As I watch programs and read articles about the comics industry, I have been noticing that DC is getting more and more attention! Are they on the rise again?
DC IS ‘ABSOLUTELY’ ON THE RISE
One of the common traits of the comics industry is that Marvel is almost always the industry leader. They sell more copies, they get talked about more, and they aren’t shy about telling fans and others who love comics that they are THE ONE!
Every so often, though, another company comes along and takes that top spot… even if it is just for a little while!
The most recent time when this took place was back when DC debuted their “New 52” event, basically replacing/restarting all their titles to try and get fans to buy more copies.
And it worked… for a while. I remember local comics shops having lines outside their doors before they even opened, fans anxious to buy the newest DC books, especially those number ones!
And this was reflected in the numbers that many of us pay attention to. Yes, DC was the top dog, so to speak, even if it was only for a while.
Sure enough, in a month or two, the House of Ideas was back in their usual perch, sales leader once again.
And it has been that way for years again. That is, until recently. DC became the “absolute” comics company, and they haven’t looked back.
SIGNS OF DC’S RISE
As someone who checks in with several LCS owners, I began to notice that they seemed to be ordering a LOT more DC books these days.
I recently listened to one big shop owner describe how she was ordering many DC comics by the “short box,” including the recent Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1 and the most recent Absolute Batman issue.
She told customers that they should expect the same results that they had recently seen with Absolute Batman Annual #1, something she has had a lot of problems keeping in stock. Now, that issue isn’t my favorite of the series, but I sure do have my copy, I’ll tell you!
I wanted to point out that I’m fascinated how Scott Snyder and company have flipped Batman and the Joker around, with the Joker living the high life like Bruce Wayne has always done in “our” universe. That really struck me as I read that issue!
I also saw that she had changed the order of her online show, putting DC last (the favored spot) and moving Marvel up a notch so it was in front of DC. That caught my attention!
Now the local shop I frequent has an owner who has always told me that DC Comics fans have always been very faithful in picking up their weekly pull list, something that the House of Ideas fans may not have been quite as faithful about.
If Marvel books sit around waiting for the customer to pick them up, well, they just might find another home if a customer waits weeks, or even months, to get those issues.
I’ve always said that one way to keep the industry alive is: be steady when it comes to keeping your pull list up to date. Buy those books so the owner doesn’t have to chase after you! If they notice certain titles sit in the store a long time, they just might start reducing their orders so they haven’t stuck with so many to try and sell.
She has always told me DC fans usually don’t let the books sit around gathering dust. They come after as soon as they can so they can purchase them, then take them home so they can read them.
Some Marvel fans don’t really read the books they buy. They get bagged and boarded asap so they will maintain their value. Granted, this isn’t true only of House of Ideas fans, but she seems to notice it is more common with Marvelites Maximi.
WHAT IS DC DOING RIGHT?
It sure looks like DC learned some important lessons with the “New 52.” They did such a huge event that people simply couldn’t keep up with it all.
With the Absolute line, they are being much more cautious. They started out with their big gun—Batman—and have moved slowly into other characters like Superman and Wonder Woman. I think everyone was surprised by the Martian Manhunter’s success, and I’m curious to see what they have in store for Green Arrow.
They’ve also been slow on team-ups, with over a year before Batman met Wonder Woman. This also has made the appearances of the Absolute characters in the DC K.O. book quite the surprise, and quite the big seller.
Slow and steady seems the way to keep everyone’s attention. Hey, even Mark Waid is saying he’d like to do an Absolute Deadman. THAT I want to see!
DC has also been good about reprints. In fact, Absolute Batman #1 recently offered their 10th edition! I can’t remember the last time DC had to reprint a comic 10 times! I noticed that they have had to reprint several more recent issues for that comic, so it sure seems they are doing at least that right!
Then, too, DC has their “Next Level” event starting in March. I’ve told my local shop owner to get them all for me, at least to start! I mean, Batwoman, Firestorm, Lobo, Deathstroke the Terminator, and others have me anxious to get those books into my hands so I can dive in!
It hasn’t been lost on fans that DC is turning heads! So many of my comic book friends are always anxiously asking, “When is the next Absolute comic coming out?” If you have fans grabbed by the short-and-curlies that much, well again, you are doing something right!
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