New look for Classics from the Comics!

Formerly known as Classics from the Comics, this forum covers all of DCT's retired titles, like Beezer, Topper, Victor, Nutty and Sparky!

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brisey
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Joined: 01 Mar 2006, 07:48

New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by brisey »

I fully agree ?2 for anything is reasonable to adults but to children it is a choice between a colour comic or B&W the choice is less clear.

From your list Lew ?2 seems to be the price differencial set by the publishers between child and adult market,and CftC seems to straddled it

I was being slightly silly but for some unknown reason this forum seems to ignore 2000AD.The last action comic still going,which has been better that average lately.

Brian

ps bring back General Johnny

Lew Stringer
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Lew Stringer »

brisey wrote: From your list Lew ?2 seems to be the price differencial set by the publishers between child and adult market,and CftC seems to straddled it

Not sure it makes a difference what age group they're aiming at. I think publishers charge what they have to in order to make a profit. For example The Simpsons is ?2.50, whilst The Beano is 85p, but both are targeting the children's market.

Lew
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Jimmy Screw
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Jimmy Screw »

Conor B wrote:Nice! Much better...but its ?2? I don't think I'll buy it, even if I see it!

PS Know by any chance who drew the cover?



The cover was excellently drawn by Ken H. Harrison. Unfortunately, however, Korky's nose doesn't appear to have been included in the colour seps.

Jimmy Screw
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Jimmy Screw »

We are lucky to have a reprint issue like this at all. I agree with Lew - ?2.00 isn't too expensive for such a publication, especially in comparison to other comic titles. Quite a bulky affair, but we shouldn't forget that there is hardly any new material to speak of and all the reprints are printed in black and white on cheap paper so we should definetely keep an eye on price increases.

I can't help thinking wether CftC is actually a 'children's' comic title that is actually intended for nostalgic adults like ourselves? I can't imagine too many children reading the publication yet it's popularity among grown-ups seemes to be well-established.

This being the case, why would the publishers continue to include such free gifts???

Lew Stringer
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Lew Stringer »

Jimmy Screw wrote:We are lucky to have a reprint issue like this at all. I agree with Lew - ?2.00 isn't too expensive for such a publication, especially in comparison to other comic titles. Quite a bulky affair, but we shouldn't forget that there is hardly any new material to speak of and all the reprints are printed in black and white on cheap paper so we should definetely keep an eye on price increases.

It's relative to sales. If CftC is selling far less than, say, Beano, then it'll be more expensive to produce, whether it's in black and white or not. The unit cost won't be the same as a better selling title as I'm sure you appreciate.

I believe many of its readers are adults, but the free gift cover mount may be more of an incentive to get chain stores to stock it than to appeal to kids.

Lew
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AndyB
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by AndyB »

WHSmith in Belfast doesn't stock it, alas. I get mine up the street from Easons.

I'm glad to see Ken drawing the covers, together with the two extra strip pages, but I will miss the back covers being drawn by Keith Reynolds and Gordon Bell.

Jimmy Screw
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Jimmy Screw »

Thanks again Lew,

As usual, spot on there with an answer or explanation. I am now happy enough to just be thankful that the comic is available (even though I have to travel a few miles to find the only newsagent that stocks it).

...I was being slightly prudent for the sake of it. We are, unfortunately, living in times where most sectors are considering grand scale profiteering as a business development option.

Liked the Ken Harrison cover, by the way.

On the subject of comic prices, I am sure I saw a new publication in WH Smith recently that reprinted recent Doctor Who strips. I was swiftly put off by the price, I'm sure it was about ?5 or ?6 but I could be wrong.

Lew Stringer
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Lew Stringer »

Jimmy Screw wrote:Thanks again Lew,



On the subject of comic prices, I am sure I saw a new publication in WH Smith recently that reprinted recent Doctor Who strips. I was swiftly put off by the price, I'm sure it was about ?5 or ?6 but I could be wrong.

You're right. It was an issue in the Doctor Who specials series that Panini do a few times a year. Usually they're full of articles but that one reprinted all of the Ninth Doctor strips (excellently drawn by Mike Collins). It was around the price you say. Expensive, but it had about 100 pages and the regular Doctor Who Monthly is ?4 now for 68 pages. Could they charge less? I dunno, but the production values are costly on that glossy paper. Then there's the distributor's cut, not to mention the whacking great fee chain stores take (not just their percentage, but they also charge a fee for stocking titles now, and rates depend on shelf position, display, etc.).

Lew
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Brendan McGuire
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Brendan McGuire »

Lew Stringer wrote:Then there's the distributor's cut, not to mention the whacking great fee chain stores take (not just their percentage, but they also charge a fee for stocking titles now, and rates depend on shelf position, display, etc.).Lew
Good grief! Who'd go into publishing today? :evil:

Jimmy Screw
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Jimmy Screw »

True. Thanks for clearing up another little matter for me, Lew. The production values are high for the Doctor Who Monthly, but I thought that it was the launch of a new title and felt unhappy that a monthly comic should reach the ?4 (?5 at the time) mark.

As this issue was a one-off, I may now be tempted to search for it again (either in the shops or Ebay). However, being a big fan of Doctor Who comic strips from the 1970's and 1980's and, having already read the odd 9th Doctor strip, I can take it or leave it.

No disrespect to the current artist or writers, but Doctor Who Monthly is bought by people who want information on the TV series, not by people who want to read comic strips.

They are well enough drawn and scripted but I was spoiled by some absolutely classic stories when I was a kid, and there was more emphasis on the Doctor Who comic strip back then.

I know I'm going off on a tangent here but I have to mention 'Iron Legion' - what a fantastic story. One of my very favourite comic strips of all time.

Lew Stringer
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Lew Stringer »

Jimmy Screw wrote:
No disrespect to the current artist or writers, but Doctor Who Monthly is bought by people who want information on the TV series, not by people who want to read comic strips.

I dunno. The strips are very popular, and Panini have released several "graphic novels" reprinting the 4th, 5th and 8th Doctor strips so there is still a demand.

Lew
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Jimmy Screw
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Jimmy Screw »

Well, I don't criticize artists or writers - you are all doing a fantastic job. Even those responsible for the current Doctor Who strips are also included - but my comparison with the likes of Steve Parkhouse, John Ridgeway, Dave Gibbons, etc was unfair

It is no surprise that reprints of the 4th and 5th Doctor are still popular.

If you say that the 8th and 9th strips are popular too Lew, then I accept that opinion.


When I was young, I used to buy the Weekly/Monthly religiously - just to read the comic strips. I barely watched the TV show. The point I am making is that you would not get someone these days just buying Doctor Who Monthly for the strips alone. (...Or maybe it was just me!)

I don't blame the current writers and artists for this at all (unfair anyway to compare with the likes of Steve Parkhouse, Dave Gibbons, John Ridgway, Steve Dillon, etc) - I think they are doing a superb job within their briefs. The editorial staff should raise the profile of the magazine's comic content.

Lew Stringer
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Re: New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Lew Stringer »

Jimmy Screw wrote:The point I am making is that you would not get someone these days just buying Doctor Who Monthly for the strips alone. (...Or maybe it was just me!)

Oh I see what you mean now. Sorry. Yes, I agree. There's probably a handful who have all the Doctor Who comics strips since the sixties who buy it just for that but you're right; most wouldn't.

Lew
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Conor B
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by Conor B »

I found it in ROI for ?3.50 so bought it and its great! Love the cover :D

Can't wait for the next issue........ :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Comic Genius Runner Up 2006

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HighAndMighty
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New look for Classics from the Comics!

Post by HighAndMighty »

Classics is superb value- compare the strips per penny value to the Beano and it's streets ahead...

But while it's definitely a great comic, I have my reservations about the reprint market-

If it's taking audience share away from comics featuring new strips, then they're discouraging new comic artists...
cor!

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