theicecreamsprinkles
asked:
Hi Tom! Really looking forward to my first (attended) free comic book day. I'm wondering though - I always hear the idea behind it is to bring in new readers, but do you typically see a quick return on the investment, or is it more of a long-term strategy? I ask because I know you guys run a tight ship and wouldn't throw money at something what wouldn't help the business tangibly. Of course, I imagine it's also a big gesture of goodwill to your retailers, too.
Free Comic Book Day isn’t really about seeing an immediate return on our efforts. It’s more about making an investment in our Retailers and in the future of the industry.
I’m not a retailer, and I’m sure the data changes from place to place, so I can’t tell you how many new regular customers come out of FCBD every year. But I do know that, in general, it gives at least the savvier retailers a very good day of business, and the potential to bring in new regular customers. And the FCBD books may plant the seed for new Marvel readers that won’t bloom for years down the line.