Cheaper 32

[Gary Leach]

Derek:

> Only problem is that it seems that the cheaper 32 page
> comics are appealing more or less to the same people who buy the 64 
> page
> "prestige" format. Doesn't seem like a lot of kids are buying 
> them(since the sales
> numbers are so close. Being such a niche as it were, you know the 
> overlap in
> buyers of the various titles is pretty large).

Currently the 32-pagers are going into the same market as the 
64-pagers, the comics retail shops. Eventually the 32-pagers will be 
going on newsstands as well, but the distribution arrangements are 
still being worked out. So, for the time being, both formats will be 
getting roughly the same sales - and will always post such numbers in 
Diamond's sales listings, since these only cover comics retails shops 
(and other outlets in the direct sales arena). Anyplace that posts 
sales based on Diamond's reports will show the same thing.

It's true, too, that overlap is quite large in direct sales. Those who 
are interested in Disney comics tend to purchase all Disney comics, 
whatever the format and price. That's why newsstand distribution is 
important to the eventual overall success of the 32-pagers, and 
bookstore/discount retailer distribution is important to the eventual 
overall success of the 128-page pocket books.

Gary