Box O'Comics

[EuroMutt]

I was bored today and was reading in an old Grant Morrison interview that he got sent a box of comics with every DC title released in a month. Anyone else hear stuff like that? Is that true for anyone who does stuff for DC, or just maybe exclusive guys? Have to admit its pretty interesting; gives creators a wide view of the companies Universe. What does everyone else think? Willing to sell your soul for a FREE giant box of comics every month?

[glennsim]

I was bored today and was reading in an old Grant Morrison interview that he got sent a box of comics with every DC title released in a month. Anyone else hear stuff like that? Is that true for anyone who does stuff for DC, or just maybe exclusive guys? Have to admit its pretty interesting; gives creators a wide view of the companies Universe. What does everyone else think? Willing to sell your soul for a FREE giant box of comics every month?

I first heard about this about a year or two ago, as there was a big scandal around people selling their "comp" copies on Ebay. Reportedly the general motivation was that they didn't have room to store all of them, not the desire for the money.

DC (or Marvel, I forget which), had some problem with this for some reason, and cut back on the comps being sent out.

[ChairthrowerLad]

My aunt used to be a photographer with a comic and fantasy magazine. Through her work she became very good friends with legendary DC editor "Julie" Schwartz. He used to send her free comics and she would pass them down to me (that is why I only read DC). I dont know if he was sending us the free comics that he was given or if he was sending my aunt her own set of free comics, but I know that DC has in the past given out free comics to those within the industry.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I was bored today and was reading in an old Grant Morrison interview that he got sent a box of comics with every DC title released in a month. Anyone else hear stuff like that? Is that true for anyone who does stuff for DC, or just maybe exclusive guys? Have to admit its pretty interesting; gives creators a wide view of the companies Universe. What does everyone else think? Willing to sell your soul for a FREE giant box of comics every month?

I heard about this long ago. I'm pretty envious and all. So those at work at DC/Marvel already have my envy about being comic book writers and now this ? I suppose I'll start a riot soon. ;)

[Bat-Mite]

Is that true for anyone who does stuff for DC, or just maybe exclusive guys?

Everyone. I once heard a story that Mark Millar used to send his box to an orphanage every month, until one day the box contained a copy of Preacher, and they don't accept his boxes anymore.

[Sir Tim Drake]

I first heard about this about a year or two ago, as there was a big scandal around people selling their "comp" copies on Ebay. Reportedly the general motivation was that they didn't have room to store all of them, not the desire for the money.

DC (or Marvel, I forget which), had some problem with this for some reason, and cut back on the comps being sent out.

I believe they were selling the copies at Jim Hanley's Universe, a Manhattan comic book store, rather than on eBay.

[Jack Zodiac]

Everyone. I once heard a story that Mark Millar used to send his box to an orphanage every month, until one day the box contained a copy of Preacher, and they don't accept his boxes anymore.

Sure it wasn't a copy of Ultimates? :D BA-ZING!

And yeah, it's common for editors to send comp books to writers to keep them current on things in the company. Even certain writers who aren't currently as busy within the company anymore get the comp box. Marty Pasko mentioned that he continues to get them from DC.

Just more fuel for the fire to become a comic book writer. :p

[ChairthrowerLad]

Just more fuel for the fire to become a comic book writer. :p

Quoted For Truth...


wtf 10 letter minimum?

[Hulkamaniac]

I know that it's common for the companies to provide copies of all the comics printed that month to its employees, it allows the people ( especially writers) to see the competition and have a well rounded sense of whats going on in the market and whats hot etc. My friend worked at Marvel and confirmed this to me, I was so jealous of him being able to read anything and everything that came out for free!!!! This was some years ago and even then I think it was a rule that the comics could not leave a certain room, to avoid people stealing them and losing them.

[DDM]

Both Marvel & DC practice this. Basically, if you're working for the company, you get free comics in that time frame.

[ChairthrowerLad]

It works the same way in alot of different industries. Musical artists and agents get free CDs of other artists that are on the same label. Actors and agents get movies that have come out from the same production company/producer/whatever.


Really what we should aspire to be is a comic/movie/music agent and get it all free.

[Captain Jim]

I believe they were selling the copies at Jim Hanley's Universe, a Manhattan comic book store, rather than on eBay.

This is my recollection as well. And I'm not sure they were selling them, but trading them for other stuff, giving JHU a huge amount of stock for which they essentially paid pennies on the dollar. I also seem to recall that DC stopped giving out comps after this, though I could be wrong.

[Jeff Brady]

This is my recollection as well. And I'm not sure they were selling them, but trading them for other stuff, giving JHU a huge amount of stock for which they essentially paid pennies on the dollar. I also seem to recall that DC stopped giving out comps after this, though I could be wrong.

Basically correct, but DC still gives comps.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

My job means I get new DC, Marvel and others, sent to me every month.

[Iangould]

In theory, the comics are "reference material" and not to be resold.

In theory, if the IRS found out that a company was giving people hundreds of dollars worth of goods every month which they were reselling, it might decide that this was part of their salary, tax the staff on the goods and include it in their calculations of the payroll taxes the company has to pay.

So long as people are discreet, the companies probably have no problem with people reselling stuff.

The problem a year or so back arose because the person selling the books on-line was a staffer not a freelancer and said publicly where the books came from (that's my recollection anyway).

That could be interpretted as the company knowing and approving of the resale of the comp books.

[StoneGold]

I used to be on Marvel's comp list, way back when.