Superhero Magazine Market Research

[pk.]

Hi

I'm from the UK, doing an MA (which is a postgrad qualification) in Magazine Journalism. For my final project I'm going to make a superhero magazine. It's going to cover everything; comics, films, tv, games etc.

I need to do some market research obviously and I thought this would be the best place to come.

So if you have the time, post your ideas on what you'd like to see in a monthly magazine that covered all things superhero.

I need things like the kinds of articles you'd like to see, the kind of tone you'd want it to be written in, things you like about the magazines you read, things you hate. All that kind off stuff.

Be creative and out there, just let your imaginations run and i might have some more specific questions later.

Your help would be much appreciated and when I'm done I'll post a link to a pdf or something.

Cheers!

 

[Spider-Jay420]

I don't buy magazines anymore, because you can read anything you want and see all the naked naked girls you want for free online anyway.

A superhero magazine? I would want to see comic previews and creator interviews. Like when Wizard does a panel-by-panel of Final Crisis and Grant Morisson is given his little schpiel and what this is and what it represents and all that.

Exclusive art and sketches. Maybe different artists interpretations of popular characters. Basically an inside look.

Info, reviews and speculation on superhero movies.

Action figure reviews and previews and another inside look talking with the sculptors and how the figures go from penciled sketch to finished product.

Clothing, and I don't know what else....Everything else genre related. Video Games, Cartoons, just an appreciation of all things.

I like a sense of humor thrown in with a straight delivery. I like how Wizard and Toyfair are written but I just don't buy 'em anymore because all the "headline articles" and "exclusive previews" have been online for a month already.

I would say Wizard + Toyfair + Entertainment Weekly + Maxim = a magazine I would probably spend money on.

 

[Roughneck]

Sadly, yeah.....the printed word is dying.


Anyway, all I saw is give us the same stuff we can get in Wizard but don't be the butt kissing biast idiots that they are. I stopped reading Wizard and Toy fare because it got to a point where I couldn't tell the difference between thier articles and thier adverts.


Long story short, don't be afraid to say something bad if something is bad.

 

[Spike_x1]

Agreed with Rough.
I still occasionally pick up ToyFare, but I flatout dropped Wizard when I came to the conclusion that I could get the exact same info and opinions if I had simply read what, say, Dan Didio had to say on a given subject in internet interviews. In a magazine I want to see what fans (as writers) have to say, weighing the pros and cons of a particular topic, y'know, like a professional writer should; instead of so shamelessly praising the flavor of the month and letting it influence what they print. That, for me, would be the deciding factor in whether or not a superhero magazine is worth my time and money.

Other than that, go with what Spider-Jay said.

 

[pk.]

Great stuff guys, thanks a lot.

Youre right about the net being able to provide stuff faster and cheaper than print. I think this just means that the people working on mags will have to become more creative and entertaining writers rather than trying to provide breaking news and exclusives - cause they just can't compete. What do you think?

Anyone else? The more the better, even if it' s just a one line thought or a pet hate about a magazine. Anything will help loads!

 

[Roughneck]

yeah, they can do that, then a few days later I'll read it when someone posts the article on the web

 

[spidey-dude]

exclusive 2 or 3 page comic in there?

 

[pk.]

Great idea. Might be a bit difficult with my resources but a great idea nontheless.

What about coming up with an original hero and having his story in a 3 page monthly comic? Would all depend on how good the character was I suppose wouldn't it