While we may read about declining readership in the comics community, Marvel and DC have a sales strategy that almost guarantees big numbers: introduce new characters. Next month, Marvel is set to debut more new faces, thus insuring a sellout for its newest title.
That's why Powers of X #1 should be on your pull list.
Marvel has initiated a major ad campaign to hype the revamped X-Men, masterminded by famed writer Jonathon Hickman. For months, the company has promoted his arrival on the title with news releases and ads trying to get us excited for his take on the classic team. Of course, it wasn't long ago that Marvel tried to get readers hyped for X-Men Blue, Gold, Red, Black, Neon, Aquamarine, and Plaid, then scratched that concept and went back to Uncanny X-Men with much fanfare.
Here we are with yet another fresh start (as I type that, I hear Will Ferrell's voice from The Other Guys), and I'm reminded that the only memorable part of all four of those titles was the recalled X-Men Gold #1. That speaks volume for how flat the X-titles have fallen in recent years. This is exactly why Marvel has Hickman churning out the new characters in the first issue of Powers of X.
There's no denying that the strategy works. Whenever Marvel or DC debuts a new character, as speculators, we buy up those issues in droves. The comic sells out across the country and goes to second printings, and we buy those, too. Look at 2017's Thanos #13. That issue gave us Cosmic Ghost Rider (who wasn't so much a new character as a mash-up of two older characters that turned out being closer to Deadpool than either Ghost Rider or the Punisher), and it eventually spawned a total of five printings.
Last year, DC and Marvel implored this strategy to great results. In December, we were introduced to the Grim Knight in the Batman Who Laughs #1. Before that, Marvel banked on a sellout in Dan Slott's farewell to Spider-Man by teasing the Red Goblin before debuting him in Amazing Spider-Man #798. Let's not forget about the Immortal Hulk #2, which gave us Dr. Frye and his son, Dell. I can't ignore Knull, God of the Symbiotes, who made his first full appearance in Venom #3.
This year, DC and Marvel are pouring on the new characters just as heavily as before, and it's working like the proverbial charm. Brian Michael Bendis' Naomi #1 and Rob Liefeld's Major X #1 have been among the hottest new comics on the market for weeks. Keep in mind that many fans criticize both Bendis and Liefeld (especially Liefeld), yet when they introduce new characters, those same critics buy their issues. Although not a Bendis or Liefeld creation, the debut of the One Below All in Immortal Hulk #12 has been nearly as hot as the aforementioned comics.
Not only do the initial sales for these first appearances skyrocket, but their values on the secondary markets excel as well. It make sense; the first print sells out virtually everywhere, collectors who missed the first boat want a piece of the action, and those graded 9.8s spike. That's exactly what's going to happen with Powers of X #1, and that's why you should be first in line to get your copy before the inevitable price inflation takes effect.
Want more on the market for all these debut characters? Don't fret; I'll follow up with a breakdown on the state of affairs of the new kids on the comic block, so stay tuned.
