[net.comics] GOLDEN RULE OF SALES, HYPE AND QUALITY

hsut@pur-ee.UUCP (Bill Hsu) (11/07/85)

	I would like to propose a theory: the sales of a comic book are
in inverse proportion to its quality, and in direct proportion to its
marketing hype. Secret Wars N (where N = 1 to infinity) sucked, right?
It got incredible quantities of advertising, right? It sold incredible
numbers of copies, right? Other examples: Dazzler, X-factor, etc.
Zot and Aztec Ace were good comic books, right? See what happened to
them because of poor sales!
	
	(Of course it would work out much nicer if not for Miracle Man.)

	I was pretty mad at Marvel for bringing Jean Grey back. I thought
Shooter's decision to kill her was a good artistic decision, but all
he has been interested in lately is selling mega quantities of comic 
books. I haven't bought any X-men related books for awhile; in fact
the only Marvel comic I still buy regularly is Dr. Strange (that could
change since Roger Stern is leaving the book). I'm happy to see Byrne
leave Marvel --- someone has to tell the world Marvel is not the
artistic utopia pre-teen fans think it is. Maybe Claremont will leave
too, in the future. Does anyone know when his contract expires? What
would Marvel be like without two of its most talented artist and writer?
Hey, maybe Shooter will get to script EVERYTHING :-) :-)


					Bill Hsu
					pur-ee!hsut