CONTENT UPDATE FOR SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL ISSUES SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL HC RESOLICITED

**MattBrady** · 09-05-2007, 08:01 AM

Press Release

CONTENT UPDATE FOR SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL ISSUES SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL HC TO BE RESOLICITED

Originally scheduled to appear in SUPERMAN CONFINDENTIAL #6 (MAY070149), the final chapter of the story “Kryptonite,” written by Darwyn Cooke and illustrated by Tim Sale, will be rescheduled to appear in a future issue of SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL.

Orders for the SUPERMAN KRYPTONITE HC (AUG070281) are cancelled. This title will be resolicited at a later date.

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #6 (MAY070149) now will feature the story that had been scheduled for issue #7, written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin with art and cover by Koi Turnbull and Sandra Hope. In this story, the first chapter of a two-part tale, the fate of Metropolis is at stake when Superman gets mixed up with Lori Lemaris!

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #6 (MAY070149) is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 26. Retailers may adjust orders on this issue through the Final Order Cutoff date of September 6.

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #7 (JUN070175) now will feature the concluding half of the the story written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin with art and cover by Koi Turnbull and Sandra Hope, originally scheduled to appear in issue #8. This issue includes appearances by Lori Lemaris, Lex Luthor and Lois Lane, and is scheduled to arrive in stores on October 17.

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #8 (JUL070223) now will feature a story written by Vito Delsante with art by Julian Lopez & Bit and a cover by Pete Woods, originally scheduled to appear in issue #9. This issue, guest-starring Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott, is scheduled to arrive in stores on October 31.

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9 (SEP070187) now will feature the first part of a three-part story written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning with art and cover by Chris Batista & Cam Smith. In this issue, witness Superman’s fateful first encounter with The Forever People and Darkseid! When Beautiful Dreamer goes missing, the Forever People take their search to Earth, only to find The Man of Steel! But as the battle between New Genesis and Apokolips rages on, Superman finds himself — and all of Earth — caught in the middle! SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9 is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 14.

Pack · 09-05-2007, 08:14 AM

Oh, no, they did NOT just do that.....

theodoros · 09-05-2007, 08:59 AM

They did, and they will do it again. Like the Wonder Woman first story arc.

That was an original idea by DC Comics. The poor retailers are going to have again a hard time, as always. The stupiest thing is that they pay these orders 2-3 months in advance. They could buy something more solid, without having troubles with their customers.

Sometimes it's a miracle that this industry survives.

mtdeeley · 09-05-2007, 09:02 AM

Did they just cancel the final chapter of a 6-part story and replace it with the beginning of a new story?

The editor needs to be fired! FIred for letting a book slip this late, and fired for making a decision so frickin' retarded! Honestly, this will drive away more readers than if they just shipped the book a month or two late.

Abstrakt · 09-05-2007, 09:07 AM

we're at least use to a book being late but an issue being skipped?

Pack · 09-05-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theodoros

They did, and they will do it again. Like the Wonder Woman first story arc.

That was an original idea by DC Comics. The poor retailers are going to have again a hard time, as always. The stupiest thing is that they pay these orders 2-3 months in advance. They could buy something more solid, without having troubles with their customers.

Sometimes it's a miracle that this industry survives.

I should have been more specific.
I meant, "They did NOT just do that ... AGAIN!"

How can they expect readers to commit to a storyline that maybe will finish, but, y'know, maybe not. Hey, start buying now, fanboy, in five or six months, you'll find out if you'll ever get to read the end of the story.

Juss · 09-05-2007, 10:01 AM

It is contemptible that such an outrage is not abnormal, or even unusual. This angers me. I was barely sticking with this book as it was; every issue past #3 I asked myself whether I wanted to drop it or not, until I'd decided to hold on till the end of the first arc, then decide with #7 after seeing how Lori Lemaris was depicted.

But I think DC has graciously made my decision for me. Screwed and bamboozled as I feel, nevertheless I'm grateful to them for saving me three bucks a month.

Raphe Cheli · 09-05-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theodoros

TThe poor retailers are going to have again a hard time, as always. The stupiest thing is that they pay these orders 2-3 months in advance.

No they don't. Retailers don't pay for their comics until they arrive at the store. They certainly may budget out what they want to spend 2-3 months in advance, but if something doesn't ship, they don't pay.

**MattBrady** · 09-05-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theodoros

The poor retailers are going to have again a hard time, as always. The stupiest thing is that they pay these orders 2-3 months in advance.

No, generally speaking, they place these orders three weeks before the books arrive, and pay for them when they arrive.

MattB

Dave41Fan · 09-05-2007, 10:13 AM

Yeah! Give DC some hell!! Nevermind the fact that this whole fiasco is because Cooke and/or Sale can't hit a deadline, most likely...

People here rally for comic book publishers to learn their lessons on slow creative teams, but I bet that new Millar/Hitch book will sell the pants off of everything else that drops in the same week. Whenever Marvel gets back around to releasing Ultimate Wolverine v. Hulk, it'll be one of the hottest sellers. DC's All-Star Batman is the same way.

Complaining about it on a message board doesn't impact Marvel's or DC's opinion of their late artists. Not buying into the hype does. Regardless, yelling at DC for an artist or writer's inability to do their job isn't going to accomplish anything.

Craig

theodoros · 09-05-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raphe Cheli

No they don't. Retailers don't pay for their comics until they arrive at the store. They certainly may budget out what they want to spend 2-3 months in advance, but if something doesn't ship, they don't pay.

How come I pay 3 months in advance from www.mailordercomics.com every single comic book I buy?

Pack · 09-05-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave41Fan

Yeah! Give DC some hell!! Nevermind the fact that this whole fiasco is because Cooke and/or Sale can't hit a deadline, most likely...

People here rally for comic book publishers to learn their lessons on slow creative teams, but I bet that new Millar/Hitch book will sell the pants off of everything else that drops in the same week. Whenever Marvel gets back around to releasing Ultimate Wolverine v. Hulk, it'll be one of the hottest sellers. DC's All-Star Batman is the same way.

Complaining about it on a message board doesn't impact Marvel's or DC's opinion of their late artists. Not buying into the hype does. Regardless, yelling at DC for an artist or writer's inability to do their job isn't going to accomplish anything.

Craig

I can't speak for anyone else, but I never blamed this on DC. In fact, looking at Sale's reliability and reputation, I think it's pretty obvious where the blame belongs.
I do think when publishers see these kinds of shenanigans, they should just pull the creator who fails to deliver and replace him or her but I also think you're absolutely right.
The only way this stops is if fans stop supporting late creators.
On the other hand, I think there is a hierarcy now of artists who know fans will wait for them and who show their contempt for fans by keeping them waiting. (Michael Turner has struggled with cancer. Anyone with a problem like that deserves support and patience. But I think most artists who are terminally late just do it because they know they can.) Often it happens with specific projects that are so tied to the creator, no fill in is possible. But I think in a case like this, comics need their own version of Dick Wolff.

Raphe Cheli · 09-05-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theodoros

How come I pay 3 months in advance from www.mailordercomics.com every single comic book I buy?

I don't know -- that's probably just their company's policy. But I do know that they don't pay for the stuff until it's shipped.

newfoundma · 09-05-2007, 10:43 AM

It would be one thing if there was a fill-in for one month, but they are pushing back this issue with months of other stories at least. I can see the back of the trade now "Collecting Superman: Confidential #1-5 ... and 27."

khuxford · 09-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theodoros

How come I pay 3 months in advance from www.mailordercomics.com every single comic book I buy?

Because they go by the Previews catalogs and want the security of having the money available for the orders ahead of time?

hellboy666 · 09-05-2007, 11:06 AM

Stuff like this just pushes me towards waiting for the trade, more and more. That way I can be sure to have the complete arc in one handy-dandy package.

Sims · 09-05-2007, 11:07 AM

How many times has DC done this since One Year Later? Does anyone have numbers?

GeorgeG · 09-05-2007, 11:16 AM

Hey, look, Justin Gray is only known as Justin now.

phunengames · 09-05-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave41Fan

Yeah! Give DC some hell!! Nevermind the fact that this whole fiasco is because Cooke and/or Sale can't hit a deadline, most likely...

People here rally for comic book publishers to learn their lessons on slow creative teams, but I bet that new Millar/Hitch book will sell the pants off of everything else that drops in the same week. Whenever Marvel gets back around to releasing Ultimate Wolverine v. Hulk, it'll be one of the hottest sellers. DC's All-Star Batman is the same way.

Complaining about it on a message board doesn't impact Marvel's or DC's opinion of their late artists. Not buying into the hype does. Regardless, yelling at DC for an artist or writer's inability to do their job isn't going to accomplish anything.

Craig

I will add a Seinfeld reference and say that fan buying habits give Marvel and DC "no hand".

If a company gave some “unknown off the street” a book and they were late of inconsistent then it is on the company. When fans put a priority on “fan favorite” timeliness and consistency companies will to. On principal Marvel should not have given Millar/Hitch Fantastic Four. On a practical/business level they would be fools not to. If Miller/Lee came to DC with an idea they would do it.

If companies have gotten to a point where they will not solicit a 7 issue mini until they have 5 in a can, they should just wait for the 2 issue and release it as a graphic novel.

rogue_tomato · 09-05-2007, 11:35 AM

Wow, that sucks.

I was looking forwarding to finishing off the arc before dropping the title :?

Ralph Mathieu · 09-05-2007, 11:46 AM

Also DC will make these newly revised content issues returnable for retailers, so this helps somewhat even though I'd still call Superman and Batman Confidential huge flops. If I were running the show I'd just cancel both of them. Additonally both Superman Confidential and Batman Confidential are horrrible titles, if DC insists on having new Bats and Supes titles they should have used the old Superman Family and Batman Family titles.

SpyGuy · 09-05-2007, 11:51 AM

I think the lesson DC really needs to learn here is "Get the entire arc in the can and THEN solicit the first issue."

This isn't rocket science, people.

Loren · 09-05-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave41Fan

Yeah! Give DC some hell!! Nevermind the fact that this whole fiasco is because Cooke and/or Sale can't hit a deadline, most likely...

Cooke has managed to write AND draw "The Spirit" on a regular, monthly basis since the year's start. The first issue of "Superman Confidential" shipped a month and a half before "The Spirit" #1, and yet it's managed only 5 issues to date compared to the Spirit's 9.

Greygor · 09-05-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue_tomato

Wow, that sucks.

I was looking forwarding to finishing off the arc before dropping the title :?

Ahh, they obviously knew that, this is just a ploy to keep you buying

jkincade1984 · 09-05-2007, 12:17 PM

Yet another monthly comic where the story begins in one issue and the end of that story, well, that ends up...

whenever.

So the next issue will have nothing to do with the prior.

Good going DC.

Only DC ships stories and issues out of order. As a company, they should be ashamed of themselves. This is one of the most bizarre, unheard of practices ever and god, I'm so glad only DC does it.

CBS has a segment on the news called, SHAME ON YOU!!!

And DC, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.... SHAME ON YOU!