13 Truths Comic Book Fans Would Never Admit To Themselves
12. You Buy Comics Just To Complain
What You Say: Pick your movement. Over at DC, theres the New 52, where they rebooted the entire universe as a shameless, sales-boosting tactic. Or at Marvel, where they tried to do the same thing as the New 52 with Marvel Now and All-New Marvel Now, where the biggest change consists of slapping All-New on every other title. Either way, the Internet response has been the same: do they really think were stupid enough to fall for it? What brings in fans isnt these shock tactics or clear marketing ploys. Its good stories. And until the Big Two realize that, theres no way youre going to buy any of these comics. But What You Really Mean: If Internet commentary was an actual indicator of comic book performance, Marvel and DC would probably have negative sales. But both seem to be doing pretty well. Lots of people swore and doubly-swore that they were done with both Marvel and DC unless Joe Quesada and Dan DiDio were fired, but the numbers just dont prove it. And some fans are far too knowledgable about whats going on in the comics to have truly given up on them. So there are lots of people who are probably still buying the books every Wednesday and then jumping on the Internet to complain about them.
Percival Constantine is the author of several novels and short stories, including the Vanguard superhero series, and regularly writes and comments on movies, comics, and other pop culture. More information can be found at his website, PercivalConstantine.com
