If you had to kill 3 characters.....

[comixfan1980]

If you had to pick 3 characters to bite the dust, who would they be?? I would choose The Face, Masquerade and Mr. Dynamic, reason being is I'm not a huge fan of these three and their absence wouldn't really kill the storyline. In fact the death of Dynamic man would or could result in a great revenge style storyline for the Supremacy :)

[flood1976]

I think it to early at the moment to kill off any of the SP characters.There deaths would have no impact.

[Glens46golden]

Whenever you talk about getting rid of a character, that character is always someone's favorite! That being said, the Face has always been one of my favorite and it seems Ross has some strange and interested things in store for Mr. Face!

[Ghornet2]

The only characters I could see killing off are maybe 1 or 2 of the patriotic ones. We have more than a couple and some are similar.

[captainzero]

I've been so glad that so many have returned...
the last thing I've given much thought to...
is which ones we should start doing away with. :eek:

I'm still trying to get Alex and Jim to put Blue Beetle - Samson- The Flame- and V-Man on a BIG 4 team... together.!!

Too early for me to think about anyone "biting the dust"!! ...or even "nibbling at the dust"!

I'm still smiling that so many have returned!! :D

[Ranger01]

Never mind killing off the characters...we need to buy more of Series 2...here are the sales figures for books 1 thru 7:

First number is the books standing in the top 300, last numbers are actual sales ....50% drop from book 1 by the time we reach book 7.

29 Project Superpowers 1 $3.50 Dynamic 53,721
51 Project Superpowers 2 $2.99 Dynamic 41,614
59 Project Superpowers 3 $2.99 Dynamic 36,873
63 Project Superpowers 4 $2.99 Dynamic 33,111
78 Project Superpowers 5 $2.99 Dynamic 30,549
83 Project Superpowers 6 $2.99 Dynamic 29,145
101 Project Superpowers 7 $2.99 Dynamic 27,323


83 PS Vol. 2 Supremacy 0 $1.00 Dynamic 30,700

Ranger01

[md62]

50% drop from book 1 by the time we reach book 7.

29 Project Superpowers 1 $3.50 Dynamic 53,721

101 Project Superpowers 7 $2.99 Dynamic 27,323
Ranger01

Wow. Most series fall off a bit but half the readers left. I know some will get the trade but I think what happened is some of the readers left because the middle of the series was a bit muddled. I felt the series had a strong beginning & a strong ending but the middle part left me confused & a little bored. I'm glad I stuck it out because I like the book & actually am enjoying this "universe" more than DC & Marvel right now.

[comixfan1980]

Considering this is a non Marvel/DC title that came out in the middle of major Marvel/DC storylines I'd say these numbers are quite awesome! Comic sales are at an extreame low and the economy is in shambles and to see PS in the top 50 for most of it's run is quote impressive and keep in mind that issue #0 was #4 upon it's debut, but I don't read too much into orders as it does not account for all comic shops and online sales.

The industry is so bad right now a lot of smaller press companies are dying off or reforming as webcomic designers, but DE's PS is still successfull. Most non Marvel/DC titles fall down the charts after their debut issue, I'm sure same will happen to Terror, DDD and PS v2, but that does not mean they are not successfull titles :)



Never mind killing off the characters...we need to buy more of Series 2...here are the sales figures for books 1 thru 7:

First number is the books standing in the top 300, last numbers are actual sales ....50% drop from book 1 by the time we reach book 7.

29 Project Superpowers 1 $3.50 Dynamic 53,721
51 Project Superpowers 2 $2.99 Dynamic 41,614
59 Project Superpowers 3 $2.99 Dynamic 36,873
63 Project Superpowers 4 $2.99 Dynamic 33,111
78 Project Superpowers 5 $2.99 Dynamic 30,549
83 Project Superpowers 6 $2.99 Dynamic 29,145
101 Project Superpowers 7 $2.99 Dynamic 27,323


83 PS Vol. 2 Supremacy 0 $1.00 Dynamic 30,700

Ranger01

[comixfan1980]

I've been so glad that so many have returned...
the last thing I've given much thought to...
is which ones we should start doing away with. :eek:

I'm still trying to get Alex and Jim to put Blue Beetle - Samson- The Flame- and V-Man on a BIG 4 team... together.!!

Too early for me to think about anyone "biting the dust"!! ...or even "nibbling at the dust"!

I'm still smiling that so many have returned!! :D

How I should of really worded the title of this thread was "Which 3 characters would you ditch or not have brought back of need be". Or "which 3 characters could you live without."

[MadMikeyD]

I also think it's way too soon to think about killing or eliminating characters. We do already have two 'dead' characters (Dynamic Boy and Fighting Yank). But to eliminate characters already would really have no impact since most have had little or no real development yet. We can't get rid of any of the stars at this point (Black Terror, 'Devil, Green Lama, Dynamic Man), and who else has general readership really become attached to? Most people who have attachments to other characters right now have them because they are fans of the original material. The general readership are discovering these guys for the first time, so they don't have that connection. When Superman 'died,' there was a connection. When Captain America died, there was a connection. Even people who didn't read those series had that connection. When the Ted Kord Blue Beetle died, the connection was smaller, but the regular readers at least still had it. If The Face gets killed in Vol. 2, who (other than Glen and the GA fans) has that connection? Not even the people who have every Superpowers book to date have that, because we've had no time to get to know him. I've always thought a character's death (permanent or not) should have a big impact on both the story and the reader (Superman, Captain America, Ted Kord, Gwen Stacy, Kraven). We can't achieve that effect at this point.

[captainzero]

I also think it's way too soon to think about killing or eliminating characters. We do already have two 'dead' characters (Dynamic Boy and Fighting Yank). But to eliminate characters already would really have no impact since most have had little or no real development yet. We can't get rid of any of the stars at this point (Black Terror, 'Devil, Green Lama, Dynamic Man), and who else has general readership really become attached to? Most people who have attachments to other characters right now have them because they are fans of the original material. The general readership are discovering these guys for the first time, so they don't have that connection. When Superman 'died,' there was a connection. When Captain America died, there was a connection. Even people who didn't read those series had that connection. When the Ted Kord Blue Beetle died, the connection was smaller, but the regular readers at least still had it. If The Face gets killed in Vol. 2, who (other than Glen and the GA fans) has that connection? Not even the people who have every Superpowers book to date have that, because we've had no time to get to know him. I've always thought a character's death (permanent or not) should have a big impact on both the story and the reader (Superman, Captain America, Ted Cord, Gwen Stacy, Kraven). We can't achieve that effect at this point.

Yes, I agree.
Only when there is that "connection" between fan and character.... does the "death" have ANY real effect... or meaning. A "meaningless" death... is pointless.
Another side to this is,.... Alex, Jim, Nick, ... and whoever... really hasn't had the chance to develop any of these characters in any depth yet.

Many of us may be surprised at the "development" of some hero that we didn't even suspect could be developed in a certain positive way.

There could be a good number of "diamonds in the rough" with this cast of characters... that might surprise ALL OF US.!!

For me,.... this is part of the excitement of bringing so many of these characters back... the POSSIBILITIES ..... that are there.
(Staggering :p !!)Staggering... and mind-boggling!!

But let me get a bit hard-edged in the next post:

[captainzero]

Never mind killing off the characters...we need to buy more of Series 2...here are the sales figures for books 1 thru 7:

First number is the books standing in the top 300, last numbers are actual sales ....50% drop from book 1 by the time we reach book 7.

29 Project Superpowers 1 $3.50 Dynamic 53,721
51 Project Superpowers 2 $2.99 Dynamic 41,614
59 Project Superpowers 3 $2.99 Dynamic 36,873
63 Project Superpowers 4 $2.99 Dynamic 33,111
78 Project Superpowers 5 $2.99 Dynamic 30,549
83 Project Superpowers 6 $2.99 Dynamic 29,145
101 Project Superpowers 7 $2.99 Dynamic 27,323


83 PS Vol. 2 Supremacy 0 $1.00 Dynamic 30,700

Ranger01


... this is what "troubles" me. A 50% drop from book 1.... to book 7.

A continuous fall in numbers and standing from the first book... to the last...#7.

To me, .... it means that there were a lot of fans that were ready to give Project SuperPowers at look...but as each book came out... readers were lost.
The trend was in one direction. Down.

In comics... it's pretty easy to pin down the problems... under the banners of: Art ... or Story.
Characters had little to do with this.(I think. Only my opinion, here, of course.)

I had criticized both. The art seemed a bit too mirky...muddy... I don't know how to find the right words for it... but to say,... just not "well-definded" enough ... for the return of the Golden Age heroes.

To me, a more "simplified" approach would have made more sense... a "clear"... almost uncomplicated approach to the art would have made far more sense to me.

But, to me, again,... it was the story --- in tandem with the "mirky art"--- that was not as successful as it should have been.
I struggle with trying to pinpoint exactly what in the story it was... but I knew the story was failing.
Some of you jump to defend both art and story. OK, fine. But the book may have lost 1 out of every 2 readers that were first interested in it.

I'm "bummed out" by these numbers. Far too many readers WANTED P:SP to be part of their reading line-up.... and the "hook" wasn't planted in them... either in the story-telling... or in the ART... that would bring them back for more.

I'm "hardcore" for hoping Superpowers succeeds... but I'm really disappointed in that story...in the art... and in the numbers.

Alex Ross' contributions on the covers... the character sketches... the numberous Golden Age heroes... the possibilities of what this line can offer...and a bunch of other things keeps me "on board" this "Project."

I only encourage Nick, DE and the boys... to continue to try and tell the best stories possible... and give us the most exciting comic book art they can find.

I think they should have their titles in the upper 50's in the standings....good things can still happen. ;)

[comixfan1980]

If some of the people here are dissapointed in the art and story then why are you still reading? In hopes of it getting better in your eyes? So of the first few issues of volume 2 are below expectations how long are you going to invest your hard earned money into something you are not enjoying, just because the characters are cool or because you like GA characters? Some people complain and complain and complain yet every month they make the purchase.

Drops in sales are always happening to non Marvel/DC titles, and instead of looking at a drop in sales howabout looking at the fact that comic sales are in the crapper and DE managed to crack the top 10 which is huge for a NEW company.

Bottom line is this, if I find a books art to suck and the story lacking I wouldn't keep up on it, what would be the point? If people continue to plunk down the cash for these books knowing they are dissapointing to them then those people have NO right to complain and need to find a new line of comics to read that is up to their all mighty par...

[comixfan1980]

I too believe that a death is more epic and important when the character has a connection with the reader, my question was just a silly "what if" kinda question...

[MadMikeyD]

Bottom line is this, if I find a books art to suck and the story lacking I wouldn't keep up on it, what would be the point? If people continue to plunk down the cash for these books knowing they are dissapointing to them then those people have NO right to complain and need to find a new line of comics to read that is up to their all mighty par...

I disagree here. I think the people who continue to support the book have every right to complain, and people who drop a book after 2 or 3 issues (or who only flip through it on the shelf) are the ones with NO right to complain. I don't mean blindly say, "this sucks." That is what the 2 or 3 issue people say. I mean say things like "the art is a little muddy, and I think an inker would help solve that." These are more constructive criticisms, and if you quit reading a book then you are no longer qualified to give that. Those who stick it out have something invested.

Take Lone Ranger for example. It also lost alot of readers after the first 2 or 3 issues. Those people that dropped the book after #2 or #3 continue to complain about it and tell all who will listen how much they hate the series. Their big complaints - the 'vulture scene,' LR taking a swig of whiskey, and LR knocking out Tonto. All those scenes were over 2 years ago (and before he officially became the Lone Ranger) and the series has grown a lot since then. Those complaints have nothing to do with the series currently, so why still complain? However, if those of us still reading want to complain about, say, the mostly silent story-telling style or something currently going on in the book, why shouldn't we? We pay our money and support the character we love, so we have a right to be heard if we think something is askew or needs improvement.

Marvel and DC also have good examples, as people continue to buy the books with their favorite characters, be they Spider-Man, Superman, or whoever, yet go on message boards and air their gripes about this story or that art. I haven't read Spider-Man in 15 years, so what right do I have to complain about "One More Day"/"Brand New Day?"

[captainzero]

Thanks for that, Mikey. Of course, I agree with you.

I 'love" Project: SuperPowers.

[Simon Bowland]

It's fairly common for monthly books to lose sales month on month, and the sales figures people quote around here are never accurate anyway - for starters they don't include sales outside of North America. 30k is very, very good going for a non-Marvel/DC title, and in fact is higher than some of the monthly Marvel and DC books, and I'm sure the trades will pull in healthy numbers too. For example, the recently released third volume of The Boys was number 3 in the sales charts.

[comixfan1980]

If you know it's dissapointing and yet you still buy it then you have no grounds to make a complaint, period. If I don't like the food in a restraunt but yet I keep going back only because I loved the restersunt that was there 40 years ago that makes me an idiot. Same goes with comics...

[Ghornet2]

My big problem is with people who say "this sucks" with out giving a real reason. Unless the powers that be know what the problems are how can they fix them? We seemed to have moved from open ended complaints to constructive criticism. A good move as far as I'm concerned.

With Project Superpowers there was a problem with the writing, I don't think it was bad but suffered from too many characters to little space. Basically they tried to quickly introduce to many characters to quickly. That means only a few got any real face time.

The art was okay. Not great but as a couple of people recently pointed out it was probably an attempt at a certain style that didn't quite work. It would look sharper if they added an inker. How quick they fix "the problem" depends on if they see it as a problem and how far in advance they are working. Personally I have no real problem with the art but from the posts a lot of people do. That means it should at least be looked at.

[comixfan1980]

I have to challenge this a little more. The people who continue to buy EVEN though they are not happy with the art or story baffle me, mainly because I would never dump cash into a series that dissapoints me just because I used to love a certain character. The people that buy a few issues and then drop the title DO have the right to complain because it bothered them SO MUCH that they stopped buying it, the people who continue to buy and continue to complain need to stop buying it. It's like a kid who is warned by their parents to keep the noise down or risk a spanking and now they KNOW what they are IN FOR yet they continue to be loud and recieve the spanking and then complain about it afterward as of they didn't know what was going to happen.

Bottom line is that if I buy a book with what I think has crappy art and story I stop buying it. BAM, simple ;)


I disagree here. I think the people who continue to support the book have every right to complain, and people who drop a book after 2 or 3 issues (or who only flip through it on the shelf) are the ones with NO right to complain. I don't mean blindly say, "this sucks." That is what the 2 or 3 issue people say. I mean say things like "the art is a little muddy, and I think an inker would help solve that." These are more constructive criticisms, and if you quit reading a book then you are no longer qualified to give that. Those who stick it out have something invested.

Take Lone Ranger for example. It also lost alot of readers after the first 2 or 3 issues. Those people that dropped the book after #2 or #3 continue to complain about it and tell all who will listen how much they hate the series. Their big complaints - the 'vulture scene,' LR taking a swig of whiskey, and LR knocking out Tonto. All those scenes were over 2 years ago (and before he officially became the Lone Ranger) and the series has grown a lot since then. Those complaints have nothing to do with the series currently, so why still complain? However, if those of us still reading want to complain about, say, the mostly silent story-telling style or something currently going on in the book, why shouldn't we? We pay our money and support the character we love, so we have a right to be heard if we think something is askew or needs improvement.

Marvel and DC also have good examples, as people continue to buy the books with their favorite characters, be they Spider-Man, Superman, or whoever, yet go on message boards and air their gripes about this story or that art. I haven't read Spider-Man in 15 years, so what right do I have to complain about "One More Day"/"Brand New Day?"