Comments on: Free Comic Book Day Free For Whom? http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/ Independent Opinions on Comics of All Kinds Thu, 23 May 2013 03:54:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: It’s Free Comic Book Day Again! » Comics Worth Reading http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-129480 It’s Free Comic Book Day Again! » Comics Worth Reading Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-129480

[...] superhero and fantasy — that work well in comics. And remember — Free Comic Book Day isn’t free for retailers, so if you’re enjoying the event, consider buying [...]

]]> By: Kevin Freeman http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-127596 Kevin Freeman Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:44:10 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-127596 This is a burden that should be shared by everyone–the publishers, the distributor, AND the retailer. Everyone stands to gain from a positive FCBD. Small publishers like us, who are foraying into the print FCBD for the first time (we did all digital last year) will simply lose our shirt if we charge .10 an issue. The likelihood of us being selected at the Gold level is small, and at the silver level the numbers are going to be significantly smaller. If we lose .25 or so per copy, at 5,000 (a shot-in-the dark estimate at Silver level), we lose $1250, which is a lot for us. Diamond adds a nickel per copy to the price as well, which further discourages retailers, as hinted above.

]]> By: 2012 Free Comic Book Day Features Free Hardcover Anthology » Comics Worth Reading http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-123592 2012 Free Comic Book Day Features Free Hardcover Anthology » Comics Worth Reading Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:03:21 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-123592

[...] retailers have to pay for the FCBD books they give away, I’m very curious to hear how much Archaia will be charging [...]

]]> By: Free Comic Book Day 2009 » Comics Worth Reading http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-103496 Free Comic Book Day 2009 » Comics Worth Reading Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:52:27 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-103496

[...] in mind that retailers pay for these comics, so don’t be too greedy. All comics should be suitable for all ages, so no fear there. Not [...]

]]> By: FCBD Questions Unanswered » Comics Worth Reading http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-89582 FCBD Questions Unanswered » Comics Worth Reading Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:03:24 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-89582

[...] by giving away promotional comics created especially for the day. (The retailers, by the way, pay for the comics they give [...]

]]> By: comicsnob.com » Interview: Michael Poe and Hilary Hatch, of Caffeine Angel Studios & Errant Story http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-51054 comicsnob.com » Interview: Michael Poe and Hilary Hatch, of Caffeine Angel Studios & Errant Story Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:16:48 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-51054

[...] Who knew Keenspot did comics? — Well, I guess I was vaguely aware of it since I saw their name crop up in an article about Free Comics Day); both it and the self-published volume two can be had from Poe’s own web store, the aptly [...]

]]> By: Johanna http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47831 Johanna Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:16:03 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47831 Ray: I wasn’t commenting on the TwoMorrows book but on the apparent publisher attitude towards the event. They are the same ones who, in a previous year, missed the point by giving magazines away at their website. That’s a lovely gesture to get more attention, but the purpose of FCBD is to get new readers INTO comic shops. Saying “we need our expenses covered”, if that’s really what they meant, misses the point of promotional expense.

As for the material, at least in the shop I’ve worked in the past, people on FCBD want comics, not text, even if it’s text on that subject. Impact did the same thing last year, creating a “how to create comics” sampler, and while it was a great publication, it wasn’t in demand by customers.

]]> By: Kevin Lighton http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47784 Kevin Lighton Thu, 08 Mar 2007 04:01:50 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47784 Nat:
Simon: unless something has changed radically since last year, the bronze-level publishers don’t charge print costs or anything at all.

Simon’s company (Icarus Publishing) only publishes adults-only material, which isn’t allowed in FCBD.

]]> By: Ray Cornwall http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47773 Ray Cornwall Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:03:02 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47773 I’m rather surprised that the TwoMorrows book is taking some flak. From my understanding, they’re offering a “Comics 101″ book with original content about how to create comics. That sort of book should prove popular on FCBD, as parents love to find kid-friendly material about creating comics (one of the reasons that “How to Create Comics the Marvel Way” is a perennial best-seller).
TwoMorrows isn’t as marginal a publisher as some of the others mentioned; they usually solicit at least one new magazine or book a month, and their material is always top-notch. I’ve got a bookshelf full of their books. And the price difference between their book and Marvel’s offering is 5 cents a unit. I can’t believe this sort of book at this price point doesn’t have some place in a store’s FCBD plans.

]]> By: Nat Gertler http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47535 Nat Gertler Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:01:53 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47535 Charles, I’m not seeing your logic at all. What publishers would be more likely to supply relevant books if they had to cover all the costs themselves? And why?

You might see some less-relevant books not offered, but unless they are gold-level books, retailers are already free to not order them if they feel they aren’t relevant to their customers… an option that they seem quite willing to exercise this year. And becoming a gold-level publisher requires a greater financial involvement, so you already have that to scare away the smaller fish.

(Simon: unless something has changed radically since last year, the bronze-level publishers don’t charge print costs or anything at all. Bronze level means that you’re supplying books that aren’t FCBD editions… basically, you’re throwing in some of your overstock.)

]]> By: More FCBD Discussion » Comics Worth Reading http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47514 More FCBD Discussion » Comics Worth Reading Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:23:32 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47514

[...] In case you didn’t see the update, I’ve added more information to my previous post on Free Comic Book Day pricing, looking at which books are in which price [...]

]]> By: TANSTAAFCBD (There ain’t no such thing as a Free Comic Book Day) : ComicsPundit http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47471 TANSTAAFCBD (There ain’t no such thing as a Free Comic Book Day) : ComicsPundit Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:24:01 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47471

[...] Free Comic Book Day Free For Whom? » Comics Worth Reading: [...]

]]> By: Shawn Levasseur http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47463 Shawn Levasseur Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:07:21 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47463 Lemme guess, retailers are also on the hook for the full shipping costs as well?

TANSTAAFL, indeed

]]> By: Simon Jones http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47448 Simon Jones Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:34:22 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47448 Per Diamond’s own FCBD supplier sheet, vendors are to charge print cost plus 3 cents (Diamond’s distro fee). For the silver and bronze publishers who are working with smaller print runs, they naturally charge a higher price for their books.

That’s not to say I don’t think that’s wrong… the books should be free to retailers, period. This is coming from someone who cannot participate in FCBD, and *had to pay Diamond* to distribute our own promotional books to retailers at no cover cost…

]]> By: Blog@Newsarama » But we swallow it, and we see nothing change http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47446 Blog@Newsarama » But we swallow it, and we see nothing change Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:17:06 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47446

[...] looks like a lot of retailers are getting tired of paying for Free Comic Book Day. Johanna has the story. Personally, I’m all for comic diversity, but I think 34 silver-level [...]

]]> By: Greg Hatfield http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47438 Greg Hatfield Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:17:45 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47438 Over on the Impact Books side, we don’t try to recoup our investment. We know we’re going to lose money on the deal, but it seems to me to be worth it as a promotional piece to get readers introduced to our line of comics and manga related writing and art instruction books. If retailers are stocking our books — as they should — they’ll see some mighty fine books by Peter David, Colleen Doran, Jessica Peffer and many others.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47411 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:05:16 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47411 Yes, you might see fewer books, but the ones that make the cut are more likely to have an actual impact on the marketplace and generate future sales for all involved.

Really, part of FCBD’s problem is that the current model is based on Diamond’s relatively low barrier for entry into the marketplace to begin with, so by limiting the day to titles publishers are actually making a marketing investment in, by providing them for free instead of subsidizing their cost, it will ensure higher “quality” of titles; ie: comics from legitimate publishers who are likely to ship enough comics over the next 12 months to leverage the promotion.

Why should retailers have to take on even more risk than they already do to promote a title/publisher that may not ship more than 6 issues over the next 12 months, if that many? Where’s the benefit to retailers there?

On a related note, by limiting the overall selection of titles, smaller retailers won’t get stung by the perception that they’re not fully participating because they don’t carry every single title, a problematic issue for a promotion that’s supposed to be celebrating their existence.

]]> By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Mar. 6, 2007: Free Comic Book Day’s hidden costs http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47398 Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Mar. 6, 2007: Free Comic Book Day’s hidden costs Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:48:22 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47398

[...] you’re a comics-industry wonk, Johanna Draper Carlson has probably the most interesting reading of the day: A selection of comments from a discussion [...]

]]> By: Nat Gertler http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47352 Nat Gertler Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:43:09 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47352 I don’t see how making the promotion cost the publisher more would “guarantee a stronger selection of titles from publishers with actual business plans”; it would seem to make the promotion more expensive for those publishers and discourage them. You might see fewer other books, but retailers already have the ability to not order those silver-level books (an ability I expect they’ll strongly exercise with some titles this year.)

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/comment-page-1/#comment-47346 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:30:30 +0000 http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/03/05/free-comic-book-day-free-for-whom/#comment-47346 This is a great peek behind the curtain of the direct market’s biggest (only?) major promotional effort. Any publisher approaching FCBD as a break-even proposition simply doesn’t understand marketing and is probably putting out a product that most retailers won’t bother ordering anyway.

Ideally, participating retailers shouldn’t have to pay anything for any of the comics themselves; publishers should be providing them at their own cost and Diamond should be covering the shipping.

What retailers should pay is a modest co-op fee to cover promotional materials for the event itself, supplied by Diamond, that’s scaled according to their level of participation. Figure a range of $50 to $500 gets you a selection of banner ads, posters, bookmarks, postcards, display ads, video ads, etc.

Something like that would guarantee a stronger selection of titles from publishers with actual business plans, and a higher level of participation from retailers as the benefits would be weighed in their direction, which seems like a no-brainer seeing as FCBD is supposedly meant for them anyway.

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