Whats your opinion. I believe that collecting comics will soon be a thing of the past. Personally I think it took a downturn when publishers stopped making comics collectable. Too many variants no one cares about, too many tie ins, and nothing has any value anymore.
It was fun while it lasted, over 30 years for me. I miss simple stories. Just a simple hero vs villian tale that ends in one issue. No social issues, no Politically correctness, and no sex, drama or social relevance.
Last edited by bearbrian; July 8th, 2012 at 11:28:27 PM..
Too soon to call it a quick death...especially the mileage the media is getting out the not only the Avengers, but Spider-Man now and soon, the Dark Knight.
Aside from DC and Marvel, and some may even toss in Image into that mix - there are many, many independents who don't have the marketing size, nor the budget muscle as the big boys do. But manage to pump out some good solid work. So as long as the talent is out there, and there's someone who loves the paper medium - in my opinion, I think it still has legs and logevity....
I touched on this before in other threads, but I think it's far from dead. For better or worse, the industry is diversifying it's revenue streams like no time in the past. It's a matter of survival with so much competing for Joe Consumer's dollars/attention. Where comic sales are down, TPBs, Omnibus, digital comics, movies/videos, and merchandise are all way up compared to past decades.
So long as the characters are still around - in any format - comics will survive, but I don't think comic collecting will ever be the same again. The huge crossovers, relaunches and character overhauls have buyers jumping around from book to book so you don't get the multi-decade fanbase as much as you did with the old formula. Plus - all the back and forth in comices...like it or not...it touches on the side of collecting that nobody seems to talk about it anymore...longterm value. If people can't hitch their wagon to a comic for 20+ years, the books just don't appreciate over time like they used to. Even b-lister books from the 70s in decent condition have value. Almost everything post 1990 is bargain bin fodder. Having long boxes full of silver/bronze is a point of pride (and you know you're sitting on a pretty penny or two). Having long boxes full of modern comics...well...they just take up space (I hear they make for decent insulation too :-P)
Anywho - even guys like me who jumped ship 20 years ago - we still put plenty of money into the system even if we're not buying new. I got a room full of licensed merchandise, books and dvds. So while I'm not trecking down to the LCS every wed anymore, I'm still dropping boat loads of cash into Marvel's pockets.
"Collectibility" of comics is dead, has been since the 90's. Comics themselves will pretty much exist in some form or another no matter what. Citizen Alpha said it best in his post.
well the record doesn't show that for Joe Q. In fact, since Joe Q has taken over, Marvel hasn't never had this much popularity
I don't know the numbers, but given the amount of merchandise and successful movies recently, I'd have to say you're right.
That being said - remember when Vanilla Ice and Billy Ray Cyrus had huge hit songs? There is that kind of popularity/sales and then there is Elvis, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, and/or Beatles type of popularity. I think the fact that comics from the last 20 years (for the most part) are bargain-bin books speaks to the idea that while today's style of writing/producing comics can still keep the wheels turning, it's just not the type of of stuff people latch on to for 30 or 40 years.
The Marvel U used to feel like a place where you could put down roots. Now it's just a tourist town...lots of folks passing through and checking out the sites. At least that's how it looks from the outside looking in.
I only read the Marvel Masterworks series. I hate the direction of new comics and the cost is just ridiculous. It is good to see both Marvel and DC trying to reach a younger crowd (Super Hero Squad and new toy lines for DC & Marvel). I still wonder if it might be too little too late save comics. Few kids read today by comparison to the past. Also, parents are not encouraged to support their kids reading comics filled with political and/or homosexual agendas. That's not what comics are really about anyway. A sign of the times, I suppose.
The industry is now filled with "professionals" that really have no respect for the properties or the readers. Many artists and writers today know little or nothing about the characters, which reflects in their work. Now-a-days it all about the writer and artist and not about great stories that support the characters. If the direction doesn't turn around in the near future, comics will have no future. The digital age can't support all the preproduction costs and the overwhelming majority still want to hold the book in their hands, and have something to keep.
When the day comes that even comic based movies are no longer appreciated, that will be the end. Even now those movies that neglect the winning formula crash and burn. Just compare the successful movies to the flops, it easy to see what works. But over exposure is always an issue and everything has it's hay-day and it's ending.
One major problem is the inaccessibility of the product,especially for children.
When I was a kid (back when the Earth was young) comics could be found for sale at almost every drug store and Mom and Pop luncheonette in town. Where can kids buy comics now ?? At the few and far between LCS's that are quickly becoming an endangered species ?
I also must agree with Rob Potts. Many of the "modern" storylines tend to reflect the political and social views of the writer.
Solid storytelling is no longer desired. Sending a "message' is.
One major problem is the inaccessibility of the product,especially for children.
When I was a kid (back when the Earth was young) comics could be found for sale at almost every drug store and Mom and Pop luncheonette in town. Where can kids buy comics now ?? At the few and far between LCS's that are quickly becoming an endangered species ?
I also must agree with Rob Potts. Many of the "modern" storylines tend to reflect the political and social views of the writer.
Solid storytelling is no longer desired. Sending a "message' is.
I agree. You have to go to comic shops for comics anymore, which to be honest, there aren't very many in my area anymore. When I was younger, I used to get my comics at Harvey's Card Shop in my town. It was a little 5 & 10 kinda store.
I agree. You have to go to comic shops for comics anymore, which to be honest, there aren't very many in my area anymore. When I was younger, I used to get my comics at Harvey's Card Shop in my town. It was a little 5 & 10 kinda store.
Exactly !
The 5 & 10's are gone. Most Mom and Pop pharmacies,variety stores and luncheonettes..gone.
And if I was a little kid and walked into my LCS , I'd be creeped out by the guys who work there.
They are not what I would consider "kid friendly".
The 5 & 10's are gone. Most Mom and Pop pharmacies,variety stores and luncheonettes..gone.
And if I was a little kid and walked into my LCS , I'd be creeped out by the guys who work there.
They are not what I would consider "kid friendly".
You aren't kidding!
I had two that were somewhat local to me. Both were about a bike ride distance away. The one owner looked like a pervert you'd see on "How to catch a pedophile" or something, and the other looked like a homeless guy with the personality of a drunken hobo. They weren't the most appealing salesmen I have ever seen.
So 5 & 10 it was for my comic needs. That was my shop of choice.
The End of Comics??? What happened?
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