Chris Walsh from B-Bop Comics South in Prairie Village, Kansas comments on Marvel's upcoming Summer crossover (see "Marvel Announces Summer Crossover").

While I find it ironic that Marvel went arguably a year without a Universe spanning "Event," what I find ironic and bad for the industry isn't the core series that was announced but rather what ongoing books will be linked to "Fear Itself."

The characters involved are the X-Men, Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and Captain America.  Don't think it will go unnoticed that these are all books Marvel has moved to the $3.99 price plateau in the last year or two.  What this gimmick says is that Marvel is acknowledging slumping sales due to higher prices and they need something like this to prop up sales.

To make matters worse, as the week of this announcement ends, DC has unveiled an announcement through Diamond to all retailers that starting next year ALL on-going DC books will be $2.99.  DC is putting serious ad power into Internet and magazine ads as well as promotional materials being sent to stores.

In addition, DC is doing something Marvel has talked about doing but failed to deliver on, which is cutting its publishing line, with Batman-related books Azrael, Batman Confidential and Batman: Streets of Gotham all ending in March.

So the serious question will be whose business tactics will win out in 2011?  I'm fairly certain I know which one the majority of comic book retailers will support.

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