CBF End of Year Podcast
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Mike and I recently wrapped up the decade with our 2-part Wizard Decade Edition podcasts (latest one is here if you want to check it out), but I figured to also provide one focused particularly on 2009 as well. A lot went on this year alone, which explains why this was probably the longest podcast I’ve ever done solo. Some highlights on the podcast:
- DC was the big publisher this year in my eyes with Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns leading the charge on the major story arcs.
- Vertigo continues to innovate with their new Unwritten and Daytripper series
- Marvel’s Dark Reign storyline dominates the year, but hear why I believe it lost its focus as the year went on.
- Image and Dark Horse continue to put out quality work in spite of the domination by the big two publishers
- 2010 will see more excellent books and a more focused direction on both DC and Marvel’s sides.
- I lay down challenges as to supporting independents and why comics should never be considered as just “spandex” books
A happy and safe New Year’s to all and we’ll see you on the other side of 2010!
CBF Thoughts – Interesting Comic Sales Numbers for Oct ’09
I thought this would be interesting to post after listening to IGN Comic’s latest podcast. Check out this link on the latest sales figures for comics last month.
Typically, Marvel and DC had a significant gap in sales numbers the last couple of years, with Marvel usually being ahead in that gap. Note the 3% difference this time for last month’s numbers. Obviously Blackest Night has a lot to do with that and for good reason, as you’ve heard so much from Mike and I the last few podcasts regarding the series, but it makes me wonder as well if Marvel is losing steam due to this “event fatigue” what with Dark Reign lasting for as long as it’s been amongst the other big arcs they’ve done. Granted, DC just did Final Crisis not too long ago and everybody’s still scratching their heads over it, but it seems DC has cut off that fat by taking a book that’s been handled brilliantly by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi and giving them the reins on a properly handled event.
Marvel also just announced recently that Siege will start in January too as a 4-part series and says that would end the whole “big event” they’ve supposedly started back with the “Avengers Disassembled” arc many years ago. Maybe that’s what it’ll take to get Marvel to increase the sales gap, as I’m sure people would love to see things go back to self-contained stories.
Should be an interesting ride next year – maybe we’ll see Hawkman back in his own book again, just like Mike wanted. Right, Mike? 