Why Marvel Publishes More Comics Than DC Per Month

[Kick-Ass]

The goal in publishing is to publish more books that people will buy.

For example, say Marvel can publish 50 books a month. Then sales of New Avengers go up because people really like that book. Sales are so high, that Marvel can start a new comic called Mighty Avengers. Now they publish 51 books a month. Then they see that Spider-Man sales are high. They decide they can publish it twice a month and give fans what they want. Now they publish 52 books a month. Then sales of Uncanny X-Force are high, so they double ship that book too, and create a new comic called Uncanny X-Force: First Class. Now they publish 54 books a month.

THIS IS HOW YOU WORK IN PUBLISHING!!! When Marvel publishes more books per month, it is because their sales are high enough that they can.

It is not a dirty trick! Understand the industry before whining and complaining.

Now can we PLEASE stop the "They only sell more because they publish more books." THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS IS! You sell and publish more books because you can! Because sales are high, and you need to move as many books as possible!

If they sell 52 books a month, and each sells an average of 100,000 per month, they sold 5,200,000 books that month. By publishing a new comic, that is 53 books, and they sell 5,300,000 books that month. That is how the business works and how you succeed.

And why don't other companies publish as many books as Marvel? Because they CANNOT. Because their sales are only high enough to sell however many books they have. If Image sells 20 books a month, they want to do what they can to make sales rise and sell 21 books a month, and work their way up as high as they can. Thats the business.

And how many more books does Marvel publish than DC per month? Not that many.

[CagedLeo730]

The goal in publishing is to publish more books that people will buy.

For example, say Marvel can publish 50 books a month. Then sales of New Avengers go up because people really like that book. Sales are so high, that Marvel can start a new comic called Mighty Avengers. Now they publish 51 books a month. Then they see that Spider-Man sales are high. They decide they can publish it twice a month and give fans what they want. Now they publish 52 books a month. Then sales of Uncanny X-Force are high, so they double ship that book too, and create a new comic called Uncanny X-Force: First Class. Now they publish 54 books a month.

THIS IS HOW YOU WORK IN PUBLISHING!!! When Marvel publishes more books per month, it is because their sales are high enough that they can.

It is not a dirty trick! Understand the industry before whining and complaining.

Now can we PLEASE stop the "They only sell more because they publish more books." THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS IS! You sell and publish more books because you can! Because sales are high, and you need to move as many books as possible!

If they sell 52 books a month, and each sells an average of 100,000 per month, they sold 5,200,000 books that month. By publishing a new comic, that is 53 books, and they sell 5,300,000 books that month. That is how the business works and how you succeed.

And why don't other companies publish as many books as Marvel? Because they CANNOT. Because their sales are only high enough to sell however many books they have. If Image sells 20 books a month, they want to do what they can to make sales rise and sell 21 books a month, and work their way up as high as they can. Thats the business.

And how many more books does Marvel publish than DC per month? Not that many.

Will you please stop spreading your "Logic" around these boards. We like to be cavemen and root for our "team". Like Ricky bobby's dad said "If you're not first, then you're last".

[Kick-Ass]

Will you please stop spreading your "Logic" around these boards. We like to be cavemen and root for our "team". Like Ricky bobby's dad said "If you're not first, then you're last".

Are you telling me logic doesn't work here? I hadn't noticed.

[Hulk_Is]

Well, I appreaciate your post, Kick-Ass.

[CyberHubbs]

But I can't read all the books Marvel puts out.

[Roland Gunner]

You'd have a point a few years back, when Marvel had a much wider catalog of titles. But now they publish roughly the same number of titles as DC, just more often. Lots of people, including many of us who don't hate Marvel, don't think readers are going to books that cost $4 per issue 18 times a year.

[Rasputin9977]

But I can't read all the books Marvel puts out.

That's when you say "screw it, im going to Valiant" and start to spread the Valiant gospel.

By the way to the OP, Marvels EiC has said that having so many comics out there doesn't allow critically acclaimed series to flourish because big names steal the spotlight. What does that mean? Less MI6 and more Wolverine and the X Avengers.

[NickFury90]

Lets go valiant!

[davidn15]

You'd have a point a few years back, when Marvel had a much wider catalog of titles. But now they publish roughly the same number of titles as DC, just more often. Lots of people, including many of us who don't hate Marvel, don't think readers are going to books that cost $4 per issue 18 times a year.

QFT

I'm reading 4 Marvel books. All 3.99, all getting double shipping regularly. The double shipping especially prevents me from checking out other books be it Marvel, DC, Image etc... A year ago I was reading maybe 10 Marvel books. That's just not feasible for me anymore with their reliance on double shipping.

[Hulk_Is]

But I can't read all the books Marvel puts out.

Would you even if you had the chance?

[CyberHubbs]

That's when you say "screw it, im going to Valiant" and start to spread the Valiant gospel.

By the way to the OP, Marvels EiC has said that having so many comics out there doesn't allow critically acclaimed series to flourish because big names steal the spotlight. What does that mean? Less MI6 and more Wolverine and the X Avengers.

Valiant is doing the same old thing, though. What folks accuse Marvel of, Valiant is similarly guilty as they restart with no original titles far as I can see. Just rebooting X-O Manowar and Harbingers. Both of which look good, mind you, but seems to play more on nostalgia than a feeling of, "They're going somewhere we've never been before! Go Shooter!"

[CyberHubbs]

QFT

I'm reading 4 Marvel books. All 3.99, all getting double shipping regularly. The double shipping especially prevents me from checking out other books be it Marvel, DC, Image etc... A year ago I was reading maybe 10 Marvel books. That's just not feasible for me anymore with their reliance on double shipping.

Your monthly budget on comic books is, roughly, 32 bucks?

[CyberHubbs]

Would you even if you had the chance?

I'd give it a go.

[davidn15]

Your monthly budget on comic books is, roughly, 32 bucks?

A year ago my budget for single issues was about 40. Mostly Marvel books.

I've bumped up my budget to 60. Getting a mix of marvel and dc. The Marvel books are more expensive and double ship, it's tough on the budget. Can't really check out new books. I like everything I'm getting but that double shipping takes a hit on my budget.

[Sabrewulf]

The goal in publishing is to publish more books that people will buy.

For example, say Marvel can publish 50 books a month. Then sales of New Avengers go up because people really like that book. Sales are so high, that Marvel can start a new comic called Mighty Avengers. Now they publish 51 books a month. Then they see that Spider-Man sales are high. They decide they can publish it twice a month and give fans what they want. Now they publish 52 books a month. Then sales of Uncanny X-Force are high, so they double ship that book too, and create a new comic called Uncanny X-Force: First Class. Now they publish 54 books a month.

THIS IS HOW YOU WORK IN PUBLISHING!!! When Marvel publishes more books per month, it is because their sales are high enough that they can.

It is not a dirty trick! Understand the industry before whining and complaining.

Now can we PLEASE stop the "They only sell more because they publish more books." THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS IS! You sell and publish more books because you can! Because sales are high, and you need to move as many books as possible!

If they sell 52 books a month, and each sells an average of 100,000 per month, they sold 5,200,000 books that month. By publishing a new comic, that is 53 books, and they sell 5,300,000 books that month. That is how the business works and how you succeed.

And why don't other companies publish as many books as Marvel? Because they CANNOT. Because their sales are only high enough to sell however many books they have. If Image sells 20 books a month, they want to do what they can to make sales rise and sell 21 books a month, and work their way up as high as they can. Thats the business.

And how many more books does Marvel publish than DC per month? Not that many.

Actually DC published about 20% more books in March. So DC are obviously following this 'logic' defensive Marvel fans like to throw around, too. Yay DC.

At this point Market share means nothing. Shipping AvX early and tricks like that muddy the waters. So Im much more interested in what makes up the top sellers that isn't a number 1 or an event because those are the books that need applauding for retaining their momentum.

I'm also interested in what's nearing the cancellation line. With Marvel it's obvious. But DC has just stated at Newsarama that some books with low sales wont be axed due to trade sales and potential. So well done DC for not just giving up on diverse titles.

I'm also interested in titles retaining their sales levels. Like the majority of DC books in the top 100 now having pretty much found their level. While books that only a month ago Alonso was calling successful launches like Winter Soldier, Scarlet Spider, Defenders plummet towards the bottom end of the chart.

See there are many more ways to measure success outside of market share.