Which will sell more: ASM #700 or SSM #1?

[oldschool]

I personally think this answer would be obvious (ASM #700) but, considering the hefty price tag of $8 and the fact that SSM #1 affords a great new jumping-on point for readers perhaps not. Also consider the shitload of publicity #700 and "the end of Peter Parker" is likely to generate combined with whatever big swerve Slott has planned and it could very well be SSM #1. At the least, I think it should be close----what do the rest of you think?

[John Ossie]

I personally feel ASM 700 will sell more just because of the rumoured end of Peter Parker.

[Hambone]

You have a good point about the hefty price tag but I think people are more invested in purchasing "Amazing" simply because it has always been the flagship Spider-Man title. It's both a milestone anniversary issue and the end of an era.

Plus, speaking only for myself, if I don't like the new guy under the mask then I'm simply not going to bother reading SSM. Marvel had to reverse the "Ben Reilly is the one true Spider-Man" upset back in the 90's because despite the fact that Ben was supposedly the real Peter Parker, readers weren't buying it.

I know people will use the old "well, your just afraid of change" complaint about my answer but here's the thing: In a comic shop, change is the easiest thing in the world to get! If I want change, I buy a different book! I don't have to wait around for Peter Parker to die to read something "new and different." It's already right there on the rack!

[Lars C]

You have a good point about the hefty price tag but I think people are more invested in purchasing "Amazing" simply because it has always been the flagship Spider-Man title. It's both a milestone anniversary issue and the end of an era.

Plus, speaking only for myself, if I don't like the new guy under the mask then I'm simply not going to bother reading SSM. Marvel had to reverse the "Ben Reilly is the one true Spider-Man" upset back in the 90's because despite the fact that Ben was supposedly the real Peter Parker, readers weren't buying it.

I know people will use the old "well, your just afraid of change" complaint about my answer but here's the thing: In a comic shop, change is the easiest thing in the world to get! If I want change, I buy a different book! I don't have to wait around for Peter Parker to die to read something "new and different." It's already right there on the rack!

Wow, you really nailed it there. If you're tired of Peter Parker, just read something else. I think the recent Dick as Batman or Bucky as Cap made a lot of sense too, since they've been sidekicks. Buy, does anybody know which other stories are in #700?

[oldschool]

You have a good point about the hefty price tag but I think people are more invested in purchasing "Amazing" simply because it has always been the flagship Spider-Man title. It's both a milestone anniversary issue and the end of an era.

Plus, speaking only for myself, if I don't like the new guy under the mask then I'm simply not going to bother reading SSM. Marvel had to reverse the "Ben Reilly is the one true Spider-Man" upset back in the 90's because despite the fact that Ben was supposedly the real Peter Parker, readers weren't buying it.

I know people will use the old "well, your just afraid of change" complaint about my answer but here's the thing: In a comic shop, change is the easiest thing in the world to get! If I want change, I buy a different book! I don't have to wait around for Peter Parker to die to read something "new and different." It's already right there on the rack!

Your last point (bolded) is well taken; however I would just point out that "change" is still needed within the same character's title/story simply because stagnation=death in long-running serialized storytelling. If Spidey continued on as he was in, say, the late 1970's just swinging around ESU and fighting the same villains with the same problems/wisecracks and job at the Daily Bugle I am pretty sure he would not have made it to 2012, at least not as a top-selling character.

[Lars C]

Has Bruce Wayne developed that much? Or Clark Kent? How long do you think Peter Parker would be 15-16 and popular if Bendis hadn't killed him?

[Rob London]

Wow, you really nailed it there. If you're tired of Peter Parker, just read something else. I think the recent Dick as Batman or Bucky as Cap made a lot of sense too, since they've been sidekicks. Buy, does anybody know which other stories are in #700?

There's a story by JM DeMatteis, Guiseppe Camuncoli, and Sal Buscema, and another by Jen Van Meter and Stephanie Buscema.

[Hambone]

Your last point (bolded) is well taken; however I would just point out that "change" is still needed within the same character's title/story simply because stagnation=death in long-running serialized storytelling. If Spidey continued on as he was in, say, the late 1970's just swinging around ESU and fighting the same villains with the same problems/wisecracks and job at the Daily Bugle I am pretty sure he would not have made it to 2012, at least not as a top-selling character.

True, but when I say "change" I'm referring to the "killing the lead character and replacing with a brand new guy" kind of change. I don't mind seeing Pete in new environments and taking on new roles or responsibilities. Peter Parker fills a certain arch-type on the comic shelves, he's a socially awkward but brilliant guy that uses humor to disarm his opponents. He also has a really well crafted group of supporting characters that play off this personality perfectly. If I want a different type of archtype to read about, I can pick up a multitude of other titles: Batman, Deadpool, Superman, etc.

[Sunstorm]

True, but when I say "change" I'm referring to the "killing the lead character and replacing with a brand new guy" kind of change. I don't mind seeing Pete in new environments and taking on new roles or responsibilities. Peter Parker fills a certain arch-type on the comic shelves, he's a socially awkward but brilliant guy that uses humor to disarm his opponents. He also has a really well crafted group of supporting characters that play off this personality perfectly. If I want a different type of archtype to read about, I can pick up a multitude of other titles: Batman, Deadpool, Superman, etc.

I have to agree, since it might take Peter to a different direction, than just being Spidey. To where he can still help out other heroes without putting on the webs.