Two books are new on the hardcover graphic books best-seller list this week. “The Freddie Stories,†by the cartoonist Lynda Barry, is at No. 3. It chronicles the ups and downs of Freddie, the teenage member of the dysfunctional Mullen family. It is published by Drawn & Quarterly. At No. 4 is the deluxe edition of “The Books of Magic,†by Neil Gaiman. It is published by DC Comics. It is illustrated by a quartet of powerhouse artists â€" John Bolton, Charles Vess, Paul Johnson and Scott Hampton. The story is about Timothy Hunter, a young boy on a tour through the magical realms of the DC Universe as mystical forces try to determine whether he will be the world’s most powerful mage.
Some of the big news in comics this week was the announcement of more cancelled titles from DC’s “New 52.†The company, which reintroduced its characters to a new audience back in fall 2011, has been committed to maintaining 52 series as part of its shared superhero universe. But fans are questioning the logic of that decision in the wake of creative shakeups, cancelled series and putting into the spotlight secondary characters who will unlikely be able to attract enough readers to support a monthly series.
The “New 52†began with the newest incarnation of the Justice League in August 2011, 51 other series rolled out that September, featuring everyone from Aquaman to Wonder Woman. In May 2012, six of those series were cancelled (Blackhawks, Hawk and Dove, Men of War, Mister Terrific, OMAC and Static Shock) to make room for Batman Incorporated, Dial H, Earth 2, G.I. Combat, Ravag! ers and World’s Finest.
In September 2012, four new series (Phantom Stranger, Team 7, Sword of Sorcery and Talon) were ushered in to replace Captain Atom, Justice League International, Resurrection Man and Voodoo. For the pundits at home, the most surprising fact was that Voodoo lasted that long.
In December and January, five more series were cancelled (Blue Beetle, G.I. Combat, Grifter, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Legion Lost) to make way for upcoming series (Constantine, Justice League of America, Justice League of America’s Vibe, Katana and Threshold). This week’s cancellations include a mix of series that began with the 2011 push (Firestorm, Hawkman and Deathstroke) and those that came in as replacements (Ravagers, Sword of Sorcery and Team 7). One title on fans’ deathwatch list is Batwing, which in November sold an estimated 15,967 copies, which was below two cancelled series sold that month (Frankenstein at 16,444 and Ravagers at 17,334).As always, the complete best-seller lists can be found here, along with an explanation of how they were assembled.
