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Kirk G
10-12-2007, 02:29 PM
To our great disappointment, another comic book shop in the area has announced that it is closing.

The Gateway of Vienna/Parkersburg, WV has sent a letter to each of their regular customers, informing them that the doors will be closed as of Dec. 29th.

The reason cited was the high number of taxes on a small business in West Virginia.

This is the second closing of a shop that has occurred within the last four months. Earlier, a disasterous fire elminated the shop in Athens, Ohio, some 38 miles west of Parkersburg. In the meantime, the staff there is selling current comics out of a garage stall until the shop can be rebuilt. It is running behind schedule... but they have hopes of opening doors by Nov. 1st.

The only remaining shop in the region is located 13 miles north in Marietta, Ohio sharing space with a DVD rental operation.

Possibly complicating matters.... Spider-man's "One More Day" arc sports a cover blurb that reads "Still only $3.99". This would mark the first increase of a regularly schedule mainstream comic to almost $4.00 in the marketplace.

On another front, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin is conducting a poll to sellect a new marketing slogan for the state. Manchin drew heat when he chnaged signs over bridges and entering highways that used to read "West Virginia: Wild and Wonderful" to "West Virginia: Open for Business"
After drawing fire, the governor is now looking for an alternative slogan to "Open for Business".

Comments?
Shellhead
10-12-2007, 02:38 PM
The current industry model is broken. The prices need to come down and the distribution needs to reach out to a wider range of stores, in order to recover the kid market. Otherwise, the existing fanbase will continue to age without replacement, until sales drop to a level where business can no longer continue. Maybe it's time for DC and Marvel to look closely at an online method of "publication."
Athena Bast
10-12-2007, 02:41 PM
Attitudes towards comics need to change too.

BONE is an incredible story but because it's a comic book I still get parents turning their noses up at me about it.
Donald M.
10-12-2007, 03:07 PM
Manchin drew heat when he chnaged signs over bridges and entering highways that used to read "West Virginia: Wild and Wonderful" to "West Virginia: Open for Business"
After drawing fire, the governor is now looking for an alternative slogan to "Open for Business".


"Wild and Wonderful" was preferable?

Well, if they need something new, how about: "West Virginia: We Don't Really Marry Our Cousins."
Kirk G
10-12-2007, 03:47 PM
Yes, Wild and Wonderful is in the running once again.
They held nominations at first, and they pared it down to about a half dozen that individuals will be able to vote upon.

And despite your joke, several along those lines were suggested. Guess what. They all were eliminated before the final sellection.

I just thought the controversy over the slogan was in conflict with what this small businessman is claiming has been the true impact. But then, what do I know. I live in Ohio and commute 40 miles to come work at a WV TV station!
Ben Morgan
10-12-2007, 04:18 PM
Why does the cover to the new Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man say "still 3.99"? When was it ever that much? I thought it was always 3 bucks (okay, $2.99)
Jinxer
10-12-2007, 04:23 PM
Why does the cover to the new Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man say "still 3.99"? When was it ever that much? I thought it was always 3 bucks (okay, $2.99)

Because Marvel hates us.
Jack Zodiac
10-12-2007, 04:27 PM
They're finally punishing people for reading crappy comics. If crappy storytelling doesn't drive off the readers, you'd better believe a four dollar price tag will!
Ben Morgan
10-12-2007, 04:45 PM
Because Marvel hates us.

But I just brought them some cake, are you saying they don't like pineapple upside-down cake? :eek:
Matt Algren
10-12-2007, 05:00 PM
Sounds like good news that the store in Athens is only a month away from reopening. Hopefully they'll be able to handle the Gateway's customers.
Jinxer
10-12-2007, 05:18 PM
But I just brought them some cake, are you saying they don't like pineapple upside-down cake? :eek:

only if you brought 30
Ben Morgan
10-12-2007, 06:12 PM
only if you brought 30

http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/uploaded_images/Stand-Down-3-7-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cake-737688.jpg
Kirk G
10-12-2007, 06:14 PM
Why does the cover to the new Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man say "still 3.99"? When was it ever that much? I thought it was always 3 bucks (okay, $2.99)

That's exactly the point.
They are hiking up the price, and this stunt is the excuse to do it.
Ben Morgan
10-12-2007, 06:15 PM
That's exactly the point.
They are hiking up the price, and this stunt is the excuse to do it.
I know why they're doing it, but why the "still" part? It was never $3.99! Was it? :confused:
Kirk G
10-12-2007, 06:22 PM
Sounds like good news that the store in Athens is only a month away from reopening. Hopefully they'll be able to handle the Gateway's customers.

I'm not sure they will drive 35 miles to come collect their comics. Probably will drive 13 miles north to get them.

Plus, there is no guarentee that the Athens store will be up and operating by Nov. 1st. The construction firm stopped work last week cause the Landlord & owner of the building had missed payments. The owner of the comic business is pulling his hair out because the employees are sitting in an unheated garage stall for four hours twice a week, trying to keep the business going....
Kirk G
10-12-2007, 06:27 PM
I know why they're doing it, but why the "still" part? It was never $3.99! Was it? :confused:
I suspect the joke is in the retro covers of the arc... that style of flashy hype hasn't been seen for many years. It's a throwback to the 60s and 70s... and each time they raised the price, Marvel would billboard the current low low price in the upper left corner just before it jumped.

DC and Marvel played this game whenever one would raise their price before the other.:rolleyes:
darkkeeperjr
10-12-2007, 11:12 PM
$40.00 for 10 titles,that a tank of gas. Thank god for trade paper back.Also for browsing at the local barns & noble and borders. If only walmart would get involved somehow.
SUPERECWFAN1
10-12-2007, 11:14 PM
I actually got ASM 544 for 50 cents at a flea market. So yeah I'm sticking it to Marvel in my own special way.
Ben Morgan
10-13-2007, 12:09 AM
Way to stick it to the man Super
SUPERECWFAN1
10-13-2007, 12:19 AM
Way to stick it to the man Super

I'd stick it to them til they realize their pretty much driving more and more of us away. Its sad. But I fear if comics do hit that $3.99 point I may end up quitting and just getting back issues.
Nikita
10-13-2007, 01:08 AM
Dagnabbit, this seriously sucks. I LOVE my local comicbook shop and I pray, they never, ever close. I hate to hear about so many closing. Luckily, the ones by me seem to be doing ok. So far anyway. I go to the big bookstore chains but I still try to support my local comic shop as much as I can.
darkkeeperjr
10-13-2007, 06:51 AM
I guess we all need to support our local comic book store,but still i can only get 4 titles a month.A shame.I would really like to get at least 12 or so.
Shellhead
10-13-2007, 08:18 AM
A local chain of comic book shops went bankrupt here in the Twin Cities, just a few months ago. There were some other aspects to the situation though, including hookers, drugs and guns.

I currently live less than two miles from the best comic book store in the state. The place is at least ten times the size of the first comic book store that I bought my comics from. I'm not too worried about their success, because they actually sell a lot games, too, plus they have an extensive selection of anime, cartoons, and science-fiction and fantasy movies. They have game tables set up in the back of the store to host regular card-gaming, role-playing and miniatures gaming, plus lots of special events.
benday-dot
10-13-2007, 09:25 AM
A local chain of comic book shops went bankrupt here in the Twin Cities, just a few months ago. There were some other aspects to the situation though, including hookers, drugs and guns.

Hookers, drugs and guns... And still bankruptcy. Sounds like the perfect recipe for success to me. ;)
wrobel-cwirek
10-13-2007, 10:46 AM
Personally... I don't understand why the hell thay are selling the same and the same stories... come on... I read one Spider-Man comic book I that is too much for me...

Why there are so few GOOD and ACTUAL stories... like DMZ, Pride of Baghdad, Gamekeeper etc... not this bull-shit-super-stupid-heroes crap?
Shellhead
10-13-2007, 11:23 AM
Personally... I don't understand why the hell thay are selling the same and the same stories... come on... I read one Spider-Man comic book I that is too much for me...

Why there are so few GOOD and ACTUAL stories... like DMZ, Pride of Baghdad, Gamekeeper etc... not this bull-shit-super-stupid-heroes crap?

To paraphrase Harlan Ellison, superhero comics don't suck, they are sucked.