Manhunter Canceled...Again.

Eight issues.

That's how long Marc Andreyko's Manhunter lasted this time around, before DC decided to cancel the critically-acclaimed, low-selling series. The final issue will reportedly be January's #38.

After Comics Continuum got wind of the story last night, Andreyko confirmed the cancellation today, saying on his Facebook page, “Marc Andreyko sadly announces Manhunter's cancellation. Again.” Andreyko then implored fans—and particularly retailers—to engage in a letter-writing campaign to DC to save the book. This would be the third such campaign on behalf of the beleaguered title, and a website—SaveManhunter.com—has remained functioning since before the first cancellation, never abandoning their site merely because the book had once again been “saved.”

The series was previously canceled at issues #25, given a five issue “trial period” and re-canceled at #30. The recent relaunch, with artist Michael Gaydos, began in April with #31. Andreyko had told ComicRelated that with the relaunch, the book was being viewed by the publisher as a forum to examine social and political issues in the context of the DC Universe. They have explored similar territory with their election-themed miniseries DC Universe: Decisions by Bill Willingham and Judd Winick.

Manhunter's first arc back will end with November's #36; it dealt with immigration, human rights, medical ethics and a number of related issues. The second arc was originally slated to deal with abortion, as was hinted in the final pages of #30, but it remains to be seen what will happen to that story, as Andreyko indicated to ComicRelated that it was a six-part story and that the book is currently slated to end two parts in.

Whether series protagonist Kate Spencer will appear in other DC Universe books in the absence of her ongoing series is unclear, but it seems likely. When the series was canceled after #30, the character was added to the cast of the all-girl superteam Birds of Prey as a way of keeping her in circulation. It seems likely that Manhunter will remain there as a member of the team, since the Birds of Prey have guest-starred in the current story arc in Manhunter.

When reached for comment, Andreyko said that he would be available to ComicRelated later today, so expect updates as the story develops.