“In general, what are your thoughts on companies putting their comics out on the Web for free like this? Do you think it ultimately helps or hurts sales (or neither)?”

I think it’s a fine promotion, but who knows if it turns into sales or not. I very rarely have someone tell me “Oh hey, I read this free on MySpace, now I’m going to buy a copy!” We sold one copy of the first MySpace Presents Dark Horse tpb, despite having a Joss Whedon story in it.

“Did you order Hexed #1? If so, how has it done?”

I ordered the generic 2 copies for a new series, received the 5 free copies for being a Top 500 retailer, and sold one copy as of Monday morning. Unless the others start selling soon, I will order 2 copies for another issue, and then drop it to one, assuming I continue to only sell one copy. If #2 doesn’t sell, I will reduce the order to 0 copies for the next issue.

“Have any of your customers who bought the book mentioned the MySpace promotion?”

No.

“Has the MySpace promotion affected how you plan to order future copies of the book? ”

Nope. See my 2nd response for my future orders.

“What was your reaction to how the promotion was communicated, via the video from Mark Waid?”

I got an e-mail, but I didn’t see a video, so…I have no reaction!

The comic book industry is so far behind the times in terms of how we use the internet. It’s great to finally see these baby steps being taken. I understand why it makes retailers nervous, but I think that comes from many of them not fully understanding how the internet can be used to generate sales for them.

We put some Atomic Robo work online and it was great for us. Also, I get a slew of Google Alerts every month that link to Robo Torrents -I think this is great. You lose nothing by putting your work on the internet -the guy who only reads a comic because it was free online was enver going to spend money on your product anyway. BUT you have an opportunity to create new fans who otherwise would never have seen your book. I think the thing to keep in mind is that there is a whole huge group of people who read comics online, who have never stepped foot inside a comic book store. And they out number us old school folks who like to hold a comic in our hands.

I think that as webcomics mature, and we start to see more things put on the web for free with the intent of publishing collected volumes later on that it will only help the industry, not hurt it.

Two retailers I know both see the free stuff as hurting their business when they should be embracing it. These shops should setup bigscreen monitors and allow customers to browse select comics right in the store. Evolve or die!

No, unfortunately I’ve never had the chance as I reside in Canada but… I’ve read his columns and his site stuff so I always assumed he had a fairly large store. He seems to know the ins and outs etc so out of all the stores I would have expected him to be a larger contributor is all. Because as he says, he’s listed as a Top 500 store. So you can order a measly 2 copies and get 5 in return? That hardly seems fair. A top account, should be a top account.

*re: loud mouth – that may sound like a cheap shot, but I just referring to how vocal he is on the web compared to other comics retailers. Oftentimes, that’s a good thing, he’s obviously an articulate, smart guy with strong opinions. He’s called the big two on stuff that has benefitted fans as well as retailers. But sometimes…his comments and demeanor are more than a little off putting.

Just look in this thread at the difference between James Sime’s answer and Brian’s. When you read James’ answers, he not only seems supportive of publishers trying something new, he makes me feel like I’ m being welcome into the store.

When I read Brian’s, I felt like I was being yelled at – and I’m not even a retailer! I felt guilty for reading Northwind online and buying it the next day. Either I’m a freak or someone who is ruining the business for retailers.

Then there’s Brian’s Savage Critic site. If I ever wanted to turn someone off from the hobby I’d direct them to that site. More snark than substance. (The exception is Abhay Khosla…whether or not I agree with his reviews, even if he’s spitting venom – he’s always entertaining). It’s the online version of a phemomenon I see here in LA . There’s a shop I won’t name, where every Wednesday a hardcore group of fan-men stand around and shit on new releases out loud one by one. Often, as this is Hollywood – the creators they are mocking are within earshot. It’s unpleasant and embarassing as a customer; I can only imagine how creators feel.

As a fan who cares about the survival of this medium, I meant it when I said Mr. Hibbs seems smart and articulate (and not “articulate” in the Joe Biden describing Obama kind of way). Futher, I believe his heart is in the right place. I just wish his enthusiasm and voice were put towards accentuating the medium he so clearly loves, than by taking petty shots at small publishers and enabling his fan-critics to, well, savage the very books he’s trying to sell.

Oh, and while I’m at it, very happy the blog@ guys found a new home!