Marvel Makes An Effort

Marvel Comics' recent efforts to promote their product through a subscriber-based online service has actually been getting some attention from the mainstream press.This attention, not to mention the service itself, can only be a good thing for comic book fans.

To say that comics are a niche hobby is a grand understatement.The best selling books are lucky to sell 200k copies.The 32-page monthly books can mainly only be found in specialty shops, which can be intimidating to visit for those new to the hobby.Bookstores carry trade paperbacks, graphic novels, and manga, but often without much of a selection and nearly always without an informed person to make recommendations for new fans or children.Putting the books on the internet, even without the ability to download, adds one very-accessible entry point for anyone interested.

This service could also potentially help with the other really big comic pitfall:the aging core readers.Comics have the unfortunate disctinction of being thought of as a "kids' hobby", in spite of the fact that an overwhelming majority of their readers are in their twenties and older.The problem is that many people read comics as a kid and eventually outgrow or move past them to other, more "mature", pasttimes.What is left are longtime readers and people who came back into the hobby after taking a bit of a break(I'm one of these.),both of whom are apparently unknown to the genral public.When these readers go, who will be left?Putting comics on the internet will allow kids more exposure to them, in a more comfortable environment(home), where parents are better able to monitor their kids and what they read.

This brings about the biggest obstacle an initative like this will face:non-comic reading parents. They are the ones who will ultimately pay for the service for their children.$4.99 or $9.99 per month for thousands of comics is certainly a better value for cost-conscious parents than $2.99 for a single issue.That makes one year's subscription($4.99 times 12 months)the same price as ONE X-box360 video game, three DVDs, and also less than a typical monthly cable bill.Perhaps they will also read a few issues themselves and won't be as hesitant to buy a monthly the next time.I would bet that a lot of parents or people who used to read comics twenty years ago would be surprised at how much things have changed regarding both the art and the writing.There is something there for fans of any genre of fiction. A good comic can be every bit as gripping as the best movie or book.

I really hope this takes and new fans come in.It probably won't be the savior of the industry, but it is a step in the right direction.I'd hate to see my favorite hobby die in ten years because the fan base got too old and drifted away.