As you may have heard, a major hero is going to perish in the last issue of Civil War.

Well, I’ve heard NOW. Way to go…

Hell, Marvel and DC continuously claim that internet folk are only a small percent of the people buying comics, so who the hell cares if they read spoilers?

Marvel almost NEVER makes anything returnable – that’s why they have the F.O.C. It gives them the “out” to not have to do it. They will quickly run out of Cap #25, I’m SURE of it. This whole Civil War delay has been a difficult thing for us retailers to deal with all along.

I know it is almost a lock that they won’t, Lisa, but I figured I might as well leave the possibility open.

On another topic, Lisa, what is your take on the whole “Back in Black” stuff – with the tie-ins being released a month before the book they’re tying into?

Therein lies the problem.

“Trust us, order a lot of this issue, you’ll sell a lot of it. What’s that? If we’re so sure it will sell, why not make it returnable? Oh, you see….uhm…uhm…uhm…”

Let me note that, for all I know, Marvel MIGHT end up making it returnable. That, too, would be a nice gesture. Although it’d be a much nicer gesture BEFORE final cut off orders were due, but it would still be a nice gesture if they did it after the fact.

Danger to that is twofold: risk being out of it when weekly customers come in the Wednesday it’s released, and the fact that Diamond’s discount drops for reorders.

The classy thing to do would be for Marvel to make Cap #25 returnable and say “We realize you’re taking a risk because we can’t tell you what’s going on. We think you’re gonna sell a lot, but we understand how our scheduling might make you gunshy. It’s been you guys who have made Civil War the massive success it has been for Marvel, so as thanks, we don’t want you to have to take the hit because of our scheduling slipping. So, tell you what: the issue is returnable, so you can order plenty and not worry. Okay? And hey look…a flying pig for you, too!”

Wait…a major hero dies in CW #7?

I honestly had no idea, which shocks me based on how many comic sites I visit. Where was it revealed a major character would die?

The solicits for the Fallen Son mini-series is the most prominent place, but it’s been other places.

Well, they could always order a moderate amount, and then do re-orders if they have to.

Not usually much of an opportunity, as there is not much printed past what is ordered (although Marvel has become a lot better about this than they used to be), so if you sell out of a book quickly, odds are there will not be any more left to re-order.

That being said, yes, that is an alternative way Marvel could assist retailers, re: Captain America #25. They could do a significant overprint. Let’s hope that’s exactly what they do.

I honestly had no idea, which shocks me based on how many comic sites I visit. Where was it revealed a major character would die?

I can sympathize, but to be honest, my lcs never appears to have any problems with stocking up on comics, as I live in a much smaller centre, that has no (in-town) competition for dealing comics.