Frank Edwards of Docking Bay 94 Comics and Games in Coconut Creek, Florida read ICv2's recent box office movie article regarding Green Lantern's performance (see "'Green Lantern' Hits Low End of Expectations") and had this to say.

Running with the title, "'Green Lantern' Hits Low End of Expectations," seems a bit slanted.  The same article explains that it was the #1 film of that weekend.  There has been a lot of unfair "hating" on this film (and others) long before anyone actually sees it.  If fan boys (and ICv2) want to see more comics fair in the mainstream, they need to not be shooting these projects in the foot before they even race for profits. (Profit IS why the studio makes them for us.)

With all the same facts that article could have been titled, "GL Tops Super 8," or "Despite Sluggish Economy GL Tops the Weekend" or just "GL Was #1 It’s Opening Week."  The film WAS #1, what expectations could be higher then #1?

TV’s Nielsen ratings have always, wisely, tracked "total viewers" and "share."  Share is the percentage of viewers, who were watching TV at all, who chose to watch THAT show in that time slot.  Which is why a show like Saturday Night Live has lasted 30 years--because even though it has less viewers than a prime time show, it still dominates anything else in the time slot.

All of this year's movies are in a recession time slot.  Less people CAN go out.  But this last weekend, most of the people who bought a movie ticket, bought a Green Lantern ticket.  Not the kiddie summer movie, or the romantic comedy in Paris, or the documentary about cave diving that no one will see but it will still get an Oscar.  The #1 film of the week was a comic book movie that (and everyone should applauded DC) runs a frame at the end saying "Go to your local comic shop and trying reading the book."

Hooray for us fan boys and shop owners!  We are #1 this week.

PS -- I bought one of those Green Lantern tickets, and I liked it.  I can’t wait for Part 2.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.