Steven Myers of World of Comics in S. Daytona, Florida read the announcement of Marvel's upcoming summer crossover (see "Marvel Announces Summer Crossover") and had this to say.

Wake up, Marvel Comics!  Don't you realize the nation is in a recession and that comic readers are loosing their jobs and getting their hours cut back.  They don't have the money to spend on a major summer event storyline like Fear Itself.  This is the time to reduce the number of titles and make it easier on their wallets.

My customers are tired of these major event storylines that crossover in all of the major titles.  Overwhelmed with titles to read, they give up and don't buy any.  With monthly title sales in a slump, publishers should not be discouraging comic readers from buying comics!

Every month Marvel and DC have a major event going on with miniseries, and they have lost their uniqueness.  I remember when Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars and Crisis On Infinite Earths came out.  I remember the excitement surrounding these stories because they promised a story like no other and they delivered.  Now days these major stories are so commonplace they are not exciting.  They are not unique.

As a retailer for 27 years, I am frustrated by the release of these major event stories.  I do not know how many to buy or which to buy. I can't afford to buy crossovers and mini-series that don't sell.   I have gotten to the point of only ordering the main storyline and waiting for the customer to ask for the others.  It is not a way I like to do business but I have no choice.

So, am I excited about Marvel's major event next summer?  No, I am not.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the vie of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.