Originally Posted by
Comic-Reader Lad
DC does want you as a customer. That's why they're trying a new distribution model rather than dropping monthlies altogether. However, I understand that for non-US readers, there are still further obstacles that DC needs to address.
It takes a lot of work to set this new system up, and so I have to believe that DC is committed to keeping monthlies as a viable option in spite of how they don't bring all that much money into the company.
If the rumors are true about Pam Lifford not being in love with the monthlies, I can see her point. We live in a world where Captain Underpants graphic novels have sold 80 million books worldwide -- based on just 12 books in the series published. Why the hell aren't Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest selling that? Even a tenth of that would be spectacular for any comics company.
Given that nothing DC or Marvel has tried over the last several decades has resulted in a massive influx of new readers into comic shops -- not even Free Comic Book Day where they're giving the stuff away, it makes sense for her to explore other options in getting the very recognizable DC characters in front of the public.
Rather than trying to get new readers into comic shops, Lifford may just be thinking, "Hey, let's try it the other way. If we can't get readers into comic shops, let's get comics into the places where readers already are going -- namely bookstores -- and with lots of new material not just trade reprints." If that's her thought process, that's not stupid at all.
But the fact that DC has taken the time to set up three new distributors for the comic shop market does indicate that they aren't going to abandon it. I understand the fears and frustrations of the comic shop owners, but DC is a publishing company, and to stay in business and thrive not just barely make it by the skin of their teeth, they have to make decisions that they feel will help themselves.
Really, this has been a long time coming. DC and Marvel have to get their characters out of the comic shop ghetto and in front of the general public. It's crazy that characters that star in billion dollar movies aren't more widely read.