Tops the Book Section
April 16, 2001
Ken Tucker reviewed J. Michael Stracynski's first issue of Spider-Man ( Amazing Spider-Man #30) in the April 20th issue of Entertainment Weekly , on newsstands this week. The review, which leads off the 'Books Section' (page 66) is quite favorable and includes a sample panel of art from John Romita, Jr.
As Newsstand Sales Decline
April 16, 2001
As ICv2 has reported previously, sales of magazines through the newsstand distribution channel have been declining for the past decade. Now Advertising Age has published an Audit Bureau of Circulation survey of the paid circulation of the top 200 magazines showing more stable circulations over the past six months--only five of the top ten magazines showed declines.
A DEW Line Report
April 17, 2001
Here's a distant early warning from ICv2's Japanese correspondent-- Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of the classic Akira manga, is publishing his first comic work in five years. The first installment of the new Otomo story, Orbital Era , will appear in Kodansha's weekly Young magazine.
Platinum Studios Signs with AMG
April 12, 2001
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Scott Rosenberg's Platinum Studios has signed with AMG (Artists Management Group) to oversee the packaging of Rosenberg's catalog of comic book characters for television, film, and new media projects. In addition. Rosenberg will return to comic publishing indirectly at least by packaging some twenty-odd titles under the editorship of Lee Nordling.
Fate of Syndicated Show in Doubt
April 11, 2001
According to Cinescape Online, the Wall St. Journal is reporting that 20th Century Fox is suing Marvel over a planned Mutant X syndicated television series. Fox reportedly feels that the series represents a breach of the agreement it reached with Marvel in 1993 for movie rights to the X-Men.
Graded Cards Coming to Non-sports?
April 10, 2001
The Topps Company has signed a three-year deal with PSA, a Division of Collectors Universe. Under terms of the agreement PSA will provide Topps with graded cards, which will be sealed in clear plastic, tamper-evident cases and included in product sent to retail.
They Can Sell in Your Store
April 18, 2001
Not every retailer has the same opportunity to succeed with 'kids comics' as the three profiled in this story, but many can utilize at least some of the stratagems employed so effectively by these storeowners. One theme that is consistent with all three retailers is that they provide one area of their store as an enclave for younger readers.
New Way for Producers to Reach Retailers
April 9, 2001
An official ICv2 release. Milton Griepp, owner of ICv2, has announced that the company has kicked off its initial ad sales campaign. 'Our retailer audience is growing every week,' said Griepp, 'and it's time to open the site to outside advertisers that want to reach this group.'
First in Series from DC and Watson-Guptil
April 10, 2001
Master comic scribe Dennis O'Neil, whose work as a writer and editor is legendary, has written a 'how-to' book for aspiring comic book writers. Using examples from his own career as well as samples from the works of other top comic writers, O'Neil examines some of the many different approaches to writing four-color adventures.
Archie Tops the Comics Field
April 8, 2001
Since 1990, newsstand sales of the hundred top selling magazines in the U.S. have declined by 40%. Certainly the proliferation of new titles is partially responsible for the decline in the sales of individual magazines, but doesn't completely explain the fact that the average sell-through for all magazines has plummeted to just 36%.