Don’t get me wrong here; I want the new DC to be a huge success.
There will be 52 new #1s this September and even the biggest optimist at DC doesn’t expect all 52 to last out even a year.
So here’s hoping the 47 not on my list all make it to issue#1000, well 900 anyway.
Anyway here are my picks for the 1st 5 titles that will be cancelled.
#5. 
The 5th to be cancelled will be Captain Atom written by JT Krul and drawn by Freddie Williams II. Here’s DC’s write up: Captain Atom has all the power in the world, but no hope of saving himself. Charged by nuclear energy, possessing vast molecular powers, he has the potential to be a god among men – a hero without limits. But the question is this: Will he lose himself in the process? The Captain had a solid 57 issue run in the late 80s and his 9 issue mini-series in 2006 establishes him in the WildStorm Universe. These are less tolerant times than were the late 80s. I’m predicting 11 issues.
#4. 
The 4th to be cancelled will be Red Lanterns written by Peter Milligan and drawn by Ed Benes. Here’s DC’s write up: Going solo. Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable. This Lantern Corps takes no prisoners, they are judge, jury and executioners. Green Lantern proper and GL Corps are shoe-ins and I think The New Guardians will have a shot. Green Lantern will not be able to carry 4 titles; Geoff Johns will be pushing Justice League and trying to resurrect Aquaman. Green Lantern’s movie debut was a bit disappointing for DC and I’m sure that won’t help. I’m predicting 9 issues.
#3. 
The 3rd to be cancelled will be Resurrection Man written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and drawn by Fernando Dagnino. Here’s DC’s write up: A cult favorite character returns in a new series written by his classic creative team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Joining them is JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST artist Fernando Dagnino. RESURRECTION MAN #1 is the story of a hero who wakes up with new powers each time he’s killed. These DC Dark Side titles will be a tough sell, I hope a few make it. I’m predicting 8 issues.
#2. 
The 2nd to be cancelled will be Mister Terrific written by Eric Wallace and drawn by Roger Robinson. Here’s DC’s write up: The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in MISTER TERRIFIC #1, the new series from writer Eric Wallace and artist Roger Robinson. The cover to issue #1 is by J.G. Jones. This might work over at Marvel. I’m predicting 7 issues.
#1. 
The 1st to be cancelled will be Voodoo written by Ron Marz and drawn by Sami Basri.
DC’s write up: Priscilla Kitaen has just found out she’s a monster. A half-alien hybrid, the woman known as Voodoo must confront the secrets of her past to make sense of the nightmare her life has suddenly become. The whole DC Dark Side theme will have the toughest time catching on I think. Voodoo will be the first to fall. I’m predicting 6 issues.
Interesting choices, but the real #1 looser will be Hawk and Dove…no way that Rob “I drew that myself, honest!” Liefeld will be able to keep this alive. In fact, his name being on this title will keep me from buying it.
Resurrection Man looks like an interesting idea, but I wouldn’t buy it.
It would be a good idea for a TV show. Except for the fact that every episode, a guy changes into something/someone else, would be too much like Quantum Leap.
I kind of agree with Mark but I don’t think Hawk and Dove will be cancelled right off the bat. It will go late (I’m betting an extra month or two between issues 2 and 3) and then it will go late again, then it will get a fill in artist and then it’ll be cancelled. So issue wise, I don’t see Hawk and Dove lasting more then six issue but time wise, it’ll probably out live a few series on Scott’s list.
There is no JSA title, so I feel that Mr. Terrific might make a bit further than 7 issues. The JSA fans will need to buy something.
I’m personally wagering some money on the Birds of Prey.. great title, but it was one of those books that people bought because they wanted to support specific characters and because of Gail Simone’s writing.
but the new line up is kind of blah and frankly.. (even though, they’ve got Duane Swerczynski writing it and he’s hella talented) I just don’t think it’ll cut the mustard.
Even when they tacked the Brightest Day tag on it it wasn’t selling HUGE numbers.
Plus: it’s hawk and dove.
It’s not like it’s built in fanbase aren’t used to cancellation.
I thought Liefeld might have some 90s fan boy pent up demand. But yeah, Hawk and Dove is a great candidate for an early exit.
I’m in it for the talent… but having said that, since talent always moves around, I think that character concepts themselves also need to be sustainable… ie; mass appeal or bust.
I can’t believe the above books are even in the line up…
PS: Great idea for a post Walter…
humorous, insightful and debatable = good lunch time entertainment ^_^
There are a lot of other dogs in the pile. Getting to six issues will be generous. Don’t forget the creators are obliged to have three issues in the can by the end of August, and that potentially means a lot of replacement creators coming in to pinch hit, and there are a number of great people currently without a regular gig that are ready to step in and help… so Hawk and Dove could see one or two issues by Liefeld and then he’ll step away and someone like Chris Batista or Marcus To can step in and make it a stronger ongoing project as there’s no doubt they can deliver.
My deathwatch is topped by OMAC, which looks awful. Then it’s anything Wildstorm related — Voodoo you mentioned, but also Grifter, and even the Cornell-written Stormwatch (they would have had better luck calling it the new Authority) . The new Suicide Squad, the Blackhawks, Sgt. Rock and the Men of War…. if we see a 7th issue for any of these books I’ll be shocked. The order numbers for most of these will be below the 15,000 copy mark by the fourth issues.
Thanks Charlie, we should start a pool!!
I think DC will have a tolerance here just because of people like us. I don’t think they will be cancelling, initially anyways, just on performance. It will look bad on them if they pull 20 titles within half a year. I say many of these titles will outlive their shelf life as DC engineers a ‘tactical retreat’.
Didio said today that everything is starting on a 6 issue plan and that they will have a low tolerance for titles with under-performing sales and they’ll be reclassified as a mini-series and end with the sixth issue. How they’ll determine what’s an acceptable sales level is still a mystery.
Free digital comics from Marvel till end of July.
But be warned… it’s a terrible reading experience and not worth the effort.
I agree wholeheartedly about all your choices, save Red Lanterns. Dex-Starr will get readers lining up out the door. ‘Kitty Power’
Charlie, you are wrong. Marvel digital is awesome. I would encourage everyone to check out the free month. Access to 8000 titles. Amazing.
I stand corrected, thanks Kevin!
Going digital doesn’t mean you don’t by actual comic books anymore. It just means you get more. And I will take that bet, I need an AF 15 anyway I can get it.
To each his own my friend… but if reading comics through a subscription base service that requires a browser to pan for you becomes the popular norm, I will personally buy you an AF#15 and set you free. I don’t know what DC has in mind but I hope it’s downloadable at least…
I actually think Grifter might live due to it’s fan base and the fact it’ll be a little different then everything else in the DCU