AfterShock first issues will now carry four additional pages of relevant content and cardstock covers at a $4.99 cover price, while later issues will continue to be priced at $3.99.
AfterShock is committing to have two completed issues of new title launches available for retailers to preview at the time of solicitation. The company also commits to have a third issue scripted by the time the first issue is solicited, to ensure a smooth release schedule.
First issues will be 100% returnable for all retailers that order a minimum of 10 copies.
Incentive variants will be available on the first two issues. Retailers may order one variant for 15 copies ordered of the first issue, and may purchase up to two additional copies of that variant. On second issues, retailers may order one variant for every 10 copies ordered, with no limits.
"We believe that this revised program maintains the benefits that full returnability affords retailers, combined with a variant cover program that enables us to extend that incentive beyond first issues," AfterShock CCO and Publisher Joe Pruett said of the program changes.
AfterShock Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing Steve Rotterdam noted the focus on comic stores in the changes. "Without question, our success to date has been due in large part to support from comic shop retailers throughout North America and beyond," he said. "To ensure that continues and that we’re being the best possible partner, we’re continually improving upon how we go to market, how we represent the work of our creators, how we communicate with our fans and how we connect with and secure new readers."
AfterShock recently began deploying a group of brand ambassadors charged with visiting comic stores (see "Aftershock Deploys First Nine Direct Market Ambassadors").