A publisher that get it....

**TheKraken** · 08-25-2009, 01:38 PM

I do not understand the additional content in $3.99 books. If prices are going up naturally due to the changing economy, paying a 2nd creative team every month would seem to completely negate the additional revenue generated by a price hike.

That "extra production value" on the Blizzard books is nonsense. I don't like paying more for a sturdier coverstock. Some extra production value would be hiring a penciller that doesn't require 3 fill-in artists per arc.

**Slewo.O** · 08-25-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by TheKraken

That "extra production value" on the Blizzard books is nonsense. I don't like paying more for a sturdier coverstock. Some extra production value would be hiring an artist that doesn't require 3 fill-in artists per arc.

I hope you're not taking a potshot at Batman & Robin.

**TheKraken** · 08-25-2009, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Omega Flight

I hope you're not taking a potshot at Batman & Robin.

Is Batman & Robin a Blizzard book?

**Slewo.O** · 08-25-2009, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by TheKraken

Is Batman & Robin a Blizzard book?

Oh never mind then.

**Adrian B AWESOME** · 08-25-2009, 01:50 PM

I enjoy it when new posters come onto the board strictly to bitch about comics.

**Jordan K** · 08-25-2009, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by TheKraken

I do not understand the additional content in $3.99 books. If prices are going up naturally due to the changing economy, paying a 2nd creative team every month would seem to completely negate the additional revenue generated by a price hike.

Well where I think the revenue will be generated is in sales of trade paperbacks further on down the line of the back up feature. I think it is probably a very effective way to serve devout small fan bases of characters such as Manhunter.

I would hope that Marvel looks at the long term benefit this strategy appears to present for some of their "cult" characters such as She Hulk, which have traditionally had a hard time maintaining a monthly audience. I would totally dig a Dan Slott She Hulk back up in Mighty Avengers, it would make me pick the title up again I think even at a higher price point.

**bartleby** · 08-25-2009, 02:01 PM

For a publisher that supposedly "gets it," you'd think DC would be able to find some way to eat into Marvel's market share.

**Ray G.** · 08-25-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by bartleby

For a publisher that supposedly "gets it," you'd think DC would be able to find some way to eat into Marvel's market share.

June 2009:

Marvel
50.91%
DC
28.51%

July 2009:

Marvel
42.58%
DC
34.14%

Like this? And that's with the big tie-ins for the event not even starting yet.

**Lord Jermaine Retail** · 08-25-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ben

Thanks DC for giving me back-up features I have no interest in!

Its all about perceived value. I think that counting pages for the price is kind of one sided. You could have 22 pages of the most incredible and engaging material you've read in years for 3.99. And you could have a snoozefest with dubious back up material for 3.99. Do you people really feel better if the book is heavier or has more pages, just as long as something more is there?

There are books on the shelves (some with backups, some not) that I feel shouldn't be 3.99. Not talking about minis because in theory those are optional, regardless of how important the content is, they're ultimately optional. I think that JLA Cry for Justice gives a great package for 3.99. With the conversational supplement by Robinson in the back, I feel like I got more than 3.99 worth of entertainment by the time I'm done with an issue.

I think that Booster Gold having Blue Beetle backups makes sense. Detective having the Question back ups is awesome and logical. Now Green Arrow/ Black Canary having Green Arrow back ups and Teen Titans having Ravager backups is a little suspect. Too close to home in my opinion. Teen Titans having say...a Deathstroke-centric back up or Green Arrow having a...Birds of Prey sans Black Canary back up, that's more like it.

I would definitely like to see some 3.99 Marvels come back down to 2.99. Sure, people seem to be able to "handle it" but we're not selling food and water here. And if they stay at 3.99 I expect books like Agents of Atlas and Hercules to continue while the majors do the heavy lifting.

**Will** · 08-25-2009, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Zac Goyette

Umm, didn't Marvel already say that they were going to add extra pages to their books? Pretty sure Bendis talked about it in the Bendis Tapes.

Marvel's been talking about this for a while now but when can we finally expect these to come?

Marvel's been the first company to jack up the prices to that price point and I feel as if DC has beaten them to the punch with the back ups. Most of the books that I buy that do have back ups I enjoy such as Detective with Question, Streets of Gotham with Manhunter, etc. so I would hope to see New and Dark Avengers have them or if not at least some sort of letters page because I miss those.