Marvel Business Practices Discussion

[md62]

At first I didn't really care about Marvel double shipping since I only got two Marvel titles a month. But I have been slowly adding some Marvel books back onto my pull list (mostly $2.99 cover price). Now with my household costs rising again (gas/food/medical insurance) I can't afford Marvel in May. All the Marvel books I buy except Winter Soldier are double shipping so once again Marvel is losing my dollars again. It looks like I will be dropping back to two Marvel titles again....

[DownInAHole]

Theoretically I am fine with books shipping twice in one month but in practice there are things I do not like about it, especially if the book is priced at $3.99. If a book has a higher price without additional content then I expect the creative team to be the very best. With so many books double shipping the art is definitely suffering. If Marvel are going to double ship that is fine but I do not want them doing it if they can not maintain the quality that I expect from a $3.99 book. If Marvel are going to charge premium prices for their books I expect premium talent on those books, not subpar fill in artists.

I do think that with better scheduling they can double ship books without the art suffering but so far I am not satisfied that they are doing as well as they could be.

[RDMacQ]

True. People don't tend to buy a comic for the backup. Even if it's a good backup, it's still perceived less like icing on the cake and more like sprinkles on the icing.

True. In addition, due to the reduced page count and changes in storytelling that allow for more decompression in a comic, the backups actually could take away from the main story which would cause it to run longer than it should. Which would mean more money spent in the long run. So a feature designed to add value to the comic could actually end up costing people money in the long run.

[Cavemold]

I wish they would double ship scarlet spider.

[Wolf_Leader]

In addition, due to the reduced page count and changes in storytelling that allow for more decompression in a comic, the backups actually could take away from the main story which would cause it to run longer than it should.

I don't quite follow this argument. The idea was that the backups would be in addition to the 'standard' 20 story pages, so nothing gets taken away from.

[Awesome!]

I don't quite follow this argument. The idea was that the backups would be in addition to the 'standard' 20 story pages, so nothing gets taken away from.

Occasionally a backup will take over pages from the main story or even switch places. Not often but it does happen sometimes.

[RDMacQ]

I don't quite follow this argument. The idea was that the backups would be in addition to the 'standard' 20 story pages, so nothing gets taken away from.

I was just speculating that the backups would end up taking away space that could be used towards the main story.

Heck, if they can devote page space to a backup story, why not instead just put more pages in the comic devoted to the main feature?

[Awesome!]

Heck, if they can devote page space to a backup story, why not instead just put more pages in the comic devoted to the main feature?

It's much more difficult for an artist to do 28 pages in a month than 20...

[Wolf_Leader]

if they can devote page space to a backup story, why not instead just put more pages in the comic devoted to the main feature?

Well that would be better, but I kind of threw the idea out there earlier (because DC does it) presuming that Marvel is not going to increase page counts of main stories but could still do something to add value to their $3.99 line.

[FriendRoss]

back up stories usually stink (unless dan slott writes them)


i find added value in digital codes

[CyberHubbs]

At first I didn't really care about Marvel double shipping since I only got two Marvel titles a month. But I have been slowly adding some Marvel books back onto my pull list (mostly $2.99 cover price). Now with my household costs rising again (gas/food/medical insurance) I can't afford Marvel in May. All the Marvel books I buy except Winter Soldier are double shipping so once again Marvel is losing my dollars again. It looks like I will be dropping back to two Marvel titles again....

You know you can just push the double-shipped comics to the next month, right?

I don't buy every comic the same week as its release.

[David Walton]

BTW, I should just clarify my position.

I do really like backup features, and appreciate the additional content.

I also like the way backups introduce you to a writer's work you might not have known otherwise.

My point is more that it's pretty rare that I'd consider buying a title because of the backup.

[Awesome!]

back up stories usually stink (unless dan slott writes them)


i find added value in digital codes

I am the exact opposite. I like backups and find zero value in digital codes.

[coconutphone]

I am the exact opposite. I like backups and find zero value in digital codes.

Me too. I especially like back-ups like in a recent Action Comics where we got a nice flashback to Clark, Pete & Lana packing up the famrrm before Clark moved to Metropolis. Nice peice of the backstory and beautifully done.

[David Walton]

Me too. I especially like back-ups like in a recent Action Comics where we got a nice flashback to Clark, Pete & Lana packing up the famrrm before Clark moved to Metropolis. Nice peice of the backstory and beautifully done.

For some reason, that backup (and the issue itself) didn't really click with me, but I LOVED the one from the last issue where Ma and Pa Kent dealt with their infertility issues.

If you like Sholly Fisch's stuff, you should check out some back issues of BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. I especially recommend the Halloween issue (House of Mystery with Cain and Abel!) and the one where the Phantom Stranger recruits all the Robins.