Yeah. Last time in ended up liking Locke & Key so much I bought the first two graphic novels. It's really a great way to break into new series.

SphericalTime: Yeah. Last time in ended up liking Locke & Key so much I bought the first two graphic novels. It's really a great way to break into new series.

That's a great comic. It's killing me to wait for the fifth book while trying to avoid looking up what's happened since the end of the fourth book.

Today is Star Wars Day. I'd say that's pretty geeky as well.

Three Crooked Squirrels: Today is Star Wars Day. I'd say that's pretty geeky as well.

The Avengers movie opened today. Comics are trumping Star Wars this week.

I love comic book threads on Fark. Allow me to give you a breakdown of the various posts we'll be reading. Think of it as an executive summary.

-Comics were better when I was a young'n.
-Comics are stupid and for kids. Grow up and stop liking things I don't like.
-Comics aren't worth reading. That's why I download them all off of BitTorrent and read them religiously.
-The comics I read are more indie than the ones you read.

Free?

That's too expensive for most of 'em.

Also, I've never understood the point of any of these "free" or "appreciation" days. Much like the constant, pointless rebooting and #1 issues, Free Comic Book Day is a one day only sales spike. It doesn't bring in new long-term customers. Sure, retailers have one good day, but then the big two merrily go about finding ways to fark them the other 364 days a year.

I went yesterday because I am going to be traveling tomorrow.

Picked up copies of: Frankenstein, Lobster Johnson, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Batman, and I am trying out Deadwardians.

Should I read Essex County?

When I was a kid, comics actually were decent, now they're all stupid and for kids. You all need to grow up a little. Hell if you have to read comics, just go torrent them since they aren't worth buying. Alright there are a few comics that are decent, but you wouldn't have heard of em so I won't bother with a list.

If you're in Omaha, good luck. One of the comic shops is going to secretly hand out a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15

Three Crooked Squirrels: Today is Star Wars Day. I'd say that's pretty geeky as well.

Not it is not. It's idiotic to base a celebration of Star Wars off of a stupid pun. Any self respecting Star Wars fan observes the Orthodox holiday of May 25th, the day the original film was released.

TV's Vinnie: If you're in Omaha, good luck. One of the comic shops is going to secretly hand out a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15

[www.samruby.com image 486x738]

You own the only shop in town, don't you.

Mad_Radhu: Not it is not. It's idiotic to base a celebration of Star Wars off of a stupid pun.

It's no better or worse than celebrating Pi Day on 3/14. Or even celebrating Christmas on 12/25 just because that's close to the winter solstice.

FirstNationalBastard: Free?

That's too expensive for most of 'em.

Also, I've never understood the point of any of these "free" or "appreciation" days. Much like the constant, pointless rebooting and #1 issues, Free Comic Book Day is a one day only sales spike. It doesn't bring in new long-term customers. Sure, retailers have one good day, but then the big two merrily go about finding ways to fark them the other 364 days a year.

I've been doing it since the beginning and buy thousands to use at promotional events and community outreach programs. The books are all stamped with our logo and info so each one is both a comic promotional item and an ad for my stores. This year I bought 5000 of the DC52 books so that I could add my logo, store info, and QR code directly onto the print run. Since beginning this the first year, I now supply 37 school systems in indiana with comics or GNs. In 2004, I supplied all the Marion Co(Indianapolis) libraries with enough FCBD books to run the event themselves. They passed the word around to surrounding library systems. I got the contract to supply IMCPL and suburban libraries with graphic novels, as well as 4 library systems in Michigan. My wholesale sales figures crossed 6 figures in 2008. In 2006 we ran over 30K free comics through a special program of the Indianapolis Children's Museum and remain partnered with them for any events related to comics/starwars etc. I also supply books to several emerging reader programs in the state as a direct result of FCBD. The sales bump on the day itself is minute compared to our customer base expansion and increased sales over the last 8 years.

blazemongr: Mad_Radhu: Not it is not. It's idiotic to base a celebration of Star Wars off of a stupid pun.

It's no better or worse than celebrating Pi Day on 3/14. Or even celebrating Christmas on 12/25 just because that's close to the winter solstice.

The problem with your argument is that Pi day is equally stupid. December 25th makes sense for Christmas, however, because that is the day Santa Claus come down frlm the North Pole and knocked up the Virgin Mary, so there is a historical basis for the date.

blazemongr: TV's Vinnie: If you're in Omaha, good luck. One of the comic shops is going to secretly hand out a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15

[www.samruby.com image 486x738]

You own the only shop in town, don't you.

I wish I did. That place is gonna be PACKED!

Gunny Highway: I went yesterday because I am going to be traveling tomorrow.

Picked up copies of: Frankenstein, Lobster Johnson, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Batman, and I am trying out Deadwardians.

Should I read Essex County?

I really liked it. And don't generally read comics.

Why not get free shiat? It's Lenin's birthday.

We went whole hog and got the DC logo cover package.



We're giving away about 25K this year in-store and through local school systems / libraries.

Tomorrow Adam Baldwin is charging 30.00 for a Signature and 10.00 for a photo at a Free comic book giveaway in Omaha NE... But he waves the 10.00 photo fee if you get a signature...

Its not like hes Nathan Fillion.

dugitman: FirstNationalBastard: Free?

That's too expensive for most of 'em.

Also, I've never understood the point of any of these "free" or "appreciation" days. Much like the constant, pointless rebooting and #1 issues, Free Comic Book Day is a one day only sales spike. It doesn't bring in new long-term customers. Sure, retailers have one good day, but then the big two merrily go about finding ways to fark them the other 364 days a year.

I've been doing it since the beginning and buy thousands to use at promotional events and community outreach programs. The books are all stamped with our logo and info so each one is both a comic promotional item and an ad for my stores. This year I bought 5000 of the DC52 books so that I could add my logo, store info, and QR code directly onto the print run. Since beginning this the first year, I now supply 37 school systems in indiana with comics or GNs. In 2004, I supplied all the Marion Co(Indianapolis) libraries with enough FCBD books to run the event themselves. They passed the word around to surrounding library systems. I got the contract to supply IMCPL and suburban libraries with graphic novels, as well as 4 library systems in Michigan. My wholesale sales figures crossed 6 figures in 2008. In 2006 we ran over 30K free comics through a special program of the Indianapolis Children's Museum and remain partnered with them for any events related to comics/starwars etc. I also supply books to several emerging reader programs in the state as a direct result of FCBD. The sales bump on the day itself is minute compared to our customer base expansion and increased sales over the last 8 years.

That was well put. I was just gonna tell him to fark off.

wish it wasn't on a Saturday, be at work all day

I wish our store did this. I went last year and the guy said "Why the fark would I give them away for free?" Yes, he is an ass (won't order me in a comic unless I have at least $50 a month in subscription with him, yeah right) and sadly the only store in town.

what does the gold and silver thing mean? you get like 1 gold and 3 silver or what?

Huh, I knew the author. She's good friends with an ex of mine. My girlfriend at the time and I visited them in Zurich and stayed with them.

(Carol, I've felt guilty about it all these years: We did it on your waterbed once when you weren't home. Sorry.)

She's the real-deal bright, motivated, hypervebal geek girl, SF/fantasy/comics. Glad she's writing about what she loves.

I hope this year's free Atomic Robo has Dr. Dinosaur. He's my favorite fictional character.

FirstNationalBastard:

I see you post in almost ever comic book thread, but I don't think I've ever seen you say something positive about them. I'm curious, what comic books do you like? Any?

Crudbucket: FirstNationalBastard:

I see you post in almost ever comic book thread, but I don't think I've ever seen you say something positive about them. I'm curious, what comic books do you like? Any?

Just finished volume 5 of Chew. Working on volume 3 of Axe Cop now. Went through The Goon a little while back. Haven't picked up volume 10 of The Boys yet, but I'll pick it up eventually and save it until the series is closer to ending. Also, there's Atomic Robo, the Kirkman books, Empowered (when the annual book comes out), the Silver Age DC Archives and New Teen Titans omnibuses...

That's a few books I enjoy. Honestly, it's tough to remember everything I read since I went trade only last year.

*Stop reading here unless you want to be pissed off.*

------------------------------------- -------------------------------- - -------------------------------------- -----------------------


I can say, though, that I read nothing new from DC or Marvel that was published after June 2011. The big two are what is wrong with comics, and comics would probably be better off, creatively, if the big two quit publishing and became the IP Farms they so desperately want to be.

It is possible to enjoy comics and hate what the big two have become.

And as for the retailer earlier... yes, his store seems to be doing well, and he's doing some good in his community. And HIS sales have increased. But, he's one retailer. Even surveys done by DC in the wake of their big mistake showed that virtually no new readers were created, just the same 250,000 or so were shuffled around like deck chairs on the Titanic. Comics are dying, and comic shops are, too... especially with the recent digital push. And Free Comic Book Day hasn't really brought consistent new readers in over the last decade, now has it?

Here's a good couple for the kiddies. Mouse Guard is a hardcover book with nameplate on inside. Your LCS probably won't have it out on floor so you will have to ask for it specifically. It's an unbelievably cool product for free. Anna & Froga is a snappy little flip book and was probably underordered by a lot of shops so you will have to ask for it too.

Hunger Games novel or Avengers comic book?

Which is better?

FTFA:

Over one million people flocked to their local shop last year, double the number from five years ago. And whereas five years ago only fifteen countries participated

Lemme see if I got this right. Only 200,000 people in fifteen countries went to their local comic store? Those are really shiaty numbers.

subby please. star trek/star wars fans make comic lovers look like guys that buy condoms in bulk because they have to.

/1940's-50's True Crime genre gives me a chubbie

That is all.

I was at Half Price Books yesterday and the freebies they were giving away were the ones no one wanted.

wildcardjack: I was at Half Price Books yesterday and the freebies they were giving away were the ones no one wanted.

Yeah. Those of us in the comic biz are none too happy about their scheme to glam off FCBD. They aren't participating in the event on any level. They just scheduled a national sale today to unload all their comic overstock with purchase of any product. The spirit of FCBD is exactly the opposite of that.

The first time I heard someone talk about high holy days I thought they were making a joke because the term sounds like something from Monty Python. I'm really glad I didn't laugh out loud at them as I was tempted to do. Would have been pretty awkward.

Trance750: [scrimbrown.files.wordpress.com image 490x311]


I'm amazed it took that long.

I've never done FCBD before. Anything I should know before I go?

/doesn't have any subscriptions

chookbillion: Would have been pretty awkward.

When I was in high school, my girlfriend was doing some singing at her church, and wanted me to go. I had never been in a whatever kind of church it was. I'm thinking Catholic, but it might have been one of the heavily catholicy protestant ones. Whatever, I can't tell them apart, and that's not really the point of the story.

They had a large statue of a robed man, holding the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. I turned to my girlfriend and pointed this out. And the lady sitting in the pew in front of me whirled around and growled out, "That is St. Humptybump and he's holding the Fleebard of Ixnard^*. Show some respect!"

^*Obviously, she said the actual real thing that it was, but farked if I know what it actually was.

//CSB.

Starry Heavens: I've never done FCBD before. Anything I should know before I go?

/doesn't have any subscriptions

Nope. If you have a good local shop, you should be greeted at the door and have all your questions answered.

What a good local shop(with a striking owner and his kids) might look like on FCBD*


*Shameless plug
/couple other farkers in that pic too

dugitman: Nope. If you have a good local shop, you should be greeted at the door and have all your questions answered.

Oh, I'm sure; the guy who runs it is certainly nice. Thanks!

dugitman: Starry Heavens: I've never done FCBD before. Anything I should know before I go?

/doesn't have any subscriptions

Nope. If you have a good local shop, you should be greeted at the door and have all your questions answered.

What a good local shop(with a striking owner and his kids) might look like on FCBD*
[a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net image 640x480]

*Shameless plug
/couple other farkers in that pic too


They 501st, Rebel Legion, DE or unaffiliated costumers?

FirstNationalBastard: Free?

That's too expensive for most of 'em.

Also, I've never understood the point of any of these "free" or "appreciation" days. Much like the constant, pointless rebooting and #1 issues, Free Comic Book Day is a one day only sales spike. It doesn't bring in new long-term customers. Sure, retailers have one good day, but then the big two merrily go about finding ways to fark them the other 364 days a year.

Three years ago I went to a Free Comic Book Day at a comic shop on a lark, had never read a comic book before. Opening up the free "Avengers" story Marvel put out got me into Marvel. Red 5's free "Atomic Robo" got me into Atomic Robo. It's definitely a one-time sales spike (Which takes care of the cost of the venture) but it does honestly create opportunities for people to be exposed to this stuff and get into it if they like it.

FirstNationalBastard: And as for the retailer earlier... yes, his store seems to be doing well, and he's doing some good in his community. And HIS sales have increased. But, he's one retailer. Even surveys done by DC in the wake of their big mistake showed that virtually no new readers were created, just the same 250,000 or so were shuffled around like deck chairs on the Titanic

This just in: an intelligent, planned marketing campaign with resources applied to it and to supplemental efforts as well as follow-through efforts has a direct, measurable impact upon sales. As opposed to those who pay lip service to a campaign without expending any effort, planning, or follow-through marketing. AKA "if you build it, they will come" thinking (which only works in the movies).

Comics are dying, and comic shops are, too... especially with the recent digital push. And Free Comic Book Day hasn't really brought consistent new readers in over the last decade, now has it?

No offense, but: a conclusion based upon an unproved assumption is bad logic and itself unproven..

FirstNationalBastard:
I can say, though, that I read nothing new from DC or Marvel that was published after June 2011. The big two are what is wrong with comics, and comics would probably be better off, creatively, if the big two quit publishing and became the IP Farms they so desperately want to be.

It is possible to enjoy comics and hate what the big two have become.


2011? Wow, you're a pioneer in the anti Marvel and DC movement. I was on it long before the death of Superman in '92. The artificial instant collectible scam on the 80's was pathetic. Limited editions, multiple #1 issues, cover variations, etc. I still remember the morons trying to convince me that this new McFarlane Spider-man, well depending on the farking cover, were more valuable than some very early Amazing Spider-man I had in my collection. FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUU, so I walked away.

I don't have definite proof, but I suspect George Lucas was somehow behind all of it.

/my lawn, get off it.

chewielouie: I don't have definite proof, but I suspect George Lucas was somehow behind all of it.

I blame Wizard magazine, myself.

Ha! Currently reading through this series from when I was a kid:

Only 4 copies of Zombie Kids?

You bastards.

Le French Boo: Only 4 copies of Zombie Kids?

You bastards.

Only 4 copies of Zombie Kids?

You bastards.

Deeeeer. I meant Zombie KID