Rumored plans from Alien books

[ManofTheAtom]

In the olden days, comic books had more than 32 pages. Action Comics #1 had 64 pages.

Since the '90s I've thought that modern comics should have a higher page count, use digital coloring and lettering, and be printed in high quality paper stock with a cardstock cover.

And the silver in that dime you could use to buy those 64 pages of Action comics today is worth $1.65 per Coinflation.

If you used a gold coin to make that purchase, you are looking more around $9.31.

What percentage of one's wages did that dime represent in 1938?

Communism.

Minimum wage was inflicted on the US in 1938 at 25 cents an hour. I am not sure what kind of withholding would have been around at the time, but a minimum of 24 minutes digging ditches. 24 minutes of today’s minimum wage would be $2.90 but withholding would likely stretch the time needed to about 30 minutes to cover $2.90 of take home pay at current minimum wage prices.

Okay. In today's dollars, Action Comics #1 would have a cover price of $2.99 for 64 pages.

Now, if the production values increased for better paper and computer coloring and lettering it could justify an increase in cost of how much? Another dollar to make it $3.99 for 64 pages? Or two more dollars to make it $4.99 for 64 pages? Still less than double the cost of Action Comics #1 in 1938.

One would be paying that additional dollar or two for the increase in production values.

And those $3.99 to $4.99 would be comparable to less than 20 cents in 1938, no?

Math is my Kryptonite, but I don't think I'm that off with the numbers you gave.

I think your numbers are solid but I disagree that the value is more in the time than the production but you agree with modern prevailing opinion here than I do.

Ok, cool.

[SwiftMann]

Since the '90s I've thought that modern comics should have a higher page count, use digital coloring and lettering, and be printed in high quality paper stock with a cardstock cover.

You're describing what used to be called 'Prestige Format'. I'm not sure if that term is still used.

DC used to do a lot of their high profile limited series in that format. 48 to 64 pages, high quality paper, cardstock cover, perfect binding (squarebound) instead of saddle stitched (stapled). They would be a lot pricier than normal comics, 6 or 7 bucks compared to 2 or 3 for a normal comic.

Exactly.

It looks like the books Alien is putting out are more like prestige format than trade paperback. It's mostly semantics though, the main difference is length. These days a TPB is usually 100 to 200 or more pages.

For example, check out what Alien is putting out: https://www.alienbooks.com/new-releases

THE HUNTSMAN #1 (of 2)
Script: Matts. Art: Agustin Alessio

CVR A : Agustin Alessio
CVR B: Al Barrionuevo

ISSUE 1 of 2. PRESTIGE FORMAT, 60 PAGES. Part of the upcoming "The Tesla Incident" saga.
In the vast wilderness of one of North America's largest parks, a group of adventurous young backpackers embarks on a journey in search of excitement and unforgettable memories. Little do they know, their path leads them into an eerie forest teeming with peculiar creatures and unsettling sights. As their escapade takes a dark turn, they find themselves trapped in a harrowing nightmare, stalked by a relentless predator known as The Huntsman. Is this monstrous entity merely a legendary apex predator akin to the enigmatic Bigfoot, or does it conceal a deeper, more sinister secret that poses a threat to the very fabric of humanity's existence?

A classic Slasher film-like story mixed with Science Fiction. Impressive realistic artwork by acclaimed artist Agustin Alessio (Captain America, Thor, Prometheus, Star Wars, Darth Vader, Tomb Rider).

In Shops: October 18, 2023

SRP: $12.99

They even call it Prestige Format in the solicitation.

Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

[ManofTheAtom]

Since the '90s I've thought that modern comics should have a higher page count, use digital coloring and lettering, and be printed in high quality paper stock with a cardstock cover.

You're describing what used to be called 'Prestige Format'. I'm not sure if that term is still used.

DC used to do a lot of their high profile limited series in that format. 48 to 64 pages, high quality paper, cardstock cover, perfect binding (squarebound) instead of saddle stitched (stapled). They would be a lot pricier than normal comics, 6 or 7 bucks compared to 2 or 3 for a normal comic.

Exactly.

It looks like the books Alien is putting out are more like prestige format than trade paperback. It's mostly semantics though, the main difference is length. These days a TPB is usually 100 to 200 or more pages.

For example, check out what Alien is putting out: https://www.alienbooks.com/new-releases

THE HUNTSMAN #1 (of 2)
Script: Matts. Art: Agustin Alessio

CVR A : Agustin Alessio
CVR B: Al Barrionuevo

ISSUE 1 of 2. PRESTIGE FORMAT, 60 PAGES. Part of the upcoming "The Tesla Incident" saga.
In the vast wilderness of one of North America's largest parks, a group of adventurous young backpackers embarks on a journey in search of excitement and unforgettable memories. Little do they know, their path leads them into an eerie forest teeming with peculiar creatures and unsettling sights. As their escapade takes a dark turn, they find themselves trapped in a harrowing nightmare, stalked by a relentless predator known as The Huntsman. Is this monstrous entity merely a legendary apex predator akin to the enigmatic Bigfoot, or does it conceal a deeper, more sinister secret that poses a threat to the very fabric of humanity's existence?

A classic Slasher film-like story mixed with Science Fiction. Impressive realistic artwork by acclaimed artist Agustin Alessio (Captain America, Thor, Prometheus, Star Wars, Darth Vader, Tomb Rider).

In Shops: October 18, 2023

SRP: $12.99

They even call it Prestige Format in the solicitation.

Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

"average $4.99 20-page comic" dang. That's average now?

And people are paying these prices?

[syzhang28]

Since the '90s I've thought that modern comics should have a higher page count, use digital coloring and lettering, and be printed in high quality paper stock with a cardstock cover.

You're describing what used to be called 'Prestige Format'. I'm not sure if that term is still used.

DC used to do a lot of their high profile limited series in that format. 48 to 64 pages, high quality paper, cardstock cover, perfect binding (squarebound) instead of saddle stitched (stapled). They would be a lot pricier than normal comics, 6 or 7 bucks compared to 2 or 3 for a normal comic.

Exactly.

It looks like the books Alien is putting out are more like prestige format than trade paperback. It's mostly semantics though, the main difference is length. These days a TPB is usually 100 to 200 or more pages.

For example, check out what Alien is putting out: https://www.alienbooks.com/new-releases

THE HUNTSMAN #1 (of 2)
Script: Matts. Art: Agustin Alessio

CVR A : Agustin Alessio
CVR B: Al Barrionuevo

ISSUE 1 of 2. PRESTIGE FORMAT, 60 PAGES. Part of the upcoming "The Tesla Incident" saga.
In the vast wilderness of one of North America's largest parks, a group of adventurous young backpackers embarks on a journey in search of excitement and unforgettable memories. Little do they know, their path leads them into an eerie forest teeming with peculiar creatures and unsettling sights. As their escapade takes a dark turn, they find themselves trapped in a harrowing nightmare, stalked by a relentless predator known as The Huntsman. Is this monstrous entity merely a legendary apex predator akin to the enigmatic Bigfoot, or does it conceal a deeper, more sinister secret that poses a threat to the very fabric of humanity's existence?

A classic Slasher film-like story mixed with Science Fiction. Impressive realistic artwork by acclaimed artist Agustin Alessio (Captain America, Thor, Prometheus, Star Wars, Darth Vader, Tomb Rider).

In Shops: October 18, 2023

SRP: $12.99

They even call it Prestige Format in the solicitation.

Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

"average $4.99 20-page comic" dang. That's average now?

And people are paying these prices?

If the story is good then its worth it for sure.

[ManofTheAtom]

Since the '90s I've thought that modern comics should have a higher page count, use digital coloring and lettering, and be printed in high quality paper stock with a cardstock cover.

You're describing what used to be called 'Prestige Format'. I'm not sure if that term is still used.

DC used to do a lot of their high profile limited series in that format. 48 to 64 pages, high quality paper, cardstock cover, perfect binding (squarebound) instead of saddle stitched (stapled). They would be a lot pricier than normal comics, 6 or 7 bucks compared to 2 or 3 for a normal comic.

Exactly.

It looks like the books Alien is putting out are more like prestige format than trade paperback. It's mostly semantics though, the main difference is length. These days a TPB is usually 100 to 200 or more pages.

For example, check out what Alien is putting out: https://www.alienbooks.com/new-releases

THE HUNTSMAN #1 (of 2)
Script: Matts. Art: Agustin Alessio

CVR A : Agustin Alessio
CVR B: Al Barrionuevo

ISSUE 1 of 2. PRESTIGE FORMAT, 60 PAGES. Part of the upcoming "The Tesla Incident" saga.
In the vast wilderness of one of North America's largest parks, a group of adventurous young backpackers embarks on a journey in search of excitement and unforgettable memories. Little do they know, their path leads them into an eerie forest teeming with peculiar creatures and unsettling sights. As their escapade takes a dark turn, they find themselves trapped in a harrowing nightmare, stalked by a relentless predator known as The Huntsman. Is this monstrous entity merely a legendary apex predator akin to the enigmatic Bigfoot, or does it conceal a deeper, more sinister secret that poses a threat to the very fabric of humanity's existence?

A classic Slasher film-like story mixed with Science Fiction. Impressive realistic artwork by acclaimed artist Agustin Alessio (Captain America, Thor, Prometheus, Star Wars, Darth Vader, Tomb Rider).

In Shops: October 18, 2023

SRP: $12.99

They even call it Prestige Format in the solicitation.

Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

"average $4.99 20-page comic" dang. That's average now?

And people are paying these prices?

If the story is good then its worth it for sure.

For 20 pages that seems a lot, though. Looks more like brand loyalty to DC and Marvel more than anything else.

[syzhang28]

You're describing what used to be called 'Prestige Format'. I'm not sure if that term is still used.

DC used to do a lot of their high profile limited series in that format. 48 to 64 pages, high quality paper, cardstock cover, perfect binding (squarebound) instead of saddle stitched (stapled). They would be a lot pricier than normal comics, 6 or 7 bucks compared to 2 or 3 for a normal comic.

Exactly.

It looks like the books Alien is putting out are more like prestige format than trade paperback. It's mostly semantics though, the main difference is length. These days a TPB is usually 100 to 200 or more pages.

For example, check out what Alien is putting out: https://www.alienbooks.com/new-releases



They even call it Prestige Format in the solicitation.

Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

"average $4.99 20-page comic" dang. That's average now?

And people are paying these prices?

If the story is good then its worth it for sure.

For 20 pages that seems a lot, though. Looks more like brand loyalty to DC and Marvel more than anything else.

Indy publishers often charge more. IDW, Boom and even Bad Idea charge $7.99 but they do give more than 20 pages. Not much more except Bad Idea but they are crazy.

[ManofTheAtom]

Exactly.



Wow, that's expensive.

Depends. Is it 60 pages of story? On a per page basis that is cheaper than the average $4.99 20-page comic. About 21.7 cents a page vs 25 cents. Even if it's 8 pages of ads in those 60, it's the same per page as a $4.99 book.

Comparing to the soon to be gone $3.99 for 20-pages, 60 story pages would be 1.7 cents more a page. On today's market for a smaller publisher (in comic terms), that's pretty solid.

"average $4.99 20-page comic" dang. That's average now?

And people are paying these prices?

If the story is good then its worth it for sure.

For 20 pages that seems a lot, though. Looks more like brand loyalty to DC and Marvel more than anything else.

Indy publishers often charge more. IDW, Boom and even Bad Idea charge $7.99 but they do give more than 20 pages. Not much more except Bad Idea but they are crazy.

Yeah, it HAS to be more than 20 pages for that amount.

[syzhang28]

Again, to me it depends on how good the story is. I go by quality of story not pages.

[ManofTheAtom]

Again, to me it depends on how good the story is. I go by quality of story not pages.

Cool.