CCI LIVE: Marvel House of Ideas

[CBR News]

Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada and other special guest bring the latest in the Marvel Comics App, social media and more for Comic-Con International. CBR is on hand LIVE with details.


Full article here.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I'm a bit disappointed by this being a technology panel, but I hope they announce some more Infinite Comics. Marvel's going to lose traction with that the longer they wait to capitalize on it.

Why is CBR the only one who doesn't seem to have an auto-refreshing live blog?

EDIT:

Gabriel added that it's possible that the $2.99 comics might contain digital codes next, if the demand is there.

The Avengers vs. X-Men hardcover will come with a download code, and the Infinite Comics will appear in print in that hardcover.

I'm very curious to see how they handle bringing the Infinite Comics to print. In my mind, you'd pretty much be missing the point in doing that.

[derekakadrock]

I actually suggested to Marvel that they offer digital codes for trades about two or three months ago, and was told at the time that it was not financially feasible. Glad to see we'll be getting that, but I'm surprised there was such a quick turnaround.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I actually suggested to Marvel that they offer digital codes for trades about two or three months ago, and was told at the time that it was not financially feasible. Glad to see we'll be getting that, but I'm surprised there was such a quick turnaround.

Everything's a quick turnaround in the Marvel's trades department.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I really like the idea of using AR on the covers to give readers recaps. That's pretty nifty.

[DaronK]

I know I'm going to get lambasted for this, but wasn't the inclusion of the digital code Marvel's response to all the detractors of the $3.99 price-point? Wasn't that supposed to be adding value to these books? If that's the case, and they'll now be adding digital codes to the $2.99 books, what does that really say about the "value?"

[Desaad]

Ugh, this panel was not for me.

Learned nothing story related at all.

I understand everyone's excitement over digital, but for me it's just another mode of delivery. I'm much more interested in the creative moves and minds behind my entertainment!

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I know I'm going to get lambasted for this, but wasn't the inclusion of the digital code Marvel's response to all the detractors of the $3.99 price-point? Wasn't that supposed to be adding value to these books? If that's the case, and they'll now be adding digital codes to the $2.99 books, what does that really say about the "value?"

That once you get past the initial production cost (writing/art), it costs nothing to store digital copies of books.

This panel was very disappointing though. Marvel's going to end up with somebody else passing them with this Infinite Comics thing. This isn't the first time they've done this. They come up with a good idea but they're so tepid about it that they end up having to play catch up.

[Desaad]

I know I'm going to get lambasted for this, but wasn't the inclusion of the digital code Marvel's response to all the detractors of the $3.99 price-point? Wasn't that supposed to be adding value to these books? If that's the case, and they'll now be adding digital codes to the $2.99 books, what does that really say about the "value?"

I wouldn't worry about it -- I very much doubt that Marvel is genuinely thinking about doing that. It's just a bit of lipservice paid. If you see it, it will be a special offer, like the 9 cent Fantastic Four issue or the way DC sold Countdown and Brave New World for a dollar for 80 pages.

[Desaad]

That once you get past the initial production cost (writing/art), it costs nothing to store digital copies of books.

What about servers to hold and upload it?

[frostfalls]

While I love that they're including the digital codes with the $3.99 issues, it just makes it more unpalatable that they charge $3.99 for a digital only copy. I can buy two episodes of television for that much. I feel like the digital pricing model is going to have to change if they want to get new readers in regularly buying comics that way.

[DaronK]

I wouldn't worry about it -- I very much doubt that Marvel is genuinely thinking about doing that. It's just a bit of lipservice paid. If you see it, it will be a special offer, like the 9 cent Fantastic Four issue or the way DC sold Countdown and Brave New World for a dollar for 80 pages.

I'm not worried about it, I don't buy digital, or any of Marvel's $3.99 books. I just think it's interesting, because if they actually are thinking about adding the codes to the $2.99 books, then it was really just lip service in saying that they added the codes to the $3.99 books.

[DaronK]

While I love that they're including the digital codes with the $3.99 issues, it just makes it more unpalatable that they charge $3.99 for a digital only copy. I can buy two episodes of television for that much. I feel like the digital pricing model is going to have to change if they want to get new readers in regularly buying comics that way.

And even worse that you might be able to get some of them for $2.99 and a hard copy, while still paying $3.99 for digital only?

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

What about servers to hold and upload it?

Somehow I find it hard to believe that the actual files are large enough where storage affects their bottom-line by any significant amount.

[DaronK]

Somehow I find it hard to believe that the actual files are large enough where storage affects their bottom-line by any significant amount.

I thought I remember reading somewhere that someone from either Marvel or DC did say this was part of the reason in keeping the price up???

Regardless, I don't see either Marvel or DC dropping their same day digital pricing, especially Marvel. I think a lot of LCSs would see that as a declaration of war, and they would probably stop buying into Marvel's hype so much. I know it's something my LCS owner fears...