David F Walker Discusses The Cancellation Of Nighthawk And Marvel Comics
There was no solicitation for Marvel's Nighthawk comic in November. That's because it is being cancelled with October's final issue.
NIGHTHAWK #6
DAVID F. WALKER (W)
RAMON VILLALOBOS (A)
Cover by DENYS COWAN
THE BLOODY CONCLUSION TO THE
SAGA OF THE REVELATOR!
• NIGHTHAWK faces his greatest challenge: A life or death fight from which there will be no turning back.
• Can the man that defends Chicago remain a hero?
• Or must he become a villain in order to protect his city?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
Writer David F Walker took to Twitter to talk about the issue behind this decision, and his own feelings on the matter. He tweeted,
They deserve it & have supported it. The problem is the disconnect with the retailers & readers. It's just that way sometimes.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Thank you. I'm not angry. A bit disappointed. But at the end of the day, I did the best I could do. https://t.co/8MSj3KAwvb
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
There is enough complicity to go around, but I don't want to cast blame, some much as try to learn and move on. https://t.co/dRY6r5xG76
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
1/2 – Some people are concerned because NIGHTHAWK was no among Marvel's solicitations for November. This is an unfortunate reality of comics
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
2/2 – Quality is not always enough to guarantee success. Comic books are an industry that is driven by money and sales. Sad but true.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Marvel has been very supportive of Nighthawk, especially Axel, who has been in our corner. But the market is not supporting the book.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
There will be a trade paperback. https://t.co/tNQ8d1yyNT
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
All I can say is this, both Nighthawk & Tilda will be around. Marvel has made it clear that they want more of both.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 1 – Here is the problem: often times the best reviewed comics are also among the worse selling. Personal case in point: SHAFT.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 2 – The first SHAFT series was one of the best reviewed titles of 2015. Sales were mediocre at best.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 3 – The 2016 sequel to SHAFT also got great reviews. The sales were even worse, even though it was out along side POWER MAN & IRON FIST
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 4 – When a well reviewed book does poorly in sales, and fails in the marketplace, we have to look at everyone involved in the industry.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 5 – We can throw blame around for good books that fail, but what are WE going to do about it?
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 6 – But I want to be clear about both SHAFT and NIGHTHAWK, I'm eternally grateful to everyone who made those books happen & showed love
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Part 7 – Dedicated fans of comics need to better understand the industry. Know why pre-orders are important. Recognize your $$$ power.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
But the book is being published by Marvel, not ignored. It is being ignored by retailers and readers. https://t.co/U9zmtn4Y52
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Bottom line — sales figures on NIGHTHAWK were low. Books with low sales often face a grim fate. That's the nature of the business.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Look, if quality is all it takes, 4 KIDS WALK INTO A BANK would be the in the Top 10 selling comics every issue. That shit is phenomenal.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
BITCH PLANET is easily one of the best comics out right now. It deserves to be in the Top 10, along with LAZARUS. Why aren't they?
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
How many of you read Hex11? That book is amazing. But you wouldn't know it, because it isn't in any stores. Quality must be sought out.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Comics aren't cancelled so much as they just evolve into something else. https://t.co/LGwTgD767L
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
No…at least not completely. I think the market is driven by a narrow focus & unwavering product loyalty. https://t.co/wuHeDplpAC
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
Race and gender factor in, for sure, but that's America, homie. Land of the oppressed. https://t.co/wuHeDplpAC
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
I heard your support, and appreciated. Sometimes things don't work out. Pick yourself and keep moving. https://t.co/XCNFCvBB9x
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
That's part of it, but there's more to it than that. I can't get angry. I've got to just keep on keeping on. https://t.co/lpME17HX3S
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
To be clear, I appreciate all @Marvel did for NIGHTHAWK. They supported me & published a book that pulled no punches. I thank them.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 27, 2016
When the time came for retailers and readers to spend their money, they had priorities other than NIGHTHAWK. Shit happens & I respect that.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
Fact is that more people read NIGHTHAWK than read SHAFT, and only about 100 people have read ARMY OF DR. MOREAU. That's the business.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
I'm not going to cry because my sales aren't the best, or because some people hate me, or because the industry has complex problems.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
I am lucky to be working in comics. I do the best job I can. The quality of my work is not measured by the revenue it generates.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
Personally, I feel supported. Some people would rather read Batguy or Bug-Dude, and they only have so much money. https://t.co/9DoKBeS6eB
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
Marvel is making a reasonable decision given the sales. We made a great book, but sales didn't warrant a longer run. https://t.co/RCvcOZ1U4G
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
Issue #1 started out okay, but the numbers dropped and never picked up.
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016
And for the future…
My upcoming OCCUPY AVENGERS book will spin some heads. https://t.co/91uXsDayAo
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) August 28, 2016