Sales Review: November 2017

With the New Year celebrations behind us, it is time for me to pick up all the news I haven't been able to cover in a timely fashion.

The sales numbers for November came out nearly a month ago and the news for Supergirl continues to flourish. In fact, it amazes me how much better her book has been selling in the last several months, a sharp uptick. Between Artgerm variants, Robson Rocha on art, and a new, better defined path for the book, things are looking up.

To view all the sales numbers, head to ICv2, here:
https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/39180/top-300-comics-november-2017

Supergirl #15 continued the arc of Supergirl on the run from the DEO. I love how the cover is basically a propaganda poster for the DEO, painting Supergirl as a scary figure that needs to be reported. It is such an interesting take on 'Dark Supergirl' give we saw so many 'angry Kara' covers in past incarnations.

So how did it sell?

Review: Supergirl #15

Supergirl #15 came out this week and was a very entertaining issue defining the new landscape of this book. Over the first year of this book we have seen this Supergirl rise to be the inspirational hero of National City. Now we have seen everything turn; now she is Public Enemy #1. And with the 'regular life' of a teenage girl pulling her in different directions, Kara is probably at her most vulnerable.

Writers Steve Orlando and Jody Houser ramp up the multiple threats that are circling Kara in both her identities. From the DEO to new school rival Belinda to her own uncertainty of what to do, Kara is stressed and rightfully so. And yet, unlike more recent incarnations, instead of lashing out against Earth, this Kara continues to try to rise above, continues to try to help. That thrills me. I have had enough of Dark Supergirl.

You may recall that I complained a bit about this cover when it was shown in the solicits. I complained about 'Dark Supergirl' there. Now I realize the genius of this cover. This is the propaganda poster the DEO is probably circulating, the graphic used on the local news. This isn't Supergirl; this is people vilifying her.

The art on the issue is by the current team of Robson Rocha. As this is a sort of 'day in the life' of Kara Danvers issue, there are a lot of quiet scenes. But the team flourishes with solid expressive work and by turning up the volume for the action scenes.

On to the book.

November 2017 Solicits

The DC Comics solicits for November came out this week and included some interesting entries. I have to admit, some of them worry me, some of them intrigue me, some of them turned me off. Here is a link to all the month's solicits on Newsarama: https://www.newsarama.com/36035-dc-comics-november-2017-solicitations.html

To start off, there is no mention of Supergirl in Gotham City Garage. And the cover doesn't grab me at all. So my time on that title might be brief. Second, there are a few new books, like Demon, that might be impulse buys. There is one new title I will definitely be grabbing (shown at the bottom). Lastly, there are no *FINAL ISSUE* notices for any of the super-books and that makes me happy.

On to the actual super-solicits.

SUPERGIRL #15
Written by STEVE ORLANDO and JODY HOUSER
Art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
“PLAIN SIGHT part one!” This public service announcement is brought to you by the Department of Extranormal Operations! You saw how Supergirl hid a murderer underneath National City right before our eyes. What other dangerous secrets is she hiding? She is not human, and therefore, she cannot be trusted. D.E.O. agents will be stationed at every school to ensure their safety! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Check out that cover! Okay, I have a lot of faith in this title and the approach that Steve Orlando has brought to Kara, giving us a bright, optimistic Supergirl who is trying to bring hope, help, and compassion for all. And I doubt Jody Houser was brought in to give us something grim.

But that cover and that solicit read a little like what could be the beginning of another 'Dark Kara' arc. And, as I have said since the inception of this blog, Dark Kara never works.

Maybe this is how 'overpowered' Kara looks and the villains are turning people against her?

And now the rest of the books: