Now, don’t get me wrong here. I love when a company gets behind a project to promote it. Too much stuff just kind of comes out with very little fanfare and doesn’t do well. And I want Marvel NOW! to sell like gangbusters. But some things I see from Marvel concern me.
A little history. A few years back, Marvel was in the middle of a big event that had a ton of promotion and was a natural progression from the storyline that preceded it. It was an event that made sense, but apparently wasn’t interesting enough for them to show much interest in once it got started (or even have a decent ending). I’m talking about World War Hulk. They missed a month (I believe between 3 & 4) and their response was “We’re already working on the next big thing! And wait ’til you see what we have in store! Its going to be the biggest thing ever!” Which was Secret Invasion (another storyline with a great set up, but no payoff in the end.)
So here we are. In the middle of Avengers vs X-Men. Billed as “the biggest event in the history of comics!” Issue #10 is next week, then there is a 4 week wait until #11. Why the delay? I don’t know. Its been pretty steady every other week. August is a 5 Wednesday month, so that may play into it. But what concerns me more is what they are promoting right now.
They aren’t promoting the end of AvX. Or even the 5 issue Consequences that deals with the aftermath. Or A+X. I received 3 press releases in my inbox today.
Marvel NOW! – UNCANNY AVENGERS #2 Cover Unveiled!
From the ashes of Avengers VS. X-Men an all-new, all-different Avengers assemble – enter the Uncanny Avengers! From the blockbuster creative team of Rick Remender & John Cassaday, Captain America and Wolverine begin a quest to create a sanctioned Avengers unit cast from the ranks of the Avengers and the X-Men. This November in Uncanny Avengers #2, the Red Skull makes a movie that transforms him into the most powerful man on Earth! And with anti-mutant sentiment at an all-time high, it will be up to Captain America, Wolverine, Havok, Thor, Rogue, and the Scarlet Witch to take down the Skull and his S-Men!
Each issue of Uncanny Avengers includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices and in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Additionally, each issue of Uncanny Avengers features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
An all-new direction! All-new threats! This is Uncanny Avengers NOW!
This November, Rick Remender & John Cassaday redefine what it means to be Earth’s Mightiest in Uncanny Avengers #2!
UNCANNY AVENGERS #2
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art & Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
ON SALE THIS NOVEMBER!
Marvel NOW! – IRON MAN #2 Cover Unveiled!
When his greatest invention becomes his greatest mistake, Iron Man bursts into action to protect it from destroying the Marvel Universe! From the red-hot team of Kieron Gillen and Greg Land, Iron Man must act fast and build faster in order to stop the lethal techno virus – Extremis – from landing in the hands of the highest bidder! This November in Iron Man #2, Tony’s hunt for the rogue units takes him to the island of New Camelot! A mysterious high-tech brotherhood of mech-knights called The Circle, has put their best up against the Armored Avenger, and Stark’s suit may not be ready for action.
Each issue of Iron Man includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices and in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Additionally, each issue of Iron Man features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new armor! This is Iron Man NOW!
This November, Kieron Gillen and Greg Land redefine what it means to be invincible in Iron Man #1 & 2!
IRON MAN #1 & 2
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Pencils and Cover by GREG LAND
ON SALE NOVEMBER 2012!
Marvel NOW! – THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #2 Cover Unveiled!
Someone is murdering the gods of the Marvel Universe and with his own life at stake, Thor must step in to put an end to the mysterious God Butcher! From the blockbuster team of Jason Aaron & Esad Ribic, the Mighty Avenger will not only have to stop this destructive force in his own time, but in the past and future as well! This November in Thor: God Of Thunder #2, the Odinson – with the help of his younger and older self – follow a trail of blood to save these ravaged worlds.
Each issue of Thor: God Of Thunder includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue of Thor: God Of Thunder features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new weapons! This is Thor NOW!
This November, Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic redefine what it means to be worthy in Thor: God Of Thunder #1!
THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #1 & 2
Written by JASON AARON
Art & Cover by ESAD RIBIC
ON SALE THIS NOVEMBER!
Now this is all very exciting. But it also scares me, in a World War Hulk way. They are already promoting the 2nd issue of their new series. Is the end of AvX so disappointing that the sales people are putting all of their effort into promoting a book that I don’t even order until the end of September? Are they implying “Yeah, this is gonna suck, but wait until you see what’s coming. Its all new and better than what we’ve been giving you!” And the fact that we already know 4 of the new books are going to be double shipping (they already said Avengers would be as well) concerns me as well. That means I have to have my orders in for #2 (and mostly likely#3) before I see what the response is to #1. That’s forcing me to make a big gamble. Plus I am sure we are going to be hit with a ton of variants and promotions (Uncanny Avengers has 11 different variants, 6 or 7 of which I have to order over 100 copies to get) to encourage me to up my orders. This scares me because I’ve seen where lots of hype without follow through gets me. Full dollar and quarter boxes.
I was emailing back and forth with Joe F last night and he wondered how Marvel was still even with DC in market share and dollars even though DC is outselling them and I showed him.
