Happy Days -- I'm here again!

adair_t@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz adair_t at kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Fri Apr 8 00:22:30 CEST 1994


From: Mattias Hallin <Mattias.Hallin at jurenh.lu.se>

>It is indeed and alas a sad thing, the way Disney and it's licensees treat
>their artists. I was a bit surprised, though, to hear that your colleagues in
>other comic book branches are making THAT much money. Not that I doubt your
>information -- it just surprises me, considering that their market is fairly
>limited; or am I wrong there?


Very wrong.  The comicbook direct market (comicbook stores) in the United
States is driven by speculators (mostly teenagers wanting to Get Rich Quick). 
In 1991 (I think), Marvel published X-Men #1 with five different covers (four
with a normal cover, one edition with a gatefold that had all four covers in
one).  This issue sold 8 Million copies, eclipsing the previous record set by
Spider-Man #1 (four initial covers, 2.5 Million).  Last year, the issue
containing the death of Superman sold four million copies, with a lot of copies
sold to a curious public who wanted to Get Rich Quick as well.  Of course,
given the fact that there are so many copies out there, and most of them sealed
in plastic bags, basic economic law states that these issues will never
increase in value (large supply, little demand).

While the direct market is largely responsible for causing the speculator
market, it is also responsible for allowing a Renaissance of comicbooks.  It is
easier to sell small press runs to comicbook stores than to newsstands.  As a
matter of fact, I bought my first Gladstone copies from a comicbook store, and
continue to do so.

In my hometown of Omaha (metro area pop. 600,000), there are nine comicbook
stores.  In 1984, when I started collecting comicbooks, there were three.  


I think Don Rosa could make a decent living as an independent comicbook
publisher.  First, he has the talent and dedication necessary to publish a book
on a regular schedule.  Second, he has respect within the industry (the reason
I started collecting Disney again is becasue of a glowing review in the Comics
Buyer's Guide).  Third, Jeff Smith has already proven that there is a market
for "funny animal" comicbooks with his publication of Bone (highly
recommended!).  Fourth, Don Rosa can use Disney comics as a safety net while he
builds a customer base with his own title.  Fifth, Don could use his title to
explore ideas and concepts not possible with Disney comics.  Sixth, given the
commercialization of comicbooks (can we say Sandman pyjamas?), there is a lot
of money to be made from collectors.  (Of course, Don, I know you have a high
level of respect for collectors, and wouldn't ever think of exploiting them!)  

(Just some crazy ideas I had, Don.  No offence meant.)

Torsten Adair	adair_t at kosmos.wcc.govt.nz	Wellington, New Zealand




More information about the DCML mailing list