Doug Simpson is the manager of Paradise Comics in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Paradise Comics is involved in a variety of areas in the comics industry, from being a retail store, well regarded dealer of Golden and Silver Age comics and convention organizer. There have been some major changes in some of these areas, mostly due to the US Economy. Doug also answers questions regarding media event comics, new readers and what they're reading.
Coville:
First tell us a little about yourself. What is your resume in the comic industry?
Simpson:
I was born in Toronto and started collecting comics when around 7 years old. I officially started in the comics biz about 15 years ago. Currently I'm Manager of Paradise Comics, Manager of Paradise Conventions and a Wizard Retailer Advisor.
Coville:
Here in Canada we get plenty of US media saying their economy is in trouble. Yet our economy doesn't appear to be that bad. Has spending changed in the store recently?
Simpson:
We actually had our best year on record in 2008. So spending has been up! I firmly believe that the U.S.economy is in major trouble but that Canadian economic policies are more financially sound and we are protected as a result.
Coville:
The Canadian dollar has also dropped down to roughly $1.25 US after staying at parity with the US dollar for a while. How are the readers taking to paying more than US cover again?
Simpson:
I really wish our dollar remained had stronger but our customers continue to grasp that we are affected by the changing economy and have been very understanding. They realize that we have to pay our bills to a US distributor so we are getting charged for the exchange rate as well.
Coville:
Paradise Comics is known for selling a lot of Silver and Golden age comics. Has the market for those books picked up recently?
Simpson:
Silver and Golden age books continue to have a strong following and the decline in the U.S. has driven people to invest in different areas including older comics so we were extra busy over the last quarter of 2008.
Coville:
eBay has been making a lot of changes in terms of higher fees and restrictive feedback policies. How have these changes affected selling comics through them?
Simpson:
We do keep an eBay store but we have recently started selling on our own site www.paradisecomics.com and we continue to explore the many comic services that are available on-line.
Coville:
Are there other auction sites that growing in popularity as a result?
Simpson:
The two fastest growing sites in my opinion are Heritage Auctions and ComicLink. The selling restrictions are much less and the rate of return seems to be much higher.
Coville:
I'm hearing some eBay dealers are now spending more time selling at conventions because winning bids are not as high as they used to be. Are you finding this to be true?
Simpson:
I still believe that more sales are happening on-line than in the convention hall and talking to other dealers it seems the best product is always reserved for on-line sales.
Coville:
It might just be my personal experience but has the selling of back issues become more fractured? I'm finding depending on the grade and whether the book received a blue or purple label from GCG affects where and how it gets put up for sale. Has the selling of back issues changed all that much?
Simpson:
I have found that selling back issues is much easier now that there are so many different opportunities for dealers whether it be shows, internet, or just in the shop. CGC has equalized the selling of comics. The smallest dealer can now compete with the larger, more established dealers. That can only be a good thing. The major difference selling now is that you have to be much more aware of your market and price point is a major concern.
Coville:
Along with Peter Dixon, you organize the Paradise Comics Toronto Comicon. What is your role in putting that event together?
Simpson:
Paradise Conventions is a cooperative effort involving a large group of loyal friends and volunteers. My major duties involve coordinating the Artists/Guests and Volunteers. I simply organize all the things that need to be done to make the show run smoothly.
Coville:
The convention used to be a 3 day event at the Toronto's Exhibition Place. Do you see it growing to that size again?
Simpson:
I've fielded this question multiple times. We polled our dealers, artists and other promoters and many felt the two days show was better for them in terms of time and money. This also saves the fans having to pay for an additional day's admission and sometimes an extra night in a hotel. Truthfully, the actual time the convention halls were open was only 4 hours less than the 3 day show. This cuts down on travel costs for all the participants as well as it saves a large amount of money they have to spend on hotel.
Coville:
Do you see the date of the convention moving back to the spring or staying in the summer?
Simpson:
We are in the process of choosing our dates so stay tuned. I'm sure everyone will be happy.
Coville:
How is it getting big name pros for the convention? I understand some of the very popular ones ask for additional money beyond their expenses paid for which can really add up. Is it getting so that only the really well funded conventions can get more than handful of the more popular creators?
Simpson:
It's true that many artists do charge an appearance fee, it can be money up front, or charging for signatures, or taking a percentage of the ticket sales after the show is over. What you have to remember is that each guest is taking the time out of his often busy schedule to attend and with the weakening economy many people are simply trying to make some extra money. Our job is to give all our guests the best possible experience we can within a reasonable budget. If that means losing some guest, then we just have to be more creative in our selection of creators. The larger shows in the U.S. will always have an advantage simply because, for lack of a better term, of their "purchasing power."
Coville:
What do you see for the long term market for back issues? A lot of todays have switched to TPBs and some of those are now selling at higher prices if they are not in print. Do you think the demand for back issues will decline when the Baby Boomers have passed on?
Simpson:
The comic market is changing very quickly and demands for back issues are declining every year. I have noticed that demands for the monthly periodical "floppy type" comic has moved to the more rigid TPB. This is not only an issue in the comic industry but it goes throughout all of print publishing. I can honestly see a steady decline in the sales of new comics and growth in the field of direct to TPB comics. In terms of older more rare comics I feel the demand even after the "boomers" pass on will continue. The value of Gold and Silver Age comics is not only based on the comic itself but the implied investment that they provide. Thanks to many changes in the comic industry investors can now use comics for portfolio items, so I can see the market continuing even after many of the collectors have passed.
Coville:
As I'm sure you've heard Diamond has been making a number of changes that affect the smaller publishers. One of which is a reduction of Offered Again items. Publishers often used them to A) waive the re-order fee for retailers and B) Generate enough orders so Diamond will issue purchase more books. How does a reduction in O/A's affect what you order?
Simpson:
I try to make sure our orders are a precise as we can make them and I regularly take into account the demands for a title and how many we will need. I honestly feel we won't be affected very much by this aspect of Diamond's new policy.
Coville:
Another major Diamond change is an increase of minimum orders for publishers from $1500 to $2500. Chart watchers are saying this will reduce a large number of comics that are not on the top 300 list. Some retailers are quietly happy about the reduction of unsellable products in previews. What is your view on this?
Simpson:
I understand that Diamond is having to deal with a harsh economic reality and I know they are doing what they have to do to survive. Our shop has a very dedicated group of buyers and we know what will sell for us and what will sit on the shelf. I realize that some retailers are happy that they will not have as much work but some real quality books will be lost. I'll just have to order directly from the publisher in those cases.
Coville:
Diamond has also decided they won't allow re-orders on comics and magazines 60 days after their initial release. This likely won't apply to Marvel and DC. Do you do a lot of reorders on comics 60 days after they came out, be it Two-Morrows magazines or other books?
Simpson:
I don't think this will affect us as we order with the future in mind.
Coville:
As of late we are seeing a lot of 'media event' comics like the Death of Captain America, Batman and more recently the Obama comics. It's clear they are generating a lot of non-readers into the comic shop for that one issue, but are any of them sticking around to become regular readers?
Simpson:
The boom of media event comic releases has brought many new readers into the shop for books. Most have never been into a comic book store and are surprised at the vast array of product available. I'm finding most become TPB readers because of the easy access and the freedom it gives them to buy at their leisure.
Coville:
FCBD has a similar effect of driving non-readers into stores to get the special comics. It's been going on for 8 years upcoming this May. Is it still effective in creating new regular readers?
Simpson:
I still think Free Comic Day is a good idea. It gives us a chance to reward our regular customers and to bring in the people who have been scared to commit money to an unknown story. I have quite a few regulars who first came into the shop on FCBD.
Coville:
When new readers do come in do you know if they are brand new readers, perhaps inspired by the movies or relapsed readers getting back into it?
Simpson:
It seems most tend to be lapsed collectors who have been away and are trying something new.
Coville:
Of those that do become regular readers, what types of books are they buying? Is there anything in particular they lean towards, be it big event mini's, licensed books, GNs, art-lit books, or B and C "level" superhero titles?
Simpson:
I'm finding more and more people who return are either looking for something that makes them think or are looking to pick up where they left off. Most buyers are picking up the TPB. It is so much easier to catch up on storylines.
