Roy of the Rovers, Battle, Misty and Buster back on shelves

[steelclaw]

Ad in this weeks Toxic.

[Spencer]

Oh don't Mr. Claw !

I'll start having my recurring dream of walking into my local newsagents and seeing all the old favourites re-launched.

[philcom55]

Er, shouldn't that have been posted at the beginning of April rather than the end?

- Phil Rushton

[nottinghamian]

I can try and get copies for those who can't find RotR. Just pm me with you address, and I'll get back to you.

[AndyB]

Would any kind person be willing to get a hold of the ROR special for me, as it is never reached the shores of N.Ireland.

I will pay full costs and postage up front.

Me too!

[nottinghamian]

Ok. That's two people - I've e-mailed and pm'd you as requested.

Anyone else need a copy before I go hunting tomorrow?

[Raven]

After looking at Mr. Claw's latest blog entries, I'm looking forward to the Best of Misty compilation.

It's a pity these aren't monthly or at least bimonthly to keep the momentum going. And it would have been good to get them in the direct sales shops like Forbidden Planet to up their profile among comic collectors.

[Lew Stringer]

It's a pity these aren't monthly or at least bimonthly to keep the momentum going.

Apart from Toxic (which is a comic-magazine hybrid) Egmont UK have been out of the comics game for quite a while so it's better business sense to test the market with a quarterly first. Who knows, maybe Egmont Classic Comics will be published more regularly next year?

And it would have been good to get them in the direct sales shops like Forbidden Planet to up their profile among comic collectors.

Most people who go into those shops don't seem to care or know about UK comics outside of 2000AD/Dredd.

Lew

[Raven]

Apart from Toxic (which is a comic-magazine hybrid) Egmont UK have been out of the comics game for quite a while so it's better business sense to test the market with a quarterly first.

Mmm, it's just that if you do get into one and excited about it, it's quite a wait to follow it up. Almost enough time to forget. The Misty one in December seems like ages off!

Most people who go into those shops don't seem to care or know about UK comics outside of 2000AD/Dredd.

I'm not so sure. Crikey! seems very well stocked in Forbidden Planet and presumably they wouldn't take so many in if it wasn't selling. They stock the Commando and Battle book collections, too, and items like the Hookjaw collection.

I've often wondered if a fair few comic collectors might be quite likely to pick up titles like, say, Commando and Classics From the Comics in the 'sympathetic' environments of direct sales shops, rather than in W. H. Smith where it might be embarrassing.

US superhero comics today often seem aimed at ageing fan'boys' in their thirties/forties, who are potentially likely to have feelings of nostalgia for some of the old British titles from their childhood.

[Digifiend]

I've often wondered if a fair few comic collectors might be quite likely to pick up titles like, say, Commando and Classics From the Comics in the 'sympathetic' environments of direct sales shops, rather than in W. H. Smith where it might be embarrassing.

If they're embarrassed to be seen buying them, wouldn't they just subscribe?

[Raven]

If they're embarrassed to be seen buying them, wouldn't they just subscribe?

I'm suggesting people may impulse buy if they saw them on the shelves. People enjoy their weekly trip to the comic shop to browse and find new things to buy.

You have to be quite dedicated to subscribe - issues include paying a lot upfront or trusting people with your bank details, only wanting to buy editions that specifically interest you, not wanting them damaged in the post, etc.

I think it'll always be a minority who subscribe.

[chrissmillie]

I have to agree about DC Thomson. I think there would be a market for their comics in comic shops and am surprised they don't at least give it a go.

Egmont have probably got some wonderful deal from WH Smith to go exclusive, so no problem there. Maybe in the future?

[Lew Stringer]

I have to agree about DC Thomson. I think there would be a market for their comics in comic shops and am surprised they don't at least give it a go.

Your first obstacle is convincing shops to order such product.

In 30 years of visiting comic shops I've rarely found any staff member remotely interested in DC Thomson comics (or any traditional UK comic). Not a criticism but most seem to have rejected those comics as "kids stuff" many years ago, and some have never read them at all. There's a distinct schism between comic shop staff/fans, who are almost exclusively interested in US product, and the general public who are more likely to remember UK characters. Comic shops have pretty much always catered for the American comic fan. It's the market they know, and it's mainly what their customers want.

Commando and Battle library reprints (and your Hookjaw book) may have a small market there but I really don't see a viable market in comic shops for UK children's comics but I'd like to be proven wrong.

I'm not so sure. Crikey! seems very well stocked in Forbidden Planet and presumably they wouldn't take so many in if it wasn't selling.

I presume you mean the Forbidden Planet International version, as my local FP won't stock any small press titles including Crikey!

Even so, Crikey! is a fanzine and can get by on sales of 500 - 1,000 or whatever it prints. DC Thomson would want to make a profit, and would need a guarantee of far higher sales to make it worth the effort.

Lew

[Digifiend]

If they're embarrassed to be seen buying them, wouldn't they just subscribe?

I'm suggesting people may impulse buy if they saw them on the shelves. People enjoy their weekly trip to the comic shop to browse and find new things to buy.

You have to be quite dedicated to subscribe - issues include paying a lot upfront or trusting people with your bank details, only wanting to buy editions that specifically interest you, not wanting them damaged in the post, etc.

I think it'll always be a minority who subscribe.

OK fair point. I confess I'm not a subscriber to anything myself. In fact I'm off to WHSmith in a few minutes to pick up the latest Classics from the Comics!

[steelclaw]

Oh don't Mr. Claw !

I'll start having my recurring dream of walking into my local newsagents and seeing all the old favourites re-launched.

I'm still dreaming it will happen one day.