PR: MARVEL'S AMAZING APRIL!

[Brian Wilkinson]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/logos/marvellogo.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/logos/marvellogo.gif" align=left width=100 height=78 border=0 alt="Marvel Comics logo"></a>Earlier today, Marvel Comics' Marketing Communications Manager Bill Rosemann issued a press release detailing the publisher's performance in April 2002 as gauged by Diamond Comics Distributors.

According to Rosemann, for the month of April 2002, Marvel scored 8 of the Top 10, 19 of the Top 25, 31 of the Top 50, and exactly half of the Top 100 titles.

"Also, Captain America #1 (the highly-anticipated relaunch by the Marvel Knights' team of writer John Ney Rieber and penciler John Cassaday) made a dynamic debut in the Top 10 at spot #7!" exclaimed Rosemann. "Considering that prior to this, Cap's comic didn't consistently rank in the Top 50, you can see that the patriotic powerhouse is back in a big way!

Marvel also nabbed the #1 debut for a mini-series for the month with X-Factor #1 coming in at slot #20.

April also saw strong Top 100 debuts for: Marvel Mangaverse #1 (spot #21), Spider-Man Movie Adaptation (spot #22), Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #1 (spot 44), Marvel Knights: Double Shot #1 (spot #49), Morlocks #1 (spot #49), Startling Stories: The Megalomaniacal Spider-Man (spot #60) and
Deadline #1 (spot #69).

Last but not least, here's the Top 25 books for April 2002:

1. Transformers: Generation One #1
2. NEW X-MEN #125
3. THE ULTIMATES #4
4. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #40
5. ULTIMATE X-MEN #17
6. UNCANNY X-MEN #405
7. CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
8. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #21
9. WOLVERINE #175
10. G.I. Joe #5
11. X-TREME X-MEN #12
12. Green Arrow #14
13. JLA #65
14. AVENGERS #53
15. PETER PARKER, SPIDER-MAN #43
16. WOLVERINE/HULK #3
17. PETER PARKER, SPIDER-MAN #44
18. Detective Comics #769
19. DAREDEVIL #32
20. X-FACTOR #1
21. MARVEL MANGAVERSE #1
22. SPIDER-MAN MOVIE ADAPTATION
23. PUNISHER #11
24. Batman #602
25. FANTASTIC FOUR #54

While Marvel is continuing to do some very impressive numbers, it should be noted that the debut of Transformers: Generation One #1 is a first in Diamond's history for several reasons. It's rare for a second or third tier company (ie, not Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, or Image) to place in the top ten, and it has never before happened for the first issue of a third tier mini-series. For over eight years, The Transformers were published under the Marvel Comics banner.

[newxtreme]

I am definitely going to buy Transformer!! Who would ever thought a small publisher can go to #1. So excited!! I am going to buy my normal monthlies plus Exiles. I am still waiting for the first TPB, my comic store said they are going to have it like in 2 weeks.. guess i will buy #12 first...

[Monolith]

I don't care who publishes Transformers; I'll buy it from anyone!

[Icemanfan21]

Who's publishing Transformers now? I loved the G.I. Joe/Transformers mini-series from waaaaaaaay back when and think they should do another. Anyone with me on this?

[newxtreme]

Originally posted by Icemanfan21
Who's publishing Transformers now?
Transformer is publish by DreamWave, which was under Image till April.

[Icemanfan21]

Cool, thanks. Guess that means no GI Joe/ Transformers then? Or are the Joes under DreamWave also?

[Dayspring]

Actually they are already crossing over kinda. May's transformers will have an autobot/joes poster and may's gijoe will have a cobra/decepticons poster. I'm betting eventually a crossover will happpen but I doubt it'll be this year.

[Brian Wilkinson]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned X-Factor yet! This is one series I am definitely looking forward to reading.

Hopefully it will include BOTH versions of the team in some form or another. Perhaps as a flashback of sorts?

[Ken Boehm]

When does the Cap America come out? Same with X-Factor?

[CPunkDude]

wow, great job to marvel of holding so many of the top 100 spots. April should be a great month, with X-treme 12, Ultimate X-men 17, X-force 126 and X-factor #1 the most anticipated for me.

[atxbomber]

Originally posted by Cyke1964
When does the Cap America come out? Same with X-Factor?

Captain America: April 24th

X-Factor: April 10th

[Eric J. Moreels]

Hey gang, don't forget you can get your copy of Transformers: Generation One #1 from X-World Comics and save off the retail cost by clicking this link:

http://www.x-worldcomics.com/x/bstore/maytransformers.htm

You can also order the limited edition chrome variant of issue #1 as well as the special Preview Edition that was previously only available to retailers!

Just please remember to put X-Fan down as your referrer!

[Atomic Boy X]

I've never been a huge fan of the Transformers so I plan not to be reading it in the future. I want to pick up Captain America but I have to watch my money. Right now New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, X-Treme X-Men (the best!) ;), and Wolverine are all I can handle; I may add one more title. What is X-Factor about? Thanks!

:arch:

-Atomic Boy X

[Al Harahap]

Originally posted by Monolith
I don't care who publishes Transformers; I'll buy it from anyone!

I second that motion--bah weep grah nah weep ni ni bong!

[Chris Eight]

Originally posted by Doop


I second that motion--bah weep grah nah weep ni ni bong!
I'll be there too :D ;)

[ShaggyDiz]

Add me to that list for Transformers #1.

I'll also be looking into the new Captain America series, the Deadline mini, the Marvel Magnaverse and the Starling Stories one shot.

[banshiva]

Wow. And look at Fantastic Four edging up there.

Also, don't be surprised if after the Spider-Man movie comes out, Spidey takes the top spots for a couple of months.

As for the new Transformers, all I can say is: it's about time! woo-hoo!