
For a little 'light reading' I decided to look through the Marvel suplement from this weeks new Previews guide. What I found was the most intimidating thing I have ever read! Why? Lets begin with the facts!
Marvel is putting out a lot of comics in April, In fact Previews lists over 75 new comics that will hit the stands that month. That is a lot of books!
Like trades? In April you will have a choice of over 35 trade collections; hardcover or soft. Is that a lot of trades or is it just me?
If you only get first issues don't worry...there are only about 15 of those in April. If you like variety, each book has at least three different covers with Amazing Spider-Man having 9 choices. Not quite 'Gen 13', but close enough!
Not only do I love comic books and do a show about comic books I work in a comic book store. I'm constantly cleaning and arranging the shelves which have become so over crowded to begin with. Do we really need 5 Avengers books each month? No we don't. Does anyone at Marvel know that many Avengers fans don't wanna choose between a few so they don't get any?
I dont mean to sound like i'm ragging on Marvel but this seems a bit excessive. If they were all selling like gangbusters than this would be a different story, but many of these books will be sitting on the shelves this summer.
Does 'Doop' really need his own mini series? I think the character is cool... but no!
I love 'Elektra', 'Moon Knight' and the 'Winter Soldier'... but you are asking me to give up something to make room for them only to have the books not make it past a few issues (if past history and performance are an indication).
So my thought is this to Marvel. No more than two books per character or team! Also, limit the amount of monthly titles that come out. Make each book the best in can be all the time. There was a time in the 1960's when Marvel was limited to about 20 comics a month. I'm not asking for those days... but I would love to see some control.