Bought/Thought 1/26/11

[runawayboulder]

That's wishful thinking. Sales overall have done nothing but drop since the 80's. It came in small amounts at first but then began to hemorrhage in the past few years. I wish it was like an economic cycle and eventually there will be light at the end of the tunnel but I just don't see it. You're asking somebody to reinvent the wheel.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

The Death of Superman trade was the first DC comic I ever bought, because I don't like Superman and was green in the ways of comic book death at the time. I thought it was true! I eventually went and got all the parts of the story and the following Reign arcs for an article I wrote. I have two printing versions of #75...dunno if either is the first print.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I bought the trade for it and felt like it was a huge deal. I'm yet to read the entirety of the Funeral of Superman or the Reign of Superman yet though.

 

[iloveclones]

That's wishful thinking. Sales overall have done nothing but drop since the 80's. It came in small amounts at first but then began to hemorrhage in the past few years. I wish it was like an economic cycle and eventually there will be light at the end of the tunnel but I just don't see it. You're asking somebody to reinvent the wheel.

I disagree (but only slightly).

The recent downturn, where a top comic sells 80K now as opposed to 100-120K a few years ago, is definitely an indication of the current economy. BUT, comics at one time sold in the 500K-1Million range.

I would say a few things regarding those numbers:

1) I think it is more than possible to return to those types of circulation numbers, just not in print. The future of comics is digital, and all of these companies should be concentrating their efforts there.

2) These companies (certainly the big 2)derive most of their income from licensing. Publishing is really akin to R&D of a company, where they test what works and what doesn't.

3) Marvel has pretty much said that it thinks of its comics more as a boutique item (think Coach purses) Where people are willing to pay more for something because of its "coolness" or veneer of exclusivity. In that kind of model, it actually hurts to sell for less (ask any maker of basketball shoes). You may agree or disagree with whether or not they actually ARE a boutique item, but the point is: A company that does, isn't going out of their way to glut the market.


And we now return you to your regularly scheduled Thread.....

 

[iloveclones]

By the way, Wolvie, I think it's hilarious that you bought Death of Superman because you disliked him...... Die ****er!!!!!! Yay Doomsday!

 

[herakles]

90's comic book fans: a sucker was born every minute.

I must've been the only kid on my block without 15 copies of Superman #75 and 15 copies of Bloodshot #1.

LOL the only reason I had multiple copies of those 2 comics is cause I worked at the Diamond Comics San Diego Distribution center for 9 months. The center would close a couple of years later and I would stop buying for 10 years because all the varients and other gimic crap that got on my nerves.

I didn't get my comics this week so I my "bag" is sitting in my pull list box. I am NOT a fan the bagged varient, chromium, 50k different cover comic craze of the 90s.

What I want is good writing and good art! I stopped buying comics because of those reasons back in 1994! I could only take sooo much of Liefield and his wanna-be copy-cat artists!

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Hehe. What can I say? It was the first DC comic that ever appealed to me.

JSA has been in a steady decline for me. I dunno, when it first started back up it was pretty good. Then it went into that whole Magog thing for far too long and ever recovered. There was a glimmer of hope in between, but now it's a very boring book with characters I just can't seem to care about. Think a new direction (or an old one) is seriously needed here.

GENERATION LOST was another good issue, tying into the recent POWER GIRL (and vice versa). Not much happened in the way of progression, but we did get a fun fight where smarts saved the day. And now PG is part of the team, and hopefully her memory sticks around this time.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'm glad PG joined the team rather than fighting them for another 3 issues. The JLI's coming back together! All they gotta do now is round up Guy Gardner, the Martian Manhunter, and the ghost-Dibnys and rescue Blue Beetle.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I don't think the comic industry is slowly dying...or even the local comic shop, really. When I got into comics as a kid WAAAY back in the late 70's and early 80's, there were about 4 or 6 trades I could buy...and, only if I drove all the way to Seattle to find the bookstore that had them available. There was either one or two Superman collections, a Batman collection, Origin Of Marvel Comics, and Son Of Origin Of Marvel Comics. I remember reading the Superman one numerous times from the Bookmobile that would come in front of our house; and, one of my grandfathers bought me the two Marvel ones. (I still have them, and let me say, that cover for Origin Of Marvel Comics is practically in shreds.)

Back when I then was able to convince my mom and grandmother to buy me some comics each week (early 80's), we had to drive about 10 miles to a 7-11 to get them off a spinner-rack. (It's the first time I knew about what day comics come to the stores; because if you wait too long, the copy you were looking for would be gone.) Then, one day I looked in a comic, and a store, called O'Leary's, was the first time I heard of an actual comic store. I BEGGED my grandmother to drive me out there; and, with about 50 bucks in my pocket, we had to drive about 50-60 miles to get there. I WAS IN HEAVEN!!! Soon, I set up my first subscription box with them; and, the rest was history. (It wasn't until the very late 80's to early 90's that the comic stores finally came to our town.)

Also, back then, I always dreamed of the day my favorite comics would be made into movies. There was a comic magazine, long before Wizard, that I'd find every once in a great while; and, they'd talk about possible movies. They never saw the light of day. Those that did, SUCKED! Or, they'd be pretty cheesy tv shows.

NOW, we can walk into any bookstore and find a TON of trades. Even with the comic boom of the 90's, we never saw the amount of trades there is today, and definitely not in the bookstores. Comic book movies saturate the theaters...so much that many a girlfriend is probably quite sick of them. Even compared to the 80's, I can still find a lot more comic shops than the one I found in Tacoma. (Nothing compared to the 90's, though.)

 

[JewishHobbit]

I want my comics!!!!!!

My wife's promised me 3 times to go out and get them this week but has renigged for various reasons. Then today's the first chance I have to go and my car breaks down. ARRRRRGH!!!

I have a couple friends coming over to try out this geocaching thing and I'm hoping to talk one of them into taking me to the comicshop. I wish one was closer then it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

"Reneged." Just, y'know, for future reference. I normally wouldn't correct you, but it's kind of an easy word to misconstrue if you spell it that way.

Also, "geocaching"? Bwuh?

 

[JewishHobbit]

Heh... thanks. I don't think I've ever actually tried to spell it.

And I just discovered geocaching this week. It's a worldwide game of hide and seek where people hide little waterproof canisters (film holders, ammo holders, etc.) with paper and sometimes little inexpensive prizes inside. They then give the coordinates on a website and maybe some hints and people search for it. If they find it they sign their name and sometimes date and where they're from on a paper in the canister, or "cache" as people call them. If there's a prize inside you may exchange something small for it.

These things are all over the world, millions of them. I heard about it and thought there might be one or two in my area but there's over 50 hidden in my town alone. This is the best kept secret I've ever heard! My wife foudn out about it by a guy she works with at Home Depot who told her about one he found in the woods behind their work. He found it under a year ago and went back to check on it again and two more people's found it since then.

Go to geocaching.com and look in your area for caches hidden in your area.

 

[iloveclones]

I want my comics!!!!!!

My wife's promised me 3 times to go out and get them this week but has renigged for various reasons. Then today's the first chance I have to go and my car breaks down. ARRRRRGH!!!

I have a couple friends coming over to try out this geocaching thing and I'm hoping to talk one of them into taking me to the comicshop. I wish one was closer then it wouldn't be an issue.

Why don't you just set up a "prize" near your comic book shop, and it will force your friends to go there....

 

[JewishHobbit]

Because there's probably 70 more closer and they know that

 

[Phaedrus45]

Because there's probably 70 more closer and they know that

Well, if you move and live closer to me, I'd gladly come grab you and bring you to your shop. Hmmm...might cost a bit more than having your car fixed, though.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Well, if you move and live closer to me, I'd gladly come grab you and bring you to your shop. Hmmm...might cost a bit more than having your car fixed, though.

If you buy them for me and mail them I might get them prior to when I'd get them here... just sayin'.

 

[Phaedrus45]

X-Men: To Serve and Protect #3

I don't mind the idea of the first story, which is a 4-parter with 8-pages per issue. Kind of reminds me of when I loved to get Marvel Comics Presents. But, I'm tired of all these books with just single issue 8-pagers. More times than not, they are not that great. Case in point, the second story featuring Storm and Thor. Good premise; but, one that could have been SOOO much better with a full issue, or even making a nice storyline out of. Instead, once it gets interesting, it's all over. Seriously, if I was on a budget, I would skip all of these types of books.

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1

I've been enjoying Knight Errant; so, I thought I'd give another Star Wars comic a try. Meh. Shouldn't have bothered. This is nothing that special, and a very, very quick read. The plot isn't that spectacular: Grand Moff Tarkin's son is missing, and Darth is sent to find him. Since he failed on his last mission, Tarkin isn't leaving anything to chance; so, another person is sent to ensure the mission isn't a failure.

It all just feels uninspired.

Captain America #614

This book is frustrating. Brubaker finally gets me back into his book with Sin being freed; and, then he ruins it all by having Bucky act like a complete moron. Why in the world would Bucky listen to Dr. Faustus and break out of a prison van, ruining everything his defense has been trying to help him? Especially since Cap has told him to lay low??!!?? Seriously, this Bucky deserves to die again; and, Brubaker has undone any liking of this character I've had before. Not even the Nomad back-up could make me enjoy the book, as not much happens, and it's just filled with narration boxes.

New Mutants #21

Wow...comic reading is striking out for me this week! The only good thing about this issue is that we finally get a conclusion to Rise Of The New Mutants. This book has gotten so bad, that I long to see it cancelled. Everything that I loved about the original New Mutants is completely missing; and, the writers of this book is making me seriously rethink why I ever longed for the classic characters of Warlock, Magik, and Doug Ramsey EVER to come back from the dead. (In comparison, the much better X-Men Forever gets cancelled. Sheesh!)

X-Men #7

Don't ask me WHY, but this issue came out with four covers this week. (Yeah, I got all 4.) I guess it marks a new direction? I'm not sure...but, this book was much better than the rest of the ones I read above. It's still not spectacular; but, it's nice to see the X-Men get back to New York, nice to see a P.R. firm in San Francisco trying to boost their image, and even better that we'll get a team-up with Spidey.

Proof Endangered #2

Wow! Lots going on in this single issue; and, even though there are things I get confused about (lots of characters and switching between scenes), I'm enjoying the book very much. I especially like when we get the flashbacks of Proof's life. Can't wait for more.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Heh... thanks. I don't think I've ever actually tried to spell it.

And I just discovered geocaching this week. It's a worldwide game of hide and seek where people hide little waterproof canisters (film holders, ammo holders, etc.) with paper and sometimes little inexpensive prizes inside. They then give the coordinates on a website and maybe some hints and people search for it. If they find it they sign their name and sometimes date and where they're from on a paper in the canister, or "cache" as people call them. If there's a prize inside you may exchange something small for it.

These things are all over the world, millions of them. I heard about it and thought there might be one or two in my area but there's over 50 hidden in my town alone. This is the best kept secret I've ever heard! My wife foudn out about it by a guy she works with at Home Depot who told her about one he found in the woods behind their work. He found it under a year ago and went back to check on it again and two more people's found it since then.

Go to geocaching.com and look in your area for caches hidden in your area.

That. Sounds.

Awesome.

 

[fifthfiend]

Fantastic Four #587

What a complete disappointment!!! No, not because I knew the ending; but, because

Spoiler

Johnny DOESN'T die in the end!!! We just see him being drowned in a sea of evil monsters from the Negative Zone, as a wave of Annihilation-type monsters sweep over him. Then, cut to the door being closed. Yeah, even a child could write Johnny out of that predicament.

Seriously, this issue didn't have the emotional build-up that you'd expect from such a major death. In the end, I wasn't feeling it. Maybe it's because Reed and Sue weren't there. Maybe it was because Franklin and Val could hardly seem to care that Johnny was giving up his life for them. Maybe it's because the artist drew Johnny as if he was a 50 year old man.

Of course, this issue wasn't just about the death. Sue becomes the ruler of some weird-looking Atlanteans who Namor opposes; and, Nu-World comes to an end, with everyone being saved in the mind of one of their people. Both of those storylines kind of disappointed. I still don't understand WHY Sue becomes the ruler; and, even though I rejoice at the thought of Nu-World being destroyed, seeing Galactus do that really does nothing to stop his death in the future.

Disappointing!

F4 felt like Marvel had picked this random issue out of Hickman's run and then decided to try and make a huge marketing event out of it.

As far as whether or not we see Johnny die, honestly like... I know the rule these days is "they aren't dead unless they're brutally eviscerated or decapitated on-panel" or whatever, but I mean, being brutally eviscerated or decapitated on-panel doesn't stop anybody from coming back any more than anything else, so you might as well "kill" Johnny this way than any other.

 

[fifthfiend]

I'm glad PG joined the team rather than fighting them for another 3 issues. The JLI's coming back together! All they gotta do now is round up Guy Gardner, the Martian Manhunter, and the ghost-Dibnys and rescue Blue Beetle.

Isn't Ted Kord still dead? Or do you mean Jamie?

 

[Phaedrus45]

F4 felt like Marvel had picked this random issue out of Hickman's run and then decided to try and make a huge marketing event out of it.

As far as whether or not we see Johnny die, honestly like... I know the rule these days is "they aren't dead unless they're brutally eviscerated or decapitated on-panel" or whatever, but I mean, being brutally eviscerated or decapitated on-panel doesn't stop anybody from coming back any more than anything else, so you might as well "kill" Johnny this way than any other.

Yeah, but anyone with a small knowledge of Johnny's character knows that as he's being swarmed over and the door closes, he just has to go SuperNova on their butt...unless for some reason those rules can't apply to the Negative Zone. Plus, how many times has Annihilus had members of the Fantastic Four in his grasp, and he chooses to just capture them. Johnny now can serve as a pawn in his master plan.

At least with Nightcrawler, we got to see a body. This was just lame.

 

[Watchman]

Captain America #614

This book is frustrating. Brubaker finally gets me back into his book with Sin being freed; and, then he ruins it all by having Bucky act like a complete moron. Why in the world would Bucky listen to Dr. Faustus and break out of a prison van, ruining everything his defense has been trying to help him? Especially since Cap has told him to lay low??!!?? Seriously, this Bucky deserves to die again; and, Brubaker has undone any liking of this character I've had before. Not even the Nomad back-up could make me enjoy the book, as not much happens, and it's just filled with narration boxes.

The man is pretty persuasive.

Now why would a bastard like Faustus what to screw with Bucky?

 

[Phaedrus45]

Next Men #2

Ok. The first issue was only okay...but, that was because quite a bit of it was recapping what's gone on before, and we STILL were left guessing what's real and what isn't. This issue ... YES, a John Byrne written and drawn comic ... has me hooked! (That hasn't happened in FOREVER! Probably since the last time he was writing this book.) The plot is nothing original, as the various members of the Next Men are strewn about in time; but, Byrne makes it all very intriguing. One is mistaken for a slave who "need a hard lesson in good manners," another is thrown into WWII, mistaken for an escape holocaust camp prisoner, and another seems to be in Victorian England, or something of the like. Each of these scenes are as interesting as the other, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I think this is just what Byrne needed to give him that spark again.

Age Of X: Alpha One-Shot

Yeah, this can easily be compared to Age Of Apocalypse, minus Apocalypse; but, I rather liked this one-shot. It's basically a "To Serve And Protect" type book, with some bookends to make the 8-page stories blend together better. Each one was much better than anything in X-Men: To Serve and Protect, though. I really liked Cyclops being rolled into the execution room, as if he was Hannibal Lecter; and the idea that Arcade (it's Arcade, right?) has cut off his eye-lids is sick, twisted...and kind of neat. I also liked the Guthries almost being portrayed as country hicks; and, it's nice to see Paige back in the books. (Another forgotten mutants, as the Guthries have been either largely ignored or wasted.) The next two might not have been as good as the first two; but, the final one with Magneto gives a nice prologue for what's happened previously, and why he's probably Mutant-Enemy Number One.

Ultimate Spider-Man #152

It's hard to get into the idea of Peter Parker going to Super Hero School, especially since we know in a few issues, he might be dead. (Will Bendis really kill him off? Gotta say, I'm dying to find out.) This issue is pretty good; but, your enjoyment will come from having read many of the issues that came before. It's nice to see the interaction between Pete, Johnny, and Bobby (Johnny is always good for a few laughs), and I'm glad Pete and Gwen make up. Seriously, I'd rather see them together than him and MJ. Also, we find out what Black Cat has been trying to steal from Kingpin, and now Mysterio. (Does anyone like this Mysterio's look, though? I hate it!) Finally, I loved the reaction to Iron Man showing up at Pete's doorstep...and, then flying off thanking Aunt May for directions. What a moron! (Sorry, you'll have to read it to find why that's funny.)

Bendis does write some good stuff, anti-Bendis nuts! It's called Scarlet and Ultimate Spider-Man!!! (Ok, you're not really nuts. You just see the crap he's done with the Avengers books, and probably remember the time that Ultimate Spider-Man was getting kind of bad.

(Wow, three titles I felt like giving double-smiley faces to!)

Ultimate Doom #2

Ok...Bendis love-fest is over.

Not a bad mini-event; but, GEEZ, does Bendis totally change every thing you knew about Ultimate Reed Richards with this thing. Not only does he seem younger than ever before; but, I'm doubting Bendis even read the Ultimate Fantastic Four title that came before Ultimatum. (Remember when that book was the best of the Ultimate comics? Bendis sure has f#&$ed that up!!!) In this, Sue thinks back to a moment in her relationship with Reed, where he states, "I don't like this world, Susan" and he wants one where "brilliance is standard." Of course, at the time, Sue doesn't understand what he's getting at; but, now she realizes the boy is craaazy. (OH, yeah. Don't worry. Even though she flat-lined last issue, she comes back in this one.)

Don't expect much more than that from this single issue. It's over pretty quick, and it's can easily be summed up in what I've said before. I'm interested in Bendis' story; but, when you think about how he has total disregard to what a character should truly be like, you get a bit peeved.



Ultimate Avengers 3 #6

The end of another Ultimate Avengers mini; and, this book is alright. It kept my interest; but, just felt like Millar was jumping on the vampire bandwagon. The ending wasn't too different from Curse Of The X-Men; except, instead of Wolverine reverting back to normal, it's Captain America. (I guess we all should have seen that coming.) We get some neat deaths; but, I don't buy Cap doing what he did to save the day. (Anyone know if Thor has ever been able to do that with his hammer before? And, how would Cap know what to do...and, how would Ultimate Cap even be worthy of lifting the hammer??) Another thing that irked me was the New Daredevil was basically Igor in this issue; and, where that first issue got me slightly interested in this new version, I guess we really won't see him much now.

Not great, not terrible. Just kind of "meh." For that, I give this issue (and mini) a mild .


Ok, so the best of the bunch of comics that I reviewed today. Hmmm. Just because it's so damn surprising, I'm going to say Next Men #2. (Wha-wha-WHAT??) The worst, HANDS DOWN, is New Mutants #21.

 

[Dread]

It is funny stuff like digital and trade sales are mentioned because:

- Because Marvel and DC are 70% of the direct market, they have too much invested in it and won't do anything competent or reasonable to undercut it with digital sales, thus stifling the potential.

- Marvel considers "trade waiters" a curse word and editors have said no end of times they'd rather have no sales whatsoever than not have monthly readers, in so many words. Marvel does everything possible to make trade readers pay through the nose, whether in prices that are at least a nickel higher than monthly comics or with needless hardcovers that jack up the price of even a 3 issue series by $5. They print a lot of trades but take many out of print after a short period of time. And apparently DC is following suit. Last week it was revealed they are trimming their trade department budget and are taking many trades out of print and canceling publishing others. It used to be said that trade sales were how DC made back any money lost on low selling comics; now if trade sales are too low to even consider recouping sales for some comics, just how poorly are they selling in the first place? And this is considering that DC has been better able to penetrate book stores with their trades. Of course, book stores are not escaping the Great Recession, either; Borders is on it's last legs, and Barnes & Noble is hardly in it's prime.

Regardless, a $3.99 debut issue for a $2.99 series is just piss poor marketing. Instead of making the debut issue the same as the regular series, or, heaven forbid, cheaper to encourage people to try it, Marvel merely thinks of gouging people while they can, never thinking that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS IS SMARTER THAN ANY OF THEIR EXECUTIVES and can figure out what won't last and won't buy it. Marvel's pricing policies have often been penny wise and pound foolish, and those tactics always become counter productive eventually.

Both Marvel and DC are run by Disney and Warner Brothers, companies that don't give a crap about printed mediums or comics. I am certain both have told their comic arms that they will not tolerate and absorb sales losses, and that is why you see more, not less, desperate tactics by Marvel and DC after their relationship with the giants has become entrenched.

Captain America #614

This book is frustrating. Brubaker finally gets me back into his book with Sin being freed; and, then he ruins it all by having Bucky act like a complete moron. Why in the world would Bucky listen to Dr. Faustus and break out of a prison van, ruining everything his defense has been trying to help him? Especially since Cap has told him to lay low??!!?? Seriously, this Bucky deserves to die again; and, Brubaker has undone any liking of this character I've had before.

I'm on the other side of the fence on this one. You're telling me Dr. Faustus is good at manipulating people? That's nothing new. That's sort of like being pissed at Daredevil because Purple Man possessed him. But on the larger point, Natasha is Barnes' girlfriend (and Falcon an ally and perhaps mentor figure as well) and regardless of anything Rogers tells him, there is no way he KNOWS that she won't be blown up unless he is actually there. It isn't easy to just sit in a cell while that's all going down. Even before this issue, Barnes has said in narration that he doesn't like being in a cell and could easily escape any time he wanted. He isn't a complete white hat like Rogers. Regardless of the brainwashing, some of his WAS the Winter Soldier. And even if not, he does more gray stuff than Rogers does. He uses a hand-gun occasionally as Capt. America, for instance. He makes mistakes and is more impulsive. Which naturally makes him an interesting Cap, as Rogers never makes mistakes and always thinks every situation through. Take this week's SECRET AVENGERS #9. Some would say that Rogers was being impulsive trying to take on John Steel alone when he had Beast, War Machine, and Valkyrie to fight him (and all could and should have beaten Steel). But, no, it all went according to plan, allowing Moon Knight to infiltrate. He rescued Sharon Carter, as well. And that's fine, that's what Rogers does best, be that iconic leader. What Barnes brings to the table is he isn't that; he's trying to do his best while still not being there, like most of us.

Besides; imagine you're a superhero being held for trial and have no super powers, but could escape more or less anytime you wanted. Your girlfriend and good friend are being held by some maniac and could possibly die at any time. It isn't easy to sit in a cell and just hope it all goes right, even if you're being assured by Superman and Dr. Manhattan. Stuff goes wrong, especially when said maniac deliberately asked for you.

(Of course, I expect the first thing Natasha tells Barnes, or says about him, upon finding out his actions is to say something akin to, "You fool," or something. Which is why the best she has for exes are the lustful Hercules and the hopelessly neurotic Daredevil.)

Part of me thinks that this story will end with Barnes as something of a "noble fugitive" again - wanted by the law and on the run, but helping out wherever he can. I liked him as Capt. America, but I'd rather that than death, especially since CAPTAIN AMERICA if anything is an ensemble title under Brubaker, now more than ever.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yeah, but Dr. Faustus really doesn't convince Bucky to break out; he just provides him with the means to do it. And, the story is just so damn predictable, that even before Bucky gets into the police van, we KNOW he's going to do it.

Even bigger, Bucky is saying, "I don't trust Steve Rogers to save the day without me," EVEN THOUGH Steve has been doing that very same thing for years and years. (Plus, it's an obvious set up. Barnes is a complete idiot for a) not trusting his mentor, b) being obviously manipulated by Sin and the other bad guys, and c) not caring about all the people who have been working so hard to get him out of the trouble he's gotten himself into. Sheesh, he's already shown bad judgement in the whole Baron Zemo fiasco; now, he's doing it again. This dude was better at being the Winter Soldier than going back to being Bucky.

..........................................

Onto the other subject: DC being praised for their cheaper comics. Can the praise just end already? I feel like I'm being majorly ripped off!!!

DC gives us 20 pages of material. (Didn't comics used to be about 22 pages before?) That's 15 cents per page. Let's compare that to Marvel!

Marvel, at their worst, charges readers $3.99 for 32 pages of material. That's still cheaper than DC, coming in at 12 1/2 cents per page!!! Since Marvel wanted to compete with DC and lower some of it's comic prices, a $2.99 comic at 32 pages is 9 1/3 cent per page. NOW, quite a few $3.99 comics by Marvel are 40 pages long, which comes to about 10 cents a page.

Look at that!!! DC is ripping us all off!!!! The few DC books I've been reading are over pretty darn fast, and I feel as if things are either being rushed or I'm not getting much story. (I just read Teen Titans conclusion to their first storyline with Damien; and, except for the brief scenes with him in it, the book is pretty darn worthless.)

I'm real sorry I jumped on the "Marvel be damned for not lowering your prices more" bandwagon; because the alternative that DC offers is much, much worse. AND, more costly to YOU!