WildStorm saw the second biggest jump in April

Welcome to MYSPACING COMICS, CBR News’ tracking of trends and “friends” on MySpace.com - the nation’s most trafficked website - as they relate to the comic book industry, most specifically with publishers and creators. This monthly feature endeavors to share our findings, chat with newsmakers and explore profile movement - be it up, down or sideways.A relative newcomer to MySpace, DC imprint WildStorm Productions added nearly 2,000 friends in April, which, as noted in the Top 10 list below, was the second biggest jump amongst publishers this month. Fueled by its upcoming line-wide crossover World’s End, WildStorm now has 2,325 friends on MySpace; and according to editor Shannon Eric Denton, maybe one or two future employees too. “Being on MySpace is great because we get to interact with our fans and in the process, hopefully introduce our product to a new audience, as well,” Denton told CBR News. “This wider exposure for our books, across a diverse spectrum of people, many of whom may never have seen a comic before, is the kind of thing that makes MySpace so much fun. And who knows, we may find the next superstar artist or writer on there.”Denton said WildStorm will use its MySpace page to not only generate buzz for its comics, but to create excitement for its web content too. “We have plans for MySpace, big plans,” he teased. “I can’t talk about them just yet, but people should stay tuned to the site because lots of stuff will be announced over the next few months. People should keep friending us and letting us know what they would like to see from WildStorm.”Denton, who is also a writer and artist, is no stranger to MySpace himself. You can friend him here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.Marvel Comics, who added nearly 5,000 friends last month in the lead up to “Secret Invasion” #1, netted almost 4,000 more in April and remains second behind long-standing front runner Dark Horse, who pushed past 60,000 friends with 1,583 friends signed, sealed and delivered. Spawning a birth in the Publishers’ Top 10 was Image Comics with its 6,461 friends. The total bumps Devil's Due out of the rankings, but at 6,244 friends, the home of “Hack/Slash” is only 218 adds away from finding itself back in the Top 10.

Image joins the top ten most popular publishers on MySpace

Image is poised to increase its traffic even more in May as comic readers are desperate to find out whatever they can on Mark Millar and Tony Harris’ upcoming “War Heroes” series, a project about which very little is known. Hyped by Millar as his version of “Ultimates 3,” “War Heroes” #1 is scheduled in stores on June 25.And while CBR News is focusing on jumps, it should be noted Stan Lee actually increased his friend count by 4,305 in April, which was not only more than any creator but more than any publisher too. The man behind Iron Man now has 16,452 friends, good for a bump of three spots to #5 amongst creators. Lee now has his sights on the other Lee, WildStorm Executive Editor Jim Lee, who is fourth with 20,673 friends. Excelsior! And Storm out!One more final note for April is what we think you'll agree is the necessary non-inclusion of Virgin Comics creator and adult film star Jenna Jameson, who blows the competition away with 1,266,974 friends. Given her immense popularity for her extra-comics work, there’s no way to be sure how many of those MySpace friends are reading her “Shadow Hunter” book, but if the number is even four percent of her total friends count, that would give her enough friends to rank #1 ahead of Siya and Tara McPherson. TOP PUBLISHERS (Total friends, monthly shift)

1. Dark Horse: 61,256 (+1,583)

2. Marvel Comics: 53,022 (+3,988)

3. TOKYOPOP: 21,534 (+688)

4. DC Comics: 18,990 (+1,090)

5. American Mule Entertainment: 17,832 (+431)

6. Top Cow: 16,159 (+68)

7. DC Nation: 15,277 (-196)

8. Virgin Comics: 15,024 (-114)

9. Evil Ink Comics: 11,400 (+245)

10. Image Comics: 6,461 (NPR)



TOP CREATORS (Total friends, monthly shift)

1. Siya: 47,691 (+521)

2. Tara McPherson: 31,589 (+1,316)

3. Warren Ellis: 21,294 (+348)

4. Jim Lee: 20,673 (+548)

5. Stan Lee: 16,452 (+4,305)

6. Brian K. Vaughan: 16,326 (-119)

7. Roman Dirge: 15,624 (+139)

8. Brian Michael Bendis: 14,352 (+277)

9. Steve Niles: 11,380 (+184)

10. Brad Meltzer: 11,223 (+105)

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