October Sales Breakdown

[Prof. Warren]

They're the best, most reliable numbers we have at our disposal. It's important to use all of our resources to try and decipher what exactly is going on.

Why is it "important?" It isn't. At all.

We don't actually need to "use all of our resources to try and decipher what exactly is going on." That would be impossible when those "resources" are inadequate towards understanding the full picture. It's been stated many times over that these numbers are not reliable. At best they give a thumbnail sketch of the industry. While they may be of passing interest for what they are, they don't give anybody the tools to "decipher what exactly is going on." And when someone from the industry, like Dan Slott, does occasionally appear on these boards to talk about some real inside information or to put the Diamond figures in context, if that contradicts what some fans want to believe, the reaction from those fans is usually one of "You're lying!" - or worse, "You don't know what you're talking about!"

A lot of fans want to believe that whatever superficial glimpse of the industry that the publicly available numbers give us makes them fit to understand the inner workings of publishing and puts them in a position to be expert advisers. But they don't. Not even close.

[Prof. Warren]

I will branch into wild speculation territory for a while. Part of Alonso's job is acting as the face of Marvel Comics. Recently the frankly corrosive comic press have been chipping away at Alonso's reputation and decision making. Undermining him in his role. We could have a discussion as to whether any of that is appropriate behaviour for the press, but the comic press is so narrowly focused and customer facing they don't care anyway. They have been wildly speculative about Marvel and their internal affairs and highly judgemental about the way the line has been shaped. Focusing on politics and diversity because they are nice controversial topics that get people clicking on their pages. Just maybe Alonso feels his job in untenable. Just maybe he is fed up with the whole thing and feels trapped in a job he didn't sign up for. No longer the public face of Marvel but the public whipping boy.

Yes, it's very possible that Alonso simply became weary of the constant bombardment of negativity. Any normal person would. After awhile, you have to ask yourself whether it's worth it.

But it's unlikely we'll ever know the real reasons behind his leaving. It'll be interesting, though, if his next move is to be out of the industry altogether.

[JKtheMac]

Yes, it's very possible that Alonso simply became weary of the constant bombardment of negativity. Any normal person would. After awhile, you have to ask yourself whether it's worth it.

But it's unlikely we'll ever know the real reasons behind his leaving. It'll be interesting, though, if his next move is to be out of the industry altogether.

He has mostly worked as an editor and he is a very good one too. I find it hard to imagine he won't end up back in an editorial chair somewhere. He may have a clause in his contract and or his sign off deal that stops him from doing this for a while.

The reason key staff writers and other staff haven't commented may also be part of the handshake. Keeping a tight hold over the story.