The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is the Best Selling Comic of the Past Ten Years

Diamond Comics Distributors released the sales figures for comics in the United States for May. The figures show that The Amazing Spider-Man #1, the issue that relaunches the classic title of Spider-Man, is the most sold issue in the country in the last ten years, both in product sold and in sales earned.

The Amazing Spider-Man # 1 cost US$ 5.99.

Initial orders were for 500 thousand copies, but the final quantity exceeded 600 thousand copies. The publisher took advantage of the opportunity to promote The Inhumans, reprinting the first issue of the new monthly series featuring the team.

The main story marks the return of Peter Parker as the arachnid hero after more than a year, the period in which the villain, Dr. Octopus, took on the identity of Spider-Man, better known as Superior Spider-Man.

With this, Marvel was the leader of the market with 41.15% of the moving value of the industry and 39.27% of all the copies sold were from Marvel. DC Comics was in second place with 27.24% and 23.65%, respectively. Image Comics follows, with 10.31% and 9.34%, then Dark Horse with 5.18% and 5.54%; IDW Publishing with 4.24% and 5.10%; and Dynamite Entertainment with 2.47% and 2.49 %.

This helps propel the growth of the North American comic book industry after repeated months it was stuck in stagnation.

In comparison with the month of March, 12.9% of magazines were sold, with a better taking of 18.27%. The growth maintains itself compared to April 2013 (7.32% and 17.18%) and shows a drop in this same period from last year, selling 5.61% less, principally due to the weak performance in the first months of 2014.

See below the ten best selling comics of April.

Position	Title	Publisher
1	The Amazing Spider-Man # 1	Marvel
2	Superior Spider-Man # 31	Marvel
3	Batman # 30	DC
4	Batman Eternal # 1	DC
5	Justice League # 29	DC
6	Batman Eternal # 2	DC
7	Hulk # 1	Marvel
8	Original Sin # 0	Marvel
9	Batman Eternal # 3	DC
10	Batman Eternal # 4	DC

Below, the best selling list for collections and graphic novels, where Image Comics dominates.

Position	Title	Publisher
1	Sex Criminals – Volume 1	Image
2	Saga – Volume 3	Image
3	East of West – Volume 2 – We are all one	Image
4	Saga – Volume 1	Image
5	Amazing Spider-Man – Family Business	Marvel
6	Guardians of the Galaxy – Volume 1 – Cosmic Avengers	Marvel
7	Batman – Death of the Family	DC
8	Saga – Volume 2	Image
9	Pretty Deadly – Volume 1	Image
10	The Walking Dead – Volume 1 – Days Gone Bye	Image

(Original Article: The Amazing Spider-Man # 1 é a revista de herói mais vendida dos últimos dez anos, written by Samir Naliato on May, 12, 2014. Reprinted and translated with permission by UniversoHQ) 

 In comparison, DC Comic's Justice League #1 sold 360 thousand copies in 2011 and President Barack Obama's appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #583 sold 530,500 copies in 2009. Sales rarely break 200,000 copies, nowadays.

Marvel also included a free digital download code in the issue, as it is prone to do with its more pricier comics. The sales figures only represent Diamond Comics Distributors and do not account for digital sales. Issue two hits the stands this Wednesday.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Promises Big Changes- Red Herring or More Death Ahead?

A new poster from The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro was revealed, to be displayed at IMAX capable cinemas, and the image pays homage to the famous cover from the “Death of Gwen Stacy” story.

Rumors about the death of the character [in the movie universe] have been floating around for some time now, mostly because the story line is one of the most impacting for the hero in the comics. Mary Jane Watson was going to appear in the story, but her appearance was postponed for the third movie in the series.

The poster says “Secrets have a cost. The truth does too” and promises a turning point in the life of Spider-Man. See the comparison below between the movie poster and the original cover of The Amazing Spider-Man # 121, from 1973. 

Also: watch the TV spot promising that “Everything changes.” 

 

(Original Article: Novo pôster do filme do Homem-Aranha lembra morte de Gwen Stacy, written by Samir Naliato on April 10, 2014. Republished and translated with permission by Universo HQ)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is directed by Mark Webb. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return to play Spider-Man and girlfriend Gwen Stacy, respectively. Newcomers to the series include Jamie Foxx as electric villain, Electro. Dane DeHaan as Peter’s childhood friend Harry Osborn. Both characters (a pre-mutated Max Dillon(Electro)) are present in the film poster. Chris Cooper will portray Osborn’s father, the industrialist Norman Osborn. The Rhino, Felicia Hardy (Black Cat),


At the end of last year, Sony Pictures announced two spin off movies featuring Venom and the the Sinister Six. Sinister Six, with Drew Goddard (Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) directing, is said to be a “redemption story” of Spider-Man’s greatest foes. Spider-Man Andrew Garfield is contracted for three movies. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is out in theaters May 2^nd. 

Indian Comic Con Showcases a World of Talent

India held their own Comic Con in New Delhi this weekend at Thyageraj Stadium. It is the fourth convention of its kind for the country. 

Guests include Mark Waid( Kingdom Come, 52,Irredeemable,Daredevil ), David Lloyd(Illustrator, V for Vendetta), John Layman(Image Comic’s Chew, Gambit, Detective Comics), Brazilian twins Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba( Collectively: Daytripper, Casanova, The Umbrella Academy) , and Indian creator Pran(Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu). Comixology also visited to give a talk “Digital Comics & It’s Scope”. The Comic Con had a lot to do:Screenings Sherlock and Supernatural, PS4 game station, Peanuts Museum, “Learn to write comics”, grass root comic campaigns, and “A chance to visit New York”. The 4th annual Indian Comic Con connects the international community with India's rich comic book culture. 

A staple of Indian childhood since the 60s: Amar Chitra Katha comics created by Uncle Anant Pai, educates children in multiple languages about a variety of Indian folklore, mythology, biographies  and history. Their online store offers international shipping.

Pran, present at the Con, has been called the “Walt Disney of India” . He has created many diverse characters and his flagship property: the mustached super genius Chacha Chaudhary, has 600 animated  episodes under his belt. Learn more about the characters and the creator here.

Chacha Chaudhary, created by Pran

Spider-Man:India, published Gotham Entertainment Group was a 4 issue Indian adaptation of Spider-Man. Released in 2004(2005 Stateside), it was created by Suresh Seetharaman,Jeevan Kang, and Sharad Devarajan. In the story, Pavitr Prabhakar lives with his Auntie Maya and Uncle Bhim, he crushes on Meera Jain. Nalin Oberoi(Green Goblin) and Doctor Octopus(with magic tentacles) threaten the young wall crawler.

Marvel/ Gotham Entertainment Group

Marvel Global Comics released their app this week, featuring multiple titles in Hindi. Viz Media is heavily pushing Manga in India. With multiple Indian publishers accepting and embracing Digital Media, their future is as bright as ever.