An interesting piece over at Newsarama voices some of the concerns I have myself when it comes to these "big crossover events" in comics. The new "Secret Wars" announcement that Marvel held earlier this week did nothing to allay my fears...and I'm not alone as many Direct Market retailers feel the same way.
"Customers are curious, but as usual, Marvel is being very vague about the whole thing," said John Robinson, owner of the nine Illinois locations of Graham Crackers Comics. "And I have no answers for [customers] as to any of the specifics on how this is going to be handled."
"On the surface, I think it sounds absolutely awful!" cried Mike Wellman, co-owner of the Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, California. But the retailer added, "I tend to lean more positive on these massive events and I'm sure there are some things that Marvel isn't telling us. Their batting average is pretty high when it comes to these things and I fully trust them to make something awesome."
There are some (quite valid) concerns that this is just another "cash-grab," and that the soft-reboot of Marvel's line that's being rumored right now could also be a disaster. If it doesn't actually change anything substantial, and does end up being just another "cash-grab" event, it will further harm the superhero comics industry which isn't on solid footing as it is.
"Short-term cash-grabs are nice, but end up hurting [retailers] in the long run," Robinson said, describing that big events require a big obligation from retailers to buy new titles with no sales history. According to Robinson, the sales of one best-selling event title don't always offset the hit retailers take on the unsold copies of another. "By the time you play catch-up, figuring out that people want [for example,] 'Secret Wars Frontline Battleworld' but don't want 'Secret Wars Embedded,' it's too late and you've eaten as many copies as you made money on."
Other retailers still say that Marvel should look to the successes and failures of DC's 2011 "New 52" reboot.
"As many new readers as we gained from the 'New 52' relaunch, there were also a number of long-time readers who felt disenfranchised," said Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, California. "I do think Marvel editorial needs to frame and execute 'Secret Wars' as appealing to new fans while still embracing long-time fans."
"The very best thing that Marvel can possibly do is have a clear and long-term plan," said Jermaine Exum, manager at Acme Comics in Greensboro, North Carolina. "I would hope that there have been many discussions involving ramifications and connections... It's all about smoothness of presentation. Anything to not arbitrarily irritate fans is always a good thing."
Nonetheless, until more information is presented by Marvel most retailers are advising their regular customers to wait things out...to see what happens without jumping to irrational conclusions.
"The most important thing is to not panic," Exum stated. "Marvel Comics have been through some truly bizarre times, but I think they have very talented creators working on whatever is to come next."
