IanX
Name: Ian X
Bio: I grew up on Marvel Comics, especially the 80s Silver Surfer, X-Men, and Excalibur. More recently, I read a wider variety of "grown-up" comics like Hellblazer, 100 Bullets, and Preacher. I'm also an aspiring comics writer, currently working on The Deathlings (http://thedeathlings.com) and a second book. Finally, I'm probably best known as a portrait photographer.
Reviews
All reviews by IanX
You're right that we did little to prove to the publishers that $4 comics aren't acceptable. I do think the point is coming where it's costing them, but it was after the first wave.
When comics went to $4.00, most of us had to consider the effect on a real human being we like (our shop owner) combined with a desire to keep reading the major books that we're hooked on. As this has crept to minor books, we've clearly pushed back (look how SWORD #1 sold).
It's too soon to tell, but you're probably right. As a whole, our community looked Marvel (mostly) in the eye and said "Hell No"... and then forked over our $4 anyhow.
I really WANT to be excited about this-- I'm an early adopter, a huge Marvel fan, and an Apple fanboy. At $1 per backissue issue, and $1.50-$1.99 for new issues, I'd be buying a $500 iPad, and shifting my $40 a week mostly over to those comics. I won't be forking over $2 per book for digital back issues.
I can get back issues from my local shop for $1. Why would I pay $2 to get them online?
I can get 8-issue trades from Amazon for $12. Why would I pay $16 to get them online?
I can get new comics from DCBS for under $2. Why would I pay the same to get them later online?