Our report on Marvel's new hardcover program inspired a lot of response from retailers on both side of the pricing question (too high or just right), including a couple of ongoing debates between Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and other retailers.  We're going to let Strasser's comments below be the final word on this topic as we wrap up the debate.  Thanks to everyone that commented.

For the news story that prompted these comments, see Marvel To Launch Hardcover Program.'

For previous comments, see:

Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and Games -- 'He Doesn't Like It'

Tricia Hovorka of TalesofWonder.com responds to Strasser -- 'She Likes It'

Strasser Responds to Hovorka -- 'Strasser on Hovorka'

And back at him -- 'Hovorka on Strasser, Pt. 2'

Torsten Adair of Barnes and Noble Lincoln Triangle -- 'Pro -- from a Bookseller'

Terry Allen of Bonanza Books and Comic -- 'What about Quality?'

Rick Edwards of Socko! in Stow, Ohio -- 'Pro'

Strasser on Hovorka:

This is Ilan from Fat Moose Comics and once again, I feel I need to respond to Tricia's rebuttal to my previous comments.  What I find interesting about her comments, as well as those of [Rick Edwards] elsewhere, is that they seem to be reading between the lines of what I am saying.

Of course, as Tricia points out, demand = sales.  But that demand should not be manipulated in an artificial way that goes contrary to generally accepted business practices.  Marvel should have provided (and continue to provide) sufficient reorders for all the issues of the high-demand Origin series for as long as reorders come in at a base   level that allows Marvel to make a good profit by offering such reorders.  In such a scenario, both Marvel and its retailers would be able to generate profit without any significant risk.  Demand for a product should not outstrip supply within two or three days of a products' release, especially if the supply line will not be open again.

Had Marvel made reorders available for Origin, the single issue sales of the books in the series would have hit higher (and more accurate) levels based on actual consumer demand for the books. Marvel still would have had a significant market for the hardcover to those consumers who had either missed the series for one reason or another, to those who bought the series but wanted a library edition for reading purposes, and those who only wanted a library edition in the first place.

Technically, the story has been reprinted, but not in its original form or at its original price point.  The Marvel Must Haves are a contradiction to Marvel's no reprint policy and were produced in a format that was designed for no other purpose than to suck extra money from the unfortunate Origin customers who could care less about the three additional stories, but had to pay for them to get their hands on the story they did want.

Lastly, I do want reprints and trade paperbacks, graphic novels, Masterworks, etc.  I just hate Marvel's business plan that doesn't allow for the best sales success on its products, regardless of the form they come in, and worse, work against Marvel's stated aim of getting new readers involved in comics.  Marvel's plan may get them in the stores, but often, we've run out of comics to sell them, even when we upped our orders by 200%, 300%, 400% or more.

Thanks again to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions (including those that may still be coming) and prosperity and success to you all!!  Thanks ICv2.com for your forum. 

Strasser on Edwards:

[Rick Edwards of Socko!] has got it all wrong.  There was no obsession on my part when it came to figuring out the price per page... for Marvel's new hardcover line.  It took less than five minutes to generate those numbers and then extrapolate from them the points I wanted to make.

None of those points had anything to do with bashing either Marvel or the industry in general either; rather my comments were based on what I felt was a detrimental pricing plan that would negatively impact both retailers and consumers, in both the short and the long run.