Flashpoint #5 question

[Bruce Banner]

As many do, I consider the reboot a bad idea overall. Change for the sake of change. Doing away with many decades' worth of continuity in one fell swoop.

But I'll pick up a few issues of the flagship titles and give it all the benefit of the doubt.

The first issue of the new JLA was interesting, but we'll have to see how it goes. But whatever the case... to me, this will always be the JLA:

[Bruce Banner]

edit: removed double post.

[Bruce Banner]

Of course I'm probably wrong and this is permanent. At least I have back issues and trades...

True. In fact I just re-read my old copy of JLA issue 200 again.
We'll always have those.

[The Toyroom]

But whatever the case... to me, this will always be the JLA:

Me too...Look how classic those costumes look. And not a high collar, armor or Cyborg in sight...

[The Bat]

Geoff Johns and Jim Lee says this new Universe is permanent. And sales numbers aren't exactly hurting them. JLA is already going into a 3rd printing, Flash Point #5 a 2nd printing...and comics that haven't even hit comic shops are already going into 2nd printings(Batgirl, Action Comics). It's really early in the game, but so far it's a success.

DC #1 Hits 200,000 In Pre-Sales - Comic Vine

[The Bat]

Me too...Look how classic those costumes look. And not a high collar, armor or Cyborg in sight...

I don't care for Cyborg being in the new JLA...but I don't miss the Martain Man being there either.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah but 200,000 is what ROM the Space Knight was selling when it was canceled in 1986.

Chris

[The Bat]

Yeah but 200,000 is what ROM the Space Knight was selling when it was canceled in 1986.

Chris

But as I'm sure you're aware Chris...Comics haven't done those kind of numbers in quite some time. Comics sales were great in the 90's...but it's been awhile since we have seen anything like that.

[thunderbolt]

Geoff Johns and Jim Lee says this new Universe is permanent. And sales numbers aren't exactly hurting them. JLA is already going into a 3rd printing, Flash Point #5 a 2nd printing...and comics that haven't even hit comic shops are already going into 2nd printings(Batgirl, Action Comics). It's really early in the game, but so far it's a success.

DC #1 Hits 200,000 In Pre-Sales - Comic Vine

It'll be as permanent as anything when the sales are there, when the hype dies off and the numbers fall back to what they were or lower, it will get rebooted again, or eventually put out to pasture. This feels a lot like a Hail Mary from DC. Wait'll Jim Lee falls behind or leaves to design video games or play them or whatever he does to miss deadlines the JLA numbers will drop.

[The Bat]

It'll be as permanent as anything when the sales are there, when the hype dies off and the numbers fall back to what they were or lower, it will get rebooted again, or eventually put out to pasture. This feels a lot like a Hail Mary from DC. Wait'll Jim Lee falls behind or leaves to design video games or play them or whatever he does to miss deadlines the JLA numbers will drop.

I don't disagree with ya...changed is the one constant in the Universe(especially the DC Universe). I don't expect that Jim will do more then 12 issues before he turns the reins over to another artist. Jim Lee never use to have a problem with keeping up with deadlines until he started running Image....and now with his new duties at DC, he's doing it again. I have no doubt he won't be able to sustain that for very long.

[ctc]

>Comics haven't done those kind of numbers in quite some time

Stupid Comics

Don C.

[Earth 2 Chris]

But as I'm sure you're aware Chris...Comics haven't done those kind of numbers in quite some time. Comics sales were great in the 90's...but it's been awhile since we have seen anything like that.

Yeah, that was my point. These are good numbers, for today's market. But it just shows how much the American comic audience has dwindled in the last 25 years. It will be interesting to see how many new readers DC holds onto with this.

Chris

[samurainoir]

>Comics haven't done those kind of numbers in quite some time

Stupid Comics

Don C.

That's actually really interesting data... You can totally see why they abandoned the news stands in favor of the direct market. Particularly with the rising costs of paper and printing (and the reason why print will ultimately give way to digital... With the print version being produced simply as collectible object in very limited quantities with a premium. Probably on a print to order basis).

They print 713,000. Sell 379,000. And ultimately eat the cost of 333,000. Only 235 subscriptions? Was that even worth the effort? Did it just give something for the secretary to do? (Jim shooter recently told the story on his blog about how the secretary stole all the subs cash that came in)

This would not be economically possible now without an absolutely ridiculous cover price. The 200,000 copies of Justice League they are selling is all profit with no risk or loss. Although the economics of scale applies to their mid-list titles selling at around 30,000 currently.

It would be very interesting to see Archie's numbers via newsstand/grocery store sales vs returns. Although I'd guess the reprints in the digests is what might help make the numbers work without the additional production costs?

[The Toyroom]

Well this was a success at my LCS...not an issue of Flashpoint #5 or Justice League #1 to be found...Of course they never order large numbers anyway...I'm actually thinking about switching to online ordering....I just feel bad cause I've been a loyal customer for years.

[VintageMike]

Upward movement is good. The trend in comics is basically the trend everywhere as entertainment options have grown considerably. You had v shows doing much bigger numbers in the past for instance. Why? Not just the quality because there were only a few channels to chose from. Even when cable started it was secondary. Today there are a ridiculous number of channels/choices so the audience is fragmented. Also comcis were the only portable kids entertainment back then. Had to get in the car for a trip? You had comics to keep you entertained or nothing. Today you'be got portable video game systems, Ipods, laptops and even smartphones. Not to mention dvd players in certain vehicles.