, but most series that are collected in paperback form first are the ones that don't sell as well as the ones that are collected in hardcover form first. For Wolverine and the X-Men to be downgraded, it must not be selling as well as Marvel hoped/it used to. It's no critical darling either.

Notably, Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 will be collected in HC, as will both first volumes of All-New. Has Bendis (eight issues in) already not only dethroned Aaron but pushed him to the ground and forced him to lick his boots? Will All-New X-Men end up absorbing Wolverine and the X-Men?

Is this the beginning of the end?

Personally, I'm sad because I don't want to collect the paperbacks. It'll ruin my collection. q___q

[AgentFelix]

Shame too. Aaron was SO GOOD on Wolverine. WatXM has just been all over

[Lady_Alternate]

A lot of titles are no longer getting hardcovers, its far from unique to WatXM.

[Lars C]

It would sell better if it was cheaper. At least that's what I think. But it's also quite redundant right now.

[listererik]

As long as it's selling @45K/issue, it's not going anywhere.

[Quinnhop]

A lot of titles are no longer getting hardcovers, its far from unique to WatXM.

Flagship titles are still getting HC treatment. The main point is that it's no longer being considered flagship and/or high sales material--but it used to. So it has been downgraded.

For example, Daredevil is still getting HCs. But even as of January 2013, Wolverine and the X-Men was selling more copies monthly (by an estimated 8k copies). That must mean that Daredevil is significantly outselling WatXM in trade format.

I just don't think any of this is a good sign for the series. I'll try to check the sales figures themselves and see if its in any danger in that regard. I don't think it is but it is being downgraded and that's never a good sign.

As long as it's selling @45K/issue, it's not going anywhere.

I just don't want dirty paperbacks.

[listererik]

I just don't want dirty paperbacks.

LOL, fair enough.

[Prodigy55]

foolish poster, paperbacks are superior.

[HXHAlex]

A lot of denial going on in this thread ;)


:p

[fod_xp]

foolish poster, paperbacks are superior.

Wow, we know you're a cheep scape. I buy hardcovers firstly and only. If I have to then I will begrudgingly buy paperback copies. Paperbacks are like the bottom of the rung fodder. I go for the gusto and shell out for the hardcover with bonus content in addition to multiple stories inside.

In response to the OP, Marvel said in an interview last year they are no longer making premier hardcovers or oversize hardcovers available for the vast majority of their comics. Oversize Hardcovers are reserved for Omnibii and Event collections. Marvel is going full on paperback to cut costs. They may print premier hardcovers for particular high selling "flagship" books. From now on Marvel is going straight to paperback.

[chakal]

Yup, the economical crisis is everywhere.

[motherofpearl1]

Shame too. Aaron was SO GOOD on Wolverine. WatXM has just been all over

I second that. I really really loved his Wolverine run. nice balance of humour and serious and a love interest who wasn't annoying.

[NewMutant]

foolish poster, paperbacks are superior.

qft!!!!!!!!!!

[Kaiolino]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/...ardcover-line/

(I know it's Bleeding Cool, but it's no a gossip article).

[Kittyblackwidow08]

I like WATXM. It's a nice, refreshing, humourous comic, and is good at helping you get away from the stress of other x-books. I hope it stays, but I never really viewed it has flagship since AvX.