Our article on the orders on Batman:  10 Cent Adventure (see '10 Cent Batman Boffo') brought response from a retailer who thought the numbers were still way too low (see 'Retailers Respond:  10 Cent Batman').  This comment is from Dave Luebke of Dave's Comics in Richmond, Virginia, who takes an opposing view.

 

I take to task that retailers would not wholeheartedly support the 10 cent Batman comic. Most retailers have come to expect that the tone of Batman is dark and brooding. I ordered 1000 copies but have great reluctance to give this book to kids. The subsequent books most probably will be not for them. If the company would publish a self contained book that can convey the essence of the character and stories without making them lurid, I think the industry would be better served. Batman is a somber choice while Superman would have been a more upbeat choice. His values are positive and are timeless while Batman is vengeful and relentless. Is this the image of today's comics that should be pushed by all retailers?  I do not think so.