The Bullpen

[jdudley]

You guys reading this?
You guys know it has gone day and date digital on comixology and that new issues are .99 on day of release!! I'll definitely be supporting this move with my dollar--if you like this book and want to see .99 digital comics youshould support this too!!
Also: Atomic Robo is such a great book!!

[Dean S.]

I noticed this on Wednesday last week.  I've just started the habit of firing up the Comixology app to see what's new and was interested to see this on there.  Even wrote a little bit about it over at our site.  If you're curious, you can click the link (http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/02/28/same-day-digital-comics/), but basically I think this is a GREAT thing. 

The trick with digital comics is that DC & Marvel can't switch to day/date/99 cents because there is a huge risk that it would destroy the bulk of the DM.  Place like Midtown Comics would be fine, but the comic shops in the rest of the country that are already struggling might go under if 10% of their customers defected.  So, Marvel/DC can't make the jump.  But publishers like Red 5 absolutely CAN do it.  Doing so won't kill the DM and it will start to build the day/date/99 cent market so that it is ready whenever Marvel/DC want to make the switch.

The DM hasn't "supported" Atomic Robo, so I don't see that the creators or publisher owe the DM anything.

And, finally, we're seeing someone TRY selling new comics for 99 cents.  We've all been saying that is the magic number and that if only someone would do it, people would buy.  Now we're going to find out if there is any truth in that statement.  Robo is a great test case because it is all ages and can appeal to a LOT of people.  And, if you want to know more about Robo, all the back issues are right there on Comixology for a reasonable price. 

Everyone should buy Brian and Scott a beer the next time they see them at a con for being the volunteer to try this first.

[jdudley]

It really is time for folks to put there money where there mouth is on the .99 price point debate. If anyone out there is currently reading digital comics on comixology (if you have an IPAD, i couldnt imagine why you WOULDN'T be!) you really owe it to yourself to check this book out. It's a great book and it just oozes fun. Supporting this move with our dollar is truly the best way to prove to the industry that .99 digital issues (and day and date releases!!) are what we want and that the industry will truly benefit from this move.
Any other day and date and/or .99 issues you guys noticed lately?
IDW ap has tons of .99 issues of G.I. Joe and Locke and Key  (Locke and Key is the @#$! btw--if you haven't read it)

[glwarm76]

Great news, I hope the big two follow suit.

[jdudley]

The Marvel .99 monday sale today is for the first arc of the Ms. Marvel series.
Did anyone read that? I've bought the .99 issues the past few mondays but I know nothing about this Ms. Marvel run. Worth picking up??

[Dean S.]

A quick note of correction.....  The good folks at Comixology tweeted me saying that the 99 cent price was a temporary mistake and that the true price should be $1.99. 

Guess it is still less than the $3.50 cover price, but not as sexy at 99 cents.  Oh well....

[jdudley]

A quick note of correction.....  The good folks at Comixology tweeted me saying that the 99 cent price was a temporary mistake and that the true price should be $1.99. 

Guess it is still less than the $3.50 cover price, but not as sexy at 99 cents.  Oh well....

Aw nerts!! Oh well, the $1.99 day and date digital release is a price point I can accept--so long as issues drop damn to .99 a month or two after release. In fact, I think those price points make a heck of a lot of sense. I still applaud this move and really hope they sell enough copies for other publishers to follow suit.

[Sampsa_G]

I'd just like to point out that Atomic Robo is well worth the 1.99 aswell. One of my most anticipated series on Comixology every month.

[Black Spidey]

A quick note of correction.....  The good folks at Comixology tweeted me saying that the 99 cent price was a temporary mistake and that the true price should be $1.99. 

Guess it is still less than the $3.50 cover price, but not as sexy at 99 cents.  Oh well....

$1.99 doesn't have the same impact as 99 cents. It kills the excitement of the headline.

[jdudley]

$1.99 doesn't have the same impact as 99 cents. It kills the excitement of the headline.

You know what I DO like about this though??
Clearly, the publishers and the folks at comixology are doing there job and paying very close attention to all this. Personally, I'd absolutely love to see their sales data.
To my knowledge, there sales numbers are not public at this point, correct?

[Dean S.]

$1.99 doesn't have the same impact as 99 cents. It kills the excitement of the headline.

It does take some of the steam out of it.  But, the first big battle is just dealing with the tisk-tisk from LCS owners for offering the product for cheaper. 

I can see a LOT of challenges to 99 cents.  The the percentages we've heard are true, Red 5 would only pocket 35 cents on each sale and you've got to sell a LOT of digital comics to pay for content creation when that is all you're getting back. 

The only way I see 99 cents making a lot of sense right now (for new material) is if you are POSITIVE that there is no cross-polination between the markets.  Then you are looking at 99 cent sales as pure upside and brand building.

I could see a business strategy to do $1.99 for new material, build sales and eventually drop the price lower. 

[LA Rabbit]

Just started this title with the new series. Excited for the final issue.  I am a dinosaur and read it in print but I hope the creators make bucket loads of cash.  It is fun and easy to get into.  I had not read any of the previos stuff and it worked fine.  I will probably pick up the old stuff.   

[Dean S.]

Also another note about sales #'s....  I'd be a little surprised if we see those from a company like Comixology or Graphic.ly.  Remember that the way and the why Diamond releases numbers is to help LCSs make their preorders.  Diamond releases them like ratios with Batman or Detective Comics as the reference comic.  So, they're basically saying, "For every 1 issue of Batman, the other LCSs on average are ordering 1.45 issues of Batman & Robin."  It's kinda intended as a way for LCSs to fix their ordering.

There's really no need for that sort of system with direct to consumer sales.