Comics Marvel resorting to gimmicks to sell Spidey now?

[Jennifer Walters]

With the Obama issue (which I'll admit was smart of them.) selling like hot cakes to the point most people couldn't even get their issue this week, and things like constant ''big reveal" story arcs like New Ways to Die, Harry's return explained, and the upcoming character assassination. Doesn't it seem like Marvel is trying really hard to shove EXCITING arcs and gimmicks into the book to spice up the slow slump of sales?

 

[Themanofbat]

Marvel is simply doing what any other comic book company would do...

Attempt to make people buy their comics.

'Nuff said.

 

[Jack O Lantern]

Yes they are trying to make theit stories exciting.

For shame...

 

[bryanss3]

Those aren't gimmicks they're called story arcs lol and reveals in issues thats what keeps everyone coming back. explaining the changes since BND began isn't a gimmick its telling a story.

But the Obama thing was a giant gimmick people that I work with that don't read comics asked me about it cause they read about it in the news paper and I don't mean like 3 people I mean about 20 of them, my dad asked me about it like a million times, Marvel advertised it really well. I had no Idea the regular covered issue was going to be sold out I just assumed the Obama one would but to my surprise both comic shops in my area were sold out. Honestly I didn't want Obama on my comic and the worst thing about this is this comic wasn't bought because people appreciate Obama it was bought for people to sell on ebay for 120 dollars go check if you don't believe me. the Obama issue is a gimmick and proves that people flock to him more like a cult than appreciate him as an Icon and leader. but reveals and story arcs are not gimmicks at all did you just start reading spider-man?

Isn't it good to know when the economy is down people are buying a comic book with Obama's face on it for 100 dollars cause that helps fix the economy

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

It's the new Death of Superman where hundreds of non-comic readers lined up to get this book just fer Obama. I passed on the issue. I probably coulda got it fer monetary sake seein' as it was a first edition and selling hotly and all, but the original cover just turned me off with the dialogue.

 

[Donald Thomas]

Yes they are trying to make theit stories exciting.

For shame...

Aloha,
I think the world of all you guys, but some of you, I wouldn't open up a Lemonade stand with , least of all a real business.For the record, Marvel Entertainment is a business. Listed on the Stock Exchange-MVL.Variant covers of all types have been used in the past as marketing tools. The Obama cover is one of the best marketing tools anyone could have asked for. This issue of Spidey has been featured on just about EVERY news show on television. That is a marketing bonanza.Sales of EVERYTHING have gone down in America but the rankings of the Amazing Spider-Man shows that despite some on these boards, Spidey is within the top 10-15 out of 100 on the Diamond list.JMS brought Spidey out of the 20's to the top 5-10. Some on these boards thought he was horrible.That's why Marvel, DC and any other serious business person, has to take the comments of some of the internet fans with a grain of salt and keep moving forward.
Spidey rules

 

[carnageehw]

There's really nothing different hype wise than any other time in comics.

There's likely even less hype now than during the 90's.

 

[JerseyJoker]

The comments of internet fanboys dont reflect highly as much as most of them wish did, on the actual buisness of the comic industry or even Spider-Man himself.

I can't believe someone just made a thread about how story arcs are gimmicks, jesus christ.

 

[Donald Thomas]

There's really nothing different hype wise than any other time in comics.

There's likely even less hype now than during the 90's.

Aloha,
Exactly. Wrap around covers, flip covers,holograms all made their appearance during the 90's.But, I still look at some and just shake my head. Kennedy,Clinton and Obama are probably the most popular Presidents(elect) within the 20th and 21st century so far. Here you have a president(elect) who is a collector of Marvel product and some don't think you are supposed to capitalize on that?Whatever school of business some of these folks went to, please let me know, I'll make sure to avoid it like the plague.
Spidey rules

 

[imdaly]

With the Obama issue (which I'll admit was smart of them.) selling like hot cakes to the point most people couldn't even get their issue this week, and things like constant ''big reveal" story arcs like New Ways to Die, Harry's return explained, and the upcoming character assassination. Doesn't it seem like Marvel is trying really hard to shove EXCITING arcs and gimmicks into the book to spice up the slow slump of sales?

Yes. I'm sick of Marvel trying to make exciting Spider-Man stories. Keep 'em bland and boring, I say!


And I reallllly hope you aren't one of the posters always complaining about the lack of answers in the book. Cause turning around and then complaining about them when they finally answer them would be a bit hypocritical...

 

[Jack O Lantern]

Aloha,
I think the world of all you guys, but some of you, I wouldn't open up a Lemonade stand with , least of all a real business.For the record, Marvel Entertainment is a business. Listed on the Stock Exchange-MVL.Variant covers of all types have been used in the past as marketing tools. The Obama cover is one of the best marketing tools anyone could have asked for. This issue of Spidey has been featured on just about EVERY news show on television. That is a marketing bonanza.Sales of EVERYTHING have gone down in America but the rankings of the Amazing Spider-Man shows that despite some on these boards, Spidey is within the top 10-15 out of 100 on the Diamond list.JMS brought Spidey out of the 20's to the top 5-10. Some on these boards thought he was horrible.That's why Marvel, DC and any other serious business person, has to take the comments of some of the internet fans with a grain of salt and keep moving forward.
Spidey rules

My post was sarcastic

 

[shinlyle]

Was the Obama cover a gimmick? Absolutely! However, judging from the three printings it'll get, a pretty successful one. A stand-alone story issue of ASM (that half the people buying it will not even read) will be the absolute highest selling book of January (or maybe 2009?). Marvel is in business to make money, and while I find it loathsome that they resorted to the "hop on the Obama is a rockstar" train, they have every right to do it, and they would have been foolish not to.

As for storyarcs....that's pushing it. One of the few compliments that I can give BND is that there is actual story progression. Remember the "OTHER"? The last part of the "New Avengers" arc was forever ruined by leading into the "Other" rather abruptly. Then, the Resolution to "The Other" was simply as far out of left field as possible. It made no sense.

BND's continuity may not make the least bit of sense (due to these unexplained plot holes and "changes), but the storylines like New Ways to Die, Character Assasination, and the like, they are all natural progressions of the ongoing storylines. If they had suddenly had Doctor Doom teleport into the middle of Times Square, and then have Spidey volunteer in Doom's army which would lead into "Doom-Mageddon" (an 8 issue mega-event crossover), then it would be forced, and definitely a gimmick.

There's a distinct difference.

Now, if next month features another celebrity cover, and then the month after, and so on and so on, THEN we have a gimmick...man, I hope Marvel doesn't read that.

 

[jeffjhicks]

I'm excited for the John Romita cover.....anyone else?

 

[imdaly]

I'm excited for the John Romita cover.....anyone else?

You mean the one that came out this week?

 

[ben_reilly_s_s]

Technically, they are all a gimmick, They did away with single self contained stories, and are written for TPB's now.

 

[Blader5489]

It's the new Death of Superman where hundreds of non-comic readers lined up to get this book just fer Obama. I passed on the issue. I probably coulda got it fer monetary sake seein' as it was a first edition and selling hotly and all, but the original cover just turned me off with the dialogue.

 

[imdaly]

Technically, they are all a gimmick, They did away with single self contained stories, and are written for TPB's now.

I think issues such as Flash Thompson's issue and, well, this week's issue will disagree with you a bit.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I'm excited for the John Romita cover.....anyone else?

Absolutely! I bought a copy of Senior's as well.

 

[Donald Thomas]

My post was sarcastic

Aloha,
I know
Spidey rules

 

[Mandi-chan]

I voted for Obama and deeply respect the man, because I really do feel he will get this country out of the horrible mess Bush got us into...and it makes me smile to see how big his election is, and how excited this country and the rest of the world are about him.

However...I couldn't help rolling my eyes when I saw that Marvel was publishing a comic starring President Obama. I've always thought comics that have famous real-life people guest-star were gimmicky and lame. They just come across as corny to me, and from what I've read about this issue...it's just that.

The point is, I love Obama and Spidey...but I'm not buying the issue (especially when I don't even read that particular title, I only follow Ultimate Spider-Man).

 

[Farren]

I'm going to have to agree with some of the others above that the OP is using "gimmick" too broadly here. That being said I do think that by relying on...I'll use the word pseudo-gimmicks--like Anti-Venom and the Reveal About Harry--they are using OLD stories and favorites as a bit of a crutch as opposed to aiming for more originality.

(I will say that Obama, Colbert, Flash in Iraq and the variant covers are all gimmicks though).