Comments on: ComicsPro position paper #1: Variant covers

By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » July 23, 2007: Surviving the Plastic Age

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:02:12 +0000

[...] The fledgling retailers’ trade group ComicsPRO has issued its first position paper, which deals with the erratic ways in which multiple and variant covers are produced and promoted. [...]

By: Randy Lander

Randy Lander — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 02:15:48 +0000

I guess I’m in the minority, but as a retailer, I prefer that covers be solicited as a 50/50 split, with the same barcode. I don’t particularly enjoy doubling or tripling the number of SKUs I have to scan and keep track of, or trying to keep up decent computerized cycle sheets, when one item becomes two, or three, or more.

And that is one of the reasons I haven’t joined ComicsPro yet. I remain convinced that there’s far too much diversity of opinion (and all of it rational and thought-out for each individual store) for the types of issues ComicsPro has decided to champion thus far. On this one, for example, I’m categorically against what their position paper states, as far as my store is concerned, and will be as annoyed by the publishers changing to the requested status as the members of ComicsPro are by the current status.

By: Jamie Coville

Jamie Coville — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:54:05 +0000

If a publisher right now responded by saying they are going to change their variant cover solicitations to match what CPRO suggests, I’m sure many retailers would be very grateful and would reflect that in future orders from that publisher.

There are thousands of comics out there, a lot of which they could take a gamble on and order for the shelf to see if it’ll sell. Most retailers can’t order and suggest all of them. The ones they do take a gamble on would likely be the publishers that make their life easier with separate orders for variant covers, bar codes, accurate solicitations and on time shipping.

By: Jim Hanley

Jim Hanley — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:45:12 +0000

If “The whole point of having a trade organisation is the strength to act as one…” then there’s no reason to have one. US law takes a dim view of competitors acting together, especially if they are seeking to restrain trade. ComicsPRO exists to make the lot of comics retailers better, not to get us thrown in the hoosegow. Using position papers is not the same as attempting to exert financial pressure on suppliers. The hope is that by expressing widely held retailer views on industry issues, the association can use moral suasion for the general good.

By: Dave Hudson

Dave Hudson — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:19:46 +0000

The whole point of having a trade organisation is the strength to act as one against unfair (as they see it) practices.

If ComicsPRO doesn’t have the power to take that kind of action then there’s no point in making demands of any kind.

By: Mark Coale

Mark Coale — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:03:23 +0000

the only problem is that there will always be someone who is too self-motivated to go along with the group. it’s the same reason street dates would never really work.

By: Dave Hudson

Dave Hudson — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:48:31 +0000

There’s no incentive for publishers to change their policies when retailers still play the game and order extra copies to get variant covers.

Want to change this? Easy, simply refuse to order any comic with a variant cover. Retailers hold the power to change publisher policy far more than readers.

By: Jamie Coville

Jamie Coville — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:18:59 +0000

Here’s hoping publishers actually DO this and not just ignore the organization.

By: Charles Skaggs

Charles Skaggs — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:36:10 +0000

Any chance to be able to buy variant covers (which are generally superior to the standard cover) at the regular suggested retail price gets my support as well.

By: Dagwan

Dagwan — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:51:52 +0000

I support this 100%.