"Marvel: Point One" Initiative Announced

[Blue Saint]

Press Release

Okay I will try to explain this better than they do. After the start of a new storyline in select titles Marvel will release an one-shot that takes the issue's number where the arc begins followed by a ".1", i.e. "Invincible Iron Man 500.1". These one-shots are self-contained stories designed to introduce new readers to the characters with each one priced at $2.99. And honestly I don't like this move. It is Marvel basically admitting that it is impossible for a new reader to pick up one their titles without help and then instead of trying to address they want you to pay extra to make for their failings. Let's just admit this Marvel's counter to DC's price cut and it is a poor one. Notice how they only say these one-shots are $2.99, more than likely the prices on the titles themselves will remand the same. Marvel's just needs to sack up and cut their prices too just so they can save face, these counters are just making them look worse and worse.

 

[Hidden Masta]

These .1 sound a lot like wikipedia but not free.

 

[Sage Shinigami]

It's for retailers. Not everyone knows when every new arc begins, so you can just look for the .1, say, "There's your new arc. Start there." because every new arc SHOULD be new reader friendly.

No one should expect to pick up issue 3 of five and know what's happening.

 

[Blue Saint]

It's for retailers. Not everyone knows when every new arc begins, so you can just look for the .1, say, "There's your new arc. Start there." because every new arc SHOULD be new reader friendly.

No one should expect to pick up issue 3 of five and know what's happening.

These are basically #0 issues. From what everyone has been able to gather from that confusing press release these are extra issues in addition to normal issues, to be fair this is just based on the Invincible Iron #500.1 listing and everyone's doubt Marvel would cancel the $5 "anniversary" issue. If not they need to fire whoever wrote the press release since it raises more questions than anything else.

 

[Blue Saint]

Okay we are starting to see the bigger picture now. From comments made by Brevoort it now seems the $2.99 price will only be for the .1 issues the pricing on the actual ongoings will remain the same. So just so we all clear Marvel's thinking here is that we should be happy that the vital extra issue which set-ups a year's worth of story for each title, that could have just been an regular issue, is only $2.99...