(Art by George Perez)

Last year, DC Entertainment worked with The Nielsen Company on a consumer research study surveying readers of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 periodicals. Here are some interesting takeaways from their findings, which were conducted via in-store, online and e-mail surveys:

• The launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 galvanized the traditional fan base for superhero comic books: male readers, who were already—or have at one time been—comic book fans.

• The survey results are not a reflection of all comic book readers or the broader audience for graphic novels. This was a survey of consumers who specifically purchased DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 comic books, either in print or digital format.

• DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 appealed mainly to avid fans and lapsed readers. More than 70% of those surveyed categorized themselves as avid fans who visit the comic book store every week. More than a quarter of in-store consumers were lapsed readers. The survey indicates that 5% of those polled identified themselves as first-time, new readers.

• More than 50% of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 readers were between the ages of 13 and 34. And more than 50% of in-store DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 consumers had an annual income of $60K or less. The data supports and arguably validates our philosophy of holding the line at $2.99 which DCE is committed to maintaining.

• The majority of titles generated strong interest and likely reader retention.

• Avid Fans purchased up to 20 titles out of the 52 titles.

• Digital: of dual mode readers, digital is far from replacing print.

• Impulse buys: Up to four-in-ten respondents reported that a NEW 52 title they were interested in (at a physical store location) was out of stock. Nearly two-thirds made a spontaneous purchase.

We expect that there will be a lot of interest in the results of the Nielsen survey. For more information, head over to ICV2 for an exclusive interview with John Rood, DC Entertainment’s EVP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development.

Travel Foreman will be moving on from Buddy Baker’s ethereal adventures in The Rot, but ANIMAL MAN remains in good hands with artist Steve Pugh taking over illustration duties. Pugh is no stranger to Animal Man’s adventures, having drawn an extensive run of the character’s original series in the 1990s.

"For me, it's awesome to be returning to a book that was such a milestone in my creative life and with Jeff, a killer writer who's been punching ANIMAL MAN through the ceiling!” said Pugh. “Yeah, I was buying the book already but now I don't have to wait so long to find out what happens next!"

Pugh joins the Baker family full-time with ANIMAL MAN #9, in May. Check out the cover by Travel Foreman right here at The Source.

Beginning with its ninth issue in May, RESURRECTION MAN will have a new artist: Jesus Saiz. Fresh from his run on BIRDS OF PREY, Saiz will pick up Mitch Shelley’s story just in time to pit the indestructible man against the Suicide Squad. Shelley may be incapable of death – but the Squad’s under orders from Amanda Waller, and “The Wall” is not one to accept excuses.

“Having Fernando leave the series is bittersweet, but gaining a talent such as Jesus will give RESURRECTION MAN a decidedly different look,” said series editor Brian Cunningham. “His style brings a very iconic superhero look. His heroes are very heroic, his villains are as nasty as they come. I can’t wait to get him started.”

“I'm going to miss BIRDS OF PREY immensely, although it's also true that I was dying to work on the Dark line of books,” said Saiz. “There's some very interesting stuff happening in these books, and I've always considered horror / creating dark settings are some of my stronger areas as an artist, and I really haven't had many chances to flex those muscles working in this genre during my career. So...I think I'm really going to enjoy working on RESURRECTION MAN! Crrrrazy fun!"

Saiz’s first issue as RESURRECTION MAN’s new artist will be #9, launching in May. Check out the cover here on THE SOURCE.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque)