Captain America Lives Again

It seems in a few months Captain America will be reborn and turn up alive again at Marvel Comics. I think this is partially a reason why comic book fans, who have grown older have become cynical of comic books, or lost interest.

Why care if a character dies, when you know they will just eventually return, and at some point return to their status quo. Dying in comic book universes mean nothing, because if a character even has a minor league fan base, and profit can be made from them they will return. Think of all the C- characters like Wonder Man who die, only to return. If a C- character won’t stay dead, do you think a major character will?

I think with an aging audience, some people have caught on to the fact that, for example: Will Spider-Man’s identity be revealed next issue? Will Wolverine survive that fatal shot next month?

The cliffhanger really has no merit anymore for the next issue, because given enough time or years a character will always return to their status quo, and that big incident that happened is forgotten like it never existed.

That’s my thoughts on it, what about you?

Just got finished seeing the movie Terminator Salvation. I couldn’t believe Night at the Museum 2 was a box office hit and landed number 1 and that a Terminator movie was knocked for a loop to a far distant second place.

I think it’s a real shame because I will admit, I didn’t know much, other then the trailer and one plot point, about how this film would be.

But overall I really liked this film. In a film of this nature, it delivered in my opinion what it should and then some. And the ending was one where it could be open to sequels, or it could end there. But they give you a complete story.

With that said I wonder: Should they make any more Terminator movies? Or end this on a high note with this one? Because this sure as heck blows away that crap called Terminator 3.

I ask this because of the low box office take in the U.S. market. Maybe the International Market will make for better sales and a good box office total? Or that DVD sales will make up for the difference?

And with the Terminator Sarah Conner Chronicles TV show cancelled, and now the movie Terminator Salvation doing below expectations. MAYBE people are tired of this franchise in America, and it’s not worth pursuing anymore? Maybe the horse is dead? After all, the people already know the plot. It’s man versus machine, and maybe their bored of this plot and have been their, done that? How many times can you exploit the same idea?

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While watching this movie Sam Worthington and his character almost steal the film completely. After seeing the film, I thought this guy has the look, age, and body build to possibly make for a GREAT Captain America choice. If I were casting that film, this guy would be one of the top candidates for the roll. And the one I would choose.

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I was looking at the box office take and Will Ferrell in “Land of the Lost” is below expectations. Looking at his appearance on the Conan O’ Brien show, I think the past few years of box office success has finally caused him to have a big ego. Just something about his overall demeanor, the look in his eye, and gut feeling make me think he has a swelled ego. But that’s just my view on the matter. I guess only those working close with him would know the truth. But if he does have a big ego now, it wouldn’t be the first time this has happened to a celebrity, that’s for sure.

John Turitzin, Marvel’s general counsel and EVP of the executive office

During the presentation, Turitzin gave an overview of Marvel — a “cash machine,” he called it — and the various ways it makes money, from publishing and licensing to the more recently added Marvel Studios division. Like I said on Friday, one of the more interesting portions came when a comic fan in the audience asked about recent cost increases on some of Marvel’s more popular titles from $2.99 to $3.99.

When asked if Marvel would consider lowering the cover price if revenue started to drop, Turitzin said, “Our goal is to maximize our revenue, and if we’re not maximizing revenue then our pricing is wrong, and we have to take a look at that … so you can hope we see that attrition, and our prices come down.”

“We’re always testing our pricing on our comic books to see to the extent to which it is inelastic, and we can increase our profit in that business,” Turitzin said.

“We’re just looking to maximize our profits for that business while not alienating our own fan base by making them feel that they’re gouged, which I hope you don’t feel,” he told the fan.

$3.99 The Real Reason for the Increased Price

I took those quotes from a great Comic Book Resources . com article. Click the link above to get their.

Basically it’s admitted that they are pushing the boundaries on price increases to maximize their profits. And see what they can get away with, in terms of prices, before people stop buying their books.

I know a business is their to make a profit, but their is a difference between that and gouging your buying public to milk every dollar they can get from them.

I really like that last quote saying in essence: I hope you don’t feel that we’re price gouging you, but you know what? In truth we really are.

Unlike IDW, Image and other smaller publishers, people tend to forget about the comic book advertisments in Marvel Comics. Like DC Comics, both sell a lot of advertising space that brings in revenue. All things being equal, a Marvel or a DC comic should be cheaper then a smaller publisher because of the advertising revenue Marvel and DC get to off-set their price per issue costs. But if you have noticed, that is not the case. For example Image has the same price as a Marvel or a DC book. Yet Marvel and DC have prime advertising revenue space. Whereas Image has lesser space, or at least from prominent advertising companies that pay more.

But back to the main issue, it’s glad to hear someone at least be honest and admit, all things being equal. We’re increasing prices to gouge you, and see just how much we can milk from you. As we line our CEO pockets and give ourselves bonuses, that bonus alone is more then you probably make all year.

And in today’s economic climate, it sure is great to know corporate executives have our best interests at heart.

$3.99 an issue and no doubt increasing within a few years.