Is the whole "New Readers" rationale a myth?

[Stryfe6]

Marvel has to get retailers to buy its product. Retailers soon figure out how many people are buying each book and limit orders. When a new book comes out, retailers don't know how many people are going to buy it, so they order extra. Consequently, there is more product on the shelves for general consumption.

In turn, customers like #1 issues because (1) good jumping on point; (2) notion that a #1 is collectible; and (3) completist can have every issue. Coupled with the informed fanboy that's going to buy the book based on overall quality, you have an increase in sales, which is good for the industry--which is also good for the fan. If the book is good, the more fringe element of fanboy has a greater chance of sticking around and picking up more issues. If the book is bad, the boost in sales is still worth the overall effort.

of course the downside is:

- older fans who stop buying because of the randomness of the event
- the generally crappy plotting and rationale of all the characters involved
- no long term plan for after the event
- and the new readers brought in because of the event drop the books when they realise the books are underplotted, frequently lose meaning in the overall history of the characters, or the characters get killed/relagated to an afterthought.

so while the boost in sales is a good short term bonus, the long term result is often a smaller customer base
(the new 52 is, for the moment,the exception to the above)

[Regino]

of course the downside is:

- older fans who stop buying because of the randomness of the event
- the generally crappy plotting and rationale of all the characters involved
- no long term plan for after the event
- and the new readers brought in because of the event drop the books when they realise the books are underplotted, frequently lose meaning in the overall history of the characters, or the characters get killed/relagated to an afterthought.

so while the boost in sales is a good short term bonus, the long term result is often a smaller customer base
(the new 52 is, for the moment,the exception to the above)

I think events are boring. I was talking about renumbering once a new creative team (writer/artists) take over a book. For example, Liu/Perkins on AXM and Remender/artist on Secret Avengers.

[Stryfe6]

I think events are boring. I was talking about renumbering once a new creative team (writer/artists) take over a book. For example, Liu/Perkins on AXM and Remender/artist on Secret Avengers.

basically making it limited series.

i actually do think that for characters who cant sustain a series on their own, 6-12 issue limited series might be the way to go...have one story with a beginning, middle and end, wait 6 months, and then another story

[Regino]

basically making it limited series.

i actually do think that for characters who cant sustain a series on their own, 6-12 issue limited series might be the way to go...have one story with a beginning, middle and end, wait 6 months, and then another story

I was wrong. I've been on and off again w/ comics for years. I came back this last time based on the build up to MC. So, I am evidence of how an event draws in readers.

Mini-series are terrible. The last one I remember getting is Astonishing SPiderman and Wolverine, and I was disappointed.