DC SELLS OUT OF AQUAMAN #15

[MattBrady]

Press Release

DC COMICS SELLS OUT OF AQUAMAN #15

Less than two weeks after arriving in stores on February 11, AQUAMAN #15 has sold out at DC Comics. This issue features the first chapter of "American Tidal" by the dynamic new creative team of writer Will Pfeifer (H-E-R-O), artists Patrick Gleason & Christian Alamy (JLA: WELCOME TO THE WORKING WEEK) and cover artists Alan Davis & Mark Farmer (JLA: THE NAIL).

"Patrick and I always knew Aquaman was a character with loads of potential," says Pfeifer, "and I'm glad to see the fans agree. I hope everyone sticks around for the duration, because we've got some wild stuff coming up that's going to show why Aquaman is one of the top guys in the DCU."

"The advance publicity we generated for this storyline definitely piqued reader interest in the new team's debut," says Vince Letterio, DC's Manager - Direct Sales. "We expect to see demand for AQUAMAN growing as word of mouth spreads, so now's the perfect time to increase orders on upcoming issues."

Upcoming issues of AQUAMAN are available as follows:

* AQUAMAN #16 (JAN040230) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on March 17.

* AQUAMAN #17 (FEB040251) is solicited in the February issue of Previews (Volume IX #2) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on April 14.

* AQUAMAN #18 (MAR040297) is solicited in the March issue of Previews (Volume IX #3) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on May 12.

DC has no plans to go back to press on the issue at this time. Please note that copies still may be available at comic book stores.

[SpyGuy]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Press Release

DC COMICS SELLS OUT OF AQUAMAN #15

Less than two weeks after arriving in stores on February 11, AQUAMAN #15 has sold out at DC Comics. This issue features the first chapter of "American Tidal" by the dynamic new creative team of writer Will Pfeifer (H-E-R-O), artists Patrick Gleason & Christian Alamy (JLA: WELCOME TO THE WORKING WEEK) and cover artists Alan Davis & Mark Farmer (JLA: THE NAIL).

Hey, I'm all for AQUAMAN selling better, but is it such a big deal when a series selling only 22,000 - 24,000 copies sells out? Instead of actual news, this item comes off more like a specific marketing strategy by DC to create a collector-frenzy in order to increase orders on future issues.

As for the issue itself, I thought it was OK. Not bad, but I definitely could have done without the excessive panels of Aquaman swimming around only to find more death and destruction. Gleason's art was a bit disappointing as well. I liked his depiction of underwater movement, but his characters are far too ugly, especially compared against the great Alan Davis cover.

[GenXMaverick]

Well, well, well... it looks like Dan DiDio's faith in Will Pfeifer has been rewarded. Considering that sales on the critically-acclaimed H-E-R-O have been nothing to write home about, it's very nice to see such a warm reception to his debut on Aquaman. DC did an incredible job promoting this not only inhouse but also in the comics press, especially in Wizard. Great to see it pay off in a big sales increase.

I loved Patrick Gleason & Christian Alamy's art. They did a great job evoking the somber mood the story required. Clearly they've got Aquaman's regal bearing down pat--they even make Arthur's classic costume look good. I'll agree Pfeifer's story was mostly set-up and not enough action, but based on Previews solicitations I think we're going to see the King of the Seven Seas get into some good, old-fashioned superhero slugfests in upcoming issues. Very, very curious to see who the mastermind behind this plot is, too: Black Manta? Ocean Master? Darkseid and the Deep Six? Or a wholly new adversary?

Congrats to Will and Patrick on the fan response to their debut. Best of luck; I'll be buying every issue.

[Fazhoul]

When the companies only print what they have orders for, plus a couple thousand more since DC usually prints a bit more than was ordered, what's the big deal if they sell out?

[Tom Daylight]

How come there was no announcement about Monolith #1 selling out?

[GeorgeG]

YES!! Another DC title selling out.

DC Sold-out Announcements: The New Foil Cover Gimmick of the New Millenium.

[BriGuy]

Well we don't know that Aquaman #15 only sold 22-25K considering the sales for that issue haven't been released yet. True, previous issues had been selling around that but with the change in direction and publicity for this issue, one would have to think sales have surpassed that at least somewhat. Not to mention that books that DC has faith in (which this clearly was) they tend to overprint even more than usual.

I don't see these press releases as trying to start a "collector's craze". Sure they may have that additional effect, but I think they are more to put retailers on notice that they may have underestimated this title and to increase orders on subsequent issues, which is why they always put the reorder/order information at the bottom. Plus they're an added way to promote the story, nothing wrong with that.

[Kerouac]

When the companies only print what they have orders for, plus a couple thousand more since DC usually prints a bit more than was ordered, what's the big deal if they sell out?

Well, DC does a healthy overprint for most books and for a second-tier (sales-wise) character's book to sell out this quickly is a pretty surprising thing. Also, it's just a way for DC to plug the new team, since they're clearly the reason the issue sold out so fast.

Matt

[TTROY]

Let's hope they can keep the upswing in sales going... so often it is hard for a series to change creative teams and get a surge in sales.
For Aquaman this is very good to hear 2 fold
1- it is Aquaman after all...his history of sales isn't exactly rosy..
2- the creative team is not exactly a fan-fave set the house on fire to the common comics fan... sure people who are discriminating know that HERO and Pheiffer are doing great things but most fans will say "who?"

Nice announcement and pretty good start for the new creative team.

and when you criticize Dc for these announcement remember they are designed to alert retailers that there is an upswing in sales and that they should order future issue accordingly --hence the solicitation information at the end... -- implying that if this title sells out that the retailers can still order future issue without the fear of being caught short.

It is not a gimmick a gimmick would be designed to increase puchases from fans instead of increasing the orders from retailers.

We fans on the internet get to see this sort of stuff played out now..but this is mainly for retailing purposes.

[COREMARK]

I dropped Aquaman around issue #6, but I picked up issue #15 to see what the new creative team were going to do, and I was pretty impressed. I can't wait to see what Will Pfeifer has in store for us.

[rjjb7]

Originally posted by SpyGuy
Hey, I'm all for AQUAMAN selling better, but is it such a big deal when a series selling only 22,000 - 24,000 copies sells out?

As for the issue itself, I thought it was OK.

Have to agree with the above. For a well-marketed relaunch, these numbers are actually far from news-worthy. A Marvel book with such numbers would likely be cancelled. (See ELECTRA numbers below.) I actually picked up the book b/c of the hype and was not overwhelmed.

D.C. deserves credit for nice marketing and covers, yet again they have the luxury no other publisher has of publishing non-profitable books without any concern for cancellation.


*Dec Elektra #30 - 22,368 (Cancelled).

I really doubt that #15 sold more than 23000 copies! DC tried to advertise the issue as much as they could but in the cold light of day it was not worth the trouble and the truth is that retro Aquaman plain sucks!

[GeorgeG]

Originally posted by TTROY
It is not a gimmick a gimmick would be designed to increase puchases from fans instead of increasing the orders from retailers.

If retailers increase their orders, wouldn't that mean they expect fans to purchase them? Say it with me: G-I-M-M-I-C-K.

[paulski]

Originally posted by Act of God
I really doubt that #15 sold more than 23000 copies! DC tried to advertise the issue as much as they could but in the cold light of day it was not worth the trouble and the truth is that retro Aquaman plain sucks!

Actually, it might be your truth, but that's about all it's worth.

[comicsareliterature]

Hello.

Nice to see that DC sold out of an intro issue. Congrats to them, and I hope they do it with more of their comics.

Unfortunately, considering how sales on Aquaman have been in steady freefall for quite awhile, it is not such a big deal, in terms of actual overall sales:

03/ 2003: Aquaman #4 -- 36,908
04/ 2003: Aquaman #5 -- 34,684 (-6.0%)
05/ 2003: Aquaman #6 -- 33,213 (-4.2%)
06/ 2003: Aquaman #7 -- 30,615 (-7.8%)
07/ 2003: Aquaman #8 -- 29,628 (-3.2%)
08/ 2003: Aquaman #9 -- 27,454 (-7.3%)
09/ 2003: Aquaman #10 -- 26,370 (-3.9%)
10/ 2003: Aquaman #11 -- 24,918 (-5.5%)
11/ 2003: Aquaman #12 -- 23,993 (-3.7%)
12/ 2003: Aquaman #13 -- 22,414 (-6.6%)
01/ 2004: Aquaman #14 -- 21,675 (-3.3%)
6 months: -26.8%
Aquaman #15 probably hit the 25-27, 000 unit range due to DC's healthy overprinting. Nice numbers for a second tier DC character, overall. The key is for DC to maintain those sales and, hopefully, build on them. Davis covers help, but I think Gleason's art pales in comparison, and that might cause the title to lose readers (no offense to Mr. Gleason). Good luck to the creative team, though, and here's hoping that Aquaman sails into the top 10 in the near future, he is a great character with tons of potential.