In my mind, at least, "Free Comic Book Day" always equals to "Cheap Subpar Crap Day". The publishers either crank out a one-shot for the latest giant continuity-heavy crossover (which is sure to just confuse, not attract, new readers) or do something to tie in with their latest movie or TV adaptation.
And none of it seems to be working, at least insofar as I don't see sales increasing or new readers (especially the kids that that even is marketed to) coming on board.
In addition, I think its fair to say that most of us who read comics got into them because we came across some random issue of a title, liked what we read, and kept coming back, not because someone handed us the latest corporate movie tie-in or first issue of something paced for a TPB.
It seems to me that, if the publishers were smart, instead of giving out a single issue of a particular comic book, they'd print up coupons that would let the kids pick up whatever "all ages" book they wanted.
That way if a kid who loves the Batman cartoon walks in and sees a Bat-book he can have that and not have the Legion comic he doesn't give a shit about foisted upon him. Similarly, a kid that just likes the costumes in Avengers can get that instead of a Spider-man book.
This would also give the publishers a better idea of what might sell, because they would be able to see what books the kids, left to their devices, chose (as opposed to what was forced upon them).
Thoughts?
And none of it seems to be working, at least insofar as I don't see sales increasing or new readers (especially the kids that that even is marketed to) coming on board.
In addition, I think its fair to say that most of us who read comics got into them because we came across some random issue of a title, liked what we read, and kept coming back, not because someone handed us the latest corporate movie tie-in or first issue of something paced for a TPB.
It seems to me that, if the publishers were smart, instead of giving out a single issue of a particular comic book, they'd print up coupons that would let the kids pick up whatever "all ages" book they wanted.
That way if a kid who loves the Batman cartoon walks in and sees a Bat-book he can have that and not have the Legion comic he doesn't give a shit about foisted upon him. Similarly, a kid that just likes the costumes in Avengers can get that instead of a Spider-man book.
This would also give the publishers a better idea of what might sell, because they would be able to see what books the kids, left to their devices, chose (as opposed to what was forced upon them).
Thoughts?
(Not really -- they're good guys.)
