A couple of weeks ago, we published a story on Marvel's new hardcover program for 2002 (see 'Marvel To Launch Hardcover Program').  We immediately heard from retailers on both sides of the issue (see 'Retailer Reaction to Marvel's Hardcover Program -- He Doesn't Like It,' and '...--She Likes It').  We subsequently heard from other retailers on the topic and are carrying on the discussion here.  This comment is from Rick Edwards of Socko! In Stow, Ohio.

I would have to say that Fat Moose ['He Doesn't Like It,' above] is atypical with what is really wrong with a large percentage of small business owners in this industry.  He actually calculated the cost per page to lay it out for us?  ...While I do understand that the quality of the product, the timeliness of the product, and its marketability from the publishers themselves has created a whole new breed of 'glass is half empty' businessmen and women; do they really realize how much damage they do themselves with that kind of negativity and obsessiveness? 

...As far as the production costs on those hardcovers, where is it written that just because Marvel finds a way to produce a book at a lesser expense to them that they MUST pass it on?  If the quality of the hardcover is on par with their Frank Miller Daredevils and their Marvel Masterworks, $39.95 is a great price!! Before getting into this business I worked for Kinko's, Inc. for over 10 years and before that I was in the printing industry as well. Just because a printer found a cheaper way to produce its basic 1000 business cards for its customers does not mean that they automatically lower their prices! If anything it gives them more of a margin to seem competitive when the time is right. It is all basic business and customer service 101!

I do not mean to suggest that Fat Moose does not know what it is doing, but when are we going to see the same energies that are put into the scrutiny and 'bashing' of the product and its producers put into a more positive force for change in this industry? Let's start a Web site dedicated to keeping track of the timeliness of the publisher's product and compare them to each other. Compare them to other like businesses and products to see how they match up on actually producing a consistent, quality product and how the publishers support it as well. That would get their attention. Jemas should have no ill-mannered generalizations to spew forth when you track his progress and have hard data to back it up.

Anything is what we want to make of it.... Ultimately and unfortunately the burden falls to the retailers to get the job done. If that is the case, we need to sell ONLY the quality producers, the timely producers and the producers who support their customers.

This would be a VERY STRONG message to send to the producers in this industry and I daresay effective as well. 

Thanks again for the ability to rant in the correct forum.