ABoyNamedArt

December 21, 2010 1:58 pm @ohcaroline  Can't embrace that statement as a go-to solution. Consumers should always have a voice, even if it can be shrill.

December 21, 2010 1:23 pm @Jimski  If this were a regular ol' review thread, or something reported off a release or a standard interview, I'd be inclined to agree. But Marvel pulling out the sturm und drang for its' latest marketing opportunity is fair game, particularly in the wake of that rather tasteless "Architects" bit.

December 15, 2010 4:24 pm That's the way the biz works, and if you really want to reward this kind of creative endeavor and encourage more like it you have to demonstrate to the people making buying decisions that there is a market for this kind of thing at their stores.

This also brings up a few questions: what are Marvel's plans for marketing these kinds of books outside of the LCBS arena? What are Marvel's plans for marketing these books to media and retailers who focus on people of color (or, at the very least, not "the traditional" comic-book buyer?) I agree that there's a need for more overall support for these kinds of projects. But to not say that it would behoove "The biz" to pursue new customers and markets in the wake of their products' sales decline of the past decade is to let "The biz" off the hook.

December 8, 2010 3:30 pm @WilliamKScurryJr  You're probably right in your final assessment - at least for now. But it's irresponsible marketing to help in creating that sales disparity.

Also, this announcement, albeit (probably) unintentionally, is a smack in the face to the company's Women of Marvel campaign. The message here is, yeah, we want to see more female creators - but these guys are the real backbone of the company.

November 18, 2010 6:29 pm

Can the Direct Market pull in younger/all-ages readers? As noted above, it sure can, if retailers want to make the effort not just to highlight these books, but to brand themselves as accessible to casual readers - and more importantly, parents who are looking for something for their kids to read.

That said, I don't think Marvel should entirely get be let off the hook here. I only have anecdotal evidence to go on locally, but I still see a few books at non-DM retailers like Vons/Albertsons and such. Are series like The Mighty Avenger and Young Allies being considered for this kind of marketing outreach? If not, why not? 

November 8, 2010 6:42 pm

TTB,

You say in your article that everyone should be themselves, but you're also implicitly saying, "I try to show people that I am better than the assumptions people make about people who like my hobby."  Which means that the people who DO fit some of the stereotypes, who do like to rattle off stats or wear Batman t-shirts, are somehow freaks who are giving everyone who reads comics a bad name.  And that's... that's problematic.  That's model minority discourse.

I see what you're saying, but I have to disagree. What often happens is that (x) behavior is believed/assumed to be "inherent" to a particular social group. So not engaging in said behavior is seen as an affectation, rather than an honest expression of distinct taste. I've especially felt this paralleled in my own life, as I've had to deal with accusations of not being "really Mexican" because I don't do (x) behavior or enjoy (y) hobby. I refuse to accept the premise that I must adhere to behavioral, sartorial or cultural standards - call it the "geek card." Just because I won't cosplay Matt Smith doesn't mean I love Doctor Who, and just because I'm not down with Power Girl's cleavage window doesn't mean I don't love comic books. And to hell with anyone with suggests differently. 

November 8, 2010 5:42 pm

One thing to remember is that the people sounding the "The Nerds Have Won" call are mostly media outlets referring you to things they or their sponsors want you to buy. They're telling you that, for example, you're "cool" if you watch Iron Man 2, but not if you know more about the characters involved than what's on the screen.

And re: Big Bang Theory, I've long said it's the Amos & Andy of geek culture. 

January 24, 2010 4:58 pm

This cover is weak-sauce all around.

1) Ali G. jokes are PLAYED. What's next, Spuds McDeadpool? 

2) "Sexy women" in and of themselves aren't problematic, but the two no-name, non-descript "hot girls" hanging over Wade here are. It'd be at least cute if they were dressed like him. Or if Wade looked as surprised as the reader's supposed to be that they're hanging around. But instead JSC - and Marvel - went for the cheap joke

3) Is this supposed to be part of Marvel Women? How does this cover fit in with Her-Oes and Girl Comics? Or is feminism only convenient as a selling point for this company in specific "specialty" titles?