DYNAMITE'S BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #0 - OVER 175,000 COPIES

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Dynamite Entertainment today announced that they have set their initial print run for the launch of their all-new, ongoing Battlestar Galactica comic at over 175,000 copies in initial orders.

In addition to strong sales in the Direct Comics Market, copies of Galactica #0 will be used in promotional efforts at the upcoming Licensing show and at conventions across the country. A special promotion for the issue is also being planned with TV Guide, and more details on that arrangement are due in the coming days.

“We’re obviously very happy with the reception #0 has had in all aspects of the marketplace,” explained Dynamite spokesperson J. Allen. “And the outreach and promotional opportunities we’re working on with Universal, SCIFI and others are sure to help drive customers into their local comics shop - for not only the specially priced #0 issue, but the ongoing series as well.”

Retailers across the country also expressed their thoughts about the strong numbers and prospects for the Battlestar Galactica series:

“Dynamite Entertainment is blowing up the comic marketplace, again with their new comic, Battlestar Galactica. Battlestar Galactica is going to be huge, The hottest sci-fi show on the air, with a built in, rabid audience, numbering in the millions, there's no way we could over order on this title.

Orders for this book are already blowing away our Red Sonja numbers. I guess they prefer blondes! And only 25 cents!! What a no-brainer! Anyone who doesn't order this book is missing the point.”
-- Bob Hoskins/Stormwatch Comics

“Dynamite has now brought out the Big Guns. Battlestar Galactica is the best show on TV.... and here comes the comic based on the show. Watch out for this instant top 10 book....it will sell out quickly. This is the frakking best book they have ever done!”
-- Mike Malve/Atomic Comics

“I am not surprised at all to hear of the massive sales of Battlestar Galactica #0. BSG is the hottest property in sci-fi TV right now and you damn well know the folks at Dyanmite are going to treat it right!”
-- Patrick Brower/Graham Crackers Comics

Battlestar Galactica #0 is scheduled to ship to comic book stores in May. The first issue of the ongoing series is due in July.

ABOUT DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling titles and properties. Beginning with their Army of Darkness comic book series – launching as the #1 independent comic in July of ’04 – and recently ranked the #1 selling Independent Horror comic -- and continuing to their best-selling Red Sonja series – issue #0 alone selling over 240,000 copies and ongoing issues and one-shots recently ranked among the best-selling titles in unit sales and dollar volume – and not only has Dynamite consistently released Red Sonja as THE top selling single comic outside of Marvel and DC Comics, Dynamite successfully places more titles in the Top 100 than most non-Marvel, non-DC publishers.

Now, in addition to the ongoing Red Sonja and AOD series, DYNAMITE has launched the all-new Painkiller Jane series from creators Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti; is preparing to launch the Lone Ranger with Brett Matthews and John Cassaday, Battlestar Galactica with Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor, Classic Battlestar Galactica, the Re-Animator, Highlander as well as numerous Red Sonja mini-series and one-shots, including Red Sonja Vs. Thulsa Doom with Luke Lieberman and Peter David and a Red Sonja Vs. Claw cross-over with DC Comics’ Wildstorm imprint, Dynamite has more on the horizon!

In addition to the creators mentioned - Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics, including Alex (Justice) Ross, John (Astonishing X-Men) Cassaday, Michael (Superman/Batman, Aspen Comics) Turner, Jim (All-Star Batman) Lee, Michael (Red Sonja) Avon Oeming, Mike (Red Sonja/X-Men) Carey, Jim (Justice) Kruegar, Greg (The Incredible Hulk) Pak, Brett (Serenity, The Lone Ranger) Matthews - as well as working with up and coming new talent and enhancing strong creators!

The company also produces new and classic material from such creators as Paul Gulacy, Doug Moench’s Six from Sirius, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso’s Borderline and other titles, Jim Starlin Dreadstar, in addition to reprint editions of classic Red Sonja material and more.

For updated information on Dynamite Entertainment and their titles, please visit the Dynamite website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com

[SaturnKnight]

I really wasn't paying attention to the Battlestar Galactica comic book until now. 175,000 copies? Those are like DC/Marvel numbers; I am impressed. I realize it's a 25 cent book, but still for them to be able to get people to even order the book at that level indicates to me how potentially huge this book could be.

After seeing the wildly enthusiastic initial reaction from the direct market, I'm definitely going to check this book out.

[mrhelm]

Well it is a 25 cent book featuring a popular TV series.

That being said, I did order it, but not because of the new Galactica, which I haven't even seen. It was the note in the solicitation that we'd see a preview of John Cassaday's Lone Ranger that got me picking it up.

[InigoMontoya]

Its nice to see another company doing so well. I'm currently buying Red Sonja and will probably get this and Xena. They must be doing something well.

[NightRiver]

Dynamite has been on the ball lately. BSG is huge now and the .25 cent issue is also a factor for such large preorder numbers, but congrats to them anyway. I hope Xena will have some good preorder numbers as well.

[jza1218]

Hopefully, they don't go overboard and end up spending more on licensing properties than they make.

[Nick MB]

25 cents? So it won't be on the Diamond charts then? I don't think any of Marvel or DC's "just a few cents" effort were featured, as at that price they count as "promotional leaflets" or something.

[jasinmartin]

Love the show, and am looking forward to the book.

And these numbers without even having shown interior artwork (did they ever release any?)

Any way, it's great to see a comic license on a current hot property!!!
The industry needs more of this type of product to grab new readers, I think!

A win win...
Yay!

[jza1218]

Originally Posted by Nick MB

25 cents? So it won't be on the Diamond charts then? I don't think any of Marvel or DC's "just a few cents" effort were featured, as at that price they count as "promotional leaflets" or something.

Wasn't Red Sonja featured on it?

[Comic-Reader]

I don't think Red Sonja #0 was on the Diamond chart, and I think that's the reason Dynamite is publicizing their high print run -- to create buzz among both retailers and fans for this and the future issues that will be $2.99.

Of course I'll check out the 25-cent issue, but I tend to stay away from comic adaptations of TV shows. Good for fans of the series, and hopefully it can draw new faces into the comic shops. Between BSG, Superman Returns, X-Men, and Civil War all in the public consciousness, this summer could see an increase in first timers in stores.

[Dan Feeser]

Originally Posted by Nick MB

25 cents? So it won't be on the Diamond charts then? I don't think any of Marvel or DC's "just a few cents" effort were featured, as at that price they count as "promotional leaflets" or something.

It won't be in the Top 300. Diamond stopped that a book or two after the FF #60 9c issue. Of course the cheap Marvel books were pushing over 600,000 copies. So, doing some really, really rough math, that'd be comparable to Marvel's top sellers at 125,000 and Dynamic Forces selling 35,000 copies of this. Not too shabby, but not huge either.

[Doc Holiday]

Does this really have a Lone Ranger preview in it? I would have ordered it. Does anyone know anything more about the plans for LR? Is anyone from DE reading this? If so, when is the Lone Ranger slated to ride again?

I would get Xena, but I don't like the art, from what I've seen. Still, Dynamite seems to do a good production job with its comics, so here's hoping for long-term success.

[Fes]

Honestly, who cares where they set their print run? In all likelyhood it just means that they'll be stuck with 150,000 copies of the book when all is said and done.

Now when they actually SELLS 175,000 copies that will be news.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Fes

Honestly, who cares where they set their print run? In all likelyhood it just means that they'll be stuck with 150,000 copies of the book when all is said and done.

Now when they actually SELLS 175,000 copies that will be news.

um - re-read it - they have. their initial orders, that is, the number of copies shipping to retailers (actually ordered and sold to retailers). Their print run is over that...

MattB

[Fes]

Ah, okay.

So they sold 25,000 and are going to be giving away 150,000.

[Allen]

I bought one copy of quarter issue. I also subscribed to series through comic book store.

[mightymodok]

This is all well and good and I'm very happy for the publisher etc etc but weren't we promised some preview art about a month ago? If there was some and I missed it, I'm clearly a tool, but could someone PLEASE post a link.

[Redmond]

Wow 175 copies and no one has yet seen or even read any of the actual contents. WTF

[Gladiator X]

I just can't help but wonder what kind of an increase in readership we'd see if ALL comics were 25 cents again?

I know it can't happen but I tell ya,I'd buy about 300% more comics than I do now.

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally Posted by Gladiator X

I just can't help but wonder what kind of an increase in readership we'd see if ALL comics were 25 cents again?

I know it can't happen but I tell ya,I'd buy about 300% more comics than I do now.

oh, what a wonderful world.

And even for a 25 cent book that's still crazy good numbers for such a new publisher. I know I'll be getting this series.

[SIMULACRA]

I'll be getting BG #0 for the Lone Ranger #1 preview, have been waiting a looooong time. It has John Cassaday overseeing art direction and doing the cover art!

Qoute:We've been working on this for quite a while, because we have to get this just right," explained Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. "After all, The Lone Ranger is THE archetype of the modern superhero, he is THE definition of 'Americana,' a crusader for truth, justice and the American way. With all that in mind, our series has to be both faithful to the true essence of the character while creating exciting new situations for him, and we've found two guys to do just that."
Brett Matthews (Firefly) will serve as series writer, while John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men) will be providing the yet-to-be-finalized series artist with art direction, and oversee the art on The Lone Ranger's world as well as the ONLY cover artist.
Brett Matthews states: "What interests me is that people tend to know elements of The Lone Ranger -- the mask, the white horse, the silver bullets, the faithful Indian companion -- but not where those elements came from. I want to see these things happen, and within the bounds of a turbulent and very specific period in American history. The Lone Ranger is first and foremost a Western, and I want to get back to that and explore what that means. I want to remind fathers why their boyhood hero was the Lone Ranger, and show their kids why that's cool."
Cassaday continues and says that, "The Lone Ranger is an icon close to my heart, I'm looking forward to seeing the legend return in style. The knee-jerk reaction from the general populace is that of a masked boy scout, but a second look reveals an unrelenting enigma. What is widely known about the Lone Ranger's past would fit inside a thimble. Locked away and hidden, his story is one of our most mysterious and misunderstood. We're cracking open the dusty book of battle scar secrets, revenge and an empty grave."

No release date yet, but bet it will be in June Previews with any luck!

From the FarSide Gallery: The Lone Ranger, long since retired, looked up kemosabe in the Apache dictionary, and was dismayed to discover that it meant 'horse's ass.'

Originally Posted by Doc Holiday

Does this really have a Lone Ranger preview in it? I would have ordered it. Does anyone know anything more about the plans for LR? Is anyone from DE reading this? If so, when is the Lone Ranger slated to ride again?

I would get Xena, but I don't like the art, from what I've seen. Still, Dynamite seems to do a good production job with its comics, so here's hoping for long-term success.

[SIMULACRA]

This is the Dell'Otto cover to Highlander#0 25c in store 26th July

[Raphael]

People. People. Take a deep breath.

Didn't I hear about a 1:100 variant mentioned when this was solicited? Now if all of the stores in North America that took part in FCBD (less than 2000) all ordered 100 copies each of this 25 center, you'd get a print run of about 200K. Cuz that would explain it.

That, and the Lone Ranger. Hi yo.

[The_Adventurer]

Fantastic news.

But where is the preview of the interiour art we were promised a month ago? That's what I really want to see.

[eyeinthepi]

This is awesome.
I've been enjoying the new BSG since day one and it always leaves me wanting more...

hopefully we'll get stories set in the missing year on new caprica......