Another comic book format

[RJDiogenes]

In terms of sales, I think black-and-white would be much more of an albatross than cheaper paper. We still have modern computer printing technology, which is far superior to the old plates. The Sunday Funnies look pretty good these days in terms of reproduction, it's just that most people don't take advantage; Bill Watterston used to have some beautifully colored strips in Calvin & Hobbes.

 

[firehawk12]

What I find weird is that some books do it the wrong way - singles in colour, TPB in B&W... when the other way around might be better.

And, I guess for comic strips, the problem is the short turnaround so the colouring is very basic. Newsprint may work well enough that the quality difference isn't that noticeable... I just need to see it to believe it, I guess.

 

[RJDiogenes]

What I find weird is that some books do it the wrong way - singles in colour, TPB in B&W... when the other way around might be better.

Good point. That would increase circulation potential for the originals and give more incentive to buy the TPBs.

And, I guess for comic strips, the problem is the short turnaround so the colouring is very basic. Newsprint may work well enough that the quality difference isn't that noticeable... I just need to see it to believe it, I guess.

Well, as with westwords' ideas, it seems worthy of an experiment. They could create a "line" of books (a la M2 or Marvel Adventures) for that format and see how they fly.

 

[rafterman1701]

I don't like the idea of lead stories and filler stories and back ups. I want an issue of Batman, not part of a Batman story, part of a Superman and part of a Justice League. Maybe comics just need to move away from monthly issues and put out more trades. But I love the existing comic format as is. Don't turn DC stuff into Shonen Jump.

 

[firehawk12]

Well, there are already like five Gotham related books? So it's not like they're not doing those stories anyway. But I guess DC isn't as bad as Marvel when it comes to having several books for a single character. I think Iron Man was in seven books at some point.

 

[RJDiogenes]

That's true. The way things are these days, you could have an anthology book with just the one character or team; why not combine them and save money?

It is funny how audience tastes change, though. Like I mentioned, anthology books with a variety of characters, and even genres, were very popular in the 40s and 50s (and even in the 60s, to some degree-- I used to love those giant DC specials and that issue of Marvel Super-Heroes that introduced Mar-Vell is one of my favorite comic book memories, as it introduced me to the Golden Age Human Torch).

The question is, how do we convince Marvel and/or DC to try these two Great Experiments we've been discussing?

 

[firehawk12]

The problem is that Marvel and DC are simply selling to the same core audience when it comes to floppies. I think DC is better off because at least with Vertigo and Minx, they have an after market for TPBs that reach audiences beyond the typical superhero people. Stuff like Y: The Last Man and The Plain Janes probably bring in lots of cash.

As for trying something different in the monthly scale? The failure of Crossgen probably stopped any sort of experimentation on that front. And it's also a question of whether comic book stores would be willing to risk selling product that diverges from the normal floppy.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I only bought Ruse, so I'm not that familiar with CrossGen, but I thought their demise was the result of mismanagement and that their stuff actually sold pretty well?

As for comic book stores, I don't know why they wouldn't give it a try. They need the industry to evolve and thrive as much as the publishers. My store (the one I go to, I mean) sells lots of stuff: Comics, TPBs, media magazines, DVDs et cetera (as well as action figures, games, statues and so on). Maybe these "experiments" could be marketed on a returnable basis.

 

[firehawk12]

Well, yeah, it was mismanagement... but the thing is, you don't go looking for new ideas in failed companies I guess. I think the only new thing I've seen them do something with the Vertigo books - it was a sample TPB that was really cheap and had the #1s of various Vertigo books collected.

Speaking of which, I guess Vertigo books come in the lower quality paper. I completely forgot about that. But then again, because of the theme of most Vertigo books, they don't necessarily have to be the most colourful books either.

And that's the thing, most of the comic book stores survive more and more on non-comic book stuff. I'm sure they consider the comics they do get a loss leader, which is why the smarter stores don't carry small press titles as often now. I guess if they had no risk when it came to selling different formats, it wouldn't be a problem... but if it's business as usual, then I don't see owners choosing to eat that risk.
Well, unless they manufacture an event. Spider-man dies! Only on black and white newsprint!

 

[RJDiogenes]

Speaking of which, I guess Vertigo books come in the lower quality paper. I completely forgot about that. But then again, because of the theme of most Vertigo books, they don't necessarily have to be the most colourful books either.

Are there any colorful books these days? I haven't really looked at a Vertigo title since Nevada, so I'll have to scope some out the next time I'm in the store. Is there a significant price difference? I suppose Previews can tell me that.

You're right about the diminishing small press titles, though. My store is pretty good, but even they don't carry stuff like Big Bang anymore.

 

[firehawk12]

I think the TPBs are slightly cheaper, but I haven't bought a proper Marvel/DC TPB in a long time. No clue about the floppies though.
Actually, just looking at a copy of Manhunter I used to write an essay, maybe some of the other DC TPBs use cheaper paper as well.

I randomly picked up a Top Cow book the other day (first comic book in 3 years) and in terms of just the colours, it did look really good. Maybe the glossy paper just makes everything looks shiny.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yeah, too shiny IMHO. Makes them look like photo magazines. I think non-reflective paper makes the art and color look richer and deeper somehow.

 

[firehawk12]

And I think it makes it look kind of dull.
I guess it's all subjective at that point.

 

[westwords2020]

I have mentioned having the lead and backup features as being successful books in their own right before being published together. The main feature at 44 pages and requiring two art/story teams? has 40% of the book while the three backups at 22 pages or 20% of the total content don't lose anything except that they are packaged in anthology instead of floppy format.

I don't see any savings for a 128 pager/110 art pages because of the expanded main feature except those coming from one instead of four or five? covers and bound together all at once instead of four or five seperate books being bound at once.

But is the price of $7.99 reasonable enough for everyone from publisher, distributor and retailer to make a decent profit?

 

[dru]

ue

My goddamn batman! It's taken three years and All Star Batman & Robin just finally released issue 10. No, wait, issue 10 came out and was infamously recalled.

These supposed professionals can't turn out 12 issues per year. You end up with lame books supporting by lousy computerized color and effects, stiff panels of one talking head after the next. It's ridiculous. You also have the swipers like David Mack and Greg Land. They already 'write for trade' with exposition out the wazoo.

The major companies only keep the comics around so they can print money through licensing of the characters to film, tv and merchandizing. Nothing's been done to protect the mainstream universes and bring in new generations of readers. Instead others have been spun off like "Ultimates" and "Marvel Age/Marvel Adventures." It's a complete chaotic mess.

Didio and Quesada should be tied to a warp core and made to listen to Data do stand-up and sing Gilbert and Sullivan until they beg for death.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: ue

And I think it makes it look kind of dull.
I guess it's all subjective at that point.

Well, it may be partly just what one is used to-- I grew up with the newsprint, obviously. But I do think that the shininess kind of "blocks the view," so to speak.

But is the price of $7.99 reasonable enough for everyone from publisher, distributor and retailer to make a decent profit?

Good question. I don't know enough about the business side of the industry to give an answer; hopefully, somebody else does.

The major companies only keep the comics around so they can print money through licensing of the characters to film, tv and merchandizing.

Hasn't Marvel so much as admitted that they see their books as a testing ground for movie concepts? If so, it's a very short-sighted attitude, as that fad will implode sooner or later.

I remember when it was a Bullpen....