Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Ummm yeah


Newsarama ran an interesting article today about a comic shop in Orlando that uses some very "out of the box" marketing techniques. The article is written by one of the shops owners. It mentioned actual protests they organized against the superhero registration act that was a big plot in most Marvel comics a little over a year ago. Also covered was campaign they ran to get comics into the hands of US troops overseas and a pretty cool story about a real life zombie defense program they ran.

Of course the picture that ran on the front page was of a real life glamour model gal dressed up as super-girl. Apparently they've been very successful with a program called Girls of a Comic Shop. Is this good marketing or is it too sexy for an industry most people still associate with teens and children? Most of the outfits the models are wearing are tame in comparison to some of the things worn in comics. Also most comic book readers these days are men in their 20s and 30s, so the program certainly hits home with their target demo. Still I'm not sure if my wife would want to come to the shop with me on weekends if there were models dressed like this hanging around.


...call it a hunch but I seriously doubt she actually read that copy of ultimate x-men she's about to pick up. Lastly, does the fact that this kind of marketing works reinforce stereotypes that all comic book readers are dateless geeks, or is it just all in good fun and I need to get with the times?

10 comments:

Ben Hobson on November 10, 2010 at 8:06 AM said...

As a customer of ACS, I think it's all in good fun. It's not like the girls in those photos are standing around the shop, posing and suggesting comics. The store closes for those photoshoots and - being located around 3 of Orlando's major schools - men in their 20s and 30s ARE their main draw.

And I'll say the marketing is too sexy for comics when the women of comics aren't drawn as over-the-top sexpots wearing either little clothing or skin-tight clothing. : / Seems hypocritical to say these ladies are too sexy considering how most women are drawn in comics.

Anonymous said...

this comic shop is amazing. they events they hold, the people there. Im not a big comic fan, but that shop is awesome.

Adrian St James on November 10, 2010 at 8:25 AM said...

"it[s] just all in good fun and [you] need to get with the times." Your words.

Its just hot chicks posing in a comic shop. Nobody's naked. They're not distributing porn with the ACS logo on the box. Just fanboys being fanboys. I happen to know a lot of girls who checked out that store for the first time 'cuz they saw a picture of a real-live Miss Marvel and they just had to see the place for themselves! If it aint broke...

Dennis Castello on November 10, 2010 at 8:26 AM said...

Going to have to Agree with Ben! I love the store and everyone is extremely friendly. This is especially the case at their satellite store, A Comic Shop: The Sequel.
A little sex appeal to pander to a dominately male market surely isn't helping gender diversity, but when you're trying to make money you do with what you can to get a little attention. After all, business is business. I mean, come on, if you consider A Comic Shop shameless then take a couple of steps outside to gaze upon the Baywash - Bikini Car Wash - The sum total of the objectification of women in the labor. Now that's shameless.
A Comic shop also gives a lot back to its customers. Often having parties, viewings, and guest signings for free to the public! I know that I was more than excited to get my copy of Superman: Earth One signed by Shane Davis, without having to pay $50+ like I would normally at a convention.
Everyone at the store is excessively nice, and I don't feel like just a customer there. I feel as though I am a part of a nerdy comic community.
In conclusion, I do not feel its okay to judge A Comic Shop solely on how they advertise. They are good people.

p2 said...

agree. though i like most of the outreach A Comic Shop does, the tawdry lass technique is quite trite, but unfortunately still effective. the only place where i applaud it is if, and ONLY IF, they are actual readers. there are plenty of hot female who read comics. matter of fact, some of those gorgeous reader/cosplayers have been featured by A Comic Shop if i'm not mistaken.

so, best not to assume too much. they do a fine job.

as for stereotypes, let's face it, it is what it is. yes, i found it funny your questioning of said bait actually reading that copy she's fingering. but i'm don't fall into the stereotype. archetypes aren't what they used to be, but the majority rules, even the stereotype.

plenty of what aesthetically defines "comic book geek", can be witnessed out at your local shops, but plenty of readers are breaking that perception... Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears is still an avid collector and advocate for comics, and actress Brea Grant, Daphne of NBC's Heroes fame even launched a zombie comic.

sorry if i got off on a bit of a rant here, but shops like A Comic Shop, though I've never actually been to it, just make the trade more fun. creativity is everything... but it does get cheapened with gratuitous cheesecake.

Anonymous said...

Definitely the latter.
This to me sounds like a whiney "mrehh", that one would expect to hear from a stereotype of geeks-past, typically skeptical and stand-offish.
Now, I know it's hard to believe, but these girls aren't just random paid models. They read comics, they attend the events A Comic Shop throws and geek out like the rest of us fan boys. They talk about artists and writers they like, what story lines they follow, what they're looking forward to, and although hot they tend to be just as awkward and nerd-core as everyone else.

Meme on November 10, 2010 at 9:08 AM said...

As to the question of attractive females being photographed interacting with comics perpetuating the dominance of the male comic book reader, I'm female, I see nothing wrong with having hot chicks posing with comics. To be honest I really enjoy the pictures.

Of course you could use real life cosplayers, but these are real models. It's their job to know what they're doing; to know how to pose and how to show off a product or brand. They're professionals. I don't think any of the writers or artists associated with the comic she's touching would be offended... The girls ACS used are beyond hot, and they know how to show it off.

The store itself is amazing. They have a program where you can rent graphic novels. I'm sure that doesn't seem terribly astounding to some, but for us broke college kids it means a lot. ACS doesn't just sell comics, they've created a community. Every time I go in there I end up feeling more like I'm around friends than around staff. It's the only comic shop I ever plan on going back to.

Unknown on November 10, 2010 at 9:13 AM said...

As a lady who frequents ACS, I see nothing wrong with their ads. Everyone who works for the shop is very nice, very helpful, and no one has ever had an attitude with me.

Pretty much at least one weekend a month you can see someone dressed as a Superhero outside of their shop. No one complains when it's a guy wearing a padded Captain America or Superman costume. No one complains when it's a guy wearing a very non-padded Flash suit for that matter. So what's wrong if they get pretty ladies with "Comic Book Bodies" to play dress up? Are people going to be offended if they get men to do the same? Give me a break! Enjoy the view and the ad campaign.

Anonymous said...

http://www.girlsofacomicshop.com/
You should watch the video, it might change your opinion.

kevin n. on November 17, 2010 at 3:42 PM said...

How did everyone find this article 2 years after I wrote it? seriously, my writing has improved and my attitude has changed a ton. My biggest complaint now is that I prefer the old classic red Ms. Marvel costume to the one in the header picture. Seriously the red sash is played out.

 

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