In an effort to promote the next Crossed series "Badlands", Avatar has dubbed March 14th as "C-Day." The new series marks the return of series creator Garth Ennis to the book and will be an ongoing title... that releases bi-weekly. I know that Kevin is a huge fan of this series, so I'll pester him on his thoughts of this particular series releasing every other week. It's bold and definitely a first from Avatar. My fear is that they won't be able to keep the quality up that's always associated with their titles. Love them or hate them they rarely sacrifice quality to just get a book released. Also, having been to an Avatar con panel I know that their bread and butter is still variant covers. There's no way they can expect fans to shell out $3.99 for each cover twice a month, it would literally burn out their customer base and force them to change their business model. We'll have to see. From Avatar:

On March 14, Avatar Press will launch the brand-new CROSSED: BADLANDS series, the brainchild of one of the industry’s best-selling writers, Garth Ennis. Building upon the success of three preceding miniseries and an original 3D graphic novel, the new BADLANDS series will be published ongoing and bi-weekly. It’s a huge, ambitious project that we hope will delight fans, capture a new audience, and generate strong sales for our retail partners worldwide.

To create a groundswell of enthusiasm for prospective new readers, we are encouraging retailers will celebrate the launch of the BADLANDS series with an in-store event called “C-DAY”. Retailers are encouraged to stock up on supportive promotional materials, like the CROSSED: GET INFECTED sampler comic and CROSSED C-DAY SURVIVAL KIT (which comes packed with face masks, temporary tattoos, posters, and more), both of which are available for order through the January Previews catalog.

But don’t take just our word for it! Retailers from all over have chimed in with their support for the new series, eager to spread their enthusiasm and share their thoughts on how to make CROSSED: BADLANDS and its C-Day launch a massive success. Just listen to the testimonial of our retail partners!

“I’m always surprised by how many copies of CROSSED we sell. It may not be a mainstream title, nor does it have a television presence like THE WALKING DEAD, but the book has legs. If you stock it, you will sell it – easy as cake.“

– Tate Ottati, Tate’s Comics (Lauderhill, FL)

“Beyond the shocks (and there are plenty), there lies a surprisingly genuine, deep, and engaging story in CROSSED that gives a unique new spin to the survival horror genre. CROSSED is a consistent seller for us, the highest numbers of any Avatar title, and will sometimes sell out within one day of release! C-Day will only improve on that by raising the level of awareness with CROSSED’s first “event”. I look forward to using it to its full potential!”

– Greg Gage, Black Cat Comics (Salt Lake City, UT)

“CROSSED is the worst nightmare I pray you’ve never had. I read it through my fingers. Its sales are right up there with THE WALKING DEAD.”

– Stephen L. Holland, Page 45 (Nottingham, UK)

“CROSSED has served as a fantastic way to reach out to fans of the horror genre that visit our stores. We’ve watched as sales in both the trade paperback collections and the single issues have grown since the series launch, and we are amped for the launch of the CROSSED: BADLANDS ongoing. The perfect answer to that brand new WALKING DEAD fan who says, ‘What do I read next?’ CROSSED: BADLANDS is going to be one of our top picks of 2012.”

– Steve Anderson, Third Eye Comics (Annapolis, MD)

“CROSSED is a series that made me realize that, even as a veteran comic reader and horror movie watcher, I could still be shocked, horrified, and thoroughly entertained by written media. Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows have created a world so bleak and dark that you can’t help but feel the dread oozing out of this book. If you think you can’t be shocked by anything anymore, read CROSSED and get back to me.”

– Jared Whittaker, Super-Fly Comics and Games (Yellow Springs, OH)

“Avatar has successfully found a needed and desired corner in comics. We sell more issues of CROSSED than all but one of the five different AVENGERS books. I am excited to see a bi-weekly ongoing series, not just for more Garth Ennis (who is one of our shop’s top selling authors), but for the financial increase it will bringtoo. More CROSSED means more money… twisted, terrifying money, but money nonetheless.”

– Matt Johnson, Cup o’ Kryptonite (Des Moines, IA)