I started reading Brian Hibbs Tilting at Windmills article, but I thought I should get my views out there before reading his and going, “Uh huh, what he said.”
Both Marvel and DC announced at the New York Comicon that they were going to cut prices on some of their books, starting in January. I have read kudos and gnashing of teeth regarding this. Part of DCs announcement was the removal of back-up stories and cutting story pages from 22 to 20. Many online are upset about the loss of the back-ups, but I suspect most readers don’t care. Some are also complaining about the loss of 2 pages. I am not sure of the reason for this cut, but I’m sure that there is a valid reason for it. So here are my thoughts.
Overall, I think its great. I read where some retailers were worried because of the decrease in revenue. Marvel even mentioned this in their announcement, that they couldn’t just drop the prices dramatically, because it would hurt us. People who left books because of the price hike won’t come storming back because of the price cuts. True. But I don’t see it being a crushing blow.
Not that many DC core books are $3.99. So its not like my income is going to dramatically drop 25%. Now, Marvel doing an across the board cut would hurt more, but only because of how many of their titles are already $3.99. But this still doesn’t cause me great concern. What the pundits aren’t taking into account is the fact that I pay a percentage of the cover price. If the cover price goes down, so does my cost. So I will make less and spend less. Now, no, they will not offset. But rather than a 25% drop, it would be less than 15%. But, all of the unsold copies would also cost me less. And lately, I have a lot of unsold copies. People dropping books because they aren’t getting the bang they want for their buck. Or people not even trying them because they aren’t willing to take a $4 gamble. So, if I can gain some of those purchases in the process, it should be a wash for me.
But, more importantly for me and you, I would rather have you take more product out of my store than less. I would rather you take 10 books for $30 than 7. Or buy 7 and a trade. The more you read, the greater chance there is that you will find something you like. You may take a chance on a book and find that you like it. And then want to read more by that author or artist or character. Sure some may just pocket the savings and spend less overall. And that is fine too, as they will be happier with their purchases because they cost less.
Now dropping the prices is great, but the publishers need to do one more thing to make this work. They need to tighten up editorially. Better stories, less padding. Fewer pointless mini-series. And the books have to ship on time. You are giving me the opportunity to induce people to try your books. Don’t blow it. Late books lose interest. 3 days in on the sale of Batman Bruce Wayne Returns #4, I had sold 33 copies. Now, on #5, that was 2 months late, I have sold 16. And I can only blame this on lateness, not story.
So, overall, I think it is a great thing for this industry. Make the product more affordable. Now just make the product better and we will all be fine.
Hopefully.
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I agree I think there is a huge quality control issue.Too much product,why should an unknown artist or writter, or a creative team that is less in demand get 3 to 4 dollar cover prices. The books are chaulk full of ads, they aren’t printed in the USA so you know someone making 3 to 4 dollars a week is putting them together,they are owened by huge corperations. I think what I’m trying to say is that i’ve been feeling fleeced and over the last year, have really considered going to trade on stuff that is only reviewed good.The price has put the hobby into the category of paying a bill I spend less on my verizon which has every channel, the highest speed internet possable and a house phone on the same plan ,and I read like five or six books a week throw in supplies and a trade or two you’ve got a monthly bill just being a moderate reader. For me the cost has taken some of the fun away.I can live with 3 bucks across the board though hopefully it stays there for a while