Reality Check

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Óðýñïò Γ…Γ΅ΓœΓ£Γ£Γ₯ëïò ÁñìÝíçò: ÌßëçóÝ ìÑò ãéÑ ôçí éÀéüôçôÜ Γ³Γ―Γ΅ ΓΉΓ² comics retailer. Ðþò Üñ÷éóÑí üëÑ; ΓƒΓ©Γ‘Γ΄ΓŸ ÀéÜëΓ₯Γ�Γ₯Γ² ôïí óáãΓͺΓ₯ΓͺñéìÝíï ôïìÝÑ;

Dan Thompson: ¹ìïáí ÝíÑò «ÀáíÑôüò» óáëëÝΓͺôçò. ÐÑñÜããΓ₯ëíÑ üôé ðßóôΓ₯áÑ ðùò èÑ Γ₯ßíÑé ôï Γ₯ðüìΓ₯Γ­Γ― «éóôïñéΓͺΓΌΒ» Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ―Γ². Ïé ôßôëïé ôïá Spider-Man ÞôÑí ðÜíôïôΓ₯ ôï core ôùí Ñãïñþí ìïá. ÁðïâÜóéóÑ Γ­Γ‘ ãßíù retailer ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ÒïçèÞóù Γ―Γ©ΓͺïíïìéΓͺÜ ôï óáëëΓ₯ΓͺôéΓͺΓΌ ìïá ÷üìðé. ¼ìùò ôï ðñÜãìÑ ΓͺÜðïá ãýñéóΓ₯ ìðïýìΓ₯ñÑíãΓͺ Γ¬Γ₯ ôï ðïá Üñ÷éóÑ Γ­Γ‘ ðïáëÜù ΓͺÑé Γ§ ðñïóùðéΓͺÞ ìïá óáëëïãÞ ìðÞΓͺΓ₯ Γ³Γ₯ Γ€Γ₯Γ½Γ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ§ ìïßñÑ. ÌÜëëïí ÒñßóΓͺΓΉ Γ¬Γ₯ãÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ§ Γ©ΓͺÑíïðïßçóç óôï Γ­Γ‘ ÒïçèÜù ôïáò Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ² ìïá Γ­Γ‘ ÒñßóΓͺïáí ôÑ comics ôïáò Ñðü ôï Γ­Γ‘ ôÑ ΓͺñÑôÜù Γ― ßÀéïò. Γ…Γ°ΓŸΓ³Γ§Γ² ôï Γ­Γ‘ ðïáëÜò Γ³Γ₯ ΓΌΓ«Γ₯Γ² ôéò ãùíéÝò ôçò ãçò Γ₯ßíÑé ìßÑ Γ₯ðéðëÝïí, ΓͺÑéíïýñãéÑ Γ©ΓͺÑíïðïßçóç ãéÑ ìÝíÑ, ìéÑ ΓͺÑé ðñéí 3 ÷ñüíéÑ Γ€Γ₯ èÑ ìðïñïýóÑ Γ­Γ‘ âÑíôÑóôþ ðùò èÑ Γ₯ß÷Ñ ÝíÑí âßëï Ñðü ôçí Γ…Γ«Γ«ΓœΓ€Γ‘ ΓͺÑé 15 ÜëëΓ₯Γ² Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ₯Γ² üðïá ΓͺÑé èÑ ôÑ÷áÀñïìïýóÑ comics ìçíéÑßùò!

ÓÅÁ: ÌΓ₯ ôß ôñüðï ÀïáëΓ₯Γ½Γ₯éò; ÈÝëù Γ­Γ‘ ðù, Γ₯ñãÜæΓ₯óÑé ÑðïΓͺΓ«Γ₯éóôéΓͺÜ óôï ÀéÑÀßΓͺôáï/ebay Þ Ý÷Γ₯éò ΓͺÑé ΓͺÜðïéï ìÑãÑæß;

DT: ÎΓ₯ΓͺßíçóÑ óôï ebay üðïá ΓͺÑé ΓͺÑôÜ Γͺýñéï ëüãï ÀïáëΓ₯Γ½ΓΉ. ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ ÑñΓͺΓ₯ôïýò ìüíéìïáò Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ². Êáñßùò ðïáëÜù comics Γ³Γ₯ Ñáôïýò. Γ…Γ°ΓŸΓ³Γ§Γ² Γ­Γ―Γ©ΓͺéÜæù ÝíÑ ìéΓͺΓ±ΓΌ ôìÞìÑ Γ³Γ₯ ÝíÑ video store óôçí ðüëç ðïá ìÝíù, óôï Clinton. Ôï ìÑãÑæß Γ₯ßíÑé ôï ΓͺΓ₯íôñéΓͺΓΌ ÒßíôΓ₯Γ― ΓͺëÑìð ΓͺÑé ÒñßóΓͺïìÑé Γ₯ΓͺΓ₯ß Γ₯Àþ ΓͺÑé 3 ìÞíΓ₯Γ² Γ°Γ₯ñßðïá. ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ ðëÝïí ΓͺÑé ìßÑ ðñïóùðéΓͺÞ éóôïóΓ₯ëßÀÑ, ôçí www.globalcomic.com. To 80% ôçò Γ°Γ₯ëÑôΓ₯ᥕ ìïá ðñïÝñ÷Γ₯ôÑé Ñðü ôï Γ₯Γ�ΓΉΓ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺΓΌ, ïðüôΓ₯ ôï "globalcomic" ðéóôΓ₯Γ½ΓΉ ðùò Γ₯ßíÑé ôï ΓͺÑôÑëëçëüôΓ₯Γ±Γ― üíïìÑ, ìéÑ ΓͺÑé Γ³ΓͺΓ―Γ°Γ₯Γ½ΓΉ Γ­Γ‘ Γ₯Γ°Γ₯ΓͺΓ΄Γ₯ßíù ôç óáíΓ₯ñãÑóßÑ ìïá Γ¬Γ₯ Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ² Γ₯Γͺôüò ÁìΓ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺÞò.

ÓÅÁ: ΓƒΓ©Γ‘Γ΄ΓŸ ðñïôéìÜò Ñáôüí ôïí ôñüðï ÀïáëΓ₯éÜò; ÐéóôΓ₯Γ½Γ₯éò ðùò ôï internet Γ₯ßíÑé ïáóéÑóôéΓͺÜ ôï Γ₯ðüìΓ₯Γ­Γ― ÒÞìÑ Γ₯Γ�ÝëéΓ�çò óôéò ÑãïñÑðùëçóßΓ₯Γ²;

DT: Ùò ãíùóôüí, ôï internet Γ¬Γ₯ãÑëþíΓ₯Γ© ìÝñÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôç ìÝñÑ. Íïìßæù ðùò Γ³Γ₯ ëßãÑ ÷ñüíéÑ Ñðü ôþñÑ èÑ ãßíΓ₯ôÑé Γ₯ΓͺΓ₯ß ôï Γ¬Γ₯ãÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ― ΓͺïììÜôé ôïá ôæßñïá. Ôï ÑñíçôéΓͺΓΌ ÒÝÒÑéÑ Γ₯ßíÑé ðùò ðïëëÜ ìÑãÑæéÜ Ý÷ïáí ÑñΓͺΓ₯ôÜ ðñïÒëÞìÑôÑ Γ₯ðéÒßùóçò óôïí Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ―. ÐïëëÜ Ñðü ÑáôÜ Γ¬Γ₯ôÑâÝñèçΓͺÑí óôï ÀßΓͺôáï ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ÑíΓ₯ÒÜóïáí ôéò ðùëÞóΓ₯éò ôïáò. ÁëëÜ üôÑí ÝíÑò ÑãïñÑóôÞò ìðïñΓ₯ß Γ­Γ‘ Γ’Γ±Γ₯Γ© ôï ðñïúüí âèçíüôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ online, ìÜëëïí ΓͺÑíÝíÑò Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ìðïñΓ₯ß Γ­Γ‘ ôïí ΓͺÑôçãïñÞóΓ₯Γ© ãéÑ ÑáôÞ ôïá ôçí ðñïôßìçóç.

ÓÅÁ: ΒΈΓ·Γ₯éò ΓͺÜðïéÑ «ìáóôéΓͺÞ âüñìïáëÑ» ãéÑ ôéò ðÑñÑããΓ₯ëßΓ₯Γ² ôùí ΓͺÑéíïýñãéùí comics; ΒΉ ôïáëÜ÷éóôïí ΓͺÜôé ðïá Γ³Γ₯ ðñïΓ₯éÀïðïéΓ₯ß ðùò Β« Ááôü ôï Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ―Γ²/Γ³Γ₯éñÜ èÑ ΓͺÜíΓ₯Γ© èñÑýóç. Áò ðÑñÑããΓ₯ßëïáìΓ₯ ìéÑ íôïáæßíÑ ðÑñÑðÜíù»;

DT: ÁðëÜ Γ‘Γͺïëïáèþ ôïáò Ñíèñþðïáò ôçò Òéïìç÷ÑíßΓ₯Γ² ðïá ΓͺÜíïáí ôÑ Γ¬Γ₯ãÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ «íïýìΓ₯ñÑ», ãéÑôß ΓΉΓ² ãíùóôüí, üôÑí ΓͺÜðïéÑ óáãΓͺΓ₯ΓͺñéìÝíÑ ÜôïìÑ Γ’Γ±Γ₯èïýí Γ³Γ₯ ΓͺÜðïéï project, ôüôΓ₯ èÑ ìÑæÝøïáí ÝíÑ Γ¬Γ₯ãÜëï Ññéèìü ÑíÑãíùóôþí. ÏñéóìÝíΓ₯Γ² âïñÝò ãéÑ ìÝíÑ ÑñΓͺΓ₯ß ÝíÑ preview ôçò éóôïñßÑò Þ ôïá Γ³Γ·Γ₯Àßïá. Áí Γ¬Γ₯ Γ©ΓͺÑíïðïéïýí ôüôΓ₯ ðÑßñíù ΓͺÑé Γ°Γ₯ñéóóüôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ΓͺüðéΓ₯Γ². Γ…Γ¬Γ₯ßò Γ―Γ© retailers Ý÷ïáìΓ₯ ôç ÀáíÑôüôçôÑ Γ­Γ‘ ìðïñïýìΓ₯ Γ­Γ‘ ðÜñïáìΓ₯ ÝíÑ preview Ñðü ΓͺÜðïéÑ comics ðñéí ôÑ ðÑñÑããΓ₯ßëïáìΓ₯. ¼ðùò ãéÑ ðÑñÜÀΓ₯éãìÑ, üôÑí ôï TEEN TITANS #1 ÝΓͺÑíΓ₯ ôçí Γ₯ìâÜíéóÞ ôïá, ÝñéΓ�Γ‘ ìéÑ ìÑôéÜ óôï Γ³Γ₯íÜñéï ôïá Geoff Johns ΓͺÑé ôÑ ìïëýÒéÑ ôïá Mike McKone ΓͺÑé Γ³ΓͺÝâôçΓͺΓ‘ ðùò Γ₯Àþ ìéëÜìΓ₯ ãéÑ Γ¬Γ₯ãÜëç Γ₯ðéôá÷ßÑ. Êé Ýôóé Γ‘ΓͺñéÒþò ÝãéíΓ₯: Ôï Γ³Γ₯íÜñéï ÞôÑí ΓͺÑôÑðëçΓͺôéΓͺΓΌ, ôï ó÷ÝÀéï Γ₯ðßóçò, ΓͺÑé ôï óáãΓͺΓ₯ΓͺñéìÝíï comic ÑéâíéÀßÑóΓ₯ ðïëý Γͺüóìï.

ÓÅÁ: Áó÷ïëΓ₯ßóÑé ΓͺÑèüëïá Γ¬Γ₯ ôÑ back issues; Êé Ñí ΓΌΓ·Γ©, ãéÑôß;

DT: ΒΌΓ·Γ© éÀéÑßôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘, ΓͺÑé Γ― Γͺýñéïò ëüãïò Γ₯ßíÑé ðùò Γ·Γ±Γ₯éÜæΓ₯ôÑé ðïëýò Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ―Γ² ãéÑ ΓͺÜôé ôÝôïéï. Êé Γ₯ãþ Γ€Γ₯Γ­ Ý÷ù ÑñΓͺΓ₯ôü. Γ…Γ°ΓŸΓ³Γ§Γ² Γ₯ßíÑé ÞÀç ÑñΓͺΓ₯ôÜ ÀýóΓͺïëï Γ­Γ‘ ïñãÑíùèΓ₯ßò Γ¬Γ₯ üëïáò Ñáôïýò ôïáò ΓͺÑéíïýñãéïáò ôßôëïáò ΓͺÜèΓ₯ ìÞíÑ, ðüóï ìÜëëïí Γ­Γ‘ ðñïóðÑèΓ₯ßò Γ­Γ‘ ÀéÑôçñÞóΓ₯éò ΓͺÑé ÝíÑ Γ₯íçìΓ₯ñùìÝíï óôïΓͺ Ñðü back issues. ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ ÒÝÒÑéÑ ΓͺÜðïéÑ, ÀéÑôçñþ ìßÑ ÑðïèÞΓͺΓ§ Γ¬Γ₯ 10-15000 Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ§... ÑëëÜ ôÑ Γ°Γ₯ñéóóüôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ Γ₯ßíÑé ôùí Γ΄Γ₯Γ«Γ₯áôÑßùí ôñéþí Γ₯ôþí.

ÓÅÁ: Variants. ÐïáëÜíΓ₯ ôüóï ΓͺÑëÜ ΓΌΓ³Γ― Γ―Γ© ßÀéΓ₯Γ² Γ―Γ© Γ₯ôÑéñΓ₯ßΓ₯Γ² èÝëïáí Γ­Γ‘ ðéóôΓ₯ýïáìΓ₯;

DT: ÊÑé íÑé ΓͺÑé ΓΌΓ·Γ©... Γ“Γ΅Γ­ΓžΓ¨ΓΉΓ² ôï ðñþôï ðñÜãìÑ ðïá ΓͺÜíïáí Γ―Γ© ÑíÑãíþóôΓ₯Γ² ìüëéò Γ₯ìâÑíéóôΓ₯ß ÝíÑ variant, Γ₯ßíÑé Γ­Γ‘ ôñÝΓ�ïáí Γ­Γ‘ ÑñðÜΓ�ïáí ÝíÑ Ñíôßôáðï. ÔÑ Γ°Γ₯ñéóóüôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ ìÑãÑæéÜ Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ðïëáÑó÷ïëïýíôÑé Γ¬Γ₯ ÑáôÜ, ΓͺÑé ãé Ñáôü üëïé óôñÝâïíôÑé óôéò ÀéÑÀéΓͺôáÑΓͺÝò ÀçìïðñÑóßΓ₯Γ² üðùò óôï ebay. Ìüëéò ðÝóΓ₯Γ© Γ§ æÞôçóç, ôÑ variants ÷Üíïáí ÝíÑ ìÝñïò Ñðü ôçí Γ‘Γ�ßÑ ôïáò. ¼ìùò ΓͺÜðïéÑ variants Γ₯ßíÑé ðñÑãìÑôéΓͺÜ óðÜíéÑ ΓͺïììÜôéÑ, üðùò óôçí Γ°Γ₯ñßðôùóç ôïá WOLVERINE #20, üðïá Γ₯ß÷ÑìΓ₯ ìéÑ ÑíÑëïãßÑ 1/65. ΒΈΓ­Γ‘ Ñðü ôÑ óðÑíéüôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ§ ôçò Marvel Ñáôüí ôïí ΓͺÑéñü, ãé Ñáôü ΓͺÑé èÑ Γ¬Γ₯ßíΓ₯Γ© top seller. ¼ëÑ Γ₯Γ�ÑñôþíôÑé Ñðü ôï ßÀéï ôï comic. Ôï ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 white cover variant Ñò ðïýìΓ₯, Γ₯ßíÑé ΓͺÑé èÑ ðÑñÑìΓ₯ßíΓ₯Γ© óôçí ΓͺïñáâÞ ìéÑ ΓͺÑé ðñüΓͺΓ₯éôÑé ãéÑ ðñÑãìÑôéΓͺÜ low print run. ÊÑé óôçí Γ΄Γ₯ëéΓͺÞ, Γ― ΓͺÑôÑíÑëùôÞò Γ₯ßíÑé Ñáôüò ðïá èÑ ÑðïÀΓ₯ßΓ�Γ₯Γ© óôçí Γ₯ôÑéñßÑ ôï ðüóï ΓͺÑëÜ ðïáëÜíΓ₯ ôÑ variant comics ôçò. ÂëÝðù ôï 2005 óÑí «Ôï ¸ôïò Ôùí VariantsΒ». ¹Àç Γ₯ßÀÑìΓ₯ ôçí Marvel Γ­Γ‘ ΓͺÜíΓ₯Γ© ôï Γ�Γ₯ΓͺßíçìÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôÑ Director's Cut, ΓͺÑé âáóéΓͺÜ ôÑ 4 variants ôïá NEW AVENGERS#1.

ÓÅÁ: ÐéóôΓ₯Γ½Γ₯éò ðùò Γ§ «ÒüìÒÑ» ôïá ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 ìðïñΓ₯ß Γ­Γ‘ Γ₯ðÑíÑëçâèΓ₯ß óôï ìÝëëïí Γ¬Γ₯ ΓͺÜôé Üëëï; ¼ðùò Γ¬Γ₯ ôï NEW AVENGERS ãéÑ ðÑñÜÀΓ₯éãìÑ;

DT: ÈÑ Γ₯ßíÑé ðïëý ÀýóΓͺïëï Γ­Γ‘ ÑíôÑãùíéóôΓ₯ß ôç ÀýíÑìç ôçò ïìÜÀÑò ôùí Bendis ΓͺÑé Bagley. Ôï ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ÑéâíéÀßÑóΓ₯ ôïáò ðÜíôΓ₯Γ²! ÁΓͺïáãüôÑí ôüôΓ₯ Γ§ âñÜóç "ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN= Ultimate flop?" Ïé ìÑãÑæÜôïñΓ₯Γ² Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ðÑñÜããΓ₯éëÑí Γ¬Γ₯ãÜëΓ₯Γ² ðïóüôçôΓ₯Γ², ìéÑò ΓͺÑé áðÞñ÷Ñí ÞÀç ôüóïé ðïëëïß ôßôëïé Γ¬Γ₯ ôïí Spidey, ΓͺΓ© Ñáôüò âÑéíüôÑí ìéÑ Ñð' ôÑ ßÀéÑ. ÌΓ₯ ôï NEW AVENGERS ôþñÑ, Ý÷Γ₯Γ© ÞÀç Ññ÷ßóΓ₯Γ© ÝíÑò «ðÑíéΓͺΓΌΓ²Β», ΓͺΓ© Γ₯éÀéΓͺÜ Γ¬Γ₯ ôÑ 4 ÀéÑâïñΓ₯ôéΓͺÜ Γ₯Γ�þâáëëÑ, üìùò ôÑ ìÑãÑæéÜ ðÑñÑããÝëíïáí Γ΄Γ₯ñÜóôéΓ₯Γ² ðïóüôçôΓ₯Γ² ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ΓͺÑôÑâÝñïáí Γ­Γ‘ âôÜóïáí ôéò ÑíÑëïãßΓ₯Γ² ðïá ôÑ áðïóôçñßæïáí, ÜñÑ Γ§ Γ₯Γ½Γ±Γ₯Γ³Γ§ Γ₯Γ­ΓΌΓ² Ñíôéôýðïá èÑ Γ₯ßíÑé ÑñΓͺΓ₯ôÜ Γ₯Γ½Γͺïëç, ôïáëÜ÷éóôïí ãéÑ ΓͺÜðïéï ÀéÜóôçìÑ. ¹Àç Γ‘ΓͺΓ―Γ½Γ£Γ₯ôÑé ðùò ðïëëïß Ý÷ïáí Γ�Γ₯Γ¬Γ₯ßíΓ₯Γ© Ñðü ΓͺüðéΓ₯Γ², ÑëëÜ Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí Γ₯ìâÜíéóç ôïá ôÝôÑñôïá printing Γ€Γ₯ ÒëÝðù Γ­Γ‘ âôÜíΓ₯Γ© ôéò ôéìÝò ôïá ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1. ÃéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ãßíΓ₯Γ© ΓͺÜôé ôÝôïéï, èÑ ðñÝðΓ₯Γ© Γ­Γ‘ Γ₯ßíÑé ÝíÑ Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ―Γ² ðïá Γ€Γ₯ èÑ Γ‘ΓͺïáóôΓ₯ß ìÝ÷ñé Γ­Γ‘ ΓͺΓ΅ΓͺëïâïñÞóΓ₯Γ©, ΓͺÑé èÑ ΓͺÜíΓ₯Γ© ôïáò ðÜíôΓ₯Γ² Γ­Γ‘ Γ³ΓͺïôþíïíôÑé ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ÑðïΓͺôÞóïáí ÝíÑ Ñíôßôáðï!

ÓÅÁ: Marvel vs DC. Γ•Γ°ΓœΓ±Γ·Γ₯Γ© ðñÜãìÑôé ìßÑ ôÝôïéÑ «ìÜ÷ç»;

DT: Ááôüò Γ― ðüëΓ₯ìïò ìÑßíΓ₯ôÑé Γ‘ΓͺüìÑ, ΓͺÑé èÑ óáíΓ₯÷éóôΓ₯ß ΓͺÑé ãéÑ ðïëý Γ¬Γ₯ôÜ ôï èÜíÑôü ìÑò. Γ‡ Marvel èÝôΓ₯Γ© ΓͺÑéíïýñãéÑ ΓͺÑé Γ’Γ₯ëôéùìÝíÑ éÀÑíéΓͺÜ, ΓͺÑé ÷ôáðÜ ÞÀç ôçí Òéïìç÷ÑíßÑ Γ¬Γ₯ "young gun" ΓͺÑëëéôÝ÷íΓ₯Γ² ΓͺÑé variant covers Γ¬Γ₯ Γ³Γͺïðü Γ­Γ‘ èÑìðþóΓ₯Γ© ΓͺÜèΓ₯ ÑíÑãíþóôç. H DC Ñðü ôçí Üëëç, ðÑñÜ ôçí ðïëéôéΓͺÞ ôïá overprinting ðïá Γ‘ΓͺïëïáèΓ₯ß, ÞÀç Γ³Γ₯ ðïëëïýò top ôßôëïáò Γ�Γ₯ðïáëÜΓ₯Γ© ΓͺÑíïíéΓͺÜ, ΓͺÑé ΓͺÜðïéïé Ñðü Ñáôïýò ΓͺüÒïáí Γ€Γ₯Γ½Γ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ― ΓͺÑé ôñßôï printing. Ááôü ìïá Γ€Γ₯ß÷íΓ₯Γ© üôé ΓͺÑé Γ―Γ© Àýï Γ₯ôÑéñßΓ₯Γ² Γ₯ßíÑé ðïëý ÀáíÑôÝò ΓͺÑé ÀïáëΓ₯ýïáí Γ³Γ₯ âïáë ñáèìïýò. ÊÑé ðïéïò ìðïñΓ₯ß Γ­Γ‘ ÑíôéóôÑèΓ₯ß Γ³Γ₯ ìéÑ ìÜ÷ç Γ¬Γ₯ôÑΓ�Γ½ ôïá Hulk ΓͺÑé ôïá Superman Þ ôïá Super Boy Γ¬Γ₯ ôïí Spider-Man ÜëëùóôΓ₯;

ÓÅÁ: Γ”ΓŸ ðéóôΓ₯Γ½Γ₯éò ãéÑ ôçí áðÝñ-ðñïóâïñÜ ôùí variants ôçò Top Cow ΓͺÑé ôçò Aspen; ¸÷ïáí ΓͺÑìéÜ Γ₯ëðßÀÑ Γ­Γ‘ ÀéÑôçñÞóïáí ôçí ÀýíÑìç ôïáò Γ¬Γ₯ôÜ Ñðü 2-3 ÷ñüíéÑ;

DT: ÐïëëÜ Ñðü ÑáôÜ ôÑ Γ₯Γ�þâáëëÑ Γ₯ßíÑé "eye candy" ΓͺÑé Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí Aspen ôïá Michael Turner ðïéïò ìðïñΓ₯ß Γ­Γ‘ ÑíôéóôÑèΓ₯ß Γ³Γ₯ ΓͺÜðïéÑ Ñðü ÑáôÜ; ¼ðùò Γ₯ßðÑ ΓͺÑé ðñéí, ðÜíôÑ óôçí Ññ÷Þ Γ―Γ© ôéìÝò ôïáò ÒñßóΓͺïíôÑé óôçí ΓͺïñáâÞ, ÑëëÜ Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí ðÜñïÀï ôïá Γ·Γ±ΓΌΓ­Γ―Γ΅ ðÝâôïáí ΓͺÑôÜ ΓͺÜðïéï ìéΓͺΓ±ΓΌ ðïóïóôü. ÊÑôÑëÞãù Γ³Γ₯ Ñáôü ôï óáìðÝñÑóìÑ, âáóéΓͺÜ, Γͺáñßùò Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí ðñïóùðéΓͺÞ Γ₯ìðΓ₯éñßÑ ìïá ΓΉΓ² ðùëçôÞò, ÷ùñßò Γ­Γ‘ óçìÑßíΓ₯Γ© ðùò ôÑ óáãΓͺΓ₯ΓͺñéìÝíÑ Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ§ èÑ ÷Üóïáí ÑðÑñÑßôçôÑ ôçí Γ‘Γ�ßÑ ôïáò. Ïé Top Cow ΓͺÑé Aspen óðñþ÷íïáí óôçí ÑãïñÜ ðÜñÑ ðïëëÜ Β«Γ₯éÀéΓͺÜ» Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ§, ôÑ ïðïßÑ ÑñÝóïáí óôïí Γͺüóìï, ΓΌΓ³Γ― ëïéðüí ôï Γ³Γ₯íÜñéï ðÑñÑìÝíΓ₯Γ© óáíΓ₯ðÝò ΓͺÑé Γ€Γ₯ èÑ Γ·Γ±Γ₯éÜæΓ₯ôÑé Γ­Γ‘ Γ°Γ₯ñéìÝíΓ₯éò ÝíÑ ôñßìçíï Γ¬Γ₯ôÑΓ�Γ½ ôùí Γ΄Γ₯á÷þí, èÑ áðÜñ÷Γ₯Γ© ðÜíôÑ æÞôçóç.
Γ…Γ°Γ‘Γ­Γ‘Γ«Γ‘Γ¬Γ’ΓœΓ­ΓΉ ðùò ôÝôïéÑ Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ§ Γ₯Γ�ÑñôþíôÑé Ñðü ôïí ÑíÑãíþóôç ΓͺÑé ôï Γ³Γ₯íÜñéï. ¼ôÑí ÝíÑ comic ΓͺÜíΓ₯Γ© ðÑñÑðÜíù Ñðü ÝíÑ Þ Àýï ìÞíΓ₯Γ² ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ 񋆑Γ₯Γ© ôï Γ₯ðüìΓ₯Γ­Γ― Γ΄Γ₯Γ½Γ·Γ―Γ², Γ― Γͺüóìïò Γ΄Γ₯ßíΓ₯Γ© Γ­Γ‘ ÷ÜóΓ₯Γ© ôï Γ₯íÀéÑâÝñïí ôïá ìéÑ ΓͺÑé áðÜñ÷ïáí ðÜñÑ ðïëëïß ΓͺÑéíïýñãéïé ôßôëïé óôÑ ñÜâéÑ ìçíéÑßùò ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ìðïñïýí Γ­Γ‘ ôïáò Γ‘Γͺïëïáèïýí üëïáò. Γ•Γ°ΓœΓ±Γ·Γ―Γ΅Γ­ ÒÝÒÑéÑ ΓͺÑé Γ―Γ© «óΓͺëçñïðáñçíéΓͺïß» óáëëÝΓͺΓ΄Γ₯Γ² ãéÑ ôïáò ïðïßïáò ÝíÑò Γ·Γ±ΓΌΓ­Γ―Γ² ÑíÑìïíÞò Γ€Γ₯Γ­ Γ₯ßíÑé ΓͺÑé ΓͺÜôé óçìÑíôéΓͺΓΌ. ¼ìùò Γ§ ðëΓ₯éïøçâßÑ, ΓͺÑé ÑáôÞ Γ₯ßíÑé ôï æçôïýìΓ₯Γ­Γ―, Γ€Γ₯Γ­ Ý÷Γ₯Γ© ôüóç áðïìïíÞ.

ÓÅÁ: Γ•Γ°ΓžΓ±Γ�Γ₯ ΓͺÜðïéï ðñüÒëçìÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôéò ðÑñÑããΓ₯ëßΓ₯Γ² óôï Γ₯Γ�ΓΉΓ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺΓΌ ìÝ÷ñé ôþñÑ;

DT: ÂÑóéΓͺÜ, ôï 80% ôçò ÀïáëΓ₯éÜò ìïá Γ₯ßíÑé Γ¬Γ₯ Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ² Ñðü ôï Γ₯Γ�ΓΉΓ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺΓΌ. ÓáíΓ₯ñãÜæïìÑé Γ¬Γ₯ Γ‰Γ‘Γ°ΓΉΓ­ΓŸΓ‘, ÏáããÑñßÑ, Γ…Γ«Γ«ΓœΓ€Γ‘, ÁããëßÑ, ÏëëÑíÀßÑ, Γ–Γ©Γ«Γ©Γ°Γ°ΓŸΓ­Γ₯Γ², ÁáóôñÑëßÑ, Γ‚Γ―Γ΅Γ«Γ£Γ‘Γ±ΓŸΓ‘, ÍüôéÑ ÁâñéΓͺÞ, ÊÑíÑÀÜ ΓͺÑé ðïëëÝò ÜëëΓ₯Γ²... Ý÷Γ₯Γ© ÷ÑèΓ₯ß ìüíï ÝíÑ Global Priority ÀÝìÑ óôÑ Γ₯ΓͺÑôïíôÜÀΓ₯Γ² ôùí Ñðïóôïëþí, ΓͺÑé ÝíÑ air mail ðÑΓͺÝôï ôïá ΓͺÑëïý ìïá âßëïá óôçí Γ…Γ«Γ«ΓœΓ€Γ‘. ÊÜðïéΓ₯Γ² Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ₯Γ² Γ€Γ₯Γ­ Ý÷ïáí Global Priority áðçñΓ₯óßΓ₯Γ², ðÑñüëï ðïá Ñáôüò Γ₯ßíÑé Γ― ΓͺÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ―Γ² ôñüðïò ÑðïóôïëÞò. ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ óáíΓ₯ñãÑæüìΓ₯íïáò ðùëçôÝò Γ³Γ₯ 5 Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ₯Γ², ïðüôΓ₯ óôÝëíù ãýñù óôÑ 20 Γ¬Γ₯ 30 ÀÝìÑôÑ ôçí Γ₯ÒÀïìÜÀÑ ΓͺÜðïéΓ₯Γ² âïñÝò.

ÓÅÁ: Γ…ΓŸΓ°Γ₯Γ² ðùò Γ�Γ₯ΓͺßíçóΓ₯Γ² ÝíÑ ðñïóùðéΓͺΓΌ site. ÌéëÜìΓ₯ ãéÑ ÝíÑ ÑðïΓͺΓ«Γ₯éóôéΓͺÜ «ìÑãÑæß» site;

DT: Ôï site Γ₯ßíÑé ÞÀç Ýôïéìï (www.globalcomic.com). Ôï ÝâôéÑΓ�Γ‘ Ñðü ôçí Ññ÷Þ ìüíïò ìïá, ΓͺÑé ìÝñÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôç ìÝñÑ ôï Γ’Γ₯ëôéþíù. Ó÷Γ₯ôéΓͺÜ Γ¬Γ₯ Ñáôü, ðéóôΓ₯Γ½ΓΉ ðùò Γ₯ßìÑé Ñðü ôïáò ðéï Γ₯éëéΓͺñéíΓ₯ßò ðùëçôÝò ôçò ÑãïñÜò, Γͺáñßùò ãéÑôß âÝñïìÑé óôïáò Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ² ìïá Γ¬Γ₯ ôïí ßÀéï ôñüðï ðïá èÑ ÞèΓ₯ëÑ Γ­Γ‘ ìïá âÝñïíôÑé ΓͺΓ© Γ₯ìÝíÑ. Óôï site èÑ Ñó÷ïëïýìÑé Γͺáñßùò Γ¬Γ₯ preorders, ìéÑ ΓͺÑé Γ₯Γ¬Γ₯ßò Γ―Γ© retailers ðÑñÑããÝëíïáìΓ₯ 2 ìÞíΓ₯Γ² ðñéí. Óôï ìÝëëïí áðïëïãßæù Γ­Γ‘ ðñïóèÝóù ôï ÞÀç áðÜñ÷ïí óôïΓͺ ìïá óôï site, ÑëëÜ ãéÑ ôþñÑ ðÑñÑìÝíù ÑðïΓͺΓ«Γ₯éóôéΓͺÜ Γ³Γ₯ presales.

ÓÅÁ: Γ“Γ΅Γ­ΓœΓ­Γ΄Γ§Γ³Γ₯Γ² ðïôÝ ðñïÒëÞìÑôÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí Diamond; ÅÀþ óôçí Γ…Γ«Γ«ΓœΓ€Γ‘ Ý÷ïáìΓ₯ ΓͺÜðïéΓ₯Γ² ìéΓͺñïðÑñΓ₯Γ�çãÞóΓ₯éò ΓͺÑôÜ ΓͺÑéñïýò. (ÌΓ₯ ôçí Diamond UK ïáóéÑóôéΓͺÜ.)

DT: ÐñïóùðéΓͺÜ Γ§ Diamond ìïá âÝñΓ₯ôÑé Γ°Γ₯ñßâçìÑ. O ðñïóùðéΓͺΓΌΓ² ìïá Ñíôéðñüóùðïò Γ¬Γ₯ âñïíôßæΓ₯Γ© ðïëý ΓͺÑëÜ. ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ Γ‘ΓͺïáóôÜ ãéÑ ΓͺÜðïéÑ ðñïÒëçìÑôÜΓͺéÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôéò ðïóüôçôΓ₯Γ² ΓͺÑé ôï availability Γͺáñßùò, ÑëëÜ ΓͺÑôÜ Γͺýñéï ëüãï Γ§ Diamond ôÑ ðçãÑßíΓ₯Γ© ðïëý ΓͺÑëÜ. ÐÜíôïôΓ₯ Γ₯ßíÑé ðïëý Γ₯Γ�áðçñΓ₯ôéΓͺïß Γ¬Γ₯ ôï ïðïéïÀÞðïôΓ₯ ðñüÒëçìÑ.

ÓÅÁ: ÊÑìéÜ óáìÒïáëÞ ãéÑ ôïáò ÑíÑãíþóôΓ₯Γ² ìÑò, ãéÑ ΓͺÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ΓͺΓ© ÑóâÑëÝóôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ÑãïñÝò;

DT: Ìðïñþ Γ­Γ‘ ôïáò óáìÒïáëΓ₯Γ½Γ³ΓΉ Γ­Γ‘ øÜ÷íïáí ΓͺÑé Γ­Γ‘ ìÑèÑßíïáí ãéÑ ôïí ðùëçôÞ ôïáò. ΒΌΓ³Γ―Γ­ ÑâïñÜ ôï ebay, ôï feedback ôÑ Γ«Γ₯Γ₯Γ© üëÑ. Γ…Γ°ΓŸΓ³Γ§Γ², Γ§ Γ₯ðéΓͺïéíùíßÑ Γ₯ßíÑé ΓͺÜôé ôï ðïëý óçìÑíôéΓͺΓΌ. Áí Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ÑðÑíôÜ óôÑ e-mails Þ ôéò Γ₯ñùôÞóΓ₯éò ôïáò Γ³Γ₯ ÝíÑ ëïãéΓͺΓΌ Γ·Γ±Γ―Γ­Γ©ΓͺΓΌ ÀéÜóôçìÑ, ΓͺÜôé Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ðçãÑßíΓ₯Γ© ΓͺÑëÜ Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí ÑðïóôïëÞ ôïá ÀÝìÑôïò. ÁëëÜ ΓͺÑé ðÜëé ÝíÑ óýíôïìï e-mail óôïí seller ãéÑ ôï ðùò ΓͺÑé ôß Γ³Γ₯ ó÷Ýóç Γ¬Γ₯ ôéò ÑðïóôïëÝò Γ₯Γ�ΓΉΓ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺΓ―Γ½ Γ₯ßíÑé ìéÑ ΓͺÑëÞ Ññ÷Þ. Ðïëëïß ðùëçôÝò Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ãíùñßæïáí ôÑ ôéìïëüãéÑ. Ïé Γ°Γ₯ñéóóüôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ₯Γ² Ý÷ïáí ôï "flat rate envelope" ðñÜãìÑ ðïá Γ₯ΓͺΓ₯ßíïé Γ€Γ₯Γ­ ôï ãíùñßæïáí Γ¬Γ₯ ÑðïôÝëΓ₯óìÑ Γ­Γ‘ Γ·Γ±Γ₯þíïáí ðÑñÑðÜíù. ÎÝñù ðùò ðïëëïß Ñðü Ñáôïýò ðñïôéìïýí Γ­Γ‘ ìç óáíÑëëÜóóïíôÑé Γ¬Γ₯ ôï Γ₯Γ�ΓΉΓ΄Γ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺΓΌ, Γ₯ãþ üìùò ðéóôΓ₯Γ½ΓΉ ðùò Γ€Γ₯Γ­ áðÜñ÷Γ₯Γ© ΓͺÑìßÑ Ñðïëýôùò ÀéÑâïñÜ ΓͺÑé Γ₯ßíÑé Γ₯Γ�ßóïá ÑóâÑëÝò Γ¬Γ₯ ôï Γ­Γ‘ ôÑ÷áÀñïìΓ₯ßò ΓͺÜôé Γ₯íôüò ÁìΓ₯Γ±Γ©ΓͺÞò.

ÓÅÁ: ÈÑ ÞèΓ₯Γ«Γ₯Γ² Γ­Γ‘ ðñïóèÝóΓ₯éò ôßðïôΓ₯ ðñéí ΓͺΓ«Γ₯ßóïáìΓ₯;

DT: ÈÑ ÞèΓ₯ëÑ Γ­Γ‘ Γ³Γ₯ Γ₯á÷ÑñéóôÞóù ãéÑ ÑáôÞí ôçí óáíÝíôΓ₯Γ΅Γ�Γ§. Γ…ΓŸΓ¬Γ‘Γ© ÝíÑò Γ³Γ·Γ₯ôéΓͺÜ ΓͺÑéíïýñãéïò retailer, Γ¬Γ₯ Γ°Γ₯ñßðïá 2 Β½ ÷ñüíéÑ óôïí Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ―. Γ…ΓŸΓ¬Γ‘Γ© ÀéÑèÝóéìïò ôéò Γ°Γ₯ñéóóüôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ΓΎΓ±Γ₯Γ² ôçò çìÝñÑò, ΓͺÑé ÷ùñßò áðΓ₯ñÒïëÝò Γ₯ßìÑé ÝíÑò Ñðü ôïáò ΓͺÑëýôΓ₯ñïáò international shippers óôï ÀéÑÀßΓͺôáï (ÓÅÁ: Ááôü ìðïñþ Γ­Γ‘ ôï Γ₯ðéÒΓ₯ÒÑéþóù ΓͺΓ© Γ₯ãþ). ΒΈΓ·ΓΉ ðïëëïýò ôñüðïáò ãéÑ Γ­Γ‘ ÒïçèÞóù ôïáò Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ² ìïá Γ­Γ‘ ΓͺÜíïáí ΓͺÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ², âèçíüôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ΓͺΓ© ÑóâÑëÝóôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ² ÑãïñÝò, ÑíÜëïãÑ ðÜíôÑ Γ¬Γ₯ ôçí Γ·ΓΎΓ±Γ‘ ΓͺÑé ôï Ñí ÑáôÞ ÀéÑèÝôΓ₯Γ© Global Priority. Ïé Γ‘Γ₯ñïðïñéΓͺÝò ÑðïóôïëÝò Γ₯ßíÑé óÑâþò Γ‘ΓͺñéÒüôΓ₯Γ±Γ₯Γ², ÑëëÜ ðÜíôïôΓ₯ ÒñßóΓͺïíôÑé ëýóΓ₯éò, Γ¬Γ₯ôÜ Ñðü ΓͺÑëÞ óáíΓ₯ííüçóç Γ¬Γ₯ ôïáò Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ². ÐñïóâÝñù ÝΓͺðôùóç 25% Γ³Γ₯ ΓΌΓ«Γ₯Γ² ôéò ðÑñÑããΓ₯ëßΓ₯Γ² comics ΓͺÑé ðÜíôÑ bagged & boarded Γ₯ΓΆΓΌΓ³Γ―Γ­ ôï Γ₯ðéèáìïýí Γ―Γ© Γ°Γ₯ëÜôΓ₯Γ²! Åá÷Ññéóôþ.

Ôïí Dan ìðïñΓ₯ßôΓ₯ Γ­Γ‘ ôïí Γ’Γ±Γ₯ßôΓ₯ óôï www.globalcomic.com Þ Γ­Γ‘ ôïá Γ³Γ΄Γ₯ßëΓ₯Γ΄Γ₯ ÝíÑ e-mail óôï ultimatecomics4u@msn.com. ÖáóéΓͺÜ, Ñí Γ₯ðéóΓͺΓ₯ΓΆΓ΄Γ₯ßôΓ₯ ôï ebay, ΓͺÜíôΓ₯ ìéÑ ÒüëôÑ Ñðü ôï ìÑãÑæß ôïá, http://stores.ebay.com/A-to-Z-Ultimate-Comics-Online. ¼ëï ΓͺÑé ΓͺÜôé Γ₯íÀéÑâÝñïí èÑ Γ’Γ±Γ₯ßôΓ₯ Γ₯ΓͺΓ₯ß! Åãþ ðÜíôùò óÑò ôïí óáíéóôþ ÑíΓ₯ðéâýëÑΓͺôÑ!

Next: ¹ñèÑí ôÑ ×ñéóôïýãΓ₯Γ­Γ­Γ‘... Γ”ΓŸ Γ­Γ‘ ÒÜëù ΓͺÜôù Ñðü ôï ΓΆΓ±Γ₯Γ³ΓͺïóôïëéóìÝíï ÀÝíôñï; ÈÑ Γ’Γ±ΓΉ ôßðïôÑ âôçíü; ΓƒΓ©Γ‘Γ΄ΓŸ Γ¬Γ₯ ôÑ Γ«Γ₯âôÜ ðïá Γ�ΓΌΓ€Γ₯ΓΈΓ‘ óôéò ìðÜëΓ₯Γ² ôïá Γ₯ëÜôïá ΓͺÑëýôΓ₯Γ±Γ‘ Γ­Γ‘ Ññ÷ßóù ÝíÑ ÷üìðé ëéãüôΓ₯Γ±Γ― ÑðÑéôçôéΓͺΓΌ!

Spiros Evangelos Armenis: How did you begin your career as a comic book retailer

Dan Thompson: I used to be a big time collector. Ordering what I thought would be the next greatest issue. Spiderman was always my main stay. I decided to become a retailer to help fund my collecting habit. But it kind of backfired as once I started to sell, my collecting has been on the back burner. I seem to find more satisfaction in getting my buyers their books rather than having them myself. Also selling to all corners of the world is a new satisfaction, as 3 years ago I never thought I would have a friend in Greece and 15 other countries I ship to monthly!

SEA: What is the basis of your work? Do you work exclusively on the internet/ebay or do you have a comic store too?

DT: I started on e-bay which for the most part is most of my business. I have quite a few regulars I sell to that I deal with on individual basis. I also rent a small place in a video store in the small town I live in, Clinton. The store is hometown video and I have been selling there for about 3 months now. I have also started a web site, www.globalcomic.com. 80% of my business is International, thus globalcomic was the best name I thought as I want to build my International business up.

SEA: Why do you prefer this way of selling? Do you think that the internet is gonna be the next step in sales evolution or something?

DT: The Internet is growing every day. I think most business will be done over the Internet in just a few short years. The down fall to that is that some retail stores have problems staying in business. A lot of stores have gone to the Internet to help boost sales. But when a buyer can buy the products cheaper over the net , I guess no one can blame them for doing so.

SEA: Is there a particular method you use when you're ordering your new comics? Or is it just something that tells you "this is gonna be a big hit, lets order a dozen more of it"?

DT: Just following some of the big hitters, as everyone knows, when certain people are on a project, those projects tend to have huge followers. For me, sometimes it's just previewing the art and story. If I like the art, I tend to buy more. We retailers get to view certain books online before we order. Like when the new TEEN TITANS series hit the scene, I took one look at Geoff Johns' story and Mike McKone's pencils and said, "this is going to be big". The story was right on, the art was awesome, and the book took a lot of people by surprise.

SEA: Are you into back issues? And if no, why not?

DT: Not really, and the main reason for that is room... I don't have enough! Also it's hard enough to keep up with all the new issues hitting, trying to keep a extensive back issue inventory is hard. I do have some, I carry 10,000 to 15,000 books in inventory...most are from the last 3 years.

SEA: Variants. Do they sell as good as the publishers want us to believe?

DT: Yes and No... Usually when the variant hits, the first thing buyers do is scramble to get a copy. Most retail stores don't go heavy enough on the variants, thus all turn to online auction sites, such as e-bay. Once the hype is off, variants tend to pop up. But some variants are more rare and like in the case of the WOLVERINE #20, that was a 1:65 ratio variant. One of the rarest Marvel has put out for awhile. That variant will stay a top seller. It all depends on the book, In the case of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN white cover variant; the book is through the roof as there was a low print run. In the end, it's the consumers that show the company how well their variants sell. I think we will see that 2005 will be the "Year Of The Variants". As we have seen Marvel has jumped aboard with director's cut, and we have seen just recently 4 variant covers for the NEW AVENGERS title.

SEA: Do u think that the ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 bomb can actually reappear with a new title? Like the new AVENGERS #1 perhaps?

DT: It will be hard to match the power of the ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN by Bendis and Bagley. The book took everyone by surprise. It was said, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN = ultimate flop? Retailers did not order heavy as it seems there were just so many Spider-Man titles and this was just another Spider-Man book. NEW AVENGERS right now is building heat and Marvel -with the variants it's putting out- is making this series even hotter, but with those variants, retailers are buying heavy to get them, so copies will be readily available... for awhile anyway. I have heard of some stores already selling out of the NEW AVENGERS #1 and with a 4th variant to meet demand, I don't think we will see it in this book... For a book to meet the selling power of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN it will have to be a book you won't hear about till it hits, and will set every one on fire to get a copy.

SEA: Marvel vs DC. Does this "battle" really exist?

DT: That battle is still going on and will continue long after we are parted from this earth. Marvel is putting new and improved ideals out there and they've hit the comics industry with a "young gun" artist and variant books to make every one drool. DC, even with the over printing policies, has their top titles selling out and some of them are going to 2nd and 3rd printings. This tells me that DC and Marvel are hitting on all 8 cylinders. And who can resist a battle between Hulk and Superman or Superboy and Spider-man anyway??

SEA: What's your opinion concerning the overflowing of Top Cow and Aspen variant covers? Do they even have a chance of sustaining strength after 2 years or so?

DT: A lot of those variants are "eye candy" and with Turner's Aspen, who can resist some of those covers. I see the variants at first sell for top dollar, but as time drags on, prices drop a little. This is only bearing in mind my experience of selling and does not mean the book will necessarily lose value. Top Cow and Aspen have a ton of variant covers which are very appealing to consumers and as long as the story stays on track and we don't have to wait 3 months between issues, the books will be sought after.
Again the variants will depend on the consumer and ultimately the story. When a book takes longer than a month or two to get to the next issue, people tend to lose interest as there are too many new titles hitting monthly for them to keep track of. Then there are the hard-core collectors and for them, waiting a year for a book is no big deal. Just speaking of the masses, most people tend to lose interest.

SEA: You've mentioned that you do much business with international customers? Have you had any overseas problems until now?

DT: Basically, 80% of my business is International. I'm shipping to Japan, Hungary, Greece, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Philippines, Australia, Bulgaria, South Africa and Canada to name a few...I have lost only 1 global Priority shipment in Thousands of mailings, and one air mail to my good friend in Greece. Some countries do not have Global Priority service, and that is the best way to go. I have sellers that I work with in five different countries, so I probably ship about 20 to 30 Globals a week at times.

SEA: Tell us a bit about your website. Is it gonna be exclusively a store site?

DT: I have already set up my site (www.globalcomic.com). I have done all the work myself and in time I may learn to do it better. Regardless of the website, I am one of the most honest sellers out there as I treat all as I would want to be treated. It will be mostly devoted to pre-selling, as we retailers order 2 months in advance. In the future I plan to add existing inventory to the site, but for now it will be strictly presales.

SEA: Have you ever had any problems with Diamond? Here in Greece, we had several "misunderstandings" the past years. (Diamond UK actually here)

DT: For me, Diamond has been great. My rep always takes care of me. I have heard that some have problems with shortages, but for the most part, Diamond does pretty well. They always take care of my problems.

SEA: Any advice for our readers for better and safer shopping from the internet?

DT: I can give the advice to research your seller. When dealing with e-bay, the rating says it all. Also, communication is key. If he won't return your e-mail or questions in a timely manner, chances are that it will reflect on the shipping of the item. But still a quick e-mail to the seller asking how he ships his International buyers is a start. Some sellers do not know the rates. Most countries have the flat rate envelope, some sellers are not aware of this and over charge on shipping. I know a lot of sellers don't like to ship International, but I think it's just as safe and no different than shipping within the States.

SEA: Any final words?

DT: I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed. I am a new retailer, only being in the business for about 2 Β½ years. I am available most every day and quite honestly, I am one of the best International shippers on the net and I have ways to save the comic collector money, depending on the country and whether or not the country has Global Priority. Airmail is rather expensive, but I work with my buyers in any way I can. I offer 25% off new books and all are bagged and boarded if requested. I can ship more unboarded, but that's really up to the buyer... Thank you!!!!

You can find Dan at www.globalcomic.com or drop him an e-mail at ultimatecomics4u@msn.com. Of course, when you visit ebay, don't forget to make a stop at his store http://stores.ebay.com/A-to-Z-Ultimate-Comics-Online. You're sure to find something interesting there. I highly recommend it!