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

About Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.