Marvel Month-to-Month sales: July 2007 – The Beat

Some very interesting analysis of the Marvel July 07 sales by Paul O’Brien over at The Beat

Here are some tidbits:

6 month comparisons
===================

+123.6% - Incredible Hulk
+ 87.7% - Irredeemable Ant-Man
+ 62.8% - Runaways
+ 49.9% - Heroes For Hire
+ 47.1% - Ghost Rider
+ 32.8% - New X-Men
+ 29.8% - X-Factor
+ 20.4% - Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four
+ 17.7% - Sensational Spider-Man
+ 17.7% - Ms Marvel
+ 12.8% - Marvel Adventures Spider-Man
+ 12.2% - X-Men
+ 11.9% - Power Pack
+ 11.6% - Wolverine
+ 11.1% - Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
+  5.0% - Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
+  3.9% - Punisher
+  3.4% - Uncanny X-Men
+  2.5% - Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane
+  0.5% - Immortal Iron Fist
-  1.7% - Cable & Deadpool
-  3.9% - Ultimate Fantastic Four
-  4.3% - Exiles
-  6.2% - New Excalibur
-  8.2% - Black Panther
-  9.2% - Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
-  9.8% - Ultimate X-Men
- 14.2% - Amazing Spider-Man
- 16.3% - X-Men: First Class
- 17.4% - Amazing Spider-Girl
- 18.9% - Punisher War Journal
- 23.7% - Front Line
- 24.3% - Magician: Apprentice
- 28.9% - Red Prophet: Tales of Alvin Maker
- 30.2% - Ultimate Spider-Man- 63.8% - Blade

1 year comparisons
==================

+113.4% - Incredible Hulk
+ 91.1% - Iron Man
+ 89.5% - Captain America
+ 67.2% - Runaways
+ 24.5% - New X-Men
+ 17.2% - Wolverine
+ 15.3% - Marvel Adventures Spider-Man
+ 15.0% - Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four
+ 14.1% - Nova
+ 12.4% - Power Pack
+  0.6% - Punisher
-  1.5% - Ultimate Spider-Man
-  2.2% - Ms Marvel
-  4.2% - Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane
-  5.0% - Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
-  5.4% - Sensational Spider-Man
-  8.0% - Exiles
-  9.6% - X-Men
- 14.2% - New Avengers
- 15.1% - Ultimate X-Men
- 15.9% - Spider-Girl
- 15.8% - Amazing Spider-Man
- 18.2% - Uncanny X-Men
- 20.7% - New Excalibur
- 21.3% - Black Panther
- 22.5% - Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- 27.0% - X-Factor
- 35.1% - Ghost Rider
- 39.9% - Ultimate Fantastic Four
- 40.6% - Front Line
- 55.6% - Cable & Deadpool

2 year comparisons
==================

+ 87.8% - Incredible Hulk
+ 70.5% - Wolverine
+ 56.1% - Black Panther
+ 50.8% - Runaways
+ 44.6% - Amazing Spider-Man
+ 11.8% - X-Men
+ 10.4% - New X-Men
+  8.8% - Sensational Spider-Man
+  0.6% - Spider-Girl
-  1.8% - Ultimate Spider-Man
-  4.8% - Uncanny X-Men
-  8.2% - Punisher
- 11.3% - Exiles
- 12.4% - Marvel Adventures Spider-Man
- 21.8% - Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four
- 22.5% - New Avengers
- 23.4% - Cable & Deadpool
- 31.2% - Ultimate X-Men
- 34.1% - Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- 44.4% - Ultimate Fantastic Four

3 year comparisons
==================

+358.0% - Thor
+142.1% - Incredible Hulk
+123.1% - Captain America
+111.0% - Iron Man
+ 96.3% - Wolverine
+ 24.7% - Amazing Spider-Man
+ 16.5% - New Avengers
-  7.4% - X-Men
- 10.5% - New X-Men
- 10.5% - Uncanny X-Men
- 13.8% - Spider-Girl
- 18.7% - Exiles
- 19.2% - Cable & Deadpool
- 23.7% - Ultimate Spider-Man
- 26.7% - Sensational Spider-Man
- 26.8% - Punisher
- 36.0% - Ultimate X-Men
- 45.3% - Ultimate Fantastic Four
- 45.8% - Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe

4 year comparisons
==================

+392.7% - Thor
+126.1% - Iron Man
+103.8% - Runaways
+ 97.1% - Captain America
+ 61.7% - Incredible Hulk
+ 44.1% - Wolverine
+ 13.5% - New X-Men
-  7.3% - Uncanny X-Men
- 11.7% - Punisher
- 13.6% - X-Men
- 17.4% - Spider-Girl
- 25.5% - Ultimate Spider-Man
- 25.7% - Exiles
- 45.5% - Ultimate X-Men

Punisher Sequel Enters ‘War Zone’ – Cinematical.com

Punisher has always been one of my favorite comic book characters. I hope this movie is better then the first one. It will be interesting to see how well this remake and the remake of the Hulk do. Both are rebooting the movies just from a few years ago. This is unheard of, to get a second chance to use the same iconic character so soon after a failed movie.

Choice quote:

…Punisher: War Zone will be a totally isolated movie, with no connection to the previous adaptations from 1989 (the Dolph Lundgren one) and 2004 (the Thomas Jane one). The franchise reboot will be directed by Lexi Alexander (Hooligans) and will star Ray Stevenson (HBO’s Rome) as the vigilante Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. All that is known about the plot is that it will be set in New York City and involves Castle’s pursuit of a mobster.

Punisher Sequel Enters ‘War Zone’ – Cinematical.com

Look Out For That Cliff: 15 TV Sensations Whose Popularity Faded Fast – AvClub.com

My beloved Batman comes in at #3!

3. Batman (1966-1968)

Debuting as a midseason replacement in January 1966, the campy TV adaptation of DC Comics’ Batman was a roaring success in its first half-season, aided by the radical decision to air two episodes a week, with Thursday’s installment completing Wednesday’s story. For the ‘65-66 season, the Wednesday and Thursday episodes both cracked TV’s Top 10. But when Batman came back for a full season in the fall of ‘66, the viewing public had gotten bored with the show’s formulaic gimmicks, and the ratings sank like fossilized guano. Batman was reduced to one episode a week for the ‘67-68 season, and bolstered with the arrival of Yvonne Craig as Batgirl, but like Batman himself, the changes didn’t fly. The hottest show on television in the spring of 1966 was off the air two years later. (Are you paying attention, creators of Heroes?)

Look Out For That Cliff: 15 TV Sensations Whose Popularity Faded Fast – AvClub.com

CBR.cc – COUNTING DOWN WITH DC @ FAN EXPO CANADA

CBR.cc has a great recap from the FanExpo about Countdown the comic book series.

Best bit:

Chris Sprouse has a big miniseries coming out for Wildstorm that he couldn’t discuss because it is yet to be announced, and the artist is also creating a month’s worth of covers for “Countdown.”

CBR.cc – COUNTING DOWN WITH DC @ FAN EXPO CANADA

The Dark Knight teaser trailer

Yahoo! Movies has the Dark Knight teaser trailer. I know this movie will be as good as Batman Begins!

The BATMAN gets renewed for 07/08 season

The BATMAN is the best comic book cartoon on television right now. I really enjoy watching them back to back on DVD. I am very happy to see more new episodes are being made. Also looks like i will have to watch Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue!.

Newsarama.com – KIDS WB! RELEASES NEW SEASON SCHEDULE

Interesting DC Comics Nov 07 Solicitations

Gonna make this a regular thing

JACK OF FABLES #17
Written by Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Art by Russ Braun & Andrew Pepoy
Cover by Brian Bolland
Talented artist Russ Braun (ANIMAL MAN) joins the Jack of Fables creative team as a new story arc begins! Why has Jack been carrying that briefcase around all this time? Why is Paul Bunyan buying big pants? Who is Dash Weinstein and why is he risking it all for a girl with million-dollar gams? Why are we asking you? You don’t know. Only Jack knows, and he ain’t telling.

will this one ever come out?

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER #8
Written by Frank Miller
Art and cover by Jim Lee
& Scott Williams
Variant wraparound cover by Miller
Part 1 of Frank Miller’s & Jim Lee’s two-fisted thrill ride ends here, yet it’s only just begun! The Dark Knight links a brutal psychopath to the Flying Grayson’s murder, and the streets of Gotham run red with terror! Dick Grayson is reborn to wage war on crime! The newly banded Justice League fans out, trying to catch a bat!
Retailers please note: This issue will feature two covers that may be ordered separately. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (featuring a cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams), retailers may order one Variant Edition (featuring a cover by Frank Miller).

DETECTIVE COMICS #838
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Ryan Benjamin & Saleem Crawford
Cover by Simone Bianchi
“The Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul,” Part 3 of 7! Batman and
I-Ching track down Ra’s and Talia to their hideout while Nightwing pursues Robin! And why is the Invisible Map so important? All this, plus guest appearances by Talia al Ghul and Damian.

ROBIN #168
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Freddie Williams II
Covers by Andy Kubert
A special issue written by Peter Milligan (X-Men, X-Statix) kicks off the 7-part “Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul,” crossing over with the Batman family of books! Readers discovered in last month’s BATMAN #670 that Ra’s al Ghul has returned from the dead! What does Ra’s resurrection have to do with Batman’s son, Damian? And more important, why does this send Damian toward a head-on collision with Robin at Wayne Manor? Guest starring Talia al Ghul and the Sensei!

HELLBLAZER #238
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Danijel Zezelj
Cover by Lee Bermejo
London becomes a veritable Hell on Earth for John Constantine when smoking is outlawed in pubs! But nicotine withdrawal is the least of his problems when he finds himself hunting a group of “urban explorers” who have disappeared into a shadowy parallel London where every urban myth is true. And they’d better pray he finds them before the Chelsea Smilers do…

Interesting Marvel Nov 2007 Solicitations

ULTIMATE ORIGINS #1 (of 6)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by BUTCH GUICE
Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Variant Cover by TBA
This is it: The story that finally reveals the conspiracies behind the entire Ultimate universe! “Everything is connected.” That was the mysterious statement uttered by Bruce Banner to Spider-Man when they first met. Now it’s time to discover the jaw-dropping secrets that men have fought and died to protect. From the dark days of World War II to the frightening present, journey through history to learn what’s really behind the Super Soldier and Weapon X programs–and how heroes such as Captain America, Nick Fury and Wolverine have more in common than codenames and costumes. The dream team of Brian Michael Bendis and Butch Guice unite for the first time for the Ultimate series of the year! Plus: Check out that cover by Simone Bianchi!

ULTIMATES SAGA
As told by Tony Stark (with help from C.B. CEBULSKI and MINDY OWENS)
Based on stories by MARK MILLAR
Art by BRYAN HITCH
New Cover Artwork by MARK BROOKS and Interior Pages by TRAVIS CHAREST Recapping the entire series to date, the ULTIMATES SAGA will be told by their new leader, Tony Stark. As America’s premier super-hero team, the Ultimates have been forced to face more trials and tribulations than anyone ever expected during the course of their short time together: a Skrull infiltration, the trial of the Hulk for his murderous rampage, betrayal from within and the invasion of America. Now, no longer under the auspices of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark is forced to face the reality of his team’s newfound freedom. Having gotten his hands on Nick Fury’s personal files, Tony sifts through the information Nick has collected about the Ultimates’ adventures and discovers there’s been a lot more going on with his team than he ever anticipated. This 32-page special will also include an extra four-page section featuring an all-new story by C.B. Cebulski and superstar Travis Charest.

DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC
Written by FRANK MILLER, BILL MANTLO & DENNY O’NEIL
Penciled by FRANK MILLER, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI, JOHN ROMITA JR. & JOHN BUSCEMA
Covers by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI & JOHN ROMITA JR.
The Man Without Fear is born and reborn in this collection of Frank Miller’s finest! Follow the fledgling Daredevil through his earliest adventures and errors at the dawn of the Age of Marvels, then into the depths of desperation and back again after being cut down by the Kingpin! Guest-starring the Avengers and Nuke, later of WOLVERINE: ORIGINS! Plus: a seldom-seen saga by Miller and artist extraordinaire Bill Sienkiewicz! Collecting PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #27-28, DAREDEVIL #219 and #226-233, DAREDEVIL: MAN WITHOUT FEAR #1-5, and DAREDEVIL: LOVE AND WAR.

ULTIMATES 2 HC
Written by MARK MILLAR
Penciled by BRYAN HITCH
Cover by BRYAN HITCH
This deluxe hardcover collects Ultimates 2 Vol. 1: Gods & Monsters and Ultimates 2 Vol. 2: Grand-Theft America, plus extras. In “Gods & Monsters,” it’s been one year since they stopped an alien invasion, and now things get hard! New members, new costumes and 12 months of gossip to catch up on! Who’s getting married? Who’s divorced? Who’s gone nuts since we last saw them? See Ultimate Hulk and the secret origin of Ultimate Thor, and get a look at the entire Ultimate Universe as drawn by Bryan Hitch! It’s guest-stars galore — featuring the X-Men, Daredevil, Captain Britain and even the Defenders! And in “Grand-Theft America,” Tony and Natasha are on the eve of their wedding — but when Nick Fury makes his move against the mysterious traitor that’s been plaguing the team, the Ultimates will never be the same! Also, Captain America and Wasp hit a serious snag in their relationship. Is this the end for the Ultimate Universe’s hottest couple? Is this the beginning of the end for the Ultimates?

X-MEN #205
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by J.SCOTT CAMPBELL
MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 5 of 13
The X-Men versus the Marauders! A rematch of the unforgettable fight from X-Men #200. But will the battle turn in favor of the X-Men this time? Not if Sinister can help it. Layla and Madrox continue their mission to uncover the truth of mutant extinction, friends become foes to the X-Men at the worst time possible, and whereabouts of the baby are revealed at last.

Comics I bought – 8/22

• Batman #668
• Batman Lobo Deadly Serious #1 (of 2)
• Superman #666
• Ultimate Fantastic Four #45
• Ultimate Spider-Man Vol 17 Clone Saga TPB
• Wolverine #56
• X-Men #202

Not much this week. More next week

First Post

Lets get this started. Another blog about comics. Sure why not!