[We’re pleased to present the monthly sales analysis charts which Paul O’Brien and Mark Oliver Frisch have been compiling for several years now. These charts will be a regular feature here at The Beat.]

JUNE 2006
For the second month running, it’s all about CIVIL WAR, as the crossover continues to sprawl across the Marvel line. There are only two new titles this month, but they’re significant ones - CIVIL WAR: FRONT LINE and ETERNALS.

As usual, Marvel are the number one publisher for the month, although the margin over DC is fairly close - 39.5% to 36.7% in dollar share, and 42.6% to 40.2% in unit share. The bigger story is Marvel and DC’s combined market share, with the top two publishers cornering over 80% over the direct market by unit share. Given that the number three publisher, Dark Horse, could only manage 3.9%, it’s fair to describe the direct market as a duopoly. But then, the direct market isn’t the only show in town any more, and many of the other publishers do their best business elsewhere.

Thanks as always to Milton Griepp and ICV2 for permission to use their figures for these calculations.

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Sporadic and anecdotal reports thus far are that registration is moving smoothly. More as it develops.

More pacting, more branding, MORE GRAPHIC NOVELS!

Fox Atomic, the youth focused entertainment unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, announced today a partnership with leading publisher HarperCollins to publish and distribute branded graphic novels from Fox Atomic Comics. Up to four graphic novels are planned for release in 2007, with content tied to Fox Atomic theatrical releases as well as original content.

The structure of the deal allows all creative direction to come from Fox Atomic Comics, with all publishing rights to graphic novels being handled exclusively by HarperCollins. In addition, HarperCollins will concentrate their marketing efforts on in-store merchandising, while Fox Atomic Comics will extend awareness via online, regional, media and theatrical-based promotions.

“With a focus on high-quality, creative product, we hope to make Fox Atomic Comics a destination for top-tier writers, artists, filmmakers and content creators to develop and publish high-end graphic novels through the brand,� said Peter Rice, President of Fox Atomic. “Our creative strengths coupled with HarperCollins’ publishing expertise will enable us to effectively establish ourselves in the marketplace.�

“Fox Atomic Comics has put together a truly impressive group of creative minds to establish an exciting slate of graphic novels for release in 2007,� said Jane Friedman, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide. “Through this deal, we look forward to expanding our brand in the rapidly growing graphic novel market and within the core demographic of 16 – 34 year old male genre fans.�

Fox Atomic Comics plans on releasing four graphic novels in 2007, based on upcoming theatrical films as well as original content. The first title slated for release is 28 Days Later: The Aftermath (due out Spring 2007), written by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, Wake the Dead, The Creeper) and edited by Jimmy Palmiotti (Publisher/Editor of Event Comics and Marvel Knights), which bridges the gap between the original film and it’s sequel, 28 Weeks Later. Next up will be The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning inspired by Wes Craven’s film The Hills Have Eyes and the upcoming sequel The Hills Have Eyes 2. Due out fall 2007 is The Nightmare Factory, adapted from the anthology series by Thomas Ligotti, which will be a recurring anthology series of one to three separate horror tales per novel. Additional title(s) will be announced shortly.

Kelly Sue started it.
Flickr: The SDCC 2006: San Diego Comic Con International Pool.

Post your own!

While a big announcement on the identity of the director for the long-planned SPIRIT movie had been teased for San Diego, The Hollywood Reporter has let the cat out of the bag: It’s Frank Miller:

More than four decades after Will Eisner created him, “The Spirit” — one of the most influential comics of all time — is coming to the big screen. The movie will be adapted and directed by Frank Miller, who will be on hand for the public announcement of the project Saturday at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Odd Lot Entertainment’s Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker will co-finance and produce “The Spirit.” Also producing is Batfilm Prods.’ Michael Uslan. Batfilm co-founder Benjamin Melniker will executive produce. Odd Lot’s Linda McDonough and Batfilm’s FJ DeSanto will co-produce. Uslan said Miller was the ideal choice for the project. “What makes Frank’s involvement with ‘The Spirit’ particularly poignant was his special relationship with Will Eisner, captured last year in the book ‘Eisner-Miller,’ ” he said. “You have two of the medium’s greatest storytellers of sequential art and cinematic comics discussing the compelling and controversial art form.”

In words of a single syllable: whoa.

Miller, of course, was the co-director his the well-received SIN CITY, based on his graphic novel series. THE SPIRIT has long been in development–Michael Uslan has been connected with it for years and years — and was already the subject of a tv movie in 1987 starring Sam Jones.

“I intend to be extremely faithful to the heart and soul of the material, but it won’t be nostalgic. It will be much scarier than people expect,” Miller told Variety.

Miller said he’s putting together a treatment that consists in large part of panels from the “Spirit” strip. Shooting is expected to start in late spring.

San Diego’s SPIRIT panel will be held Saturday at 2:45 in Hall H.

This local San Diego site requires you to pay $100 to read their online content. Foo that, but from the looks of the free lede, the city is only grudgingingly beginning to accept the Comic-con’s economic impact:

Comic-Con gives city ‘enormous economic shot in the arm’
Event expected to bring in major tax revenue<
To the casual observer, the annual comic book and pop culture extravaganza known as Comic-Con may be little more than an opportunity for grown men with serious Peter Pan complexes to indulge their love of fantasy and penchant for Star Wars costumes. This is, after all, an event that includes discussion panels about television shows and autograph sessions with graphic novelists. But for San Diego, the convention is far more than an oddball attraction; it’s a cash cow in nerd’s clothing.

What’s the matter anyway? Isn’t a nerd’s dollar worth as much as anyone elses?

Variety previews SDCC with a boffo headline:

H’w'd courts nerd herd
Nets hope to capture fan fervor at confab

However, the story goes on to point out for that this year’s show, studios are stressing their TV offerings:

All the major networks have significant plans for the confab, along with cable stalwarts like Sci Fi Channel, USA, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.

“In the last few years, TV’s participation has stepped up a notch,” Comic-Con marketing director David Glanzer said. “There’s a lot more sci-fi and supernatural — ‘genre product’ — on TV right now.”

NBC is planning a push for its superhero skein “Heroes,” while CBS/Paramount will screen its new series “Jericho.”

Sci Fi will tout competition show “Who Wants to Be a Superhero?,” on which it’s collaborating with Stan Lee, as well as breakout hit “Battlestar Galactica.”

feeling a xanax high give does

Today mobile payments ranging from mobile banking to mobile credit cards to mobile commerce are very widely used in Asia and Africa, and in selected European markets.

Allen Spiegel Fine Arts is the booth where you find some of the most amazing artists at the comvention, this year including Thom Ang, August Hall, Dave McKean, Scott Morse, Jon J Muth, Bonnie To Yee de Muth, Greg Ruth and Kent Williams. They’ll have three new books, including the group sketchbook 108 DRAWINGS. Contributors and more in the jump.

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On Monday, Marvel announced the exit of two key execs, sending stock tumbling 3%. According to ICv2:

Marvel Entertainment has announced the departure of two key members of its licensing team, Tim Rothwell, President of Worldwide Consumer Products, and Bruno Maglione, President of Marvel International. Although not nearly on the order of magnitude as the loss of Avi Arad (see “Avi Arad Leaving Marvel”), the departure of Rothwell and Maglione could signal an end to the halcyon days of Marvel licensing.

With the highly successful duo leaving, speculation is rife. ICv2:

Perhaps Marvel’s licensing mavens have just maxxed out the potential of the company’s library of more than 5,000 characters (of which only a handful have demonstrated major licensing potential so far). Maglione was able to raise international licensing revenues as Marvel-based movies raised the worldwide profile of the top Marvel superheroes.

Motley Fool just threw up its hands, perhaps signalling the end of Marvel as a Street darling.

Times are increasingly tough for true believers in Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: MVL). Stockholders saw their shares decline by more than 3% today, on news that two top executives have left the company.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Barely a month after Avi Arad decided to become an independent producer, Tim Rothwell, president of Worldwide Consumer Products, and Bruno Maglione, president of Marvel International, have, according to an internal memo obtained by The Motley Fool, “decided to pursue other opportunities.”

Usually, such codespeak masks a rift between the top brass and departing executives. That may be the case here, but I’m unwilling to speculate. As one of our community members pointed out on our discussion boards, it’s impossible to know the real reasons, and the departures may be exactly what Marvel needs.

Still, the timing stinks. Rothwell and Maglione each get to walk away with a year’s worth of salary and medical benefits and a portion of unpaid bonuses, while Marvel does bullpen-by-committee, spreading the remaining work among seven executives, according to the internal Marvel memo.

Looks, here’s all the stuff we just didn’t have time to write up in its own items. It’s a big sloppy mess:
A woman is auctioning off ad space on her…forehead. How horrid.

Atomic Comics is tooling around San Diego with a van full of cartoonists.

Alex Ross!

Scott Morse

Jen Wang

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If you’re hoping to nab that elusive Chester Brown page, check out the Beguiling’s booth, which is selling original art by many indie superstars:
Looking for original art at Comic-Con in San Diego? The Beguiling Books & Art, Canada’s finest comics and graphic novel retailer will be attending the San Diego Comic Con this week, representing the original art sales of over two dozen of the best art-comix and alternative cartoonists. Operating from the Drawn & Quarterly booth, booth #1529 in Hall C, The Beguiling will have a massive selection of comic art and illustration on-hand from comics luminaries including Seth, Paul Pope, Kevin Huizenga, Chester Brown, Anders Nilsen, Jessica Abel, Jason, David Heatley, Farel Dalrymple, Kim Deitch, Becky Cloonan, and many more!

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Cartoonist Mazen Kerbaj blogs from Beirut.

We’re in sic transit gloria mundi to Comic-con as you read this. Hopefully we’ll be back before the cock’s crow tomorrow with pictures and all that.

Speaking of all that, if all goes well we will be video-blogging from the show, courtesy of DivX and their tech crews. The find folks at DivX are big supporters of blogging, having enabled bloggers to post video material at Sundance and E3. We’re delighted that they’ve chosen to support The Beat in this way, and look forward to seeing what emerges. At worst, the internet will have a record of The Beat singing selections from JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR. At best…well, we dare not think that way, but perhaps it will be The Beat singing the COMPLETE score to JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR.

Bob Fingerman makes a rare San Diego appearance to promote his new book RECESS PIECES. He’ll be appearing at the Dark Horse and Fantag booths.

Good news, too: Dark Horse tells me *some copies of RECESS PIECES will be available at their exhibition area, so come on by and get your copy one month before everyone else! Ill also be handing out RECESS PIECES buttons to anyone who stops by and signing special RECESS PIECES signing cards made exclusively by Dark Horse for the con.

My signing schedule is as follows:

Fantagraphics:
Thursday: 4 to 5
Friday: 12 to 1
Saturday: 5 to 6
Sunday: 12 to 1

Dark Horse:
Thursday: 12 to 1
Sunday: 3 to 4
But if you miss me at any of those, chances are Ill be in the vicinity. Please stop by and say howdy!

Kyle Baker will be set up at San Diego selling cool books of edifying cartoons and bringing glee to to the populace. Schedule below.

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There will be a few dribs and drabs of info here for the next 24 hours or so, but we’ve got all our last minute stuff to do from here on out. We took a quick look at our LJ friends page this morning, and every post, across the nation, from SF to NYC, started out complaining about how hot it was. It is fun watching the effects of global warming unfold in our lifetimes, isn’t it? WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN US, AL GORE!!!

However, setting aside the fate of the planet, the big question today is REGISTRATION.

The CCI: San Diego has a new registration system in place. In theory you register online, get a letter with a barcode, go to the show, get your barcode scanned and get a badge. In theory.

It might all work perfectly well. Honest.

However, every single person we’ve talked to has anxiety about this. The Beat received THREE letters, two for press and one for being a “pro”. All that and we still can’t get into the Attendee section of the website. If anyone can, can you email us a copy of the Programming Grid pdfs? We would give our remaining eye tooth for those.

Tom interviewed David Glanzerabout all the resgistration issues:

SPURGEON: I personally think the con has probably lost tens of thousands of dollars over the year though registrations abuse. Is this a concern that has fueled the changes?

GLANZER: Honestly, no. The reason for online registration is an attempt to provide quicker registration for all of our attendees. Again, this is relatively new for us, but the idea is to have people register in advance which allows us both an opportunity to see the potential flow of attendees during the run of the show, and will also allow attendees to enter all their registration information early, have a bar code printed and then simply scan that barcode at the show. We’re hoping this will dramatically reduce the amount of time people have to wait in registration lines.

It really does sounds so simple doesn’t it? Then why is everyone in such a dither? We’ve heard of phone calls unreturned, some people unregistered after numerous attempts, others denied pro access after 25 years in the biz…of course with 100,000 attendees there cold be a 1% problem rate and that would still be 1000 people.

We do wonder about one thing, however: according to the website, badge pickup is open from 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Wednesday. Now, we don’t know how many people actually go into Preview Night but it is thousands and thousands, and in all honesty, three hours to get everyone who wants to get into Preview Night a badge sounds like just not enough time. We stood in line about an hour last year and the year before we couldn’t even get in until Preview Night was almost over due to various snafus. And we got off lucky, from the other stories we heard.

This could all be needless fretting. It could all be a breeze, a wonderful cooling breeze. Or it could be legendary. Developing.

We’ve been a little slack posting manga info but luckily Mangacast has an awesome round-up of information. You should deifnitley go there for panel schedules and so on. We’re reprinting their list of manga booth numbers for reference.

Broccoli Books (Booth #2229)
Dark Horse (Booth #2615)
DC Comics (Booth #1915)
Del Rey Books (Booth #1228)
Digital Manga (Booth #2649)
Drawn & Quarterly (Booth #1529)
DrMaster (Booth #5319)
Fantagraphics (Booth #1716)
ICE Kunion (Booth #2543)
Kinokuniya (Booth #5475)
Last Gasp (Booth #1614)
Media Blasters (Booth #126)
NETCOMICS (Booth #3851)
Seven Seas (Booth #830)
TOKYOPOP (Booth #3529)
Viz Media (Booth #4013)

TEZUKA! Irresponsible Pictures tips us off to a documentary about Tezuka available on on YouTube — go!

Matt over at Highway 62: San Diego posts a handy list of convention tips and gives us the wisest advice we’re heard yet:

8) What happens in San Diego will soon be all over the Internet. Remember that bit about digital cameras? I wasn’t joking.

52 blogger Douglas Wolk looks at the summer’s graphic novel haul at Salon.

Rob Liefeld makes noise about suing Keith Giffen over the character TAG, just optioned for a film. Millarworlders weigh the evidence.

Remember we told you about the booth to make a beeline for? Well, if you want the real buzz book at the show, we suggest you run over to the Top Shelf booth to get a copy of the legendary Lost Girls. Artist Melinda Gebbie (whose visualization of Alan Moore’s script for the book is has been severely underrated) will be on hand to autograph, and you aren’t likely to see that very often. This book is HOT! HOT! HOT! And also…adults…ONLY. For younger readers: OWLY PLUSH TOY! More details in cut:
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Drawn & Quarterly is always a highlight of the con and this year they have TATSUMI!

D+Q has its largest lineup ever of attending artists including Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Adrian Tomine, Kevin Huzienga, Anders Nilsen, Ron Rege Jr, Sammy Harkham, James Sturm, Dan Zettwoch and Martin Cendreda. We will have specials on most of stock including our new books! Attending from D+Q is Marketing & Publicity Director Peggy Burns, Production Designer Tom Devlin, Studio Coordinator Jamie Quail and Production Coordinator Rebecca Rosen

Signing schedue below:
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Everyone who’s anyone at at the Fantagraphics booth this year. How we wish we could just hang out there and beg for pirate sketches: Tony Millionaire, Los Gros Hernandez, Linda Medley, Ted Stearn, Daniel Clowes…you name it, they will be there. Get there early — new books are sure to sell out! The entire epic line-up in the jump.

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Skribbl at Story Boredom presents a lovely field guide to the types you’ll see at Comic-con, with their habits noted.

Look out for this one near any bathroom entrance or waste recepticle. Instead of waiting to get home to read their latest purchase, they plop themselves down at the highest traffic walkway intersection and begin reading.

The curiously androdgynous Table Toad can be found around the noon hour, eating, reading or sleeping at one of the scarcely available tables near the food court. They haul their morning purchases to the table and set up their base camp leaving only to add relish/mustard/sauerkraut to their eight dollar hot dogs. Trying to communicate with this beast in hopes of sharing the table will only lead to frustration as they only reply in a series of mumbles, raspy breaths, eye rolls and the occasional bodily function. Approach at your own risk.

Oni has a bunch of cool new stuff including…MY NAME IS EARL? Wha–? Also new books by Ray Fawkes and Camerson Stewart, and Ande Parks and Shawn Crystal and announcements from Jim Massy & Robbie Rodriguez, Vasilis Lolos, Marc Guggunheim, B. Clay Moore, James Stokoe.

PLUS…we hear a certain gent named Bryan Lee O’Malley will be making a special last minute guest appearance.

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This could very well be the only thing keeping us sane, although that’s a relative term.

[Thanks, Colleen.]

When you get to the con, we suggest you make a beeline for two places. We’ll mention one of them presently, but the first is Buenaventura Press’s booth where they will be debuting a book that is sure to be the talk of the show, KRAMER’S ERGOT #6, as well as Private Stash, a collection of girlie art by indie stars. Hubba gubba! Also debuting, Todd Hignite’s Comic Art #8. We have some pretty art here. These books are sure to go fast so make sure you get yours while you can. Artists signing include:
-Todd Hignite
-Anders Nilsen
-Johnny Ryan
-Souther Salazar
-Vanessa Davis
-Chris Cilla
-Jason Miles
-Martin Cendreda
-Dan Zettwoch
-Tim Hensley
-Sammy Harkham
-Adrian Tomine
-Dan Clowes
-Ivan Brunetti
-Tony Millionaire
-Xaime Hernandez

More info in jump.
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