As I’m reading this thread, I realize how sad it is that well written stories, that hobbyists want to read, have very little spec. But the Digitally produced/AI produced hot babe cover or 1st appearance of the Green Panther and the Red Panther (or any other dumbass new characters) are all about spec.
I’m not saying I dont understand it. I do understand it. 1st appearances are what we have understood often goes up in value. Cheescake certainly sells.
But in the end, 10/15 years from now, it’s the story that meant something to me that I want to go back to. (i.e. Watchmen, Dark knight, etc., Long Halloween, Year One, etc…).
Just an observation how cheescake covers and 1st appearances are so far above and beyond considered over great stories for spec.
You could probably attribute much of that to the trade paper back being mass produced after each 5-6 issue story arc completed. It used to be (pre 2000) only the best most in demand stories got the trade (Death in the Family, Death of Superman, etc)…now every arc is followed with a trade, it seems. So where is the incentive to pay a premium for an entire arc if it’s one truly just wants to read the story?
There are certain arcs that resonate with me where I’ll have a key book (or two) in the run, but I buy the trade for the whole story. Infinity Gauntlet, Batman Under the Hood, Captain America Winter Soldier come to mind.
