Like stealing candy

Selling comic books is a tricky thing. Almost every month, someone releases a new comic from the typical spandex superhero to the next great zombie comic. They don’t usually go well. Sales are declining, and the number of comics being cancelled increase. It’s almost impossible to succeed on your own. Thank God, no one told Mark Millar.

Millar has a new comic out. It’s “Ocean Eleven meets X-Men.” Along with Filipino artist Leinil Yu, Supercrooks is Millar’s next great comic. Supercrooks answers the question of what happens when a bunch of super powered thieves can’t seem to get a break from the superhero-filled United States of America? Move somewhere else. These super-powered thieves go to Europe where there are no superheroes at all. It’s like taking candy from a baby.

Supercrooks seems intriguing enough but what’s different about this comic is that Mark Millar has gone through all levels promoting his work. The marketing has gone all out. A day before the comic was released, a video from film director Nacho Vigalondo went viral in the comic book community. We don’t want to spoil what the video was even about but needless to say, it’s absolutely brilliant.

Gone Viral: A movie trailer for a comic book? Genius. 

March 26 saw Mark Millar having his usual “Name the Character” charity auction on eBay. Just like Dave Lizewski donated for Kick-Ass and Simon Pooni for Supercrooks, it’s a chance for fans to bid, donate to charity, and get immortalized in comic book culture. For Supercrooks, it’s naming the bad guy. Millarworld Auctions is giving the name of the antagonist of Supercrooks to the highest bidder. As o March 26, 11:00pm, the bid is at $1,025.00. So if you’ve ever wanted to be immortalized in the pages of comic books, this might be your last hope. Depending if you have the money or not.

The greatest news for us though lies in Millar’s most ambitious plug yet. Mark Millar gave the world a “Win Millar” contest to retailers. Whoever would place the biggest order for Supercrooks issue one, he’d go to that place and do an exclusive signing. Lo and behold, the Philippines won, courtesy of National Book Store, claiming victory in the contest.

Whatever happens next, Mark Millar has already one. Sales for his comic have gone through the roof. And with an impending movie coming up, Supercrooks is sure to break bank.