Oh, so they do switch them out. That's good. I wasn't aware.

And to be fair, DCs free stuff is usually previews and crap, but Marvel is giving away actual titles, changing them out every three weeks to a month. Its usually a fairly recent title and an older title (a few years back and 10+ years back). And usually the first issue in a run. That free issue has prompted me to buy follow up issues several times. Right now they are giving away Ultimate Comics Avengers #1 & #2, Blade #1, and Black Widow #1

[quote="tstarnes"]Sure, its shortsightedness on the big companies. My point was in response to the independent comic stories doing their own free comic book days. Those guys are struggling as it is, and don't have the margins for it.[/quote]

Oh yeah, you're right. Sorry, I was mainly using your post as a jumping off point for a rant that pertained more to this thread in general than your post in particular. Your point is another big reason why digital is the way to go for this.

I've been meaning to ask, is Heroclix still going? As in, regularly releasing expansions and such. I have some that I bought when I was younger, but I never really got into it, and I would like to maybe try again.

Hell, I'll start a thread here in the 'Games' section, if anyone here plays it.

That makes sense....though there is a big difference between name brand and .50 bin.

[quote="tstarnes"]Sure, its shortsightedness on the big companies. My point was in response to the independent comic stories doing their own free comic book days. Those guys are struggling as it is, and don't have the margins for it.[/quote]
One shop in my neighborhood gives away comics from the $0.50 bins and hold a big heroclix tourney. It draws a fair crowd. Haven't asked the owner if he's going to continue, but it's been 3 years now for him.

Sure, its shortsightedness on the big companies. My point was in response to the independent comic stories doing their own free comic book days. Those guys are struggling as it is, and don't have the margins for it.

[quote="tstarnes"]Well, there is the business aspect to consider. They get those "free" comics for a much smaller amount then they pay for name brand. Most comic shops don't run the margins to hand out a mass of books for free that they are spending the normal amount on.

Especially since, free comic book day draws in existing readers and not new readers. So they will basically be giving comics to people that already buy comics from them.[/quote]

And that's where the shortsightedness comes in. You're right, Mr. Starnes, but only because I don't think that big publishers really "get" what free comic book day should be about. They should specifically target lapsed and potential readers and immediately get them into an accessible, addictive, highly rated run. This means spending a bit more than they usually do on advertisement, especially on the internet and TV. This means a bit of a loss in the short run, but a regular uptick in sales in the long run, especially in digital markets, where new readers will often be inclined to buy.

A great example of this, except for MAYBE in the accessible department, is the first issue of Magneto: Not a Hero, which I picked up for free on comixology. I can certainly say that I'll be picking up the other issues in that limited series when I have more money I feel free to spend. Actually, doing this digitally may be the solution to a lot of problems that other posters have brought up, as it eliminates a lot of costs, and thus lowers the risk involved in my proposal.

Companies need to understand that if you don't broaden your customer base in the present, it hurts you in the future. There are ways to do that aside from Free Comic Book Day, some of which Marvel is taking part in, with great success. But FCD certainly wouldn't hurt.

I actually got three parents from my office to go in this past year with their kids. One was a lapsed reader himself, one reads comics with her kids from the library, and the last and her kids were total noobies. I'm pretty sure they all spent extra money.

Well, there is the business aspect to consider. They get those "free" comics for a much smaller amount then they pay for name brand. Most comic shops don't run the margins to hand out a mass of books for free that they are spending the normal amount on.

Especially since, free comic book day draws in existing readers and not new readers. So they will basically be giving comics to people that already buy comics from them.