Benefits of 'Brand New Day'?

[Skyhawke]

I remember someone bringing up an excellent point that people will drop an arc of ASM because the story isn't interesting to them only to forget to pick up the story arc or come to the realization that maybe there weren't that interested in Spider-Man in the first place.

[BobBretall]

I remember someone bringing up an excellent point that people will drop an arc of ASM because the story isn't interesting to them only to forget to pick up the story arc or come to the realization that maybe there weren't that interested in Spider-Man in the first place.

I have heard this as well, and the very thought boggles my mind (mostly because I am a collector/completist in addition to being a reader.

I'm either going to read ASM or I'm not going to read ASM. I'm not going to jump on & off for various story arcs. If I wanted to read some arcs and not others, I would just drop the book all together and only buy the trades for the arcs that interest me.

That being said, it's difficult to compare comics today with the "old days" when you could follow a favorite character by getting a handful of books (which, by the way, typically had some kind of consistency in how the character was presented). More and more there are wild fluctuations in how characters act based on who the writer-of-the-month is, and there are lots & lots of mini-series & one-shots that do not really fit into any kind of continuity with the main book, so getting them does not really enrich the experience of buying the main book.

[HassanT]

I remember someone bringing up an excellent point that people will drop an arc of ASM because the story isn't interesting to them only to forget to pick up the story arc or come to the realization that maybe there weren't that interested in Spider-Man in the first place.

I have heard this as well, and the very thought boggles my mind (mostly because I am a collector/completist in addition to being a reader.

I'm either going to read ASM or I'm not going to read ASM. I'm not going to jump on & off for various story arcs. If I wanted to read some arcs and not others, I would just drop the book all together and only buy the trades for the arcs that interest me.

That being said, it's difficult to compare comics today with the "old days" when you could follow a favorite character by getting a handful of books (which, by the way, typically had some kind of consistency in how the character was presented). More and more there are wild fluctuations in how characters act based on who the writer-of-the-month is, and there are lots & lots of mini-series & one-shots that do not really fit into any kind of continuity with the main book, so getting them does not really enrich the experience of buying the main book.

I could see this happening more with a out-of-continuity book like Superman/ Batman or Batman Confidential, but Amazing Spider-man is a bit different than the "story arc of the month" type deal. Even though there are multiple writers, it is written similar (not the exactly the same) to they way 52 is written. The stories feed from one to the next, like it is one writer/ voice.

When you look at the sales of Amazing Spider-man, you have to consider the fact that there are no super-star writers attached to the series.

Honestly, I have really been enjoying Amazing Spider-man since BND and love the new story arc that is currently running in the title.

[Lobo]

When you look at the sales of Amazing Spider-man, you have to consider the fact that there are no super-star writers attached to the series.

Interesting, given that "common wisdom" dictates that people buy comics for the characters, not for the creators.

[HassanT]

When you look at the sales of Amazing Spider-man, you have to consider the fact that there are no super-star writers attached to the series.

Interesting, given that "common wisdom" dictates that people buy comics for the characters, not for the creators.

I am assuming you are refering to the Kirkman video and people's reaction. Regardless of the Kirkman video, that was the common wisdom before the arrival of the super-star creator. Since the arrival of creators like Neal Adams to Frank Miller and John Byrne to Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane, that theory has been changed. The big characters still sell and hot creators sell as well, but if you combine hot/ top creators with the best characters, the book will sell very well, ala Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb on Batman.

When Joe Quesada first became EIC, he got what he felt to be the best creators on X-Men and Amazing Spider-man. DC's philosophy has changed as well, which is why we have Geoff Johns on Action and Grant Morrison on Batman.

[Lobo]

I am assuming you are refering to the Kirkman video and people's reaction.

I wasn't actually referring to the Kirkman video, but I see how that assumption is going to be inescapable for a while.

OTOH, look at what your comment about how people have to consider the fact that there are no super-star writers attached Amazing Spider-man when looking at its sales figures says about the industry.

What is says to me is that without a "star creator" (or event tie-in), the comic industry can't figure out how to market books, which is going to be a problem as event fatigue takes it toll on readers, and "star creators" either move on to other industries or pass away (we've seen a lot of both the last few years).

[HassanT]

I am assuming you are refering to the Kirkman video and people's reaction.

I wasn't actually referring to the Kirkman video, but I see how that assumption is going to be inescapable for a while.

OTOH, look at what your comment about how people have to consider the fact that there are no super-star writers attached Amazing Spider-man when looking at its sales figures says about the industry.

What is says to me is that without a "star creator" (or event tie-in), the comic industry can't figure out how to market books, which is going to be a problem as event fatigue takes it toll on readers, and "star creators" either move on to other industries or pass away (we've seen a lot of both the last few years).

I agree, although I would say Marvel does a better job at showcasing new talent than DC. DC answer to everything seems to have Geoff Johns or Grant Morrison to write the book.