Alpha Flight Returns to Marvel

[Dread]

I would say the rush to make an 8 issue mini series an ongoing after only about 3 issues have been released is a little hasty. While I imagine the debut issue selling in the Top 20 was a boost Marvel didn't expect, sales for issue two fell very hard from there, into about the 27k range or so. By issue 8, it could be at or below cancellation range for an ongoing series. It would be embarrassing if Marvel did this move merely to add two issues to the series (as HERC is ending with issue #10).

I'm getting a kick out of it, so...the more, the merrier.

 

[Specter313]

 

[Specter313]

ALPHA FLIGHT #5
Written by FRED VAN LENTE & GREG PAK
Pencils by DALE EAGLESHAM
Cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN
STRIKE VERSUS FLIGHT. As the traitorous Vindicator leads her team of villains, known as ALPHA STRIKE, against her former teammates, ALPHA FLIGHT embraces their outlaw status by joining forces with the mercenary TASKMASTER. Will the master of skill acquisition be able to train the team in the tactics necessary to take on the entire Canadian government? And even so, will partnering with such a compromised cohort reveal itself to be a pact with the devil? Marvel superstars Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente and Dale Eaglesham continue their stellar run with Marvel’s much-beloved band of heroes, ALPHA FLIGHT!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

 

[Specter313]

ALPHA FLIGHT #8
GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE (W)
DALE EAGLESHAM (C)
COVER BY CARLO PAGULAYAN
VARIANT COVER BY LEINIL FRANCIS YU
• THE FINAL ISSUE!
• The big showdown between Alpha Flight and the Master of the World!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99


The hell? I thought this was an ongoing? Did they change their minds at the last minute and decide to end it like they would have if it was still a LS? Jerks.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Marvel did upgrade it to an ongoing, but just changed their minds.

 

[Specter313]

Dammit. That sucks, this new series has been so much fun.

 

[Dread]

They upgraded it to an ongoing when ALPHA FLIGHT #1 sold beyond expectations. They re-graded it to a mini series when they saw the steadily diminishing sales for subsequent issues, and realized issue #8 would have been in cancellation range for an ongoing anyway. Frankly, as much as I do like ALPHA FLIGHT by Pak & Van Lente, I thought making it an ongoing right off was pre-mature. As it is, some ongoing series attempts are DOA in less than 8 issues, or 9 if you count the 0.1 issue, so I'll be satisfied overall.

I mean, these are ongoing series that were canceled in 9 or less issues recently: SWORD, DOCTOR VOODOO, ATLAS, YOUNG ALLIES, SPIDER-GIRL. If you count a 10th issue, this includes HERC and HEROES FOR HIRE. The fact that some of these got extra mini's to tie up loose ends doesn't negate the quick cancellation.

My biggest problem with ALPHA FLIGHT is how Pak & Van Lente decided to demote Vindicator, who was often the leader of the team when Mac was dead, into a typical brainwashed harpy so her husband could look cool. Aside for that, it's been quite a trip.

 

[THANOSRULES]

Marvel is so reactionary now. This is the worst of it. Telling people and hyping them up at a convention that Alpha Flight was an ongoing, when it has now been changed.

Have some balls Marvel really, tough out at least 1 more Arc and see where it gos.

WTF?

Especially when fans look at what DC does and the "neck sticking out" going on there.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Marvel is so reactionary now. This is the worst of it. Telling people and hyping them up at a convention that Alpha Flight was an ongoing, when it has now been changed.

Have some balls Marvel really, tough out at least 1 more Arc and see where it gos.

WTF?

Especially when fans look at what DC does and the "neck sticking out" going on there.

I really don't blame them. While the sales of the first issue sold beyond Marvel's expectations, the rest of the series just ended up tanking with rather big drops and by the time it got to the 8th issue, it would have gone into cancellation range.

What I think we're seeing here is the start of a mini Marvel Implosion. There are just far too many unsustainable titles in Marvel's line-up with Daken: Dark Wolverine, Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive, Generation Hope, Ghost Rider, Deadpool MAX, Punisher MAX, and Marvel will probably be keeping a close eye on X-23, X-Factor, Avengers Academy, Journey into Mystery, Deadpool, Hulk, and Thunderbolts.

 

[THANOSRULES]

Yeah but when you factor how to "treat" customers...IE customer service, at the point of taking back your word, you tough out 1 more arc just to avoid looking like liars.

It's good business.

You also don't jack up the prices on products that dont sell as well, or has dwindling sales.

 

[runawayboulder]

Poor move by Marvel. They should have never shown a knee jerk reaction to #1's sales like they did. Now they look foolish.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Poor move by Marvel. They should have never shown a knee jerk reaction to #1's sales like they did. Now they look foolish.

Now this I totally agree with.

 

[Themanofbat]