Joe Krolik of Comics America in Winnipeg, Manitoba saw Steven Bates' recent column on the bestselling comics of 2004 (see 'I Think I Can Manage -- 'Change Will Do You Good') and sees similarities to other times:

Although the sales of the top items last year might indicate a desire for change in the comics themselves, I'm afraid that in the collecting world every one of the items that Steven Bates highlighted shares one characteristic: the sales were all fuelled by people buying multiple copies.  In other words, they are speculating on future value.  Just check eBay for any one of those titles.  See Wizards' top ten list of hot books.  I'm afraid that the old adage rings true: the more things 'change', the more they stay the same.  That might not be such a good thing in the long run...

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