AFTER WATCHMEN

Someone at the "big two" is finally thinking ahead. D.C. Comics has just announced a great program to capitalize on the Watchmen movie fever. I've already seen a swell of interest in other Alan Moore projects from many new readers who invariably ask, "after reading Watchmen what should I try next". D.C. comics will be answering this question by releasing 5 specially priced $1.00 comics, each one the first issue of a popular series of stories or collections.

The first of course is none other than Saga of the Swamp Thing #21, which introduced us all to the talented Mr. Moore.

Due to arrive on March 11th, this is a great introduction to the Saga of the Swamp Thing hardcover collections, the first of which was just released earlier this month. The following weeks will give us Transmetropolitan #1, Planetary #1, Preacher #1, and Identity Crisis #1, all for only $1.00 each.

As a bonus, the first Wednesday of March, I will be putting out copies of Fables #1 special and Sandman #1 special for only 50 cents each. And to further encourage new readers, a special promotional price will be offered in store on any volume 1 paperbacks connected to these special issues.

Even if you already have these great titles, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up some great reading for friends of yours who've read your copy of Watchmen and bugged you for something more.

MARVEL's GONE CRAZY

As you can tell from the title of this posting, I have just gone through the Marvel Preview catalog for books shipping in April. There can be no other answer for why Marvel believes it is a sound idea to ship 20+ new first issues, in the first week of April. Not to mention all their regular titles that week. Sure the majority are one shot specials and mini-series, but the fact is, unless this is some kind of demented April Fool's joke, I can't see how any of these books have a chance when racked all together on the same day. I mean seriously, my new comics rack only holds about 50 facings, and Marvel expects me to fill half of it with #1 issues. And every single one of them is priced at $3.99 U.S.

The rest of the month follows with more Wolverine first issues. I know there's a movie coming out, but seriously, how do they expect the character to sell well when he pops up in nearly every single comic they put out.

Check out the link to the on-line store to see this massive mess of Marvels.

http://shop.comicsnmore.ca/online/index.php?cPath=359

Oh Yeah, DC is expecting to ship Flash Rebirth that day as well.

I am positive that despite this schedule nightmare, I will probably still sell as many Flash #1's as I do of all the #1 Marvels that week put together.

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Just checked my order info for April. Marvel is also planning on shipping Wolverine variant covers(in a ratio of 1-10) for nearly every title they ship that month.

Yes, Marvel has truly gone insane.