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quinta-feira, novembro 30, 2006

SALES ESTIMATES FOR OCTOBER, 2006 BOOKS
by John Mayo
















Below you'll find the sames estimates for comics and trade paperbacks sold in the direct market for October, 2006. The sales numbers below are estimates based on the information provided by Dimaond Comics Distributors earlier this month. Sales estimates for September, 2006 can be found here.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when reading this data. First off, these are just estimates. These are not exact figures nor should they be treated as such. Second, this data only covers the direct market served by Diamond. It does not include newstands, book stores or overseas markets.

The market shares are for just the top 300 comics and top 100 trades. These are not the over all market share. I only deal with numbers that I can see and kick around in my ever evolving number crunching system.

Every month I do a segment on the Comic Geek Speak podcast discussing the comic book sales numbers for the month with Bryan, Peter, Jamie and the guys. I also discuss the trade sales with Chris Marshall on the Collected Comics Library podcast each month. And, over on my own website, www.ComicBookPage.com, I've got this data in bar chart format.

Source: www.comicbookresources.com


Save "MANHUNTER": YOU WILL BELIEVE MARC ANDREYKO CAN CRY
by Emmett Furey,



























In 2004, writer Marc Andreyko introduced us to Kate Spencer, the latest in a long line of DC characters called Manhunter, in a book of the same name. The prosecutor-by-day, take-no-prisoners costumed-vigilante by night delighted Andreyko's fans and colleagues alike for twenty-five issues until low sales forced DC's hand: The book was slated for cancellation. But a tremendous upwelling of fan and critical support convinced Executive Editor Dan DiDio to grant Andreyko's baby a five-issue stay of execution. "Manhunter" returns this December with issue #26, but only time will tell if this will be the beginning of a new era for the costumed vigilante, or Kate Spencer's swan song. Andreyko took a moment to speak with CBR News about his hopes for his little comic that could.

















Andreyko says the fact that "Manhunter" has been fighting an uphill battle from day one is "both frustrating and understandable. With the roadside so littered with failed books, I get why retailers were so hesitant in the beginning," Andreyko told CBR News. "What frustrates me now is that with the modicum of buzz 'Manhunter' has and the combination of great reviews and more TPB support from DC, why it is still so hard to get retailers to order a few copies."

Andreyko is eternally grateful for his fans' unwavering support. "The devotion of the fans continually humbles me. I never hoped for such a reaction and will always be grateful to the folks that wrote in and continue to try and make 'Manhunter' converts."

Andreyko is just as humbled by the outcry of support from his peers. Indeed, the list of "Manhunter" supporters is a veritable "Who's Who" in comics, with all-stars like Geoff Johns, Brad Meltzer, Brian Bendis and Mark Millar in the "Manhunter" camp. "To have people who I've admired for years actually read my book is flattering enough, but the outpouring of support from these busy folks always brings a smile to my face," Andreyko said.

"Manhunter" #26
"Manhunter" #26









With the future of the book riding on the upcoming five-issue arc, Andreyko is trying his hardest not to second-guess himself. "I am just trying to write 'Manhunter' as I always have," he said. "I am making it a little more user friendly with the tie-in to the 'Infinite Crisis' event, but I'm making sure that there are still all the subplots and supporting characters' adventures to keep long-time fans excited."

Andreyko did have one very unusual promotional idea for the relaunched series. "I suggested putting crack in the ink, but legal said 'no,'" joked the writer. "But DC is giving ['Manhunter'] a nice push." DC has commissioned covers from some of the best artists in the business, and committed to at least one more "Manhunter" TPB. And Andreyko has been "running around like a town crier. So hopefully, people will try the book just to shut me up," the writer said.

With the future of "Manhunter" so uncertain, Andreyko is trying to bring a sense of closure to the arc while still leaving the possibility open for further stories for Kate and company. "Like every arc in 'Mahunter' so far, I make sure it has a beginning, a middle and an end, but everything neatly tied up always feels forced and depressing to me," Andreyko said.

"I have some ideas about where I'd like to see the characters end up, but I have no definite endpoint in mind," Andreyko told CBR News. "I love writing these guys and would love to do the book until I run out of ideas. The problem now is making sure enough people buy the book so I can tell these stories."

Andreyko is at least comforted by the fact that Kate Spencer will live on in the DCU whether or not "Manhunter" does. "I do get a charge out of seeing Kate in other parts of the DCU," Andreyko admitted. "That is the fun of doing this book: getting to develop a new character and play with icons at the same time."

Fans of the book know that Wonder Woman showed up at Kate Spencer's law offices at the end of "Manhunter" #25 soliciting the prosecutor's services. Andreyko wouldn't go into specifics about the kind of legal aid everybody's favorite Amazon was in need of, but he promised that readers who pick up issue 26 would not be disappointed. And it's a safe bet Diana's legal troubles have something to do with the murder of one Maxwell Lord.

Of life beyond issue #30, Andreyko had this to say. "I have stories planned that would keep me busy until at least #50, but I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. Let's just get the monthly's sales up and get the word out there: Buy 'Manhunter' or see a grown man cry. Seriously."

"Manhunter" #26 hits stands on December 6th and stay tuned to CBR for more in our "Save Manhunter" series.


Source:www.comicbookresources.com

quarta-feira, novembro 22, 2006

Minorias protagonistas com novos super-heróis















Invasão chinesa na DC
A nova Batwoman será lésbica


A importância das minorias, o seu reconhecimento e a tentativa de as captar são uma realidade incontornável na sociedade norte-americana. Por isso, não surpreende que as principais editoras de comics de super-heróis estejam atentas ao fenómeno e tentem também alicerçar nelas o crescimento recente de 25% do sector, devido principalmente ao êxito dos filmes protagonizados pelo Homem-Aranha, X-Men, Batman ou Quarteto Fantástico. Esta é a razão pela qual, na Marvel, Luke Cage, um negro tem uma relevância cada vez maior no seio dos Novos Vingadores, ou na rival DC Comics, o novo Besouro Azul é um adolescente mexicano - latino - com poderes místicos.

O exemplo mais recente surge agora na maxi-série semanal "52", que conta um ano (52 semanas, daí o seu título) no Universo DC, sem as suas principais referências - Super-Homem, Batman e Mulher-Maravilha - assinada por Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen ou Dan Jurgens, entre outros, que verá nascer uma dezena de super-seres… chineses e uma nova Batwoman… lésbica!


Por: F. Cleto e Pina

Saiba mais em: http://jn.sapo.pt/2006/06/10/cultura/

Super-heróis negros possuem museu virtual














Tempestade dos X-Man é uma das presenças no Museu Virtual

O que há de comum entre Spawn, Bishop e Tempestade (ambos dos X-Men) e Luke Cage? "São super-heróis", dirão bastantes. "E são negros", acrescentarão os que estão mais familiarizados com este género dos comics norte-americanos. E são também alguns dos protagonistas do "The Museum of Black Superheroes", que pode ser visto em http//www.blacksuperhero.com.

Mas não se pense que este museu virtual se limita aqueles heróis mais conhecidos, porque entre criações da DC, da Marvel e da Image (para referir só as mais significativas editoras norte-americanas), estão referenciados quase três centenas de super-heróis de cor, a que há que acrescentar os que foram criados por outras editoras, para jogos ou para séries de TV ou cinema (embora neste caso o critério seja tão lato que permita incluir, por exemplo, Curtis Manning, o operacional do CTU de Los Angeles, da série "2"4, actualmente em exibição na 2).

Também por isso, a par daqueles nomes mais sonantes, mesmo para quem não é fã do género, existem algumas centenas mais, sendo possível descobrir entre eles curiosas versões negras de Batman, Super-Homem, Supergirl, Lanterna Verde ou Capitão América, que, por uma razão ou outra, tiveram uma curta existência.

O Museu dos Super-heróis, que pretende preencher um vazio existente, pois não há quaisquer obras impressas sobre o tema, para além de uma introdução que historia o aparecimento dos super-heróis negros - onde aprendemos que o primeiro apareceu nos anos 40 e se chamava… "Whitewash" (!) - tem também uma galeria com centenas de ilustrações, um arquivo com artigos diversos dedicados ao tema, e, para cada herói referenciado, apresenta uma ficha individual que inclui a sua data de criação, uma curta biografia e uma ilustração.


Por: F. Cleto e Pina
Fonte: http://jn.sapo.pt