NL, Samy's talking like someone who follows the rhythms of the monthly scene. With all due respect, you're presenting ideas as if you're an uninformed outsider.

The Decimation event you offer as evidence was a discrete phenomenon of mini-series that were offshoots of House of M. They were self-contained within the mutant universe, and each mini told separate stories that didn't blend into each other, that could stand alone. Quesada has always taken pains to point out that in most cases like this, you don't have to read all the stories, you can just pick your favorite characters/creators and enjoy the story, but if you want more, there's more. This is unlike the 90s phenomenon of having to buy crossover stories that were linked through several different titles.

Anyway, with Civil War crossover titles selling out in exponentially higher numbers than status quo months, I think it's obvious that the market for monthly Marvel Comics was primed and ready to invest into it, which they did, in record numbers.

And look at Marvel's stock numbers. Look at their rising yearly sales numbers in publishing. That's the "more than solid" financial footing I was talking about. I reject your dismissal of my remarks as simply a "Hey! We're not bankrupt" characterization, though crawling out of bankruptcy to solvency in and of itself IS a big deal, and those responsible for it should be commended.