Comic Book Resources

You know, I just saw an ad for Spider-Man subscriptions somewhere. But I can't remember where it was. It struck me as a real oddity - something you really don't see that much any more...

The library I work at has subscriptions. The DC ones do come later, but Amazing sometimes shows up the day before it comes out. MOST come in ok condition, but many are only passable (I cover them in plastic and put on more stickers than a hyperactive five year old, so it's not much of an issue for us, but still...) so I can see where some would be annoyed.

I bought 3 subscriptions a year or so ago for my nephew, to the Marvel Adventures comics (Avengers, Spider-Man, FF).

I ordered them through the Marvel website.

No problems with the condition they were delivered in.

As a subscriber to both DC and Marvel, I would have to say that Marvel does the better job with their titles. Not only does Ultimate Spidey arrive quicker than my Blue Beetle subscription, Marvel actually uses a board to ship theirs while DC surrounds the comic with two pieces of paper. In the past, Marvel has been extremely good about replacing damaged issues and shipping typically occurs within a week or so.

The deal for Marvel is currently $19.97 per title for current subscribers and they are usualy pretty good about offering specials throughout the year, ie, order both X-Men titles for $37.97. DC isn't as competitive, at roughly $24 per title. The primary reason for my subscription is the savings vs a $3 a cover price, my distance from my comic shop of choice (about an hour's drive) and the fact I like receiving mail that isn't a bill. The lone set back for the subscription service is that they are somewhat slow at including newer titles. Personally, I would love to see Nova on their list but they haven't offered it as of yet.

Entitlement much from Mr P there? That article read like he got a contact email from a PR person doubtless keen to look useful, and then failed to get answers to a bunch of questions which were:
- slightly leading
- asking for potentially privileged information
- asking for public information or publicly discernable trends (in which case why should a busy Marvel staffer whose job is not necessarily "talking to the media" waste time answering?)
- asking for a policy statement ("so, how long do you foresee yourself having a job before the online department takes over for good?" - classy!)

I'm surprised he's surprised he didn't get a response. Suppose someone rang the newspaper he works for and demanded the same kind of information for no better reason than they ran a website called "eyeonjournalism.com" and felt like writing about it today? And then, failing to get the information, decided that the newspaper could have something to hide?

Gil, I see what you're saying about "leading questions," but in those questions, I also acknowledge that I'm making some assumptions that could be wrong and prompt the person I'm e-mailing to correct said assumptions if I'm wrong.

There's nothing wrong with someone replying, "Sorry, but some of what you're asking is data we don't discuss outside the company, for privilege/competition reasons," or what have you.

The difference between asking Marvel such questions and the newspaper scenario you describe is that Marvel pumps out PR pieces DAILY, looking for publicity to benefit the company. The newspaper I work for doesn't issue news releases. It can pay for ads to promote itself and find other avenues to increase sales. In my opinion, if company representatives are available for positive news stories or features, they open themselves up to questions they may not find comfortable. They're free to clam up and say no comment, just as I'm free to point out their refusal to answer or non-communication.

Bear in mind, there's a big difference between "no comment" and "I can't comment because of X, Y or Z."

As for wasting a Marvel employee's time, remember that I was referred to her by one of the publisher's in-house PR people.

Whereas I would have responded, "Gil, you're an idiot who knows nothing about journalism, so go away and let the grownups talk."

Probably why I'm not a journalist.