I'm with you on Magazine size books - I'm not stocking any new DSTLRY titles for that reason. Most comic buyers don't want to pay $8.99 for a new book.
Glad the old man is back to screaming. As for ABSOLUTE POWER, I feel that part of the issue is that it's not a completely new idea. It's not the first time Amanda Waller has taken it in her mind to somehow put an end to superheroes. It's also not the first storyline where some form of authority has decreed that superheroes (or vigilantes) need to be outlawed. It's just a tired idea, and I'm not convinced that marketing the idea more/better would have made it any less of a tired idea. To your point about Marvel, I have been a Marvel fanboy for 50-something yrs... And yeah, I would agree that Marvel has generated a bit of excitement with its ULTIMATE Spider-Man, but that's after years of running its flagship AMAZING SPIDER-MAN title into the ground, then pissing on the grave with endless Spider-Verse, VenomVerse, CarnageVerse and GwenVerse idiocy. Overall, I think the Big Two are trying to generate new buzz, but they just don't have the most capable or creative writers, IMO. And I think part of it is dedication. You hit it on the nose when you talked about getting writers/creators to commit to a 2-year run on a title. If writers/creators don't really care about what they're doing and are just there for a check, it will definitely reflect on the flat crap they turn out monthly. I believe all the suggestions you have for improving DC also apply to Marvel. In regard to the cover variants causing a glut in the number of unsold regular covers, I couldn't agree more. Variant covers, 1-in-25s and 1-in-50s or whatever might be quick money-grabs in the short term, but I don't know if they're worth it in the long term; probably not if it results in a leftover overstock of regular covers. In regard to running the comic shop, I would say that you know your subscribers and regular customers better than anyone else because they're YOUR customers, so order your stuff as tightly to the vest as you feasibly can. Definitely no need to be stuck with hundreds or thousands of comics that haven't a prayer of selling. That's my two cents on these topics.
Thank you for putting in the time to respond in such a thoughtful and thought provoking way. Very valid points I agree with all of them. Welcome to the conversation.
I think DC has more of a perception problem than a content problem. We are at the point and have been for a few years where a quality DC book doesn’t move the needle. Adam’s Flash-Cancelled, Venditti’s Hawkman-Cancelled, Chip Z’s Batman-Tepid Sales, Warworld-Tepid Sales etc. obviously there is a lot of crap on the line, but does it even matter if the sales aren’t there on quality books? At least marvel can still have a good book pop.
I think you're on to something there. I also feel that it's hard to balance reading two super-hero universes so many readers choose one and then fill in their other reading variety with indy books. After all the success of the Marvel Movies, it's also easier for people to want to follow the characters they're seeing regularly on the big and little screen. Plus, you know how people like to be "in the know" - so being up on your Marvel stuff helps when you're filling your friends in on the latest upcoming Marvel movie. DC just doesn't have any of that excitement behind it and hasn't for years.
Was the person who you think should be made "head of new talent" the famous Karen Berger? I remember listening to Neil Gaiman talk about how instrumental she was in him being able to make Sandman his own thing. Apparently she runs an imprint at Dark Horse now.
Yep! Karen Berger was excellent for Vertigo. When DC let her go, Dark Horse scooped her up and created the Berger Books line (which launched in 2018). Unfortunately, not much came of it - they haven't published a Berger Books title in years.
Yeah, my comic guy put Absolute Power in my bundle. I work on Wednesdays so I have someone pick up my books for me. It also stops my bad habit of showing up and buying a bunch of trades lol. I read it and was pretty disappointed. I usually just read Supes and Batman from DC. For Marvel, I am also a bit mixed. Spider-Man has been something for sure, but the X-Men has been strong and their reboot has been okay so far. I mean, it's one issue but it has promise. Usually, I go in for weirder small books. I am one of those people who like politics in their books and always felt the complaints about politics wasn't good faith. Good stories are good stories and, while I like fluff, I think superheroes dealing with bigger issues can make things work. Well, usually. Like the last few years of X-Men was good because of its strong political bent, but Marvel did this groan worthy event for teen heroes like 3 years ago that made my eyerolls. So, yeah, boils down if you can make it work. I don't buy stuff for speculation. I buy to read. I try to read all the books but my guy throws in books sometimes and I'm not there to say no so those usually just go straight to the long box. The guy I can tell is struggling and I'm doing well so I never say no. Like, Bloodhunt? He snuck those books in my pile and, man, did I not care about that series. But, I usually dont care for any this speculator stuff. All the big money was in collecting pre-collection mindset stuff from the 60s prior and I don't got a time machine.
Yeah, I follow some artists. I forget who it was, but one of them cracked about marketing. It wasn't even a comic guy, I think. But one said executives nowadays expect you to have online followings and market for free instead of dropping money on marketing. And they were breaking over it because it is a skillset completely separate from writing.
Thank you so much for sharing your common journey and your opinions on that current state of books. I have the exact same feelings I raised for the stories. I mostly read the weird independent stuff, but as a store we need the big two to be generating people through the door so I can hand sell them. The weird. welcome aboard
To me absolute power #1 was good but not great. I believe its due to the plot, it feels like it just feels repetitive. Villains know batmans secrets on how to take down the league and Amanda Waller twisting the nerative.
@T-RexSuplex1 - Exactly, it's not really a new idea. We've seen several versions of this "down with superheroes" idea as far back as the LEGENDS miniseries, the story arc that introduced Amanda Waller.
I feel that an artist using AI to cheat is not good because me a consumer is shelling out 4.99 - 6.99 per book, i dont get to "cheat" by paying less. I dont see why an established artist would agree to the rate only to cheat. Its like a mechanic quoting you for OEM parts but actually using 3rd party nockoffs. More money in their pockets but your left paying for cheap parts.
I agree. I'm not excusing the behavior just trying to give an explanation of what would push someone to do it. Thank you for your input. Welcome aboard
I'm with you on Magazine size books - I'm not stocking any new DSTLRY titles for that reason. Most comic buyers don't want to pay $8.99 for a new book.
Thanks for the backup
Agree with every damn word!
Thank you sir welcome to the conversation.
emmet is an icon 🙏
Thank you so much!
Glad the old man is back to screaming. As for ABSOLUTE POWER, I feel that part of the issue is that it's not a completely new idea. It's not the first time Amanda Waller has taken it in her mind to somehow put an end to superheroes. It's also not the first storyline where some form of authority has decreed that superheroes (or vigilantes) need to be outlawed. It's just a tired idea, and I'm not convinced that marketing the idea more/better would have made it any less of a tired idea. To your point about Marvel, I have been a Marvel fanboy for 50-something yrs... And yeah, I would agree that Marvel has generated a bit of excitement with its ULTIMATE Spider-Man, but that's after years of running its flagship AMAZING SPIDER-MAN title into the ground, then pissing on the grave with endless Spider-Verse, VenomVerse, CarnageVerse and GwenVerse idiocy. Overall, I think the Big Two are trying to generate new buzz, but they just don't have the most capable or creative writers, IMO. And I think part of it is dedication. You hit it on the nose when you talked about getting writers/creators to commit to a 2-year run on a title. If writers/creators don't really care about what they're doing and are just there for a check, it will definitely reflect on the flat crap they turn out monthly. I believe all the suggestions you have for improving DC also apply to Marvel. In regard to the cover variants causing a glut in the number of unsold regular covers, I couldn't agree more. Variant covers, 1-in-25s and 1-in-50s or whatever might be quick money-grabs in the short term, but I don't know if they're worth it in the long term; probably not if it results in a leftover overstock of regular covers. In regard to running the comic shop, I would say that you know your subscribers and regular customers better than anyone else because they're YOUR customers, so order your stuff as tightly to the vest as you feasibly can. Definitely no need to be stuck with hundreds or thousands of comics that haven't a prayer of selling. That's my two cents on these topics.
Thank you for putting in the time to respond in such a thoughtful and thought provoking way. Very valid points I agree with all of them. Welcome to the conversation.
Elect Jerkboy to "Make DC Great Again!" 😛
Start a petition
You can’t retire. I just recently discovered your videos.
I hate when they depower heroes
Makes very little sense
Sure, they will hire you. Where should they send the $5 a month they pay?
LOL I'd do it for free
I think DC has more of a perception problem than a content problem. We are at the point and have been for a few years where a quality DC book doesn’t move the needle. Adam’s Flash-Cancelled, Venditti’s Hawkman-Cancelled, Chip Z’s Batman-Tepid Sales, Warworld-Tepid Sales etc. obviously there is a lot of crap on the line, but does it even matter if the sales aren’t there on quality books?
At least marvel can still have a good book pop.
Great observation appreciate your input. Welcome to the conversation.
I think you're on to something there. I also feel that it's hard to balance reading two super-hero universes so many readers choose one and then fill in their other reading variety with indy books. After all the success of the Marvel Movies, it's also easier for people to want to follow the characters they're seeing regularly on the big and little screen. Plus, you know how people like to be "in the know" - so being up on your Marvel stuff helps when you're filling your friends in on the latest upcoming Marvel movie. DC just doesn't have any of that excitement behind it and hasn't for years.
Was the person who you think should be made "head of new talent" the famous Karen Berger? I remember listening to Neil Gaiman talk about how instrumental she was in him being able to make Sandman his own thing.
Apparently she runs an imprint at Dark Horse now.
Yes sir I have the best viewers they know the most. Thank you. Her name wouldn't come to me.
Yep! Karen Berger was excellent for Vertigo. When DC let her go, Dark Horse scooped her up and created the Berger Books line (which launched in 2018). Unfortunately, not much came of it - they haven't published a Berger Books title in years.
Yeah, my comic guy put Absolute Power in my bundle. I work on Wednesdays so I have someone pick up my books for me. It also stops my bad habit of showing up and buying a bunch of trades lol. I read it and was pretty disappointed. I usually just read Supes and Batman from DC. For Marvel, I am also a bit mixed. Spider-Man has been something for sure, but the X-Men has been strong and their reboot has been okay so far. I mean, it's one issue but it has promise. Usually, I go in for weirder small books.
I am one of those people who like politics in their books and always felt the complaints about politics wasn't good faith. Good stories are good stories and, while I like fluff, I think superheroes dealing with bigger issues can make things work. Well, usually. Like the last few years of X-Men was good because of its strong political bent, but Marvel did this groan worthy event for teen heroes like 3 years ago that made my eyerolls. So, yeah, boils down if you can make it work.
I don't buy stuff for speculation. I buy to read. I try to read all the books but my guy throws in books sometimes and I'm not there to say no so those usually just go straight to the long box. The guy I can tell is struggling and I'm doing well so I never say no. Like, Bloodhunt? He snuck those books in my pile and, man, did I not care about that series. But, I usually dont care for any this speculator stuff. All the big money was in collecting pre-collection mindset stuff from the 60s prior and I don't got a time machine.
Yeah, I follow some artists. I forget who it was, but one of them cracked about marketing. It wasn't even a comic guy, I think. But one said executives nowadays expect you to have online followings and market for free instead of dropping money on marketing. And they were breaking over it because it is a skillset completely separate from writing.
Thank you so much for sharing your common journey and your opinions on that current state of books. I have the exact same feelings I raised for the stories. I mostly read the weird independent stuff, but as a store we need the big two to be generating people through the door so I can hand sell them. The weird. welcome aboard
They did new 52 rebirth convergence they need help just like marvel does.
To be honest, I think Marvel's on a good track right now. Boy DC isn't
Yes, DC and Marvel are pretty much in the same boat, sailing into the same sinkholes.
To me absolute power #1 was good but not great. I believe its due to the plot, it feels like it just feels repetitive. Villains know batmans secrets on how to take down the league and Amanda Waller twisting the nerative.
@T-RexSuplex1 - Exactly, it's not really a new idea. We've seen several versions of this "down with superheroes" idea as far back as the LEGENDS miniseries, the story arc that introduced Amanda Waller.
Jaded exactly what I thought.
I couldn't remember what it felt like thank you.
I feel that an artist using AI to cheat is not good because me a consumer is shelling out 4.99 - 6.99 per book, i dont get to "cheat" by paying less. I dont see why an established artist would agree to the rate only to cheat. Its like a mechanic quoting you for OEM parts but actually using 3rd party nockoffs. More money in their pockets but your left paying for cheap parts.
I agree. I'm not excusing the behavior just trying to give an explanation of what would push someone to do it. Thank you for your input. Welcome aboard
No, all books that are "woke" suck. I don't want that shit in things I watch or read.
Don't buy then! Politics "Wokery" has been in Comics since the G.A!
True, but most were not done well.
Absolutely I love politics in comics if it's done well.