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Archive for December, 2008

Behind The Counter #204 – How Can I Sell What I Don’t Know (or don’t like)

Posted on Dec 19, 2008 under Behind the Counter | No Comment

Back in October, Marvel Comics solicited a follow-up to their Secret Invasion (SI) series called “Requiem”. At that time, SI wasn’t finished so to avoid potential spoilers, the solicitation had no content information. I had no idea what the book was going to be about other than the fact it was $3.99 US for 64 pages.

The comic is shipping Wed, Dec 24 and on Dec 4, the rest of the information about the book was finally made avaialble to retailers in a secret retailer area on Diamond Distribution’s website (why this wasn’t done from the get go, I can only guess for fear of leaks). So 6 weeks after I had placed my regular monthly order for Marvel’s comics, I had to look up new information and place another order which is somewhat counter productive to my daily routine.

Anyway, my personal timetable notwithstanding, here’s the information about the new book;

SECRET INVASION: REQUIEM
Written by DAN SLOTT, Pencils & Cover by KHOI PHAM
An important stepping stone to the big shake-up in MIGHTY AVENGERS by the new creative team of Dan Slott and Khoi Pham, featuring a new name and identity for one of Marvel’s classic characters! In this 8-page story after the tragic events of SECRET INVASION #8, two of Earth’s mightiest heroes reflect on the life and times of a fallen comrade.
Plus over 40 pages reprinting two classic tales from Marvel’s Silver and Bronze ages: the Wasp’s first appearance (TALES TO ASTONISH #44) and the infamous Hank-hitting-Jan story (AVENGERS #213) — presented with all-new, modern coloring.
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 12/4, On-Sale – 12/24

So, for all my waiting and double time wasted on ordering, I see it’s for a book that has only 8 pages of new material. Wow. And to cap it off, it also has an extra special reprinting of the “Hank Pym – Wife Beater!” I know the story is essential to the character’s histories and it’s not a topic that’s so taboo it cannot be reprinted but read the solicitation for the thing!

“infamous Hank-hitting-Jan” For starters, even though it was one “hit”, he didn’t just hit her, he beat her. It was spousal abuse. It was daring, contraversial and significant to comic history and this solicit seems to cheapen it a bit, especially when coupled with, “presented with all-new, modern coloring”. To enhance the beating effect?

There’s a part of me that know’s I’m being hyper-sensitive about this, but in an industry that seems to be trying to distance the publisher from the retailer coupled with this “happy holiday season”, it’s just another frustrating bit of nonsense that I can’t deal with. I took a stand on this one. I ordered no shelf copies for my store. Yeah, Marvel needs to keep their secrets but there has to be a better way that to force me to do my job twice, especially when you’re trying to sell me books that don’t sell for me.

Now, if DC could just start shipping their big ticket books on time…

The Shepherd

Archive for December, 2008

Behind The Counter #204 – How Can I Sell What I Don’t Know (or don’t like)

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