The Bullpen

[ala4]

I can deal with the $3.99 comics at this point.I have adjusted how many titles I buy to stay within my budget.What Marvel is doing now by sneaking in 2 issues a month of books that are supposed to come out once a month is what makes me upset.Looking at the March and April previews,I will exceed my budget buying the same books I always buy because of the point ones and shipping monthly titles twice in one month.All I want is for them to be up front so I can stay with in my Budget.I can't help but feel like they are trying to trick me into buying more then I intend to.

[deadcowaroma]

If there's one thing Marvel can do to get back in my good graces, it's this. I'm hard on Marvel, but I'll give them credit when (and if) they do the right thing.  

[Dean S.]

And I was just fixing to post a question.Have any of you actually adjusted your pull lists away from Marvel and/or toward DC over the holding the line at 2.99 deal? I know there are a few Marvel titles that I thought about adding but held off because I want to support DC and punish Marvel.

I have done this a little bit, but I don't think we folks who fixate on this stuff are a sizeable chunk of the market. 

I think what is hurting Marvel more is that their publishing lineup just seems less robust than DC. Whereas DC has a huge Batman franchise....those books are ALL quite good.  Marvel has the bloated X-franchise where only Uncanny X-Force is really good. 

[jonny the homicidal drummer]

I can deal with the $3.99 comics at this point.I have adjusted how many titles I buy to stay within my budget.What Marvel is doing now by sneaking in 2 issues a month of books that are supposed to come out once a month is what makes me upset.Looking at the March and April previews,I will exceed my budget buying the same books I always buy because of the point ones and shipping monthly titles twice in one month.All I want is for them to be up front so I can stay with in my Budget.I can't help but feel like they are trying to trick me into buying more then I intend to.

I hear ya
and I agree mostly, but I guess if we skipped a .1 or 156 of thunderbolts we could probably catch up next isue

its our fault in the end

I business will trick you and use gimmicks to get your money

we have to say no, EVEN IF THAT MEANS AN INCOMPLETE RUN

NO MEAN NO MARVEL

[Jim B.]

So Marvel is going to reduce the page count on its $2.99 books, keep most at $3.99 and then say they're listening to the people? 

I know, right?  

Ahhh... cue the "Marvel is greedy" statement.

Let me save everyone the time of posting the next 10 comments...

"Marvel is a business. Of course they want to make money!"

"So I guess DC isn't greedy?"

"I bet the Joker would lose in a fight with Dr. Doom!"

"I completely agree that Marvel is greedy after reading this vaguely-worded statement of a rumor about price/page reductions!"

"FUCK MARVEL IN THEIR STUPID ASSES!"

"NO, FUCK DC IN THEIR STUPID ASSES!"

"That's it, I'm through with Marvel forever! I MEAN it this time!"

"I don't care what Marvel and DC do until they go day and date the way I want them to."

"[Insert a repeat of one of the above statements from someone who hasn't read anything anyone else had to say in the thread]"

"I don't care about any of this because I only read indies and/or manga, and therefore neither should any of the rest of you."


Here to serve!  

 

Quoted for absolute brilliance.  
But Luthor would totally pwn Dr. Doom...  

And I was just fixing to post a question.Have any of you actually adjusted your pull lists away from Marvel and/or toward DC over the holding the line at 2.99 deal? I know there are a few Marvel titles that I thought about adding but held off because I want to support DC and punish Marvel.

Anecdotally, today at the LCS I bought three $3.99 Marvel books:  FF, Chaos War, and Uncanny X-Force.  I'm largely a DC/indie reader (my DCBS books this week were Sixth Gun, Action Comics, Proof and Cowboy Ninja Viking), but the three Marvel books all interested me, and all happened to come out this week.  The price point didn't faze me, I'm embarrassed to report.

[ala4]

My biggest problem I guess is I wanna know exactly how many times a month a book is gonna ship.If I have to I'll drop a book,just want to know so I can make that decision

[jack239]

if they do this what is the over under on the number of books that go $2.99???

[Farrell]

"[Insert a repeat of one of the above statements from someone who hasn't read anything anyone else had to say in the thread]"

I was smiling the whole way through the post but at this point I burst into giggles in the middle of a college American History class.  Oops.

Anecdotally, today at the LCS I bought three $3.99 Marvel books:  FF, Chaos War, and Uncanny X-Force.

I thought FF was one of the books that had continued to be $2.99.  How long ago did that happen?   (I can't believe I typed "when" long ago)

[Rustyautoparts (Russ Otto)]

I thought FF was one of the books that had continued to be $2.99.  When long ago did that happen? 

Just the latest issue. #588 will be $3.99 as will FF #1. FF #2 will go back down to $2.99 according to Marvel solicits. I only know because I was planning on dropping the book if it went up to $3.99 permanently. I was relieved to find that it will eventually be reasonably priced again.

[GLewis]

When Marvel goes 2.99, across the board, then I'll be impressed. Not trying to hate on Marvel, but you can't make half the effort the other guys did and expect the same praise. I don't hold it against Marvel. They probably don't have to lower prices though. I've cut a few Marvel titles, but not many.

I have been buying more DC, since their price drop. I've been sampling a lot of books, I've heard other people compliment. I've actually added a few books to my pull list. Secret Six, Hex and Booster Gold.

[Kamakazi010654]

I foresee price drops on all books...except the ones that are actually selling nice. So Avengers books, top tier X-Men, and whatever else is selling good at the time will stay at 3.99.

[AztecLos]

If Marvel priced dropped across the board I think I would buy more books. Being more of a reader of Marvel I would be happy to get more. But with only a select few dropping I think I would give the book a chance for a bit to see if it is worth me buying it or I'll just stick to being more selective.

[evaD]

Although it's a rumor, you have to wonder what's changed for Marvel that has caused such a turn around in attitude. Are they attributing the drop in sales to price changes? Has DC gained market share? I know we revisit this info  often, but to go from Marvel pretty much laughing at the idea of DC maintaining $2.99 books to even a hint of them following along in a few months is kind of extreme.

[hunter gathers]

Just happened to see this on Brevoort's Twitter.

As a special free bonus, we're including the entirety of HEROES FOR HIRE #1 in AVENGERS #10 this month at no additional cost! Enjoy!

We'll be doing the same thing with some additional titles in the coming months. Just another way we're trying to give you more for your buck

Maybe they'll drop the page counts on their current $2.99 books, but add this feature to their $3.99 books. I'm sure it's not a permanent change, but it's interesting in light of the current rumors.  

Didn't Image do something similar for Chew in The Walking Dead?

[BobBretall]

Just happened to see this on Brevoort's Twitter.

As a special free bonus, we're including the entirety of HEROES FOR HIRE #1 in AVENGERS #10 this month at no additional cost! Enjoy!
We'll be doing the same thing with some additional titles in the coming months. Just another way we're trying to give you more for your buck

This is marketing, pure & simple.  HfH #1 already came out.  I bought it, so getting another copy in Avengers #10 is of zero value to me.  What this IS of value for is potentially driving up sales on subsequent issues of HfH for people who are not buying the series.  That's a benefit to marvel, 1st & foremost.

Give me NEW material & it's more for my buck.   Give me a reprint that you're hoping will cause me to spend more $ on Marvel, that's a benefit chiefly to Marvel.

That said, HfH is a great series that I hope more people will now check out.

I like the program, just not the marketing hype that they are doing it as some kind of favor to fans.

[RedMoses]

I like the program, just not the marketing hype that they are doing it as some kind of favor to fans.

Ditto.  Marvel's marketing has been pretty rough to me lately.  But I do want more eyes on anything by DnA.  I wasn't too keen on the first issue, but I thought the story and the art were much better in issue 2.

It might have been nice for them to do this for Thor, the Mighty Avenger.

[GLewis]

 
Didn't Image do something similar for Chew in The Walking Dead?

I remember there being a flip book of some sort. I just can't remember what it was. Was it in black and white?

I would be delighted if Marvel lowered their price, across the board. I would probably, pick up a few titles I dropped.

[deadcowaroma]

This is marketing, pure & simple.  HfH #1 already came out.  I bought it, so getting another copy in Avengers #10 is of zero value to me.  What this IS of value for is potentially driving up sales on subsequent issues of HfH for people who are not buying the series.  That's a benefit to marvel, 1st & foremost.

Give me NEW material & it's more for my buck.   Give me a reprint that you're hoping will cause me to spend more $ on Marvel, that's a benefit chiefly to Marvel.

That said, HfH is a great series that I hope more people will now check out.

I like the program, just not the marketing hype that they are doing it as some kind of favor to fans.

You have a point., but I'd rather that than OHARMU pages or 40 year old reprints.

[BobBretall]

You have a point., but I'd rather that than OHARMU pages or 40 year old reprints.

I completely agree.

Just to clarify, I am FULLY in favor of Marvel putting an HfH reprint into an Avengers comic.

I just don't like Brevoort trying to act like he's some kind of "Patron Saint of the down-trodden comics fan" for doing so.

[billydx24]

Here's a thought. Stop talking, start doing. When these books drop to $2.99, then I'll be back