Mike Milewski from M&M Comic Service has been following the comments on Marvel Previews (see 'Mark Amoroso of Blackthorn Gamecenter on Marvel Previews') and feels that some premier publishers are taking advantage of their Previews deals:

 

Recently, one of your letter writers made the comment that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' in reference to the Diamond catalog and the new Marvel catalog.  I agree with the writer that the Marvel catalog is not really needed or at the very least retailers should have a choice if the want to order it.  Diamond tells us that they will come free with every Previews ordered and in the same article they also inform us of a price increase on Previews.  That's not free guys.  

 

What I don't agree with though is that the Previews catalog ain't broke.  There are Image Comics solicitations for Spawn and Hellspawn when the books are 10 months or more behind.  They have the nerve to print an in store date along with the solicitation.  In this month's Previews (July 2003) Spawn #138 has an in store ship date of Sept 24th (2004?).  Also in the July 2003 issue of Previews, the JLA/Avengers mini series, which is the most anticipated event in 20 years (according to the hype), and it doesn't even get a cover or even a mention on either cover.  If that ain't broke folks I don't know what is.  

 

In that regard I can't blame Marvel for wanting to publish its own catalog.  What I don't like is that I have to pay extra for it.  As far as I'm concerned Diamond has painted themselves into a corner and has no control of the content that they publish in their own catalog.  Publishers are allowed to continually solicit for books that are behind.  I don't think I need to remind anyone that if every publisher just did what they say, we'd all be much better off.  I for one watch tens of thousands of dollars in sales disappear every year.

  

The Comic Book Locator Service and Free Comic Book Day are great ideas but until this industry cleans up its act, sadly they are all a waste of time, effort and money.  Credibility folks, it's what this industry needs and it must start at the beginning, from the place where the consumer gets his information -- the Previews catalog.