Cover Price for New Issues too much? Will VEI be competitive

[drmirage]

When I was buying Valiant Comics in the early 90's, I didn't feel that spending $2.00-$2.50 for new issues was too much.

Now most of those issues can be bought for a quarter to fifty-cents each.

But I do feel spending $3.50-$4.00 now is too much for new issues.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

How much would you guys buy spend for new issues?

[dhudson1]

Yes, that is too high, but I would guess most of us do not pay full retail.

[xodacia81]

3-5 dollars. My guess is 4 dollars would be about right if they had 27-36 pages of story.

[jbtheo]

I don't see how they could charge less, because their print runs will likely be smaller than 25K (probably even less than 20K). Marvel and DC can charge $3 because they are printing some books like over 80-100K, so they can make up the profit loss per book by the sheer amount of books they printed.

[sanman]

It really depends on how good the story and art is. The way I see it, I’m giving DH my money mostly out of nostalgia. As long as I’m not disappointed I’ll be a regular reader for some time.

In contrast, the higher the cover price the higher expatiations. Hence I may be more critical of a $5 book than a $3 one.

The big question is, at what price would the new reader (one not already into GK or Valiant) be discouraged from checking out the new comics. But again, I think that comes down to quality storytelling.

[xodacia81]

It really depends on how good the story and art is. The way I see it, I’m giving DH my money mostly out of nostalgia. As long as I’m not disappointed I’ll be a regular reader for some time.

In contrast, the higher the cover price the higher expatiations. Hence I may be more critical of a $5 book than a $3 one.

The big question is, at what price would the new reader (one not already into GK or Valiant) be discouraged from checking out the new comics. But again, I think that comes down to quality storytelling.

I wouldn't give DH money for Solar or Magnus. Not based on what I've read so far. I don't feel the books are worth the cover price, yet and I don't feel they will be. I'm starting to wonder if Shooter is either bored or washed up.

(waits for the uberfans to rip him a new one)

[sanman]

It really depends on how good the story and art is. The way I see it, I’m giving DH my money mostly out of nostalgia. As long as I’m not disappointed I’ll be a regular reader for some time.

In contrast, the higher the cover price the higher expatiations. Hence I may be more critical of a $5 book than a $3 one.

The big question is, at what price would the new reader (one not already into GK or Valiant) be discouraged from checking out the new comics. But again, I think that comes down to quality storytelling.

I wouldn't give DH money for Solar or Magnus. Not based on what I've read so far. I don't feel the books are worth the cover price, yet and I don't feel they will be. I'm starting to wonder if Shooter is either bored or washed up.

(waits for the uberfans to rip him a new one)

So far the books have not met my expectations. I could stay with Magnus a little longer but the books need to improve before I make any long-term commitment or add any additional titles.

Again, that has more to do with the storytelling than the cover price.

[400yrs]

I don't see how they could charge less, because their print runs will likely be smaller than 25K (probably even less than 20K). Marvel and DC can charge $3 because they are printing some books like over 80-100K, so they can make up the profit loss per book by the sheer amount of books they printed.

Yep. If VEI does comics, I don't see how they could possibly be less than $3.50 and more than likely, they will have to be $3.99 unless they have something else going on like movies.

I buy a few books with a $3.99 cover, but I pay $2.39 for them. After adding in bag and board and shipping, it's closer to $2.80 - $3 per issue.

I wouldn't give DH money for Solar or Magnus. Not based on what I've read so far. I don't feel the books are worth the cover price, yet and I don't feel they will be. I'm starting to wonder if Shooter is either bored or washed up.

(waits for the uberfans to rip him a new one)

No ripping here. I wish I could get my money back for Solar 1-3 that I've bought/ordered.

I'll buy Magnus for a bit and will try Turok, but nothing so far is impressing me in the writing nor the editing enough to make me think that Shooter still has it or that he can capture magic again.

[xodacia81]

I don't see how they could charge less, because their print runs will likely be smaller than 25K (probably even less than 20K). Marvel and DC can charge $3 because they are printing some books like over 80-100K, so they can make up the profit loss per book by the sheer amount of books they printed.

Yep. If VEI does comics, I don't see how they could possibly be less than $3.50 and more than likely, they will have to be $3.99 unless they have something else going on like movies.

I buy a few books with a $3.99 cover, but I pay $2.39 for them. After adding in bag and board and shipping, it's closer to $2.80 - $3 per issue.

I wouldn't give DH money for Solar or Magnus. Not based on what I've read so far. I don't feel the books are worth the cover price, yet and I don't feel they will be. I'm starting to wonder if Shooter is either bored or washed up.

(waits for the uberfans to rip him a new one)

No ripping here. I wish I could get my money back for Solar 1-3 that I've bought/ordered.

I'll buy Magnus for a bit and will try Turok, but nothing so far is impressing me in the writing nor the editing enough to make me think that Shooter still has it or that he can capture magic again.

Is it too soon to say that VEI might have dodged a bullet?

[sanman]

Indeed, and that’s the lesson that VEI needs to learn. Yes, there is a fan base, but our loyalty must be rewarded with quality.

As much as I would have loved to see my favorite Valiant characters in continuous print today, for me, Valiant died after Acclaim took over. I loved my early Valiant books in the ‘90s but I didn’t read any title to the end.

If VEI can recapture the magic I’m in but my continued support is not automatic—especially in light of the lack of product and communication in the past couple of years.

[superman-prime]

dcbs i pay around 230 for a new book otherwise is pass

[drmirage]

My LCS charges cover price on all new comics. (Earth 2 Comics) in the San Fernando Valley. Even to start a pull list, I will need 10 titles.

I would buy from DCBS, but I do not buy many titles to offset the shipping fees.

[Daniel Jackson]

My LCS charges cover price on all new comics. (Earth 2 Comics) in the San Fernando Valley. Even to start a pull list, I will need 10 titles.

I would buy from DCBS, but I do not buy many titles to offset the shipping fees.

That's the biggest drawback to ordering from Internet comic sites. I don't really order enough to justify it either.

[ian_house]

If it's something I want to read then it's worth cover. Prices over here are interesting. The way I buy from eBay uk I get my comics bagged, boarded and delivered for £2.40 for a $2.99 issue or £2.90 for a $3.99 issue.

Just used a convertor and I pay $3.70 for $2.99 and $4.50 for a $3.99. Which works out pretty well as been as they are being posted and bagged and boarded for that price.

[Drift]

There was actually nothing in August that sold more than 100k (most about 80000) so I cannot see the price on books by a "new" company being less than $3.99 with the downturn in sales on big name series as it stands. We also have to factor in that we will probably only get VEI books after 2012 when the world has ended anyway (where is that sarcastic smiley?).

[dave]

I wouldn't give DH money for Solar or Magnus. Not based on what I've read so far. I don't feel the books are worth the cover price, yet and I don't feel they will be. I'm starting to wonder if Shooter is either bored or washed up.

(waits for the uberfans to rip him a new one)

Rip!

Just kidding. It's all about personal preference, man. Clearly the stories have not been good enough yet to justify ripping anyone for not liking them.

I think they've been good, and I can see a promise for something good, but it's not like your saying Solar 1-10 stunk, or that Watchmen was the worst book ever made.

I think most of us can see where you're coming from, even though I disagree with your point that the price is not worth it. So far, for me, it is.

I am wondering if having more of a "bullpen" working on this book might not improve it a bit. I think Jim is at his best when working with young/fresh talent and creating a cohesive uni-which doesn't seem to be what DH is planning here.

[hotwings1979]

Personally, I think the cost of the books nowadays is high. I went into the LCS and picked up a copy of Solar 2 and a book for my 7 year old son and it was probably a good $8.00.

On the flip side I have been very impressed with the Solar character and I am eagerly awaiting issue #3. I can't say anything about Magnus because I can't find a copy in West Central, IL.

As far as VEI I think the books should be in the $3.00 - $4.00 range. I think that's a good price for a book but we have to keep in mind all of the inputs that go into it as well. Personally, I 'd like to see a $3.00 digital copy available on the iPad and a $4.00 printed copy of the book. It gives me some options.

I'm eagerly awaiting the new books and hope they get here soon.

I give for new books!

[cshepard81]

RE: Will VEI be competitive?

Excluding hardcovers collecting previously-published material and "sneak peaks," VEI is about as competitive at publishing new comics as VIP. I think determining cover prices at this point would be putting the cart a little ahead of the horse.

[dave]

Apparently, new books are much closer than any of us thought.

People that I believe are good judges of character seem to believe that at least, so I'm pretty hopeful.

[cshepard81]

Apparently, new books are much closer than any of us thought.

People that I believe are good judges of character seem to believe that at least, so I'm pretty hopeful.

I thought I'd have something in hand last year, so there's a reason I sound skeptical. If they get books out I hope they do well, but my expectations are pretty low at this point.
Of course, new books being published and garnering positive reviews could lift my spirits quickly.

[hotwings1979]

My friends, are we looking at this as VEI will be coming out with books now or in the future. If this is ion the near term then I stand by my prices but we could be talking years for this to come market. I mean we could have to figure in shipping charges to heaven or hell which woudld really make the cover price irrelevant.

[sanman]

This thread has me thinking about collecting back issues nearly exclusively except for Batman and Detective.

[Tim]

This thread has me thinking about collecting back issues nearly exclusively except for Batman and Detective.

Welcome to the club! With the exception of the Superman titles and Flash which I've been reading monthly since I was 12 and a few other books that are always in danger of being dropped, I'm pretty much done with new comics. Back issues are so much cheaper and generally better than anything that's being published now.

[sanman]

This thread has me thinking about collecting back issues nearly exclusively except for Batman and Detective.

Welcome to the club! With the exception of the Superman titles and Flash which I've been reading monthly since I was 12 and a few other books that are always in danger of being dropped, I'm pretty much done with new comics. Back issues are so much cheaper and generally better than anything that's being published now.

Yeah, totally agree, but I think if you spend more on runs and key issues that have remained desirable it’s money better spent in the long run.

I look at what I’m spending each week and I know most of the books will be worth less than cover in less than a year. I’d probably have to give them away just to move them. (Any one want to pay cover price for my Brightest Day run?)

Even if it means fewer comic books, I should put the money towards my vintage collection that if necessary could be sold—perhaps for a profit.

[Brother J]

I would buy from DCBS, but I do not buy many titles to offset the shipping fees.

exactly the reason I stopped going through DCBS. I was buying things I really didn't need just to make it worth the shipping costs. I figure it ends up being cheaper just paying full cover price at my LCS for the few books I want.