Ordering Process in Comic Shops
Comic shops order comics based on previous sales and customer demand. Key factors in ordering are: previous sales of a title, existing preorders showing customer demand, and the retailer’s confidence they can sell the quantity ordered.
New comic issues typically indicate they are new. Customers can ask shops to order specific issues for them. Shops normally release new comics on Tuesdays (DC) and Wednesdays (Marvel, others).
In the 1990s, the average comic price was $1.50, lower than the 1980s in real dollars. Shops own the non-returnable comics they order, unlike most magazine sellers. To avoid missing issues, customers can set up pull lists or subscriptions.
Types and Focus of Comic Shops
Shops cater to different customers. Some focus on comics, others also sell RPGs, cards, etc. Buying print comics at shops supports the industry and connects fans. Some shops feel unwelcoming, so online ordering is an option if needed. Shops order via Diamond Distributors’ catalog based on sales and customer subscriptions. Pre-ordering lets shops know customer demand when ordering.
Comic Book Numbering
The issue number is usually on the cover. It shows which issue in a series a comic book is. For example, “Spider-Man #1” is the first issue. Publication dates can also identify editions. Each release has a different date printed on the cover or inside pages. Earlier dates may indicate a first edition.
The sequential numbering of comics helps facilitate collecting. Even without numbering, fans try to identify issues so everyone knows which one is being discussed.
Comic book numbering used to simply increment the issue number sequentially. Now series get re-numbered or re-named more frequently when canceled, rebooted or when a character becomes popular enough for their own title. But numbering did not always matter.
Key components of comic books include panels, speech bubbles, text lines and characters. Page layout, size and panel positioning are crucial for conveying content. A standard comic book is around 32 pages long including advertisements. Graphic novels are usually 60 to 500 pages since they have no ads.