First, CrossGen is quickly implementing their plan they presented at MegaCon on February 23, 2002.
Second, the deadline bug has hit and I have not had time to write up exactly what was said and the way it was said in that CrossGen meeting on February 23.
Instead of leaving you in the dark, here is a synopsis of what Mark Alessi presented. CrossGen plans to re-issue every copy of every issue into trade paperbacks. Some have already been printed and more are in the works. There will be six or seven issues per trade paperback for about $12 to $15.
Next, every issue of every CrossGen comic will be issues in "Compendium" form. This will be a softbound book of (initially) five titles with two issues each in each title. They will be available in you local bookstore. They will be issued after the trade paperbacks. The retail price will initially be $9.95.
Finally, every issues of every CrossGen comic book will be available on the web for $1 a month.
So here's the press release that breaks the story. The plan is that showing comics on the web will drive readers back into retail comic book stores to read the book. CrossGen comics are available for reorder for retailers.
Please read until the end as I have the link and browser information YOU need.
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COMICS ON THE WEB DRIVES 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN REORDERS
Free Comics On The Web Version Of The Path Prequel Drives Reorders Up By 54 Percent, Overall Line Up By 30 Percent
Contact: Ian M. Feller ian.feller@crossgen.com
TAMPA, FL., March 12, 2002 - Less than 30 days after the launch of CrossGen's Comics on the Web, retail sales of CrossGen's comics and trade paperbacks are taking an upward turn, with much of it taking place the week after the launch of Comics on the Web, according to recent sales statistics.
According to figures from Diamond Comic Distributors, first week advance reorders for The Path taken the week after the entire issue was posted for free on CrossGen's Comics on the Web increased by 54 percent over the level taken for CrossGen's Sojourn Prequel, which was not posted online prior to its release. In addition, the second week reorders, which typically drop by 50 percent after the comic's release, actually increased by 23 percent for The Path Prequel. Also, advance reorders for The Path #1, still two weeks from being released, rose by 45 percent in the first week after The Path Prequel's release, and then another 45 percent on top of that the following week, further bucking the trends for low advance reorders before a book is released.
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