We're seeing a LOT of long-term, dedicated comics readers dropping titles left and right from Marvel and DC lately. They're fed up with year-long crossover events and the $3.99 price point is really making people take a long hard look at what they buy. If a guy has a $20 a week budget for comics, and all the comics he wants to buy are $3.99, he's going to drop down to the few series he's the most interested in. The days of the Marvel Zombie or the DC fanatic are going the way of the do-do, as those hardest of hardcore guys who will put aside any and all other life expenses in favor of buying every title on the stands are getting older and older.
And, why pay $3.99 each for six issues of a comic when you can wait and buy the trade paperback for $14.99? We're seeing a lot of that going on.
I can't say what Diamond's biggest motive is, but if they could ONLY carry trade paperbacks and graphic novels, I think they would. They've pretty much said as much to small press publishers- basically, do trades, or don't bother us with your products. They absolutely are not interested in small press floppy pamphlet comics from anyone except Marvel, DC, IDW, Image, BOOM! or Dark Horse. It's all about money.
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And, why pay $3.99 each for six issues of a comic when you can wait and buy the trade paperback for $14.99? We're seeing a lot of that going on.
I can't say what Diamond's biggest motive is, but if they could ONLY carry trade paperbacks and graphic novels, I think they would. They've pretty much said as much to small press publishers- basically, do trades, or don't bother us with your products. They absolutely are not interested in small press floppy pamphlet comics from anyone except Marvel, DC, IDW, Image, BOOM! or Dark Horse. It's all about money.