What with a single gallon of gas now reaching and exceeding the price of some comics, and an influx of minis and new series I am interested in, something's got to give.
TEEN TITANS GO and ASTRO CITY have been axed from my pull, and I don't expect my long run with THE FLASH to survive Geoff Johns' departure. I dropped FIRESTORM two months ago, and DOOM PATROL is ending shortly. I will only buy JLA arcs that are GOOD-- no more crap-arcs.
I did add SUPERGIRL but just for a trial run.
[ November 22, 2008, 11:41 PM: Message edited by: MLLASH ]
Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
Jeph Loeb is likely off SUPERGIRL after a few issues because of the exclusive with Marvel.
I've dropped OUTSIDERS, but not due to gas prices. SUPER MANGA BLAST may go soon if the "Club 9" strip wraps up.
I'm totally with you re: JLA arcs.
Posted by Rockhopper Lad on :
I only get a few to begin with. Currently, I get Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, JSA, JSA:Classified and LSH. My comics store has a minimum five for a pull list. If I had to drop one, it would probably be Flash. We'll see.
[ August 14, 2005, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Rockhopper Lad ]
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
This is why I only do mail order now. Bigger discounts and I can give more titles a try. The only reason I even run to the CBS now is when Legion comes out and that's because I'm too impatient to wait for my order to be delivered.
Posted by Faraway Lad on :
Just wait until you get to the level of petrol prices over here Lash. (currently sitting at almost £1.00 per liter or close on £5.00 per gallon, which I think is about $8.00 US)
Ouch
It costs me around £38 sterling to fill my car every week and a half.
Posted by Spellbinder on :
I'm considering having my home phone shut off in anticipation of the heating bills for this coming winter. It's not really much of a hardship for me, since I have my cell phone, and really rarely use my home phone. It just sucks when you have to start going without just to make ends meet.
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
I work out of my truck. Which means i fill up every day, sometimes twice, depending on the mileage. I put $15 dollars in and got 6 gallons.
Man, i am seriousl up against it. My gas bill went from around $100 a week to about $250. And that's money out of my pocket.
My pull may be getting seriously short with this and a baby on the way. I am seriously thinking of getting a motorcycle. Same amount of miles for about a fifth of the cost.
Posted by Stargazer on :
I hear you Rickshaw. I drive 44 miles 1 way to work. Plus I have to do some sales calls so I put the miles on the car. I filled up at $2.49 a gallon...eeeep
I heard by September we are suppose to be 3 bucks a gallon.
I think I need to look into mail order.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
I don't drive that much & heat with wood so the direct gas/oil price isn't a killer on the budget (yet). However, it should work its way into the cover price of the comics, which I already find quite high for the pamphlets.
Book-wise, I'm pretty trimmed down except for this Infinite Crisis stuff - but after the four mini-series conclude, I'm discontinuing that. I just find the OMAC stuff silly at this point. Maybe I'll pick up some titles when the dust settles next year and the hero-killing is finished - but they will have to deliver a lot of story for me to shell out what could be $5 Canadian by then.
That would just leave me with Legion & Fables on a committed monthly basis, along with some irregularly published books like Age of Bronze and independent/small press issues. I'm still getting a fair number of trades and GNs.
I haven't been a big fan - or follower - of web comics, but have enjoyed following Girl Genius on-line, so I'm starting to accept that comics on-line may be becoming more of a reality. For me, anyways.
Posted by legionadventureman on :
Was only 30 years ago that comics only cost 20 cents? How times have changed now that inflation is here to stay...grrrrr
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
I am seriously looking at trimming down to only some titles. I currently buy:
Action Strangers in Paradise GL JSA/classified JLA/Classified Flash Hawkman Fables She-hulk when it returns Hulk with PAD Legion of course Robin again, but its fading Defexx when its published BoP, quietly one of the best books out there Omac VU Aquaman And i was waiting on Nightwing to lose Grayson from the writing, but that doesnt look like it is gonna happen. I bought GA until winnick came aboard, but dropped it with him. I resume later. I used to buy all the batman titles, but dropped them. Bought Allstar B & R, but didn't think it was that good, so may not continue. I buy Astonishing Xmen, first x book i could stand in years, but it is declining. I did buy Girl Genius, but it went online. Zatanna, because i loved her before the latest mini, but it is really sucking.
I'm thinking of cutting it down to Flash, Fables, Hawkman, Legion, GL, the JSA's , and maybe a floater or two.
Just too many costs lately. And not enough real quality books to make me spend the way i used too.
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
Oh, and if She-hulk and Hulk maintain the quality, i'll try to scrape up enough for them. Otherwise, i may just start to fill in holes in my collections, and sell off some of the thousands of books i don't want anymore.
Same for BoP. Action may survive due to gail as well.
And legion had better start picking up storywise. Seriously. The book has been very slow to me. Barry's art is Freaktastic, but the writing...I dunno, Waid is a very good writer, but something about his Legion stints are just...off a little to me.
And I think all of you know how much i love Legion.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Here's help for all of us who want to know what's going on but don't have unlimited $$$$....
Nothin' but plot. Wanna know what's going on without shelling out big bucks? We post spoilers for DC and Marvel superhero comic books.
Why? Because we disagree with the growing emphasis on superhero "universes" and event-driven writing and marketing.
Because comics are too expensive to buy just because a crossover tells you you should.
Because fans who only care about shock plotting and what happens next aren't good for the industry.
Because it costs too much to follow characters you love through ten titles a month.
Because a good comic is still a good read even if you know what happens.
[ August 17, 2005, 03:21 AM: Message edited by: Fat Cramer ]
Posted by RTVU2 on :
Same here.
Flash, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Outsiders, Firestorm and the Bat titles may go bye bye. Same for the Superman books.
The only consisten good reads for me are:
Legion Titans JSA Fables
JSA Classified and JLA/Classified may continue until something really bad or it just gets boaring..
Posted by Jorg-EM on :
I thankfully live 5 minutes away from anywhere I want to go. If not gas would be a bitch.
My gf on the other hand has to drive 30 minutes to and from work. ouch. I am buying a smaller car next year. well a Jeep Wrangler but still small.
I also only collect about 8 titles so I don't spend so much on comics. I have stopped buying tpbs all together (almost).
Posted by profh0011 on :
"Because a good comic is still a good read even if you know what happens."
I really go for this one. Same goes for movies.
This is the difference between, say, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (blow the ending and you're done) and DEATH ON THE NILE (the 2nd time you watch it it's actually BETTER! --and I've seen it about 6 times now).
Posted by 235 - Andy S on :
WOW... i'm just re-entering the workforce (and real life, it feels like) after getting a masters at UCLA ... things like budgeting for gas, food, books, debt, savings, rent again
just on the job hunt now ... but i was kvetching over some small stuff -- thanks for putting stuff in perspective folks -- your honesty is appreciated
the guy i've been dating commented on my comic-buying ... he didn't get that comics are a part of my living expenses - just like the gym (where he too can be found most days)
these gas prices are soaring much faster than paper nowadays ... shocking but inevitable - i wish public transport worked better here in south florida (even LA was more dependable)
a buddy uses a file-sharing application for comics - it actually does a pretty decent job of displaying the book on-screen (with some layout difficulties - i expect that some artists are now being encouraged to produce pages that don't go on-screen easily) ... with a high-speed connection, it's cool - and you can follow books a lot more effectively/economically (it's caused me to pick up trades i might have passed otherwise, as well as maintaining my good feeling about companies/creators when i skim a book that sucks)
Posted by Jorg-EM on :
"budgeting for gas, food, books, debt, savings, rent again"
Run. Go back to school. Quick!
Posted by Caliente on :
I read an innane number of comic books... but it's very much the free, so... yeah. I can read the shitty ones too. (And, believe me, sometimes I do. >< Stupid character loyalty...)
Posted by 235 - Andy S on :
quote:Originally posted by Jorg-EM: "budgeting for gas, food, books, debt, savings, rent again"
Run. Go back to school. Quick!
LOL i need a break from all that ... get tired of struggling through that rat race
i figure 2 years here in lauderdale/miami to handle financial stuff, buy a condo and then either go get a PhD (studying comics, of course) back in NYC area and/or move to Paris (where i wouldn't have to worry about gas/petrol prices) [yes, i managed to swerve back INTO the thread topic]
Posted by l.e.g.i.o.n.JOHN on :
i fell deeply behind in getting my comics (like 5 months behind) in my subscription folder at my comicsbook shop so i went in yesterday and plunked down $130.00 on comics. and i still have about another $50.00 of books left over that i'll have to get the week after next. it's a dang good thing i don't have a car because half of what i spent on comics yesterday would've gone in the gas tank.
Posted by Pov on :
...but it wouldn't take you five months to get to your comicbook shop... Posted by MLLASH on :
YAY! Gas is cheaper than comics again!
Thank goodness because I added THE THING, MS. MARVEL, 52, etc etc etc to my pulls!
Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
Heh.
I'm in a similar boat. I dropped SUPER MANGA BLAST and GOTHAM CENTRAL is going but I'll be adding 52 and MOUSE GUARD and trying out NIGHTWING again.
Posted by Pov on :
I was shocked. I stopped to pick up my comics on my way home Sunday, and two weeks worth of comics = 2 books. Mind you, I then pulled like 6 more off the shelf, but I can't remember the last time my pull list was so small. The funny thing is that I still have quite a few titles on my list, but I guess it was the timing Posted by rtvu2 on :
Great article by them. Very informative. I guess I am lucky that the CBS I go to is on the way home for me.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Recently dropped titles: Supreme Power - I just don't care I've realized.
New X-Men - post HoM this title has lost my love.
possibly Ultimate X-Men - just not enjoyable since about #36.
possibly Y: the Last Man - if this is ending soon, I'll finish my run, but the story has dragged too long.
Just so Marvel doesn't think the legendary Cobalt Kid is picking on them, I'll gladly state that have no intention of picking up Winnick's Captain Marvel (fool me four times Winnick? I don't think so) or OMAC (so last year!).
Posted by Pov on :
Agree with all those; I only pick up Y in trades, anyway. And it is a finite series, ending with #60; BKV confirmed that awhile back.
I've REdropped Nightwing, am dropping Hawkwoman, Ms. Marvel, Supergirl, and Shadowpact, and Thing and Manhunter have been canceled on me.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Besides Supergirl, I agree those other titles you mentioned aren't exactly wowing me (add Green Arrow and Outsiders to it too). Not being cancelled yet, but nothing is safe these days...
Shame about Thing and Manhunter though, but I guess it makes a lighter burden on my wallet.
I also just don't have it in me to give Virgin Comics a try. My heart still hearts from Crossgen and this doesn't peak my interest 1/10th like Crossgen did.
Posted by MLLASH on :
DROPPED:
HAWKGIRL GREEN ARROW (though I don't think it is a bad read)
DROPPED FOR ME:
THE THING HARD TIME
MINIS ENDING SOON:
DEAD GIRL DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON
So this will pretty much free up a little space to add JLoA and Wonder Woman.
Posted by Pov on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH: [QBMINIS ENDING SOON:
DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON [/QB]
Technically, DoD -is- continuing as the new Heroes For Hire... see the thread I started for some yummalicious preview art! Posted by Lightning Lad on :
I'll check the link. If it's the same writers, I'm going to have to get it...
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
You know, this entire thread has convinced me to go through with it and drop Ultimate X-Men. Thanks guys!
Posted by Pov on :
Gas prices are back up there-- how's that affecting you collecting?
Posted by rtvu2 on :
nothing but DC for me.....though I think I will drop
Hawkgirl Aquaman
Just not exiciting me as I thought it would be.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Dropped for me:
Hawkgirl Manhunter Firestorm
Dropped self:
Wolverine: Origins Ms. Marvel Heroes for Hire Ant-Man
Posted by Stealth on :
I dropped Fantastic Four. Paul Pelletier's art was nice as usual, but it wasn't enough to compensate for Dwayne McDuffie's dull scripts.
Also Adjectiveless X-Men (good stories, bad art)and Uncanny X-Men (bad stories, mediocre art).
Posted by l.e.g.i.o.n.JOHN on :
Dropped: Excalibur after Claremont leaves. X-men & Uncanny X-men. kinded pissed after what happened to Corsair. gonna Drop the FF after McDuffie & Pelletier leaves. Ms.Marvel
Posted by MLLASH on :
I'm dropping Ms. Marvel but I added Slott's I-Avengers.
Mainly, the gas prices have kept me from buying stuff I might have otherwise, like GREEN LANTERN, ATOM, FLASH and BLUE BEETLE, and AMAZONS ATTACK. To this day I haven't bought an issue of any.
These days, I'm going to have to be pretty sure I like something before I get it (like the upcoming BOOSTER GOLD series-- that looks good).
Plus I had to make room for 52 and have to keep room for COUNTDOWN.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Soaring Canadian dollar = dropping titles. If publishers don't adjust their prices, I'm dropping titles on principle. According to this article by Don MacPherson (link thanks to journalista, Marvel & Image are planning to adjust but DC offers no comment.
MacPherson also makes a good point about comic freelancers being affected by currency exchange rates.
Posted by Pov on :
Wow, that's interesting about the large reduction in the value gap between Canadian and US dollars being tantamount to what, a 50% paycut for our Canadian creators... I wonder if mechana can or wants to confirm this? Posted by Tamper Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: Soaring Canadian dollar = dropping titles. If publishers don't adjust their prices, I'm dropping titles on principle. According to this article by Don MacPherson (link thanks to journalista, Marvel & Image are planning to adjust but DC offers no comment.
MacPherson also makes a good point about comic freelancers being affected by currency exchange rates.
The cover price is just a guideline. In fact I'm pretty sure that Canadian retailers are pocketing the extra 50-75 cents. In Toronto several big stores have charged US price in CADs even when the cover price for Marvels was 4.75 for a 2.99 comic. My understanding from talking to my store's owner is that their Cost of Goods Sold is anywhere from $1.25-2.00 CAD on a $3 US book and has been constant or decreasing in CAD terms with the rising dollar. So the extra 65 cents tacked on goes direct to the retailers' bottom line.
The point about freelancers is a good one. Anyone wonder why Toronto and Canada seems to have a disproportionate number of Comic professionals? Well the falling dollar was a big factor in making those jobs attractive for Canadians. So I guess artists will have to be like all the other labour around here and find ways to increase their productivity if they want to keep their income up and stay in the field. And yes since 2003 when those greenbacks were worth almost 1.60 loonies to now when they are a measly 1.004 loonies a paycut of 37.5% in CAD terms.
Canadian retailers have been very slow to cut prices on goods where the world wide price is set in US dollars. I'm thinking electronics and clothing mostly. That new pair of New Balance 817MC running shoes 99.99 in Buffalo is still 139.99 in Toronto.
Thankfully the Canadian Dollar rose faster than the price of oil so that $80 USD oil is actually cheaper than it was last summer. Some of us are resorting to desperate measures. Those outlet malls in North Tonawanda are calling.
Posted by MLLASH on :
Well, gas here just passed $3.50-- bye-bye, JSA CLASSIFIED!
Posted by MLLASH on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH:
These days, I'm going to have to be pretty sure I like something before I get it (like the upcoming BOOSTER GOLD series-- that looks good).
Plus I had to make room for 52 and have to keep room for COUNTDOWN.
Fortunately, I got over CRAPDOWN around about issues 26 and dropped it... but POWER GIRL has already been added. And ain't NO WAY I'm missing AMBUSH BUG's mini, even if they charge $5 per issue and gas hits $10 a gallon...
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I've simply stopped picking up any new title from DC or Marvel unless I have a previously invested interest in the character (pretty much buy all those already) or have complete trust in the creative team (er, that's pretty rare now). Any reason to not buy one, then I don't buy one. Judd Winick? Haha, sheah right Titans. X-Force? Er, maybe *never*.
Posted by Bicycle Repair Man on :
I've dropped Uncle $crooge.
They haven't had any new Don Rosa stories in over a year, I already have copies of most of the Barks McDuck adventures, and most of the European stuff just isn't that good (or maybe the translations just aren't successful). Not worth $7.95 a month, anyway. Though I did stick it out long enough to get the complete-in-one-issue reprint of Rosa's "Treasury of Croesus" story (originally serialized in Walt Disney's Comics & Stories, IIRC).
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
Okay, now that gas prices have dropped, is anyone picking up more books?
DC has cancelled several of the books i pick up so i am spending even less. How bout ya'll?
Posted by MLLASH on :
Actually I'm a little concerned about comic book prices now...
MARVEL is already issuing some comics at $3.99... 2 that I'm getting are FRANKLIN RICHARDS and MARVEL ZOMBIES 3. Sure, these are quarterlies or limited series, but how long before the regular line (and DC's books) follow?
"Dawn of the $4 comic" scares me....
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Higher prices do limit my comic pamphlet buying, even though the total price isn't that much of my household budget. It's the idea of value for money - TPBs are generally better value (and patience is a virtue, or so I'm told).
Ed Brubaker fights the "waiting for the trade" syndrome by adding lengthy essays, reviews and artwork to his creator-owned Criminal, which isn't available in the TPB. That's the only reason I buy Criminal as a pamphlet.
There certainly is more discussion of the cost of comics vs the recession in the blogosphere and DiDio mentioned in one interview that it was a serious concern. I'm not sure what the break point would be for me to stop buying my long-standing regulars, like Legion and Fables. $5?
I wonder if the big two would experiment with price cuts to stimulate sales. If comic pamphlets were $2, I'd probably buy more. I don't know what their margins are, and how low they could cut the prices. The $1 books are usually pretty empty, content wise, although they must cost the same amount to produce as the regular-priced books (except for reprints), so those aren't really a good measure of what lower prices would do.
Posted by Suddenly Seymour on :
Gas prices have come down, but other things in my life have gone up, so I'm looking for titles to cut. I hate to see some of my favorites end, but at least it keeps me from having to make some difficult decisions.
Posted by Reboot on :
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: I wonder if the big two would experiment with price cuts to stimulate sales. If comic pamphlets were $2, I'd probably buy more. I don't know what their margins are, and how low they could cut the prices. The $1 books are usually pretty empty, content wise, although they must cost the same amount to produce as the regular-priced books (except for reprints), so those aren't really a good measure of what lower prices would do.
Well, there's several facts at work. First, remember that Marvel/DC get less than a third of the cover price of a book (I'm not sure what the exact percentage is, it could be less than a quarter). Most of the nominal cover price goes to the retailer, the rest to Diamond (this isn't, of course, profit - all costs/etc come out of that). Retailers don't much like low-priced books, because they have to shift a crapton of them to make any money. This is one of the main reasons why comics retreated to the DM - the space used for a comic could be used for a more expensive magazine which would make retailers more money. If the DM price was cut, the "newstand" price couldn't be, so the "outreach" potential of a price cut is limited.
Printing costs are very nearly fixed - switching to newsprint wouldn't save as much money as you think. Creative team costs... well, newbies cost less than established writers/artists/etc obviously.
Posted by DrakeB3004 on :
For maybe the first time ever, I'm considering dropping a bunch of titles because of cost. Or maybe it's that the price has finally overcome the level of enjoyment I'm getting from my books lately. Thinking about which titles I absolutely HAD to have if it came down to it, I could only think of two: Green Lantern and Legion of Three Worlds.
Posted by CJ Taylor on :
Comics give me too much pleasure. I couldn't imagine dropping a title because of the price. Getting that weekly fix, enjoying fantastic adventures of colourfully clad characters, geeking out over short stories of horror, science fiction, human drama- I'm addicted to the whole experience.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Well, certain comics I'd drop for the jump in price, some I'd keep buying. But it'd take even more to get me to buy a comic.
I want them to cut prices too. Break the Diamond monopoly and who needs better paper? Its not giving me any extra pleasure. When the economy shits the bed like it has, the consumer should benefit. I can't think of the last time the comic book consumer has benefitted? 1945?
Posted by MLLASH on :
Anyone's wallet hurting yet?
Posted by LardLad on :
I just HAVE to wonder--why a DOLLAR increase (as seems most likely)? Why are we probably skipping $3.25, $3.50, $3.75?!?!? Posted by Fat Cramer on :
quote:Originally posted by LardLad: I just HAVE to wonder--why a DOLLAR increase (as seems most likely)? Why are we probably skipping $3.25, $3.50, $3.75?!?!?
Rip-off?
Adding insult to injury... here we pay 5% tax on books/trade paperbacks but 13% tax on pamphlets.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Dark Avengers seemed to pave the way for $3.99, and my comic book store: completely sold out of #1 and #2. And that’s rare for them to sellout a title, since they order big anyway.
I’ve continued being judicious in what new comics I buy and keeping older ones. But I think I’m actually buying more independents, Vertigo, Image, etc. than before. I certainly have no intention of buying any of the relaunched Batman comic books unless I hear from a minimum of 10 different posters that they are the greatest thing of all time.
And the changes to Ultimate Spider-Man? I may end up cancelling my last Ultimate book after all, even if it is a Spider-Man comic.
Posted by Reboot on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: Dark Avengers seemed to pave the way for $3.99, and my comic book store: completely sold out of #1 and #2. And that's rare for them to sellout a title, since they order big anyway.
Actually, Secret Invasion & Final Crisis paved the way. Here's the top ten-selling comics of 2008. Spot the common theme:
Well, there you go. I blame comic book fans Posted by MLLASH on :
Okay, so I noticed that REBELS, JLoA and JSA ALL-STARS are all $3.99 and these books have no bonus features.
I could justify TEEN TITANS and DOOM PATROL at $4 with their bonus features, and stuff like CRY FOR JUSTICE and SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN because of the nice paper, and Marvel's $4 minis because they are short-lived minis.
But I'm not sure I can justify ongoing normal page count titles at $4. REBELS hasn't increased page count, has it?? I will have to check...
Posted by Lardi on :
All have extra pages, Lash. REBELS goes back to its normal page count (and price) next month. JLA is solicited at $3.99 and 40 pages (as opposed to the regular 32 including ads) the next coupla months. Bagley's fast, so maybe they're using that to have more pages each month. All-Stars is solicited as having a Liberty Belle/Hourman backup.
So DC's sticking with their "more bang for yer buck" approach with the higher priced titles. No such luck over at Marvel....
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Boards of Directors at Time-Warner & Disney win again.
Posted by MLLASH on :
Well, this is VERY bad news for me.
For the first time ever, I am going to have to make a VERY serious decision about wether or not I can afford this hobby anymore.
Every time prices have gone up, I've made cuts to my monthly pulls. but THIS... from $3 to $4 an issue... that's just TOO too much. That is a MASSIVE price spike.
I am sure to keep picking up old faves like LEGION, and may commit to longtime loves (such as Ambush Bug in Doom Patrol), and stick with proven writers that I love (Giffen/Demmateis for instance)... but all else is GONE.
Cobie, any word on an IMAGE price hike? I'd certainly stick with WALKIND DEAD, but might switch to the TPB route.
Posted by MLLASH on :
Hmmm... I already dropped TEEN TITANS and was on the fence with JSA ALL-STARS. No more fence-sitting, ALL-STARS is CUT, *NOW*.
I added SUPERMAN after Matter-Eater Lad appeared but that comic book is awful. CUT.
I fence-sat FLASH # 2. Won't get it. CUT.
I wasn't going to drop POWER GIRL after 12 but now I am. CUT.
It will be harder for me to bring the axe down on stuff like SECRET SIX and BRAVE and BOLD...
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
So, I wonder if sales plummet will they be smart enough to reduce the prices? Or does supply and demand work in our economy anymore.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I haven't been enjoying REBELS much. CUT.
Sales will assuredly plummet on most titles.
We could honestly be on the verge of a Bat-Super-Wonder-whatever Geoff Johns writes era ONLY output of titles for DC.
Hmmm... I, ZOMBIE... I love Allred enough to keep this one...
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Unless sales drop more than 33%, they still stand to profit off it, right?
It's the typical squeeze-more-money-out-of-less-and-less-people mentality.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I see from the article that Gail Simone has a new WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY series coming out.
I loved the previous WtT series... I'm of a mind that Gail is one of those writers I can show loyalty to, as I tend to enjoy her stuff... so I will plan to keep SECRET SIX (as well as BoP assuming # 1 is as good as her previous BoP stuff), and will not stress about adding WtT since I am dropping lots of other titles.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Yup. I was sad to see this. Like Lash, I think this will mean several titles I never thought about cutting will get cut: I'm looking at you JSA and All-Stars.
I would not be surprised if DC eventually cancels everything due to lack of sales besides Supes / Bats / Geoff once sales plummet for some titles.
To be fair, I don't know when each title will reach $3.99 but the article seemed to indicate just about all of them soon.
Image has made no comments on what their prices will be; I'm pretty sure each individual creative team sets their own price. This would be the perfect time for an Image title to hold the line at $2.99 and get new readers. An independent comic at $2.99 only selling about 10,000 copies can still make a boatload of cash each month for its creators.
Posted by MLLASH on :
This I vow:
If IMAGE holds the $2.99 line, I vow to purchase one new IMAGE book a month, and if I like what I read, add it to my pull.
Cobie, you can help me pick out what to try!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I certainly will! From here on, I will keep an eye on the price of any Image Comic I buy & review. Recently I picked up #1 of Turf for $2.99 and thought it was pretty awesome--I'll be getting the rest of the series. Check out my review of it here!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Chew is also another really groovy Image Comic that I believe is $2.99. It's totally up your alley, Lash--hilarious and weird!
I totally recommend picking up the next issue, as I believe it kicks off a new storyline. The first trade is $9.99 BTW, if you get interested in back issues.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I saw a DEAD @ 17 on the shelf today and liked the cover, almost thought about giving it a flip-thru. Maybe I will next time...
Cobie, thanks for the advice... I will read your reviews!
Posted by cleome on :
I'm scratching my head here over the combo of price hikes and DC's apparent desire to NOT steer most readers into waiting for trades to come out.
Uh... Okay. Maybe if I smoked more weed went to business school that would make some kind of sense.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
I'll keep pointing you towards them! A lot are definitely worth a try.
The Robert Kirkman / Todd McFarlane series Haunt is also $2.99 and I've been enjoying that as well...
Posted by MLLASH on :
I suppose anyone who wasn't gung-ho about Superman being re-inserted into the LSH mythos should be happy about it now.
Hopefully the Levitz/Superman combo (coupled with what I feel will be steadily improving story and art) will keep the LSH safe for a while...
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Yeah, I hope so as well. It'll be interesting to see if because of the restored Superman connection, the Legion can regain a prominent place among the DC titles by default is a slew of other franchises are canceled.
Posted by Officer Taylor on :
To be fair, I've read the article and nowhere in it does it state that all titles are automatically going up to $3.99 immediately. But yes, it'll probably gradually get to the point where Marvel is, with at least 75-80% of their books at that price point. DC regularly gets throttled by Marvel in sales, largely because most of DC's titles are three-quarters Marvel's regular price, and STILL fans keep buying Marvel's books.
DC's held the line as long as it could, but ultimately big corporations are about big profits. It was inevitable, I suppose. I applaud DC for doing what it could to hold the price point as long as it did or attempt to give us more story for our extra dollar. I just hope the shift is gradual and doesn't turn line-wide overnight.
Otherwise, it'll be a drop-apaloossa and TBP-apaloosa for me.
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are calling.
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Maybe if I