It seems as though the comics industry has been listening to fans and industry observers and are dropping the prices of their books. AOL-owned Comics Alliance broke the story that Marvel and DC would both be dropping the prices of their monthly titles from $3.99 to $2.99.
They quoted Dan Didio as saying that with the price, readers were “increasingly reluctant to sample new titles [and] long term fans [were] beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.”
Similarly, Marvel came to the same conclusion with different data, citing their online apps for helping them reduce the prices.
This is great news for everyone, and particularly great news for my pocket book. I’m certain to buy more books now, and that’s good news for DC, Marvel, and retailers.
Attached below is DC’s Press Release about the situation:
DC COMICS DROPs prices on $3.99 titles
MOVES TO $2.99 price point for ongoing COMIC BOOK series
New York, October 7, 2010– Beginning January 2011, DC Comics will implement a line-wide pricing adjustment, lowering the prices of all standard length 32-page ongoing comic book titles currently priced at $3.99 to $2.99, it was announced today by DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.
“Today’s announcement re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”
“As Co-Publishers, we listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come.”
With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.” When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.
As of January, the following titles standard length ongoing titles, previously priced at $3.99 for 32 pages/22 story pages, will be priced at $2.99 with 32 pages/20 story pages:
American Vampire; Batman: The Dark Knight; Batman Incorporated; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; JSA All-Stars.
As of January, the following licensed titles, previously priced at $3.99, will be priced at $2.99: Gears of War; God of War Kane & Lynch; Ratchet & Clank.
As of January, the following ongoing titles previously priced at $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages including co-features, will no longer include co-features and will be priced at $2.99 for 32 pages/ 20 story pages: Action Comics; Adventure Comics; Batman: Streets of Gotham; Detective Comics; Doc Savage; Justice League of America; Legion of Super-Heroes; The Spirit.
In January, five books are $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages: Batman: Europa # 1 First Wave # 6 DCU: Legacies # 9 Weird Worlds # 1 World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen
The following oversized anniversary issue will be $4.99 for 48 pages/38 story pages: Hellblazer # 275
“Fans of our co-features should stay tuned. Some of these characters will find a new platform,” said Dan DiDio. “Going forward, mini-series and special events may feature a different price point and page count to best allow writers and artists the flexibility of format and story pages they need to tell their stories best.”