[Peter]

File this under WTF?:


MARVEL OFFERS RETAILERS COMICS FOR COMICS
In an effort to provide assistance to comic retailers in 2010, Marvel is offering retailers an opportunity to turn unsold comics into an extremely rare Siege #3 Deadpool Variant!

Retailers – for every 50 stripped covers of the following comics sent to Marvel, you will qualify to receive one FREE Siege #3 Deadpool Variant. The 50 stripped covers can be any combination of the comics listed below and all submissions need to be received at the Marvel office at the address below by Tuesday 2/16/2010. Also included with the stripped covers must be your store contact information including Diamond Account # and email address.

Stripped Covers To Be Sent:
Adventure Comics #4
Booster Gold #26
Doom Patrol #4
Justice League Of America #39
Outsiders #24.
R.E.B.E.L.S #10


Address To Send Submission:
James Nausedas
Marvel Entertainment, LLC
417 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016


Information To Be Included With Submission:
Store Name
Store Address
Contact Person
Email Address
Phone Number
Diamond Account #
List of stripped covers being returned and their quantities


All the directions above must be adhered to in order to receive the free Siege #3 Deadpool Variants and the submissions must be received by Tuesday 2/16/2010 in order to qualify.

Please note that this is not a Diamond-affiliated promotion and Diamond should not be contacted. Retailers will be contacted via email once Marvel receives the submissions. Retailer with further questions should contact helpme@marvel.com.

[Nathan P. Mahney]

That's one hell of a shot across the bow! I remember when Devil's Due did a similar thing, offering free comics to anyone who sent them a DC or Marvel comic that they felt ripped off by. But when one of the Big Two pulls a stunt like this it's a whole different thing. DC's reaction here will be very interesting.

[ljacone]

That's a punk move by Marvel.

[Nathan P. Mahney]

Well, a punk move in response to a bullshit marketing gimmick by DC. They never should have required stores to order so many books for the rings in the first place.

[Fred Ricchio]

Today I'm embarrased to be a Marvel reader. I really hope the retailers don't take the bait. Are stripped books really worth less than yet another variant cover? I won't even start on how sick to death I am of Deadpool...

[leigh webb]

I think my local store might have enough for maybe one variant.
knowing the amount of Deadpool fans in my store (including this boards deadpool) Marvel might be pissing off a few of their own fans

[jaydee74]

Really? This seems like grade school shenanigans to me. Whatever I guess. This variant cover wouldn't even interest me anyway since I am not a Deadpool fan. To be honest, I have never heard of a company doing something like this before. Has this been done before? I would love to know what DC thinks of this.

[Peter]

Well, a punk move in response to a bullshit successful marketing gimmick by DC.

Fixed.

[Hassan T]

Yet, Marvel makes retailers order extra copies of event to get the special variant covers. DC should do the same with Siege or Fall of Hulks.

[mguy1977]

Shakes head in disgust at Joey Q & Marvel.

BLEEP a Deadpool Variant comic.



Matthew

This post has been edited by mguy1977: 14 January 2010 - 01:41 AM

[DarkKnightJared]

This is a pretty good example of magnificant bastardry--it's a low blow, but I have to admit I laughed when I saw it.

DC should do the same with Siege or Fall of Hulks.

Yes--but who should be the character in the variant comic? My vote goes to Black Lantern Vibe.

[Nathan P. Mahney]

Fixed.

You win this round, Rios!!!

Yeah, it was successful. It doesn't mean I hafta like it! From Marvel or DC, the whole incentive cover/collectible thing gets my goat.

[The Electric Mayhem]

I first thought was this was bull... but Rios has way too much info for it not to be real....

Seems that Sucessful Marketing works only one way.:
(create/entice a demand for Brand X)

Marvel's "Shot across the bow" seems to hit below the belt and tick off it's readers who read the Big 2 respectfully..

Negative reactions to a negative publicty stunt.. two wrongs don't make right..

[Peter]

Brings up all kinds of questions/thoughts:

- why not do the same for their own comics? "hey retailers - stuck with multiple copies of Dark Reign the List? Turn them into a Siege variant!".
- would retailers really give away $50 (if they sell in dollar bins) to $150 (if they sell at cover value) worth of comics that they could creatively sell (in packs, etc) for an item that they have less potential to sell? And to fewer customers?
- by stripping those comics, you're basically making those DC issues (wait for it) even rarer!
- Why is Marvel so against merchandise? Ever go to a con and come back with tons of Marvel posters/pins/bookmarks etc? No? Where's the Siege-related merchandise to drum up excitement?
- no matter what happens because of this, there's no way to judge the response because Marvel will be the only one who has the "numbers" since they aren't going through Diamond. If I was a retailer, I'd make sure Diamond knew my every move in this case.

Like others, my first reaction (after WTF) was Damn that's a shiesty move! But when you really stop to think about it, Marvel is basically proving that Blackest Night is stealing their thunder and their coming up with desperation moves.

By the way, here's more ways Marvel isn't helping retailers:

No Second Printing For Siege #1

Following the immediate sell out of Siege #1 and announcement of no current plans for a second printing, Marvel is now officially confirming there will be no second printing. This follows Marvel’s statement to retailers in November that no second printing of Siege #1 would be made available due to the unprecedented returnability offer associated with the issue. However, Siege #1 Director’s Cut arrives in stores this March and features the complete first issue plus bonus material not seen before!

“We’re blown away by retailer and fan response to Siege,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Circulation, Marvel Entertainment LLC. “I’ve seen what’s coming next and trust me, you’ll want to order even heavier on subsequent issues of Siege. This is the end of the Marvel Universe as you know it.”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Siege #1 Director’s Cut, Siege #2 and all Siege tie-ins as they continue to sell out and garner acclaim!


SIEGE #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT (JAN100515)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—2/25/10, On-Sale—3/17/10


SIEGE #2 (DEC090432)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—1/14/10, On-Sale—2/3/10


SIEGE: EMBEDDED #2 (DEC090434)
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by CHRIS SAMNEE
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—1/14/10, On-Sale—2/3/10

[Webhead]

The real sad part will be that people will pay a premium for this comic. It will probably go for big bucks on eBay the very day it is released to the stores.

[luckymustard]

- by stripping those comics, you're basically making those DC issues (wait for it) even rarer!

oooh, now i hope my lcs does this!... since i bought all 6 of those dc books, especially since i didn't even have to when my lcs was giving rings away to pretty much anyone in the store, not just those buying those books.

[The Electric Mayhem]

By the way, here's more ways Marvel isn't helping retailers:

[i]No Second Printing For Siege #1

Following the immediate sell out of Siege #1 and announcement of no current plans for a second printing, Marvel is now officially confirming there will be no second printing. This follows Marvel’s statement to retailers in November that no second printing of Siege #1 would be made available due to the unprecedented returnability offer associated with the issue. However, Siege #1 Director’s Cut arrives in stores this March and features the complete first issue plus bonus material not seen before!

“We’re blown away by retailer and fan response to Siege,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Circulation, Marvel Entertainment LLC. “I’ve seen what’s coming next and trust me, you’ll want to order even heavier on subsequent issues of Siege. This is the end of the Marvel Universe as you know it.”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Siege #1 Director’s Cut, Siege #2 and all Siege tie-ins as they continue to sell out and garner acclaim!

what!?!?!
this is crap.... total crap. This was my jumping on point w/Marvel... and they pull this? this is crap...
purposely shorten the run? ick.... low, Joe Q, thats flippin' low.

[max headroom]

I think Marvel still beating DC in market share, despite the Blackest Night event and along with the ring promo has made them cocky.

Marvel is doing a shot across the bough at DC - either for fun or trying to make retailers second guess their DC ordering?