So I haven’t done one of these in a while.

§ November 17th, 2014 § Filed under reader participation § 28 Comments

Ask me a question, preferably related to comics and the comics business, and I’ll do my best to answer it in a future post. If you give me a silly question, chances are about 50/50 I’ll give you a silly answer. If it’s too personal or if you’re obviously just trolling, I’ll ignore it…but otherwise, just throw ’em into this comments section and I’ll get cracking on them later in the week. Thanks, pals!

28 Responses to “So I haven’t done one of these in a while.”

  • Dave Carter says:

    Do you have any idea as to how you are going to order all of those DC Convergence comics?

  • Thelonious_Nick says:

    Here’s a technical, comic shop kind of question. So my LCS gifts me a copy of Previews every month. But I notice some local comic shops have graphic novels or collections that don’t appear in Previews. For instance, I’ve been eyeing some R. Crumb collections at one shop, and thought I’d find the page in Previews so my regular LCS could order one for me–but they aren’t in there. But this started me wondering–do some comic shops order from sources other than Diamond?

    On a different note, was Tooth & Claw #1 the most gorgeous debut issue you’ve every seen, or what? What are some of your favorite first issues of all time?

  • Sir A1! says:

    Do you think you’ll need to diversify as in becoming a comic-RPG-cosplay-catch-all kind of place? Will comics-and-related suffice in today’s marketplace?

  • vester says:

    Image has been publishing good comics for a few years now, at a good price both in single issues and trades. But I never had the perspective from a comic book store owner. (I live outside US, so I don’t really have a way to know this things). Do single issues sell in a daily basis? I mean, do people actually come and ask for Image comics besides The Big Two? And do YOU think they are publishing good, quality books?

    PD: Sorry for my english.

  • Paul Di Filippo says:

    Have you ever done Swamp Thing cosplay, at Halloween or any other time? If not, why not? Are you waiting for the contributions of a mechanical genius friend who can construct an animatronic Cranius to complement your outfit?

  • Rich Handley says:

    Have you been watching Constantine? If so, what do you think of the cast and the writing? And how many times do you think the show’s writing team watches Supernatural before writing each script?

  • ExistentialMan says:

    Why didn’t you name the new shop Mike’s Magical Comics Fort? Have you caught anyone spooning on the floor of the graphic novel section lately? Can we get an updated drawing of a capybara by adult Mike?

  • John says:

    It may be too soon to ask, but do you prefer running your very own store, with all the perils that entails, or managing someone else’s?

  • Eric Houston says:

    When a collection comes into the shop, what is one (fairly common) book you always buy and one you never buy?

  • James says:

    Excluding teams who were on the title together, who would be your creative dream team for Swamp Thing?

    Also, how glad are you that Swamp Thing fans aren’t referred to using the same nickname generator as Star Trek fans? Unless of course you would like being known as a “Thingie”.

  • rook017 says:

    So 25 years ago it took me 2 years and visiting multiple comic shops and conventions to get all 6 of the Ditko Question comics. Now I can get them all on eBay. Plus, It seems like I bought a LOT of back issues.

    Now I don’t. I buy mostly new stuff, in trades.

    So question number 1: How important are back issues today for you, the dealer? Or is new stuff your bread and butter?

    Also, when comics were 50 or 65 cents, and an independent might be $1, I could take home a great stash of my regular stuff from my dealer PLUS I could afford to risk some money on a new comic I had never seen before- I picked up Comico Primer with Grendel, Evangeline by Judith Hunt, Nexus black and white magazine, OZ Squad (well.. I liked it!), and Secret Doors (which no one has ever heard of but I found hilarious!) plus lots of fun stuff! And a borderline comic or a fill in issue? Sure! Throw it in! Now? I NEVER buy fill in issues.

    Question #2: 2014 dollars vs. 1984 dollars… Do you make as good a living? I am not trying to get personal, but it seems like if a typical fan buys fewer different comics, does the higher price offset that for you, the dealer? Or how is making money now different than it was 30 years ago?

    And if that is too personal, never mind. I appreciate your column and love to read it. I still remember buying issues of New Teen Titans that I missed from the creepy shop under the bridge where they wrote the price in pencil on the first page. And would not acknowledge me until they finished reading whatever issue they ere reading. Wishing the best for you. Can’t wait to see Sterling Comics kiosks in every MdDonald’s and Starbuck’s.

    Question #3: And why have we not seen a Legion/Swamp Thing crossover? Do they seriously expect us to believe there are no swamps in the future or on other planets?

  • philfromgermany says:

    Question 1: Have you read Ostrander Suicide Squad by now?
    Question 2: You are the god-grand pooba of comics and get to put 5 books together, which writer/artist teams do you pick?

  • Mike Welch says:

    When, Korea?

  • JRC says:

    Alternate reality Mike: Instead of opening a comic shop, you’ve decided to open a comic company! What is your first month of series/one-shots/minis you publish?
    Titles:
    Artists:
    Writers:
    Inker/Colors:

  • John Boylan says:

    1. What is your most prized Swamp Thing item/collectible (sentimental or otherwise)?
    2. Do you proudly display your love of Swampy at home? And is their photo documetntation available?

  • Tim O'Neil says:

    You used to say that you still followed all the Star Wars EU stuff relating directly to the cast of the original trilogy. Now that they’re putting the Prequel era in the past and moving back to a focus on the original trilogy characters, are you going to need to reexamine that policy?

    Or are you all in ride-till-you-die with Luke, Leia, and Han?

  • Mike L says:

    Pog Section up and running? ;)

  • John Parker says:

    What’s the most stupid comic you have ever read?

  • I’ve had a theory that in the near future DC and Marvel are going to go the way that “Love & Rockets” has. The elimination of the single issue, 20+page comic (which have become nothing more than chapters of a novel, anyway) to a complete, TPB. It’s my belief that that’s why DC had gone to 52 different titles, so that when they make this transformation, they could offer comic shops a new TPB title every week. (one week a Batman TPB, the next a Green Lantern TPB, the next a Flash TPB, etc…) If the big two went this route how do you think this would effect comic book shops, basically turning them into comic book stores to book stores.

  • Michael Grabowski says:

    I hope this isn’t too personal, but with regard to those Swamp Thing slippers, or Swampy clothing in general, do you find yourself collecting such items in every size available?

  • Dan says:

    Totally random, my girlfriend was debating about continuing to read Wonder Woman after Azzarello/Chiang.
    She had the same reaction as you to the fact that Swamp Thing was in the book (ALMOST as instant buy) but she held off to think about it.
    As someone who can’t resist Swamp Thing stories, do you think the issue was worth it to a fan of both WW and Swampy?

  • Jerry Smith says:

    Mike, someone already asked about back issues. My question is, where do you see back issues in 5-10 years? Will younger readers ever want full floppy paper sets of titles like Suicide Squad, Nova or Marvel Two-In One? Will the books be worthless (except for key issues)? Or will there always be some demand for old paper comics?

  • Roel Torres says:

    Hi, Mike! Congrats once again on the new store! Speaking of which, all my questions are new store related: 1) Did you feel a professional responsibility to discuss the idea of starting a new store with the owner of Ralph’s/Seth’s before you left to see how the idea would be received? 2) Doesn’t it pose a threat to their business that you might cannibalize some of their loyal customers? 3) Was there some sort of minimum driving distance required separating the two stores to make sure you weren’t invading each other’s turf? Thanks and continued success in your new venture!

  • Alex says:

    Late to the party, but are you buying Miracleman in single issues as it is coming out, or is that just for chumps like me? I’m not crazy about what it costs, but I’m only buying a handful of titles these days, so I can take it. It’s a good series, and I’ve avoided spoilers for 20 years.

    I’m one of those who grew up hearing how awesome it was, but I dion’t really care to have it in a nice hardcover collection or anything. Upon reading this particular series, I wouldn’t really want someone to pass by my bookshelf, pull it down and flip through it… there’s a reason it’s coming in polybags, that’s for sure.

    Thanks for question time, Mike! Hope business is going well.

  • Chris Gumprich says:

    1. How many of these questions did you expect to be “Swamp Thing” related?
    2. Are you as disappointed as I was that they set an episode of Constantine in Louisiana and yet not one single mention of Houma?

  • Crowded House says:

    How long until you are reduced to selling POGs out back to make ends meet, and how far are you willing to go to keep your shelves stocked with these hot-selling items your customers demand everyday?

  • D Latta says:

    Would you buy a bar of soap at a garage sale?