Comics Brieflly
This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on May 6, 2008 Sign up now!
Compiled by Ada Price -- Publishers Weekly, 5/6/2008 9:07:00 AM
Marvel Results Down
PW Daily reports that sales in Marvel’s publishing segment declined 4% in the first quarter, to $26.5 million principally due to the timing of major publishing initiatives, the company reported this morning. Sales reflected a decline in comic book sales within the direct channel and lower advertising and custom sales, offset in part by continued strong growth in the mass market channel. The decline in direct channel sales is mainly due to strong sales of high profile titles Civil War and The Death of Captain America last year. Operating income declined 14%, to $9.9 million in with an operating margin of approximately 37% compared to approximately 42% in last year’s first quarter. Based on its planned slate of publishing initiatives, including the release of the Secret Invasion series in late in the second quarter, Marvel said it expects its publishing segment to return to traditional margins for the full year.
Free Comic Book Day
Over at PW The Beat,Heidi MacDonaldgathers together information from around country about this year’s Free Comic Book Day, held this past Saturday May 2.
Radical Deal
Diamond Comics Distributors has signed a distribution agreement with Radical Publishing, a new comics publisher, to exclusively distribute their products to comic book and specialty stores. Also, Diamond Book Distributors has acquired the rights to exclusively distribute Radical Publishing’s releases to the book market. Radical Comics will release mini-series periodically in May, starting with Hercules: The Thracian Wars and Caliber: First Canon of Justice. All the issues will be collected in hardcover trades. Radical will also be publishing art books; in June, Yoshitaki Amano’s Mateki: The Magical Flute will be released. More information about upcoming Radical books can be found at the Radical Publishing website.
iFanboy Helps Retailer
iFanboy is accepting donations for David Pirkola, the owner and operator of Apparitions Comics and Books in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who was robbed and shot in his store. The donations will assist Pirkola pay his medical bills. More information and a PayPal link to donate can be found at the iFanboy website.
Quesada on Iron Man
In the latest “My Cup of Joe” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada gives his review of the new Iron Man movie. Also, Quesada previews Alex Ross’s Avengers/ Invaders and Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s Astonishing X-Man #1.
May Fantagraphics Events
The Fantagraphics Bookstore is hosting three events on consecutive weekends in May. On May 10, a reception and signing for an exhibition of Jordan Crane will be held from 6 to 9 Pm. On May 17 from 6 to 9 PM, there will be a launch party for a line of skateboards by the Seattle based company Manik Skateboards featuring designs from Peter Bagge’s Hate. Then, on May 24, there will be an opening reception for an exhibition of the illustrator, SHAG’s artwork; SHAG will be signing books. More information about these events can be found at the Fantagraphics' website
Viz Store Redesign
Viz Media has redesigned their online store. The new design features quick search tools to find products for the companies popular products, such as Naruto, Bleach, and Death Note. Viz is currently offering a Bleach or Naruto mystery box with any purchase over $25; the mystery box includes collectable figures from the series.
Iron Man Reading
In conjunction with the new Iron Man movie, Marvel has posted the top ten Iron Man collections. The list includes Iron Man: Extremis, Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle, and Iron Man: Armor Wars. The full list can be found at the Marvel Website.
SVA Open Studos
The Cartooning and Illustration Program at The School of Visual Arts in New York City is holding its annual Open studios and portfolio review, Tuesday, May 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Studios are located at 310 E. 22Street; between First Ave. and Second Ave. on the 7th floor.
