Marvel comics changes going forward

I first want to state openly that this is not to change anyone's opinions or change anyone else's reading habits. This is merely to be open and honest.

I have recently discovered that one of the books I recommended and love Unstoppable Wasp has been cancelled as of issue 8. The first trade is due out, according to Amazon, on September 12th. That means the book was cancelled before it even had a chance to get to a library. This is not the first time Marvel has done this. Great Lakes Avengers was cancelled right before it's trade came out as well as numerous others. This hurts libraries and does not allow them a chance to have their voices heard especially in areas where the community has no comic book store or a population that is not likely to spend money on books or comic books.

But that is not all, it hurts comic fans, new and old, as they begin to love a story or character and Marvel cancels it before it even has a chance. It has also stopped me from reading a number of Marvel books and until the practices change, I am not going to be trying any new Marvel books. I'm tired of books I enjoy getting cancelled before they even have a chance. Right now, I'm reading Iceman, Nick Fury, and Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider. When those end or creative teams change or Iceman just annoys me too much, I'll be dropping those and not following any new Marvel books.

I also will not recommend any new Marvel comics until after they have had at least one trade out, but preferably two. I worry that if sales are too low, Marvel could cancel a second trade and never complete a series for the fans and that could potentially hurt libraries through circulation if fans feel they can never finish the story.

All that said, I will still recommend Marvel books that are in print in trades for libraries. That will not change. I will also keep track of what is coming out from Marvel, if only marginally so, to stay informed enough to recommend hot new books for libraries. If Marvel changes their practices, I will go back to reading new books, but I do not see that happening in the near future.

Hopefully everyone will understand why I have made this decision and again I'm just trying to be open about the process. I cannot in good faith recommend books to libraries or individuals if those stories are not being given a chance and may never be completed for the fans especially new fans. I just can't.

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