Steven Grants SAVING COMICS

[j giar]

Read this today at CBR. Pretty much confirms what a lot of us have been talking about on different threads. Follow the link ladies and gents!
http://www.comicbookresources.com/co...=2476#section2

[D.J. Coffman]

That sounds more like an exercise to me, and not a way to save comics.

Saving comics is pretty simple actually. Get more comics into more people's hands. And you can't do that with the limited direct market.

[Scott Story]

I couldn't even finish reading this. This is such a non-argument/idea on so many levels.

[j giar]

Originally Posted by D.J. Coffman

That sounds more like an exercise to me, and not a way to save comics.

Saving comics is pretty simple actually. Get more comics into more people's hands. And you can't do that with the limited direct market.

I agree. The direct market, at least from an independent is a lost cause. I'm not saying we shouldn't try and put product there. But we are fighting for shelf space, which Marvel and DC dominate. Hwere I agree with Mr. Grant is that the current system that Diamond has set up is skewed against the independent market. So at that point how do you work with a system that doesn't work for you and your retailer is litterally bombarded by crap from the two big companies. The only choice left is creating another alternative system that would get your books in more hands and in front of more readers.
Yes?

[Buckyrig]

Head shops and alternative record stores.

Isn't that where the direct market started anyway?

[j giar]

Originally Posted by Buckyrig

Head shops and alternative record stores.

Isn't that where the direct market started anyway?

Long live The Freak Brothers!

[j giar]

Originally Posted by Scott Story

I couldn't even finish reading this. This is such a non-argument/idea on so many levels.

Explain??!!

[ERoy]

Well, fixing the direct market is a start. Expanding on it is the next thing.

To me, comics seem to be one of the only markets where items are not returnable. Shops are unwilling or unable to give indie books a try or order proper amounts because they are stuck with what doesn't sell. Why there isn't a return policy for comics is beyond me.

Secondly, get comics into larger market. Put them in Wal-Mart and put exposure into them. Make it a mass-market again, and sales will go up.

[jedipencil]

Originally Posted by ERoy

Well, fixing the direct market is a start. Expanding on it is the next thing.

To me, comics seem to be one of the only markets where items are not returnable. Shops are unwilling or unable to give indie books a try or order proper amounts because they are stuck with what doesn't sell. Why there isn't a return policy for comics is beyond me.

Secondly, get comics into larger market. Put them in Wal-Mart and put exposure into them. Make it a mass-market again, and sales will go up.

Not such a bad idea, really. The writer of a book for little kids I illustrated last year is trying to do just that - get it in to Walmart. Everybody goes there. Of course, Walmart is not famous for paying fairly.

[Ron Phillips]

Originally Posted by ERoy

Well, fixing the direct market is a start. Expanding on it is the next thing.

To me, comics seem to be one of the only markets where items are not returnable. Shops are unwilling or unable to give indie books a try or order proper amounts because they are stuck with what doesn't sell. Why there isn't a return policy for comics is beyond me.

Secondly, get comics into larger market. Put them in Wal-Mart and put exposure into them. Make it a mass-market again, and sales will go up.

Comics in general, Wal-mart and the mass-market would help. I doubt, though, it would help the indy market. The big dogs would still be the big dogs, and shelf-space is even more limited than in book stores.

I'd like to see a nice clean chain of fan entertainment based stores, places that are accessable, bright and professional. Imagine books, comics, movies, music and games all in a nice mid-sized store in locations all across the states. I want to go into a store in any state in any major city and be able to know exactly where and what I'm looking for. Familiarity breeds acceptance.

It's a pipe dream ... but it'd be nice. And image the buying power it would have within the direct market?

[j giar]

Originally Posted by Ron Phillips

Comics in general, Wal-mart and the mass-market would help. I doubt, though, it would help the indy market. The big dogs would still be the big dogs, and shelf-space is even more limited than in book stores.

I'd like to see a nice clean chain of fan entertainment based stores, places that are accessable, bright and professional. Imagine books, comics, movies, music and games all in a nice mid-sized store in locations all across the states. I want to go into a store in any state in any major city and be able to know exactly where and what I'm looking for. Familiarity breeds acceptance.
It's a pipe dream ... but it'd be nice. And image the buying power it would have within the direct market?

Ron,
This has got to be one of the best ideas I've heard yet. Obviously movies and video games are as much an influence on or in comics as any other media. Instead of fighting and trying to compete with the gaming industry maybe embracing it and working with it is more plausible. I'm still not real sure about the Walmart gig. Being a family oriented company, I think some books would never find a home there. Look at the history of musical artist that have been boycotted and had their cd's either pulled or never put on the racks.

[jedipencil]

Originally Posted by j giar

Ron,
This has got to be one of the best ideas I've heard yet. Obviously movies and video games are as much an influence on or in comics as any other media. Instead of fighting and trying to compete with the gaming industry maybe embracing it and working with it is more plausible. I'm still not real sure about the Walmart gig. Being a family oriented company, I think some books would never find a home there. Look at the history of musical artist that have been boycotted and had their cd's either pulled or never put on the racks.

Very valid point. On my own, I almost certainly would not go there, it is not a very fair company anyway. I mentioned it because of course what the people who hire us do is out of our hands, and I certainly wish them luck. But the idea of having fan entertainment stores is excellent....

[Aaron Hübrich]

This may piss off a lot of people here, but when we try and say as a community, "Hey, comics are cool!" it comes off as very "uncool" and desperate to many people. Other industries (such as movie and video games) tap comic artists and writers all the time. They don't give a rat's a$$ about the comic industry though...only the creative minds that make them. The comic industry exists because of the creators - not the other way around.

To save comics is to not do anything at all except make very good stuff, oddly enough. Let the genius come through and people will find it.

There's not enough "now" thinking. Many creators are caught up in how it was "so much better back then", or "if only there was this type of market". Would it really matter if you were just doing your thing? Would you stop making comics if there was no classic style distributor? Would you stop making comics if there were no "comic shops"?

Think about it this way too...Many people are worried about the music industry, but the musicians who don't worry about it and just write good music - and just do their thing, end up rising above it all somehow. As comic creators, I think it would be good to take the same attitude. Worry less about how "hard" it is or "why this distributor sucks". Just make good books and do your best to get it seen by as many people as possible. You want to save this industry, then get off your butt and make good comics, period.

[j giar]

I agree in the fact that we, as an industry ned to put out quality product. That's a given. But no one will buy anything if they're not aware that it exists.

[Buckyrig]

Psychic Marketing!!