If you havesn’t heard the sad news yet, the DC Comics Minx line went under Thursday. Minx was a line of comics aimed at teen girls. I was personally a fan of several of the Minx graphic novels: Plain Janes, Confessions of a Blabbermouth, Kimmie66. I was shocked–though maybe I shouldn’t have been–to hear the line had been cancelled.
Several possible reasons have been advanced as to why the Minx line failed:
Incorrect and ineffective shelving in bookstores–should it have been in the YA section instead of with the graphic novels?
DC’s plan to market only to women
The quality of the books in general
The fact that most of the creators were men
Some of the marketing is just getting off the ground
Needed edgier material that appealed more to teens than middle grade
Anyway, lots of reasons why this may have happened. Some I agree with, some I don’t. But why do we care?
If y’all have ever read my blog, you can probably tell that I am, well, pretty darn mainstream. Give me Banana Republic, Miley Cyrus, and Jim and Pam forever–I’ll be a happy lady. And yet, I like comics. I like comics, but I wouldn’t say I’m into every superhero, male fantasy graphic novel ever created.
So, believe me when I say, I wanted the Minx line to succeed. I want YA graphic novels that will appeal to teen girls. And I sincerely believe there is a place for them in the market. I mean, how does anyone explain the manga phenomenon, which has been a ginormous success with teen girls, and yet, what? There’s just no place for teen graphic novels. Bone has been welcomed with open arms by middle graders. Somewhere there is a disconnect. Two years. That’s how long Minx was given. Was that enough? Was there another reason?
What do y’all think?
For those of you just getting started in graphic novels, or those already interested, I have a couple links to help us try to figure this whole thing out:
Occasional Superheroine’s version of events–Warning: language
Goodbye To Comics–HUGE Warning: If you are under 18, please don’t read. I think this is an important perspective, especially if you are a woman in comics. It’s an look into the boys’ club of comics. However it is NOT for the faint of heart. I had a tough time reading it, so if easily offended, you might wanna skip. Ok, consider yourself warned. (And if you choose to read, scroll to bottom and start from beginning.)
Would love to hear y’alls insights.
Status: On a lighter note, Kitty and the Midnight Hourcame in the mail today!! I’ve started reading it (it’s the first in the Kitty Norville series) and so far, it’s a fun read. I think it will make a great comparison for SCOUT. I’m still working away at the sequel synopsis–oh, and dying because of law school work, tutoring, writing a book, reading the books I’m scheduled to review and trying to declare my intent ot practice–no big.
5 Comments
September 28, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It’s an interesting question: what kind of graphic novels will appeal to teenage girls? I read comics when I was a kid (under 10 or so), but by middle grades was eating up Judy Blume and some of the YA romance novels. The teenage girls I teach LOVE Twilight, Meg Cabot too, but I’ve never seen them reading a graphic novel. I think in part this is because it’s still more a male-associated genre, comic books, and because early on in the middle grades, girls are reaching for books that are more challenging reads, to be honest.
Again, it will be interesting to see where this genre goes in the next couple of years…
September 28, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I love comics, but I hadn’t even heard of the Minx line. If I had, I would have picked up some of these. So, I do believe that marketing and placement was a problem. I also believe there is a market for comics for teen girls. I really do. But it does need to appeal to that audience with edgier material in order to succeed.
As a female, I don’t buy the regular, old comics like Superman and Batman very often (although I do love the movies). I’m more of a Buffy, Runaways and GenX fan.
September 29, 2008 at 3:58 am
I think both of y’all make interesting points.
Jen, it worries me that a lot of the problem might have been the fact that people just hadn’t heard of Minx. I mean, think how long it takes books to become bestsellers? It’s not done overnight–sometimes not even in 2 years. (Kristin Nelson just did a post on “overnight” success.)
Also, a point you made, and one the Occasional Superheroine makes is that the subject of the Minx novels aren’t what teen girls are reading. Most teen girls are looking for scifi or fantasy. I mean, if you look to the mainstream YA market it is steeped in paranormal/urban fantasy. These are probably genres that need to crossover into the graphic novel realm if the medium is to succeed with the larger teen girl audience.
September 29, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I wonder if it’s at all to do with the inherent differences between the genders and the media. Isn’t the general thought that men are visual thinkers, whereas women are more emotional? This might help explain why the majority of comics writers are men but the majority of fiction readers are women, maybe?
Just a thought.
September 30, 2008 at 12:29 am
Oh Will. Getting all philosophical on me and I like it.