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Answerman - Are American Comics Popular In Japan?

So the short answer is basically "no, not really". I figured as much since Japanese folks don't really "get" our superheroes.

Well, I'm from Europe and I don't 'get' them either. I too prefer self-continued stories by distinct authors with more normal-looking characters....
Europe as a whole does have more diversity in that area, especially in underground comics.

I do agree the occasional superhero flick can be a nice watch, but other than that, no...

Well, I'm from Europe and I don't 'get' them either. I too prefer self-continued stories by distinct authors with more normal-looking characters....
Europe as a whole does have more diversity in that area, especially in underground comics.

Continuities are a tricky thing in the comic business. Once one batch of storylines, arcs, or segments are complete, they have to start thinking about the next one to keep the profits rolling in. At least, that's what a friend who's far more versed in the actual industry has told me.

TPB and digital sales don't matter. It's actually become a running joke in the industry to snark "but we don't know the TPB and digital sales!" because of how some people continuoisly stand by them. If a book fails in the direct market, it's considered a flop. So many series have been cancelled and deemed a financial loss despite fans standing by the TPB and digital sales, which again, we never know the actual numbers to. Physical still makes up the bulk of the profits, and TPB are unreliable compared to floppies. They lack the dedicated fans of the direct market, the 'otaku' if you will.. Really, it's no different from how a manga being axed or not will come down to how it does in the magazine, not the later tankobon releases.