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John,

I was just looking at the January Sales from Miller's new column (http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/c ... op300.html) and saw something really interesting related to our e-mail conversation a couple of months ago.

The first issue of the new Wildstorm "event" (Wildstorm Revelations) sold less than the latest issues of Midnighter and Gen 13, with estimated sales of 11,691. That is really bad for an event book. To put this in perspective reorder activity for Fallen Son Death of Captain America Iron Man had higher sales at 11,840. This does not bode well for WS's publishing plan for 2008 and beyond.

I honestly think the only way WS could succeed in today's market is to get high profile creators on their books. You can't maintain a line at the current sales level that they are at.

The problems at Wildstorm go beyond just needing to get high profile creators on the titles.

Wildstorm is a prime example of the churn I was talking about last month in my article on CBR. The titles simply aren't keeping readers. Further, each round in the "skeet shooting" publishing model seems to be starting out lower and lower. Each round of quasi-reboots/re-tooling or re-positioning acts to reinforce the idea with the potential readers that Wildstorm is currently fumbling around in the dark with no clear direction.

What Wildstorm needs isn't high profile creators (althought that certainly would help) but for someone like Jim Lee to step back into the role of creative visionary for the line and for dependable creators to consistently pump out entertaining issues each and every month. Issues that build on one another while remaining accessible to new readers and that rebuild the Wildstorm universe.

The core problem is that over the past few years the value of the Wildstorm brand has been diminished and until readers have reason to think that Wildstorm books are worth picking up and reading, sales on that line aren't going to be spectacular.

John,

I agree with everything you said. When I meant high profile creators, I didn't mean for an issue or two, but a creator with a long-term vision and who will commit to the books for a long-term period. The high profile will get others to try the books besides the very small following they have today.

I think of the phase that I believe Mike Carlin came up with related to properties. When a property fails, it becomes "radioactive" for a few years before you can try to relaunch the book. I believe this is an idea that WS needs to think about.

As a long-time reader of WS books, I have not picked up a WS book since October. I am tired of the endless reboots and no clear direction for the books. I decided to up Clandestine by Alan Davis than the current WS mini.

Yeah, I've heard Mike Carlin use the "radioactive" term a couple of times. I think he is completely on target with it. There comes a point where you need to let some time pass and let people sort of forget about the previous series or take on the character before trying to revitalize the property.

But, I think that looking at the long term of the Wildstorm universe for a moment, getting high profile creators on the Wildstorm properties could backfire on them. They need to build on the strength of the properties, not just the current sales. Sure, getting some big name might boost the sales right now, although even that isn't a sure thing.

But what happens when those creators leave in 6 months, 12 months, 24 months?

Will the high profile creators have rebuilt the Wildstorm universe enough for it to survive beyond their run? Maybe. Maybe not. And even if they do, how likely it is that the next creative team will continue in that direction versus retooling the title to suit them.

I completely agree that they need a long-term vision and creators that will commit to the titles and to that vision for the long-term. But I think that the vision has to come from Jim Lee and that it needs to slowly build in the existing titles versus come as a result of some major "event" series.

Wildstorm should focus on the core properties of WildCATs, Authority, StormWatch and possibly Gen 13. Each title needs a unique purpose and feel and the Wildstorm universe as a whole needs a sense of coherence and stability.

Unforunately I really don't see that happening. While I'm curious about the upcoming DC/Wildstorm crossover series, I don't think it will be good for the Wildstorm universe in the short term or long term.

John,

I agree that it has to come from Jim Lee to make WS the unique line that it used to be.

Your point out the downside of getting a high profile creator on the book is not knowing what to do when that creator leaves the book. I think the Superman/Batman book is a perfect example what happens when the publisher does not know how to follow up the book after the high profile creators leave the book. That book was hugely successful and then it went down the toilet both from a creative and sales perspective.

I honestly think the best thing for them to do is focus on one title and get that to succeed and than SLOWLY relaunch the other core titles. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen.

As for the DC/WS crossover, I don't think that will help the WSU at all. Giffen has mentioned that this has nothing to do with the WS long-term plans in an interview, therefore this sounds like an attempt to make some extra cash.