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Solving the Fan's Economic Crisis

COMICSCAPE slideshow
© Mania

Hello Maniacs! Welcome back for another round of four-color geekery. I’ll be your host: the toast of the coast. I’ve been traveling around, gettin’ better known than butter and toast. I’m the man of the hour, the tower of power! I’ve wined and dined with kings and queens and I’ve sat on a corner eatin’ pork n’ beans.

Okay, I made that last part up; I’ve never sat on a corner eating pork n’ beans. But I have read a lot of comic books. And that’s what I’m here to talk about. Let’s get on with it, shall we?

Last week, I ranted and raved about Marvel Comics’ totally unprecedented and unfair price increases on some of their more popular books. It’s bull… uh, can I say that on Mania? Well, that’s what it is, anyway.

Regardless of Marvels motives (greed), the fact is that the price of comics is already pretty high and sooner or later they’re going to have to get higher. At what point do comic fans say “enough”? Eventually the hobby will become too expensive to keep up with and all but the richest among us will have to quit reading. Unless, that is, a viable alternative is found.

This week, rather than simply complain like I usually do, I thought I’d at least try to offer a solution or two to the problem. I generally tend to be a better complainer than I am a problem solver, but I’ll give it a shot anyway. So while I certainly won’t claim to have all the answers (or any of them really), I do like to hear myself talk and once in a while, I’ve actually got a thing or two to say. Feel free to chime in when you’ve got something you’d like to add.

Easily Digested

RUNAWAYS fits nicely in the backpack as a digest.

© Marvel Entertainment

Why are comics the size they are? What is it, 7” by 11”? Something like that. Anyway, who was it that determined that this was the official size for comics and that it could never change? Is there a stone tablet somewhere in the Marvel or DC vault that says that a monthly comic book must be 22 pages + ads? I somehow doubt it. This is the accepted size of a standard monthly comic, but it wasn’t always so. Maybe if we were more willing to alter our perceptions of what a comic book is, we could alter our bank accounts’ perception of the damage they inflict?

Have you ever seen one of those Runaways digests on the shelves at the comic shop? They generally contain six or so issues and they retail for something like $8. Seriously, six issues for under ten dollars! Let me put that in X-terms: What if you could get the current issue of Astonishing, Uncanny, Young, New, Legacy and X-Force all in one volume for under $10?!?! And to top it off, you can conveniently keep the book in your back pocket.

Okay, I know those digests are reprinted material, which probably helps keep the price down, and they’re tiny, which a lot of fans might not like. But I hope you see my point. We can learn a lesson from manga here in regards to quantity and price. If we were more willing to accept comics in a different format (and the publishers were more wiling to help us out), maybe prices could be kept a bit lower? I know we all love our nice big books with their nice big pictures. That’s what hardcovers, trades and omnibi are for. Print the monthly books in digest form for those who absolutely need that monthly fix and repackage them later in a nice collectable format for those who want to see the artwork a little larger. If the price really could be kept that low, I’d probably buy a lot more comics and I bet I’m not the only one who would end up double-dipping for those collected editions.

And What About Going Digital?

Amazon's Kindle device for reading digital content.

© Amazon

Marvel and DC are already experimenting with the concept of digital comics, and as the price of printing rises, it might be an inevitability. Like it or not, someday we might have to read our comics online.

Me? I hate reading comics on a computer screen. But I also hate the idea of going without my lunch so I can see what Captain America is up to. But have you seen the Kindle? I’ve included a handy link so I don’t have to go into a deep explanation about it. Long story short: It’s an electronic book that was launched by Amazon in 2007. It’s roughly the size of a real book and from what I understand, it’s been getting very favorable reviews; even from folks opposed to the idea of reading their novels on a screen. Once these things start coming down in price, they might be a viable alternative to print media. Could this be the wave of the future for comic book readers as comics become too expensive?

Marvel and DC (as well as the indie publishers) could offer online pull lists or subscriptions at reduced rates and charge a little more for any books you “grabbed off the shelf” while perusing. After the completion of a story arc, a traditional hardcover or trade (ie –a real book) could be published for those of us who still like to impress people with our libraries when they come over to visit. WHAM! Best of both worlds, and the publishers can still make money on subscriptions and on collected editions.

Now Here’s The Part Where You Chime In

These are but two suggestions. And maybe I’m totally wrong here? I’ll freely admit to not knowing a whole lot about the business side of things, save for the fact that I feel like I’m getting the business end of Black Tom Cassidy’s shillelagh when I make my weekly jaunt to the comic shop. I welcome any retorts and any knowledge anyone has to offer, especially from comic shop owners.

But as I said last week: I love comics. I can’t imagine not being able to read them, but as prices increase, my imagination gets grander and grander. I might not love the idea of reading a tiny digest or reading my comics online, but I like it a whole lot more than the idea of not reading comics at all.

And In Other News…

Okay, I’ve been talking about price increases for two weeks now and you guys are probably sick of it. There’s other stuff going on out there; it’s not all doom and gloom!

Wolverine One-Shot

Cover art X-Men Origins: Wolverine one shot

© Marvel Entertainment

I stopped trying to figure out Wolverine’s history a long time ago. I stopped caring about Wolverine shortly thereafter. The man had a backstory so confusing that Marvel just decided that most of it was probably memory implants anyway – if they weren’t going to bother figuring it out, why should I?

But this April, Chris Yost and Mark Texeira will be setting the record straight with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. One issue, 30 pages – the entire story! I wonder if it will be anything like the recently released Savage Dragon # 144, a single issue that spans 121 days, with each panel depicting the events of one day? Let’s see, Logan is over 100-years-old and currently appears in ½ the books Marvel publishes… boy, I hope Texiera is good at drawing really, really tiny panels.

Reunited And It Feels So Good!

Cover art to New Avengers: The Reunion

© Marvel Entertainment

These days, the name of the game seems to be taking old characters that no one cares about and bringing them up to par with the rest of their respective universe. Marvel has taken 1970’s exploitation characters like Power Man and Iron Fist and proven that there are no bad characters, only bad writers. DC has done the same with nearly every DC villain ever created, from Dr. Light to Sinestro.

And now Marvel takes the ultimate leap and actually makes me care about Mockingbird. Mockingbird, one of my least favorite Avengers ever, second only to Dr. Druid. Hey, I loved that Hawkeye mini-series back in ’83, but eventually Mockingbird just got annoying and I didn’t care one whit when she died. It’s cold, I know; but I’m not here to lie to you folks. I gotta tell it like it is, even if it makes me look heartless.

Anyway… I’ll be damned if I wasn’t actually moved when she came back. I’d be a liar if I said the whole “Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe” idea doesn’t sound pretty appealing. New Avengers: The Reunion #1 ships in March, and I’ll definitely peruse it and maybe even read the whole issue… before putting it back on the shelf. Sorry Marvel: no matter how interesting it sounds and how much I love superheroes with totally non-functional billowy sleeves, I’m still not getting suckered into paying an extra dollar for no extra content. Give me 10 extra pages or something.

What? Are we still talking about prices? God, shut up already, Chad!

Journey Into Confusion

Cover art to Thor #600

© Marvel Entertainment

Back in the day, it was pretty cool to have a long-running comic. People would look at it and say “Wow, 200 issues? This book must be pretty good if it lasted that long!” But these days, # 1’s are all the rage. It boosts sales and lets readers feel like they’re getting in on the ground floor. So comics are constantly cancelled and re-started with a new first issue.

But when a milestone is reached, comics inevitably go back to their original numbering. Fantastic Four did it, Spider-Man did it and next week Thor will do it as the book reaches its 600^th issue. Sort of. Actually, Thor first appeared in Journey Into Mystery #83. Eventually, the book was re-titled The Mighty Thor with issue 126 and remained that way until Heroes Reborn. At that point, the book returned to it’s original title with issue #503 and remained that way until it ceased publication with #521.

Thor returned with his first actual #1 issue in 1998. When the book hit its milestone 36^th issue, it began to use dual numbering to reflect the original Thor series. The series ended with #85/587 and that was it for Thor until September of 2007, when J. Michael Straczynski and Oliver Coipel started working on the current, totally awesome Thor series. So next week, Journey Into Mystery reaches a milestone with the 600^th issue of Thor.

Venom starred in a whole lot of mini-series’ back in the ‘90s. I wonder if someday someone will add them all up and we’ll see a milestone 500^th issue of Venom?

28 Years and Still No DVDs!

Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends is on DVD for fans in Region 2

© Marvel Entertainment

In 1997, mass-marketer sales of DVD-Video titles and players began in the U.S. In 2003, weekly DVD-Video rentals began outnumbering weekly VHS cassette rentals. DVD is currently the dominant form of home video distribution.

Yet Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends still is not available on DVD in the United States.

It seems that every television show, from Soap to Seinfeld has been released on DVD. A friend of mine has a Little House on the Prairie box set that is packaged in a little covered wagon! Marvel has released that crappy Spider-Man CGI series that ran on MTV in the 90’s on DVD. They’ve even released the 90’s Fantastic Four cartoon… but no Amazing Friends.

It may not have been strictly in-continuity, but it was the series that introduced a lot of us to the Marvel Universe. I got my first taste of The X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Dr. Strange and Sub-Mariner with that show, not to mention the gaggle of villains the Spider-Friends had to take on every week. It’s a crime that fans can’t relive the glory days of this fine animated series.

Come on, Marvel… DC has given us nearly every iteration of the Super Friends and even the Aquaman cartoon. Show a little love for Spidey and his Amazing Friends. I know it’s available in the UK. Bring it to the States.

And with that, I will end my weekly rant with the promise that I’ll be back when the week is new, and I’ll have more ideas for you! And you’ll have things you’ll want to talk about. I will too.

And now onto yon Spinnere Racke of Olde...

The Spinner Rack

By Ben Johnson and Chad Derdowski

AVATAR PRESS
Anna Mercury #1-5 Complete Set, $18.99
Anna Mercury #5 (of 5)(Auxiliary Edition), $3.99
Anna Mercury Gravel Triple Signed Art Print, $14.99

BLUEWATER PRODUCTIONS
Judo Girl GN, $14.99

BONGO COMICS
Futurama Comics #41, $2.99
Simpsons Super Spectacular #8, $2.99

BOOM! STUDIOS
Cthulhu Tales #11 (Cover A), $3.99

Ben: In this one, little Clthulhu has his first day of kindergarten. And eats everyone, making a throne from their bones.

Cthulhu Tales #11 (Cover B), $3.99
Eureka #1 (of 4)(J.K. Woodward Regular Cover), $3.99
Eureka #1 (of 4)(J.K. Woodward Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Fall Of Cthulhu Apocalypse #3 (of 4)(Cover A), $3.99

Ben: Wouldn’t the fall of Cthulhu be the opposite of apocalypse?

Fall Of Cthulhu Apocalypse #3 (of 4)(Cover B), $3.99
Farscape #2 (Joe Corroney Regular Cover), $3.99
Farscape #2 (Dennis Calero Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Remnant #2 (of 4)(Cover A), $3.99
Remnant #2 (of 4)(Cover B), $3.99
Warhammer Crown Of Destruction #4 (Cover A), $3.99
Warhammer Crown Of Destruction #4 (Cover B), $3.99
Warhammer Crown Of Destruction #4 (Variant Incentive Cover), AR

DABEL BROTHERS PUBLICATIONS
Dean Koontzs Frankenstein HC Vol 1 Prodigal Son (Previews Exclusive Edition)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $22.95
Dean Koontzs Frankenstein HC Vol 1 Prodigal Son (Regular Edition)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $22.95

DARK HORSE
Buffy The Vampire Slayer #22 (Season Eight)(Jo Chen Cover), $2.99

Ben: I hide these under my mattress.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #22 (Season Eight)(Georges Jeanty Cover), $2.99
Indiana Jones Omnibus Further Adventures TP Vol 1, $24.95
Kull #4 (of 6), $2.99
MySpace Dark Horse Presents TP Vol 2, $19.95

Ben: Edited by Tom.
Chad: I’m friends with that guy!

Savage Sword Collection Bust #3 Conan, $59.99
Star Wars Legacy TP Vol 5 Hidden Temple (Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $15.95

DC COMICS
Adventure Comics #0 (Origins & Omens Tie-In), $1.00

Ben: I’ll pay a dollar for tie-ins. Go DC.
Chad: Are you sure you didn’t want to save that dollar for Dark Avengers? You won’t get anything extra, but… it’s dark.

Authority #7, $2.99
Bang Tango #1 (of 6), $2.99

Ben: Careful, it’s a good way to get the herps.

Black Lightning Year One #3 (of 6), $2.99
El Diablo #6 (of 6), $2.99
Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #3 (of 5)(Cover A Character Cover), $3.99

Ben: Comics are always late in the future.

Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #3 (of 5)(Cover B Story Sliver Cover), $3.99
Flat Earth Exchange TP Vol 3, $9.99
Haunted Tank #3 (of 5), $2.99

Ben: If this wasn’t so weird it might suck. Go Weirdness!!

House Of Mystery #10, $2.99
JLA Trophy Room Bat Signal Prop Replica, $395.00

Ben: Or you could buy a work light and a batman sticker for $30.

Jonah Hex #40, $2.99
Kiichi And The Magic Books TP Vol 4, $9.99
Looney Tunes #171, $2.50
Mighty #1 (Dave Johnson Regular Cover), $2.99
Mighty #1 (Ivan Reis and Joe Prado Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Saga Of The Swamp Thing HC Book 1, $24.99

Chad: Buy this! It’s awesome!

Sandman Dream Hunters #4 (of 4)(Yuko Shimizu Regular Cover), $2.99
Sandman Dream Hunters #4 (of 4)(Joe Kubert Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Secret Six #6 (Origins & Omens Tie-In), $2.99

Ben: Why not $1 for this. Now it’s off the list.

Simon Dark TP Vol 2 Ashes, $17.99
Supergirl Cosmic Adventures In The 8th Grade #3 (of 6), $2.50
Tangent Supermans Reign TP Vol 1, $19.99
Terror Titans #5 (of 6), $2.99
Tiny Titans TP Vol 1 Welcome To The Treehouse, $12.99
Trinity #36, $2.99

DESPERADO PUBLISHING
Monsterpocalypse #3 (of 3), $3.99

DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING
I Am Legion #1 (of 6)(Cover A John Cassaday and Laura Martin), $3.50

Chad: I am Chad.

I Am Legion #1 (of 6)(Cover B John Cassaday and Laura Martin), $3.50
I Am Legion #1 (of 6)(John Cassaday and Laura Martin Incentive Cover), AR

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Ben: 7 comics and 18 covers. Wow

Boys #27 (Darick Robertson Cover), $2.99

Ben: I just keep waiting for the hamster to get his revenge.

Boys #27 (Steve Dillon Cover), $2.99
Dead Irons #1 (Jae Lee Regular Cover), $3.99
Dead Irons #1 (Jason Shawn Alexander 1-In-8 Variant Cover), AR
Dead Irons #1 (Jae Lee 1-In-15 Black And White Incentive Cover), AR
Dead Irons #1 (Jae Lee 1-In-25 Negative Art Incentive Cover), AR
Garth Ennis Battlefields Night Witches #3 (Of 3)(Foil Cover)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), AR
Highlander Origins Kurgan #1 (Of 2)(Foil Cover)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), AR
Man With No Name #7 (Richard Isanove Regular Cover), $3.50

Ben: This makes it hard for him to get keep a job.

Man With No Name #7 (Homs 1-In-10 Variant Cover), AR
Man With No Name #7 (Virgin Incentive Cover), AR
Red Sonja #41 (Adriano Batista Regular Cover), $2.99
Red Sonja #41 (Fabiano Neves Regular Cover), $2.99
Red Sonja #41 (Jackson Herbert Regular Cover), $2.99
Red Sonja #41 (Blank Cover), AR
Red Sonja #41 (Limited Edition Cover), AR
Zorro #10 (Francesco Francavilla Cover), $3.50
Zorro #10 (Matt Wagner Cover), $3.50

IDW PUBLISHING
30 Days Of Night 30 Days Til Death #3 (David Lapham Regular Cover), $3.99
30 Days Of Night 30 Days Til Death #3 (Ben Templesmith Incentive Variant Cover), AR
Classic Transformers TP Vol 3, $19.99
Complete Chester Goulds Dick Tracy HC Vol 6, $29.99
Dreamer #4 (Jenny Frison Cover), $3.99
Dreamer #4 (Lora Innes Cover), $3.99
Locke & Key Head Games #2 (Gabriel Rodriguez Regular Cover), $3.99

Ben: One of the best things going.

Locke & Key Head Games #2 (Gabriel Rodriguez Incentive Sketch Variant Cover), AR
Presidential Material Barack Obama (Fourth Printing Photo Cover), $3.99
Sir Apropos Of Nothing #4 (of 5)(Da Xiong Cover), $3.99
Sir Apropos Of Nothing #4 (of 5)(Robin Riggs Cover), $3.99
Speed Racer The Next Generation Birthright #4, $3.99
Star Trek Mirror Images TP, $19.99
Tiger In A Pink Hat HC, $15.99

Chad: Tee hee. This title makes me giggle.

Transformers All Hail Megatron #7 (Casey Coller Regular Cover), $3.99
Transformers All Hail Megatron #7 (Trevor Hutchison Regular Cover), $3.99
Transformers All Hail Megatron #7 (Guido Guidi Incentive Sketch Variant Cover), AR
Transformers TP Vol 5 Revelation, $17.99

IMAGE COMICS
Bad Dog #1, $3.99

Ben: He never calls after violating your leg.

Dark Ivory #4 (of 4), $2.99
Dynamo 5 #19, $3.50
Jersey Gods #1 (Mike Allred Regular Cover), $3.50

Ben: Cigarettes and hair spray?

Jersey Gods #1 (Dan McDaid Incentive Variant Cover), $3.50
Madman Atomic Comics #13, $3.50
Missing The Boat GN, $18.99
Soul Kiss #1 (of 5), $3.50
Witchblade #124, $2.99
Youngblood #7 (Derec Donovan Cover), $2.99
Youngblood #7 (Rob Liefeld Cover), $2.99

Ben: One of the most poorly drawn covers ever. Just calling it now.

MARVEL COMICS
Age Of Sentry #5 (of 6), $2.99

Ben: 34
Chad: I’m gonna go with 36.

Agents Of Atlas #1 (Art Adams Regular Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Agents of Atlas #1 (Ed McGuinness Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), AR
Amazing Spider-Man #583 (Phil Jimenez 4th Printing Obama Variant), $2.99

Ben: You’d think the guy had actually accomplished something.

Amazing Spider-Man #585, $2.99
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Laughing Corpse #5 (of 5), $3.99
Astonishing Tales #1 (Kenneth Roquefort Regular Cover), $3.99
Astonishing Tales #1 (Marc Silvestri Variant Cover), AR
Avengers TP Knights Of Wundagore, $16.99
Black Panther 2 #1 (J Scott Campbell Regular Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Black Panther 2 #1 (Ken Lashley Wraparound Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), AR
Black Panther 2 #1 (Marko Djurdjevic Marvels 70th Anniversary Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), AR
Cable #11, $2.99
Captain America Premiere HC Truth, $24.99
Dead Of Night Featuring Werewolf By Night #2 (of 4), $3.99
Deadpool #7 (Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Deadpool By Greg Land Poster, $8.99
Enders Game Battle School #3 (of 5), $3.99
Eternals TP Vol 1 To Slay A God, $24.99
Franklin Richards Dark Reigning Cats & Dogs, $3.99
Immortal Iron Fist #22, $2.99
Invincible Iron Man #10 (Salvador Larroca Regular Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Invincible Iron Man #10 (Secret Retailer Variant)(Dark Reign Tie-In), AR
Marvel Europe TP, $14.99
Marvel Illustrated Kidnapped #4 (of 5), $3.99
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man TP Vol 1 (Book Market Edition), $24.99
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man TP Vol 1 (Direct Market Edition), $24.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor HC Vol 2 (2nd Printing)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $54.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor HC Vol 2 (2nd Printing Variant)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $54.99
Marvel Your Universe #1, $5.99
Mighty Avengers #21 (Corrected Copy)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99

Chad: Corrected copy? No… no, the price is still $3.99. They didn’t fix it.

Mini Marvels TP Secret Invasion Digest, $9.99
Official Index To Marvel Universe #2, $3.99
Punisher #2 (Mike McKone Target Doctor Doom Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Punisher #2 (Mike McKone Target Green Goblin Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $2.99
Punisher Max TP Vol 11 Girls In White Dresses, $16.99
Secret Warriors #1 (Jim Cheung Regular Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99

Chad: Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone.

Secret Warriors #1 (Parent Variant Cover)(Dark Reign Tie-In), $3.99
Spider-Man Magazine #5, $6.99
Stand HC Promo Postcards, AR
Ultimate Wolverine Vs Hulk #1 (New Printing), $2.99

Ben: No F-ing way.

War Of Kings Darkhawk #1, $3.99
Wolverine Power Pack #4 (of 4), $2.99
X-Men First Class Finals #1 (of 4), $3.99
X-Men Lives And Times Of Lucas Bishop #1 (of 3), $3.99
X-Men Magneto Testament #5 (of 5), $3.99
X-Men Noir #3 (of 4)(Patrick Zircher Regular Cover), $3.99
X-Men Noir #3 (of 4)(Dennis Calero Variant Cover), $3.99
X-Men Vs Hulk #1, $3.99
Young Guns Sketchbook 2009, AR

MIRAGE STUDIOS
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #55, $3.25

MOONSTONE
Mysterious Traveler TP Nobody Rides For Free (New Printing)(Release not confirmed by Diamond Distribution), $10.99

ONI PRESS
Scott Pilgrim GN Vol 5 Scott Pilgrim Vs The Universe, $11.95

Chad: YAY! The wait is over.

RADICAL PUBLISHING
Freedom Formula #5 (Cover A Patrick Reilly), $2.99
Freedom Formula #5 (Cover B Alan Brooks), $2.99
Freedom Formula #5 (Cover C Alex Ruiz), $2.99
Hotwire #1 (of 5)(Cover A Steve Pugh), $2.99
Hotwire #1 (of 5)(Cover B Alan Brooks), $2.99
Hotwire #1 (of 5)(Cover C Stjepan Sejic), $2.99

RED 5 COMICS
Neozoic #8, $2.95

STUDIO 407
Golem (One Shot), $3.99
Night Projectionist #1 (of 4), $3.99

TH3RD WORLD STUDIOS
Creature Feature #2 (of 2), $4.50

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT
Beyond Wonderland #1 (of 6)(2nd Printing J Scott Campbell Cover), $2.99
Chronicles Of Dr Herbert West #3 (of 6), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales #34, $2.99