Frequent readers of Wizard: The Comics Magazine may have noticed by now that what they are buying is more entertainment that critical analysis of the comic book industry. I was just looking through the April 2006 issue and came upon a piece that inspired me to write this entry. On page 65 there is an ad for Wizard World LA, in which attendees are urged to pick up some “hot” comics to have graded by Comics Guaranty LLC (CGC). The writer conveniently includes a top ten list of books that fit the bill.
The sidebar begins with the introduction: “Looking to keep your comics as an investment? Get’em graded by the fine folks at CGC (Comics Guaranty LLC) while you’re at Wizard World Los Angeles! Not sure what you should be on the lookout for? We’ve whipped up this handy-dandy list of 10 hot comics you’ll wanna keep your eyes peeled for!” They then go on to list the following issues:
1) Infinite Crisis #1 RRP Edition
2) Ultimate Extinction #1 WWLA Sketch Edition
3) Ultimate Wolverine VS. Hulk #1 1:50 Variant
4) All-Star Batman and Robin #1 Special Edition
5) Soulfire #6 WWLA VIP Edition
6) NYX#3
7) Werewolf By Night #32
8) DC Comics Present #87
9) Wolverine (Limited Series) #1
10) Cyberforce #1 WWLA VIP Edition
Now, there are a couple of points that one can take away from this. One being, that Wizard and CGC seem to work really well together. The questionable nature of the investment potential of a few of their picks is worth a look. And whether any of this affects the way that we look at the publisher, their price guides and all of their content will all be discussed in the coming days and weeks.
I think that there are quite a few of us who are worried (at least concerned) about the future of comic book collecting. I don’t think collectors as a species will die out, but I can see our numbers dwindling to the point where no one will want to buy the piles of comics that we’ve accumulated.
How do I propose we remedy this? Actually, a way that is not too unique. There are quite a few initiatives going already that are attemting to coax new readers into the fold. The hope being, that those new readers will start buying on a regular basis. Free comic book day, 10-cent, 25-cent, 50-cent and dollar issues as well as regional newspapers including a gratis copy to coincide with an event movie like Spider-man or X-men.
The thing about these attempts, which I believe to be affective, is that they bring in readers. Mainly of new comics. I love the ideas and the result, but I don’t think it does that much to help the collectors. Why? Because a kid who is starting to read comics now is a long way off from being the middle-aged adult who will track down those same issues out of a sense of nagging nostalgia.
What we have to do is create a generation of teens and twenty-somethings who love the stories that cover the entire history of comics. Therefore, I propose that all interested collectors pull their trade paper backs (TPBs) off of their shelves and start handing them out to some key prospects. If you see an open, curious mind - put a TPB in their hand. The greater the story, the better. You want to hook’em with an epic and then feed them with quality. I won’t even begin to list TPBs here, better than I have compiled some of the best collections made and maybe we’ll leave the floor open to suggestions.
Start seeding the plot with young people (boys AND girls) who love the tales we love and we’ll reap a harvest of adults willing to buy the originals once they realize their value. Get to it!
