So, I posted on the Facebook page yesterday my excitement over eight (8!!!) covers for Miracleman #1 in the new Marvel solicits. This morning I was reading Mike Sterling’s blog, Progressive Ruin (which I do often), and he had some comments about it. Now Mike has been doing this a lot longer than I have, so I trust his wisdom and knowledge.
First of all, here is the solicit info:
MIRACLEMAN #1 & 2
THE ORIGINAL WRITER & MICK ANGLO (W)
GARRY LEACH, ALAN DAVIS, PAUL NEARY, STEVE DILLON & MICK ANGLO (A)
ISSUE #1 – COVER BY JOE QUESADA
Variant COVER BY JOHN CASSADAY (1:200)
Variant COVER BY MARK BUCKINGHAM (1:100)
Variant COVER BY JEROME OPENA (1:50)
Variant COVER BY LEINIL FRANCIS YU (1:75)
Sketch VARIANT BY JOE QUESADA (1:75)
YOUNG VARIANT BY SKOTTIE YOUNG (Exceed Guardians of the Galaxy #6)
CLASSIC VARIANT BY GARRY LEACH (Exceed Guardians of the Galaxy #6)
ISSUE #2 – COVER BY ALAN DAVIS
Variant COVER BY ARTHUR ADAMS (1:75)
Variant COVER BY MIKE PERKINS (1:50)
Variant COVER BY MIKE MCKONE (1:50)
Sketch VARIANT BY ALAN DAVIS (1:100)
• KIMOTA! With one magic word, a long-forgotten legend lives again!
• Freelance reporter Michael Moran always knew he was meant for something more — now, a strange series of events leads him to reclaim his destiny!
• Relive the ground-breaking eighties adventures that captured lightning in a bottle — or experience them for the first time — in these digitally restored, fully relettered editions!
• Issue 1 includes material originally presented in WARRIOR #1 and MIRACLEMAN #1, plus the MARVELMAN PRIMER. Issue #2 includes material originally presented in WARRIOR #1-5, plus bonus material.
ISSUE #1 – 64 PGS./Parental Advisory…$5.99
ISSUE #2 – 48 PGS./Parental Advisory…$4.99
For clarification, I am adding in the variant ratios. What they mean is I have to order 75 copies in order to be able to order 1 copy of the variant. Or in the case of exceed, I have to order more copies of #1 than I did of the other book to be able to order that variant. I ordered 50 copies of Guardians of the Galaxy (all the hubub about Angela, ya know).
So here are my concerns:
1) These are all reprint books. Issue #1 is 64 pages, but 32 of those are text pieces from Marvelman Primer that came out 2 years ago when the whole Miracleman thing was first announced. To give you an idea of my concern, I sold exactly 1 copy of that book.
2) Its $5.99. That is going to chase away many casual shoppers. “I’ve heard about this Miracleman… $5.99? I’ll wait for the trade.” Issue #2 is $4.99 which isn’t great either, but at least it won’t be half text.
3) 8 variants, but to even get one, I have to order 50 copies. So, I have to order $300 of a reprint book to get one variant cover. $1200 to get them all. That an awful lot for a reprint book that is half text pieces.
4) Alan Moore’s name will be nowhere on the book. Neither will Neil Gaiman’s until the later issues.
5) 2 issues the first month, meaning that I have to have my committed final orders in on #2 before I see the interest in #1. I truly believe that Marvel does this on purpose with books just to guarantee higher orders. If you look at the solicits for January, 5 new titles are shipping their first 2 issues in the January, meaning I have to guess on #1 and #2. It can’t really be coincidence. Add in Marvel’s low overprint and instant sell-out, they force us to gamble high.
Now, I’m guessing they paid a boatload for the rights to all of this and that is why the price is so high. It’s not like they are paying the writer or artist and have to make back those expenses. I just think they are really shooting themselves in the foot by pricing this stuff so high. Issue #1 with 32 pages of reprint story is $5.99.There is just no way I can realistically order anywhere near the variant levels on this. I’m not saying that people won’t be interested in this. Since I started collecting comics and reading magazines like Wizard and Comic Buyers Guide, I’ve always heard about Miracleman. It one of those, “Wow, I wish I could read that, it sounds great!” things. But I think Marvel is hurting themselves doing it this way. This is a niche book that has a curious type audience. They’ve heard of it but have not read it. People that grab #1, get home and realize it’s half text probably won’t be back for #2 unless it is absolutely awesome. Especially at $4.99.
I hope I’m wrong, but I am going to have to order with my checkbook rather than supposed internet excitement on this.
If you want it, please let me know. I’m really guessing blind on this one.