I Reads You

Thursday, October 10, 2013

DC Comics Has September 2013 to Remember

DC Entertainment Dominates Comic Book Sales in September with over 4 Million Comic Books Sold

Spotlight on Pop Culture’s Most Popular Bad Guys Takes Over Comic Book Sales Charts Thanks to Villains Month Publishing Event

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In September, the best bad guys won – more than four million times.

DC Entertainment decisively topped the comic book sales charts for the month with a jaw-dropping figure of over 4.3 million comic books sold, making the company the #1 comic book publisher for September, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest comic book distributor in the world. This is the third year in a row DC has been the industry’s top publisher in September.

The sales were propelled in large part by the record-breaking success of DC’s “Villains Month” event, which featured 53 comics spotlighting the most impressive collection of rogues ever collected – from Joker to Lex Luthor to Sinestro to Doomsday. Readers were literally pulled into the September stories, with each Villains Month book featuring an innovative “3-D Motion” cover that showcased DC’s Super-Villains jumping off the printed page – from the Joker’s chattering teeth to Two-Face’s flipping coin, the covers created a groundswell of demand that saw many of the comic books sell out shortly after they were racked in stores.

“Great storytelling, strong characters and innovation are things for which we always strive,” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “September’s numbers are further proof that we’re on the right track, thanks in large part to the wonderful success of Villains Month, which further proves that in order to have the best heroes, you have to have even better villains.”

The comic book sales news sets the stage for DC’s major presence at next week’s New York Comic-Con. While the talk of the town’s been villains, NYCC brings fans back to the beginning with the continued celebration of the world’s first and greatest Super-Hero, Superman. The Man of Steel’s 75th Anniversary will take center stage with a stunning display featuring eight Superman costumes from the character’s various film and television appearances, including this year’s blockbuster, Man of Steel.

Many of the dangerous villains prominently featured in the September issues of Villains Month also take center stage in a brand new, full-length documentary from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment. Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics – which will be premiering at New York Comic-Con on Thursday at 5pm in room 1A06. The documentary spotlights the malevolent, always charismatic figures from DC Comics’ hallowed rogues gallery, deftly narrated by one of the most recognizable silver screen villains ever, Christopher Lee. Featuring interviews with the famed writers, artists, storytellers and those who have crafted the personalities and profiles of many of the most notorious villains in comic book history, Necessary Evil serves as the perfect follow-up to Villains Month when it’s released on Oct. 25.

Spinning out of the ongoing literary fantasy series THE UNWRITTEN, Vertigo published the original graphic novel THE UNWRITTEN: TOMMY TAYLOR AND THE SHIP THAT SANK TWICE—already garnering rave reviews. This month we’ll see the launch of two new ongoing series; HINTERKIND an expansive dark fantasy adventure series featuring creatures from myth and legend, and COFFIN HILL, written by noted novelist Caitlin Kittredge, starring witch, Eve Coffin. And fans will be lining up on October 30th to get their copy of the highly anticipated publication of THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE, written by Neil Gaiman.

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US continued its winning streak among digital sales, taking four out of the top ten spots for the month of September. Villains month titles were also popular with digital readers and FOREVER EVIL #1 ranked third for the month, posting very strong sales for a new title launch. New digital-first title, BATMAN BEYOND 2.0, also posted strong sales with two chapters ranking in the top 20.

On the book trade side, THE FLASH Vol. 2, IN THE DAYS OF THE MOB, BEFORE WATCHMEN: COMEDIAN/RORSCHACH, GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS Vol. 2, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, THE ANIMAL MAN OMNIBUS and Vertigo’s FABLES: THE DELUXE EDITION BOOK SEVEN and THE SANDMAN OMNIBUS Vol. 1 appeared on The New York Times Hardcover Graphic Book Bestseller list. While THE FLASH Vol. 1, ANIMAL MAN Vol. 3, WATCHMEN all landed on The New York Times Paperback Graphic Book Bestseller list.

October is shaping up to be a big month for MAD Magazine. The humor publication’s issue #524 hits newsstands at the end of the month, featuring a cover that spoofs the popular reality television program, Duck Dynasty. The issue also includes hilarious gags on Man of Steel, fast food, twerking, and much more! Those looking to get an additional dose of the iconic magazine’s acclaimed wit and snark can visit the “Mad About MAD” panel at New York Comic Con on October 12 from 11 AM – 12 PM (Room 1A14), led by Editor John Ficarra and a laughter-inducing cast of characters.

Meanwhile, Time Home Entertainment’s follow-up to last year’s #1 New York Times bestseller, TOTALLY MAD, also arrives on bookshelves this month. INSIDE MAD, on sale October 29, provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at MAD’s irreverent and signature humor. Featuring an introduction by Judd Apatow and guest essays by 17 celebrities (including Roseanne Barr, Ken Burns, Dane Cook, Paul Feig, Whoopi Goldberg, Harry Hamlin, Tony Hawk, Ice-T, Penn Jillette, George Lopez, David Lynch, Todd McFarlane, Jeff Probst, John Slattery, John Stamos, Pendleton Ward and Matthew Weiner), INSIDE MAD finds MAD’s legendary writers, artists, and celebrity fans sharing and commenting on their favorite MAD spoofs of all time.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Review: DEATH SENTENCE #1

DEATH SENTENCE #1 (OF 6)
TITAN COMICS – @ComicsTitan

WRITER: Montynero – @montynero
ART: Mike Dowling
LETTERS: Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Montynero
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S., £3.99 U.K. (November 2013)

Sometimes, first impressions are not everything. I often find that out when I get a copy of a comic book for review. I start reading, and immediately dislike it. I dread the thought of writing a review that my dark side will fill with sarcastic and mean-spirited comments. Then, something good happens. I find that the story starts to come together, and I like that comic book much more than I did in the beginning.

That happened with Death Sentence, a new six-issue comic book miniseries from Titan Comics. The series is written by Montynero, a writer and artist of computer games, and drawn by Mike Dowling, a comic book artist who has contributed to 2000AD and Mark Millar’s CLiNT. Montynero also provides the covers for Death Sentence.

Death Sentence #1 introduces the sexually-transmitted G+ Virus. Catch it and you have six months to live, and there is currently no cure or effective treatment for the virus. Well, there is a plus side to having this virus. It increases the sex drive, and the infected gain enhanced physical attributes. They become smarter, stronger, or faster, and exhibit unusual or extra-normal abilities – meaning they gain superpowers.

Meet the newest G+ Virus victims: graphic designer, Verity Fette; failing and flailing indie rocker, Danny Waissel AKA “Weasel;” and comedian and media personality, Monty. Verity and Weasel are confused about their death sentence, while Monty sees it as an opportunity to diversify his booty call choices. None of the three, however, realize that the spectre of death isn’t the only thing chasing them.

I wanted not to like this. Mike Dowling’s art has that idealized gritty realism upon which Vertigo seems to be choking. The concept and story seem like a gummy stew made out of Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, Mark Millar, and Grant Morrison’s leftovers. [The cover of Death Sentence #1 features a positive blurb from Millar.] But, as I wrote earlier, first impressions aren’t everything, are they?

Dowling’s art expertly captures the running-on-fumes lives of Verity and Weasel, while giving Monty’s lecherous ways an engaging, humorous bent. Montynero offers two intriguing characters in Verity and Weasel. Verity’s predicament is surprisingly poignant. I find something alluring in watching the train wreck that is Weasel. He might seem like the kind of rock star that Miley Cyrus is destined to eventually date, not realizing that he is also destined to strangle her after a weekend bender. But Weasel is not that bad. He’s just a fool, and in fiction, fools can be fun.

Where is Montynero going with the character of Monty? My inquiring mind wants to know. I want to see where Death Sentence is going. People looking for superhero comic books that don’t involve gimmick covers, but do involve intriguing concepts will want Death Sentence.

B+

www.Titan-Comics.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

DC COMICS

AUG130334 ASTRO CITY #5 $3.99
AUG130247 BATGIRL #24 $2.99
AUG130235 BATMAN #24 (NOTE PRICE) $6.99
AUG130238 BATMAN #24 COMBO PACK (NOTE PRICE) $7.99
AUG130282 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #19 $3.99
AUG130321 BATMAN LIL GOTHAM #7 $2.99
JUL130235 BATMAN TP VOL 02 THE CITY OF OWLS (N52) $16.99
JUL138396 CATWOMAN #23 2ND PTG $2.99
AUG130330 COFFIN HILL #1 (MR) $2.99
AUG130196 CONSTANTINE #7 $2.99
AUG130345 FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #4 (MR) $2.99
AUG130168 FOREVER EVIL ARKHAM WAR #1 $2.99
AUG130258 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #24 $2.99
JUL130238 I VAMPIRE TP VOL 03 WAVE OF MUTILATION (N52) $16.99
JUL130255 INTENSELY DUMB MAD TP $12.99
AUG130201 KATANA #8 $2.99
JUL130266 LUCIFER TP VOL 02 (MR) $29.99
AUG130251 NIGHTWING #24 $2.99
AUG130287 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #18 $3.99
AUG130272 STORMWATCH #24 $2.99
AUG130182 SUICIDE SQUAD #24 (EVIL) $2.99
AUG130229 SUPERBOY #24 $2.99
AUG130187 SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #1 $3.99
AUG130192 SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #1 COMBO PACK $4.99
AUG138030 TRILLIUM #1 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
AUG130212 WORLDS FINEST #16 $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

MAR130316 DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS WONDER WOMAN STATUE $124.95
MAY130284 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS BLACK MANTA AF $24.95
MAY130285 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS JOKER AF $24.95
APR130289 SUPERMAN THE MAN OF STEEL STATUE BY RAGS MORALES $79.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

MARVEL COMICS

AUG130857 ASTONISHING X-MEN #68 $3.99
AUG130768 AVENGERS AI #4 $2.99
AUG130774 AVENGERS ARENA #16 $2.99
JUL130721 AVENGERS TP KREE SKRULL WAR ALL NEW ED $24.99
AUG130814 CAPTAIN AMERICA #12 $3.99
AUG130903 CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVING LEGEND BY GRANOV POSTER $8.99
AUG130906 CATACLYSM BY CLASSIFIED POSTER $8.99
JUL130719 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER TP MAN IN BLACK $19.99
AUG130847 DEADPOOL #18 $2.99
AUG130832 DEXTER #4 $3.99
AUG130760 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #10 INF $3.99
AUG130735 INFINITY #4 $3.99
JUL130716 IRON MAN TP ARMORED VENGEANCE $14.99
AUG130905 MARVEL NOW WHAT BY YOUNG POSTER $8.99
AUG130733 MARVEL UNIVERSE HULK AGENTS OF SMASH #1 $2.99
AUG130904 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN BY CAMUNCOLI POSTER $8.99
JUL130602 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #4 INF $3.99
JUL130704 THANOS RISING TP $17.99
AUG130822 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #14 $3.99
JUL130708 THOR GOD OF THUNDER PREM HC VOL 02 GODBOMB $24.99
AUG130782 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #32 $3.99
AUG130852 UNCANNY X-FORCE #12 $3.99
AUG130855 WOLVERINE #10 $3.99
AUG130839 X-MEN #6 $3.99
JUL130722 X-MEN STORM BY WARREN ELLIS AND TERRY DODSON TP $19.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG130090 ABE SAPIEN #6 $3.50
AUG130108 ART OF TARA MCPHERSON LTD BOX SET $250.00
JUN130024 BTVS SEASON 9 TP VOL 04 WELCOME TO TEAM $17.99
JUN130058 CHRONICLES OF KING CONAN TP VOL 06 DEATH IN STYGIA $19.99
JUN130034 COLDER TP $17.99
JUN130033 CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 17 $49.99
AUG130099 CREEPY COMICS #14 $3.99
APR130083 DOMO JAPANESE COASTER SET $9.99
APR130082 DOMO JAPANESE PLAYING CARDS $4.99
AUG130077 ELFQUEST SPECIAL FINAL QUEST ONE SHOT $5.99
AUG130079 HALO INITIATION #3 MAIN CVR $3.99
JUN130059 LOVE IS THE LAW SC NOVEL $7.99
JUN130046 MIND MGMT HC VOL 02 FUTURIST $19.99
AUG130064 RESIDENT ALIEN SUICIDE BLONDE #2 $3.99
AUG130049 SHAOLIN COWBOY #1 $3.99
AUG130087 STAR WARS #10 2013 ONGOING $2.99
JUN130021 STAR WARS EWOKS SHADOWS ENDOR GN $7.99
JUN130020 STAR WARS OMNIBUS WILD SPACE TP VOL 02 $24.99
MAY130074 TRIGUN OMNIBUS TP $19.99
JUN130013 UXB HC $19.99
AUG130058 X #6 (MR) $2.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

MAR130457 AMERICAS GOT POWERS #7 [DIG] $2.99
AUG130578 BUSHIDO #2 [DIG] $2.99
JUL130520 CHEW #37 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
AUG130694 GHOSTED #4 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
AUG130620 GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS TP VOL 01 (MR) $17.99
AUG130696 HOAX HUNTERS #11 [DIG] $3.50
AUG130621 LAZARUS TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99
APR130550 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #15 [DIG] $3.50
JUN130553 MINIATURE JESUS #5 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
JUL130437 MULTIPLE WARHEADS DOWN FALL ONE SHOT (MR) [DIG] $7.99
AUG130705 PETER PANZERFAUST #15 [DIG] $3.50
AUG130571 ROCKET GIRL #1 [DIG] $3.50
AUG130716 SIDEKICK #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUL130548 THINK TANK #10 [DIG] $3.99
AUG130573 THREE #1 [DIG] $2.99
AUG130527 WALKING DEAD #1 10TH ANNIVERSARY ED (MR) $5.99
AUG130510 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR A (MR) [DIG] $2.99
AUG130511 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR B (MR) $2.99
AUG130512 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR C (MR) $2.99
AUG130513 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR D (MR) $2.99
AUG130514 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR E (MR) $2.99
AUG130515 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR F (MR) $2.99
AUG130516 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR G (MR) $2.99
AUG130517 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR H (MR) $2.99
AUG130518 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR I (MR) $2.99
AUG130519 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR J (MR) $2.99
AUG130520 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR K (MR) $2.99
AUG130521 WALKING DEAD #115 CVR L BLANK (MR) $2.99
JUN130518 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S MENS LG $19.99
JUN130516 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S MENS SM $19.99
JUN130519 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S MENS XL $19.99
JUN130520 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S MENS XXL $22.99
JUN130523 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S WOMENS LG $19.99
JUN130522 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S WOMENS MED $19.99
JUN130524 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE AND CARL T/S WOMENS XL $19.99
AUG130529 WALKING DEAD TYREESE SPECIAL (MR) [DIG] $2.99