Wayne queries
“[Another store] will keep as many back issues as they can, I can’t travel anymore, but I know this from THE WALKING DEAD and a few others back in the day.
“But keeping copies of ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1 in its tenth printing mean anything at all to a collector? Though I’d bet you only go back to maybe #15 now.
“Or is it that you’ll still get new customers.Buying the trade and then finding more recent issues on the racks for them to buy means you continue to get more people buying the book and possible other Absolute books?”
Believe it or not, Wayne, whatever issues in whatever current printings I can get of any of DC’s Absolute line go on the new comics rack. As of right now, especially after the restock I received earlier in the week, I have nearly every issue of Absolute Batman on the shelf, from the eleventh printing of #1 all the way to the most recent issue, the “hideously mangled” #20, plus the Ark-M special the and the annual. Note that’s not every issue, as I’m currently out of one of the issues in the teens, can’t remember which at the moment, but as soon as it’s reprinted, I’ll have it in!
And it’s a good sales tool to have ’em all on the shelf like that, as it attracts folks who have heard of these comics but don’t want to dig deep into their pocketbooks to splurge for the trade paperbacks. They sample a first issue, maybe a second, then come roarin’ back for all the rest. Having them all up and on display makes for an impressive sight, and certainly encourages sales from the curious.
Mostly, this is working for the main three, the Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman titles, which probably isn’t a surprise, and those seem to be the titles that get the most reprintings. Absolute Martian Manhunter is probably the next in demand, followed by the relatively low (but still present) demand for Absolute Green Lantern and Absolute Flash. (And for anyone wondering, the newly-released first issue of Absolute Green Arrow is selling quite well for me, thank you.)
I’ve said multiple times I’ve never back issued any of the Absolute line, but strictly speaking, that’s not true. I did have a copy of Absolute Batman #1, first printing, that had a color-breaking corner fold on the front cover that I’d set aside and completely forgotten about until well after the book was determined by the comics-noscenti to be a Hot Item, when I found it again. Priced it up (probably well too cheaply in retrospect), put it in the New Arrivals back issue bins, and watched it get purchased and carried away by a grateful customer, holding it aloft upon a silken pillow.
Are these taking up space on my new comics rack? Well, yes. Even with the Gigant-o-Rack that I have taking up an enormous amout of wallspace in my store, the Absolute comics consume a lot of real estate. However, in terms of space used vs. dollars made, it’s well worth it. And given this is one of the few Big Hits the American direct comics market has, actually bringing in new readers excited about picking up monthly single issues, I happily will devote the space to them.
Is this something I can keep up forever? Or is this something DC Comics can keep up forever, maintaining the backlist of single issues of the Absolute books in print in perpetuity? Honestly, I don’t know which will give first…my shelf space, DC’s continuing willingness to go back to press, or trees. Right now it is in DC’s best interest to keep printing these comics so long as there’s this sort of demand, and it’s in my best interest to keep them displayed and available, so long as they’re getting new customers and making money.
Realistically, I can’t keep ’em all on display forever. I’m already overlapping the issues on the shelves so that I can still make room for other new comics. Or else I just devote the entire rack to nothing but Absolute books, and put all the other releases in a short box by the register witih a sign that reads “MISC. NEW COMICS.” But I haven’t quite hit that day yet.
Now Wayne, funny you mention the “does a tenth printing of Absolute Batman #1 mean anything to a collector” thing, as I was just talking about that with a customer the other day. I mean, technically, the later printings do generally have smaller print runs than the first printings. Thus, they are in shorter supply, which could mean, I guess, higher prices should demand arise. Now, it’s not likely now that the printings are in the double digits, but who knows?
This does happen in the real world on occasion. I forget which issue exactly, but there’s like a second or third print of an issue of Ms. Marvel that goes for dumb money, and those later printings of The Killing Joke with the differently colored embossed logos tend to be pricey since they’re not always easy to find. I don’t remember the last time I saw the blue-embossed eight printing, for example. And I haven’t really checked, but I’m sure the earlier reprintings of some of the Absolute books, especially the Batman one, are gaining some pricing traction.
Those are the exceptions rather than the rule, as decades of comics collecting and pricing have told folks that “reprints aren’t as expensive as first prints.” So no, that tenth, or even eleventh, printing of Absolute Batman #1 is unlikely (but not outside the realm of possibility) to get collector demand and go for premium prices. Its real value is in getting new readers to try out comics.
Sounds to me like there’s enough individual comics and printings to shelve them in the set-off shape of a distinctive vodka bottle, surrounded by comics of lesser demand.
As always, thanks, Mike. I guess I’m still behind the curve on the Absolute line. But money vs. space is the easiest way to understand it. You’re mentioning never having to put an Absolute in back issues surprises me, but it makes sense. I know I’m the dork that keeps bringing up Absolute Batman, but how are the trades selling? I mean, does someone buy a trade and then buy single copies from the shelves of newer issues? That’s part of why I asked.
PS please remember me, however briefly, when you become Absolute Millionaire? (Hey, how long did the Ultimate start-up last?)
One title I remember having a long shelf life as single issues (even after a collection was released and easily available) was Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. The first printing of the first issue was around 3000 copies, but eventually over 100,000 copies through at least 26(!) printings were sold.
I believe the later printings of the original Mirage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic also had value (if not as much as the first printing).
Matthew – at the old shop we kept the current printings of JTHM, Squee and Lenore on a spinner rack and they just sold and sold and sold. Probably sold hundreds of the things.
@Wayne: I’m also in Chicago, and that’s how I caught up with Absolute Wonder Wonan. I bought the most recent issue, feel in love, and then caught up with trades. Easier (and cheaper!) than piecing together the whole run in singles from multiple stores. Now it’s on my pull list so I can read it as it’s released.
As far as trade availability, I had to visit a couple of stores just to get both AWW trades in softcover. Even those are apparently difficult to keep in stock.
Aside from sales, is Absolute Batman actually worth reading? I haven’t bothered because I haven’t liked a thing Scott Snyder has written yet and as a long-time reader in my (late) 50’s I never need to read another grimdark Batman story for the rest of my life. The last time I read Batman regularly, Grant Morrison was the writer. So…should I take the plunge?
It just mystifies me that so many of the new, let’s say post-Avengers 1 fans, seem to prefer single issues over collected editions.
@D – I like Abs Bats, but I don’t recommend it if you don’t like dark stories. I think it’s better written than most of Snyder’s other Batman work, but there’s a strong, pervasive horror element throughout. It’s most noticeable in the Bane arc, in which there’s some gruesome body horror. The series also runs on “rule of cool” logic-what’s the most audacious thing the creative team can think of? Ok, so that!
Abs Bats is an exciting series, with some pretty good character beats and great art. If you’re curious, get the first trade from a library or see if you can borrow someone’s 10th printing and check it out that way.
@Mike L: I write horror for a living. But I know several writers who started doing your “rule” and did so well that they had to change their name and sell to niche markets, not big publishers.
Was there an A Batman with him using chainsaws on the cover? But that was a homage to a Japanese comic? Did he use them in the book. The possibilities will dry up, though new ones might come along.
I understand that everyone makes money and readers are satisfied. And most readers have more disposable income. Of course, I haven’t been a Batman fan since Grant Morrison’s run. (Just too many monthly books.)
So if it works, it works. But the let’s give Batman a chainsaw is just off the wall.
@Wayne Allen Sallee: I don’t know how sustainable “rule of cool” writing can be, but Abs Bats has a vigor that the main Batbooks often lack. There have been decent runs on Batman- I like the current Fraction/Jiminez team on the eponymous series- but none of them have the feeling that nearly anything could happen that the Absolute series has. It’s not my favorite Absolute book or DC book; Absolute Wonder Woman has better character writing and Absolute Martian Manhunter is an abstract delight. It’s a book full of big swings, however, and I’ll keep tuning in to see if they connect.
“I believe the later printings of the original Mirage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic also had value (if not as much as the first printing).”
I had the 5th print! Worth a read.
@Mike Loughlin
Thanks for the advice. I think based on yours & the other descriptions it really doesn’t sound like anything I’d enjoy reading & I am way past the age when I feel I have to read anything just to keep up with whatever is the hot book right now. Appreciate it!
@Mike Loughlin: First, let me say I think I dumped on you. It has been suggested that I pick up the WW trades. I’m closer in age to 67 than Mike Sterling is, and I promise to all of you I’ll not speak of AbsBats because I felt I jumped on a single person’s judgment.
That said, where is ABSOLUTE ULTRA THE MULTI-ALIEN?
MikeL: I’m a d!ck at times.
@Wayne AS- I didn’t take what you wrote as “dumping,” or think you were being a d!ck. Everybody has their own opinion, no worries. Appreciate the response, though!
@D – no problem, enjoy reading other stuff!
@Mike: But still…all the best to everyone here.