[IDW] Path of Vengeance #1

[urzishra]

Originally Posted by jonnybgood23

@ above - A promo doesn't "have to" be included, but you know it has to help sales. I think we can assume that the vast majority following this IDW series are Magic players. In other words, the target audience likes/loves Magic cards. Therefore putting promo cards with the comics is good business--and how much can that cost them anyway? Wizards makes some kind of profit off of the sales to IDW and IDW in turn gets significantly more sales IMHO, makes sense. I'm honestly not sure if I'd buy the comics without promo cards.

Of course it helps sales, the customer is getting more value than just the book. I can understand that. I'm saying I imagine it would do just fine without a promo card. If people are only buying the book for the promo card than what is the point of caring what the comic book is about in the first place? You had no intention of reading the book, you just wanted the card.

But you don't buy comic books, you're buying a magic card that happens to come with a comic book. You are looking at it way differently than a typical comic buyer.

I buy comics because I want to read the stories not for a promo card. I think the Magic comics have been terrible since always. I don't always pick up a copy of the comics. Then again, I don't get promo cards with my version of the comics because I buy through Comixology so I can read them on my computer and get them for cheaper.

I just don't understand why a promo card inclusion or exclusion would sway you either way. You're either going to buy the comic because you want all the promo cards, pick and choose because of a certain promo card, or buy it for the comic (which apparently judging from the thread, no one is interested in reading in the first place). None of the promo cards have been terribly appealing. It isn't like they are throwing super expensive cards in these (Standstill isn't an expensive card). So why bother if you are just buying these for the cards?

[Dakmor]

Standstill is more expensive to purchase than the comic, so that factor alone will drive sales. I would love to buy a Magic comic that can stand alone on it's own merits, but based on what I have seen, it isn't happening. I buy the comics for the fun alternate arts that appeal to me and throw the comic in the garbage.I suspect this is the most common scenario.
Around these parts, printing those books without insert cards is a guarantee to be cancelled.

[jonnybgood23]

Originally Posted by urzishra

None of the promo cards have been terribly appealing. It isn't like they are throwing super expensive cards in these (Standstill isn't an expensive card). So why bother if you are just buying these for the cards?

People, including myself, like the alternative art cards. Compare Standstill's comic promo price to the original.. supply and demand. The only reason this line of comic books exist is because people love Magic cards, soooo print Magic cards with them, am I right?

I don't think it's that hard to understand that Magic cards help sell a product based on Magic cards.

The fact that the MtG comics are generally weaker than big name stuff (e.g. Spiderman.. or whatever you like) means that the perceived value of IDW's MtG product rests not only on the comics themselves. There's nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't look down on someone for giving up on the comics because promos were pulled; it's a pretty sensible thing to do imho.

[DrWorm]

Originally Posted by urzishra

I think when the MTG flavor in general switches away from planeswalkers, there can be a decent fantasy story told via comic form. But a lot of players get excited over planeswalkers and trying to give them a face of the game is great.

Honestly it is not the character that is so terrible, it is the writing (though the art does not help). I buy a few books every week, and I have a tendency to take chances on indie or oddball titles for variety, so I know good and bad books. It is so painful to read these and follow any action, because every damn cell has exposition that is wildly different in tone from what is actually being said or being done. If you need to use that much exposition then you are not telling your story well enough or you are including garbage that should be edited out. It is bad enough during down cells, but during action sequences the pace and tempo are obliterated by the idiot voices in their head.

I read books with a good amount of exposition, heck Deadpool has it almost as often as the Magic comics, but the tone and the length of it makes sense in the context.

I am just baffled that no one has told them any of this. They need a better editor or a better writer (or both), and if they get some then I could forgive flat charaters just to read stories in the Multiverse.

[KPDaly16]

New book is in this week, to my surprise. Promo card is...Turnabout! I'll try to get a pic up but I'm on my phone at the moment.

[aprilsrain]

Originally Posted by Karric

I agree, but do they keep having to package a sub-par comic with the card I'm buying?

From the sounds of it, it's the comic that's the add-on, not the card.

I really really really really want to write these comics. Petition wizard for me! haha

I was a little disappointed in Turnabout this week when I was expecting something a little better given the art.

[jonnybgood23]

Originally Posted by KPDaly16

New book is in this week, to my surprise. Promo card is...Turnabout! I'll try to get a pic up but I'm on my phone at the moment.

Thanks Daly! Might have missed out if not for you! I can confirm that it's out and the promo is Turnabout; the card art is the same as the cover, with Dack restraining (or "tapping") a Boros dude. Again, my thanks. A very good promo IMHO.

[vatechguy]

Originally Posted by KPDaly16

New book is in this week, to my surprise. Promo card is...Turnabout! I'll try to get a pic up but I'm on my phone at the moment.

It was posted yesterday.

[Xenigma]

That's...not bad, actually. Not great, but definitely better than some of the previous promos. Looks EDH-playable, which is definitely a plus IMO.

[Rocklobster]

Originally Posted by Xenigma

That's...not bad, actually. Not great, but definitely better than some of the previous promos. Looks EDH-playable, which is definitely a plus IMO.

It's played in Legacy High Tide... so that's a plus.

[urzishra]

Originally Posted by aprilsrain

I really really really really want to write these comics. Petition wizard for me! haha

Write your own. I want to see someone actually come up with an interesting magic comic book. use card art if you have to.