Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and Games in Whippany, New Jersey saw Marvel's plans for reprinting Secret War #1 (see 'Marvel to Ship Secret War #1 Reprint 3 Weeks Early') and feels Marvel should print enough to fill all demand:

I was very pleased to see that Marvel is planning a second printing of Secret War #1.  Making it available three weeks prior to the release of the second issue is also good for retailers.  Why?  Because it will allow us to get even more readers excited about this very exciting, high-quality project.  The only problem is Marvel's possible decision to limit the production run on this special reprint.  I ordered 50 copies of the reprint - that's two thirds of my initial order, which was 75 copies.  I ordered that many copies of the reprint so I could increase interest in the title among my customers who missed the book because it sold out so quickly; I also hoped to generate interest with other customers who weren't even aware of the books' existence when it first came out.

If I receive all 50 copies of the second printing, I will order 125 copies of Secret War #2; this will allow me to take care of all my original customers for the title, as well as my newer customers.  If I receive only 25 copies, then I will only order 100 copies of Secret War #2 - no point having lots of unsellable copies no one will buy if they can't get a copy of the first issue!  My ordering on future issues will also reflect how many copies I receive of the reprint.  So in my case alone, Marvel and I both lose the profit from the sale of 50 books - 25 less #1's and 25 less #2's.  Oh yeah... 25 less each of #3, #4 and #5, all ordered in lower quantities as well.  One retailer - a grand total of 125 books that would have sold at $3.99 each if only I got my desired order for the #1 reprint - and then ordered accordingly on the rest of the series.

If Marvel insists on trying to make the second printing a collectible instead of printing at least to order (10% extra wouldn't hurt either), then Marvel will cost both itself and comic retailers many tens of thousands of dollars in profit.  That would be a terrible, terrible shame.

Let's grow readership by developing and maintaining interest - all limited availability and higher and higher prices will do is bring about the death of the industry.  'Nuff said!