Daniel Block of Titan Games and Comics in Atlanta, Georgia writes in about the sales of DC's New 52 #2s (see "New 52 #2s Down Only 6%") and the various related comments (see "George Melton of Empire Comics on DC's New 52 #2s Sales" and "Andy Battaglia of Comics Etc. on DC's New 52 #2s Sales").

While "sell in" and "sell through" are two very different concepts, DC 52 is still doing great at issue #2 for us.  Most titles are 70-80% of 1's, which bucks every trend that 28 years of comic knowledge tells us to expect.  We should again all support DC in sharing the risk with us on returnability.  Yes, it makes cash flow harder to predict, but it gives us all a chance to carry and sell issues #1-5 for an extended window.  We're still selling new #1's (reprint and non reprint) now that #2's are here, this is a good thing.  We'll get another bite at the apple when #3's appear.

I should also say that a lot of these sales are lapsed DC readers, or net more sales for us -- not cannibalized sales from existing customers.  This is a good thing.  Also, if DC is winning in the “sell in” numbers makes Marvel think outside the box to support us the same way, then I think we all win.  Two healthy creative competitors like Marvel and DC make for a healthy comics business.

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