Comments on: Marvel Undercuts Free Comic Book Day?

By: Johanna

Johanna — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:34:14 +0000

That distinction wasn’t clear to me; thank you for the clarification.

By: Ed Brubaker

Ed Brubaker — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:36:48 +0000

I think if you read the press release closely, you’ll see that the Iron Man/Hulk thing is a sampler thing, more like the recent Secret Invasion giveaway comic that Marvel sent a bunch of to retailers, which they apparently were really happy with – the retailers I mean. You probably didn’t see it, but it was like a primer, not really a comic story.

The FCBD thing is an actual new comic book story.

I’m sure retailers will be happy to have these Iron Man/Hulk freebies, since they appreciated the Secret Invasion one and praised Marvel for doing it.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:15:30 +0000

Chris, great question.

By: thekamisama

thekamisama — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:07:22 +0000

Normally I would be suspect. Seeing how they are already a massive participant in FCBD makes me just chalk it up to bad timing and trying to time the books to two potential Hollywood blockbusters.

So Marvel is doing a “Super Heroes” toy tie in comic? My son would probably go nuts if they ever did a crossover with the DC Super Friends (and maybe even the Rescue Heroes too!)

By: Chris Collins

Chris Collins — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:29:39 +0000

I’d be interested in if the cost to the retailer is any different or if the terms of this sampler are different than FCBD? Any retailers want to tell us if this is a better/worst/same deal?

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:28:13 +0000

Very possibly, and that’s why I rely on those more sympathetic to the company to remind me of the more charitable interpretations. :)

I do like your “DC stupid, Marvel evil” simplification, though. I think it makes a nice mantra.

By: Augie De Blieck Jr.

Augie De Blieck Jr. — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:14:02 +0000

Nah, I think they just wanted to make sure the freebies got out to shops BEFORE the movie launched, so retailers should have them available at the shop in the days AHEAD of the movie getting released.

Plus, they’re promoting FCBD in the comic, itself, AND comic shops.

I think “stealing the thunder” is being a bit too cynical.

I think the internet S.O.P. is “anything DC does that’s screwy can be attributed to editorial incompetence” and “anything Marvel does screwy is their attempt to screw the Direct Market.” Neither are always right.

Now, if I wanted to get cynical, I’d guess this way: Given the lack of editorial man power at the major comic companies these days, I think it’s more likely that this was a last minute idea that had to be pushed out separately and quickly.