Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Superman dies, but comic book makes killing Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 15:23:03 EST Message-ID: \SE A \HD Superman dies, but comic book makes killing \BY Betsy Pisik \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES "Superman has been around so long," said Wendy Jackson of Takoma Park. "Everyone's grown up with Superman, it's so sad. "Even people who don't follow Superman are into it," the X-ray technologist said as she purchased the comic book she had waited all day to buy. Ms. Jackson was one of countless Americans who have long anticipated the Superman "Doomsday" issue, in which the Man of Steel is killed (temporarily) by his nemesis, the big, bony and malicious Doomsday. The mortal conclusion of a six-part series, Superman's death is guaranteed to be a record breaker for DC Comics, according to industry professionals. Even dead, Superman can still climb up the sales charts faster than a speeding bullet. Comic stores across the nation increased by two, three or even 50 times their usual orders in anticipation of Supermania, which has swept up collectors, fans and the merely curious. "Superman is the real first superhero, so he sort of represents America," said Andy Shaw, 12, buying his copy at Big Planet in Bethesda. His friend David, also 12, said he'd never bought a Superman comic before, "but the commercial on television looked pretty good. I'm not a Superman fan, but maybe I'll be one now." "In terms of interest and media exposure, this is probaby far and away the largest story that's come along," said Roger Fletcher of Diamond Comic Distributors in Baltimore. "This is bigger than when Clark and Lois got engaged. . . . DC [Comics] seems to have a knack for publicity," he says. The New York-based publisher printed 3 million issues of the "Doomsday" comic - 10 times the norm - most of which are destined for the United States and Canada. The newsstand version of the comic costs $1.25, while a plastic-wrapped "collectors' edition" with a black armband and an obituary from the Daily Planet is $2.50. But Metropolis' newspaper of record may be premature: The man from the planet Krypton will someday be restored to his status as a superhero - although how and when, exactly, is still anyone's guess. Even dead, Superman can still leap tall obstacles in a single volume. Although shops such as Laurel's Comic Classics have created special displays for "Superman" No. 75, employees in other stores simply sliced open the boxes and left them near the register. "They're flying out the door!" crowed Carl Bridges, proprietor of Barbarian Book Shop in Wheaton. Mr. Bridges said he found a dozen people waiting for him when he opened his shop yesterday morning. Sales of the comic were steady, he said, and especially heavy for a school day. Mr. Bridges was one of several area dealers who picked up his shipment at the Baltimore distribution center rather than wait for them to be delivered tomorrow morning. Demand for the comic is so high that waiting for the Friday delivery won't hurt sales, said David Self, assistant manager of Comic Classics. He expects to pick up other retailers' business after they sell out their early arrivals. "A lot of people have been calling, and I tell them they don't have to rush down," Mr. Self said. He said he ordered 10 times his usual order of "a couple dozen." Two hundred copies are on reserve, and he said the phone's been ringing. Big Planet ordered 500 copies of No. 75 - 400 more than usual - and is limiting sales to one per customer. Employee Laura Bernard, who declared the issue "boring," said she expected it to be sold out by Saturday. Half of Big Planet's overall business is "hard-core fans," said Ms. Bernard, adding that "Doomsday's" appeal is far wider. But collectors and speculators, many of whom are said to be stockpiling the tombstone-colored issue, may soon be sadder than Clark Kent's fiancee, Lois Lane. "There's no way to predict the investment value of the comic book," Ms. Bernard said. "They've printed plenty of them." In the long run, she predicts, "it probably won't be worth much more than any other comic that's come out." But the Supermania could have a lasting value to comic shops. Mr. Self expects this extravagantly hyped issue to bring in new customers, many of whom will be drawn to other stock, he says. Comic Classics has a Superman display, complete with newspaper clippings, back issues of other comics and related merchandise. "I think we're getting a lot of people reintroduced to comics," he said, "and a certain percentage of people coming in for this will become regular customers." "There's a lot of excitement over this issue," said Mr. Bridges, who only got 390 of his 500-comic order and is considering rationing. "I don't think anyone expected him to stay dead. But everyone likes a really good story." * Beverley Collins contributed to this report. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM