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Subject: Ramblings About Comics and Stuff #15: Trick or Treat - Snickers or Superman? | Author | Messages | 
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
 | Posted: 10/22/2005 7:34:20 PM | Okay, how many overzealous readers have had a momentary brain burp and bought multiple copies of, say, any issue from DC’s defunct Focus imprint? Or Marvel’s Gus Beezer one-shots? Or recent issues of Todd McFarlane’s nearly-forgotten Spawn comic from Image? Or any other comic that you read and enjoyed, but no longer care to keep. Or read and hated. Or questioned themselves as to what they were thinking at the time of purchase, and never read it at all?
We all have a stack of comics like these in the backs of our closets somewhere; comics we don’t want, yet we hold on to them, even though we know they’ll be worthless for the next fifty years. Why? Because not only are we readers, we’re collectors, and the idea of throwing away a comic book with yesterday’s coffee grounds and chicken bones just seems, well, sinful.
Actually, it doesn’t just seem sinful. It IS sinful. Not because that unwanted, slightly tattered issue of Star Brand #5 is part of the same species as our precious Uncanny X-Men #94 or Showcase #4. It’s because that every comic that goes in the garbage is one comic that will never be experienced by anyone else. It’s like throwing away that old jacket instead of donating it to Salvation Army.
We could try and sell these comics. Emphasis on “try.” Anyone ever try dumping a run of Thunderstrike or The Fly on the counter of a comic shop or used book store and ask how much they could get for it? The store owner’s laughter is still reverberating throughout the cosmos from the last time I tried. Of course, there’s eBay, but most cold comics out there won’t even make back the listing fee.
So. We can’t bring ourselves to chuck ‘em. We can’t sell ‘em. It’d be tough to even give these comics away.
No, it wouldn’t.
In another week or so, dozens of kids will be approaching our front doors as they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. They’ll say the magic words, and we’ll drop a piece of candy or two into their bags. Unless, of course, we slip them a comic book instead.
Makes sense to me. Over here are a bunch of kids we don’t know begging for us to give them stuff, and over there is a stack of comic books that we’re itching to get rid of. Connect the dots.
I first tried this several years ago, after I had decided to stop buying the Superman titles during the whole Electric Blue Superman era. Realizing that I had been buying these books more out of habit than enjoyment, I pulled the issues I didn’t want from my collection and set them aside, their fate to be decided at a later date. That later date was Halloween of that particular year, and I thought I’d gauge the reaction of the neighborhood kids by offering them a choice: either the usual candy, or an issue of Superman. Hey, just because I didn’t enjoy these comics didn’t mean that someone else wouldn’t.
By the way, I also started buying candy I don’t like to give away. Keeps me from eating it all beforehand.
To my surprise, a good number of kids chose the comic. Enthusiastically, I might add. Now, if this account sounds familiar, it’s because I wrote of this in the second installment of my column. If you read that piece, a million thank-you’s, and may a king’s fortune magically appear at your doorstep. If you didn’t, well, here’s my shameless and self-indulgent attempt at providing a link, if you’re interested.
http://www.cbgxtra.com/default.aspx?tabid=42&view=topic&forumid=71&postid=727
If that didn’t work, you can just look for Ramblings #2 elsewhere on this forum. If you want. No pressure. Take your time. I’ll wait.
Okay, you’re back. For those who didn’t wander off, here are some details: about a third of the kids wanted an issue of Superman. Most, predictably, were boys, and the older kids had the most interest. But, there were also a lot of puzzled stares. Some of these kids had never even seen a comic book. This, ironically, was the element that immediately cemented my decision to do this every Halloween. If there are kids out there who didn’t even know what a comic book was, then maybe I could do my small part to instill that awareness. And to the ones who did show interest, maybe I could instill a curiosity that would become a permanent interest.
I’ve gone through all of those Superman issues by now. I’ve got some miscellaneous Batman, Green Lantern, and Captain America comics I’ll be handing out to those who want them this year. I still hope to score some Archies cheap to try and to spark the girls’ interest a little more. If the parents come to the door, I make sure they’re okay with their child getting a comic book. And obviously, the stuff I give away is strictly kid-friendly; none of my unwanted issues of Verotika or Cerebus are going to end up in any kids’ goodie bags.
So how about it, gang? Got any comics you’re looking to unload? Now’s your chance. There’s no reason not to. You’ll clear out some space, you’ll surprise a few youngsters, you’ll feel good about yourself, and you just might bring some much-needed new readership into our hobby. And, if you’ve already bought your Halloween candy, then you’ll have that much more left for yourself.
Trust me. You’ll be the cool house in your neighborhood. You’ll be buying some insurance against your windows keeping soaped next year. And you’ll be doing a service to the industry that has provided you so much enjoyment. The industry needs new readers, and most importantly, it needs YOUNG new readers. And many of us are in a position to help.
Because the idea of our hobby further retreating from the mainstream due to declining readership isn’t just a shame. It’s scary.
Even for Halloween.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/22/2005 7:34:20 PM | Okay, how many overzealous readers have had a momentary brain burp and bought multiple copies of, say, any issue from DC’s defunct Focus imprint? Or Marvel’s Gus Beezer one-shots? Or recent issues of Todd McFarlane’s nearly-forgotten Spawn comic from Image? Or any other comic that you read and enjoyed, but no longer care to keep. Or read and hated. Or questioned themselves as to what they were thinking at the time of purchase, and never read it at all?
We all have a stack of comics like these in the backs of our closets somewhere; comics we don’t want, yet we hold on to them, even though we know they’ll be worthless for the next fifty years. Why? Because not only are we readers, we’re collectors, and the idea of throwing away a comic book with yesterday’s coffee grounds and chicken bones just seems, well, sinful.
Actually, it doesn’t just seem sinful. It IS sinful. Not because that unwanted, slightly tattered issue of Star Brand #5 is part of the same species as our precious Uncanny X-Men #94 or Showcase #4. It’s because that every comic that goes in the garbage is one comic that will never be experienced by anyone else. It’s like throwing away that old jacket instead of donating it to Salvation Army.
We could try and sell these comics. Emphasis on “try.” Anyone ever try dumping a run of Thunderstrike or The Fly on the counter of a comic shop or used book store and ask how much they could get for it? The store owner’s laughter is still reverberating throughout the cosmos from the last time I tried. Of course, there’s eBay, but most cold comics out there won’t even make back the listing fee.
So. We can’t bring ourselves to chuck ‘em. We can’t sell ‘em. It’d be tough to even give these comics away.
No, it wouldn’t.
In another week or so, dozens of kids will be approaching our front doors as they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. They’ll say the magic words, and we’ll drop a piece of candy or two into their bags. Unless, of course, we slip them a comic book instead.
Makes sense to me. Over here are a bunch of kids we don’t know begging for us to give them stuff, and over there is a stack of comic books that we’re itching to get rid of. Connect the dots.
I first tried this several years ago, after I had decided to stop buying the Superman titles during the whole Electric Blue Superman era. Realizing that I had been buying these books more out of habit than enjoyment, I pulled the issues I didn’t want from my collection and set them aside, their fate to be decided at a later date. That later date was Halloween of that particular year, and I thought I’d gauge the reaction of the neighborhood kids by offering them a choice: either the usual candy, or an issue of Superman. Hey, just because I didn’t enjoy these comics didn’t mean that someone else wouldn’t.
By the way, I also started buying candy I don’t like to give away. Keeps me from eating it all beforehand.
To my surprise, a good number of kids chose the comic. Enthusiastically, I might add. Now, if this account sounds familiar, it’s because I wrote of this in the second installment of my column. If you read that piece, a million thank-you’s, and may a king’s fortune magically appear at your doorstep. If you didn’t, well, here’s my shameless and self-indulgent attempt at providing a link, if you’re interested.
http://www.cbgxtra.com/default.aspx?tabid=42&view=topic&forumid=71&postid=727
If that didn’t work, you can just look for Ramblings #2 elsewhere on this forum. If you want. No pressure. Take your time. I’ll wait.
Okay, you’re back. For those who didn’t wander off, here are some details: about a third of the kids wanted an issue of Superman. Most, predictably, were boys, and the older kids had the most interest. But, there were also a lot of puzzled stares. Some of these kids had never even seen a comic book. This, ironically, was the element that immediately cemented my decision to do this every Halloween. If there are kids out there who didn’t even know what a comic book was, then maybe I could do my small part to instill that awareness. And to the ones who did show interest, maybe I could instill a curiosity that would become a permanent interest.
I’ve gone through all of those Superman issues by now. I’ve got some miscellaneous Batman, Green Lantern, and Captain America comics I’ll be handing out to those who want them this year. I still hope to score some Archies cheap to try and to spark the girls’ interest a little more. If the parents come to the door, I make sure they’re okay with their child getting a comic book. And obviously, the stuff I give away is strictly kid-friendly; none of my unwanted issues of Verotika or Cerebus are going to end up in any kids’ goodie bags.
So how about it, gang? Got any comics you’re looking to unload? Now’s your chance. There’s no reason not to. You’ll clear out some space, you’ll surprise a few youngsters, you’ll feel good about yourself, and you just might bring some much-needed new readership into our hobby. And, if you’ve already bought your Halloween candy, then you’ll have that much more left for yourself.
Trust me. You’ll be the cool house in your neighborhood. You’ll be buying some insurance against your windows keeping soaped next year. And you’ll be doing a service to the industry that has provided you so much enjoyment. The industry needs new readers, and most importantly, it needs YOUNG new readers. And many of us are in a position to help.
Because the idea of our hobby further retreating from the mainstream due to declining readership isn’t just a shame. It’s scary.
Even for Halloween.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm | 
Michael Tierney
Posts: 874
| Posted: 10/22/2005 9:30:52 PM | Hey Jim,
I've always thought that Halloween and comics ought to work together more!
My North Little Rock store's location on Historic Park Hill has always participated with the other area merchant's annual Halloween on the Hill, giving out comics and candy.
And at home, I mainly give out comics. Of course, you find yourself asking, "Haven't you been here before?" "Oh no, that was my twin brother. He's wearing the same outfit!" Sure, kid. Sure.
What's even funnier is when they start telling you which comics you gave out the year before. And the year before that. Yep. Your house will become targeted on an annual basis. Most of the kids come back for more, year after year.
One thing I would caution: be certain that the comics you give away contain All-Ages material. In my area, I wouldn't dream of giving away any of those recent Spawns you wanted to dump. Not to kids.
Spawn has caused trouble with kids and parents in Arkansas before, reportedly being the cause for Wal-Mart pulling comics from stores throughout the state. But that's a topic for another discussion.
Michael Tierney
www.thewildstars.com | 
Maggie Thompson
Posts: 1049
| Posted: 10/26/2005 9:50:33 AM | I gather that Marvel's project of several years ago -- production of four titles in miniature editions for Halloween give-aways -- wasn't wildly successful. (At least, it still had copies for the next Halloween, as I recall.)
Nevertheless, I wonder whether that could be a perennial sales item for comics companies, routinely released for early October shipping: Gemstone, DC, Archie, and Marvel (for example) producing 16-page miniatures (newsprint covers, issues sold 16 per bag) of all-ages material for the event.
Marvel did two Star comics and two super-hero comics. Wouldn't it be keen to give away, say, mini-comics of Sugar and Spike, Mickey Mouse, Little Archie, and Spider-Man? What would the production cost be. And how much would they reinforce the Free Comic Book Day event held in May?
Best,
Maggie Thompson |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/9/2006 8:09:38 PM | Okay, boys and ghouls, only twenty two more shopping days until Halloween, as of this writing. Be sure to head out to the store and buy plenty of candy, so that you'll have a good three weeks to eat it all before the first Trick-or-Treater comes ascreamin.'
And while you're at it, you know those junky comics that you've been meaning to pull from your collection and dispose of? Well, why dispose of 'em when you can give a chunk of 'em away? If you've got any age-appropriate stuff that you've been meaning to part with, now's your chance. All you have to do is carry 'em to your front door.
As I mentioned in the above column, I've had some degree of success giving away comics on Halloween. A lot of kids have been pleasantly surprised and look forward to coming back each year. This year, I've got a stack of issues from recent runs of Green Lantern, Flash, and Batman to hand out.
Give it a try, folks. You've got nothing to lose.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/9/2006 8:09:38 PM | Okay, boys and ghouls, only twenty two more shopping days until Halloween, as of this writing. Be sure to head out to the store and buy plenty of candy, so that you'll have a good three weeks to eat it all before the first Trick-or-Treater comes ascreamin.'
And while you're at it, you know those junky comics that you've been meaning to pull from your collection and dispose of? Well, why dispose of 'em when you can give a chunk of 'em away? If you've got any age-appropriate stuff that you've been meaning to part with, now's your chance. All you have to do is carry 'em to your front door.
As I mentioned in the above column, I've had some degree of success giving away comics on Halloween. A lot of kids have been pleasantly surprised and look forward to coming back each year. This year, I've got a stack of issues from recent runs of Green Lantern, Flash, and Batman to hand out.
Give it a try, folks. You've got nothing to lose.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/31/2006 7:36:36 PM | Well, it was a disappointing turnout of Trick or Treaters at my house this year; a record low 38 kids and teens came by, way down from a record high of 88 last year. It may have been the temperature in the '40s, but that's not unusual in these parts for Halloween night.
The good news is, exactly half of the kids chose a comic over candy when I presented them with the choice, which by far was the biggest acceptance of comics, percentage-wise, that I've seen since I started doing this in 1998. And, I'd wager nearly half of those who picked a comic were girls, who historically have preferred candy.
The choice this year being Snickers vs Green Lantern. Maybe Kyle Rayner has real-life groupies.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/31/2006 7:36:36 PM | Well, it was a disappointing turnout of Trick or Treaters at my house this year; a record low 38 kids and teens came by, way down from a record high of 88 last year. It may have been the temperature in the '40s, but that's not unusual in these parts for Halloween night.
The good news is, exactly half of the kids chose a comic over candy when I presented them with the choice, which by far was the biggest acceptance of comics, percentage-wise, that I've seen since I started doing this in 1998. And, I'd wager nearly half of those who picked a comic were girls, who historically have preferred candy.
The choice this year being Snickers vs Green Lantern. Maybe Kyle Rayner has real-life groupies.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/31/2006 7:42:37 PM | Oh yeah, I was expecting to see a preponderance of pirates this year, but there was nary a one. Maybe the fad has run its course. Two kids as Spidey, though, and one as The Hulk. And one teenage girl who looked like Death; you know, Neal Gaiman's character. Dunno if it was a costume or not, however.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 10/31/2006 7:42:37 PM | Oh yeah, I was expecting to see a preponderance of pirates this year, but there was nary a one. Maybe the fad has run its course. Two kids as Spidey, though, and one as The Hulk. And one teenage girl who looked like Death; you know, Neal Gaiman's character. Dunno if it was a costume or not, however.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm | 
Tony Isabella
Posts: 1710
| Posted: 11/1/2006 7:04:38 AM | We had a low turnout as well, though I didn't keep track of exact numbers. Trick-or-treating started at 6:00 pm here in Medina, but we didn't get our first kids until 6:30.
Lots of pirates. A Spider-Man wearing a gorilla mask. A cute bumblebee who was so fascinated by our Halloweeen lawn lights he made sure he stood in front of every decoration. My wife was so pleased.
I was disappointed to see almost no police cars patroling the streets around us. In years past, I would have seen a police car every 10-15 minutes.
This was the first year Kelly didn't go trick-or-treating. She was at basketball tryouts from 6-7 pm.
Tony
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Brent Frankenhoff
Posts: 3930
| Posted: 11/1/2006 7:55:35 AM | Iola's trick or treating was held Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. We had 175 kids stop by.
You would think in a town associated with collectible publications, we'd have some folks giving out collectible trinkets rather than sugary sweets, but nooooooooo (as John Belushi might say)! George Cuhaj, a coins book editor here, often gives homemade tokens, but he wasn't around.
A nearby comics shop, The Great Escape in Green Bay, had its Halloween sale Saturday night and I saw a number of folks digging through the 10-cent bargain bins, possibly looking for Halloween giveaways.
I went for horror-related books at 40% off. Got E.C.'s Vault of Horror boxed set and the two latest Marvel Essentials, Tales of the Zombie and Horror.
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