I opened a comic shop it and kept it going for four years but, in the end it didn't make it, a few years later, tried it again in a different market, lasted over four years, but the end result was the same, I am proud that I was able to pursue a dream and put in everything I could it keep the places running as long I could.
Great Batman books. I completely agree about DC books. As mainly a DC collector, I'm okay with that. Makes it easier for me. 10:40 Slight point of clarification. Prior to 2020 there really was only one distributor, at least in the US, and that was Diamond Distribution. So not only was a having only one set of shipping costs we also got the best deal because all of our orders went to one distributor. Then DC left Diamond, and then Marvel, though you can still them them through Diamond. Diamond just has to get it through Penguin first. Image, and Dark Horse have also left. So not only are stores paying more for shipping, they are getting less of a discount across the board. Combine that with rent costs it's very hard to keep a store open. When I had my store almost 100% of the profit, at least the profit you can forecast, came from new product sales. The vast majority of that, like 70%, was preorder and pull lists.
Thanks for the info! I can't imagine the headache it was then publishers started pulling out from Diamond so you had order for multiple distributors. I remember hearing about the Heroes World fiasco and the problems it caused, which was really unfortunate, as comic books were very popular at that time and delays can kill a comic book title. My friend who is closing shop told me his margins were down to 10%, when all costs are factored in. It's impossible to work with unfortunately. Thanks for watching!
Really nice pick-ups of those silver age DC's and the prices seem pretty good as well. For me, silver age Marvels are always the books I seek out but silver age DC's are the books I seize when the opportunity hits, whether it's the title, condition, price or a combination of those factors. I do love them but you'll drive yourself crazy looking for a lot of those silver age DC's in decent condition. In the days before Ebay and other online retailers, it was an almost impossible endeavor to find even the most random issues of some of the mainstream titles in the wild.
It's interesting that DCs had much higher print runs in the early to mid 1960s compared to Marvel, but I rarely see them in high grade, and like you said, just random issues here and there. It's nice when you come across them!
I grew up in the 70s/80s and while I don’t visit the comic shop as often as I used to the one thing I notice is that there are almost no kids. Usually adults and my comic shop is even sometimes closed on Saturdays, when kids are off from school. I think that says something but I’m not sure what lol
Yeah, comic book stores need to do a better job at welcoming all groups/ages, and some of the stereotypes that comic book stores have are all too true. Closed on Saturdays? Wow, that's so strange!
I still find TCG cards to be better priced at LCS/LGS than big box stores. Plus, the access to singles and tournaments. Of course buying online is way cheaper. However, I think this is more or less what keeps most of these stores alive. It is really sad that comics have failed so badly the last 10-15 years. Modern books just aren't worth it, compounded by the fact so many of the creatives for the big 2 are constantly on social media attacking fans. I think the people running those companies took over and tried to expand their target markets and lost a huge amount of their core market in the process. And now there just aren't enough people keeping pull lists. I limited mine to 1 book about 10 years ago... completely closed it about 7 years ago. Compared to about 12+ years ago when I was easily buying 10+ books a week. Can't really blame people for closing their pull lists with those prices either... I know times are tough but when I go to the Dollar Tree and see children's comic books for $1.25 that are higher quality print than the $4.99 Marvel/DC books... I do have to wonder why they're not able to do mass distribution like that and bring the costs back down a bit. I think they really are just trying to keep the 'industry' exclusive, 'mature', and niche for some reason. At least the way I see it, that is the 2 big reasons the American comic market is dying and by extension LCSs. Terrible creative direction and unreasonable prices. A lot of people think this doesn't affect the back issue market. And that we're going to live in this high price bubble forever. I'm expecting a crash there (already happening actually.) Back issue market is downstream from modern. People start dipping out of new comics, they also stop buying back issues. Other than key flippers. And eventually they'll just be selling to each other, if that isn't already the case. Only a matter of time before they run out of buyers. I think the only way this market doesn't plummet is if the MCU somehow saves it. So people sitting on grails hoping to sell for a profit later better really hope the new movies bring back the audience, or they will be waiting quite a while/taking a loss soon.
It's sad that the huge popularity of the MCU movies in the past 10 years haven't translated into more new comic book sales. I'd like be to optimistic and think that comic books will be around for a lot longer, but like yourself, it's hard to ignore what's happening in the market and what is trending. There just doesn't seem to be the same 'feel' to new comic books like there were when I was a younger reader and collector. I'm glad to see people read and buy trade paperbacks and omnibuses but that alone won't sustain new comic books or spur any interest in back issues and old comic books. Who knows what will happen though? I mean, I never thought in a million years that vinyl would ever come back, and yet it seems to have made a comeback. Thanks for the thoughtful comments and watching!
Sad to hear of another comic store closing. I know some guys who closed their store and strictly do comic conventions. My LCS has just expanded because the owner buys a LOT of comic collections and prices them at $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, etc. It's therefore simple to sample a comic and, if I like it, I'll start collecting it. Also, my LCS has entire sets of comics wrapped together. I hope we won't hear of any other stores closing.
Thanks mate, I sure will enjoy reading my comic books. I love silver age DC but I am not overly concerned about grade really. I like to get them cheap so I am not a condition fiend. They do look lovely in higher grade but I have to live within my means. You got some nice books there added to your collection, thanks for showing them. I think that Batman knife fight cover has the 1st appearance of the Lazarus Pit. Yeah comic shops are probably struggling as who can afford modern books?
I hope comic book stores can make it through these tougher times. There are enough stores in my city for me to look around, but it hard to see the one I've been going to the longest close down. I don't come across high grade DCs that often, and I'm trying to spend less, but it's hard to resist! Thanks for watching!
Some nice looking books there! I try to buy as much as I can from the LCS. They've been around a long time, but I know it's a tough business. I have a lot of trouble with the dollar bins too!
My policy is supposed to be 'any new comics added to the collection requires comic books leaving the collection'. I've been failing quite a bit lately 😂
I opened a comic shop it and kept it going for four years but, in the end it didn't make it, a few years later, tried it again in a different market, lasted over four years, but the end result was the same, I am proud that I was able to pursue a dream and put in everything I could it keep the places running as long I could.
@seenthefuture86 It's a challenging business, and I hope you have more positive than negative memories. Thanks for sharing!
Those Mystery in Space Adam Strange was Your best Buy.Well Done
Thanks! I felt I got really lucky with those. I went back for another look through but this time I didn't pick any up.
Great Batman books. I completely agree about DC books. As mainly a DC collector, I'm okay with that. Makes it easier for me. 10:40 Slight point of clarification. Prior to 2020 there really was only one distributor, at least in the US, and that was Diamond Distribution. So not only was a having only one set of shipping costs we also got the best deal because all of our orders went to one distributor. Then DC left Diamond, and then Marvel, though you can still them them through Diamond. Diamond just has to get it through Penguin first. Image, and Dark Horse have also left. So not only are stores paying more for shipping, they are getting less of a discount across the board. Combine that with rent costs it's very hard to keep a store open. When I had my store almost 100% of the profit, at least the profit you can forecast, came from new product sales. The vast majority of that, like 70%, was preorder and pull lists.
Thanks for the info! I can't imagine the headache it was then publishers started pulling out from Diamond so you had order for multiple distributors. I remember hearing about the Heroes World fiasco and the problems it caused, which was really unfortunate, as comic books were very popular at that time and delays can kill a comic book title. My friend who is closing shop told me his margins were down to 10%, when all costs are factored in. It's impossible to work with unfortunately. Thanks for watching!
Really nice pick-ups of those silver age DC's and the prices seem pretty good as well. For me, silver age Marvels are always the books I seek out but silver age DC's are the books I seize when the opportunity hits, whether it's the title, condition, price or a combination of those factors. I do love them but you'll drive yourself crazy looking for a lot of those silver age DC's in decent condition. In the days before Ebay and other online retailers, it was an almost impossible endeavor to find even the most random issues of some of the mainstream titles in the wild.
It's interesting that DCs had much higher print runs in the early to mid 1960s compared to Marvel, but I rarely see them in high grade, and like you said, just random issues here and there. It's nice when you come across them!
Nice Pick ups
I grew up in the 70s/80s and while I don’t visit the comic shop as often as I used to the one thing I notice is that there are almost no kids. Usually adults and my comic shop is even sometimes closed on Saturdays, when kids are off from school. I think that says something but I’m not sure what lol
There used to be kids bikes parked and piled outside the comic store. But no more… something changed
Yeah, comic book stores need to do a better job at welcoming all groups/ages, and some of the stereotypes that comic book stores have are all too true. Closed on Saturdays? Wow, that's so strange!
Wonderful group of books. The books look like they are in wonderful condition. Congratulations
Thanks Jerry! I try not to spend too much these days, but hard to resist!
we still have a lot of comic book shops around in the US
We also still have a few comic book and used books stores, but there aren't as many as before. I hope this will change! Thanks for watching!
Great pick ups! The books look like they are in great shape. Sorry to hear the LCS is closing. Plenty of under valued DC books out there.
DC books are cheap! Lots of fun and light reading, especially the Superman related titles (but they should be read in small doses).
I still find TCG cards to be better priced at LCS/LGS than big box stores. Plus, the access to singles and tournaments. Of course buying online is way cheaper. However, I think this is more or less what keeps most of these stores alive.
It is really sad that comics have failed so badly the last 10-15 years. Modern books just aren't worth it, compounded by the fact so many of the creatives for the big 2 are constantly on social media attacking fans. I think the people running those companies took over and tried to expand their target markets and lost a huge amount of their core market in the process. And now there just aren't enough people keeping pull lists. I limited mine to 1 book about 10 years ago... completely closed it about 7 years ago. Compared to about 12+ years ago when I was easily buying 10+ books a week.
Can't really blame people for closing their pull lists with those prices either... I know times are tough but when I go to the Dollar Tree and see children's comic books for $1.25 that are higher quality print than the $4.99 Marvel/DC books... I do have to wonder why they're not able to do mass distribution like that and bring the costs back down a bit. I think they really are just trying to keep the 'industry' exclusive, 'mature', and niche for some reason.
At least the way I see it, that is the 2 big reasons the American comic market is dying and by extension LCSs. Terrible creative direction and unreasonable prices.
A lot of people think this doesn't affect the back issue market. And that we're going to live in this high price bubble forever. I'm expecting a crash there (already happening actually.) Back issue market is downstream from modern. People start dipping out of new comics, they also stop buying back issues. Other than key flippers. And eventually they'll just be selling to each other, if that isn't already the case. Only a matter of time before they run out of buyers. I think the only way this market doesn't plummet is if the MCU somehow saves it. So people sitting on grails hoping to sell for a profit later better really hope the new movies bring back the audience, or they will be waiting quite a while/taking a loss soon.
It's sad that the huge popularity of the MCU movies in the past 10 years haven't translated into more new comic book sales. I'd like be to optimistic and think that comic books will be around for a lot longer, but like yourself, it's hard to ignore what's happening in the market and what is trending. There just doesn't seem to be the same 'feel' to new comic books like there were when I was a younger reader and collector.
I'm glad to see people read and buy trade paperbacks and omnibuses but that alone won't sustain new comic books or spur any interest in back issues and old comic books. Who knows what will happen though? I mean, I never thought in a million years that vinyl would ever come back, and yet it seems to have made a comeback.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments and watching!
Sad to hear of another comic store closing. I know some guys who closed their store and strictly do comic conventions. My LCS has just expanded because the owner buys a LOT of comic collections and prices them at $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, etc. It's therefore simple to sample a comic and, if I like it, I'll start collecting it. Also, my LCS has entire sets of comics wrapped together. I hope we won't hear of any other stores closing.
It's a tough business and market right now. I'm glad you have an LCS who understands their local market, otherwise it's difficult to make ends meet.
Thanks mate, I sure will enjoy reading my comic books. I love silver age DC but I am not overly concerned about grade really. I like to get them cheap so I am not a condition fiend. They do look lovely in higher grade but I have to live within my means. You got some nice books there added to your collection, thanks for showing them. I think that Batman knife fight cover has the 1st appearance of the Lazarus Pit. Yeah comic shops are probably struggling as who can afford modern books?
I hope comic book stores can make it through these tougher times. There are enough stores in my city for me to look around, but it hard to see the one I've been going to the longest close down. I don't come across high grade DCs that often, and I'm trying to spend less, but it's hard to resist! Thanks for watching!
cool haul my friend 💯
Some nice looking books there! I try to buy as much as I can from the LCS. They've been around a long time, but I know it's a tough business. I have a lot of trouble with the dollar bins too!
My policy is supposed to be 'any new comics added to the collection requires comic books leaving the collection'. I've been failing quite a bit lately 😂
@@raph-retro-comics Ouch! That's a hard rule. I'm too weak for such discipline!
That damn Hogie! Raiding the cupboard. Break down!
The cupboard is closing soon for good. Glad I was able to get a few goodies while I could!