Comments on: In Comics, Only the Good Die Young

By: Vanessa G.

Vanessa G. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:50:00 +0000

For the record, the rumor is true. The last issue of Madame Xanadu is #29 which is the end of the current story arc "Extra Sensory." The shitty thing is, DC/Vertigo didn't even bother to do a blog post about it. They simply mention it in the November solicits:

Eisner Award-nominated artist Amy Reeder returns for the amazing series finale! Set in the New York City of 1966, Madame Xanadu and her new protÈgÈ, Charlotte Blackwood, ponder what the future may hold. According to The Phantom Stranger, they stand on the edge of a new age – and the coming of a familiar team of heroes...FINAL ISSUE • On sale NOVEMBER 24

By: realafterglow

realafterglow — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:34:22 +0000

I am going to be so heartbroken if this is true. I have made a point to tell EVERYONE I know to buy this comic out of the fear that this might happen. Gah, I’m so sad now. :-(

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Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:57:54 +0000

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By: E. Peterman

E. Peterman — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:53:26 +0000

This happens routinely with television shows I love. Seriously; who are the people propping up “Two and a Half Men” while “Community” and “Parenthood” struggle for a respectable audience? I guess it depends on what people want out of entertainment, comics included. And the sad fact is that recognizable titles and event comics will always sell, whether they’re good or not. The only thing we can do is to get street-level evangelical about it and tell friends about the alternative books we’re reading that are worth their time.

By: Vanessa G.

Vanessa G. — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:44:50 +0000

Yes, we geeks like to think we’s an exclusive bunch. Shit, this year’s SDCC gave an emphatic statement of otherwise.

We’ll see what happens. There’s been no official announcement yet. Fingers crossed, but still dubious.

By: Vanessa G.

Vanessa G. — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:42:08 +0000

Right. Which sucks. She is an awesome character with so much potential. At least, Wagner writes her as such.

BTW, thanks for the link Shag!

By: The Irredeemable Shag

The Irredeemable Shag — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:35:09 +0000

If the rumor is true, part of the reason for cancellation is that DC is taking back many of their previously-not-Vertigo characters into the main DC Universe. Madame Xanadu appeared for years in mainstream books. Perhaps DC has a plan for her in the mainstream DCU. Admittedly, that’s not likely. She’ll probably be pulled back to the DCU and then only appear once ever three years in some ridiculous crossover.

The Irredeemable Shag

By: sghoul

sghoul — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:34:15 +0000

Like all entertainment, the exceptional is usually not universally loved/appreciated. The masses love mediocrity. And worse, old comic fanboys flock to the books they know and avoid anything new or different. Too man people will keep buying Superman or Batman, regardless of whether the stories are actually good, simply to continue their collection or because they love the character.

We geeks like to think we are outside the influences of the mainstream…but we ain’t. Just like how a bunch of tween girls will flock to anything that says ‘High School Musical” on it, so too will there be a bunch of geeks who will buy anything that says ‘Star Wars’ on it. All the while allowing new shows to die before their time (I’m looking at you, Firefly).

By: Kelson

Kelson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:27:48 +0000

If true, that’s really disappointing. I was hoping that Vertigo’s lower expectations for monthly sales might save the book, but then that’s only really an option because of trade paperback sales — and I suppose if those aren’t high enough, that’s it.

I have been kind of worried to see Amy Reeder on a bunch of high-profile assignments at DC — not for her, of course, it’s great that she’s getting more recognition and work, but for Madame Xanadu. I do recall reading that Wagner had a limited amount of time he wanted to spend on the character, so it may be that Vertigo has decided to end the book when he leaves rather than look for a new writer.

Or it may just be that DC wants its toys back.

By: b.kiddo

b.kiddo — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:53:04 +0000

I’ve never read MX, but I know what a bummer it is when good material gets the ax. The rave reviews make me want to order the trades, but I hate becoming attached to characters/stories that already have an ending sealed. I didn’t get to see Firefly until almost two years after it ended. I fell in love with those folks, and I found myself wishing that I could watch the last few episodes in slow motion. It was almost painful for the final credits to roll. Just seeing kaylee in her pink dress made it worth the heartbreak, though.

Hmm, maybe I will get the Madame Xanadu trades.