FALLEN ANGEL: NOT DEAD YET

[MattBrady]

Though DC’s solicits apparently confirmed what its fans feared – that is, Fallen Angel was ending with issue #20, creator Peter David had some words of hope on his weblog. On Thursday, David posted:

“As anyone who has read the DC solicits knows, issue #20 is slated to be the last one for DC. At this point, DC has no plans to do trade collections of the remaining books in the run.

“We are not, however, quite dead yet.

“Watch this space for further updates.

“PAD”

While David declined to elaborate on the meaning of his post when asked by Newsarama, an indication of the portability of to new locales is evident in the book’s indicia, and known to fans of the series - Fallen Angel is creator-owned by David and series artist David Lopez. One of a small handful of such titles to be set in the DC Universe (Bloodhound by Dan Jolley was another – the character is co-owned by Jolley, Drew Johnson and DC), Fallen Angel could see a move to a different publisher.

Additionally, as with the news of a series’ cancellation, word has come of an effort to bring the series back to t he land of the living, with the effort being spearheaded by Colin O' Mahoney of Other Realms in Cork, Ireland.

“I believe, like most of our staff, that Fallen Angel is, in fact consistently the best comic being published. On hearing that DC had no plans to continue the series past issue #20 was understandably upset, and believe that in my position as a retailer I can make a difference. However, the difference one store can make is minimal. A bigger campaign is needed.

“As Peter David has said, if every retailer ordered two more copies of the comic then it could avoid cancellation. This does seem unlikely, I will admit, but I'm not willing to let the best comic on the market go without a fight. Earlier on today I phoned Diamond and upped our stores' order of Fallen Angel by 10 copies. I intend to promote it as comic of the week and make a real push to get customers to give it a chance. Issue #19 is the start of a new two part story arc. Two issues isn't a huge investment for a collector. Ten extra copies is a lot to ask of some retailers, but one or two or even five isn't.

“Obviously time is short as the issue is out next month but it's not too late. This is a call to retailers to do the right thing and give the brilliant world of Bete Noire a chance to live. Order however many extra copies you can and push customers to try it. Not one person I have shoved it on has not liked it, and moreover, they all now collect it. Read the comic yourselves. Save Bete Noire.”

O' Mahoney also asked retailers who agree with him to post in the thread below, indicating how many extra copies they’ve ordered.

Newsarama Note: For an interview with David about Fallen Angel issues #19 and #20, click here.

[PopCultureComix]

“As Peter David has said, if every retailer ordered two more copies of the comic then it could avoid cancellation. This does seem unlikely, I will admit, but I'm not willing to let the best comic on the market go without a fight. Earlier on today I phoned Diamond and upped our stores' order of Fallen Angel by 10 copies. I intend to promote it as comic of the week and make a real push to get customers to give it a chance. Issue #19 is the start of a new two part story arc. Two issues isn't a huge investment for a collector. Ten extra copies is a lot to ask of some retailers, but one or two or even five isn't."

Peter David does a great job on Fallen Angel. We agree it's a great book. We'll do our part and kick in for an extra 10 pcs and hope it helps keeps this series running. For those of you that have not tried it, grab a copy. You'll be glad you did!

[blankpoint]

I've already upped the orders on recent issues, because about half the people who I gave the free issue to picked up the back issues, which I had most of in stock, and started getting the series. Without that though, and I know most stores are definitely not carrying extra rack copies of this title, I don't know how many singles readers will pick up #19 of a title, unless it was substantially cheaper or free.

I really enjoy the title and hope it continues in some capacity. Obviously, at another publisher with less overhead than DC, its sales may be considered fine.

#18 was a good ending however, and I'm not too sure that #19 and #20 will be as interesting to me, since I've never read David's Sachs.

[Winteriscoming]

Hi, I'm just a shopper but I have FA on my pull list. I know, that in my small comic shop, that I'm the only person who has this comic on their pull list. Even if I gave my comic to a friend to read he probably wouldn't be able to go down and pick up any back issues as they stopped getting extra copies ten issues, or so, ago. I agree that this is the best comic on the market. I don't stand alone in saying this and with only 18 issues out that says a lot for this series. Here is wishing the FA team the best of luck and hopefuly we'll see more issues down the road.

[BriGuy]

Here's an idea to try and get more people to sample Fallen Angel. Offer to buy a copy of their favorite comic in return. Someone will be more likely to give this title a chance if it means someone else giving their favorite title in need of additional support a chance.

I already agreed to preorder Fallen Angel #19-20 for another fan getting Manhunter #6-7.

This idea will help the retailers that are upping their orders on FA unload those copies.

[kilroy]

Yeah I admit it Im a dc fanatic....evn thought i cant stand the editors .....but this has to be the biggest mistake on dcs part move it over to vertigo and see if it does better there fallen angel is one of my favorite books. davids writing is at an all time high which means something because this man is an amazing writer and the art is just stunning. How can DC allow this gem to just go away quietly in the night or better yet admit that this is linda/matrix and connect it into the dcu so people will pick it up. I dotn care all I know in the days where a new creative team is brought on with every story arc it was refreshing to have the same writer artist on almost 22 isues SAVE FALLEN ANGEL wake up levitz or whoever makes the final call

[BriGuy]

Originally posted by kilroy
Yeah I admit it Im a dc fanatic....evn thought i cant stand the editors .....but this has to be the biggest mistake on dcs part move it over to vertigo and see if it does better there fallen angel is one of my favorite books. davids writing is at an all time high which means something because this man is an amazing writer and the art is just stunning. How can DC allow this gem to just go away quietly in the night or better yet admit that this is linda/matrix and connect it into the dcu so people will pick it up. I dotn care all I know in the days where a new creative team is brought on with every story arc it was refreshing to have the same writer artist on almost 22 isues SAVE FALLEN ANGEL wake up levitz or whoever makes the final call

DC already asked Vertigo if they would take it, they said no.

Peter David wants to be able to move the book to another publisher if need be, so he's not gonna connect it directly to the DCU. That's the reason Leonard Kirk said Bloodhound can't be moved to another publisher, although the fact that it is partially owned by DC could be another, if that's true.

[JLAJRC]

Bloodhound could also be continued by another publisher? Cool. I think it would rock as a Marvel MAX book if they up the violence slightly more.

Although, why bother restarting them at another publisher? If fans aren't picking them up from DC, what makes you think they'll buy it if it went to Marvel or a smaller publisher? A new #1 maybe, and they maybe more lenient in how much they sell, but that's about it.

[algertman]

hey look, its our monthly save "Fallen Angel" article

you know, i like this title alot, but there comes a time when gotta say goodbye

[Bry Katz]

Originally posted by JLAJRC
Although, why bother restarting them at another publisher? If fans aren't picking them up from DC, what makes you think they'll buy it if it went to Marvel or a smaller publisher? A new #1 maybe, and they maybe more lenient in how much they sell, but that's about it.

The series could continue with a smaller publisher, as the 'indies' tend not to have such strict cut-off policies regarding sales. Fallen Angel, if published by Dark Horse, could likely survive indefinitely at its current sales level.

[Raphe Cheli]

Originally posted by Bry Katz
The series could continue with a smaller publisher, as the 'indies' tend not to have such strict cut-off policies regarding sales. Fallen Angel, if published by Dark Horse, could likely survive indefinitely at its current sales level.

If this was at Dark Horse, its current sales numbers would be great, but I would bet that as soon as it goes to another publisher, the numbers will drop. Maybe not with the first issue, but within 3 months. Retailers just don't have the patience/confidence/guts to order heavy on indys.

[DreamKing]

At last, a small glimmer of hope. Fallen Angel's cancellation at DC was crappy news. If it can't survive there, please take it to another publisher Peter David!

[Rorshoq]

I think it's time to face reality; this book is not attractive to many readers. It's not to say that it's a bad book (though I did not find it appealing...in fact, I was bored by it). I don't remember the author of the article, but Newsarama ran a piece on a store and their ordering successes/failures. He noted that he bought something like 2 copies of Fallen Angel, with zero sales. He also indicated he was finished with the title. Let's not mistake the message with the messenger; Peter David has a good following, and he is very media friendly, but that does not mean that all of his books are winners. Let this one go.

[tridon]

Possibly moving to a new publisher? David's been showing the love for Marvel as of lately... could a new Icon book be on the horizon?

[Robert_Coyner]

Well, I think it would be interesting if David brought it to Icon and he and Marvel somehow made a success out of it. I don't doubt that it could sell more through Icon, but would it be enough? Marvel's cancellation policies seem even tighter than DC's.

I would also worry that a relaunch at another publisher would result in diminishing returns as well. Still, there are quite a few smaller companies just getting started, like Speakeasy, that I would think could really benefit from a title like Fallen Angel and talent like Peter David and David Lopez... And, even though I'm not a huge fan of Avatar, I've been impressed with their releases of Apparat and 303 - even if they can't hit a street date to save their lives. And A1 - Atomeka has turned out a great lineup of works recently that Fallen Angel could sit very comfortably by I would think.

In all honesty, with Vertigo as my hands-down favorite imprint, I think it's ridiculous that they can't find a home for this there. I would really love to know Karen Berger's rationale behind that decision.

Regardless, I'm interested to see what happens, and looking forward to the next two issues with Sachs and Violens. Whether at DC, Image, Dark Horse, Icon or with whoever, here is one reader who will certainly be buying issues for as long as they're coming out.

[Pascal]

It's great to see that people still have enough faith in the book to try to save it. I think it won't be long until we hear some good news.

[Pascal]

Originally posted by Robert_Coyner
In all honesty, with Vertigo as my hands-down favorite imprint, I think it's ridiculous that they can't find a home for this there. I would really love to know Karen Berger's rationale behind that decision.

Because "Fallen Angel is too similiar to other current books Vertigo puts out." Although I don't see it.

[samnoir]

Originally posted by JLAJRC
Bloodhound could also be continued by another publisher? Cool. I think it would rock as a Marvel MAX book if they up the violence slightly more.

Although, why bother restarting them at another publisher? If fans aren't picking them up from DC, what makes you think they'll buy it if it went to Marvel or a smaller publisher? A new #1 maybe, and they maybe more lenient in how much they sell, but that's about it.

As a creator owned title, I think the only place it could end up at Marvel would be Icon, and only if they considered David to be part of the "A List"... Icon does seem to have a very exclusive membership thus far with Bendis/Oeming, David Mack, JMS/Deadato and Millar. I'm thinking it comes down to "what have you done for me lately", and it would depend on David's draw on an "A list" book like The Hulk.

It definately wouldn't go to Marvel MAX since all of those books so far are company owned properties aren't they?

It's really really rare for any DC book to jump to Marvel and vice versa. The only examples I can think of is Moonshadow and Blood, originally published by Marvel/Epic being reprinted at DC/Vertigo and that was the Archie Goodwin connection wasn't it? There was a one-shot Farewell Moonshadow, but I can't think of any situation where a book went from on of the big two to the other on a continuing title. The smaller imprints of the big two have certainly cherry picked from smaller companies over the years (Groo, Elfquest, Coyote, True Faith, Powers, kabuki), but rarely from each other.

It might be much more likely that Fallen Angel ends up at a smaller company. Avatar to me would seem like a good fit, variant nude covers notwithstanding. They seem to have a good roster of A List creator owned books which get good promotion, and have a history of picking up properties previously published elsewhere.

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[Alfonso]

I know there is a small handful of readers who love and adore this book, but for god's sake, can everyone stop the campaigning and let natural selection take its course? No matter how much PAD loves the book, the majority of readers either don't or have no interest in it. I don't think it's worth putting so much effort into something that only benefits so few people.

The book had a chance - a few chances, given the trade and some other later promotion - and now it's cancelled.

[James Meeley]

Originally posted by samnoir
It might be much more likely that Fallen Angel ends up at a smaller company. Avatar to me would seem like a good fit, variant nude covers notwithstanding. They seem to have a good roster of A List creator owned books which get good promotion, and have a history of picking up properties previously published elsewhere.[/url]

Actually, I think Fallen Angel would be a much better fit at IDW, than Avatar. IDW has the feel for stories of this type (30 Days of Night, anyone?), yet doesn't have that "bad girl" stigma that Avatar would bring to the table.

[Michael P]

Originally posted by Pascal
Because "Fallen Angel is too similiar to other current books Vertigo puts out." Although I don't see it.

If that were really a criterion for exclusion from Vertigo, then every "Sandman Presents" series would never have been published.

[AnimalMan#1-26]

Liscenced books are the exception here:

Star Trek went from Marvel to DC to Malibu and Marvel, which eventually became the same thing.

Masters of the Universe started at DC and went to Marvel.

I'm pretty sure Tarzan spent time at both houses as well.

Doc Savage was a Marvel book in the seventies and DC book in the eighties.

Same with The Shadow.

[bcondray]

that there will be more Fallen Angel in the future... It is one of the best things PAD has ever done....and as wonderful a writer as he is.....that is a greta deal of greatness...

Thanks for the issues you have given us so far Mr. David.

[Arcadian Daze]

Here we go again. Yet another save a Peter David book campaign. When are David and his coterie of fans going to face the fact that his writing doesn't entertain enough comic readers to support a book from Marvel or DC indefinitely. His moment in the comics firmament has passed, his star has been eclipsed, he is a dead parrot. Maybe his writing is too good for the factory nature of most Marvel and DC comics. intelligent writing exists but is not exactly thriving in the rape infested world of DC. The man has a thriving career outside this insular little world. If he has some deep emotional need to write comics then use that to support it and write books for smaller publishers. David was smart enough to define himself as a writer rather than a comics writer and surely isn't writing comics for the financial reward.

I for one am getting sick of this breast beating everytime one of his books heads for comic book heaven.

[James Meeley]

Originally posted by Arcadian Daze
Here we go again. Yet another save a Peter David book campaign. When are David and his coterie of fans going to face the fact that his writing doesn't entertain enough comic readers to support a book from Marvel or DC indefinitely. His moment in the comics firmament has passed, his star has been eclipsed, he is a dead parrot. Maybe his writing is too good for the factory nature of most Marvel and DC comics. intelligent writing exists but is not exactly thriving in the rape infested world of DC. The man has a thriving career outside this insular little world. If he has some deep emotional need to write comics then use that to support it and write books for smaller publishers. David was smart enough to define himself as a writer rather than a comics writer and surely isn't writing comics for the financial reward.

I for one am getting sick of this breast beating everytime one of his books heads for comic book heaven.

Then get the hell out of comics. Or, at least, don't read these reports about his comics. Seems easy enough, don't you think?