Where is the risk that Marvel is taking on Namor?  None, no risk at all.  I'll challenge Marvel to make issue #2 returnable then I'll order the book at high numbers.  Of course, seeing the artwork and the storyline would be a big help.  If the art is like in the Truth then I won't be able to sell issue #2.  By the way if any retailer needs copies of #1 and #2 contact me and I'll be glad to sell them my overstock.  It's still the same old thing--we take all the risk and the publisher (Marvel) just prints to order.  I have to order #1, 2, 3 and probably #4 without any chance to see what my customers will purchase.  Jemas is correct--this is another IQ test to see if retailers will bite the bullet again.  Hell, we keep trying to kick that football that Jemas moves away, and each and every time we try to kick it we end up on our butt.  No help from Marvel and I'll ask my customer's who wants a copy and order for them and a few for the shelf.  I ordered a lot of the 9 cent FF and the 25 cent Daredevil in an effort to increase the readership of those books.  I'm going to have a whole bunch of both those books to give out at our 10th anniversary coming in May.  If I follow Jemas I might not be around for another 10 years.

Guess even my Masters Degree doesn't prove to Jemas that I have an IQ.  I guess what he wants is a Marvel IQ.  They want us to keep buying comics that we can't sell because the public rejects them.  They better hope that this ride that they are on lasts for them because they are burning a lot of bridges with retailers.


Ringi also saw Marvel's announcement of 411 (see 'Marvel Gives Peace A Chance') and had this to say:

No political statement?  I guess the fact that a lot of conservatives buy comics means little to Jemas.  Keep on this track and he may find himself right up there with the likes of CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, as they keep dropping numbers and Fox keeps gaining numbers in the ratings race.  I know I'll be avoiding that book as a statement.  I encourage other retailers to make a statement and not order the book.