Marvel Comics price increase

[torippu]

Augie - looks like your prediction was right. Looking at the Nov 2008 solicits from Marvel, it appears that they have increased the price point for a lot of their books to $3.99. :eek:

ULTIMATUM #1 & 2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #577
ADAM: LEGEND OF THE BLUE MARVEL #1
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE SPECIAL
BIG HERO 6 #3
GHOST RIDER #29
GHOST RIDER: DANNY KETCH #2
MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 #2
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL ANNUAL #1
SECRET INVASION #8
SUB-MARINER: THE DEPTHS #3
THOR: MAN OF WAR
ASTONISHING X-MEN: GHOST BOXES #2
WEAPON X: FIRST CLASS #1
X-MEN: PIXIES AND DEMONS DIRECTOR'S CUT
DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING DEVIL SLAYER #3
FOOLKILLER: WHITE ANGELS #5
PUNISHER #64
ENDER'S GAME: FIRST SERIES #2
THE STAND: CAPTAIN TRIPS #3
DARK TOWER: TREACHERY #3
LORDS OF AVALON: KNIGHT OF DARKNESS #1
MARVEL ILLUSTRATED:THE ODYSSEY #3
MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: KIDNAPPED! #1

Granted some of these books may have already been at this price point (i.e. Secret Invasion which I complained about months ago) but I guess that I am OK with Marvel charging more for mini-series if it means the monthly books stay at $2.99 for a little while longer. This new pricing structure probably means that I will think twice about investing the money in a mini-series through. Once the pricing on the monthly books increases, then I am really going to need to take a long, hard look at my pull list. :frown:

[pmpknface]

Ok....

I went over this with a friend of mine last week. There are a LOT of books now listed at $4, however look at the details.

Yes, there are some 32 pg books that are $3 (the Marvel Knights Namor one, the event books, etc). But really - for over 80% of those at this price point they are giving you EXTRA CONTENT, and that's how they are going to get away with it.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #573
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1
BIG HERO 6 #2 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA WHITE #0 (OF 6) DIRECTORS CUT
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR OPERATION ZERO POINT
GHOST RIDER #28
GHOST RIDER DANNY KETCH #1 (OF 5)
GIANT SIZE X-MEN FIRST CLASS #1
MONSTER SIZE HULK #1
THOR TRUTH OF HISTORY #1
ULTIMATE CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #1
ULTIMATE HULK ANNUAL #1
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #3
X-MEN MANIFEST DESTINY #2 (OF 4)
X-MEN ORIGINAL SIN #1
X-MEN WORLDS APART #1 (OF 4)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #2
MARVEL APES #3 (OF 4)
MARVEL APES #4 (OF 4)
DARK TOWER TREACHERY #2 (OF 6)

I'm pretty sure that all of those are oversized books. MAX books and MK books are pretty much separate deals. Cardstock covers and single print runs kind of run that area.

But YES, on "event" books they are going to get you because they can. Marvel Zombies, Secret Invasion, The Stand, Enders Game, and others they will TEST OUT price points and see what they can get. If people pay for it, that'll be where they stay.

Otherwise, my "theory" is that Marvel is adding in extra content to make bigger books and hiding the price point in the process. So we'll get more, but so will they.

[torippu]

I'm OK with the occasional over-sized book but it seems like Marvel is really pushing it with ASM and offering a book with extra content each month! With this thrice monthly publishing schedule, you would think that stories could be spread out a bit more evenly throughout the month so as to avoid having to publish the big issues.

My biggest issue with the price increase is that I love my comics! However, I do have a family and the amount of money that I can spend on books each month is limited. The more prices increase, the less I can read. For the first time in my life, I am not going to be able to read all of the books that I want to - and that is a decision that I never wanted to have to make!

[pmpknface]

I hear ya. I'm not gonna argue against what you're saying either.

MY friend wants to start a website: http://www.no4dollarcomics.com. He doesn't care what it is, it should just be 32pgs & $3 max.

I can stand the extra content, bonus milestone issues, and bigger annuals. I'm voting with my wallet on some of these and NOT getting Namor, Magneto, and a few of the other ones that I may have purchased if they were cheaper. Marvel Zombies is another that I'm down for HC's.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Ha! Yeah, it sounds to me like they can't justify raising the price an entire dollar, but if they add an extra 40 cents worth of content in there, then the price hike might slide in. Give it a few months for people to get used to, then slip out the extra content, and suddenly you're back to 22 pages of story, for $4.

Inevitable. Sad.

Thanks for the list, Jamie!

-Augie

[pmpknface]

No problem man. Once Pipeline HQ is 100% up and running and we get to another Previews Podcast, this is destined to be a topic.

I'll be paying attention to this "$4 factor" in the upcoming months by looking at the DCBS downloads. Thank god for their discount or I'd be screwed!

[AC Chris]

Are they actually 32 page comics, or 22 pages of content with 10 pages of ads?

[pmpknface]

I'm not sure which ones you're referring to AC, but the list that I provided above is for comics that have 40+ pages of content. The rest ot the "standard" comic fare is for 32 pgs total and 22 pages of content.

[torippu]

It is also interesting to see that some of Dark Horse's books are 40 pages but still cost $2.99. Extra ads = $3 price point?

[pmpknface]

A bit of news from Augie (who can't get here during the 9 to 5):

I dropped a line to Marvel PR. They tell me that they are committed
to the $2.99 price point, and that the November page count
increases/price hikes are a one-off thing.

So it doesn't look like the bas price is jumping, but there is a glutton of larger / event $3.99 books out there.

[torippu]

So it doesn't look like the base price is jumping, but there is a glutton of larger / event $3.99 books out there.

Guess I am still a little skeptical but am willing to wait and see if the trend continues. I'll definitely be paying closer attention to my upcoming orders for October and November.

[Drusilla lives!]

Well I guess my little excursion down memory lane is over. I think $3.99 ($4) is just a little to high for me... especially with gas at $4 and milk at >=$4 a gallon. :)

[pmpknface]

Yeah, thank GOD gas is finally dropping a bit. I saw as low as $3.55 up here in MA.

[Drusilla lives!]

In a way I really do feel sorry for the hobby and the younger fans... they really have nothing in my opinion. :(

[Siddon]

Not only that check out the solits for November hardcovers are going from 19.99 to 24.99, so now it costs more to wait for the trades.

[torippu]

Not only that check out the solits for November hardcovers are going from 19.99 to 24.99, so now it costs more to wait for the trades.

Yikes - I wonder how this will affect the over-sized Hardcovers? I'm on the lookout for Vol. 10 of USM and Vol. 2 of the Captain America Omnibus and have my fingers crossed that we'll eventually get an Astonishing X-Men Omnibus.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Don't worry -- I told Marvel I'd be keeping an eye on them to keep them honest about their commitment. On the other hand, economics is economics. At some point, $2.99 won't be feasible for such a relatively low-selling item. Printing and shipping 20,000 measly copies of a 32 page thing ain't cheap. Pay the NYC rent, the talent, the administration -- it's amazing they are as cheap as they are with that kind of sell-through.

-Augie

[marvell2100]

This is something that I did not want to hear. $4 comics? I juststarted buying comics about 6 mos. ago after a year off because it got to be too expensive. I decided to try again after paring down my list. I am definitely holding the line at 10 titles(8 Marvel 2 DC) with the possibility of dropping 2-3. I'll see how long I can survive if they go up to $4.

[pmpknface]

Just a question, does anyone out there still pay FULL PRICE for anything? I mean, sure - if the retail costs go up so does everyone's, evey if you're getting a discount. But is anyone on this thread REALLY paying FULL price for this stuff?

I know I'm not. Just curious...

[Drusilla lives!]

Just a question, does anyone out there still pay FULL PRICE for anything? I mean, sure - if the retail costs go up so does everyone's, evey if you're getting a discount. But is anyone on this thread REALLY paying FULL price for this stuff?

I know I'm not. Just curious...

No way would I pay full price dude. I just pre-order on the cheapest internet site I can find... and I still think I'm paying way to much.

[torippu]

Just a question, does anyone out there still pay FULL PRICE for anything? I mean, sure - if the retail costs go up so does everyone's, evey if you're getting a discount. But is anyone on this thread REALLY paying FULL price for this stuff?

I know I'm not. Just curious...

I only pay full price when I miss an issue at my LCS or forget to order through DCBS and the shipping costs for getting something off of eBay are prohibitive to me. At that point, I have to visit one of my secondary shops in CA or AZ to seek out those issues.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Sorta, but not really. My local comics shop has a card they punch for every $5 you spend. After 10 punches, you get $5 off your next purchase. Sorta a 10% discount, but a little in the house's favor.

That said, I don't buy much there. And when it comes to trades and hardcovers, they're all ordered through Amazon for me. It would be silly not to.

-Augie

[torippu]

And when it comes to trades and hardcovers, they're all ordered through Amazon for me. It would be silly not to.

-Augie

Same for me. Although DCBS & Instocktrades do have good discounts.

Now it's time for an outta the blue question - do you remember the name of that joint online that you used to order your trades/HC from? I think the color scheme of the site was green and black and recall you mentioning it once or twice in the column or here on the boards many a moon ago. Is that dealer still around?

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Trip - that's Khepri.com. They are still around. Back in the day when I was regularly ordering $100 - $150 a month in trades and hardcovers, I used him religiously. That box that came once a month was so nice.

Looks like he's using a PayPal cart for his checkout these days. Ooh, that gives me ideas. . .

-Augie

[bert]

Just a question, does anyone out there still pay FULL PRICE for anything? I mean, sure - if the retail costs go up so does everyone's, evey if you're getting a discount. But is anyone on this thread REALLY paying FULL price for this stuff?

I know I'm not. Just curious...

yes.

I don't buy Marvel comics, but I pay cover price at my shop for everything each week.

I've been going to them for years and years, and they used to have a subscriber discount, but they no longer have that. I've stuck with them out of loyalty, but when the DC/DarkHorse/indie books get out of my affordability range, I'll just have to cut back (or stop completely).

[torippu]

Trip - that's Khepri.com.

-Augie

There you go. Knew you wouldn't let me down!

[De Carabas]

The LCS near me doesn't offer any kind of discount or frequent buyer program. I only go there when I have second thoughts about a book I skipped (e.g. WWH: Damage Control), but whenever I do, it hurts. Makes me wonder how anyone can afford to go there.

EM

[Black Vespa]

some rabid fan-boy had mentioned trying to get a boycott going on ASM because he didn't like the changes made. - bad example of a reason to boycott.......this price increase though, - this would give me ample reason to boycott marvel, based soley on principle.

there better be a legitimate reason for this, - and i'm talking "We're changing our format from 22 pages to 33, also when Spidey takes a swinging punch in this panel, -you're gonna feel it in your jaw, - that's right loyal marvel readers, - full virtual reading experience--SNIKTETY-SNIKT-SNIKT-SNIKT all up in your grill!"

[pmpknface]

I'll look at the DC prices on Monday, ya know... instead of working. ;)

And I understand the loyalty to an LCS. I've been going to mine for 15 years! But the difference is I only get a few books a month there - AND I still get 15% from them.

[Hypestyle]

hmm... we need more Essential Trades..
black panther
cloak & dagger
more..

[dancj]

some rabid fan-boy had mentioned trying to get a boycott going on ASM because he didn't like the changes made. - bad example of a reason to boycott.......this price increase though, - this would give me ample reason to boycott marvel, based soley on principle.
You'd send a better message by only boycotting the $4 books

[pmpknface]

hmm... we need more Essential Trades..
black panther
cloak & dagger
more..
C&D would be cool. I've got most of their apps though. Marvel just did a few Classic format tpb's of BP. I passed on them because they were too much. Maybe I'll get issues of 'em.

But I'm always down for more Ess's!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

With a new mini in the works, an ESSENTIAL CLOAK AND DAGGER is almost a given. We'll see.

-Augie

[torippu]

After listening to Part 2 of the Wordballoon Bendis Tapes Back to School edition, I'll be interested to see what happens with the pricing come December. Siuntres mentioned that he has heard that 20 Marvel titles will go to $3.99 at that time. If this turns out to be true, I'd like to see how Marvel spins the "committed to $2.99 price point" comment they made to Augie. Thinking about it again, there are many different ways to interpret that comment.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I think there's a timing issue here. John recorded that podcast with Brian before I had received that comment from Marvel. And I also think John confused his November with his December solicitations.

Or perhaps he's hearing something different from what I heard. We'll see soon enough.

Didja hear the third part of the Bendis Tapes yet, though. Check out what Bendis has to say at the thirty minute mark. =)

-Augie

[torippu]

I think there's a timing issue here. John recorded that podcast with Brian before I had received that comment from Marvel. And I also think John confused his November with his December solicitations.

Or perhaps he's hearing something different from what I heard. We'll see soon enough.

Didja hear the third part of the Bendis Tapes yet, though. Check out what Bendis has to say at the thirty minute mark. =)

-Augie

Not yet - guess I've got something to look forward to on my drive to work this week.

[torippu]

Didja hear the third part of the Bendis Tapes yet, though. Check out what Bendis has to say at the thirty minute mark. =)

-Augie

Wow - and there is a part 4 of the Bendis Tapes! Thought that the 3 hour Part 3 was the end...boy was I wrong. Siuntres & Bendis talk for another 2 1/2 hours!

[pmpknface]

I wish I had the time to listen! What'd he say!?!?! :)

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

That would be the part where Bendis calls me "the biggest lettering nerd." ;-)

So I'm switching things up in the column this week and talking coloring.

-Augie

[torippu]

That would be the part where Bendis calls me "the biggest lettering nerd." ;-)

-Augie

It's not like Bendis isn't speaking the truth! :biggrin: