I just want to ask if Marvel has a minimum page count for collected editions and if the decision on page count comes more from an editorial or business perspective? Having just bough a copy of FF volume one which comes in at 112 pages it does look and feel as if the book is empty with the pages barely able to fill the spine and while I can understand a short trade being brought out to contain a short storyline this meager page count seems to be applied to quite a few books which to me is concern and makes me feel as if I have been ripped off in terms of content particularly in contrast with the books on offer by Marvels competitors. It has made me rethink buying any books that have so few pages and I just want to understand why the page count has slipped so much.


Additionally on the subject of page counts in collected editions I am curious why unlike in the case of  single issues the page count of collected editions is not reflected in the price of the books. For example while FF vol 1 is only 112 pages Fantastic 4 vol 1 is 144 and yet they both cost the same price. When individual comics see a price hike over just a few additional pages why is it that you can get a whole comic less of content in a book without seeing any form of price cut to match?

For the most part, we try to keep the majority of our collected editions to 5-6 issues in length. That seems to be the sweet spot where the best value-for-money experience is to be had. But that also depends on the stories that are being told in the books, and how long they are–which includes future storylines as well. We’ll go smaller or larger if there’s a need based on what else is coming up, and how it collects into volumes. Just making every book five or six issues would lead to a poor reading experience, where volumes were cutting off literally in the middle of storylines.

And our book prices do reflect the size of the contents. It’s just that, from a book perspective, there’s not all that much difference between 112 pages and 144 pages in terms of the PP&B (Paper, Printing and Binding). Go up one more signature, though, to 160 pages, and you’ll see a price change.