DC MAKES COUNTDOWN #51-#48 FULLY RETURNABLE

[MattBrady]

<i>Press Release</i>
<blockquote>On May 9, the first incredible issue of DC Comics' new weekly series COUNTDOWN reaches stores, featuring a story by series head writer Paul Dini, art by Jesus Saiz and a special wraparound, gatefold cover by Adam Kubert & Tim Townsend!

Now, DC announces that the first four issues of COUNTDOWN - issues #51-48 - will be fully returnable for qualifying Diamond retailers.

"We have every reason to believe that COUNTDOWN will be every bit as successful as 52," says Bob Wayne, VP - Sales. "This sales incentive will help retailers find the right ordering levels for the series."

Retailers must meet DC's qualification levels each month to take advantage of this incentive. To qualify to make returns on COUNTDOWN #51-48, retailers must place final orders on each of these issues equal to or greater than their orders on 52 WEEK 44 (JAN070274).

Qualifying retailers will be required to return stripped covers from returnable issues of COUNTDOWN and an affidavit of destruction to Diamond Comic Distributors at a date to be named later. Retailers will then be issued credit for each copy, minus 10% of the cover price ($.29).

COUNTDOWN issues #51-48 are solicited in the March Previews (Volume XVII #3). </blockquote>

[khuxford]

Good news. Great news would be making it more than a month's worth of issues (which I'm sure they'll do eventually).

[michaelman9]

returnable product is an awesome idea. i hate seeing good books not get a chance because of fear that they wont sell. if DC wants the retailer to stand behind the books, it's helpful when they do the same (with their cash)

[J. Dincauze]

I'll buy the first issue, but I just don't think I can afford this series. The hike in price is killing me. Between that and Marvel's Post Civil War bombardment of books, I don't know what I'll be able to afford.

[furystorm]

but i get the point and the semantics. however, 29 cents per returned issue can be hard on the retailers bottom line...

[Comic-Reader]

And, as the article states, it's a credit so it goes against future DC Comics purchases; it's not cash back, so DC still has their money.

I can see why DC wants to do another weekly. In spite of what DC says, I don't think it'll be as sustained a success as 52 was, but even if the series averages half the sales of 52's run, it'll still be considered a success for them.

[Not From Around]

And, as the article states, it's a credit so it goes against future DC Comics purchases; it's not cash back, so DC still has their money.

I can see why DC wants to do another weekly. In spite of what DC says, I don't think it'll be as sustained a success as 52 was, but even if the series averages half the sales of 52's run, it'll still be considered a success for them.

Seems kind of iffy to me too. "52" is a unique project with novelty value and other factors in its favor. The Next Big Weekly Comics Event won't have that going for it. I'm surprised DC is trying to make lightning strike twice like this.

I'm even more surprised that The Next Big Weekly Comics Event isn't coming from Marvel. I guess any weekly projects they have in mind will have to take third place.

[venus_redsca]

I'll buy the first issue, but I just don't think I can afford this series. The hike in price is killing me. Between that and Marvel's Post Civil War bombardment of books, I don't know what I'll be able to afford.

Then drop Marvel books. It sounds like you're falling into the Marvel trap. They just keep putting out more and more books. Are they all worth it?

And don't give that DC does it too. There are far many more Civil War ties, preludes, follow ups, middle series companions, aftermath comics.

[khuxford]

And, as the article states, it's a credit so it goes against future DC Comics purchases; it's not cash back, so DC still has their money.

I can see why DC wants to do another weekly. In spite of what DC says, I don't think it'll be as sustained a success as 52 was, but even if the series averages half the sales of 52's run, it'll still be considered a success for them.

Credit against future DC Comics purchases is about as good as cashback, because any retailer stocking a DC weekly book OBVIOUSLY orders a large amount of DC product...meaning the refund will be realized on the invoices pretty damn quickly.

But I don't understand how they can call this batch "fully returnable" if it is true that they'll be sticking retailers for $.29 this go around, too.

[Morten Pedersen]

Then drop Marvel books. It sounds like you're falling into the Marvel trap. They just keep putting out more and more books. Are they all worth it?

And don't give that DC does it too. There are far many more Civil War ties, preludes, follow ups, middle series companions, aftermath comics.

Reading your speech is looks like you work for DC, i say don't drop the marvel books, remember that Marvel after Civil War, dons't makes these huge crossovers any more, like the one that Dan Didio has been talking about, the one Countdown is leading to. Yes, i know WWHulk and the X-men crossover is coming up, but remember those two events will only effect a small number of books.

[panjisudoyo]

Then drop Marvel books. It sounds like you're falling into the Marvel trap. They just keep putting out more and more books. Are they all worth it?

And don't give that DC does it too. There are far many more Civil War ties, preludes, follow ups, middle series companions, aftermath comics.

Really Now?
Hmmmm, lemmesee....
Howzabout we flashback to the not-so-long-ago Infinite Crisis storyline, shall we?
Infinite Crisis ties? If i remember correctly there's the Superman titles, Teen Titans, Wonder Woman, etc..(Just to name a few).
Infinite Crisis preludes? Wow, there's so many but i'll give it a shot: the Days of Vengeance mini-series, Rann/Thanagar War mini-series, the OMAC Project mini-series, Villains United mini-series, Countdown to Infinite Crisis (of course), there's even a Prelude to Infinite Crisis special and does the "Crisis of Conscience" storyline in JLA # 115-119 count?..Yeah, i think i'll put that in the list as well.
Infinite Crisis middle series companions? Well, there's (again) the Days of Vengeance Special, Rann/Thanagar Special, OMAC Project Special, Villains United Special, Infinite Crisis Secret Files and so on..
The aftermath to Infinite Crisis? I'm guessing those "One Year Later" stuff that happened on almost all of the DC titles would certainly count as the aftermath, eh? And also Crisis Aftermath: Battle for Bludhaven, The Spectre, etc..
And the follow-up? Why, a mere 52 weekly comics, of course..plus Blue Beetle, Helmet of Fate, Shadowpact, Sinister Six and many more!!
My memory isn't that good so i apologize if i missed a few titles here and there since DC DOESN'T do what Marvel does, which is putting out more and more books.
Ooooof course they don't. DC? Swamping us with books? Why, i never!!
Just by my summary above, we can probably conclude they hardly publish comics at all!!
Alright, let's just say that IF there's a crime here where Marvel puts out too many books then i'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that DC does the EXACT same thing.
Yes, they both seem to put out too many books these days (unless you're pull-list only consists of Ultimate Wolvie vs. Hulk, Astonishing X-Men and the All-Star titles).
Yes, some of their books are total crap.
That's why just buy the books that you like (for me: the Villains United and Days of Vengeance mini on Infinite Crisis; Wolverine and New Avengers on Civil War) with the budget that you have.
And if you still think that DC doesn't put out as much books as Marvel then i think it's time to stop smoking the good stuff.
'Nuff said. Now, time to join the DC Zombies..Err, i mean Marvel Nation..Uhmm..Oh, whatever.

[khuxford]

Really Now?
Hmmmm, lemmesee....
Howzabout we flashback to the not-so-long-ago Infinite Crisis storyline, shall we?
Infinite Crisis ties? If i remember correctly there's the Superman titles, Teen Titans, Wonder Woman, etc..(Just to name a few).
Infinite Crisis preludes? Wow, there's so many but i'll give it a shot: the Days of Vengeance mini-series, Rann/Thanagar War mini-series, the OMAC Project mini-series, Villains United mini-series, Countdown to Infinite Crisis (of course), there's even a Prelude to Infinite Crisis special and does the "Crisis of Conscience" storyline in JLA # 115-119 count?..Yeah, i think i'll put that in the list as well.
Infinite Crisis middle series companions? Well, there's (again) the Days of Vengeance Special, Rann/Thanagar Special, OMAC Project Special, Villains United Special, Infinite Crisis Secret Files and so on..
The aftermath to Infinite Crisis? I'm guessing those "One Year Later" stuff that happened on almost all of the DC titles would certainly count as the aftermath, eh? And also Crisis Aftermath: Battle for Bludhaven, The Spectre, etc..
And the follow-up? Why, a mere 52 weekly comics, of course..plus Blue Beetle, Helmet of Fate, Shadowpact, Sinister Six and many more!!
My memory isn't that good so i apologize if i missed a few titles here and there since DC DOESN'T do what Marvel does, which is putting out more and more books.
Ooooof course they don't. DC? Swamping us with books? Why, i never!!
Just by my summary above, we can probably conclude they hardly publish comics at all!!
Alright, let's just say that IF there's a crime here where Marvel puts out too many books then i'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that DC does the EXACT same thing.
Yes, they both seem to put out too many books these days (unless you're pull-list only consists of Ultimate Wolvie vs. Hulk, Astonishing X-Men and the All-Star titles).
Yes, some of their books are total crap.
That's why just buy the books that you like (for me: the Villains United and Days of Vengeance mini on Infinite Crisis; Wolverine and New Avengers on Civil War) with the budget that you have.
And if you still think that DC doesn't put out as much books as Marvel then i think it's time to stop smoking the good stuff.
'Nuff said. Now, time to join the DC Zombies..Err, i mean Marvel Nation..Uhmm..Oh, whatever.

You're stretching when you call 52 and OYL a part of Infinite Crisis...as you are when you try to make Blue Beetle, Helmet of Fate, Shadowpact, and Secret Six (not Sinister...Freudian slip, zombie :p) part of Infinite Crisis. Really...just stop. You don't always need to defend the stuff you're interested in, especially when you have to stretch reason and logic to do so. :p

[panjisudoyo]

You're stretching when you call 52 and OYL a part of Infinite Crisis...as you are when you try to make Blue Beetle, Helmet of Fate, Shadowpact, and Secret Six (not Sinister...Freudian slip, zombie :p) part of Infinite Crisis. Really...just stop. You don't always need to defend the stuff you're interested in, especially when you have to stretch reason and logic to do so. :p

Well, i'm saying they're aftermaths and follow-ups of Infinite Crisis (refering to the line by venusredsca that said "There are far many more Civil War ties, preludes, follow ups, middle series companions, aftermath comics").
And if "zombies" like and BUY All-Star Superman, Justice Society of America, Secret Six, 52, Justice, Detective Comics not to mention Vertigos' Fables, Y:The Lat Man and Hellblazer then, yeah, i guess i can count myself as a "zombie", eh?
Sheesh, here i am just trying to prove a point that they BOTH put out volumes and volumes of books. Not just Marvel. Not just DC. Both.
Ah well, i guess it's time for this "zombie" to go back in the grave now. It's almost sunrise here.

[khuxford]

Well, i'm saying they're aftermaths and follow-ups of Infinite Crisis (refering to the line by venusredsca that said "There are far many more Civil War ties, preludes, follow ups, middle series companions, aftermath comics").
And if "zombies" like and BUY All-Star Superman, Justice Society of America, Secret Six, 52, Justice, Detective Comics not to mention Vertigos' Fables, Y:The Lat Man and Hellblazer then, yeah, i guess i can count myself as a "zombie", eh?
Sheesh, here i am just trying to prove a point that they BOTH put out volumes and volumes of books. Not just Marvel. Not just DC. Both.
Ah well, i guess it's time for this "zombie" to go back in the grave now. It's almost sunrise here.

Yeah...right...list those Marvel pulls now, why dontcha? :p

And both put out volumes and volumes of books...they're publishers. What is being criticized is the endless procession of books necessary to get "the full story" on Marvel's current event. When you make that HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE stretch to say that OYL and 52 are needed to get the full IC story, you betray a bias, sir. I can understand the mini-series you included...because while "you could skip them and still understand IC" may be true, you're NOT getting the full story without them. There's a difference between a mini being able to be a story on its own merits and having no part of the story happen outside of its pages.

[Kolimar]

Good news. Great news would be making it more than a month's worth of issues (which I'm sure they'll do eventually).

I couldn't agree more.

[Kolimar]

Yeah...right...list those Marvel pulls now, why dontcha? :p

And both put out volumes and volumes of books...they're publishers. What is being criticized is the endless procession of books necessary to get "the full story" on Marvel's current event. When you make that HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE stretch to say that OYL and 52 are needed to get the full IC story, you betray a bias, sir. I can understand the mini-series you included...because while "you could skip them and still understand IC" may be true, you're NOT getting the full story without them. There's a difference between a mini being able to be a story on its own merits and having no part of the story happen outside of its pages.

Well said.

[SIMULACRA]

As a purely Marvel reader, I recently picked up 52#1 from the $1 bin and was impressed, even though it was based around second tier characters.
I sometimes find DC Universes confusing with the multiple identities and revamping of characters. But countdown really appeals to me with the talent on the book and all the main characters appear to be the main characters not alternate universe ones.
Anyway point is - this appeals to me.

[StudioNFC]

<i>Press Release</i>
<blockquote>On May 9, the first incredible issue of DC Comics' new weekly series COUNTDOWN reaches stores, featuring a story by series head writer Paul Dini, art by Jesus Saiz and a special wraparound, gatefold cover by Adam Kubert & Tim Townsend!

Now, DC announces that the first four issues of COUNTDOWN - issues #51-48 - will be fully returnable for qualifying Diamond retailers.

"We have every reason to believe that COUNTDOWN will be every bit as successful as 52," says Bob Wayne, VP - Sales. "This sales incentive will help retailers find the right ordering levels for the series."

Retailers must meet DC's qualification levels each month to take advantage of this incentive. To qualify to make returns on COUNTDOWN #51-48, retailers must place final orders on each of these issues equal to or greater than their orders on 52 WEEK 44 (JAN070274).

Qualifying retailers will be required to return stripped covers from returnable issues of COUNTDOWN and an affidavit of destruction to Diamond Comic Distributors at a date to be named later. Retailers will then be issued credit for each copy, minus 10% of the cover price ($.29).

COUNTDOWN issues #51-48 are solicited in the March Previews (Volume XVII #3). </blockquote>

This is incredible news.

Retailers need to be able to feel comfortable with the publisher, and what better way to do that than with incentive like this. Kudos to DC. They just seem to be on th ball lately. Good job to the folks at DC.;)

[haldo]

Hey Matt Brady (or anyone else who follows this closely), let's hear more about these price increases. Is anyone tracking how many titles have gone up? I have to admit I just grab what I want, then if if the price is too high I slap a few of them back on the shelf. Has any reason been given for Countdown costing more than 52? And how is Marvel doing on prices? I know I gotta trim a few more comics from my pull list.

Sorry if this should be a separate thread...

[DarkChaosX94]

Look, the price increase from 52 to Countdown is NOT that big a deal.

Mississippi sales tax is 7%, so each issue of 52 comes out to $2.68.

Countdown will be $3.20.

2.68 x 52 = $139.96

3.20 x 52 = $166.40

$166.40 - $139.96 = $26.44

Or, the average price of one DVD. And that's not taking into account any discounts your local comic store might give to pull box customers/subscribers.

Mine is 20% off all new comics, so my price increase comes out to $21.84 over the course of the series.

Even without a discount, it's not that huge a difference. Stop complaining.

[Barry Strange]

JUST BUY WHAT YOU LIKE

If you don't like it, don't buy it!

[shadowpdf]

Your math is good. Here in Oregon where there is no sales tax (and I've got a 20% discount), my cost will be $10 a month for the series. Not bad, really. Except that I get about 80 to 90 regular titles each month. Of course, since I'm already accustomed to paying for 52, the price increase will actually translate into an extra $1.69 per month. Not bad at all.

Still, I am disappointed that DC couldn't keep Countdown to 52's price point. DC fans supported the entire Crisis event with great enthusiasm. Keeping the cost down would have been a nice gesture.

But then again it's only $1.69 per month.



Look, the price increase from 52 to Countdown is NOT that big a deal.

Mississippi sales tax is 7%, so each issue of 52 comes out to $2.68.

Countdown will be $3.20.

2.68 x 52 = $139.96

3.20 x 52 = $166.40

$166.40 - $139.96 = $26.44

Or, the average price of one DVD. And that's not taking into account any discounts your local comic store might give to pull box customers/subscribers.

Mine is 20% off all new comics, so my price increase comes out to $21.84 over the course of the series.

Even without a discount, it's not that huge a difference. Stop complaining.