Gotham Adventures In Trouble?

[James Harvey]

I'm sure many of you know that the DC Comic Impulse is being cancelled with issue #89. Now - why does this have me a bit worried? Well, Impulse sells about 12,800 copies a month (just under Azrael - also speculated to be on the chopping block). How much does Gotham Adventures sell? Just under 12,000 copies a month. I think the rumors I've been hearing of Gotham Adventures being in trouble may be correct afterall. This is not good.

Now remember, there has been no confirmation at all that Gotham Adventures will be cancelled or that DC is even considering it. It's just that the cancellation of Impulse has me a bit worried...

[Brian Cruz]

Those numbers can be deceiving because Impulse was a direct sales-only comic (meaning it could only be found in comic shops), while Gotham Adventures actually gets some newsstand distribution (mainly select book stores)

[James Harvey]

Yeah - but I still think in the back of my mind that it's not that large of an influence. I rarely see the magaizines on racks around here, which has me a bit worried. The only good thing, though, is that the death of Azrael may be closer than I hoped. :)

[peterparker05]

I think they should jumpstart Gotham Adventures by doing by getting rid of Peterson and the splash pages. He could be replaced by Devin Grayson, writer of Batman: Gotham Knights. She seems to have a fondness for the animated universe and I believe she would handle the books well. She could start her run with several issues that spotlight each of the main Batman characters and villains.

I think this revitalization would kick up sales for Gotham Adventures.

[James Harvey]

I agree. Devin Grayson's six month run on X-Men: Evolution ends in May (I think) and that would be the ideal time for a new team to come on. by Batman: Gotham Adventures #51. I am seriously considering, more and more, dropping this title. It really needs a rejuvenation. I hate saying this, but we need a new artist on board. Cameron Stewart would be awesome or Brad Radar. Make the change complete. Bring back Comicraft on the title, too.

[The Electric Knight]

If there isn't going to be a change in the creative team, then I think I'd rather see it get cancelled now then continue the way it's going. And this is coming from someone who used to hold this as their favourite book.

Yknow, I kinda feel bad a lot with how I always say how bad it is, I mean, Levins and Peterson are trying (well, sometimes I think Peterson isn't...)...it's just that...it's gotten so bad. I can't even read the ones I own which are by Peterson and Levins now. The splash pages just make my eyes go sour. The stories make me wish I never bothered.

In his whole run, I think Peterson has only had two so-so issues, these being 24 and 40 (40 wasn't even that great, but I loved the idea, it had potential...). He uses exactly the same formula for every issue and I can't believe that they haven't gotten someone new by now, noticing how the sales have dropped.

Has anyone noticed that because of the splash pages, Peterson has to always make his stories "catch up"? He always has a cut to a different scene which always begins with someone, usually Robin or Batgirl, saying "So...(then say about what's happened)" and this annoys me so much. This can be an okay technique but only if used sparingly, and creatively. Peterson uses it every issue so that a slight story can even exist between the 22 pages.

And I remember someone mentioning the way people say "um" etc... I can't stand that either.

All the stories also go from fight scene to regrouping in the batcave...all the time. Where they all just sit there and discuss everything :rolleyes:

While I'm at it I may as well say it here, even though it's a different thread, I don't consider any of Peterson's stories as part of continuity. Back in the Templeton days the stories were so damn good, some of them would be ten times better than episodes of the cartoon. These I consider to be part of continuity, as well as all the other B&RA and BA issues that I've read..

I agree, Devin Grayson would be superb. A relaunch of this title would be great. Heck, start from #1 again even. Get Stewart or Rader or Vokes or anyone, as long as they stick to Timm's style and what the cartoon looks like and don't turn it into a disney-fest.

But if they aren't going to do anything to reachieve what was, then I say cancel it now. Finish it with 50.

TEK

PS - I love Comicraft lettering too - would be so good to see it back!

[TimTwoFace]

I'm still never going to drop the title, simply because it's in the animated universe.

I do agree that we need a new writer. I'm not as harsh as some of you are of Peterson's writing, but we can definately find someone better. Heck, I'd love to try an issue or two (as I love to write!!!) - you hear that, DC??? :-)

The art is fine, I know Tim Levins doesn't match the animated style PERFECTLY, but hey, it's still great stuff. The SUPERMAN ADVENTURES people were kinda off - by...well...A LOT.

I hope this title doesn't get cancelled. I feel lucky that it's stuck around while BATMAN BEYOND (blech) and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES (meh) have been cancelled. Please don't get rid of it, DC (if you're listening) - just shake up the creative teams a bit. Look at how successful it was with the mainstream titles!

Hey, ya think Greg Rucka would write for BGA? He's going to have a lot of extra time soon.

-Tim

[Trent Lane]

After reading the stuff Devin Grayson has done with X-Men: Evolution the past few months, and also due to the fact that B:TAS is what got her into writing comics anyway, I'd say she's the perfect pick for this title. Pair her up with a rotating art team and BAM! you've got a book worth reading and looking at again. And if what you say is true, Jim, I wonder if she would consider giving it a shot... :confused:

[James Harvey]

I think Grayson could totally do it. She stated along time ago that B:TAS is what got her interested in Batman in the first place. If B:TAS is this influencial on her, then I'd like to see what she'd come up with. And maybe a roundtable or artists would be a good idea, just until we can peg a real good one.

[peterparker05]

JH, I know you've got a lot of connections and I was wondering if there was anyone you could voice these concerns to. I'm just curious.

[Samhaine]

Originally posted by Jim Harvey
I hate saying this, but we need a new artist on board. Cameron Stewart would be awesome or Brad Radar. Make the change complete. Bring back Comicraft on the title, too.
John Delany would be a great pick as well. Some of his pieces for the sketch poll over on the Comics board have been just amazing, and I think he could help kickstart this title (along with a new writer, natch) to become really good again. Maybe the current editor can beg and plead Ty (as he left due to editorial interference or somesuch, and there is a new editor since then) to come back full time again.

[DisneyBoy]

This is what I've been fearing for the past two years...

The Peterson/Levins has more than run it's course and unless someone does something this title will be run into the ground. Jim, Mods, you guys are usually the best people to organize polls or voice our concerns to the rest of the internet and perhaps even to DC. If we don't act now, it could quickly be too late. I don't want to see the title cancelled! Let's do something about this! TODAY!

[James Harvey]

I'm not saying it is cancelled, I'm just saying that it's more of a possiblity. As for voicing you concerns, the best thing to do would be to both email and snail mail the Bat offices. Do both. Handwritten letters are seen in a higher regard that simple emails. The title is safe for now, but it's hard to tell for how long. Mail them and and tell them you don't want this title cancelled.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Originally posted by Jim Harvey
I'm not saying it is cancelled, I'm just saying that it's more of a possiblity. As for voicing you concerns, the best thing to do would be to both email and snail mail the Bat offices. Do both. Handwritten letters are seen in a higher regard that simple emails. The title is safe for now, but it's hard to tell for how long. Mail them and and tell them you don't want this title cancelled.

I' m begining not to like WB anymore, I think I'll stick with Disney. Sure they take their movies out and keep them of sale for 10 years, but they don't make promises they cannot keep.

[James Harvey]

DC Comics (not WB) made no promises to keep this title printed forever. It's the nature of the comic beast. When sales slip, the title goes.