Weekly Comics Spotlight #35

[Darth Kramer]

You guys are 100% correct about how covers can sell books. I had no idea that a certain character was going to be in the most recent issue of Supergirl, but the title tease about the "Most Unexpected Guest Star" got me to thumb through the issue and see one of my favorite characters from the 90's was back and I snapped up an issue I normally would have passed over.

[JohnMayo]

You guys are 100% correct about how covers can sell books. I had no idea that a certain character was going to be in the most recent issue of Supergirl, but the title tease about the "Most Unexpected Guest Star" got me to thumb through the issue and see one of my favorite characters from the 90's was back and I snapped up an issue I normally would have passed over.

I just read that issue over the weekend. I'm a big fan of the guest star too and was surprised to see the character. Cover featuring the character almost certainly would have generated some more sales. That having been said, it did make for a cool surprise.

[BobBretall]

Hell, I'm going to spoil it here:

If you liked the Resurrection Man series from many years ago, pick up Supergirl #28, he guest stars. Unless you happen to be browsing Supergirl you'd never know this otherwise. If you're a huge Supergirl fan, you probably read the issue already, and, I don't think just knowing RM is in there is going to spoil your enjoyment.

3 categories of covers:
* Tell visually what's going to happen (generally w/o spoilers) in the comic

* At least have a text note (Hey! Green Lantern guest-stars this month!)

* No indication whatsoever of interior contents (e.g. Poster-cover)

[Wood]

I think part of the issue with covers these days is the way comics are handled in the direct market. With so many Previews and solicits being shown on the web and then, of course, in Previews, I think publishers are leery of having too much story-telling in the cover lest they have to solicit with a blacked out cover on top of keeping their description vague.

[BobBretall]

I think part of the issue with covers these days is the way comics are handled in the direct market. With so many Previews and solicits being shown on the web and then, of course, in Previews, I think publishers are leery of having too much story-telling in the cover lest they have to solicit with a blacked out cover on top of keeping their description vague.

I don't think any major spoiler should ever be on a cover, but having Resurrection Man or GL or Wonder Woman on a cover if they guest in the story can be handled in a non-spoiler way.

I think the main reliance on "poster covers" is a combination of laziness (not having to coordinate cover design/content with the creative team) and also just wanting to make cool standalone images to re-sell on the original art market for big $$.

Look at it this way, Wood. You bought FF #52 at the con with the 1st appearance of Black Panther. This is an iconic cover. Same as the one for FF #48 with the Watcher, and #49 with Galactus & the Surfer.

What if ALL these comics just had generic "posters" of the main 4 FF characters. That would suck.

PS: Get your butt in gear and get an Avatar for your posts, Wood!