The Bullpen

[BobBretall]

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/05/11/angry-comic-book-fans-sales/

As Brevoort explains in subsequent answers, although it may seem counterintuitive, "bad word of mouth has rare hurt sales on a comic. If anything, it makes more people interested."

What it boils down to is the rather obvious idea that controversy sells, but also the fact that it's very difficult for comics publishers to generate the same kind of financial support for solid, critically-acclaimed stand-alone gems like Thor: The Mighty Avenger as it is for "world-changing" mega-crossovers, character-altering stunts, or any plot devices that makes fans' veins pop out of their forehead.

[Greg Leclair (greg1ca)]

Leclair declares "Brevoort is a pinhead"

[whirlwindx]

I really wish it was the reverse more of the time. 

[Kilmarock]

Leclair declares "Brevoort is a pinhead"

 

[Andrew Tom]

It's pretty clear that he thinks that his fanbase is a bunch of pinheads. 

The mega-crossover sells well, because they promote the $%&^ out of it.  Use the same marketing campaigns with any book and you'd see similar results.

[NiceAndBlue]

Brevoort could always start walking around in an outfit made out of raw meat. That seems to work for others.

[VinceB]

Every time he opens his mouth, Brevoort hammers one more nail in Marvel's coffin for me.

[Greg Leclair (greg1ca)]

The mega-crossover sells well, because they promote the $%&^ out of it.  Use the same marketing campaigns with any book and you'd see similar results.

Quoted for truth

[Tim H]

Every time he opens his mouth, Brevoort hammers one more nail in Marvel's coffin for me.

and he's becoming harder and harder to ignore.

[Jordan]

What is so wrong with this statement?  Is he wrong?

I know he says some pretty dumb and offensive things from time to time, but in this case it seems pretty innocent.

[Jordan]

Every time he opens his mouth, Brevoort hammers one more nail in Marvel's coffin for me.

Why?  What do his words have to do with their product?

[Splatoon]

Don't know anything about the guy, but from an anecdotal perspective at least this seems pretty spot on.

[Farrell]

What is so wrong with this statement?  Is he wrong?

Don't know anything about the guy, but from an anecdotal perspective at least this seems pretty spot on.

You guys are right, he's not wrong.  He's basically just repeating the old saw about "bad publicity is better than no publicity."

Thing is, Brevoort frequently says things that show a sort of contempt for the people who keep him and his company in business.  Taken in context with other things he and others in Marvel have said (the infamous "we're testing the inelasticity of our product" comments), it's another instance of implying that Marvel fans might bitch and moan, but ultimately they'll take what they're given whether it's a good product, a fair price, or whatever.

Whether that's true or not, many find it insulting for a public face of the company to be so transparent about that attitude.

[mguy1977]

Leclair declares "Brevoort is a pinhead"

And let's not forget the classic "Brevoort is a dumbass!"



Matthew

[AztecLos]

If they promoted other good lessor books the same way I bet they'd some sales spikes. 

[Kilmarock]

You guys are right, he's not wrong.  He's basically just repeating the old saw about "bad publicity is better than no publicity."

Thing is, Brevoort frequently says things that show a sort of contempt for the people who keep him and his company in business.  Taken in context with other things he and others in Marvel have said (the infamous "we're testing the inelasticity of our product" comments), it's another instance of implying that Marvel fans might bitch and moan, but ultimately they'll take what they're given whether it's a good product, a fair price, or whatever.

Whether that's true or not, many find it insulting for a public face of the company to be so transparent about that attitude.

Word! 

[Steve-t]

Yes bad publicity is still publicity and may produce a spike in sales but using that as a basis to sell comics for Marvel is short-sighted.

How about just producing accessible, well written comics that appeal to a wide age-range instead?

[Nojfotra (Jonathan D. Gordon)]

How about all comic execs stop worrying about how to play games with the fans to trick them into buying books and just focus on making good comics. That would be a novel business model.

[Jay Tomio]

The train wreck comment is what stuck out to me.  I have no issue with Marvel's quality but you get this idea that Breevoort thinks there's more than his job that separates him from the people he belittles. I'd say not so much.

[thefreakytiki]

How about all comic execs stop worrying about how to play games with the fans to trick them into buying books and just focus on making good comics. That would be a novel business model.

Hands down one of the best posts ever to grace the 11 o'clock forums!

Uber Karma!!!!!



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