Anthony Furfferi of Empire Comics in Rochester, New York saw Donald Riordan's comments on Marvel's subscription ads (see 'Donald Riordan of Future Dreams on Marvel Sub Ads') and feels that retailers are expecting too much of Marvel:

I never understood why retailers complain about Marvel Comics doing this and that; where was it ever etched in stone that Marvel Comics owed comics book specialty shops anything?  Did you all forget that you choose to sell the products in your stores?  You're not 'Marvel Comics Stores' so stop thinking you are and stop acting like they owe you anything.

The single copy issues of Marvel Comics are theirs to insert ANYTHING they choose to and that includes subscription inserts and any forms of ads they want.  It makes total sense to me why Marvel Comics does what they do at times, but I must admit some of their moves in recent years leave me scratching my head.  BUT, if anyone thinks griping and whining is going to make Marvel comics change good luck.  It's as simple as this: it's a big monster that gives us milk and eggs and yes, we all would like to slay them at some time or another.

My advice is to change your lines and move on to bigger and better things and stop being so reliant on them.  As Alfred E. Neuman once said on a cover of Mad Magazine, 'Who Needs You'... pfffft.  There's my two cents on this blather!