AMERICAN VIRGIN ENDS: STEVEN SEAGLE COMMENTS

[MattBrady]

by Steven T. Seagle

The word on the street for American Virgin is this:

“A+. American Virgin is one of the freshest, most interesting, and thought-provoking books being put out at the moment. It seems to be my Book of the Week every single time that it’s released. I can’t say this enough: I love this book”. – This Week in Comics

“Steve Seagle and Becky Cloonan are totally on mark here. It’s great comics.” - Popimage.com

“10 out of 10 - This title is a shining achievement for the creators and for DC’s Vertigo.” – Eye on Comics

“American Virgin is one of the most enjoyable monthly reads from Vertigo. Adam is a very intense and controversial character, and the writer doesn’t waste any chances to really push his beliefs and convictions to the breaking limit.” – Insidepulse.com

“A+. Seagle’s writing is nothing short of brilliant. I love the artwork. Easily my favorite comic of the week.” – Noise To Signal.org

GLAAD Media Awards - Nominee- “Outstanding Comic Book, American Virgin”
“Steven T. Seagle tests our moral tolerance with a stunning new graphic novel, American Virgin.” – Penthouse Magazine

“American Virgin is not only a great comic in its own right, but an important one as well.” – Stephanie Kay – Comixfan.com

Wizard Cover of the Week – Celia Calle – American Virgin #15

“A-. One of the more complex creations in contemporary comics.” – The Contra Costa Times

“A recommended read for mature audiences” – Erika Bennet - Libraryjournal.com

“A- . Seagle is doing an excellent job of making a religious character sympathetic to an atheist like me.” – James Hunt, Alternate Cover

“This is an exceedingly underrated book - a phenomenal look into a character who by all rights I should hate.” - ign.com

“A-. Fables, Preacher, and DMZ are all great reads, but in the Vertigo lineup there is no other title more universal than this one.” Shotgun Reviews @ Newsarama

“For my money, American Virgin is the best of that new crop, with only DMZ riding close to its heels.” – Comic Pants.com
“Just like every month, I’m reminded why I read this book. It’s so different than anything else on the stands these days and it takes an incredibly unique stance on religion that I can’t help but be intrigued.” - BKTV

“A very surprising book.” – Pop Syndicate

“A-. It’s so good, there should be a Commandment set against it.” – Early Bird Reviews
“Fine storytelling, psychological depth, a nonjudgmental tone and interesting graphics all contribute to a winning yarn.” – South Florida City Link
“A-. Completely different, and completely...satisfying.” Tim Sheridan’s Reviews
“A highly recommended, enjoyable, thought-provoking tale, combining the themes of sexual politics in American society, a coming of age/responsibility and a globe-spanning murder mystery” – The Comic Treadmill


But the word from the boardroom on American Virgin is this:

“Final Issue.” – DC/Vertigo December Solicitations


Since I’m already getting the emails, and since I’d been looking around for quotes for the third trade collection (“WET” out later this year!), I thought I’d take a minute to combine the two tasks and talk to everyone about the end of American Virgin and make this general statement:

I don’t know what else Becky and I could really do.

Though I have learned some more truths about monthly comics circa 2007:

Doing A Good Book Is Not Enough – You can see what the reaction is from people who actually read American Virgin. And yeah, before the naysayers pop up to post “Well, I hated it,” as they inevitably feel compelled to do – let me just say I didn’t really cherry pick too much here. What you read above is what is out there for the most part. And while I’ve known some creators who ask people to “pimp their rides,” to the best of my knowledge I don’t personally know any of the kind reviewers above – who I thank for their support. They just seemed to really like the book we were doing. But that wasn’t enough.

A Great Launch is Not Enough – Our first issue not only sold relatively well, but it actually sold out a four thousand copy overprint. American Virgin #1 clocked in at around 24,000 units (you never get that from these charts everyone analyzes month in and month out). Our second issue sold out too, and while I thought something would be made of the sell-outs, nothing was. Our bad – a lost opportunity to get some extra juice. And very quickly – despite really great reviews and buzz – and I mean very quickly, we were down to half that amount, and falling. I didn’t worry, because there was a lot of great press about the book and I thought, much like some other launches of the time, we’d get our rebound from the reviews and the release of the collections. But the reviews dwindled off and the second collection never seemed to come out until the writing was on the wall.

Fresh Takes Are Not Enough – I think we’re in an age that really wants fantasy – which American Virgin, obviously, is not. I was delighted that almost every review posted, or email I got, or person I talked to at a convention seemed to mention some variation on the phrase “I have no idea where this is going, but I like the ride.” I don’t want to do comics that are like a hundred comics that have come before them. But when I look at what’s making it in terms of monthlies, the truth is, it’s comics that look like a hundred comics (or movies, or TV shows) that have come before them. The comics I love lately are also dying on the vine because they’re not doing it by the numbers, and I think that’s pretty sad. Still, lesson noted, though not necessarily “learned.”

Letting the Work Speak For Itself Is Not Enough – By and large, I don’t like to get out there and hark about what a great job I’m doing. I always assume that if the work is good, people will notice. But it’s become clear to me that in the age of the super-star creator, it’s important to be yelling about what a f***ing genius you are from every corner. So in the future, when I’m yelling about what a f***ing genius I am from every corner, please remember that I feel as uncomfortable doing it as you must feel hearing it. And when someone posts “Seagle isn’t a f***ing genius” – as they will feel compelled to do - please post a follow-up explaining that I wish I didn’t have to be the person making such claims. PS – Becky Cloonan is a genius to begin with, so please don’t make her yell about East Coast Rising Volume 2, just go out and buy it when it comes out.

Going Out With A Bang Will Have To Be Enough – No, our ending is no surprise to me. I actually called my original editor, Shelly Bond, about a year ago and said, so when are we going to get axed? In actuality, I’m surprised we got this long. So thanks to Shelly, Karen Berger, Vertigo and all my esteemed collaborators on American Virgin over the last couple of years for making it this far. Becky and I have one story left – “69” – and you’ll have no idea where it is going…but you’ll like the ride.

Who knows, maybe if enough of you like it – buy those trades, my friends – we’ll be able to come back some time and do a little more with Adam and the seriously f***ed up Chamberlain clan.

Steven T. Seagle

[orionben666]

Count me as one disappointed in the cancellation but very very thankful for the ride. Thx Mr. Seagle, but I am melancholy that it soon to be over I am sure it'll end with a bang (or at least a well conceived sneaky ending with an open ended twist as is your want Steven!)

[Villas]

Mr. Seagle, I believe that monthly books are not enough.

[Sunless]

I get this in trades, sorry to see its been axed.

[Dr Manolis Dooplove]

“American Virgin is one of the most enjoyable monthly reads from Vertigo. Adam is a very intense and controversial character, and the writer doesn’t waste any chances to really push his beliefs and convictions to the breaking limit.” – Insidepulse.com

what I said above in my review...

this was one of my favourite monthlies, and the most consistent in quality! As i had mentioned in the rest of the review, it does carry the Seagle curse, so I knew I was gonna love it to bits, I was gonna read glowing reviews left and right, but it would still get axed by issue 25

Becky, you're a genius as well

[Punchy]

I'm annoyed that this book has been cancelled, it's a really interesting comic, and pretty unique in subject matter, and even then, it veers from what I expected.

Whatever new stuff Seagle does after this, I'll be sure to check it out.

[80Pork]

When I heard the last issue was coming out, I just assumed that it was the actual ending to the story. American Virgin seems like one of those books that would have a definite beginning, middle, and end.

Yes, I, too, am sad to see it go. It's been one of my top books over the last (nearly) two years.

I got to meet Becky Cloonan at SPX last weekend. I asked her if she knew when the book would conclude. She said she wasn't sure, that Seagle liked to keep stuff that far in advance to himself. I was unfamiliar with Cloonan's work before American Virgin started. Now, I've searched out several things she's done and haven't been disappointed.

I enjoyed Seagle's work on The Crusades with Kelley Jones, also...another series that ended too soon.

I just hope the story can get wrapped up nicely by the end of #23.

[RichJohnston]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

(you never get that from these charts everyone analyzes month in and month out).

Yes you do.

Steven, negotiate to take the book elsewhere. Plenty of publishers would thrive with sales figures like those. Look at "The Boys", "2020 Visions", "Fallen Angel" and "Major Bummer" for inspiration.

[ducktales23]

I have every issue. I really liked this series. Wondering how it will end...

[joshfitz]

Originally Posted by RichJohnston

Yes you do.

Steven, negotiate to take the book elsewhere. Plenty of publishers would thrive with sales figures like those. Look at "The Boys", "2020 Visions", "Fallen Angel" and "Major Bummer" for inspiration.

Please take this advice, Steven please. American Virgin is my favorite book of your probably ever (and I was devastated on the loss of House of Secrets.) This book is original, fresh, three dimensional characters that even if you don't "agree" with you care about them. Not to mention Becky Cloonans art (along with Jim Ruggs inks) is the nicest looking work from either of the big two.

[ronnydobbs]

I also go the trade route like many others and I have to agree with Rich about trying to negotiate on taking the book to another publisher. I am sure that a bunch of the people would tag-a-long to grab your book.

[Sam Ridyard]

Originally Posted by RichJohnston

Yes you do.

Steven, negotiate to take the book elsewhere. Plenty of publishers would thrive with sales figures like those. Look at "The Boys", "2020 Visions", "Fallen Angel" and "Major Bummer" for inspiration.

Agreed, I would really like to see this series continue, even if it was in a mini-series (or relaunched ongoing) at a different publisher.
I will be buying the trades even though I have all the singles to support the reestablishment of the book (hey it worked for the Invisibles)

Good luck Mr. Seagle and Ms. Cloonan - I hope the book is able to continue, even if not in its current format.

[stvnhthr]

Paint me a naysayer.

I was really excited about this book when I first read about it. I had discussed this book on line for months before its release and had hoped the book would not be another morally cloudy Vertigo book. Discussing sex and religious topics may make you edgy, but there is also a need to be accurate in portraying the facts and moral consequences accurately. When entities like Penthouse and GLAAD shower you with glowing acolytes you know something is amiss.

Still I read the first two story arcs hoping maybe the story would take an upward swing.

Seagle is a first class writer and does some fantastic character work, but the overall direction and values embodied in American Virgin just did not sit well with me.

Best of luck to all involved with their future endeavors.

[Drink]

Dammit, I kept meaning to start with this series in trade format, specifically each time in the store I'd look at it. But I kept putting it off because I wanted to finish collecting what I was already getting first. And I could never find all the issues either, me being anal enough to want either all the issues or all the trades, not a mixture

All I can say is that I'm really sorry that I didn't give the story a chance, though I was planning on it. And before some fanboy tries biting my head off for not getting the book, I genuinely do feel bad about this.

[alison]

Wow. I am very, very bummed. This was my favorite book on Vertigo and perhaps my favorite book overall of the last year. I, too, buy in trade, so hopefully i've got a few more books to look forward to, but man - so disappointed. It blows me away that something with such fantastic art and real honest scripting and storylines can be cancelled (presumably due to low sales?). I'd definitely love to see this continue at another publisher if possible.

[Satan665]

Lame. Are we heading to a point where only big events sell comics? Even super good mainstream stuff like Morrison's Batman don't seem to be selling that spectacularly. I'm starting to learn that good comics don't sell well. Stupid comics...

[Timothycat]

Sorry to see the book cancelled. I was buying the trades and was rather surprised by how long it took for the second one to come out. I would have thought that Vertigo understood that the trade buyers and single issue purchasers are two distinct groups. They really should be getting their trades out much closer to the publication of the last issue in each volume. I'm concerned that the same thing is going to happen to Veitch's book and Scalped but I really can't afford to buy the content twice. I continue to be amazed at the poor marketing decisions being made by publishers. The way to do this right is obvious:

1. Get the first two or three trades out as soon as possible
2. By the fourth trade publish a omnibus of all four trades
3. Make the trades thicker as the book goes on and has becomes established. By then the readers will be more willing to wait.
4. Get the omnibuses into bookstores. Browsers at B&N etc are much more likely to take a book off the shelf if the title is visible. And American Virgin is an intriguing title that will get pulled off the shelf. This is not the case with a quarter inch collection. Whereas a book with an inch wide spine is readable and more likely to be looked at. Look at manga and how much more space they get at bookstores than the thin Marvel and DC trades.

The Absolute format is nice as well but is for the fans, not the civilians.

It would probably be neccesary to change the royalty structure so as to keep the prices of the omnibuses as low as possible.

Don't make the "civilian" population seek out ten volumes in order to read the book. They will not do it. It's a pain for libraries as well.

It's impossible to say this enough; OMNIBUSES at a reasonable price are the only way comic companies are going to bring in new readers. Dark Horse gets it, why does Vertigo not? Vertigo has a big enough library to start experimenting. Let's see Transmetropolitan in two volumes at $30.00 a piece. I'm sure Ellis would be willing to change his royalty structure to get more copies in the hands of readers. How about The Losers in one volume? The current structure may work for Sandman but it has a level of prestige that very few other titles have.

Please try to succeed.

Best,
TimK

[ShadeCrowe]

This was a surprise hit book for me. I remember I bought the first issue while I was visiting a friend in Rhode Island (I'm from NYC) and reading it on his couch, very much intrigued. And every time I saw it on the Diamond list for that week, I'd go "yes!" despite myself. I don't know what it is. It's just a naggingly good book. You wonder what exactly makes it great besides the boring "good writing" description because you want to be able to pinpoint the secret to its charm. I'm sorry to see an end to what has become my monthly treasure hunt.

[IamSatan]

Originally Posted by stvnhthr

When entities like Penthouse and GLAAD shower you with glowing acolytes you know something is amiss.

I find it interesting how you lump together porn and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

[mheath81]

very sad to see this go, was such a great book. I've religiously bought it, and even got 2 other people into reading it. I thought Vertigo was more about good writing than sales, but I suppose the sales were just not there at all? Such a shame. Definitely enjoyed the writing and the art.

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by Drink

Dammit, I kept meaning to start with this series in trade format, specifically each time in the store I'd look at it. But I kept putting it off because I wanted to finish collecting what I was already getting first. And I could never find all the issues either, me being anal enough to want either all the issues or all the trades, not a mixture

All I can say is that I'm really sorry that I didn't give the story a chance, though I was planning on it. And before some fanboy tries biting my head off for not getting the book, I genuinely do feel bad about this.

Yeah. what he said. I'll have to pick up the trades, and follow the book on the off chance it goes someplace else. Like I did with "The Boys."

[FireLight]

FRAK!

One more voice of anguish to add to the pile-on. LIke any well developed and intelligently crafted product - this book has/had on the surface 'normal' people and peels away all the layers to expose just how f'd up we all are.

The supporting cast is nicely developed and deep with real conflicts of character and morality - and the on going battle between what is 'might' - what is 'right' - and what is human is entertaining on SO many levels.

Hate to see this end.

[InBetween]

I hadn’t (yet?) given this title a chance but it’s a sad state when a title that seemingly perfectly hits the spot of what a Vertigo title is supposed to be, and seemingly has a big fan-base can’t survive.

I’m only currently reading (for Vertigo) the excellent 100 Bullets and I was enjoying The Exterminators up until Tony Moore left (he’s coming back for an arc). Thankfully Bullets should stay alive to the conclusion, but how long before other titles, titles with far less acclaim/fan-base, get the axe?

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by stvnhthr

Paint me a naysayer.

I was really excited about this book when I first read about it. I had discussed this book on line for months before its release and had hoped the book would not be another morally cloudy Vertigo book. Discussing sex and religious topics may make you edgy, but there is also a need to be accurate in portraying the facts and moral consequences accurately. When entities like Penthouse and GLAAD shower you with glowing acolytes you know something is amiss.

What if I just paint you as ignorant instead?

Beyond the above-mentioned, impliict gay-bashing here, there's the fact that obviously your tenth-grade English teacher failed you miserably.

ac·o·lyte–noun
1. an altar attendant in public worship.

ac·co·lade n.
1. An expression of approval; praise.
2. A special acknowledgment; an award.

Since I'm guessing you didn't mean to imply that GLAAD and Penthouse "showered" the book with zealous followers...

[hlbimage]

WTH ? Another beloved series got canned