[...] Good adjective there, since that’s also one of the rules, that books be suitable for an all-ages audience, after some difficulties in past years. Picking Kirkman is interesting, since he’s best-known [...]

[...] 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 all publishers are allowed to participate, especially if they do [...]

[...] year, decisions were made to reject webcomic samplers and require the publications be all ages. I got in touch with the designed FCBD marketing contact, Elissa Lynch, to ask about these [...]

[...] Have the members been publicly identified? I don’t recall seeing a list. This isn’t the first decision that’s been made under the radar without public announcement or comment. And using [...]

Which doesn’t change the fact that as retailers, we’re probably stuck with everything all-ages. Given that at least 50% of my traffic on Free Comic Book Day is adults *with* kids, and in past years I’ve been able to turn new readers on to books like Queen & Country or Scott Pilgrim (to name only two), I’m more than a little disappointed.

With any luck, it’s a legalese mistake that will get corrected. But given Diamond’s records of correcting mistakes, I’m not holding my breath. And I’m also not 100% certain of this, it’s just the impression I got.

If I was a comic book store in Connecticut, after the whole Nate Fisher/Eightball dustup a few months back, I would be appreciative of FCBD’s new approach.

That being said, at least folks in the US can still name their teddy bears Jesus if they want to and not worry about going to jail, so it’s all relative. :)

But this just shows the problem with rules like “must be all ages” — reasonable people disagree on what the kiddies should be protected from.

Kids are a priority for this event and I think it’s a good thing the Gold level books are all age friendly for them. But I don’t think the comic industry should be too choosy about who their new customers are.

Adult books for adult readers ought to be included too. Especially considering FCBD is the largest promotion the industry has for getting new potential readers into a comic shop. Do we want to project to those curious adult readers that comics are all comics are tame enough so kids can read them too?

There has been a number of R rated comic related movies made (Sin City, 300, etc..) and it would be nice if there was something for people that enjoyed that type of material.

Typically we try not to order things with nudity in them. But without seeing what we’re ordering, and with only a small blurb describing the book, that can be tricky. Sure, I could find it during the time between when they arrive at the store and the day of the event, but I hate to not put out a comic book that I had to pay for.

And yeah, I wouldn’t be against this so much if all-ages books were more like Owly or Bone, less sanitized pap talking down to the audience.

As a retailer who participates in the event, we do our best to be careful about who gets which comics on that day. We separate out the all age ones from the regular ones and have them on two tables one of us stands behind to help people pick and try to keep kids from taking something they shouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t turn our heads for a second and have it happen. Or that an adult would grab an adult comic and hand it to a kid moments later. And I know plenty of adults who don’t want nudity or graphic violence in the comics they read either. Requiring the comics to be “all ages” might be the “safe” way, or the “politically correct” way to keep a bad situation from happening. And yes, it might eliminate some publishers from participating in the event. But it’s only one day, a typically busy day for stores, and a good retailer can show those interested in those interested in the more adult themes comics and graphic novels that would interest them without needing to use a free comic book as a tool.

The “all ages” gets a negative vibe from people sometimes, but it doesn’t need to.
There ARE ways to write a comic book that can appeal to all ages. It would be “safe” for retailers and probably the best way to increase readership across the board. Think of it – parents & children reading the SAME comics! Gosh, it’d be like, well like Star Wars, where every generation enjoys those movies.

I have to admit, the first thing that occurred to me was that I want to publish a book that’s 23 pages of fisticuffs, bar brawls, spaceship explosions, car crashes, and generic shootings, then have a tiny image on page 24 with a glimpse of naked gentleman parts. But I already know which part would get the reaction, so there’s really no point, other than to get it out of my system.

It’s crazy-making.

I admire the way my store does it — they hand me the books early. I can review them, and while reading, I make note of anything my retailer may be concerned about, given our area and environment. Since he knows his customers best, he can determine not only which books aren’t kid-suitable, but which will be most entertaining to particular audiences.

And I know, in all of this, excessive violence will be considered ok, because I live in the US.