It’s been pointed out to me that the ICV2 numbers indicate that “Hulk: The End” actually sold, in units, about seven thousand less than that month’s regular issue of “Hulk.” In the words of Bogey in explaining that he came to Casablanca for his health, he came for the waters, only to discover the lack of waters due to Casablanca being in a desert: “I was misinformed.”
On the other hand, at a $5.95 price tag as compared to $2.25, it made a buttload more money, plus retailers could have sold even more had Marvel reprinted it. So that counts for something, I figure.
Still, I did say we had higher units and that was wrong, so I wanted to clear that up.
PAD
• 
Don’t listen to those nattering nabobs of negativism.
The big price can sometimes discourage people from buying standard issues that’re expensive. When it comes to TPBs, on the other hand, I think readers are more up to it, since they feel it’s more worth it with a complete story that way. An interesting question indeed.
Speaking of complete stories, I recently bought Marv Wolfman’s whole number of issues of The New Titans in which he updated Donna Troy’s background(“Who is Wonder Girl?”). That’s 5 issues of that story arc, and also one issue that came afterwards, in which she takes up (I think) the role of Troia, but certainly Darkstar. It hasn’t been made into TPB yet, has it? Whatever, there’s one thing that I enjoyed getting a complete set of issues for.
I would like to second the above comment where it pertains to “getting a complete story” and willing to pay more for it. All too many times recently I find myself at the comic store passing by titles I used to buy every issue of, but putting it back on the shelf because there just isn’t enough there for the money (currently averaging $2.99 for the monthly, 32-page comic). In the past, this was overcome by the creators packing a lot of story and spectacle in each monthly morsel. However, in the trend towards “decompressed” storylines, there just ain’t enough happening here. As Peter said before, I think the trend is in either digest or “Shonen Jump” omnibus volumes or cheaper trade paperbacks. This is where we truly miss the Jack Kirbys of the business, who never made you feel you didn’t get your money’s worth.
Slightly random thought, but I do hope that whatever your next project is, it is as successful as your run on Hulk and other A-list titles.
Other slightly random thought: I am enjoying your last thoughts for the night, with one minor complaint: they are so dámņëd thought provoking that it’s hard to not want to answer the questions you ask. Do they always have to be such thought provoking questions? But I nit pick – I enjoy it greatly.
Peter –
Way too few people are willing to admit to a mistake these days, in the comic industry or otherwise.
Believe me, it’s appreciated. And I thought it should pointed out. Thank you.
– DB
As you said yourself, it made more money, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters to the execs in the plush offices. If the revenue generated / profits are going up, they probably wont give much thought to sales going down. It’s when the two are down together that alarm bells will start to ring.
Hey Peter, dont go to far out of your way to say you were in the wrong. I dont understand these sales numbers myself, and it comes down to how these comics sell, not whats ordered .To me at least, working retail, I still dont understand how shipped units to vendors counts as sales, as opposed to stuff that goes out through the register. Once again, to me how populer a book is goes by custumer demand and how many walk out the front door, not order quantity. You said yourself, alot of Shop’s under ordered Hulk:the End, and you can’t find them out there, and they average $35-$45 an issue. That to me is more of a sign of success than 28 unsold issues of the reguler book sitting on a shelf. Besides, you were being made out to be misleading people on purpose.
When I read PAD’s entry, I was having flashbacks to the first issue of ‘Marville’ and Jemas’ weasling.
I’m glad that PAD took the time to clarify events on “Hulk: The End”. Then again, given his past conduct, I’d expect nothing less than above-board behavior from him.
That to me is more of a sign of success than 28 unsold issues of the reguler book sitting on a shelf. Besides, you were being made out to be misleading people on purpose.
Well, yeah, that’s pretty much it. I mean, if you’re *planning* to mislead people, don’t do it with stuff that can be publicly checked. I never bothered to double check it because, y’know, I figured I *knew.*
PAD
“I dont understand these sales numbers myself, and it comes down to how these comics sell, not whats ordered.”
Not to the comics companies. Once the books are sold to the stores, that’s the end of their involvement.
“To me at least, working retail, I still dont understand how shipped units to vendors counts as sales, as opposed to stuff that goes out through the register.”
Stores are the customers of the comic companies, not individual buyers.
“You said yourself, alot of Shop’s under ordered Hulk:the End, and you can’t find them out there, and they average $35-$45 an issue. That to me is more of a sign of success than 28 unsold issues of the reguler book sitting on a shelf.”
The comics companies would rather the stores overorder and have stock lieing around. They don’t make any money off the back issue market, so they don’t care if Hulk: The End is now going for $35-45.
-Ralf
Peter,
Nice to see honesty, I read the book which was a good read.
As the original poster who pointed it out, I would like to publically say I appreciate what Peter did. I also want to make it very clear that I wasn’t intending my comments to be taken as an attack and made a poor word choice. Additionally, I should let Peter fight his own battles, and not worry so much about how stuff he says can be publically twisted. Unfortunately, it happens as he just related with his ENTERPRISE story. Again, my sincere thanks Peter for clarifying things.
Prices shmices, units shmunits. It was still a much better read than that month’s issue of The Incredible Hulk. And the issue after that. And the issue after that. And…
“Prices shmices, units shmunits.”
??? But price was very important in this example. It made Hulk: The End a much more profitable book than the regular series for that month.
Just like Avengers/JLA is currently burning up the sales charts, far in excess of anything else near the top of the charts, even books above it.
Just like Dark Knight Strikes Again made a killing with it’s $7.95 price tag.
Just like X-Treme X-Men is probably actually more profitable than the other two main X-books despite selling less individual copies. (X-Treme is $2.95, New and Uncanny are $2.25)
No, the comparison gleaned by looking at prices and units is *very* important.
-Ralf
It was about time that you got your facts straight you PHAT FÙÇK.
It was about time you FÙÇKÊR.
They could have sold one more had I know it was on sale at the time. I still don’t see how I missed that issue (I was even looking for it). I’m not saying I didn’t screw up, but it didn’t seem (to me) to get a lot of promotion.