"Sorry for last year's DC Comics, DC Universe Zero is free, let's just hope it's good

[Punchy]

This is the sign my comic shop had up next to the wall of DCU: Zero's.

I just thought it was funny :D

[Action Ace]

My shop's sign on the comic holder said, "Nothing to do with Countdown at all!"

[SevenSoldier]

I'm getting ready for graduation, and someone was passing out information on 'Countdown to Commencement'. The loathing I felt for that flier was when I first learned that Countdown has ruined my ability to appreciate counting down to things - and I only read the first 8 issues.

[Action Ace]

I'm getting ready for graduation, and someone was passing out information on 'Countdown to Commencement'. The loathing I felt for that flier was when I first learned that Countdown has ruined my ability to appreciate counting down to things - and I only read the first 8 issues.

Can you still "enjoy" Europe's Final Countdown?

[Lord Ice]

This is the sign my comic shop had up next to the wall of DCU: Zero's.

I just thought it was funny :D

So the trolls are using the treasure they've been hording to buy comic shops now?

[Punchy]

So the trolls are using the treasure they've been hording to buy comic shops now?

Get a sense of humour man!

[Grievous]

that sounds funny, countdown turned out bad. but what about all the other great titles last year and this year?

[Eldar]

So the trolls are using the treasure they've been hording to buy comic shops now? I don't think most retailers accept mud as a form of currency.

[iggy]

I don't think most retailers accept mud as a form of currency.

They do like the white mud, though. That stuff will make you rich.

[Omega Flyer]

So the trolls are using the treasure they've been hording to buy comic shops now?

:rolleyes:

Shops near me do this all the time, for BND they had an "If you liked Dallas you'll love this" sign. I like them.

[Punchy]

:rolleyes:

Shops near me do this all the time, for BND they had an "If you liked Dallas you'll love this" sign. I like them.

Exactly, if you can't have a sense of humour about comics, you may as well give up.

[Action Ace]

:rolleyes:

Shops near me do this all the time, for BND they had an "If you liked Dallas you'll love this" sign. I like them.


I asked my comic book dealer if Peter woke up next to Suzanne Pleshette. :eek:

[Grievous]

Exactly, if you can't have a sense of humour about comics, you may as well give up.

This is true punchy,

and with dcu #0 out this week and trinity and final crisis coming soon i'd say dc is fine and countdown is washed away.

sweet!

[breakfast]

My comic shop didn't have a sign. They don't have witty signs for anything comics cause the place is mostly warhammer/d&d focused.

My comic shop is lame D:

[iggy]

My comic shop didn't have a sign. They don't have witty signs for anything comics cause the place is mostly warhammer/d&d focused.

My comic shop is lame D:

Heh, your comic shop reminds me of one of my old dorm roomies. Seriously, beyond lame.

[cynic79]

Get a sense of humour man!
Actually, I thought his comment was pretty funny. :D

[Edogawa1983]

that sounds funny, countdown turned out bad. but what about all the other great titles last year and this year?
This is true punchy,

and with dcu #0 out this week and trinity and final crisis coming soon i'd say dc is fine and countdown is washed away.

sweet!

Grievous, I think you might need to go door to door to apologizes for Countdown.

[Moonbeam]

Oh that's horrible. :(

I have heard of comic shops like that, and I've visited a couple that I suspect are that way, but I'm lucky that I have the ability in my city to go to the good ones.

There's one I visited a couple years ago where the guy had absolutely nothing good to say about any comics I talked to him about. I kept thinking.... how do you stay in business and why the hell do you do this for a living when you hate it so much?

[Action Ace]

Grievous, I think you might need to go door to door to apologizes for Countdown.

And bring candy, cookies or brownies. :D

[Johnny Triangles]

This is true punchy,

and with dcu #0 out this week and trinity and final crisis coming soon i'd say dc is fine and countdown is washed away.

sweet!


Unless they suck. Which given Didio's editorial oversight is very possible. Remember, Dini had a stellar track record when it came to writing too until he had to work under Didio.

[Herald]

Unless they suck. Which given Didio's editorial oversight is very possible. Remember, Dini had a stellar track record when it came to writing too until he had to work under Didio.

So did:
John Ostrander
Marv Wolfman
Geoff Johns

Clearly, Dan has the mutant ability to make writers tank BIG time.

[Floyd Lawton]

So did:
John Ostrander
Marv Wolfman
Geoff Johns

Clearly, Dan has the mutant ability to make writers tank BIG time.
Youre so silly.

[Eldar]

It comes with his job description along with the borderline insane internet personality and the total irrationality.

[Nick Graham]

:rolleyes:

Shops near me do this all the time, for BND they had an "If you liked Dallas you'll love this" sign. I like them.

That's awesome. I wish some of the comics shops in Tulsa and KC would do stuff like that - everyone seems so serious.

Herald/Johnny, did you miss the still running awesome Dini run on Detective Comics?
Countdown was an abortion, but I think we're over generalizing a little bit.

[phunengames]

Oh that's horrible. :(

I have heard of comic shops like that, and I've visited a couple that I suspect are that way, but I'm lucky that I have the ability in my city to go to the good ones.

There's one I visited a couple years ago where the guy had absolutely nothing good to say about any comics I talked to him about. I kept thinking.... how do you stay in business and why the hell do you do this for a living when you hate it so much?

Thank you for posting this. It is a great point.

This week people should wonder about stores that under ordered DCU #0 (A .50 book mind you.) and still have a ton of House of M, Civil War and World War Hulk on their shelves.

How could you get a people to by a DC book they might like if you have a sign up that seems to say DC books are crap? Just a thought.

[Dragavon]

Oh that's horrible. :(

I have heard of comic shops like that, and I've visited a couple that I suspect are that way, but I'm lucky that I have the ability in my city to go to the good ones.

:confused:

Obviously the regular comics customers were disenfranchised by DC output the last year, the retailer tried to do something humorous yet still encourage customers to try something that might lead to great titles and you think that's horrible?

[Punchy]

Thank you for posting this. It is a great point.

This week people should wonder about stores that under ordered DCU #0 (A .50 book mind you.) and still have a ton of House of M, Civil War and World War Hulk on their shelves.

How could you get a people to by a DC book they might like if you have a sign up that seems to say DC books are crap? Just a thought.

Because it was a joke?

[Punchy]

:confused:

Obviously the regular comics customers were disenfranchised by DC output the last year, the retailer tried to do something humorous yet still encourage customers to try something that might lead to great titles and you think that's horrible?

Exactly, the customers were complaining about DC, and were probably talking about dropping some DC books, this was a way to rope them back in, in an apologetic, humourous way.

[Dragavon]

and still have a ton of House of M, Civil War and World War Hulk on their shelves.

Hyperbole much? :rolleyes:

[Drink]

I don't see anything wrong with the sign.

It's acknowledging that some recent DC comics, namely Countdown and anything affilitated with it, have been poorly received at best and have spurned many readers.

This store is basically saying "Hey, we know some of you weren't happy with what came before, so take this book on the house and let's all hope for the best!"

Now, I recall a store that put up a sign that outright badmouthed Countdown while it was still going on (And still early in). I can completely understand disagreeing with that. But here, it's a promotion mixed with a bit of good humour.

[thefourthman]

Oh that's horrible. :(

I have heard of comic shops like that, and I've visited a couple that I suspect are that way, but I'm lucky that I have the ability in my city to go to the good ones.

There's one I visited a couple years ago where the guy had absolutely nothing good to say about any comics I talked to him about. I kept thinking.... how do you stay in business and why the hell do you do this for a living when you hate it so much?
Exactly, I remember hearing the stories of shops with signs in their windows saying "Don't Buy Countdown, It sucks!" and wondering what the hell is wrong with those guys. I may gripe about a comic here and there, I may even give one a bad review, but you will never hear me bad mouth a comic in store, the worst you'll ever here from me behind the counter is "People seem to like it."
Really, the shop's attitude toward books has a lot to do with how books sell. Our owner is amazed that Amzing Spider-Man sells so well at the two locations he doesn't work at, but wonders why it doesn't do as well in his shop when he bad mouths Bachalo's art. It is a fine line to walk... give honest recommendations but don't actively desell your product... it would be more effective just to burn money then to order books you are going to bash and let gather dust.

[Kent Horton]

Because it was a joke?
Jokes are meant to be funny.

[thefourthman]

Hyperbole much? :rolleyes:
Civil War and WWH not so much, but we still have a crap ton of House of M. But then I doubt we will need anymore DCU #0's we ordered megaheavy,

[Moe Hailstone]

Even though it might have been a joke, I find it distasteful and bad business for that store.

It makes me glad that I do my ordering online now, and won't have to step foot into another comic shop EVER AGAIN! Fanboys are one thing, but when you have a store owner who is also a fanboy (like the shop mentioned in this topic) then it's even worse.

My old LCS has an owner who rides the **** of Marvel every week. He seems to spit on almost everything DC and won't even talk about any Independent titles unless it says "Walking Dead" on it.

In my eyes, an owner of a shop should try and sell whatever is good...no matter WHAT company it comes from. Instead (in the case of my old LCS), you'll have some owners who push one company (crap and all) and ignore the rest. At least the guys who work there are more honest and won't pick one company to praise and crap on the rest.

[Punchy]

Exactly, I remember hearing the stories of shops with signs in their windows saying "Don't Buy Countdown, It sucks!" and wondering what the hell is wrong with those guys. I may gripe about a comic here and there, I may even give one a bad review, but you will never hear me bad mouth a comic in store, the worst you'll ever here from me behind the counter is "People seem to like it."
Really, the shop's attitude toward books has a lot to do with how books sell. Our owner is amazed that Amzing Spider-Man sells so well at the two locations he doesn't work at, but wonders why it doesn't do as well in his shop when he bad mouths Bachalo's art. It is a fine line to walk... give honest recommendations but don't actively desell your product... it would be more effective just to burn money then to order books you are going to bash and let gather dust.

I think the attitude to this is different in the UK, I like to know what the guys at my shop think, it won't effect what I buy, but it's good to see that they have personal tastes. And besides, most of their customers have said Countdown is crap, it's going to seem weird if they say it's great.

And they were bashing books they've already sold, and promoting a book that's out now.

[Punchy]

Even though it might have been a joke, I find it distasteful and bad business for that store.

It makes me glad that I do my ordering online now, and won't have to step foot into another comic shop EVER AGAIN! Fanboys are one thing, but when you have a store owner who is also a fanboy (like the shop mentioned in this topic) then it's even worse.

My old LCS has an owner who rides the **** of Marvel every week. He seems to spit on almost everything DC and won't even talk about any Independent titles unless it says "Walking Dead" on it.

In my eyes, a owner of a shop should try and sell whatever is good...no matter WHAT company it comes from. Instead (in the case of my old LCS), you'll have some owners who push one company (crap and all) and ignore the rest. At least the guys who work there are more honest and won't pick one company to praise and crap on the rest.

And they do promote what is good, whatever company, but Countdown... wasn't good, was it?

[Moe Hailstone]

And they do promote what is good, whatever company, but Countdown... wasn't good, was it?

I have only read DC for a few years now, but honestly...Countdown wasn't as good as 52, but I don't feel as if I wasted money on the series.

I won't give Trinity a chance though, since there is the possibility that it could be worse than Countdown. Plus I already buy the monthly books that have the Trinity in them, and need to save room.

When I was going there, there was nothing hyping up the Sinestro Wars crossover, and even though the shop did nothing to sell it, the issues were gone super fast! The only thing that actually made me interested in DC was when "Countdown to Infinite Crisis" happened a few years ago, and one of the workers there told me about it. If it wasn't for him, I doubt that I would be reading DC right now. I sure as hell know that the owner wouldn't have told me about it, or even try to push me towards DC.

In fact, if you were a DC reader at that store you'd better have a pull box or be there on Wednesday to get your issue since he wouldn't order a lot of DC books. Now Marvel on the other hand, he would have PLENTY of books sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

[Dragavon]

I have only read DC for a few years now, but honestly...Countdown wasn't as good as 52, but I don't feel as if I wasted money on the series.

I won't give Trinity a chance though, since there is the possibility that it could be worse than Countdown. Plus I already buy the monthly books that have the Trinity in them, and need to save room.
You don't feel you wasted money on Countdown but you won't give Trinity a chance because it could be worse than Countdown? :confused:

[thefourthman]

I think the attitude to this is different in the UK, I like to know what the guys at my shop think, it won't effect what I buy, but it's good to see that they have personal tastes. And besides, most of their customers have said Countdown is crap, it's going to seem weird if they say it's great.

And they were bashing books they've already sold, and promoting a book that's out now.
oh no, I like to talk comics, and I do... but I won't bad mouth a book... there are lots of books I don't read cause I don't like them... I don't like Blue Beetle, but I am not going to actively tell someone not to buy it and unfortunately that happens a lot in LCSs. Heck I talk all the time about how Buffy should be doing better then it is. People act like I'm nuts because it is a top ten book. Here's the thing though talk to Mike Richardson, Head of DH, he will tell you that over half of the comic book stores are not even ordering one copy of the book. Something tells me it could easily be the top selliing book.

[Moe Hailstone]

You don't feel you wasted money on Countdown but you won't give Trinity a chance because it could be worse than Countdown? :confused:

Right. Countdown was bad, almost bad enough to make me say "I wasted money on this title!". Now, if Trinity is just a little bit worse than Countdown was, then I would have wasted my money.

I'll still give the title a chance (through downloading). If they are good every six issues, then I'll pick them up in groups. So far from the preview pages of Issue 1, it didn't excite me that much.

[Punchy]

oh no, I like to talk comics, and I do... but I won't bad mouth a book... there are lots of books I don't read cause I don't like them... I don't like Blue Beetle, but I am not going to actively tell someone not to buy it and unfortunately that happens a lot in LCSs. Heck I talk all the time about how Buffy should be doing better then it is. People act like I'm nuts because it is a top ten book. Here's the thing though talk to Mike Richardson, Head of DH, he will tell you that over half of the comic book stores are not even ordering one copy of the book. Something tells me it could easily be the top selliing book.

Not even when a book is finished?

This was also a way of promoting DC books remember.

[cncoyle]

I think it's funny.

I've always appreciated an LCS owner that is honest about his/her likes & dislikes instead of being a huckster hyping up the titles. It's possible and appropriate to offer an opinion on a book without insulting a customer that is purchasing that book.

[Lord Ice]

That's awesome. I wish some of the comics shops in Tulsa and KC would do stuff like that - everyone seems so serious.




You should go to Comic Empire. It's smaller but a lot friendlier. You go into Starbase 21, and it's like all the employees look like the Comic Book Guy, plus their back issues are grossly overpriced usually. And Wizard's Asylum basically started out as a gaming place and tends to be what they still focus more on.

[phunengames]

Hyperbole much? :rolleyes:

Ahh no.

This is just from my observation, but many stores seem to over order Marvel events. They feel they will sell no matter what. Hey give Marvel there due, most of the time they are right. It did not matter how weak a tie - in for Civil War was. It would sell over and beyond and stores did want to be caught without an issue.

As the events roll out I think more retailers will be caught short on Final Crisis and related book than Secret Invasion and related books. Could I be wrong. Yes. But I think I am right on this. I do not think it is hyperbole.

Look at this week. Free Comic book day is saturday and DC has a couple of book that have gotten mass media coverage ship on Wednesday. Instead of having a sign up saying "Sorry" maybe a sign should have been up that said hey look at some other DC matterial. Oh but I am sorry it would have gotten in the way of all the Iron Man material that Marvel shipped on Wednesday. :rolleyes:

[Punchy]

Ahh no.

This is just from my observation, but many stores seem to over order Marvel events. They feel they will sell no matter what. Hey give Marvel there due, most of the time they are right. It did not matter how weak a tie - in for Civil War was. It would sell over and beyond and stores did want to be caught without an issue.

As the events roll out I think more retailers will be caught short on Final Crisis and related book than Secret Invasion and related books. Could I be wrong. Yes. But I think I am right on this. I do not think it is hyperbole.

Look at this week. Free Comic book day is saturday and DC has a couple of book that have gotten mass media coverage ship on Wednesday. Instead of having a sign up saying "Sorry" maybe a sign should have been up that said hey look at some other DC matterial. Oh but I am sorry it would have gotten in the way of all the Iron Man material that Marvel shipped on Wednesday. :rolleyes:

Only 1 Iron Man book shipped this week, Ultimate Human, next week, that's Iron Man week.

And DC's FCBD output has always been awful, they don't seem to care.

[ouvidizer]

I do find it funny, but wouldn't like to read it in the window of my LCS.

The adds and comments from the guys in my LCS are usually positive, so no complains from me there.

[thefourthman]

Not even when a book is finished?

This was also a way of promoting DC books remember.
When the book is finished, I then have to worry about Trade sales... and the other thing to remember is that I am in a business setting and need to remain professional. Every book is somebody's favorite (although, I think you would be hard pressed to find the person who says Countdown is their favorite)... you never know what your negative opinion can lead to.

For example, the last complaint I had, the one that woke me out of my why do I do this rut was the following...

Guy comes in buys a stack of books and a Long Halloween trade. He gets bags and boards for all the comics and then wants one for the trade. I don't keep Magazine boards in stock at this location.. so I let him know. So he's all like "So you have nothing to help me protect this book?" I'm like no, "I can get you something, but not right now... and anyhow it's a trade it's not a first printing so it's not going to be worth anything anyhow." This goes round and round and I end up finding a magazine bag and giving it to him for free, but this gets turned into a complaint at one of the other stores. It took me a while to figure out how he could be upset at me, when I gave him what he wanted for free and then it dawned on me I just told this guy who spent $24.99 on a book in my store that it wasn't worth anything. Regardless of whether it was true or not it was a horribly unprofessional thing to do.

I work in a shop and I have to hear about this and that and I've been cussed out for Brand New Day, told that x book I'm not reading is the best book ever, given plot synopses, been ridiculed for not being a Buffy/Firefly fan, hear spoilers for books all the time (books I haven't read yet)... but at the end of the day, I love my job because I love comics and when I get that ten year old on the path that is Bone or introduce the thirty year old fan boy to Cerebus or sell the ten thousandth copy of Planetary Volume One to a new reader, that's why I do this. I love comics and I love getting people to read good comics... all the rest of it is just white noise I need to let go.

[purgmc95]

So the trolls are using the treasure they've been hording to buy comic shops now?

I thought this reply was quite funny. A sense of humor goes both ways.

[phunengames]

Only 1 Iron Man book shipped this week, Ultimate Human, next week, that's Iron Man week.

And DC's FCBD output has always been awful, they don't seem to care.

I know that. It was sarcasm. It was a joke...

Fine you have a DC hate on.

Yes Iron Man week is next week. But to me it would have made more since to have the material in the store on Free Book Book Day on opening weekend of the Movie. It could have been nice for Marvel in their press push this week to have people go to stores and pick up a Free Comic on Saturday also with the cool Irom Man stuff. The toys and other stuff are in stores now. The new comics are not. Want Iron Man get Ultimate Human? :confused: :confused: :confused:

This Wedenday it would have been Iron Man. To me the book most Marvel fans will be looking at next Wednesday is Secret Invasion.

[thefourthman]

I know that. It was sarcasm. It was a joke...

Fine you have a DC hate on.

Yes Iron Man week is next week. But to me it would have made more since to have the material in the store on Free Book Book Day on opening weekend of the Movie. It could have been nice for Marvel in their press push this week to have people go to stores and pick up a Free Comic on Saturday also with the cool Irom Man stuff. The toys and other stuff are in stores now. The new comics are not. Want Iron Man get Ultimate Human? :confused: :confused: :confused:

This Wedenday it would have been Iron Man. To me the book most Marvel fans will be looking at next Wednesday is Secret Invasion.
Yes most Marvel fans, but...

tomorrow is FCBD... Marvel has a Marvel Adventurres book with new story with Iron Man... and on the first day comics are released after the movie there are two new Iron Man books, plus smart shops ordered heavy on Legacy of Doom to have it in stock and recently restocked their Iron Man trades...

It becomes my job as the retailer who wants their business to know that two new Iron Man books come out on wednesday... find out if they would like a subscription to ensure their copies or let them now that the only way to be sure to have one other wise is to be here at opening on Wednesday... to let them now that we ordered heavy, but demand can be a crazy thing and I can't make any promises (unless they want a box... which is free at our stores)... that gives them every reason in the world to come back.

To me the idea is to capitalize on the new faces. It is important to be familiar with the regulars to let the new faces see that this is like Cheers, a place where everyone knows their name, but for the next week or so, I will be focused on making sure that I have enough Iron Man product on my shelf and that I can easily point the customer in the right way and be able to explain the differences in the product to them. That way, I can hopefully get them to keep coming back.

[phunengames]

Yes most Marvel fans, but...

tomorrow is FCBD... Marvel has a Marvel Adventurres book with new story with Iron Man... and on the first day comics are released after the movie there are two new Iron Man books, plus smart shops ordered heavy on Legacy of Doom to have it in stock and recently restocked their Iron Man trades...

It becomes my job as the retailer who wants their business to know that two new Iron Man books come out on wednesday... find out if they would like a subscription to ensure their copies or let them now that the only way to be sure to have one other wise is to be here at opening on Wednesday... to let them now that we ordered heavy, but demand can be a crazy thing and I can't make any promises (unless they want a box... which is free at our stores)... that gives them every reason in the world to come back.

To me the idea is to capitalize on the new faces. It is important to be familiar with the regulars to let the new faces see that this is like Cheers, a place where everyone knows their name, but for the next week or so, I will be focused on making sure that I have enough Iron Man product on my shelf and that I can easily point the customer in the right way and be able to explain the differences in the product to them. That way, I can hopefully get them to keep coming back.

You are 100% right and make a point that I guess I have been trying to say in a back door way. What "smart stores" do can help everyone.

Not everyone gets to go to a smart store. (I am happy I do).

At there best good stores reenforce what fans love about the comic the buy. They do not reenforce their dislikes. It is not about lying about Countdown if they hate it. About about saying "Hey, if you are not digging Countdown why not try this."

Marvel could have help a lot of store good and bad by haveing the Iron Man materail in this week and not next week.

[thefourthman]

You are 100% right and make a point that I guess I have been trying to say in a back door way. What "smart stores" do can help everyone.

Not everyone gets to go to a smart store. (I am happy I do).

At there best good stores reenforce what fans love about the comic the buy. They do not reenforce their dislikes. It is not about lying about Countdown if they hate it. About about saying "Hey, if you are not digging Countdown why not try this."

Marvel could have help a lot of store good and bad by haveing the Iron Man materail in this week and not next week.
Yes I could sell more Iron Man books if they were out this week, but I would retain less of those sales... so for me it is lose lose situation, either way, I see the benefit of doing it the other way...

But the belittling of books is counterproductive... the owner of our shops will ask people how they like Countdown to start a conversation... if they are buying it they are buying it, getting them to complain about (which is what he is trying to do) will only hurt the sale... what's worrse is he didn't even read the book... he read reviews and flipped through it, so his opinion was based on hearsay and not actual experience. I like Countdown till about issue 12... did I recommend it to everyone who walked in the door? No, that is what I do for books like Echo and RASL... Countdown sells itself (as do most of Marvel and DC's books). I would rather save my recommendations for the little books. But when that all Marvel guy comes in, I have Incredible Herc to talk about, ot the die hard DC guy, I can talk about how great the Lefion story in Action was or All Star Superman... but I have to find out that the guy is only interested in that kind of material before I don't recommend Proof.

So in a way we are saying the same thing, but I wholeheartedly agree with Vaneta, belittling books whether they are current or not is not a good business practice. Honest recommendations are though.

[Herald]

It comes with his job description along with the borderline insane internet personality and the total irrationality.

Yeah, that describes Dan DiDio to a tee.

[Punchy]

About about saying "Hey, if you are not digging Countdown why not try this.".

Which is basically what this sign said.

[Herald]

:confused:

Obviously the regular comics customers were disenfranchised by DC output the last year, the retailer tried to do something humorous yet still encourage customers to try something that might lead to great titles and you think that's horrible?

But it conflicts with Moonbeam and the rest of the Kool-Aid drinkers' opinion, so somehow, it must be horrible... :rolleyes:

I think it's a clever way to convince disenfranchised fans to try DCU # 0, even if I don't think DC's 50-cent ad pamphlet merits that effort, much less making it free.

[thefourthman]

But it conflicts with Moonbeam and the rest of the Kool-Aid drinkers' opinion, so somehow, it must be horrible... :rolleyes:
that's right, lower the discussion that is going on that is productive...:rolleyes:

[jackwtweeg]

Ha! Dry Wit in Britian?

I never.

[Herald]

that's right, lower the discussion that is going on that is productive...:rolleyes:

That's right, go back and read the line below the one you quoted...:rolleyes:

[phunengames]

Which is basically what this sign said.

No it was not.

The sign apealed to fans worst traits to get a sale. We just will disagree.

[Dragavon]

that's right, lower the discussion that is going on that is productive...:rolleyes:
Herald has got a point. It was a humorous and clever way to get people who were upset by Countdown to try something else. People are taking it as if the owner of the shop, put up a sign saying "DC is crap, please do not buy any" :rolleyes:

[Punchy]

No it was not.

The sign apealed to fans worst traits to get a sale. We just will disagree.

It did?

And surely making it free goes against it being just to make a sale?

[Herald]

No it was not.

The sign apealed to fans worst traits to get a sale. We just will disagree.

Those "worst traits" being that they DARED to dislike the precious, precious Countdown and the rest of DC's books over the last year. They're not allowed to have a dissenting opinion! :rolleyes:

[thefourthman]

That's right, go back and read the line below the one you quoted...:rolleyes:
you mean the edit after I replied?
come on man!
Herald has got a point. It was a humorous and clever way to get people who were upset by Countdown to try something else. People are taking it as if the owner of the shop, put up a sign saying "DC is crap, please do not buy any" http://forum.newsarama.com/ubb/rolleyes.gifIt was unprofessional either way and counterproductive to the business of a shop. In any other business it would be looked upon as ludicrous to blatently tell your consumer that your product is crap. It is the same thing as Ford recalling every Explorer made for ten years... it is showing a massive skeptism in your product, if shops were big enough to sell stock it is the kind of thing that would cause it's shares to plummet, but it's okay here because we are all fanboys... but people wonder why comics don't sell like they did in the eighties and nineties?:confused: It is indicative of a larger problem with the medium - when we act like we care about the medium as fans, retailers, publishers, and creators -- we will all do better. But the rest of the world will never want to take us seriously when we say things like "It's just a comic book" or we post signs like that in our stores or creators have meltdowns on the rama. While it is all massively entertaining to us... it makes us look like a bunch of bafoons...

[thefourthman]

Those "worst traits" being that they DARED to dislike the precious, precious Countdown and possibly the rest of DC's books over the last year... :rolleyes:
You know, I haven't seen anyone here defend Countdown as being a great book. We all admit it had its fair share of problems and flaws... are you just here to bash Countdown or to contribute to the conversation....


queue internet is serious business pics.:rolleyes: :p

[Punchy]

I really think you're over-reacting.

I think everyone who goes into the shop knew it was a joke, and nobody took offence.

[thefourthman]

I really think you're over-reacting.

I think everyone who goes into the shop knew it was a joke, and nobody took offence.
Yeah, the comics fan, but when the precious new reader comes in and wants to know where to start with the DC books, they are taken to a book that has a sign that says "hey this is free becuase we feel bad for giving you crap for the last year"

that's where I am coming from. How are we supposed to get new readers and increase readership when we are a constantly snarky lot? We increasingly make it unwelcome for new people to get in. We see it here with almost every new poster who starts a "hey, this is me thread" being accused of being a returning troll. We see it in the shop when the hardcore Marvel fan says don't buy DC books even though he carries them in the store.

We want it both ways and that isn't going to happen.

[jza1218]

Yeah, the comics fan, but when the precious new reader comes in and wants to know where to start with the DC books, they are taken to a book that has a sign that says "hey this is free becuase we feel bad for giving you crap for the last year"

that's where I am coming from. How are we supposed to get new readers and increase readership when we are a constantly snarky lot? We increasingly make it unwelcome for new people to get in. We see it here with almost every new poster who starts a "hey, this is me thread" being accused of being a returning troll. We see it in the shop when the hardcore Marvel fan says don't buy DC books even though he carries them in the store.

We want it both ways and that isn't going to happen.

Yep.

It's bad salesmanship. It's a counterproductive marketing tool that only serves to humor your already established customer-base while providing a negative first impression to new readers as well as isolating them with an "in-joke"

It creates the question "if their books sucked before, why should I believe that they still don't suck?"

[thefourthman]

Oh and Punchy, you know me man, I'm sorry if I'm passionate about my favorite hobby and my chosen profession... but I don't want to have to worry about looking for a new job because the industry implodeson itself.

[Lord Ice]

Herald has got a point. It was a humorous and clever way to get people who were upset by Countdown to try something else. People are taking it as if the owner of the shop, put up a sign saying "DC is crap, please do not buy any" :rolleyes:


It was more like the owner said "If you don't like being hit on the head with a hammer, then try this helmet to wear." ;)

[Dragavon]

Yeah, the comics fan, but when the precious new reader comes in and wants to know where to start with the DC books, they are taken to a book that has a sign that says "hey this is free becuase we feel bad for giving you crap for the last year"

that's where I am coming from. How are we supposed to get new readers and increase readership when we are a constantly snarky lot? We increasingly make it unwelcome for new people to get in. We see it here with almost every new poster who starts a "hey, this is me thread" being accused of being a returning troll. We see it in the shop when the hardcore Marvel fan says don't buy DC books even though he carries them in the store.

We want it both ways and that isn't going to happen.

Yep.

It's bad salesmanship. It's a counterproductive marketing tool that only serves to humor your already established customer-base while providing a negative first impression to new readers as well as isolating them with an "in-joke"

It creates the question "if their books sucked before, why should I believe that they still don't suck?"

Except if the current readers don't buy enough DC titles and the store goes under because it's not making enough sales, new readers will really be irrelevant, right?

The owner might have had a slump in DC sales, and had to go for the short term gain, rather than worrying about the long term effects.

[Herald]

you mean the edit after I replied?
come on man!

I was no more aware of your comment at the time than I was of your addition.

It was unprofessional either way and counterproductive to the business of a shop. In any other business it would be looked upon as ludicrous to blatently tell your consumer that your product is crap.

You mean like downplaying Countdown to Final Crisis's importance to the DCU (funny how "the spine of the DCU" ultimately became the appendix!), disconnecting it from the very event that it refers to in its title, AND replacing the final issue of what should have been a 52-issue series with an ad book written by more popular creators??

Because God knows THAT didn't happen. :rolleyes: :p

It is the same thing as Ford recalling every Explorer made for ten years... it is showing a massive skeptism in your product

No, that's called "being responsible". If there's a major problem with Explorers, recalling them is the responsible thing to do. Better than ignoring the problem and hoping it'll all just go away or blow over...

if shops were big enough to sell stock it is the kind of thing that would cause it's shares to plummet, but it's okay here because we are all fanboys... but people wonder why comics don't sell like they did in the eighties and nineties?:confused: It is indicative of a larger problem with the medium - when we act like we care about the medium as fans, retailers, publishers, and creators -- we will all do better.

Who's this "we", Kemosabe? http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/images/wb/emoticons/sweatdrop.gif

1. Again, ignoring the fact that there IS a problem would be acting like we didn't care.

2. Every single time I comment on how the DiDio regime is destroying these characters, I am definitely showing that I care. So don't look at me.

But the rest of the world will never want to take us seriously when we say things like "It's just a comic book" or we post signs like that in our stores or creators have meltdowns on the rama. While it is all massively entertaining to us... it makes us look like a bunch of bafoons...

And here we go with the "I want us to be taken SERIOUSLY!!" bit.

That ship sailed decades ago, man. They've already written off American comics as underneath their notice. But you shouldn't care so much about what they think. If you have to impress others and prove that you're worthy to them just to determine your own self-worth, then you are quite insecure indeed.

And why should they take American comics seriously, anyway?? Just because they're now fortified with RAPE?? And poorly-handled rape at that?? That and all the gratuitous deaths and gore, etc. are not mature, they're juvenile.


"This is also the logic behind most of Marvel and DC's recent Crisis Crossovers, which are loaded down with rape and angst and despair to disguise the fact that they're still about people in brightly-colored spandex punching each other." (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TrueArtIsAngsty)

Ultimately, remember this: Everyone else doesn't have to like what you like.

[Edogawa1983]

but ultimately isn't it DC's fault they put out a sub-par product for an entire year?

[Herald]

You know, I haven't seen anyone here defend Countdown as being a great book. We all admit it had its fair share of problems and flaws...

Those are the only "worst traits" that the signs appeals to.

are you just here to bash Countdown or to contribute to the conversation....

If you can't see that I've contributed to the conversation with the sentence that I am now referring you to for the second time :rolleyes:, then you haven't been paying attention.

[thefourthman]

Except if the current readers don't buy enough DC titles and the store goes under because it's not making enough sales, new readers will really be irrelevant, right?

The owner might have had a slump in DC sales, and had to go for the short term gain, rather than worrying about the long term effects.
The owner active chooses not to sell his product by treating it with contempt and skeptism. Plus, he is giving the book away for free and making a snide remark about it at the same time. If he is in a sales slump it is more then likely it is through his own doing by his business practices.

[jza1218]

but ultimately isn't it DC's fault they put out a sub-par product for an entire year?

And it's the store-owner's fault for furthering that opinion.

Not to mention that's he's pigeonholing his views on Countdown with the rest of the DC books that he sells.

[jza1218]

Except if the current readers don't buy enough DC titles and the store goes under because it's not making enough sales, new readers will really be irrelevant, right?

The owner might have had a slump in DC sales, and had to go for the short term gain, rather than worrying about the long term effects.

Considering he was giving away the book for free, it doesn't undercut his short-term sales. They would stay the same regardless as he's already providing the incentive for people to try the book. Adding on the slam on DC's books from 2007 is just an unnecessary dig in order to make an in-joke with his already loyal customer-base.

However, in the process, he alienated customers that DID like the DC product from 2007 as well as any potential customers. Why would any new reader invest their money in future DC comics if the only track record they know is that their comic shop thinks that they put out a crummy product. Why would anyone purchase any back issues or TPB's of DC product if the comic shop owner gave it that less-than-glowing one-liner?

It's just bad business-sense

[Brenticles]

My current local shop order heavy on Marvel and light on DC so you have to get there at about 3:30 (he gets his books at 3) in order to get hot DC items before he sells out, and he routinely sells out of DC books, while Marvel stuff stays on the shelf for weeks. It’s the weirdest thing; I’ve never understood it at all, and he doesn’t offer a subscription service. I was willing to pay the guy two months in advance for what I wanted to order and still no. The store is terrible so I only use it in the direst need. I highly recommend DCBS; see my sig.

Anyway, about the sign…I think it is in poor taste and unprofessional. At the very least it is poor salesmanship, why would you want to risk offending customers? Yes Countdown wasn’t very good, but clearly a sign like that runs a risk, just look at reactions here. How many people could have walked in and been offended, or annoyed at least, but not said anything? If asked his opinion then the store owner should certainly be honest, but to post a sign is, well, pretty stupid in my opinion.

[Herald]

Considering he was giving away the book for free, it doesn't undercut his short-term sales. They would stay the same regardless as he's already providing the incentive for people to try the book. Adding on the slam on DC's books from 2007 is just an unnecessary dig in order to make an in-joke with his already loyal customer-base.

Who -- let's face it -- are almost entirely the only ones who will give him repeat business, anyway. I'm willing to bet that tons of potential new fans weren't beating in his door hours before he opened every single day...

However, in the process, he alienated customers that DID like the DC product from 2007 as well as any potential customers. Why would any new reader invest their money in future DC comics if the only track record they know is that their comic shop thinks that they put out a crummy product. Why would anyone purchase any back issues or TPB's of DC product if the comic shop owner gave it that less-than-glowing one-liner?

Those people could -- oh, I don't know -- buy product from any year other than 2007.
Not all comics were made last year, you know...

It's just bad business-sense

1. He's allowed to have an opinion and share it, just like anyone else.

2. He's providing a service by warning potential fans away from product that might turn them off comics. That's GOOD business sense.

[Drink]

I had a local store that gave away an issue of Supergirl away for free when there was a creative change. It was an Amazons Attack tie-in, but I liked the art.

Anyway, the sign they had for it was simply "Creative change: get Supergirl issue for free!" or something like that. We did start talking about the fundamental problems that the current Supergirl was experiencing at the time, though I was the one who started that conversation.

I've never had that kinda problem with Fanboy comic owners like some of you apparently have. There were times where I heard them joking and laughing over stuff like All-Star Batman in conversations, and times I even joined in, but it was just that- conversations one has with friends. Most of the stuff they joked about already had a reputation as it is, and it's not likely to really affect the book for anyone reading it than what the book was doing to itself.

In any case, I can see why the sign would bother some. But as said, you need a sense of humour about it. If a store put up a sign that said "For the love of God, please buy Blue Beetle!" I would find it hilarious.

[Punchy]

Can I just add that this was a tiny sign, it was typed, on a plain piece of paper.

It wasn't large and ostentatious.

[jza1218]

Who -- let's face it -- are almost entirely the only ones who will give him repeat business, anyway. I'm willing to bet that tons of potential new fans weren't beating in his door hours before he opened every single day...

First of all, he's giving away a book for free so he's obviously trying to reach outside his normal target audience. Shilling to your core audience is a waste of time. That repeat business will stay constant.



Those people could -- oh, I don't know -- buy product from any year other than 2007.
Not all comics were made last year, you know...

And that's not the point. He's already lambasted the company to create doubt in a potential customer's head. Like I said, it creates the question of how much quality is actually there. It creates doubt in where your money is being spent. Why would someone buy books from 2006 or earlier if they eventually have to get to the crap of 2007 to understand what's happening in 2008?

It's a bad marketing tool.


1. He's allowed to have an opinion and share it, just like anyone else.

2. He's providing a service by warning potential fans away from product that might turn them off comics. That's GOOD business sense.

He's allowed, but it doesn't mean that he should. That's the crux of it. And he isn't providing a service because he's generalizing everything together. He's limiting the sales of the good books by lumping them with the bad. People will stay away from Fables from 2007. From Y the Last Man from 2007. Etc.

And it's bad business sense because he's utilizing his opinion in a negative aspect. You just give words of warning like "that book's not for everyone" or "it gets mixed reviews". You don't state your opinion as fact because it isn't.

[jza1218]

Can I just add that this was a tiny sign, it was typed, on a plain piece of paper.

It wasn't large and ostentatious.

Size doesn't matter in that situation.

I work for a large consumer products company. If they had any print on their products, no matter how small the type, that was deriding the quality of the brand, it would still do major damage

[Herald]

First of all, he's giving away a book for free so he's obviously trying to reach outside his normal target audience.

He put up a sign that is quite specifically focused on luring back lost DC readers.
This one's clearly for them.

Shilling to your core audience is a waste of time. That repeat business will stay constant.

And how many people that are not his core audience are ever going to see that sign?? Again, there's no way he's beating off a throng of newbie readers with a stick. (Go ahead; snicker at the innuendo. :p) It really doesn't matter what he does; that repeat business is bound to stay constant.

And that's not the point. He's already lambasted the company to create doubt in a potential customer's head. Like I said, it creates the question of how much quality is actually there. It creates doubt in where your money is being spent. Why would someone buy books from 2006 or earlier if they eventually have to get to the crap of 2007 to understand what's happening in 2008?

Who said anything about them ever having to understand what's happening in 2008?? The best thing about pre-2003 back issues is that they aren't beholden to the crap the DiDio regime is spewing out today! And they're so plentiful, a new reader might not ever buy and read them all, and have to catch up to the present! :D

He's allowed, but it doesn't mean that he should. That's the crux of it.

If DC held to that notion, they wouldn't be producing these comics that so many of you guys like.
Dan's allowed to put rape, extreme gore, and constant deaths in DC comics, but it doesn't mean that he should.

Why don't we hold BOTH of them to that standard??

And he isn't providing a service because he's generalizing everything together. He's limiting the sales of the good books by lumping them with the bad. People will stay away from Fables from 2007. From Y the Last Man from 2007. Etc.

Vertigo obviously puts out different product than the spandex-sporting-superhero-oriented DCU. Casual readers might not even notice that Vertigo is even a DC imprint.

And it's bad business sense because he's utilizing his opinion in a negative aspect. You just give words of warning like "that book's not for everyone" or "it gets mixed reviews". You don't state your opinion as fact because it isn't.

People, especially adults, should be able to discern fact from opinion.

[gwangung]

People, especially adults, should be able to discern fact from opinion.

Now THAT'S ironic.

*sigh* a lot of marketing "experts" on this thread that'd do even worse than the professionals....

[Floyd Lawton]

Who said anything about them ever having to understand what's happening in 2008?? The best thing about pre-2003 back issues is that they aren't beholden to the crap the DiDio regime is spewing out today! And they're so plentiful, a new reader might not ever buy and read them all, and have to catch up to the present! :D



If DC held to that notion, they wouldn't be producing these comics that so many of you guys like.
Dan's allowed to put rape, extreme gore, and constant deaths in DC comics, but it doesn't mean that he should.

.
There are many many issues from 2003-2008 that arent crap. SO MANY.


And there was rape, extreme gore, and constant deaths in DC comics before Didio. In all comics.

[thefourthman]

He put up a sign that is quite specifically focused on luring back lost DC readers.
This one's clearly for them.
and losing the new readers. period, even if he isn't beating them off with a stick, they're gone now.



And how many people that are not his core audience are ever going to see that sign?? Again, there's no way he's beating off a throng of newbie readers with a stick. (Go ahead; snicker at the innuendo. :p) It really doesn't matter what he does; that repeat business is bound to stay constant.
When you run shops smartly, you do grow. We started out four years ago in a closet basically, we have three stores now and during the summer we tend to add ten to fifteen new subscriber customers a week. Tomorrow being FCBD, we have Iron Man at our newest store which is in a mall and we have worked very closely with the theater here driving traffic both ways... it becomes my job to make sure that the people who come in tomorrow come back and when you run your business like a business instead of your personal fan club, you get more new faces and retain them.

[circularbell]

that's right, lower the discussion that is going on that is productive...:rolleyes:

Actually, he made an extremely valid point. Hurts, don't it?

[Carlos Javier]

I wouldn't have been offended by the sign, but I would have looked at it as a symbol of unprofessionalism. Running a comic shop is hard business and I can't understand why you'd want to treat it as a hobby/frat meeting.

[Brenticles]

and losing the new readers. period, even if he isn't beating them off with a stick, they're gone now.



When you run shops smartly, you do grow. We started out four years ago in a closet basically, we have three stores now and during the summer we tend to add ten to fifteen new subscriber customers a week. Tomorrow being FCBD, we have Iron Man at our newest store which is in a mall and we have worked very closely with the theater here driving traffic both ways... it becomes my job to make sure that the people who come in tomorrow come back and when you run your business like a business instead of your personal fan club, you get more new faces and retain them.
Bingo! I agree with every word. I also think the concept of running a business like a business can be expanded to publishers. I think it’s why so many fans have difficulty understanding why they do what they do. Some fans can’t focus beyond their fan obsessions and think in terms of the business. (For example asking for Superman/Batman and Supergirl title to be canceled when they were selling over 70K a month simply because they didn’t like the books!)

[circularbell]

Bingo! I agree with every word. I also think the concept of running a business like a business can be expanded to publishers. I think it’s why so many fans have difficulty understanding why they do what they do. Some fans can’t focus beyond their fan obsessions and think in terms of the business. (For example asking for Superman/Batman and Supergirl title to be canceled when they were selling over 70K a month simply because they didn’t like the books!)

But it's that kind of attitude that produces bad quality works. Supergirl and Superman/Batman are pieces of ____ that sell 70,000 copies. Maybe they'd sell 80,000 if they were actually decent productions, though.

[Brenticles]

But it's that kind of attitude that produces bad quality works. Supergirl and Superman/Batman are pieces of ____ that sell 70,000 copies. Maybe they'd sell 80,000 if they were actually decent productions, though.
Sorry, but you are just proving my point of putting fan desires and subjective opinions over business needs and business reality. The current volume of Supergirl is selling well above the previous one, even now at its current level which is well below where it began. I imagine studios, television, book publishers, and music studios put out a lot of product they don’t particularly like because they sell but do it because the reality is that they are a business and in business to make money. Opinions of quality aside those two titles I cited make money.

[phunengames]

But it's that kind of attitude that produces bad quality works. Supergirl and Superman/Batman are pieces of ____ that sell 70,000 copies. Maybe they'd sell 80,000 if they were actually decent productions, though.

Nope this is the attitude that lets crap flourish.

Ambush Bug sounds like a lame way to waste money. Don't buy it.

If it sounds like you can hate on it, hate on it. Post it and let everyone know. It's all in fun and makes people want to buy comics. Hang a “little” sign. These seem be the rules. People who do not get it are losers. :eek:

If it was not for the internet we would not know what lame was. The internet lets us know that DC could not have made a book you enjoyed. DiDio is part of an evil cadre to destroy comic memories. Only things you agree with are valid. :rolleyes:

The only lame way to waste money is buying a comic you hate because you feel you have to have it or buying books for your store in hope that they will sell themselves.

DC makes more good books that I can afford to buy. I am okay with that. I do not think anyone has to apologize for that. :)

[circularbell]

Sorry, but you are just proving my point of putting fan desires and subjective opinions over business needs and business reality. The current volume of Supergirl is selling well above the previous one, even now at its current level which is well below where it began. I imagine studios, television, book publishers, and music studios put out a lot of product they don’t particularly like because they sell but do it because the reality is that they are a business and in business to make money. Opinions of quality aside those two titles I cited make money.

I'm suggesting business reform. Better quality products=better sales.

[gwangung]

I'm suggesting business reform.

Well, since you keep confusing your own personal tastes for sound business practices, I suggest a more hospitible place for your talents and concerns (say, the current Republican party...)

[Brenticles]

I'm suggesting business reform. Better quality products=better sales.
Don’t you see that’s opinion based and highly subjective? As a publisher you have to put out what you think the widest margin of people will like, not just what you personally like. You might be able to throw in a few pet projects of stuff you just love, but even if you think its high quality doesn’t mean everyone will agree. I don’t like Plastic Man, never have, but if I were the publisher I hope I’d have the ability to step back and be objective about a project when a creative team brought in a pitch.

[circularbell]

Well, since you keep confusing your own personal tastes for sound business practices, I suggest a more hospitible place for your talents and concerns (say, the current Republican party...)

I'm not a Conservative.

[circularbell]

Don’t you see that’s opinion based and highly subjective? As a publisher you have to put out what you think the widest margin of people will like, not just what you personally like. You might be able to throw in a few pet projects of stuff you just love, but even if you think its high quality doesn’t mean everyone will agree. I don’t like Plastic Man, never have, but if I were the publisher I hope I’d have the ability to step back and be objective about a project when a creative team brought in a pitch.

I disagree. I don't think what you suggested is good business practice at all. That attitude is why we have so much crap out there.

[Brenticles]

Okay so what do you like? What are your favorite movies, books, music? What comics would you publish that you think everyone will agree with you is high quality? Please be specific as to creative team, characters, and story elements. Are there chracters, writers, artists, and/or story elements you will never use? Please be specific again.

If you choose to answer my questions I think you should start in a new thread so as to not dereail this one anymore. I am curious to see what you come up with.

[Herald]

and losing the new readers. period, even if he isn't beating them off with a stick, they're gone now.

I'd like to see how many of these so-called "new readers" even exist, because I don't think they do.

When you run shops smartly, you do grow. We started out four years ago in a closet basically, we have three stores now and during the summer we tend to add ten to fifteen new subscriber customers a week.

Doesn't Punchy live in England?? That's nowhere near as big a market for American comics as an American state like NC. Your success story doesn't necessarily apply to this comic store owner.

Tomorrow being FCBD, we have Iron Man at our newest store which is in a mall and we have worked very closely with the theater here driving traffic both ways... it becomes my job to make sure that the people who come in tomorrow come back and when you run your business like a business instead of your personal fan club, you get more new faces and retain them.

And yet, current DC runs like a personal fan club, but you LOVE it!
DiDio-era series get to run quite a bit longer than they would if cancelled based on the actual cancellation line instead of "we here in the office love this series!"

[JL_Amato]

The sign is pretty funny for regulars but otherwise is bad for business.

[thefourthman]

I'd like to see how many of these so-called "new readers" even exist, because I don't think they do.
[quote]
no the same readers who complain about not being able to buy all they want just buy more books every year for the past five years...:rolleyes:

[quote]
Doesn't Punchy live in England?? That's nowhere near as big a market for American comics as an American state like NC. Your success story doesn't necessarily apply to this comic store owner.

business is the same everywhere... it is great that you think that comics are a self contained aging fan club... hopefully that mentality will go the way of that fan.

And yet, current DC runs like a personal fan club, but you LOVE it!
DiDio-era series get to run quite a bit longer than they would if cancelled based on the actual cancellation line instead of "we here in the office love this series!"
what this has to do with the business of running a shop or the professionalism of the sign is beyond me and I can't help but think that your hate for Didio has more to do with your continued denial of what business is and should be then your ability to judge the sign for what it is.

Vaneta stated why she thought the sign was a bad move. Myself and others came to defend the statement since it was being taken as some kind of "I drank the Kool Aid" statement instead of a valid statement about how to discuss business. You continue to make this about the way you have a distaste for Didio then about whether or not the sign is more harmful then it is funny. Obviously I will not be able to sway you opinion. So, we will have to agree to disagree. I've said yes the sign is funny, but it is horribly unprofessional and is bad for business, especially new readers, who you think don't exist (maybe you should check out Matt's article on FCBD... because it begs to differ!)

and on that note, I'm done.

[holtom2000]

the sign on the store was funny. so was the other sign someone mentioned about Dallas and BND
and since they're a private business, they can do what they want

[Xanrn]

Yep they were funny.

God forbid people have fun at their jobs.

Anyway new readers are more likely to read Marvel, so its all good.

Yeah and DC is currently being run like a Silver Age Fan Club.

[Herald]

no the same readers who complain about not being able to buy all they want just buy more books every year for the past five years...:rolleyes:

I'm glad I don't do that. :)

business is the same everywhere...

The market for American comics is not the same everywhere.
For example, they are not particularly "big in Japan"...

it is great that you think that comics are a self contained aging fan club... hopefully that mentality will go the way of that fan.

There's plenty of evidence that it is, not the least of which is that those aging fans are all many of us ever see in the stores. What proof do you have that it isn't??

what this has to do with the business of running a shop or the professionalism of the sign is beyond me and I can't help but think that your hate for Didio has more to do with your continued denial of what business is and should be then your ability to judge the sign for what it is.

1. The sign itself expresses disdain for the last year of DC comics. Therefore, discussing said content is quite relevant whether you want to recognize it or not.

2. I haven't denied "what business is and should be"; I just disagree with your notion of "what business is and should be". How did you manage to become the ultimate judge of business protocol, anyway??

Vaneta stated why she thought the sign was a bad move. Myself and others came to defend the statement since it was being taken as some kind of "I drank the Kool Aid" statement instead of a valid statement about how to discuss business. You continue to make this about the way you have a distaste for Didio then about whether or not the sign is more harmful then it is funny.

No, I mentioned how it wouldn't be harmful for business, too. You either missed it, or you read it the way you wanted to read it.

Obviously I will not be able to sway you opinion. So, we will have to agree to disagree.

Fair enough.

I've said yes the sign is funny, but it is horribly unprofessional and is bad for business, especially new readers, who you think don't exist (maybe you should check out Matt's article on FCBD... because it begs to differ!)

So they came in the stores for one day for a few free comic books. That doesn't mean they'll be back tomorrow (which would actually be today, of course) or Wednesday to pay $3.00 a pop for some more.

This isn't the first FCBD; it's been happening for years now, and it clearly has never resulted in a massive influx of new, paying readers. What makes you think that's all going to change this particular year??

Frankly, I think this was a Limited-Time Offer...