BLOG

From what I understand, DC has sent around a memo to its employees in the offices to warn them that there might be some changes in 2010.  I haven’t seen the memo, but a few people have mentioned it.  And to me, a memo like that suggests that DC might cut down their staff again.  Which sucks because many editors are already overloaded with titles, and giving them more books means the product will get watered down.

When I hear of companies looking to make cuts in order to survive, I think about the story regarding American Airlines in 1987.  From what I understand, American Airlines was looking to make cuts in their budget, so in order to get by without slashing jobs, they served ONE LESS OLIVE in each salad served to first class passengers.  They saved $40,000 that year–not a whole lot of money for an airline, but they made many cuts like that and saved jobs.  What a creative solution to a tough problem.

So if DC is getting wigged out with the Disney/Marvel merger and looking to save cash and make changes, then how about this change: stop sending me my comp box and keep your employees.

As many of you know, DC sends out a box of comps to some of its employees each month with the previous month’s issues and trades(not comps of your own book–comps of EVERY book).  In theory it makes sense—it’s a perk that some artists enjoy and it’s helpful to supply them with what the company is publishing.  A few people get even MORE in the mail each month including action figures and whatnot.  There’s also a Christmas gift each year like a watch or a jump-drive.  I’m honestly not sure how many comp packages go out, but I asked around and think the number is between 100 and 200.

I hope I’m not way off because I’m about to do some math.

These packages weigh around 40 pounds and are going out all over the country.  So let’s guess that the average cost to ship the package is $50.  And how much is the merchandise worth?  My comps have about $300 worth of product in there, although the PRINT cost is probably more like $50.  So let’s start with the low-end first.

$50 (printing cost) + $50 (shipping cost) = $100 per package cost
100 packages (low end estimate) x $100 = $10,000 per month for this perk (not including the extra cost of the action figure packages).
10,000 x 12 = $120,000 per year
$120,000 is easily two or three editor salaries.

Okay, now let’s add up what the max cost might be.

$300 (store value of comics) + 50 (shipping cost) = 350 per package cost
200 packages (high end estimate) x $350 = $70,000 per month
70,000 x 12 = $840,000 per year

These are VERY broad strokes of course; I doubt it’s as insanely high as $840,000 a year.  THESES AREN’T the numbers I’m only guessing.  DC might have a deal with UPS that cuts down on shipping cost that I don’t know about, or maybe some of my other numbers are way off.  

But even the low-end estimate of $120,000 a year is an insane amount of money for packages of comics that most artists just give away.  I wish DC would put it to a vote and send this letter through the mail: Do you still want your comps or would you rather we ax a few editors and destroy their family incomes?

To me the choice is obvious.  By saving comp money they could do any number of things: save jobs, increase page rates, produce more product, increase advertising, increase market research, etc.

I hope I’m not coming across as ungrateful, because that’s not my point.  I enjoy the respect of working for DC and love that they think of me at Xmas, but if those perks mean people losing their jobs, then I don’ t need your damn books.

I’m probably going to get some heat for this, but I think it’s something people should consider.  So next time your having an in-store discussion about the state of comics and you’re looking for that knockdown argument—use this one from old man Murphy.

*if I’m way of base here then I’ll take this down and correct it.  I hate to stir people up for no reason.